Inlander 03/24/2022 by The Inlander

MARCH 24-30, 2022 | BIGGEST BEST OF ISSUE EVER!

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VOL. 29, NO. 24 | COVER ILLUSTRATION: LUIS BRIGMAN-HARRIS

COMMENT NEWS CULTURE BEST OF

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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his week’s issue is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. It’s the biggest BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST issue ever, and when you’ve been doing that reader-driven issue as long as we have, that’s kind of incredible given what we’ve all lived through the past couple of years. It also marks the inclusion of words from some of the voters themselves, who used their ballots to tell us exactly why that place has the best pizza, or who they believe is the best public official, or where they go to pick up a new book, a new tan, or a new saxophone. We love writing about all the readers’ choices for their favorites from throughout the region, but it’s pretty cool to share that job with the people who make the issue possible. Also this week, we’ll get you ready for the Spokane Regional of the women’s March Madness tournament (page 20), catch up with Spokane band the Smokes as they release a new album (page 141), talk to Spokane native Julia Sweeney about her one-woman shows at the Fox on Saturday (page 14), and dig into a new chapter of our housing-crisis news series, Out of Reach (page 8). — DAN NAILEN, editor

Seriously, Heath

A night of art, music and wine, in memory of our favorite April Fool

First Friday, April 1 • 5-8pm at

Terra Blanca Winery

FEATURING VARIOUS LOCAL ARTISTS, including the LEGENDARY CHRIS BOVEYof Vintage Prints

926 W Sprague, Ste 100 (509) 340-9140

OTHER SALE ITEMS, including

Signed Rock & Roll Memorabilia and more

Sale proceeds go directly to the Harmon family LIVE MUSIC: 6:30 pm

Kari Marguerite & the 76

SELECT WINES at Happy Hour prices. Light snacks provided.

BE AWARE! AWARE!

Or Scan me!

Planning some D.I.Y. projects that involve digging?

DON'T DIG INTO TROUBLE! GETTING CROWDED PAGE 8

HOMECOMING QUEEN PAGE 14

In Spokane County? Visit www.callbeforeyoudig.org In Kootenai County? Visit kootenaicounty811.com Two business days before to alert utilities.

Spokane County

Know what’s below. Kootenai County Click or Call before you dig. THE LION ROARS PAGE 135

STILL SMOKIN’ PAGE 141

INLANDER

TOGETHER, WE ARE KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE. Donate Thank you for choosing to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest. Your gift keeps families together and strong so they can focus on what matters most—their children.

SPOKANE • EASTERN WASHINGTON • NORTH IDAHO • INLANDER.COM

1227 WEST SUMMIT PARKWAY, SPOKANE, WA 99201 PHONE: 509-325-0634 | EMAIL: INFO@INLANDER.COM THE INLANDER is a locally owned, independent newspaper founded on Oct. 20, 1993. It’s printed on newsprint that is at least 50 percent recycled; please recycle THE INLANDER after you’re done with it. One copy free per person per week; extra copies are $1 each (call x226). For ADVERTISING information, email advertising@inlander.com. To have a SUBSCRIPTION mailed to you, call x210 ($50 per year). To find one of our more than 1,000 NEWSRACKS where you can pick up a paper free every Thursday, call x226 or email frankd@inlander.com. THE INLANDER is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. All contents of this newspaper are protected by United States copyright law. © 2022, Inland Publications, Inc.

rmhcinlandnw.org/35years/ Since opening its original House in 1987, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest now has three locations to provide a “Home-Away-From-Home” to 64 families each night in the Inland Northwest. Celebrate with us.

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 3

GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS: BACK ON TOUR Thursday, April 7 Spokane Arena

4 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

MERCYME: INHALE (EXHALE) TOUR Sunday, April 10 Spokane Arena

ERIC CHURCH IN THE ROUND: THE GATHER AGAIN Saturday, April 16 Spokane Arena

COMMENT STAFF DIRECTORY PHONE: 509-325-0634 Ted S. McGregor Jr. (tedm@inlander.com)

March 4-5-6, 2016 | Spokane Fair & Expo Center | Spokane, WA

April 1-2-3, 2022 45th Annual Spring

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE INLAND NORTHWEST?

PUBLISHER

Jer McGregor (x224) GENERAL MANAGER

EDITORIAL Dan Nailen (x239) EDITOR

SEAN GIRARE

The quantity of ski areas in the vicinity. As well as how many breweries I can go by on my way to work.

Chey Scott (x225) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Derek Harrison (x248) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Samantha Wohlfeil (x234) BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Daniel Walters (x263) SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER Seth Sommerfeld (x250) MUSIC EDITOR

Carrie Scozzaro (x232) STAFF WRITER

Chris Frisella COPY CHIEF

FEATURING NORTHWEST ARTISANS FINE ART | HAND CRAFT | SPECIALTY FOODS

JESSICA WADE

The outdoors. I love getting out into nature, and right now wildflowers are popping up. In the fall we have mushrooms. I love it. Do you have a favorite park in town? I go to Riverside State Park a lot.

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Young Kwak, Erick Doxey PHOTOGRAPHERS

Madison Pearson

Spokane Fair & Expo Center

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Alyssa Hughes, Jami Nelson INTERNS

Amy Alkon, Josh Bell, CMarie Fuhrman, Chase Hutchinson, Will Maupin CONTRIBUTORS

ADVERTISING Kristi Gotzian (x215) ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carolyn Padgham (x214) SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Adrianne Haunert (x216), Jeanne Inman (x235), Tracy Menasco (x260), Autumn Adrian Potts (x251), Claire Price (x217), Wanda Tashoﬀ (x222)

8 A dmi s sion

Fr e e P ar k in g

Friday 10AM —8PM Saturday 10AM —6PM Sunday 10AM —4PM

ALEX EVANS

My favorite thing about Spokane is the proximity to everything. I can get to downtown in five minutes. I can get to a hike in five minutes. Maybe a little bit longer to a lake. It’s just so accessible. I feel like you can get everywhere and do anything in such a short amount of time.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Kristina Smith (x223) MARKETING DIRECTOR Jess Kennedy (x212) ADVERTISING & MARKETING COORDINATOR McKenna Fuhrman (x242) ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Houston Tilley (x247) DIGITAL SALES & EVENTS COORDINATOR

PRODUCTION

ANNIE BLAKE-BURKE

I am from California. I came here to go to Gonzaga and ended up here. My favorite thing about the Inland Northwest is probably all of the water that’s around us, which you might not think about. All of the amazing lakes and rivers, and being able to spend summer outdoors in the water is awesome.

Tom Stover (x265) PRODUCTION MANAGER Ali Blackwood (x228) CREATIVE LEAD & MARKETING MANAGER Derrick King (x238) SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Todd Goodner (x231) GRAPHIC DESIGNER

MALLORY PEAK

I live in Browne’s Addition, and I love that there are trails near my house. There are lots of places where I can walk my chunky dog.

OPERATIONS Dee Ann Cook (x211) BUSINESS MANAGER Kristin Wagner (x210) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

CIRCULATION Frank DeCaro (x226) CIRCULATION MANAGER Travis Beck (x237) CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR

INTERVIEWS BY JAMI NELSON 3/16/22, BLACK LABEL BREWING CO., 19 W. MAIN AVE.

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 5

COMMENT | SEASONS

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False Spring on a Loop After the false starts and dashed hopes of the past two years, change seems to really be coming; is it too soon to trust again? BY CMARIE FUHRMAN

Inlander.com/GetListed Deadline is one week prior to publication

SPOKANE

want to believe the trillium will bloom. Every spring, in a small grove of mixed conifer, the place where we buried Katie dog, they rise. And yet. There is still so much snow. A miracle of snow. Waist deep and almost April. Will it all really melt and turn this monochromatic landscape lush again? The sun is promising spring today. As is the drip I hear from trees and roof. The ice in the driveway is turning to slush. But it’s only mid-March, and I know the weather in these Salmon River Mountains. It’s got a snow or two left. There’s still north in that wind. This is Fool’s Spring.

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6 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

nd I’ve been fooled. A few years back, mid-April and giddy with a week of sun, I had the studded tires taken off our Toyota Matrix, then drove Highway 95 from McCall to Moscow. If you’ve ever driven that stretch and know the climb 95 makes from the town of Whitebird to where it begins to descend into Grangeville, you know steep. It was snowing

hard. Everything, sky, road, slope, another shade of gray. Almost at the top, I lost traction, started sliding backward, and didn’t stop until the tires found the gravel of the shoulder. A semi rambled past, the chained tires cackling. Backsliding bedamned, I still lean toward optimism. And it seems I’m not alone. Fellow townsfolk were shedding more than hats, coats, and snow tires this week. We’ve also pocketed our masks. Now smiles bloom where before was a paper rectangle of ambiguity. Last night, at a gathering of nearly 100 in our small community, only five wore masks. I wore lipstick. It was the first time some of us had gathered in almost two years. We’d only just heard of COVID back then. No one knew the right thing to do, so we all brought our own forks, then huddled into a conversation about what may be next. The

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Can we trust this summer to be as carefree as the past? only thing that felt risky was facing the coming storm alone. “Verve” was the color of lipstick I wore. Plum-red. Mauve-ish. Perhaps even a little foolish. But it felt good to share a smile. I even bussed the cheek of a friend and left a mark. As if proof of my faith. But it neither proved nor promised anything. I reached in my pocket for a tissue and found my mask instead. I touched it and felt the wariness the last two years bred. I reached to wipe away the kiss, but my friend was gone. I felt as if I had trespassed. I took my chair and put my hands in my pockets. I looked out the window toward the lake I knew was there. Fog and snow had curtained the landscape until all that remained was white. “Hard to believe there is an enormous lake out there,” I said to the table, and the other guests nodded. It’s the nature of doubt that makes us trust in only what we can see. And then, as happens here, a wing of blue swept the fog away, and sun came pouring in. Suddenly, lake. As if the mere noticing of uncertainty could restore faith.

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ifty years of mountain living should make me a believer. I should scoff at the snow and know that despite what I see at the moment, the season will change, and the snow tires I’d left on will seem foolish. But perhaps it is precisely that which threatens my belief. The last two years have offered an unpredictability I have no practice in, making me doubt what I think I know. Distrust my judgment. Made me don the mask not for the protection it offers but for the uncertainty it conceals. Perhaps I need to see the trillium for the same reasons we have all been so eager to shed the masks and see one another’s faces. We want to know for sure that change is coming. That living will get easier. That perhaps we can slide into summer with the same carefree bliss as summers before. But if the seasons have taught us nothing else, they have taught us faith. The trillium will bloom. I’ll wear the mask a little longer, but I’ll keep the lipstick in my pocket. n CMarie Fuhrman is the author of Camped Beneath the Dam: Poems (Floodgate 2020) and co-editor of Native Voices (Tupelo 2019). Fuhrman is also the director of the Elk Rivers Writers Workshop and resides in the mountains of West Central Idaho.

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 7

Grandview/Thorpe is slated for hundreds of new homes. One neighbor summed up the traffic impacts as, “We are trapped!” ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

TRAPPED HOUSING

BY TRAFFIC With limited access, neighbors and WSDOT both worry about proposed homes near Highway 195

ith Inland Northwest housing prices soaring amid limited supply and an inflow of residents during the pandemic, developers are proposing building hundreds of homes along Highway 195, including in areas where similar proposals previously stalled. But neighbors in the area worry their already limited access streets could become overwhelmed with traffic. They’re not alone. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the city of Spokane have studied the 195 corridor for decades as they’ve tried to figure out how best to build out the area, which was annexed into city limits in the 1980s. In fact, WSDOT was so concerned about adding traffic to the interchange at 195 and Interstate 90 that they sent the city a letter in February 2020 warning that the state agency could be forced to limit local access points to 195 if the city didn’t build out other streets. In the letter, WSDOT Eastern Region Administrator Mike Gribner asked the city to halt any development near 195 until those improvements are made. “The fact that the local street network and other appropriate transportation facilities were never constructed from previous comprehensive planning efforts has led us to what can only be described as a crisis in management of safety within the corridor,” Gribner wrote. Gribner tells the Inlander that since then, the city, state

8 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL and other partners have completed another study and created a list of projects that need to happen in sync with any new home building in order for WSDOT to feel confident about traffic safety. “There’s a lot of people at the same table trying to work through this,” Gribner says. “From where we were in 2020 to here, there’s been some good change. We know what projects should be built from a transportation point of view.” Still, he says the conversation is ongoing, and the status of 195 access depends on what actually happens as projects seek city permits. One such project in the process of applying to the city is a 96-home development in the Grandview/ Thorpe neighborhood, roughly the area to the west of 195, between I-90 and West Thorpe Road. Residents there could soon have to compete with hundreds of new vehicles on the two main routes out of the hilly neighborhood. The debate over the Grandview Addition is just one of many in Spokane highlighting the tension between bringing more housing units to a city that badly needs them and residents concerned about how their neighborhoods might change. “I think our whole rub is you’re putting a plot of houses in the middle of an established neighborhood,

and it’s already stuffed to the gills with what we have,” says Candace Smallfoot, who has lived on 21st Avenue in Grandview for more than 25 years. “Getting in and out of this neighborhood is getting to be tricky at best.”

GRANDVIEW ADDITION

Smallfoot was one of many who commented at a March 3 community meeting on the proposed Grandview Addition held by Whipple Consulting Engineers. Whipple is helping design the project for developer Toll Brothers, a massive national homebuilding company with multiple projects in the Spokane area. The developers have to give the city a list of neighborhood concerns before submitting an official application, which the firm was working to wrap up this week. As required by city zoning, the addition bounded by West 17th and 21st avenues and South D and H streets must include four to 10 homes per acre. At 96 homes, it hits the lower end of that range. Most resident concerns centered on traffic, with limited routes in and out of the neighborhood at Sunset Boulevard or Highway 195. “The traffic issues are horrendous,” says Claudia Lobb, a neighbor near the proposed addition. “For the people who live in our area, there is no safe entry onto 195 or I-90.” ...continued on page 10

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NEWS | HOUSING “TRAPPED BY TRAFFIC,” CONTINUED... Over the past five years, there were 27 collisions reported at the intersection with 16th Avenue and U.S. 195, including seven injury accidents with no fatalities, according to WSDOT. Due to other projects underway, drivers on 16th will soon only be able to turn south onto 195 as they leave the neighborhood, even though many of them need to go north to downtown or other parts of the city. With that change, many could start leaving the neighborhood through the Sunset connections.

where folks are coming from, feeling trapped in their homes. More homes means more congestion, and a roadway system that can’t handle that, and they have no choice.” Parpolia says she was always aware someone could build on the land behind her home, but like others she got used to enjoying the wooded property in recent decades. She often sees wildlife, and knows that once the rocky property is blasted and built out, that will likely change. Smallfoot and others also worry the neighborhood’s culture will change once the new homes go in. “We just see that whole ambiance of our neighborhood deteriorating as new houses come in here that are slammed together,” Smallfoot says. She and others questioned if the homes, which will most likely be on the higher end for Spokane’s market, will help with the housing crisis. They could just attract homebuyers from pricier markets who want to get away from sprawl in their own areas, Smallfoot says. “I don’t know the answer, but I know it’s not in our backyard,” Smallfoot says.

“It’s a classic case of poor planning way back affecting us now, and we’re having to deal with it. I get exactly where folks are coming from.” “I think it’s going to be difficult for them to come up with a plan for the traffic,” says Sheila Parpolia, who lives near the current dead end of 21st, which will be connected to Grandview Avenue for easier access to Sunset. “I don’t know how they’re going to be able to do it.” In an email to City Council members, Parpolia pointed out that other projects could add 215 homes around the same time as these 96. She asked if fire equipment could get in and out quickly enough with all those new cars and wrote, “We are trapped!” Councilwoman Lori Kinnear says it shouldn’t come as a surprise for neighbors that privately owned land in the city could be developed, but the concerns are valid, including how the new homes could impact schools, fire response and public transit (there’s currently no bus service there). “It’s a classic case of poor planning way back affecting us now, and we’re having to deal with it,” Kinnear says. “I get exactly

10 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

WHERE THE BUCK STOPS

While WSDOT has made it clear that city streets that run parallel to 195 need to be built out, the agency is ultimately limited when it comes to stopping proposed development, region administrator Gribner says. WSDOT can weigh in during the permitting process and ask the city’s hearing examiner to consider the traffic impacts. Or the agency may take steps to limit access to 195 if safety is at risk, Gribner says. Kinnear, too, says the council is limited in its ability to prevent

“Out of Reach” is the Inlander’s new occasional series investigating why finding a home, or even an affordable rental, has increasingly become out of reach in the Inland Northwest — and what we can do about it. Follow the series at inlander.com/housing.

a project from moving forward if it meets the standards that are in place under the city’s comprehensive plan. One way the city can require developers to help is through traffic impact fees, which City Council was expected to discuss March 24. “The city doesn’t have deep pockets,” Kinnear says. “That’s why the impact fees are being looked at so the developers will pick up the cost.” Todd Whipple, the president of Whipple Consulting, has worked on land development for 30 years. He says the state’s Growth Management Act, which was intended to prevent sprawl and required cities to create comprehensive plans, has made it harder for residents to stop projects they don’t approve of. “As an infill project, it’s really hard not to get approved,” Whipple says. Once developers meet specific requirements, there is little recourse other than appealing the project to Superior Court, where it’s still likely that a developer is allowed to move forward so long as they complete the steps the city and court require, Whipple says. Because developers aren’t allowed to create sprawl by buying property further outside of the city and annexing it so people can receive services like fire, water, sewer and schools, the only properties left to develop are inside the city. Rockier properties like this one are now coming up for development because easier ones were already built out, he says. “What growth management did was set up a system where the easily developable property is pretty much gone,” Whipple says. “It’s not that we woke up one day and said, ‘Hey let’s go mess with these people.’ It’s, ‘Hey, this land has been available a really long time.’” The Grandview Addition is still in the early stages, and residents can weigh in more as it goes through permitting. “We’re in the infancy of this project,” Whipple says. “We value their input.” n samanthaw@inlander.com

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MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 11

NEWS | HOUSING

Permitting Time Housing development in Spokane wakes up, albeit groggily BY DANIEL WALTERS

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pokane’s failure to build enough housing was a disaster even before the COVID-19 pandemic. There were so few vacant apartment units, with vacancies nearly nonexistent as early as 2017, when the Inlander dedicated an entire cover story to it. Yet instead of this crisis sparking a surge in new housing, the number of housing permits was actually lower over the next three years: In 2018, the number of housing units in Spokane County permitted fell to less than 2,260 units — the lowest level in four years. Part of the issue, Spokane Home Builders Association President Joel White says, is that, with rents still low and the market uncertain, few local developers were eager to risk committing the next few years to building a ton of multifamily projects in Spokane. “Not a lot of people have the resources to invest in 144 units,” White says. “They don’t want to oversaturate the market either.” Longtime local developer Lanzce Douglass

blames the Washington state business climate — a problem he says has only become worse in recent years. “With the political environment in Washington, with the Legislature gutting the landlords’ property rights, there’s not really much incentive to continue to build in Washington,” he says. Why deal with the red tape in Spokane, when he could just hop across the border and build in more laissez faire Kootenai? “We’re in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene right now, building some large complexes because of that,” Douglass says. “If you go over to Post Falls in the Highway 41 corridor, you’ll see all the big developers are over there.” Indeed, Kootenai County, despite having a much smaller population, actually saw 20 percent more housing units get permitted in 2020 than in Spokane County. But that’s changing: 2021 figures show Kootenai County development

slowing down — and Spokane speeding up. White says the easiest-to-develop land in Kootenai had already been snatched up, “They’re getting some political resistance over there, too,” White says. “Infrastructure needs to get developed, and that takes time.” Meanwhile, Spokane County permits rebounded from its 2020 lull by leaping more than 40 percent to end 2021 with 3,400 new housing Joel White of the Spokane Home Builders Association units permitted. “It really didn’t really take off until COVID, when you started to see people fleeing the West Coast,” White says. That includes a six-story 139-unit project in Spokane’s University District; 48 units of Catholic Charities’ supportive housing near Spokane Falls Community College; the “Marjorie at Aspen Park” with 226 units on the West Plains; and even a huge project from Douglass — the Quarry Apartments — in Spokane Valley. And yet Spokane County still fell short of surpassing the number of permits issued for 2016, suggesting the pace still isn’t nearly fast enough to make up for the tens of thousands of homes the area needs to accommodate its growing population. “We just have stalled,” White says. n danielw@inlander.com

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Lexi Alfonso recently suffered a broken neck in a severe car accident while delivering the Inlander as an independent contractor. Thankfully, she’s expected to make a full recovery, but she has a long road ahead. A Go Fund Me campaign has been started to help with her medical bills and living expenses. If you’d like to help Lexi, visit gofundme.com and search “Support for Lexi and Frankie.” Frankie is Lexi’s beloved dog (pictured with Read more about Lexi by scanning this code.

Lexi), who was in the car at the time of the accident and was unhurt.

509-928-2222 MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 13

COMEDY

NEW BALANCE Julia Sweeney is a little older, wider and wiser as she readies her one-woman show in Spokane BY DAN NAILEN

14 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT SERIES

wo years ago when the world shut down and pretty much everything considered “live entertainment” was canceled, Julia Sweeney was just weeks away from filming her latest one-woman show on the Fox Theater stage. The Spokane native and high school employee of the Fox during its movie-house days had already performed Older & Wider here back in 2018, but now she wanted to film it at her hometown theater, for posterity and broader public consumption. Then, like the rest of the world, she was forced to go home and hunker down. And wait. And wait. And wait some more until her rescheduled date at the Fox wasn’t waylaid by some new variant or lockdown. That date finally arrives Saturday when Sweeney will film two Older & Wider performances (directing them herself), and then go immediately to work editing the special in her brother’s Spokane condo. While she’s excited, there were times during the past couple years Sweeney definitely thought about just dropping the whole idea. “I had six months where I would wake up in the night and go, ‘I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to do it. I don’t care that it’s recorded for all time,’” Sweeney, 62, says on a phone call with the Inlander. “I know what you have to do to shoot something. It’s not easy. I have one friend who just kept saying, ‘Julia, you already have what most comedians need. You have the material. You have this beautiful space. You just have to do it.’”

weeney also has something else most comedians would probably envy — a perspective on her career that is clear, and a confidence that she could walk away from the spotlight right now and be just fine. That insight came, she says, when she was locked down with her husband, Michael, and daughter Mulan in their 1,350-square-foot house that was just big enough for them all to have their own space to write, work or go to school. The experience of staying home and sharing cocktails nightly at 5 pm gave Sweeney a glimpse of what retirement might look like. And she really liked it. “I feel guilty saying this, but for me, it was fantastic,” Sweeney says of her pandemic life. “It was really kind of life-changing, actually. I’m a social person; I have a lot of friends. But I also love to be alone, and I always do feel like I’m cheating that side of me.” Sweeney was busy during the pandemic to be sure. The Saturday Night Live veteran had roles on three different series that all did some filming during the last two years (American Gods, Shrill and Work in Progress) in addition to planning for the eventual Spokane filming of Older & Wider. Sweeney enjoyed those acting experiences, but notes that it was not much fun to film during the height of COVID-19. American Gods in particular gave her a juicy send-off: “It ended with me getting my throat slit, which is a hilarious thing to do.” But bouncing between three cities where the shows filmed, and being trapped in hotel rooms quarantining when not on the set, made her appreciate home all the more. And also maybe realize she was over the acting thing. “I don’t think I’ll audition; I’m not going to go after things,” Sweeney says. “I like to just have a quiet life at home. That’s what I want now.” ...continued on next page

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CULTURE | COMEDY “NEW BALANCE,” CONTINUED...

etween learning the art of craft cocktails so she could impress her husband and daughter when it was her turn to bartend — “it wasn’t until the pandemic that I started taking drinking seriously” — Sweeney spent some of her home time reworking sections of Older & Wider. Spokane will be the first audience to see the “new” show, and perhaps the last. Sweeney doesn’t picture doing much in the way of live stage work going forward.

“And kids just screamed the entire movie. I mean, like it was a Beatles concert. Just screaming and beating each other up. But I could still see the movie, and I loved it.” The other new section of Older & Wider is about the pandemic and her mother, who still lives in Spokane in an assisted living facility. Sweeney’s mother suffers from dementia, and she touches on that “most particular kind of heartbreak” in the show just a little bit. Once Sweeney’s done with Older & Wider, Spokane might be one of the few places where fans will see her in person, but it will likely be in a coffee shop when she’s visiting her mom. Otherwise, she’s embracing the idea of working at home, progressing on a screenplay about the Mamas and the Papas’ “Mama” Cass Elliott that Sweeney started during the pandemic and doing some other writing. But not too much writing. “This is the formula I’ve come up with: I’m going to write 15 hours a week. Which I do, and I like it,” Sweeney says. “But I’m not going to write 30 hours a week. And I’m not going to have any expectations of how it turns out. And then the rest of my life is just going to be me being a retired lady.” n

“I don’t think I’ll audition. I’m not going to go after things. I like to just have a quiet life at home.” “I bet 70 percent of the show is exactly the same show I did back in 2018,” Sweeney says. “But I’ve written a new opening to talk about my feelings for the theater, which are strong and deep.” Sweeney made popcorn at the Fox as a 16-year-old; “I never actually sold tickets, that was like a higher level.” The first movie she ever saw was at the Fox, The Sound of Music in 1965. And when she was little, before the Fox was converted into a triplex cinema, she’d go watch children’s movies there every Saturday. For 50 cents, kids could catch a double-feature of movies like The Love Bug and The Shakiest Gun in the West. “I lived there on Saturdays,” Sweeney says.

Julia Sweeney: Older & Wider • Sat, March 26, at 4 and 8 pm • $25 • Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox • 1001 W. Sprague • foxtheaterspokane.org • 509-624-1200

Friday, May 13, 2022 Davenport Grand Hotel Hurry, limited seating available! Purchase tickets by April 1st to be entered to win a one-night stay at the Davenport Grand for the night of the event!

For tickets please visit www.cceasternwa.org/gala 16 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

NEW TASTES, NEW BETS, ALL WINS. NOW OPEN: GRILL & BAR AND CAESARS® SPORTSBOOK At the new Grill & Bar, all bets are on delicious! With tempting breakfast options, appetizers, burgers, chicken, specialty hot dogs, flatbreads and more, there’s something on the menu for every appetite. After you’ve fueled up, head over to the all-new Caesars® Sportsbook, where you can watch and wager on all your favorite teams and sports. With an 86-foot scrolling scorekeeper and wall of big-screen TVs, you won’t miss a minute of the action!

CULTURE | MARCH MADNESS

Opposites Advance It takes two to lead a deep run in March, and luckily the Zags have Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard BY WILL MAUPIN

very team needs a leader. Some choose to lead by example, simply doing what must be done, knowing that the rest will follow suit. Others empower and embolden through their words. Is one better than the other? For Gonzaga, that’s not worth pondering, because the Zags have it both ways. During the Zags’ two games in the NCAA Tournament last weekend in Portland, Andrew Nembhard and Drew Timme took radically different approaches to leadership as they have all season. And both led Gonzaga to its seventh consecutive appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. The Zags face SEC power Arkansas on Thursday. “These two are our leaders. It’s their team,” head coach Mark Few said after the top-seeded Zags defeated Memphis. “In big games and big moments — and our backs kinda were at least pressed against the wall at that point — they respond.” Respond, and lead, they did. Gonzaga battled to a win against a strong, athletic Tigers squad. Timme led with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Nembhard, meanwhile, got it done outside, scoring 23 points, on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. When Memphis’ athleticism seemed too much to overcome — the Tigers led by 10 points at halftime — it was Nembhard who kept the Zags within punching distance to that point. Then it was Timme who took over, going on a dominant 10-minute run that will long be remembered among Gonzaga fans. The duo carried the pressure of an entire season suddenly on the brink. Even after halftime, while Timme was scoring at will and putting Memphis’ big men into foul trouble, it was Nembhard running the show. Though you might not have noticed — the quiet Canadian rarely seeks the spotlight.

The Zags’ Andrew Nembhard (left) and Drew Timme lead in different ways. “I’m gonna let Andrew answer that,” Few laughed in the postgame press conference in response to one question. “Otherwise, he’ll sit up here, and he won’t say a word.”

ll season, quietly dominating has been Nembhard’s role. The senior point guard has been outstanding. He’s swished crowd-silencing 3-pointers at critical moments and dished out dime after dime while rarely turning the ball over, all in an effort to keep the Zags’ offense running like a well-oiled machine. He may not lead by eloquence, but surely he does by example. Timme, on the other hand, will speak into existence whatever needs to be done. He attempted a PG-rated synopsis of his Memphis halftime speech during a live interview with TBS’s Andy Katz after the game. “I said I don’t give a flying F what happens at the end of the game, whether we lose or win, we’re not going out as no, uh… soft guys,” Timme recalled to the national TV audience.

GONZAGA ATHLETICS PHOTOS

The mustachioed big man would later take to Twitter to joke that he cleaned up the televised version of his speech for his mother, who he feared wouldn’t be pleased with him speaking profanities. Whether or not Timme’s actual halftime speech could be categorized as PG or not, it was clearly well taken by his teammates. For the final 20 minutes, Timme played bully ball. Nembhard, meanwhile, led a sublime offensive symphony, drowned out only by the roar of the pro-Gonzaga crowd in Portland. It was two leaders, in two completely different ways, coming together for one result. The Zags won. Their leaders took them there. “Thank God we have Andrew,” Few said in his final remarks from Portland. “Amen,” Timme replied. n Gonzaga plays Arkansas on Thu, March 24, at 4 pm on CBS.

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CULTURE | MARCH MADNESS

Truly Hooptown A primer on the teams headed to Spokane for the women’s Sweet 16 and Elite 8 matchups

SPOKANE WASHINGTON JUNE, 25-26

2022 SIGN UP @ SPOKANEHOOPFEST.NET 20 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

adness is about to descend on Spokane. The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament heads to town this weekend for three big-time games that will send one squad to the Final Four. After the opening weekend of tourney play, the Sweet matchups for Friday at Spokane Arena are set: Stanford versus Maryland (4 pm); Texas versus Ohio State. (6:30 pm). Before checking out the action at Spokane Arena this Friday and Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup of the winning squads (6 pm), here’s what you need to know about each of these Sweet squads.

STANFORD CARDINAL (30-3, 1 SEED)

It’s safe to say Lexie Hull wanted to come home. Stanford’s senior guard and former Central Valley High star put up a career high 36 points to turn the Cardinal’s Second Round game against Kansas into a blowout. Even sweeter? She’ll be returning to Spokane alongside her twin sister, Lacie, who also starts in the backcourt for the defending national champions. The NCAA Tour-

nament Regional won’t be the sisters’ first trip back to the Lilac City this season, as the Cardinal squeaked out a 66-62 win against Gonzaga at McCarthy Athletic Center back in November. To say Stanford is star-studded would be a wild understatement. Improbably, the twins might be the least recognizable members of Stanford’s starting lineup, which features First Team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year Haley Jones; graceful yet towering leading scorer, rebounder, and shotblocker Cameron Brink; and tenacious guard Anna Wilson (sister of NFL quarterback Russell Wilson). And that’s not even mentioning 6-foot-1-inch reserve forward Francesca Belibi who threw down a rare women’s dunk in the First Round blowout of Montana State. As the defending champs and top seed, Stanford has every right to believe this is their region to lose. The team went undefeated through the entirety of the always-brutal Pac-12 slate. Their only three losses came by a combined 12 points to top-tier teams, with their most recent defeat coming in late December to fellow 1-seed South Carolina.

Lacie (left) and Lexie Hull starred at Central Valley High School before winning championships at Stanford. It seems all set up for the Hull sisters to have their storybook ending in Spokane by cutting the nets and heading to another Final Four.

MARYLAND TERRAPINS (23-8, 4 SEED)

The Terrapins’ relentless balance makes them a formidable foe with a high floor. They’re led by 3rd Team All-American forward Angel Reese, who averages a double-double (17.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg), but all five Maryland starters average double figure points per game. And that’s before even getting to guard Shyanne Sellers — the Big 10 Sixth Player of the Year — coming off the bench. They easily dispatched Delaware and super fun underdogs Florida Gulf Coast scoring a whopping 191 points in two games, led by guards Diamond Miller (47 points) and Ashley Owusu (44 points). Knocking out the defending champs still would be a major upset — especially considering Stanford blew out Maryland earlier in the season by a score of 86-68 — but theoretically the Terrapins have the scoring firepower to make it a game… if they’re firing on all cylinders.

TEXAS LONGHORNS (28-6, 2 SEED)

Sporting one of the country’s best stifling defenses, Texas makes opposing offenses work to score on them. Just ask the Utah Utes, who were the No. 1-scoring offense in the high-powered Pac-12 conference but were only able to put up 56 points (20 below their average) in their second-round loss to the Longhorns. But don’t sleep on their offensive power either — Texas ended the first half against Utah making 10 straight shots. The Big 12 champs also aren’t going to be

STANFORD ATHLETICS PHOTO

afraid of the top seed, having already knocked off Stanford at Stanford 61-56 back in November. While freshman point guard Rori Harmon has showcased two-way starpower, Texas is a true team that lets disrespect of them as individuals fuel their Ws — somehow the conference champs had zero players on the First Team All-Big 12, despite the list going 10 players deep. Riding a 13-game winning streak headed into the Sweet 16, nobody wants to play Texas right now.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (25-6, 6 SEED)

The one surprise in the Spokane Region, the Buckeyes do have the ability to light up the scoreboard. The sixth-ranked scoring team in the country looked shaky while squeaking by Missouri State in the First Round, but the offense woke up two days later, as OSU put up 79 points to take down the LSU Tigers on their home floor and reach the Sweet 16. Guard Jacy Sheldon leads the way for the Buckeyes, averaging 19.8 points per game, but the key to pulling an upset versus Texas will be the deadeye shooter Taylor Mikesell. The senior guard is second best 3-point shooter in the country by percentage, sitting at an astounding 47% from behind the arc. In order to keep the Buckeyes dancing, Mikesell likely needs a showstopping barrage from deep. n NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament: Spokane Regional • Fri, March 25 at 4 pm & 6:30 pm; Sun, March 27 at 6 pm • $30-$50 • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • spokanearena.com • 509-279-7000 • Televised on ESPN Networks

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MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 21

CULTURE | DIGEST

How to use THIS

PULL-OUT SECTION

How much is too much?

CULTURAL GLUTTONY Wrestling with the onslaught of entertainment in the digital age

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

am so tired of being entertained. I grant you this is among the most privileged, annoying statements fathomable, but it’s indicative of our digital age. I love having endless media options at our fingertips, but it’s literally exhausting. It drove me batty that people complained about being bored during the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, when the majority of human artistic creation is now a couple clicks away on a phone or laptop. We’re blessed to have this cornucopia, but it’s also become burdensome. A quick glance at things burdening my mental entertainment checklist at present: the most recent seasons of Pen15, the final season Brooklyn Nine-Nine, every 2022 episode of Saturday Night Live, all of which are just the tip of the TV iceberg; the second half of video game Horizon Forbidden West (despite already having put in 50-plus hours); a slew of foreign feature films I missed in 2021; unopened copies of Ghost of Tsushima and Hades for PlayStation 5; all three Cars movies (for a podcast); the new books by Chuck Klosterman and John Darnielle; newly released issues of the comic book Saga; a Jon Bois YouTube documentary on the Atlanta Falcons; 50-plus episodes of Conan O’Brien’s podcast; and an array of other shows, movies and games that I keep track of on Post-It notes that litter my desk. And that’s not counting everything I’m actually keeping up with (shows, movies, pro wrestling, March Madness, etc.). If that felt exhausting to read, that’s the point. Granted, my line of work actually requires an unhealthy media diet, but I tend to think many people feel obligated to keep up on way too much pop culture too. It’s a burden. For example, I know I’m gonna watch the new Marvel vampire movie Morbius even though it looks terrible, because I watch all comic book movies and want to be part of the

22 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

conversation. Because entertainment property opinions have become our default communication method in the USA. As pointed out in a Twitter thread by writer Sean Kelly (@StorySlug), American discourse has devolved to the point where the only safe line of chatter is pop culture. We’ve become conditioned to continue on like everything is normal when crises happen (be it natural disasters, international wars or ongoing pandemics), so we avoid dwelling on or discussing tragic things by replacing them with the veneer of entertainment convo to avoid making things uncomfortable. Nobody wants to be a downer and “kill the vibe.” Even when people attempt to talk about American politics, it’s often overlaid with purely imagined narratives about heroic saviors, resistance fighters, and secret cabals — it can never just be boring old people being incompetent at their jobs in myriad ways. You’re more likely to have a productive conversation breaking down logistical consistency of Dr. Strange’s time manipulation rather than the logistical consistency of someone who believes real-life vaccines are a brainwashing tool. We’re addicted to narratives and to binary good/evil constructs. We hop back on the never-ending pop culture treadmill so that we don’t feel disconnected from an ever-splintering culture as people seem more and more distant and isolated despite increased digital connections. In the most macabre extension of this, I sometimes think about death in terms of my pop culture favorites. Since I “have to” keep up with so much, how many times will I get to enjoy movies like The Empire Strikes Back or Frances Ha before I die? 30? 12? Five? It’s a heavy, perverse thought to dwell on. So I won’t. I’ll just turn on the TV to get my mind off of it. n

FAMILIAR BUT FRESH It’s impossible for anyone with even just a passing knowledge of Sex and the City to watch HARLEM and not think of Carrie, Samantha and that gang of wealthy white ladies and their Manhattan-set show of 20 years ago. But while Harlem also revolves around the loving relationships and romantic travails of four best lady-friends in New York City, it manages to sneak some thoughtful social commentary into the mix, and not just by making the four friends Black women. Meagan Good plays Camille, a Columbia professor trying to juggle two men, earn a promotion at work, and fight gentrification of the neighborhood. Much of the first season, streaming now on Amazon Prime, revolves around Camille’s trials, but her friends are the best reason to give this show a try. From the uptight designer Quinn (Grace Byers) with mommy issues to the lesbian tech mogul Tye (Jerrie Johnson) with a secret past to the aspiring singer/actress Angie (Shoniqua Shandai, in a hilarious breakout performance) landing a role in Get Out: The Musical!, they make Harlem a half-hour worth visiting. It’s already been renewed for a second season, so it’s time for you to catch up with the first. (DAN NAILEN) THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online March 25: GUERILLA TOSS, Famously Alive. The spaced-out art rock band wrestles with the complexities of modernity while mocking the ridiculous aspects against an ocean of synth waves on its first album for Sub Pop. MARREN MORRIS, Humble Quest. After collaborating with artists like Taylor Swift, John Mayer and Brandi Carlile, it’s clear that Marren Morris is one of other musicians’ favorite modern country singers. CAMP COPE, Running With the Hurricane. The fiercly feminist Australian alt-rock trio sounds its sunniest on its third LP. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

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oes anybody remember what “normal” feels like? Read on, and let our 29th annual Best of the Inland Northwest issue help you recapture the warm glow of all that’s great about the here and now. Almost exactly two years ago, Washington state shut down. Only four days before that, we published our 27th annual Best of the Inland Northwest issue. The days, weeks and months since then have been, well… a blur. So with our readers poll issue rolling around again, we knew we had to bring back that old “normal” feeling. We had to go big — like, real big. And our readers were here for it. With a slick new balloting system in place, we added 50 additional questions, including things like Best Boba, Best Pilates and even Best Place for a Bachelorette Party. Then the votes poured in like never before, with more than double the number of voters we’ve had in past years. Also new this year is the ability to comment on your favorites, and we tallied more than 5,000 of your observations. You’ll be able to read a sampling of those here. You’ll also learn about four new inductees to our Best of Hall of Fame, along with a visit to North Idaho’s Best Distillery, Post Falls’ Up North Distillery. You can read about the Best Chicken Sandwich (and it’s not from Chick fil-A) at the Logan Tavern near Gonzaga. And you can share in recently retired Tom Sherry’s final Best TV Weathercaster win, capping his insane 28-year streak. We’ve been through a lot, so it’s time to celebrate that, through it all, the best things about living here have found ways to keep on keeping on. So, enjoy our 29th annual Best of the Inland Northwest issue and, as always, be sure to support all the local places you love! — TED S. McGREGOR JR., PUBLISHER

ABOUT THE ARTIST Luis Brigman-Harris’ illustrations can be found on the cover of this week’s Inlander and throughout this guide. Brigman-Harris is a local digital artist, Spokane tribal member and U.S. Air Force veteran. Find more of his work at freddythroneart.com or on Instagram @freddy_throne.

CONTENTS FOOD........................................ 26 MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT.................. 54 HOME & SERVICES............... 64 SANDPOINT............................ 74 NIGHTLIFE & DRINK LOCAL......................... 76 ARTS & CULTURE.................. 94 SPORTS & RECREATION.........................102 THE PALOUSE.......................110 HEALTH & BEAUTY..............112 SHOPPING..............................124

CONTRIBUTORS

1st PLACE 2021 BEST BRUNCH

OPEN DAILY 7AM-2PM 1011 W. Broadway Ave • 509-443-5968

ER G R U B T S E B VOTED ank You! We Th

EDITORS: Dan Nailen, Chey Scott CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Derek Harrison PHOTOGRAPHERS: Erick Doxey, Alyssa Hughes, Young Kwak

2021

WRITERS: S. Michal Bennett, LeAnn Bjerken, Derek Harrison, E.J. Iannelli, Will Maupin, Ted S. McGregor, Jr., Hannah Mumm, Dan Nailen, Jami Nelson, Madison Pearson, Lillian Piel, Natalie Rieth, Chey Scott, Carrie Scozzaro, Seth Sommerfeld, Daniel Walters, Quinn Welsch, Samantha Wohlfeil

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 25

BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH

LOGAN TAVERN

ogan Tavern is known for serving up delicious food to hungry college students, and feeding residents of its namesake Logan Neighborhood. Moody lighting and an old-school watering hole vibe inside sets the tone for a diehard crowd of regulars. “We couldn’t ask for better customers,” says Brittany Propp of Logan Tavern. “Knowing that they love us enough to think of us during [Best Of] voting is amazing in and of itself.” When Propp landed a job at Logan, it was one week away from opening day. Now the pub’s celebrating four years in business, hopefully with many more to come, and Propp is an owner. In that time frame, chicken sandwiches have also become,

26 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

for lack of a better word, a “thing.” Restaurants and fast food chains have battled it out to see who comes out on top, but Logan Tavern has the dish down to a science. “I think it’s the simplicity,” says Propp. “It’s just handbreaded chicken, pickles, fry sauce and a bun. You don’t need anything more complicated for it to be delicious. We offer a ‘Make It Sexy’ version, where you can dress it however you’d like — Cajun honey butter, buffalo or Nashville-style if you’d like — but I think the classic hits the spot.” During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Propp was faced with the task of feeding both regular and new customers while keeping the business afloat.

Thanks to our Loyal Customers! We appreciate your patience while the world gets back to normal! We’ll be here for you! Best Late-Night Dining

2021

425 W Sprague Ave • Spokane • 509-624-3952

Satellitediner.com

A COMFORTABLE FINE DINING EXPERIENCE WITH A FARM TO TABLE TWIST.

Brittany Propp digs into our readers’ fave chicken sandwich.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

“We would get so many to-go orders for the sandwich during that time,” she says. “It was a two-man operation at that point, so we had to limit chicken sandwich orders to only Thursdays. We were overwhelmed with support and love from our community.” If the pandemic taught Logan Tavern’s staff anything, it’s that Spokane can’t get enough of them. “Thank you so much, Spokane,” says Propp. “Your support makes us feel giddy inside. We’re so happy to serve you!” — MADISON PEARSON 2nd PLACE: No-Li Brewhouse; 3rd PLACE (tie): Wooden City Spokane, Elliotts an Urban Kitchen, Cascadia Public House; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Republic Kitchen and Taphouse, Post Falls

Best Fine Dining Thank you Spokane!

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 27

Bruncheonette does brunch right in so many ways.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST BAKERY

BEST BOBA

BEST BRUNCH

At each of its six locations across the greater Spokane area, Rocket Bakery offers a familiar yet unique comfortable, welcoming vibe. Whether you’re grabbing a morning coffee and pastry to go, meeting up with friends for an afternoon catch-up, or setting up your laptop to work or study, Rocket has all the bevs and locally made snacks, from cookies to sandwiches, you’ll need to stay filled up, focused and energized. (CS) 2nd PLACE: The Grain Shed; 3rd PLACE: miFlavour NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bean & Pie, Coeur d’Alene

Boba tea, or Taiwanese milk tea, is having a big moment in the Inland Northwest, and helping lead the way is Liberty Lake’s BocoPop. Owner Steven Kelly partly credits the refreshing beverage’s resurgence to its unlimited customization, from the type of tapioca pearls or gummies that float on the bottom, to the kinds and combos of tea. At BocoPop, try (if you haven’t already) the creamy house specialty called Tiger Milk, or the bright and refreshing Dragon Eye Tea. (CS) 2nd PLACE: The Tea Boba Bar; 3rd PLACE: Tea’s Company

If you see a crowd milling about on West Broadway near the courthouse on a sunny Sunday morning, they’re probably waiting for a table at this returning Best Of winner. With sweet and savory eats to suit any appetite, big or small — plus mimosa flights, bloody marys, local coffee and more — Brucheonette was built to please a group of any size. Bacon sticky buns? We’ll take two, please. Chicken and waffles? You don’t have to say it twice. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Chaps; 3rd PLACE: The Yards Bruncheon NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Dockside at the Coeur d’Alene Resort

ROCKET BAKERY

BOCOPOP

Thanks Spokane for all your votes for G.A. & The Twice As Much Rock Morning Show! 28 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BRUNCHEONETTE

BEST GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS

BEST CAKES

“So many options, delicious food and baked goods! My daughter has a severe wheat allergy and was able to try (and love!) onion rings and donuts for the first time.” (Eleen H.); “Love that there is no chance of cross-contamination, and it’s the best tasting, too!” (Maureen S.); “Our little boy has celiac, and this is an amazing bakery that is totally GF and safe for him to pick a treat without fear of being made sick.” (Simone H.) 2nd PLACE: Boots Bakery & Lounge 3rd PLACE: Cascadia Public House NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene

With 10 cake batter flavors, six size options, two frosting styles and more than 60 special options for holidays, celebrations and “anytime” cakes, it’s pretty clear why Nothing Bundt Cakes takes the cake (pun definitely intended) in this category. Not to mention, of course, that its dense yet soft bundt cakes topped with a rich cream cheese frosting are absolutely heavenly! (CS) 2nd PLACE: Sweet Frostings 3rd PLACE: Just American Desserts NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Lake City Bakers, Coeur d’Alene

COLE’S GLUTEN-FREE BAKERY AND CAFE

BEST APPETIZERS

WOODEN CITY SPOKANE

“Where else can you get peppers that taste that good? I dream about them!” (Sarah L.); “Peel ’n’ eat shrimp!” (Laurie V.); “The Caribbean spice wings are to die for!” (Breann M.); “Just buy them all and enjoy.” (Jessica S.) 2nd PLACE: Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar 3rd PLACE: Cascadia Public House NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

BEST CANDY

BRUTTLES GOURMET CANDY SHOPPE

Creamy peanut butter plus crispy brittle equals bruttle, a softer variation on the classic confection that’s been a Spokane favorite for decades, including for Davenport Hotel guests since the 1950s. Now Bruttles’ signature sweet is one of a handful of the company’s beloved confections available in Bruttles’ downtown and Spokane Valley locations, as well as online. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: Spokandy Chocolatier 3rd PLACE: Fluffy’s Candy NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

Thank You Inlander Readers For The Votes!

anner

HEATING & A/C

PROPANE

INSTALLATION

SERVICE

DUCT CLEANING

BULK FUELING

FURNACE & FUEL, INC.

Keeping You Comfortable for Over 95 Years

509.535.1711 | www.bannerfuel.com BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 29

Family is everything at Tomato Street. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

TOMATO STREET

“K

id tested. Family approved,” reads the letter board outside of Tomato Street’s Spokane location on North Division. It’s true. On a recent visit by the Inlander, kids and their parents are filling up almost all of the nearby booths. There’s a chalkboard filled with kids’ drawings, papercovered tables ready to be colored on, and pizza-themed headwear worn by the efficient, friendly waitstaff. There’s a kids menu, too, of course — for “Little Bambinos,” and complete with offers of free ice creams and sodas. Plus, as Tomato Street manager Troy Campbell says, “It’s nice for families to come in and not get hit with such a big bill. And our large portions are always nice. It’s good to share.” Sharing, by the way, is exactly what I did when I was served my steaming hunk of baked lazonni, topped

30 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

with mozzarella and hot marinara sauce. What is lazonni, you might ask? It’s lasagna, wrapped in pizza dough and then brick-fired along with the sauce of your choice (yum). Baked lazonni has long been a mainstay on the Tomato Street menu, along with blackened chicken fettuccine, raspberry poppy seed salad and baked mostaccioli with roasted chicken. All around me, adults and children alike are digging into heaping portions of these dishes and more. And, naturally, we all go to town on those buckets of hot, buttery garlic bread. “It makes sort of a fun atmosphere,” Campbell says, and I agree.

Tomato Street’s family-centric values, a focus since it opened more than 20 years ago, are also evident beyond the chalkboards, the crayons, the fun bells and whistles. “We created an environment with our staff that’s family-oriented,” Campbell explains. “These are my extended family, and guests are even more extended family.” — HANNAH MUMM 2nd PLACE: Market Street Pizza 3rd PLACE: The Onion; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Embers by the Lake; Hauser and Post Falls

RENDEVOUS

WITH THE HERD BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 31

BEST LOCAL CHEF

CHAD WHITE: TT’S OLD IRON BREWERY AND BBQ, ZONA BLANCA

“Amazing food, but also a chef who supports and promotes OTHER local restaurants in Spokane, too.” (Colleen C.); “Brought Spokane’s restaurant scene to a new level. Everything he makes is top shelf, fresh and delicious!” (Arnalee S.); “Street Doritos!” (Scott N.) 2nd PLACE: Michael Wiley, Wiley’s Downtown Bistro 3rd PLACE: Tony Brown, Ruins

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST CHEF

Our readers love what Wanderlust Delicato does with charcuterie.

BEST CATERER

LONDON’S ULTIMATE CATERING

London’s Ultimate Catering has 10 years’ experience in creating food for events that’s fresh, flavorful and flawlessly presented. (Check their Instagram to see for yourself!) This full-service catering company offers breakfast, lunch or dinner options for events of between 10 and 1,200 guests. With a creative team that works with clients to design menus to fit any budget and style, it’s easy to see why London’s is a Spokane favorite. (LB) 2nd PLACE: Beacon Hill Catering and Events 3rd PLACE: A Catered Affair; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cosmic Cowboy Grill Catering, Coeur d’Alene

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD

WANDERLUST DELICATO

Charcuterie aficionados selected Wanderlust Delicato as the top spot in this new Best Of category. The shop, specializing in cut-toorder cheeses and meats, plus wine-tasting events and cooking classes, also offers an in-store menu with several options for charcuterie plates showcasing its ever-rotating selection of cured meats, cheese, crackers, olives and nuts. It’s the perfect stop for both sweet and savory tastes. (LB) 2nd PLACE: Maryhill Winery Tasting Room 3rd PLACE: Rind and Wheat NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: PNW Platters, Post Falls ...continued

ADAM HEGSTED: HONEY EATERY & SOCIAL CLUB, REPUBLIC KITCHEN & TAPHOUSE “Interesting and quality menus.” (Kay D.); “The best food ever! My favorite!” (Bryn R.)

BEST ICE CREAM

THE SCOOP

“Great ice cream, and the neighborhood vibe is unbeatable.” (Julie G.); “They have allergy-friendly flavors, and they’re delicious.” (Becca D.); “Dole Whip.” (Amanda M.); “Always so tasty! And those waffle cones! Friendly service, too.” (Michele S.) 2nd PLACE: Pete and Belle’s; 3rd PLACE: Mary Lou’s NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Panhandle Cone & Coffee, Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Moscow

Thanks for all your Positivi-TEA, voters! WE LOVE YOU,

SPOKANE

BEST BOBA

2021

ASIAN STYLE ENTREES. HANDCRAFTED SUSHI. FULL BAR INCLUDING ASSORTED SAKES.

VOTED BEST

SUSHI

1309 W Summit Pkwy • 509.368.9372 IN

KENDALL YARDS ALONG CENTENNIAL TRAIL

32 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

1227 W SUMMIT PARKWAY KENDALL YARDS • SPOKANE

E FFE

ASTE

RO R

...toe rings are in, right? WE WIN TOGETHER. WE DRINK TOGETHER. Snap this ad, come in Friday (3/25) by noon to any Thomas Hammer, show us this pic and get a FREE 12oz Espresso Drink*—cheers! *One per human

Best Coffee Roaster

2nd Best coffee shop (LTD. RESERVE)

3rd Best drive-thru coffee BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 33

Thanks for Voting! 2021 BEST APPETIZERS

BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH

BEST OLD FASHIONED

821 W Riverside | DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | woodencityspokane.com

Mac Daddy’s makes it easy to get something deliciously cheesy.

COURTESY PHOTO

BEST MAC & CHEESE

Thank you for su pPorting and voting for our businesSes

BEST MILKSHAKE

BEST ICE CREAM

BEST FOOD TRUCK

MARY LOU’S ICE CREAM & CATERING

802 w. garland ave 34 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

MAC DADDY’S

f you’re looking to grab a hearty bowl of mac and cheese, look no further than Mac Daddy’s, Spokane’s one-and-only restaurant that specializes in the classic comfort food. When Mac Daddy’s first started as a mobile food vendor back in 2016, the business was selling its mac and cheese at local events like Pig Out in the Park, Hoopfest and the Spokane County Interstate Fair, says owner Nick Bokarica. Since then, Mac Daddy’s has expanded with a fullservice restaurant in North Spokane (10115 N. Newport Highway) and a grab-and-go location in the River Park Square food court. Soon, that downtown counter location is moving into the former home of Tomato Street on River Park Square’s first level. The full-service location is slated to open in early summer. Mac Daddy’s offers 12 varieties of mac and cheese, although Bokarica says there are three versions tied for most popular: Cougar Gold, pulled pork and buffalo chicken. “My favorite dish has always been the buffalo chicken mac and cheese,” he says. “I like to spice

it up with jalapeños and sriracha. It was the very first mac we ever made, and it has stood the test of time.” If you’re looking for something other than traditional mac and cheese, the deep-fried mac balls are also a favorite, Bokarica says. Recently, during Inlander Restaurant Week 2022, Mac Daddy’s debuted a new recipe for buffalo chicken mac balls, which are going to be added to the menu as well. Bokarica describes Mac Daddy’s as a great family-friendly place to grab a bite, and says he believes its staff offers some of the best customer service in Spokane. “People should come to Mac Daddy’s if [they] want a different experience than you would get anywhere else,” Bokarica says. “A lot of restaurants offer mac and cheese, but we specialize in it.” — LILLIAN PIEL 2nd PLACE: Saranac Public House 3rd PLACE: Cascadia Public House NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Meltz, Coeur d’Alene

Voted Best Steaks by Inlander’s readers 10 years in a row.

Thank you Spokane!

Best Steaks

509.474.9888 165 South Post Street, Spokane, WA ChurchillsSteakhouse.com

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 35

THE MOST FUN YOU’LL HAVE SAVING A LIFE!

2021 BEST CHARITY

EVENT

Thank you, voters, for your support! SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH AT THE DAVENPORT GRAND

SAVE THE DATE:

WE CAN’T WAIT TO BE BACK ON THE STAGE AND BRING YOU THE HIGH ENERGY AUCTION YOU HAVE COME TO KNOW AND LOVE!

BEYONDPINK.NET

miFlavour’s treats are almost too pretty to eat.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST CHEAP EATS

BEST DESSERT

Cheap is an insult to some restaurants. It’s the highest of praise for Dick’s Hamburgers, which for 68 years has captured the joyful essence of cheap fast food in all its greasy, brown paper bag glory. Dining at Dick’s — still downtown, still a drive-in, still a purveyor of chicken strips and the Wammy — is such a quintessential experience for high schoolers that it might as well come with AP credits. You won’t mind if the squawking seagulls nearby occasionally snag a fry or two. I mean, with fries like these, who can blame them? (DW) 2nd PLACE: Zip’s; 3rd PLACE: Atilano’s

With desserts that look as good as they taste, this sleek, modern French-inspired bakery in East Spokane is known for its colorful — and big! — macarons, beautifully decorated cakes, flaky croissants, espresso and more. Owners Ella and Max Piskun continue to add other products to the miFlavour lineup, including the locally made honey brand, Citrine; Volanti gelato; house-made chocolate bars; and custom coffee blends. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Just American Desserts 3rd PLACE: Three Birdies Bakery; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Dockside, The Coeur d’Alene Resort

DICK’S HAMBURGERS

MIFLAVOUR

Thanks for Voting!

Try our Old Fashioned Shakes, Malts and Floats!

BEST MILKSHAKE NORTH IDAHO

Taste the Quality!

ice cream & burgers

At Rogers we’re committed to serving you Quality! • Our Burgers-We start with fresh 100% vegetarian fed Country Natural Beef. It is raised sustainably and naturally, with no growth hormones or antibiotics ever. When ordered we season and sear the beef to a rich brown and serve it with fresh cut lettuce, tomato, onions on a butter grilled bun with our house made burger sauce. • Our Fries & Kettle Chips-Cut Fresh daily with Idaho Potatoes fried in 100% Rice bran oil.

1224 E. Sherman Ave. CdA, ID • 208-930-4900 2420 Government Way. CdA, ID • 208-930-4274

36 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

• Our Shakes & Malts-Made the old fashion way using premium hand scooped ice cream & whole milk blended to order. • Healthier Options-Garden burger, turkey burger and you can substitute bun for lettuce wrap on any burger. • Our Prices-Better than our competition for comparable menu items and our food is 100% REAL food.

RogersIceCreamBurgers.com

403 N Spokane St. Post Falls, ID • 208-773-6532 8833 Hess St. Hayden, ID • 208-777-6205

2021 BEST CUPCAKES

SWEET FROSTINGS BLISSFUL BAKESHOP

It seems like cupcakes didn’t get their due respect for a long time. How special could they be when every kid in grade school was able to conjure up a batch for their birthday? But when the gourmet cupcake craze hit, we all saw the possibilities of these seemingly simple treats. No one in the Inland Northwest delivers the delectable goods quite like Sweet Frostings. On any given day, you can peruse the menu and find something irresistible. It’s Wednesday? Have a snickerdoodle cupcake. Thursday? Try an orange dreamsicle cupcake. You get the idea. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Celebrations Sweet Boutique 3rd PLACE: Boots Bakery & Lounge NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Sweet B Cupcakes, Coeur d’Alene

BEST DONUTS

HELLO SUGAR,

The Inland Northwest is a great place for donuts. You can probably think of a great donut shop that didn’t even hit the top three in our readers poll. So you know a place that manages to be named “Best Donuts” has something special. That’s been the case with Hello Sugar since they first opened. Curiosity seekers quickly became regulars, and the wide array of dazzling donut flavors (Dutch Baby? Lilac Lavender? Maple Sizzle? Yes, please!) keeps the people coming back. It sure helps that the diminutive donuts let you try lots of those flavors at once. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Donut Parade; 3rd PLACE: Casual Friday Donuts NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Gross Donuts, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

BEST SPORTS BAR

Thank You to Our Loyal Customers for Voting Us Spokane’s Best Sports Bar! www.PoolesPublicHouse.com NORTH 12310 N. Ruby Rd. • 509-413-1834 SOUTH 5620 S. Regal St. • 509-368-9760

Thank you to all who voted. 22 YEARS OF APPRECIATION FOR THIS COMMUNITY

domacoffee.com

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 37

Italia Trattoria excels at more than pasta, making game, fowl, meat and seafood all sing.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST EGGS BENEDICT

BEST FINE DINING

BEST ITALIAN FOOD

I have this objection to brunch: Too much of it — scrambled eggs, say, or avocado toast — is something that you can easily make at home with similar results. Ah, but eggs Benedict is an exception. What elevates it from a mere Egg McMuffin variant is the hollandaise sauce. Sure, you can try to make hollandaise sauce at your home, if you manage to get the heat and the emulsion just right without breaking the sauce. Or you can just swing by Frank’s Diner and pick up a Benedict that won’t betray you. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Old European; 3rd PLACE: The Yards Bruncheon NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Le Peep, Coeur d’Alene

Whether you’ve made reservations to celebrate something special, or are stopping by on a whim after work or an event, a visit to Wild Sage is a memorable experience. Since opening its doors 16 years ago, Wild Sage has maintained its reputation as one of the region’s go-tos for exquisite food, service and drinks. While the menu is always focused on what’s freshest and available locally, Wild Sage has many beloved mainstays: Yukon taquitos, the Bucket List Burger and, of course, that dreamy coconut cream layer cake. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Churchill’s Steakhouse; 3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Beverly’s, Coeur d’Alene Resort

Whether you’re toasting a special occasion for dinner or enjoying a hangover brunch on the patio, Italia Trattoria is our readers’ go-to for top-notch Italian. This isn’t your standard-issue red sauce-andpasta joint, either, but a spot where rabbit, duck and octopus help reveal all the wondrous flavors possible in Italian food, thanks to chef Anna Vogel’s dishes. (But don’t sleep on the housemade pasta and lamb ragu, either). (DN) 2nd PLACE: Tomato Street, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene 3rd PLACE: The Italian Kitchen ...continued

FRANK’S DINER

WILD SAGE BISTRO

ITALIA TRATTORIA

Thanks to the best members in the land. ,

14 years

nd 2 place

NUMERICA

streak

800.433.1837 numericacu.com 38 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Federally insured by NCUA

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 39

Posole at De Leon’s will get you right after a late night.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST FOOD TRUCK

BEST INDIAN FOOD

BEST MEXICAN FOOD

Spokane loves shawarma and Skewers has the popular Mediterranean dish and more: falafel, kebabs and the sweet, chewy dessert known as pakhlava. Skewers is slated this spring to resume its regular appearances at area markets and events. That is one delicious return to normal that we can all get on board with. Follow on Facebook to find them in real life. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: Island Style Food Truck; 3rd PLACE: Jerusalem Middle Eastern Cuisine and More; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Latitudes at the Lodge at Carlin Bay, Coeur d’Alene

If you’re going to name your Indian restaurant “The Mango Tree,” you better be able to back up your swagger with some absolutely incredible mango curry. And yet, for all that hype, Mango Tree actually pulls it off. Sweet and spicy, with deep and tangy notes, the mango curry is worth the trip. The chance to grab some garlic naan is just a bonus. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Taste of India 3rd PLACE: Top of India

We all know that “Mexican food” changes depending on what part of Mexico you’re in, but at the Inland Northwest’s Mexican restaurants, we tend to think of tacos, burritos, enchiladas and the like. And De Leon’s delivers the goods on a massive menu that includes all the standards one expects, plus specialties like the weekend-only menudo and posole bowls. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Rancho Chico 3rd PLACE: Rancho Viejo, Spokane, Hayden, Post Falls

SKEWERS MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

THE MANGO TREE

DE LEON’S TACO & BAR

Thanks, Spokane! You’re the Best!

Open Daily | Full Bar 818 W. Sprague Ave • 509 290-5763 | 9602 N Newport Hwy • 509 467-0292 BEST RAMEN

40 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

NudoRamen.com

BEST BREAKFAST

FRANK’S DINER

“It’s a classic. Oldie but a goodie.” (Alex N.); “Variety, quality, quantity (most plates can feed two)… prepared and served by folks who like what they’re doing. Curbside takeout and Uber delivery during the pandemic.” (Gillian C.); “Great food, wonderful staff, fun train car.” (Larry B.) 2nd PLACE: Old European 3rd PLACE: Chaps

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST BREAKFAST

LE PEEP, COEUR D’ALENE

“Great menu choices and excellent service!” (Julie L.)

BEST PIZZA

VERSALIA PIZZA

“Great slice choices for a diverse family!” (Kate R.); “I’m GF and their GF crust is the best in town.” (Jeff V.); “Thin crust like pizza is supposed to have.” (Claudia L.); “Oh damn! Wood ovens. The River. Pizza. Oh, yeah, pizza.” (Rhonda H.) 2nd PLACE: The Flying Goat 3rd PLACE: Market Street Pizza NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Embers by the Lake, Hauser and Post Falls

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD

BABA

Debuting a year ago inside chef Adam Hegsted’s former Wandering Table spot in Kendall Yards, Baba has become a go-to for its creative take on Middle Eastern dishes and ingredients. Like Hegsted’s other eateries, Baba fuses comfort food with the unexpected. Take the Turkish mac and cheese, for example, made with a labneh-based (yogurt) cheese sauce. There’s plenty of traditional dishes, too: hummus, falafel, shakshuka, tabouli and more. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Feast World Kitchen; 3rd PLACE: Zullee Mediterranean Grill (formerly Kabob House) NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The White House Grill, Post Falls

We want to be your #1, Spokane! #2 Best Auto Repair Shop

CARS / PICK-UPS MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS

BEST HOT WINGS

FLAMIN’ JOE’S

Virtually every bar on the planet thinks they can deliver great wings, but if that were the case, we wouldn’t need places that put their culinary focus completely on the delectable tiny treats. Flamin’ Joe’s will make you forget the shriveled, dried-up wings at your local dive thanks to their exploration of all the flavors wings have to offer. They have no less than 20 different sauce flavors (including eight levels of buffalo-sauce heat), and nine more dry rubs, and you can order traditional wings, boneless wings or jumbo drumsticks. The wing nut in your life can spend weeks exploring the options. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Market Street Pizza; 3rd PLACE: The Viking NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s Pub and Grill, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls ...continued

Serving Spokane Since 1996

Vandervert Automotive Services 319 E. Montgomery Ave, Spokane • 509-487-7720

VOTED BEST HAPPY HOUR MARGARITAS SALADS APPETIZERS PATIO DINING

Thank You 1950 Bellerive Ln #106, Coeur d'Alene | (208) 758-0111

TerrazaCDA

TerrazaWC

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 41

There is nothing quite like a Churchill’s steak.

COURTESY PHOTO

BEST STEAKS

CHURCHILL’S STEAKHOUSE

ith its devoted customer base, countless industry awards and now 10 years of Best Of wins to its credit, restaurateurs everywhere might be inclined to ask what gives Churchill’s Steakhouse its magic. “A lot of that is top secret,” says Melissa Persling, Churchill’s specialty products and retail manager. “But I will say that we’ve developed our very own, unique wetand dry-aging process that our owner, Bill Alles, actually invented. So you’re never going to try a steak in another restaurant or buy a steak at a high-end grocery store that is like a Churchill’s steak.” Not even dine-in restrictions could diminish the demand for Churchill’s signature menu item. Throughout the pandemic, the restaurant shipped record numbers of its Prime steak gift boxes — a gourmet kit complete with cooking instructions and herbed finishing butter — to steak lovers all over the country. It’s not just the superlative aging process that sets this steakhouse apart. Long before guests are even seated, Churchill’s staff goes to great lengths to make sure the entire dining experience

is second to none. That starts with sourcing the top 2 percent of beef that qualifies as USDA Prime. They then work with a master butcher to obtain very specific ribeye, filet mignon or New York cuts. Once the steak is fully aged, the chef sears it to perfection and plates it with just the right garnishes to enhance its flavor. Other aspects that define the Churchill’s experience aren’t so closely guarded. They’re on display from the moment you walk in. “Not only are you going to get that perfect steak or seafood dinner, you’re going to have a waiter or a waitress who’s focused on making your evening special. It doesn’t matter whether you’re there to celebrate a certain occasion or it’s just a Friday evening,” Persling says. “We really go above and beyond to make it the best night that our guests could imagine.” — E.J. IANNELLI 2nd PLACE: Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops 3rd PLACE: Wolf Lodge Steakhouse, Coeur d’Alene

Thanks, Spokane, for awarding us The Best

2021

Thank You

2021

for voting for us Best Chinese Food

Gordy’s

Sichuan Cafe

E. 501 30th Ave. • 747-1170

3RD & DIVISION • SPOKANE, WA

42 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST Cheap Eats!

22 Time Inlander Best Of Winner!

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 43

BEST VEGETARIAN, BEST VEGAN FOOD

RÜT BAR & KITCHEN

“Even if you’re not vegan, the creativity of the food is out of this world! Poke made with watermelon… whut? It’s SO good.” (Kate R.); “Cauliflower ‘chicken’ wings = mind blown.” (Matthew D.); “Their ‘chicken’ sandwich is so delicious, and their dirty fries are always a hit! Vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters can find themselves satisfied here!” (Haley W.) BEST VEGETARIAN 2nd PLACE: Mizuna; 3rd PLACE: Cascadia Public House NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cosmic Cowboy Grill, Coeur d’Alene BEST VEGAN 2nd PLACE: Boots Bakery & Lounge 3rd PLACE: Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cosmic Cowboy Grill, Coeur d’Alene

Daniel Gonzalez and Monica York are killing it at Kismet.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN THE PAST YEAR)

KISMET

Spokane’s historic Hillyard district is in the midst of a major culinary transformation thanks to a few new restaurants and more on the way. One of those new places is Kismet, Daniel Gonzalez and Monica York’s Latin- and Spanish-influenced eatery that’s had diners positively buzzing since its debut in fall 2021. From traditional arepas cakes to ceviche to hearty Spanish stews, everything at Kismet is made with utmost attention to detail, and bursting with flavor and creativity. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Vieux Carre NOLA Kitchen 3rd PLACE: Tavolàta; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene

44 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST MILKSHAKE

MARY LOU’S MILK BOTTLE Mary Lou’s is a Spokane icon, both for its historic, milk bottleshaped building in the Garland District, and the ultra-rich and creamy ice cream made inside. While that ice cream is also served at a few other places around town, there’s no better experience than going straight to the source and getting a tall, ice-fogged glass filled with a fresh-made huckleberry milkshake, or any of Mary Lou’s two dozen other flavors. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Zip’s; 3rd PLACE: Ferguson’s Cafe NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers, Coeur d’Alene and Hayden ...continued

BEST TACOS, BEST MARGARITAS

COCHINITO TAQUERIA

“Fresh tacos, and so unique!!” (Matthew D.); “Because Travis is the shit!” (Queena H.); “OMG these margaritas are dangerously tasty — careful not to drink them like water. They’re a flex on any other I’ve ever had. Perfect balance of booze and flavor, and your choice of salt. Whoever said you can’t buy happiness never had one of these bad boys.” (Kaelah F.) BEST TACOS 2nd PLACE: De Leon’s Taco & Bar 3rd PLACE: Borracho Tacos & Tequileria NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Taco Works, Coeur d’Alene BEST MARGARITAS 2nd PLACE: Borracho Tacos & Tequileria; 3rd PLACE: El Que NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

thank you for voting us spokane's

best tacos & margaritas!

post & riverside downtown spokane happy hour 3-5:30 taco tuesday 3-close cochinitotaqueria.com 509.474.9618

full bar dine in takeout delivery cater ing

2021

2021 Best Chef Chad White

Best BBQ TT’s BBQ and Brewwery

Best Seafood Zona Blanca

Thank you for the support and votes

2021

Chef Chad White

cwhospitalitygrp.com BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 45

BEST BREAD

THE GRAIN SHED

“Their own grains, ground on site, baked in wood-fired ovens — AMAZING results.” (John R.); “Sprouted Rye and Toasted Sesame.” (Gene L.); “Their bread is out of this world. I could live on their bread alone!” (Darla D.); “Best bread in the state.” (Lori Y.) 2nd PLACE: Great Harvest Bread Co. 3rd PLACE: Rind and Wheat NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: MAK Bread, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BBQ

TT’S OLD IRON BREWERY AND BBQ Osprey’s patio is an urban oasis in Spokane.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST PATIO DINING

BEST SANDWICHES

The beautiful Spokane River running through the heart of the city is a feature any restaurant lucky to be located near its banks takes full advantage of. And one of the most deluxe riverside patios in town is Osprey’s relaxing and spectacularly scenic setup. Firepits, heaters and umbrella shades make the space a tantalizing setting for drinks, dinner or weekend brunch, even when the weather’s not a perfect 75 degrees. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Clinkerdagger 3rd PLACE (tie): Brick West Brewing Co., No-Li Brewhouse NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

Some judge a sandwich by its bread, others by its various vegetables or condiments. “We want the meats!” say the collective voters of our Best of the Inland Northwest poll. On that front, Domini delivers. The downtown Spokane staple is old-school in all the best ways, offering a gargantuan sando for your hard-earned dollar, stacking up the meats and cheese and a hint of secondary ingredients to make our readers’ favorite sandwiches. If you dare order a “whole” sandwich, give yourself a few days. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Shamus’s Sandwich Shoppe 3rd PLACE: The High Nooner; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: San Francisco Sourdough Eatery, Coeur d’Alene, Rathdrum

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR

46 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

DOMINI SANDWICHES

“Great food! Cornbread is so yummy. Ribs are delicious. Atmosphere is awesome!” (Michele K.); “I had their smoked portabella, and it changed my life.” (Elisha H.); “Oh that brisket, baby!” (Wendi H.); “Their burnt ends are amazing!” (Karly D.) 2nd PLACE: Outlaw BBQ; 3rd PLACE: Longhorn Barbecue NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Relic Smokehouse and Pub, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CHINESE FOOD

GORDY’S SICHUAN CAFE

“Superb ingredients and preparations. Tradition meets innovation.” (Neal S.); “Wow is not a strong enough word to describe their selections, with choice of spiciness for each.” (John D.); “The home of authentic Chinese food in Spokane!” (Michael B.) 2nd PLACE: Red Dragon; 3rd PLACE: Ming Wah Restaurant NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Chinatown, Coeur d’Alene

BEST SEAFOOD

ANTHONY’S AT SPOKANE FALLS

It’s not just the fish. It’s the water. Anthony’s is well-established as a delicious seafood restaurant, offering everything from Panko-crusted Idaho rainbow trout to garlic butter roasted prawns. But its prime views of the raging Spokane Falls is perhaps the best part of it all for those of us lucky to visit the Spokane Anthony’s. You’ll note the Coeur d’Alene Anthony’s took the top prize for North Idaho in this category. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Zona Blanca; 3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Anthony’s at Coeur d’Alene

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

BEST BARTENDER (EMILY JOYCE)

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

BEST PHO

PHO VAN

BEST THAI FOOD

THAI BAMBOO

Someday, a time may come when another Thai restaurant will get as many votes as Thai Bamboo. At that time, we will surely write, “It’s a Thai!” and everyone will have a hearty laugh at the cuisine-based wordplay. But it is not this day. Once again, readers voted Thai Bamboo our undisputed Best Thai Food champion. We recommend the Pad Thai. Ask your server about it if you’re unfamiliar with it. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Bangkok Thai; 3rd PLACE: Kuni’s Thai Cuisine ...continued

Thank You North Idaho

& the Inland Northwest!

Just 30 min east of Downtown Spokane on Exit 5!

112 N SPOKANE ST, POST FALLS, ID • 208.773.7301 • POSTFALLSBREWING.COM

THANK YOU SPOKANE,

For the years of love & support you continue to show our WDC family and for every vote this year.

4 Area Locations South Hill: 2909 E 57th Ave Northside: 2135 W NW Blvd Pines: 1014 N Pines Rd Sprague: 7807 E Sprague Ave

Is there anything better than a steaming hot bowl of pho when you’re in the middle of a nasty winter cold stretch? (Answer: There is not). Big bowls of flavorful broth, filling noodles and oh-so-fresh herbs, sprouts and jalapeños make pho a belly-warming wonder, and no one does it better than Spokane staple Pho Van. Whether you prefer your pho with steak, chicken or tendon, Pho Van knows how to make it the best, according to our readers. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Vien Dong; 3rd PLACE: Vina Asian Restaurant NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pho Thanh & Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

Celebrate with us Monday, April 4th at all White Dog Locations before noon and get any 16oz drink for $2 BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 47

THANK YOU

For Voting Us #1 Best Health Club In North Idaho!

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2021

BEST MASSAGE

Sourdough is serious business at MAK Bread.

COURTESY PHOTO

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST BREAD

MAK BREAD

M 14222 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA | 509-891-1999

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48 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

att and Krystle Toman, the owners of MAK Bread and Back Pocket Bakery, met and fell in love in South Korea. But that’s a story for another day. This love story is about sourdough bread and starts about six years ago when they were living in Seattle. The couple, Matt’s brother, Phillip, and a few friends started baking loaves of bread, specifically sourdough, as a personal interest at home. Sourdough is often considered the “best,” most artisan bread you can make, and Matt loves a challenge, so while working a full-time job, he challenged himself to perfect the loaf. “It’s the kind of bread that uses a certain technique where you really have to connect with what you’re doing,” says Matt. Fast forward to 2018. Matt and Krystle moved to Coeur d’Alene, and were introduced to the Kootenai County Farmers Market. They’d already been thinking of taking their love of baking bread to the next step, and the market seemed like a great platform for trying it out. They started with three loaves: their basic Country Blonde sourdough loaf; Wild Sesame, made with a sesame seed used in South

Korea; and potato sourdough. It was obvious that excellence and love went into each loaf, and their business grew quickly. Today, Matt, Krystle, Phillip and Laurel — the MAK Bread team — craft 12 varieties of standard and rotating loaves along with baguettes, ciabattas, bagels, cream cheese mixes, compound butter and artisan sandwiches, with much more coming soon. At the end of 2021, they launched a Kickstarter for a new bread oven to go into the Back Pocket Bakery, opening soon in downtown Coeur d’Alene. This will allow the bakery to fulfill Krystle’s dream of opening a sandwich shop in a community they love, but they’ll continue baking for the markets and pursuing the connections that have carried them to this place. “We couldn’t have done this without our people,” says Matt. “Those who show up at the market, get our bread subscriptions, the farmers markets, other local businesses we’ve worked with and learned from, and who’ve introduced us to other people in the community along the way. We definitely couldn’t have done it without them.” — S. MICHAL BENNETT

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 49

BEST BURGERS

WISCONSINBURGER

“OMG, have you had one? If you’d had one, you wouldn’t ask why. Bonus points for the dog-friendly patio.” (Carmela C.); “The Grind Of The Week is always entertaining. Awesome service, great food, huge beer selection, good theme.” (John R.); “Cheese curds, don’t ya know!” (Holly M.) 2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar 3rd PLACE: D.Lish’s Hamburgers

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST BURGERS

HUDSON’S HAMBURGERS, COEUR D’ALENE

“They have been the standard I judge all others by. Have satisfied me and my family for the past 40 years!” (Marc W.)

Nudo Ramen House delivers one serious bowl of goodness.

JENNIFER DeBARROS PHOTO

BEST RAMEN

BEST SUSHI

Longtime restaurateur Jingou Sun modeled Nudo Ramen House after favorite places from her international travels, making both the downtown and north-side locations fun spots to kick back and enjoy a bowl of hearty, scratch-made ramen featuring fresh noodles, rich broth and flavorful toppings. Of course, if you’re not in a soup mood, Nudo has plenty more to offer, from excellent rice dishes to delectable appetizers. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: King of Ramen; 3rd PLACE: Little Noodle NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Monarch Ramen & Noodle House, Coeur d’Alene

At Umi, enjoy ultra-fresh sushi rolls, fried rice, a craft cocktail or some sake wherever you like: facing the sushi counter, where you can watch its expert chefs in their element; downstairs in the swanky Umi Den, or on the covered patio alongside the Centennial Trail. At home, too! Umi’s head sushi chefs, Tong Liu and Haru Wang, have applied decades of collective experience to craft menus for multiple awardwinning sushi restaurants in the region, Umi included. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Sushi.com; 3rd PLACE: Izumi Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Syringa Japanese Cafe + Sushi Bar, Coeur d’Alene

NUDO RAMEN HOUSE

UMI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR

Thank You

BEST LATE-NIGHT DINING

SATELLITE DINER

“Incredible staff are always friendly, food is always great, and their hours and price range made them the perfect college-student friendly place. I’d come finish papers here and study in college, and even finished my history thesis here at 3:30 am over a big plate of breakfast and endless coffee.” (Zoe J.); “They’re a staple of Spokane.” (John L.) 2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar 3rd PLACE: Neato Burrito NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Atilano’s, Coeur d’Alene

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Spokane

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#1 wings! For Voting us

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Flamin’ Joe’s is always family friendly, cooking up Spokane’s BEST wings for 20 years North Spokane | 7015 North Division 509-465-5052

50 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Spokane Valley | 11618 E. Sprague Ave 509-922-5052

CAMERA READY

Thanks for Building us Up, Spokane!

2021 4217 E Main Ave, Spokane, WA | (509) 434-6177 | strohmaierconstruction.com Best Home Remodeler

a feast of gratitude thank you Spokane for giving us the opportunity to be part of your celebrations

2021

2021 BEST CATERER 1110 W Riverside Ave Spokane, WA 99201 | 509-570-2348 | www.londonsultimatecatering.com

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 51

52 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 53

54 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Best Italiaanne!!

Chaos Arcade appeals to gamers of all ages. ALYSSA HUGHES PHOTO

Thanks, Spok

2021

BEST ARCADE

CHAOS ARCADE

everly and Eric Lee are gamers. When the couple, who prefer activities beyond the bar scene, moved to Spokane from Colorado, they had difficulty finding new diversions that they enjoyed. So, they took matters into their own hands. In March 2021, the Lees opened Chaos Arcade in north Spokane, near Francis and Monroe, expanding the local arcade scene for gamers of all ages and interests. “I [wanted] to bring more to this town, because I like Spokane,” says Beverly Lee. Lee’s goal was to create a space where fellow gamers can have fun, minus the vibe of a kiddie place like Chuck E. Cheese. Together, the couple created an arcade catering to an adult crowd while still being family friendly. “What I didn’t expect was how many families would enjoy it here and still feel super comfortable,” says Beverly. From pinball to racing games, Chaos Arcade offers a variety of arcade classics. But what makes Chaos Arcade unique from similar venues is its virtual reality (VR) gaming options. Not only do gamers get the ultimate VR experience at Chaos, they can also play with friends, selecting from a collection of more than 50 VRcompatible games. After playing, tickets are redeemable for prizes. From enamel pins and imported candy to luxury electronics and novelty memorabilia, Chaos Arcade offers a wide selection. “They’re not just little trinkets for kids,” says Beverly. “It’s actually stuff that you want.” For gamers in need of a snack, the Chaos Café offers sub sandwiches, pizza, small bites and an assortment of sweets. To keep you energized throughout the gaming extravaganza, boba tea, espresso, frappes and sodas are also on the café menu. Those who seek a buzz can also order craft beer, wine and cocktails. Gamers with a competitive side can join Chaos Arcade for its VR league nights and occasional tournaments. Coming up next on April 1, from 2-8 pm, Chaos Arcade is partnering with the Army and Navy to host a blood drive, canned food drive and a gaming tournament. — NATALIE RIETH 2nd PLACE: Jedi Alliance 3rd PLACE: Gamers Arcade Bar NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Triple Play, Hayden

Covered Brand New Pat io! and Heated 144 SOUTH CANNON ST. | SPOKANE, WA | 509.459.6000 WED-SAT Dinner starting at 5PM SAT-SUN Brunch 9AM to 2PM

BEST ORGANIC GROCERY STORE

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 55

BEST CONCERT OF PAST YEAR

PRIMUS AT THE PAVILION

“It was a great show! The band was JAMMING!” (Julie M.); “I went to one concert… only Les Claypool could get me out of quarantine… AND IT WAS WORTH IT!” (Zana M.) 2nd PLACE: Allen Stone residency at Lucky You Lounge 3rd PLACE: Death Cab For Cutie at the Pavilion

BEST RECORD STORE

4000 HOLES Readers love Indian Goat’s filthy rock sound.

ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

BEST BAND, ORIGINALS

BEST BAND, COVERS

Indian Goat is absolutely filthy in the way that’s a badge of honor for true rockers. The Spokane duo’s fuzzed-out massive blues riff attack embodies a sweat-drenched, beer-swilling, flag-waving, head-banging attitude. And when Indian Goat takes the stage, that molotov cocktail explodes in an energetic blaze of heavy glory. There’s a reason these guys have won this category more than once. (SS) 2nd PLACE: Super Sparkle; 3rd PLACE: Nixon Rodeo

Legendary newsman Ron Burgundy may play a fiery jazz flute, but KHQ anchor Sean Owsley plays a mean guitar. As the frontman for The Rising, Owsley sometimes rushes from reading the evening news to take the stage at venues like Barrister Winery with his rock trio. The group plays light, upbeat versions of classic favs (from Elvis and Cash to Prince and George Michael) to spark nights of dancing and sing-alongs. (SS) 2nd PLACE: The Cronkites; 3rd PLACE: The Rub

INDIAN GOAT

THE RISING

Another Solid Number 2

56 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

“Lots of classic titles.” (Merrie W.); “The best variety and Bob is the BOMB!” (Kami H.); “So awesome I don’t think anyone else exists!” (Dale B.) 2nd PLACE: Resurrection Records 3rd PLACE: Groove Merchants

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST RECORD STORE

THE LONG EAR, COEUR D’ALENE

“Classic business, has been around forever. You can’t go wrong!” (Maddie N.)

BEST RADIO DJ OR TEAM BEST RADIO STATION

DAVE, KEN AND MOLLY; KZZU

Radio morning teams are a special breed. When the chemistry is right, the teams stay together for decades and listeners truly start to feel like those voices coming through their speakers are part of their family, not just part of their morning routines. Our readers have loved Dave, Ken and Molly’s show for years, and they’re the main reason 92.9 FM KZZU is our readers’ favorite station this year, too. (DN) BEST RADIO DJ OR TEAM 2nd PLACE: Jay & Kevin & Slim, 99.9 FM 3rd PLACE: GA (Gary Allen), 94.5 FM NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Diane Michaels, 95.3 FM KPND, Sandpoint BEST RADIO STATION 2nd PLACE: KYRS Thin Air Radio 92.3 FM; 3rd PLACE: Rock 94.5 FM NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: 95.3 FM KPND The End, Sandpoint

BEST ESCAPE ROOM

UNIT 55 HORROR GAMES

If you’ve ever watched one of the Saw movies and thought to yourself, “Hey! That looks fun!” then Unit 55 Horror Games is probably your type of thing. This isn’t your standard escape room. Unit 55 isn’t just about using teamwork to solve puzzles. Founded by the Spokane-based haunted attraction company the Haunt Cartel, this escape room in Spokane Valley is a horror-immersion experience, complete with set design and actors. Unit 55 also regularly changes its escape room themes to keep challenges fresh and spooky. (QW) 2nd PLACE: Think Tank Escape Rooms; 3rd PLACE: Escape NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: 59: Escape Adventures, Post Falls ...continued

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US SPOKANE’S

#1 BEST WINE TASTING ROOM 4 YEARS IN A ROW! #2 BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 57

BEST BOWLING CENTER

LILAC LANES

“Clean and nice. Great equipment, well maintained — food and drinks are good, too!” (Richard B.); “Friendly, with great lanes and good food.” (Marc W.) 2nd PLACE: North Bowl 3rd PLACE: River City Lanes, Post Falls

BEST MOVIE THEATER

AMC RIVER PARK SQUARE 20

Hey, Deece, we didn’t forget you!

BEST KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE

“Nothing beats the Dolby theater!” (Hannah H.); “Twenty screens, comfy chairs and good staff.” (Angela J.); “Comfortable seating. Lots of room. Cool place to go see a movie.” (Kent J.) 2nd PLACE: The Garland Theater 3rd PLACE: The Magic Lantern NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hayden Discount Cinema YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST LOCAL COMEDIAN

MODERN DREAMERS SLUMBER CO.

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE

DEECE CASILLAS

If you’re hoping to plan a birthday party that your child will never forget, Modern Dreamers Slumber Co. can help. Choose a theme, let Modern Dreamers set up the luxury slumber party of your kid’s dreams and then let its staff take it all down the next morning. No fuss and a ton of fun for your kid and their friends. (MP) 2nd PLACE: Wonderland Family Fun Center 3rd PLACE: Pattison’s North Roller Skating Center NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Triple Play, Hayden

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Spokane-based comedian Deece Casillas made a lot of comedic hay out of the Inlander forgetting to invite him to the winners party when our readers named him their favorite local comedian a few years back. We’re really going to try to remember him this year, since he earned this spot by getting creative through the pandemic when stand-up stages went dark. Casillas’ pivot to podcasts and videos helped Inland Northwesterners get some laughs when they needed it most. (DN) 2nd PLACE (tie): Dan Cummins, Bryan Albrandt, Harry J. Riley

“Great booking, great shows… amazing!” (Zana M.); “Great bands, and they [followed] Covid protocols!” (Melissa B.); “They’re the best!” (Taylor V.) 2nd PLACE: The Knitting Factory 3rd PLACE: The Pavilion NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Stateline

...continued

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Father-and-son owners Allan (left) and Earl Smith.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SHOP

HOFFMAN MUSIC

here are Spokane institutions, and then there’s Hoffman Music. Riverfront Park? Hoffman has been around more than twice as long. The Davenport Hotel? Hoffman opened one year earlier than the city’s most historic lodging spot. If the Inlander had been around since Hoffman Music’s 1913 founding, it’s a safe bet the treasure of a music store would’ve taken home 100+ Best Of awards. On a surface level, it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re a professional musician or a weekend hobbyist, wandering into Hoffman’s North Monroe HQ is enough to transport anyone into a state of musical bliss. From the rainbow arrays of electric guitars, the walls of horns and string instruments, or even the deepercut musical creation tools (accordions and steel drums, anyone?), you’re bound to find something to spark a creative impulse. But Hoffman’s lifeblood runs deeper than what’s instantly visible. This place has institutional knowledge that can’t be topped. Just ask Earl Smith. Smith has been Hoffman’s president for about 15 years, which would be impressive enough before you found out his real tenure at the store. Smith started working at Hoffman when he was in high school… in 1950. When asked why people love Hoffman so much, Smith keeps it simple. “Well, we’re a complete music store,” he says. “We have a complete repair facility for virtually all instruments. We carry just about anything you can think of that has to do with musical instruments and accessories. We have facilities for

teaching lessons. Most of the people who work here play instruments, and are very proficient on them. And, of course, we’ve been here for a long, long time.” During that long, long time, Smith has seen music evolve and the store continually adapt as a result. It’s wild to fathom, but Smith’s tenure at Hoffman doesn’t only predate rap and EDM, it predates rock music. “We try to be on the cutting edge,” Smith says. “Going through the rock and roll years… it gave us a good shot in the arm when rock and roll became so popular. Many, many people formed their own rock bands, and they required lots of instruments, and they bought everything you can imagine.” A trumpet player himself, Smith has a soft spot for the band instrument era, and catering to local schools’ band and orchestra students remains a key component for Hoffman. The store is always working with local school band directors to make sure students can love learning music. And while that scholastic niche took a hit during the pandemic due to music programs being paused, Hoffman was able to maintain due to flourishing sales for guitars, as well as drums and keyboards. (They also took time during shutdown to remodel and rearrange.) Hoffman Music is well over 100 years old, but it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. — SETH SOMMERFELD 2nd PLACE: Mark’s Guitar Shop 3rd PLACE: Amend Music Center NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Burt’s Music and Sound, Coeur d’Alene

Privately Owned. Locally Invested. Voted “Best Bank” since 2011. Thank You. As the oldest and largest privately-held commercial bank in the Pacific Northwest, we are honored to have been voted “Best Bank” by our community. We are grateful to have been here in the Northwest since 1902, and we look forward to the next 120 years and beyond.

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 61

BEST LOCAL PLAY OF THE PAST YEAR

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, SPOKANE VALLEY SUMMER THEATER

Take the classic and beloved story of the Ingalls’ family’s westward journey by covered wagon, add some music and lyrics, and ta-da! — you’ve got one of the catchiest and most wholesome musicals to ever grace the stage. The Spokane Valley Summer Theater filled seats nightly during its run of this show embracing the beauty and bravery of America’s pioneer era. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Corpus Christi, Stage Left Theater 3rd PLACE: No Clue!, Blue Door Theatre

BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER

ALLEN STONE

After cutting his teeth locally, R&B soulster Allen Stone made a name for himself on the national stage while a Seattleite. But now that he’s moved back to our neck of the woods, we can fully claim his booming and emotive voice as our own. Whether backed by a dynamic band or performing stripped-down solo (as he did on his 2021 album, Apart), it’s always a treat to see him belt out the jams. (SS) 2nd PLACE: Blake Braley; 3rd PLACE: Karli Ingersoll

BEST TOURING BROADWAY MUSICAL OF PAST YEAR

MEAN GIRLS

Allen Stone is back in Spokane.

62 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

There have been far too many good Hollywood films turned into middling Broadway musicals, so when a production actually retains the original’s charm and even adds something on the live stage, audience members (and our readers) take note. Broadway in Spokane’s Mean Girls actually made fetch happen when the long-delayed show hit the First Interstate Center for the Arts stage. (DN) 2nd PLACE (tie): Anastasia, Fiddler on the Roof

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 63

Serving North Side DIYers since the 1950s. ALYSSA HUGHES PHOTO

64 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST LOCAL HARDWARE STORE

RIVER RIDGE HARDWARE

f you have a DIY project you’re working on around the house and need knowledgeable and local advice, River Ridge Hardware in the Audubon-Downriver neighborhood, voted Best Local Hardware Store of 2022 by Inlander readers, is a good place to start. “My tagline for the store is really ‘Neighbors helping neighbors,’” says business owner Larry Myers, who took over the shop in 2017. “We earnestly want to help our customers, and we know that we aren’t here without them.” When a customer enters the store at the intersection of Garland Avenue and Driscoll Boulevard, they’re greeted at the door and helped with whatever project they’re working on, even if they’re not exactly sure where to start, Myers says. “My guys, and myself, love to do that,” he adds. Most of River Ridge Hardware’s customers are nearby homeowners or DIYers looking for help and advice on a project, Myers says. “The value of River Ridge is that it has that local feel,” he says. “It’s not too big, and it’s not too small.” River Ridge is somewhat of an institution in Spokane, with its origins dating to the early 1950s when it was located near the Spokane River on Wellesley Avenue. Today, the store has three separate departments to help customers tackle any project: hardware, gardening and a rental center. Additionally, River Ridge Hardware is one of the only hardware stores in the country that is also home to a custom picture-framing shop, Frame It Today. — QUINN WELSCH 2nd PLACE: Miller’s Hardware 3rd PLACE: The General Store NORTH IDAHO’s BEST: Seright’s Ace Hardware, Rathdrum

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Coppercreek makes outdoor living dreams come true.

BEST LANDSCAPING FIRM

BEST HVAC SERVICE

Whether you’ve got acres to spare or a modest backyard, Coppercreek takes pride in helping you transform it into a place where you’ll want to entertain, relax and recreate. Their portfolio is packed with inspired decks, pools, fire pits, dining areas, rustic gardens, water features and more. They’re known for working closely with customers to realize their vision while drawing on years of experience to enhance even the grandest of designs. (EJI) 2nd PLACE: Blend Outdoor Design 3rd PLACE: Clearwater Summit Group NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: K2 Landscaping, Coeur d’Alene

From routine furnace tuneups to installing brand-new A/C and heat pump systems, this family-owned firm has been helping area households cope with the extremes of our region’s weather for more than three decades. What’s more, Holliday has consistently stood behind its work, offering a variety of quality and satisfaction guarantees that always make sure the customer comes first. (EJI) 2nd PLACE: Banner Furnace & Fuel 3rd PLACE: ACNW Heating & Air Conditioning

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67 OFF

YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL

GoldSealPlumbing.com 66 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 GoldSealPlumbinb_BestOf1stPlace_032422_10H_AP GOLDSP*932JR

BEST KITCHEN STORE

BEST CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS

“Great inventory… family owned.” (Frederick C.); “Wonderful stuff to shop for, and they carry Polish pottery!” (Nancy S.); “Cooking classes and great merchandise!” (Paula D.) 2nd PLACE: The Culinary Stone, Coeur d’Alene 3rd PLACE: Williams Sonoma

Mario and Son touts their combination of “new-age technology with old-world craftsmanship” for the quality of their stonework. Granite. Onyx. Quartzite. Marble. Soapstone. They have the nuances of each material down stone-cold. You may have one plan for your kitchen, but just wait until you see Mario and Son’s counter offer. (DW) 2nd PLACE: NW Granite 3rd PLACE: Capaul StoneWorks NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Gargoyle Granite & Marble, Rathdrum

THE KITCHEN ENGINE

BEST BANK

WASHINGTON TRUST BANK

“Always amazing service. I have never had a bad experience in the 15 years I’ve been banking with them!” (Virginia M.); “They are a privately held bank, and it shows. They care about their employees and their customers!” (Olga M.) 2nd PLACE: Banner Bank; 3rd PLACE: Wheatland Bank; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mountain West Bank

BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP

PETE’S INDEPENDENT HONDA REPAIR

“They are HONEST! I would never take my car anywhere else. Good, good people!” (Michael T.); “Was treated with exceptional service!” (Soren T.); “Ken and his crew are honest! I trust when they say my car needs something done it, it truly does.”(Mary F.) 2nd PLACE: Vandervert Automotive Services 3rd PLACE: Clark’s Tire and Automotive

Thank You, Spokane!

MARIO AND SON

BEST FLOORING

BROTHERS FLOORING

There are a lot of projects around the house you can do yourself, but when it comes to floors, better leave it to the pros. Inlander readers love Brothers Flooring, and whether it’s for carpet, hardwood, laminate, stone, tile or more, this shop’s got an incredible array of options, prides ifself on installing on time and on budget, and has locations in both Spokane and Post Falls. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Caruso’s Floors 3rd PLACE: Carpet Barn ...continued

ben joyce studios 806 West 3rd Ave., Spokane 509.242.3427 wwww.benjoycestudios.com

#1 BEST ARTIST

We voted you

(Sorry it’s not a real category.) But if it was? Our customers would win by a landslide. Thanks for making us one of your Best Places. We like hanging out with you, too.

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 67

The Tin Roof makes furniture shopping fun again! Owner Heather Hanley and her dad, Jim, are on the right.

BEST FURNITURE & BEST HOME DECOR SHOP

THE TIN ROOF

you a sofa, but I want them to make sure they’re addressing your needs, to make sure that long-term commitment is going to be perfect for you.” That concept has certainly worked. Beyond the recognition the Tin Roof has received from the Spokane community year after year, it’s also won prestigious industry awards, beating out competing retailers up and down the West Coast. And even though the Tin Roof’s website features an extensive catalog that caters to shoppers’ preference for online browsing, Hanley says its showroom continues to provide an irreplaceable experience. “When you’re shopping for furniture, you want to sit in it, feel it, touch it. You want to know what the fabric feels like. It makes retail exciting, not just a function of your day. Make shopping fun again — that needs to be our goal.” — E.J. IANNELLI

eather Hanley is the first to admit that furniture shopping rarely tops the list of ways that folks would typically choose to spend their time. “A house, a car and furniture are among the most stressful shopping experiences,” says the owner of the Tin Roof. “If you’re going to furnish a house or even a room, that can be a large expenditure, and that always makes people anxious. You’re making an investment, a long-term commitment, so you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal.” Since day one, Hanley has set about making the Tin Roof “fun and enjoyable, not something that you dread.” A self-professed “retail enthusiast,” Hanley brought that philosophy back to Spokane in the early 2000s after attending college in the Bay Area, where she saw retailers taking a much more engaging approach with their clientele. She was excited by the prospect of creating a store with a more inviting atmosphere — one that would cultivate lifelong customers and take the edge off of finding the perfect home décor. “We try to make our showroom not just a sea of brown sofas. I want people to be enthused to be here, and I want my staff to be a cut above the rest,” Hanley says. “Anyone can sell

Best Home Decor 2nd PLACE: The Bohemian 3rd PLACE: At Home, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Best Furniture 2nd PLACE: Dania Furniture 3rd PLACE: Walker’s Furniture NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Runge Furniture, Coeur d’Alene

Unique perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, garden art, gifts, & more!

Thank you for your votes!

Local Garden Supply/Nursery

Thank you Come visit us today at one of our two locations:

Judy’s Enchanted Garden 2628 W Northwest Blvd, Spokane (509) 325-1081

68 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

2021

Family Friendly Brewpub

419 N. Second Ave.

2021

Best

and our Beer Hall & Brewery

Burgers

happy hour

220 Cedar St.

Sandpoint

MickDuffs.com

in the Area

Thank you Spokane for voting us “Best Radio Team”, AGAIN!

Dave, Ken and Molly Best Radio Team 2022

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 69

BEST ROOFING

JIMMY’S ROOFING; GLACIER PROPERTY SOLUTIONS (tie)

It turns out that there’s an actual Jimmy behind Jimmy’s Roofing. Jimmy Stroh’s a local guy, born and raised in Spokane County. In part, Stroh credits the company’s honesty for the fact that they tied with Glacier Property Solutions for “Best Roofing.” He says the company will decline a project if they’re not able to do it right for the price. “We are straight shooters,” Stroh says. “‘This is what you’re going to get and not going to get.’” (DW) 3rd PLACE: Speciality Home Products

BEST WINDOWS Ritters is a green thumb’s go-to.

COURTESY PHOTO

BEST LOCAL GARDEN SUPPLY/NURSERY

RITTERS GARDEN & GIFT

For more than 70 years, Ritters has been locals’ go-to for everything to make their yards and gardens grow, and flourish. Garden supplies are only some of what this one-stop-shop offers, along with houseplants, gifts and specialty food items, home decor, pet supplies, and more. And that’s all in addition to trees, shrubs, perennial and annual outdoor plants, pottery, fountains, and tools to care for your green friends. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Northwest Seed and Pet; 3rd PLACE: Judy’s Enchanted Garden; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vanhoff’s Garden Center, Coeur d’Alene

PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS OF SPOKANE

Pella sells all types of trendy windows. Those hip windows with black exteriors and black interiors. They sell ’em. The kinds of windows with blinds on the inside of the panes of glass, protecting the blinds from dust, kids and dogs. They sell ’em. But retail sales manager Travis McNamee suspects Pella’s “follow-up customer service” is probably the big reason they won. “In the climate we’re in right now, it’s really hard to get people to call you back, and to get people to do what they say they’re going to do,” McNamee says. When a place like Pella does, it stands out. (DW) 2nd PLACE (tie): McVay Brothers Siding & Windows; River City Glass

BEST CREDIT UNION

STCU

“You can have savings buckets/goals within your account, and you can have as many savings accounts as you want without any fees!” (Charlotte F.); “They actually serve their membership, providing drive-thru tellers, convenient locations and other member conveniences. Love STCU!” (Sherry D.) 2nd PLACE: Numerica 3rd PLACE: Canopy Credit Union NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Idaho Central Credit Union

BEST PLUMBING SERVICE

BULLDOG ROOTER, GOLD SEAL PLUMBING (TIE)

BULLDOG: “They were prompt, coming soon after we called. Excellent service!” (Jody L.); “Very efficient.” (Cathy G.); GOLD SEAL: “Fast service!” (Nancy S.); “We can actually get the specific plumber of our choice.” (Claudia L.) 3rd PLACE: Shaw Plumbing Services

BEST REALTOR

EVETTE WILIE, KELLER WILLIAMS SPOKANE “We bought our forever home from her 5.5 years ago and are grateful to be able to call her our friend!” (Mitchell H.); “Great service and attention to detail. Ability to facilitate an efficient transaction with minimal stress for her clients.” (Cary W.); “Evette goes above and beyond supporting our local community!” (Kent A.) 2nd PLACE: Samara Behler, Windermere Valley/Liberty Lake 3rd PLACE: Connie Smith, Kelly Right Real Estate

70 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022HOLLIDAYHeating&AirConditioning_BestOf_032422_10H_JK

WE’RE IN GREAT COMPANY

Here’s to our team members for giving their best.

We are so proud to be a part of all the communities we serve. 500,000 members strong. Join today. Find out more at iccu.com

WE BELIEVE our people make us possible.

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 71

BEST DLY FAMILY FRIEN N BEER GARDE FULL BAR

HOT WINGS! BEER BAR! ! SPORTS BAR

BREAD HOUSE MADE DIENTS FRESH INGRE AN TABLES! MORE TAPS TH

Strohmaier brings dream homes to life.

BEST HOME REMODELER

STROHMAIER CONSTRUCTION

B.COM CAPONESPU 4 LOCATIONS! CDA • 751 N. 4th • (208) 667-4843 CDA (Ponderosa Golf Course) • 1291 N Galena Dr • (208) 664-1101 POST FALLS • 315 N Ross Point Rd • (208) 457-8020 HAYDEN • 9520 N. Government Way • (208) 762-5999

Our Customers are the Best to us! Thanks for the votes! Best Organic/ Natural Foods

Corner of Main Avenue and Browne 44 West Main Ave Spokane | 509.458.2667 | www.mainmarket.coop

72 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

trohmaier Construction is a small, residential construction company with a mission to create beautiful and functional homes. Company co-founders and husband-and-wife team Kyle and Raena Strohmaier set off on that mission in 2011 while both were still students at Eastern Washington University. “During that time, we were living in, managing and renovating an apartment complex on the South Hill that was owned by Kyle’s grandparents,” says Raena Strohmaier. “Around that same time, we purchased and renovated our first home, and from there we just kept going.” The two had a lot of support and guidance from their families while starting the business, which designs and builds custom homes, offers interior design services, and completes remodeling projects. “The bulk of the work we do is remodeling projects,” Strohmaier says. “In recent years, remodels have gotten bigger in scale, due to the housing shortage and competitive markets, with more folks deciding to remodel their whole house rather than buy or build new.” Strohmaier Construction’s continued success

and popularity with clients is all due to its team and their mission, she adds. “We have a fabulous group that works very well together, and we strive to be very intentional in all of our building and designing,” she says. While processes vary for each job, Strohmaier says a project usually starts with designers and estimators meeting with the homeowner to discuss an initial vision. “We help guide them through which aspects can be achieved, and which might need to be modified based on budget, materials or other factors,” she says. “We can then create a proposal, and if that’s accepted, we move on to design, and eventually construction.” Looking ahead, Strohmaier says the company is focused on perfecting its processes, and generating more work with custom home builds. “We’ve been doing custom builds since 2016, but we’re starting to see demand pick up now, which is exciting.” — LEANN BJERKEN 2nd PLACE: Berry Built & Design 3rd PLACE: Parsons Construction

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 73

Build up a thirst, then quench it in Sandpoint.

SCHWEITZER PHOTO

ummer’s coming and that means road trips. If you’ve never visited Sandpoint, put this North Idaho town on your to-do list. Plan on spending the day exploring on foot (or by bicycle) and by car, depending on your

inclination. Start the morning with a fresh-baked treat from our readers’ choice for Sandpoint’s best bakery, BLUEBIRD BAKERY. Located on the corner of First Avenue and Cedar Street, this cozy spot offers prime people-watching

THANKS SPOKANE

Thank you to our amazing clients and their pet families!

202US FOR VOTING 1

BEST

RECORD STORE!

Record Store

Vinyl • CDs • DVDs • T-shirts • Posters & more

Best music store in Eastern Washington

1610 N. MONROE ST • 509.325.1914

74 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Now doing large animal preventative care

1223 W Hayden Ave, Hayden, ID haydenvets.com • (208) 772-3288

BEST BAKERY

1st PLACE: Bluebird Bakery 2nd PLACE: Pie Hut 3rd PLACE: Swartzendruber’s Bake Haus & Deli, Sagle

BEST PLACE TO HIKE

1st PLACE: Schweitzer Mountain 2nd PLACE: Scotchman Peak 3rd PLACE: Beehive Lakes

BEST BURGER

1st PLACE: MickDuff’s Brewing Company 2nd PLACE: The Burger Dock 3rd PLACE: Dub’s Drive-In

with a side of hot DOMA coffee. “We have been fortunate for all the local support the last couple years as well as the positive word-of-mouth reviews to get us to where we are now,” says manager Jill Severson, who describes Bluebird as a European-style bakery with locally sourced ingredients from their favorite farmers and friends. Try a breakfast pizza, or grab a loaf of bread for the road. Pack your hiking gear and spend the day exploring SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN, your all-season destination for fun. During warmer months, find 20 miles of hiking for every level of hiker. Try the family-friendly, 2.5-mile 2021 nature trail accessible from Schweitzer Village. Or take the lift to the summit, and try the shorter Stewart’s Loop. Pack a picnic lunch (Bluebird Bakery does sandwiches!) or your

FOR VOTING US BEST KITCHEN STORE

621 W. Mallon - In the Flour Mill thekitchenengine.com 328-3335

Congratulations TracEy!

BEST HAPPY HOUR

1st PLACE: MickDuff’s Brewing Company 2nd PLACE (tie): 219 Lounge, Idaho Pour Authority, Pucci’s Pub at Schweitzer, The Fat Pig

2021

BEST FURNITURE 1st PLACE: Sandpoint Furniture 2nd PLACE (tie): Meadowbrook Home Furnishings, Carousel Emporium

THANK YOU

Fresh bread at Bluebird Bakery.

COURTESY PHOTO

binoculars and keep an eye out for wildlife. With all that fresh air and exercise, you’ll probably work up an appetite. Sandpoint has lots of other places to grab a bite and a beverage. Get both at MICKDUFF’S BREWING COMPANY, which is Inlander readers’ pick for Sandpoint’s best burger and best happy hour. Even though MickDuff’s locations have changed over the years, the popularity of its beer, food and festive atmosphere has not. Happy hour occurs Sunday through Thursday, from 3-5:30 pm, at the Second Avenue location, with discounted purchases on select beer. Missed happy hour? Check the brewery’s website for all kinds of other daily drink specials. For eats, try the uber-popular smash burger, with two, 3-ounce patties from local Woods Meats. Sandpoint is a great destination for dining and for doing the outdoors, but it’s also an ideal place for shopping, including at SANDPOINT FURNITURE & MATTRESS. This 76-year-old family-owned business balances style and performance with affordability, including in their 4,000-square-foot clearance center. But don’t expect pushy sales staff. Rather than work on commission, Sandpoint Furniture staff operate out of a desire to ensure that you simply love whatever couch, bed, dining room table set, or other home furnishings you may need.

Best Bartender

8 years of Excellence. We’re so proud of you! large outdoor patio infused tequilas Open Daily 11am - 2am

211 n division borrachospokane.com 509 822 7789

We are incredibly surprised and grateful to make the Best Of List this year! We love our local customers so much and it means the world to us knowing we have this much local support. BEST CBD SELECTION BEST SANDWICHES

Thank you so much to everyone who voted!

Locally Handcrafted Natural CBD Products CBD Bath Bombs, Pain Relief, Skin Care & Supplements

MENTION THIS AD FOR 25% OFF AT OUR SPOKANE VALLEY LOCATION sfsourdougheatery.com

EAST SPRAGUE CENTER

4808 E Sprague Suite 201 | Spokane Valley WWW.BATHBYBEX.COM Open Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm | 509-993-9023

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 75

76 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

The ceiling is the star at the Davenport’s legendary lounge. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Cheers and thanks for the love, Spokane!

2021 Best Craft Cocktails

Best All-Around Bar Best Old Fashioned Best Late Night Dining Best Burger

durkinsliquorbar.com • 863-9501

BEST HOTEL BAR

THE PEACOCK ROOM LOUNGE

he jazzy, 1920s atmosphere of the Peacock Room Lounge inside downtown Spokane’s Historic Davenport Hotel is coincidentally fitting for a venue that celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer. The bar’s name is an ode to famed architect Kirtland Cutter, who supposedly chose the peacock as his favorite animal. The bird is a theme throughout the space, featured most spectacularly in the 5,000-piece stained-glass ceiling at the bar’s entrance created by local artist Susan Kim. Jessica Dringman, director of marketing for the Davenport Hotel Collection’s properties, describes the Peacock Room Lounge as a dark and moody atmosphere that seems to hold equal attraction for sophisticated travelers and laid-back locals. “Our hotels have always had a ‘come one, come all’ feel,” Dringman says. “We have something for everyone, and really enjoy being accessible and welcoming to all guests.” Though known for its craft cocktails — particularly the double martinis — the lounge also serves a varied menu of lunch, dinner and late-night options. Dringman says the venue’s central downtown location, surrounded by shopping and entertainment, also contributes to its popularity. “The Peacock Room has always been a favorite for the evening crowd,” she says. “Recently, we’re starting to see downtown coming back to life a bit post-pandemic, and it’s exciting to be part of that rhythm again.” Since the Davenport Hotels Collection’s recent change of ownership, after longtime owners Walt and Karen Worthy sold their fivehotel portfolio to KSL Capital Partners LLC, Dringman says the transition has been smooth. Each property is working to balance tradition with new ideas. “Each of our properties have their own unique, established feel and features, so the goal is to keep those intact while also making things fresh and attractive for new visitors,” she says. “For the Peacock Room that means you’ll probably see us switching up our menus a bit and creating new seasonal drink specials, as well as collaborating with local artists and musicians for pop-up style events.” — LEANN BJERKEN 2nd PLACE: MAX at Mirabeau 3rd PLACE: The Safari Room NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Whispers, The Coeur d’Alene Resort

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 77

BEST WINE TASTING ROOM

MARYHILL WINERY

“Lovely view of the river and downtown with the ease of Kendall Yards.” (Andrea C.); “Love to stop in for a wine tasting with friends.” (Patty H.) 2nd PLACE: Barrister Winery 3rd PLACE: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Colter’s Creek, Moscow

BEST LOCAL CIDERY

ONE TREE HARD CIDER Garland Brew Werks quickly made a lot of friends and fans when it opened.

DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

BEST ALL-AROUND BAR

BEST BEER BAR

After 40 years in operation, the Viking still strives to be the best. And honestly, “Best All-Around Bar” is a fitting title. Looking for a wide variety of draft options? It boasts 24 taps of microbrews, cider, hard seltzer and even kombucha. Need something a little more boozy? How about some very affordably-priced craft cocktails. Hungry? The food is no joke either. (DH) 2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar 3rd PLACE: Bistango Martini Lounge NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Oval Office, Post Falls

There’s something to be said about a spot earning a Best Of nod each year since it opened. Still, it’s technically a new honor for owners Rachel Nalley and Joss Tribble, who took over the craft beer destination last year. Take it as proof that even under new ownership, nothing beats Community Pint when you’re thirsty for hard-to-find regional beer (on tap and in cans to go) or any of the other options they carry — cider, hard seltzer and nonalcoholic beverages. (DH) 2nd PLACE: Manito Tap House; 3rd PLACE: The Viking; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s Pub & Grill; Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls

THE VIKING

78 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

COMMUNITY PINT

“Great taste in every one they brew.” (Marc W.); “Delicious cider and equally delicious pizza.” (Cate A.); “Love their flavors!” (Lodi J.) 2nd PLACE: Trailbreaker Cider 3rd PLACE: Liberty Ciderworks

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST CIDERY

COEUR D’ALENE CIDER COMPANY “They provide a great local atmosphere that welcomes both new people and regulars.” (Joe M.)

BEST NEW BREWERY (OPENED IN THE PAST YEAR)

GARLAND BREW WERKS

In summer 2021, to nearby residents’ delight, the Garland District welcomed the neighborhood’s first craft brewery. Owners TJ and Sarah Wallin, formerly of Community Pint, brought on experienced local brewer Adam Boyd and chef Sheila Clifford. From sour beers to hazy IPAs to nonalcoholic root beer, which can be paired with flatbreads, bratwurst and more, Garland Brew Werks offers a chill spot to hang, either inside its spacious, all-ages taproom or out on the patio. (CS) 2nd PLACE: No Drought Brewing Co. 3rd PLACE: Chalice Brewing, Coeur d’Alene

Thank You for your continued support and entrusting us with your pet’s health!

BEST BLOODY MARY

1898 PUBLIC HOUSE

We all love to ogle pictures of insanely constructed bloody marys that come with, say, an entire gyro somehow attached alongside the asparagus spears and pickled green beans. Our readers’ favorite bloody isn’t afraid of toppings — Cajun prawns and peppered bacon are among the optional additions — but the basic at 1898 Public House doesn’t need a lot of distractions to get the job done at brunch. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Bark, A Rescue Pub; 3rd PLACE: Boombox Pizza NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Honey Eatery & Social Club, Coeur d’Alene

Best Veterinary Clinic

BEST WINE BAR

NECTAR WINE AND BEER

Nectar Wine and Beer has a lively vibe that’s hard to beat. With a weekday happy hour (Mon-Fri from 2-5 pm), Tuesday game nights, Thirsty Thursday Tastings and other events, guests have ample opportunity to try wine and beer selections from all over the Pacific Northwest. The bar also offers wine and beer club memberships with discounts, and never-ending happy hour specials. You’ll be a regular in no time! (LB) 2nd PLACE: LeftBank Wine Bar; 3rd PLACE: Whim Wine Bar NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vine & Olive, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

Hospital Hours: Mon - Thu: 7:30am - 7pm • Fri: 7:30am - 6pm

Built on compassion, honesty and trust to enrich the lives of pets with their human companions.

(509) 468-8387 • indiantrailvet.com • info@indiantrailvet.com • 5150 W Barnes Rd • Spokane, WA 9.3” wide by 5.4” high

FASHION IS FUN @ MARMALADE

BEST VINTAGE BOUTIQUE MARMALADE UNDERGROUND

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE MARMALADE

308 E. SHERMAN - DOWNTOWN CDA 208-819-9455 • MARMALADEFRESHCLOTHING.COM

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 79

Let’s just say it: John Bryant is a local legend, for good reason. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

NO-LI BREWHOUSE

hen you think about a craft brewery, chances are you think about more than the beer it produces. Some people consider the atmosphere of the taproom. Others, the brewery’s involvement in the community. No-Li Brewhouse might be the perfect representation of all of the above, and then some. Its beer brings home awards from all around the world. In the last year, No-Li received 42 medals from competitions in England, Germany, Japan and beyond. The Cascade Fog Hazy IPA alone secured five of those accolades from five different countries. Along with awardwinning beer, No-Li also produce hard seltzer (Day Fade) and canned craft cocktails (Riverside Drinkworks). The team behind the brewery and pub also takes pride in their focus on supporting the region through charitable contributions. “We served over 75 charities last year,” says NoLi owner John Bryant. “We donated and raised about $550,000.” To close out the year, the brewery launched No-Li’s 25 Days of Christmas campaign, donating $1,000 dollars each day to 25 different nonprofits in Washington and Idaho serving people who are “underserved, under-recog-

2021

nized and marginalized in our community.” Beneficiaries included the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Odyssey Youth Movement and Crosswalk teen shelter, among others. Bryant co-founded No-Li in 2012 — a re-branding of the nearly 20-year-old Northern Lights Brewing — and Inlander readers have voted it as the best brewery every year since. “Over the last decade it’s been more than making beer,” Bryant says. “It’s been about a movement and a cause.” Sitting down to talk about No-Li’s most recent Best Of win, Bryant expressed he’s fortunate to have that 10-year pin. One of the highlights over that timespan, he says, is seeing Spokane “becoming a really great beer city.” “People are traveling from all around the Northwest to experience it,” Bryant adds. “Not just No-Li, but other breweries, too. I’m proud that we’re helping to foster a larger brewing community.” In great No-Li fashion, the brewery is working on opening something massive in the coming month — a 4,200-square-foot “Bier Hall” adjacent to its existing pub in the Riverwalk building.

2021

• Country Style Breakfasts • Specialty Burgers • Salads & Sandwiches • Choice Steaks • Homemade Soups • Full Bar & Banquet Room

The space previously occupied by Dry Fly Distilling will become what Bryant calls an “authentic, but relevant, European beer hall.” Its brand new bar will feature 20 taps, four of which will pour guest beers from other local breweries. Astroturfstyle covering will occupy the back area of the space equipped with indoor games. In the front a garage door opens to the parking lot and a small seating area. “It’s really born out of the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany,” Bryant explains. “We were able to go there during Oktoberfest and when I left I knew I wanted a contemporized version of this in Spokane.” — DEREK HARRISON 2nd PLACE: Brick West Brewing Co. 3rd PLACE (tie): Whistle Punk Brewing, Iron Goat Brewing NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Post Falls Brewing Company

Best Breakfast on the Palouse!

harvesterrestaurant.com 245-3552 • 410 0 West First Avenue, Spangle

80 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

"We want to be your jeweler for life." "We want to be your jeweler for life."

2021 #1 BEST JEWELRY

JewelryDesignCenter.com JewelryDesignCenter.com

2021

#1 BEST PLACE TO BUY AN ENGAGEMENT RING BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 81

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY BEST OLD FASHIONED

HOGWASH WHISKEY DEN

Whiskey’s in the name, so it’s clear that Hogwash — the tucked-away basement bar inside the historic Washington Cracker Co. building — knows how to do it right. Whether you like your Old Fashioneds traditional or with a twist, Hogwash’s bartending team, led by longtime cocktail expert Simon Moorby, can fulfill your fancy. Order off the menu, pick your bourbon, syrup and bitters, or leave it to Moorby and crew to surprise and delight. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar; 3rd PLACE: Wooden City Spokane NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Sawmill Grille & Spirits, Post Falls

BEST LOCAL WINERY & BEST WEDDING VENUE

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS

Hogwash makes a mean Old Fashioned.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

It’s no surprise to find Arbor Crest perched at the top of this year’s winners list, much like its cliffside winery location known for providing visitors the ideal background in which to enjoy a glass of its signature Bordeaux wines. The winery makes good use of this setting by hosting tastings, concerts and other events that showcase its “balanced and food friendly” wines alongside gourmet foods prepared by local chefs. Really, what’s not to love? (LB) BEST LOCAL WINERY 2nd PLACE: Barrister Winery; 3rd PLACE: Latah Creek Wine Cellars; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cellars BEST WEDDING VENUE 2nd PLACE: Manito Park; 3rd PLACE: Beacon Hill Events NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hagadone Event Center, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

DRY FLY DISTILLING

“Best gin around… supplied us with sanitizer, too!” (Sister S.); “New facility is pretty rad.” (William S.); “They have delicious spirits and are so generous with our local community!” (McGraw D.); “Great addition to downtown.” (Barry W.) 2nd PLACE: Warrior Liquor 3rd PLACE: 2 Loons Distillery NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Up North Distillery, Post Falls

BEST BARTENDER

TRACEY TOUCH, BORRACHO TACOS & TEQUILERIA

“She is the epitome of what a bartender should be!” (Zachary W.); “She’s been with Borracho for quite some time and is such a light to see when you walk into those doors! She’s fast, remembers your drink and makes you feel like you’re the only person who matters in that place!” (Karissa S.) 2nd PLACE: Brittany Rose, Red Room Lounge; 3rd PLACE: Ryan Crow, Bistango Martini Lounge; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Emily Joyce, Post Falls Brewing

Thank you, Spokane! 9

BEST STEAKS

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82 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 83

Thank you Spokane!

Good times are a family affair at Poole’s Public House.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST SPORTS BAR

POOLE’S PUBLIC HOUSE We love what we do and knowing you do too means so much to us. WishingTreeBookstore.com 1410 E. 11th Ave. | (509) 315-9875

Thank you for voting us

2021

Best Food Truck!

Authentic Lebanese-Armenian food with the mission of sharing our culture & raising awareness

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84 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

ith apologies to a certain Italian chain, when you’re at Poole’s Public House, you’re actually family. When the husband-and-wife team of Scott and Lisa Poole started the sports bar in a strip mall on East Hastings Road back in 2013, they weren’t experienced restaurateurs trying to reinvent the wheel. Poole’s motto is simple: “We don’t serve fast food, we serve great food as fast as we can.” “We give value to people and make them feel at home when they’re here,” says Scott. And that sense of community is palpable when you enter one of the two Poole’s locations: a newer, flagship location built on the same block as their strip mall starter in North Spokane and a second spot on the South Hill. While the bar’s often packed during Big Sky football games, (the Poole family has a long line of University of Montana alumni, so it’s a Griz game hotspot), Gonzaga hoops games and NFL Sundays, even the weekday lunch scene, have a good vibe. Part of that is the quality of the food and drinks. With 18 beers on tap (many local) and a menu of elevated sports pub fare, there’s something satisfying for most any taste. The half-pound burgers are

tasty stomach-stuffers, and other items have been tweaked for classic preparation to maximize flavor. Scott even goes so far as to taste the chili and clam chowder every time he visits the restaurant to make sure consistency is maintained. The other key element to Poole’s success is the neighborhood gathering spot the family has fostered. All three of the Poole’s sons have worked at the restaurants and more recently have taken on most ownership duties: North Spokane (Trevor), South Hill (Tyler), and the family’s newly opened Mossuto’s Italian restaurant (Tony). “It feels like a Cheers kind of place,” says Lisa. “Our kids know everybody, they know what everybody drinks — half the time they have it on the table before they sit down, you know?” That loyal clientele helped Poole’s through the rough spots of the pandemic. And now that their kids have taken the reins, Scott and Lisa can soak in that vibe as patrons. “Now we get to be guests when we come in,” says Scott. “I’ll still go into the kitchen and try the chowder, though.” — SETH SOMMERFELD 2nd PLACE: Epic at Northern Quest 3rd PLACE: 24 Taps Burgers & Brews NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s Pub & Grill; Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls

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SHOWCASEGOLF.COM BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 85

JAN, THE TOY LADY, IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE HER RETIREMENT AFTER 12 YEARS OF OWNING WHIZ KIDS AND THE PURCHASE OF WHIZ KIDS BY JULIA LARA AND KATHLEEN LARA:

1 2 Great Years!

It’s Been Fun!

Thank You! tomers Best Cus ! Ever New Owners! : Last Day ! h t 0 3 March Baby Bar’s Patty Tully: Simply one of our favorite people in Spokane.

BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS

BEST TINY BAR

With its speakeasy-like basement lounge and a name honoring one of early Spokane’s booze barons, Jimmie Durkin, this downtown bar has a vintage vibe and the drinks to back it up. You’ll always find a lineup of classic cocktails on Durkin’s menu, but its skilled bartending team truly shines with their creative mashups and brand-new concoctions that come and go with the seasons, or on a whim. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Bistango Martini Bar; 3rd PLACE: Hogwash Whiskey Den; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Bee’s Knees Whiskey Bar, Hayden

Local institutions don’t come much cooler than the Baby Bar. Combine a killer jukebox, all-its-own decor and uberfriendly folks behind the bar making the best greyhounds, and you have a must-stop for locals and out-of-towners alike. Throw in excellent live music and grub at the adjacent Neato Burrito, and a dedication to preserving the health of their clientele during the pandemic (requiring vaccinations to enjoy the scene), and you have our readers’ favorite diminutive drinking spot. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Bijou; 3rd PLACE: Bon Bon

DURKIN’S LIQUOR BAR

BEST TOY STORE River Park Square (509) 456-TOYS

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

THE BABY BAR

WE’RE SO HAPPY TO BE PART OF YOUR FUN!

THANK YOU, VOTERS

VISIT OUR DISTILLERY AND TASTING ROOM FOR DELIGHTFUL DRINKS AND DELECTABLE DISHES!

2021 BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY

BEST HAPPY HOUR & BEST SALADS

TWIGS BISTRO & MARTINI BAR With one of the earliest starts to happy hour — daily from 3 to 6 pm and again from 9 pm to close — Twigs is a natural choice for those seeking to unwind with a bite and a beverage while beating the crowds. Shareable plates during happy hour are all $12 and under, with beverage specials from $5 to $10. Craving something a little healthier? With seven generously portioned house salads that can be customized by adding a choice of protein, diners can find balance in indulgence. (CS) BEST HAPPY HOUR 2nd PLACE: MAX at Mirabeau 3rd PLACE: The Safari Room NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene BEST SALADS 2nd PLACE: Caruso’s Sandwiches and Artisan Pizza 3rd PLACE: Spokane Salad Delivery NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BEST KARAOKE

THE MONTEREY CAFE

A good karaoke place is all about the vibe. You want a place that feels like a casual hang with your singing pals even if you walk in solo. With its surf decor and laid-back atmosphere, that’s exactly what the Monterey Cafe provides with its nightly karaoke after 9pm. (SS) 2nd PLACE: The Star Restaurant & Lounge; 3rd PLACE: Boombox Pizza; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Iron Horse, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

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88 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Randy Mann turned his curiosity into serious hardware.

15TH STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST DISTILLERY

UP NORTH DISTILLERY

andy Mann has a longstanding passion for the process of making alcoholic beverages. Once, while making beer, he ended up with a batch that he just didn’t like. He was going to throw it out, but a friend talked him into distilling it. He became intrigued by the science of distilling and the adventure of creating new concoctions, and just had to learn more. So, he and his wife, Hilary, took an advanced distilling class and began building their dream of opening a distillery of their own. In 2015, Up North Distillery and its on-site bar opened in Post Falls as the only craft distillery based in North Idaho. From the beginning, Randy and Hilary were determined to highlight the Inland Northwest while making everything in small batches and experimenting with flavors. “We get a lot of inspiration from what people are doing around the region,” says Hilary, “but we also like to play off what we can find in Idaho. We look for flavors that are in our backyard.” This farm-to-flask mentality has resulted in spirits made with regional honey, apples, malts and pinecones. In fact, Randy, who used to be a lineman, climbs white pines along the Spokane River every spring and shakes down young cones

to craft their North Idaho Pine Liqueur. The couple also incorporate local flavors into their creative cocktails, and stock local and regional liquors at the Up North Bar, a popular local spot with trivia night, live music and food trucks. The Manns also have a fondness for whiskey and took the minimum two years to create their own. They then opened up a second bar location, the Bee’s Knees Whiskey Bar in Hayden, to spotlight all things whiskey. “It’s an education piece to our distillery,” says Hilary, “and a way to get people intrigued by the different categories of whiskey.” In 2021, their North Idaho Single Malt Whiskey received a gold medal from the PR%F Awards, along with their Apple Brandy, Barrel-Aged Apple Brandy, Honey Spirits, BarrelFinished Honey Spirits and North Idaho Pine Liqueur. Up North also won two silver medals for its distilleryexclusive Barrel-Reserve Honey Spirits and Oak Strength Honey Spirits. Find many of Up North’s spirits in Idaho liquor stores, or enjoy them at their bars. Next up: distribution to other states. — S. MICHAL BENNETT

Thank you so much! This is the best community to live, work, and play in and I am honored to be voted Best Realtor!

BEST REALTOR

I know my purpose and have come full circle. I got a taste of the Real Estate world from a young age. My mom was a Realtor, and showing homes with her was always one of my favorite pastimes. Although she passed away when I was 10 years old, my love for Real Estate never died. I officially began my Real Estate career at 18 doing administrative work in her previous office. Then, life changed. I began working for WM, and continued my career there for 15 years. Working as a dispatcher really allowed me to learn all of the nooks and crannies in our community, which has been a huge benefit to me in my career as a Realtor. When they moved my job to Portland, I knew I wanted to stay in Spokane and do what I love. When I list a ranch or land putting my boots on and getting to know the property with my clients is my favorite part. When I list in the city I love to explore the neighborhoods. Every home is different and has its own story to tell. Working with buyers is the best treasure hunt. My purpose is to help people and being a realtor allows me to do just that. I host a free Spokane real estate investment (REI) network and learn meeting every month to create win-win relationships. My big why is “The more I earn the more I can give”. For Example, I volunteer for Fire District 4 Support services and I am an officer at the Elks lodge. My family and I show up to help, volunteer, celebrate life events, community events, work hard and play together. I have the best family and friends you could ask for. I am grateful for my amazing clients and looking forward to the next real estate adventure with you.

Evette Wilie Evettew@kw.com 509.879.2486 799 S. Stevens St., Spokane

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 89

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

BACKYARD PUBLIC HOUSE

“Colin runs the absolute best trivia night out of any other host in Spokane, and in any of the years we’ve spent playing bar trivia. We love the way he’s set up the game. He’s our favorite host ever!” (Julia M.); “The host is lots of fun!” (Matt D.) 2nd PLACE: Bearded Trivia at Garland Brew Werks, Lumberbeard, YaYa Brewing 3rd PLACE: Shawn O’Donnell’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Post Falls Brewing Company

BEST CASINO BEST BACHELORETTE PARTY LOCATION Um, yeah, Thomas Hammer goes through some beans.

BEST COFFEE ROASTER

THOMAS HAMMER COFFEE ROASTERS

Thomas Hammer, the man — nay, the legend — behind this local coffee juggernaut has been at the forefront of the region’s coffee scene since, well, the beginning. That Inland Northwest coffee renaissance as we now know it began in the late ’80s and early ’90s, with Hammer and a few others paving the way. In the years since, Thomas Hammer has grown to nearly 20 locations spread across North Idaho and Eastern Washington. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Indaba Coffee Roasters 3rd PLACE: DOMA Coffee Roasting Co., Post Falls

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BEST COFFEE SHOP (SPECIFIC LOCATION) BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE

WAKE UP CALL, PINES ROAD

Wake Up Call is a go-to for a midday caffeine fix. Its signature espresso drinks include the Abbey, a blend of white chocolate; and the Royal Crush, a combination of dark chocolate and salted caramel. Walk-in or drive through to see what all the buzz is about. (MP) BEST COFFEE SHOP (SPECIFIC LOCATION) 2nd PLACE: Thomas Hammer, South Grand Boulevard 3rd PLACE: Indaba, West Broadway NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: DOMA Coffee Lab, Post Falls BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE 2nd PLACE: White Dog Coffee; 3rd PLACE: Thomas Hammer Coffee

NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO

“So much to do! Much more than a casino!” (Arwen T.); “Biggest casino with multiple amenities. Adults and kids are never bored.” (Iva R.); “Kalispel hospitality!” (Kevin Z.); “Because they have the best commercials!” (Kate R.) BEST CASINO 2nd PLACE: Spokane Tribe Casino 3rd PLACE: Coeur d’Alene Casino BEST BACHELORETTE LOCATION 2nd PLACE: Borracho Tacos & Tequileria 3rd PLACE: NYNE; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Stateline

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Shop for local produce, share a meal with friends or just gather with your neighbors and enjoy the sights and sounds.

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Thank you f or supporting all the Small B usinesses within our c ommunity!

2021 BEST SUSHI Umi Kitchen & Sushi Bar BEST MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD Baba BEST WINE TASTING ROOM Maryhill Winery BEST PET SUPPLIES Prairie Dog Mercantile BEST ICE CREAM The Scoop BEST PIZZA Versalia Pizza BEST LOCAL GROCERY My Fresh Basket BEST DONUTS Hello Sugar

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 93

BEST TV WEATHERCASTER

TOM SHERRY, KREM

arlier this month, on a brisk Saturday night, Tim O’Doherty climbed up on the bar of his downtown watering hole. Punctuating the end of a week celebrating the career of one Tom Sherry, and ending his 32-year residency in our collective living rooms, his gathered friends and colleagues went quiet. Then, in the way they know best down at O’Doherty’s, St. Tim paid tribute to the man of the hour — by leading everyone in song. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine… Remarkably on key for how many glasses o’ Guinness had been poured, Sherry stood beaming in the center of this spontaneous choir. Perhaps his career flashed in front of his eyes. Starting at KREM for $7 an hour when that was still legal. Turning bringyour-dog-to-work-day into a canny career move. Spending Friday nights every fall around Eastern Washington and North Idaho, helping families renew the traditions of high school football. Driving turkeys, every November, to where they were needed most. You make me happy, when skies are gray… Back in 1995, during the Inlander’s second-ever Best of the Inland Northwest readers poll, Sherry won. Then a funny thing happened. He kept… on… winning. At first we chalked it up to Doppler, his golden retriever, who in 1998 started getting votes

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of his own. But even after Doppler trotted off to that great dog park in the sky, his human kept winning. Inlander writers grappled with how to explain the Sherry Phenomenon that has now run 28 straight years. “What is his appeal?” we wondered in 2004. “Is there a Tom Sherry formula? Is there a class you can take?” You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you… We soon realized Sherry was like a cozy warm front that just sits there and won’t budge. By 2015, we suggested maybe we should just rename the category “Best Weathercaster Who’s Not Tom Sherry” and give everyone else a chance. If he ever considered that, maybe it was in 2017, when one writer put his neverending streak in perspective: “He’s been racking up Best of wins since before I was born.” Too much perspective, maybe. Please don’t take my sunshine away. Sorry, but even an Irish serenade couldn’t change his mind: Our beloved Tom Sherry has retired. You’ll probably see him driving turkeys or taking in a local football game in the years to come, but he’s officially passing his golden weather clicker to the next generation. And if there’s one lesson they can take from the Legend of Tom Sherry, it’s this: Get a dog. — TED S. McGREGOR JR. 2nd Place: Kris Crocker, KXLY; 3rd Place: Leslie Lowe, KHQ

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 95

BEST ACTIVIST/ACTIVIST GROUP, BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

RICK CLARK AND THE SPOKANE QUARANTEAM/ GIVING BACK PACKS

“This group allows needs to be highlighted and hit with a wave of positivity that just keeps rolling. It has blossomed in such a way that nonprofits all over are benefiting from…” (Elizabeth W.); “Light creates light!” (Tambra K.); “Rick is my hero! Helping others should be everyone’s top priority.” (Wendy H.) BEST ACTIVIST GROUP 2nd PLACE: Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR); 3rd PLACE: Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 2nd PLACE: Global Neighborhood Thrift 3rd PLACE: Volunteers of America; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Safe Passage, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BOOKSTORE Art made on the fly helps make Bazaar a Spokane favorite.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST ARTIST

BEST ARTS FESTIVAL

Ben Joyce’s art utilizes overhead maps to express a “love of place” in shape, color and line, something he calls abstract topophilia. From his downtown Spokane studio, Joyce continues to create vibrant paintings that grace an increasing number of homes, businesses and public spaces, both locally and abroad. He was commissioned by Google Earth to create works for the company’s corporate offices, for example, and was Gonzaga University’s School of Law’s first artist-inresidence. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: Daniel Lopez; 3rd PLACE: Karen Mobley

Lots of events claim to be the best or the biggest, including Terrain’s Bazaar, which actually is the biggest all-local outdoor arts market in Spokane, typically attended by more than 20,000 people and featuring more than 70 of the region’s dynamic artists and artisans. Live music, kids’ activities, food and beverages make this a popular, one-day arts festival featuring one-of-a-kind clothing, artwork, home décor and more. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: ArtFest 3rd PLACE: Art on the Green, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

BEN JOYCE

96 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BAZAAR

AUNTIE’S BOOKSTORE

“I love the atmosphere of this store. I also like their large selection of unique coloring books and beautiful greeting cards.” (Bella M.); “This is the epitome of a great bookstore. Employees know everything, never get stumped, and the latest reads are abundant.” (John D.); “Independent and fabulous!” (Leyna B.) 2nd PLACE: Wishing Tree Books; 3rd PLACE: Giant Nerd Books

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST BOOKSTORE

THE WELL-READ MOOSE, COEUR D’ALENE

“Best selection of books; knowledgeable staff.” (Marilyn P.); “Well stocked titles and good location!” (Paula L.)

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BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 97

BEST LOCAL INSTAGRAM

@SPOKANEPLAYGROUND

pokane is a playground, and Anna Senchenko is happy to be your guide. “You can do something every day and still not see the full Spokane because there is so much to offer,” says Senchenko, who runs the local Instagram page and blog Spokane Playground. Senchenko started Spokane Playground because she was tired of hearing that there’s nothing to do in Spokane. “If you’d get out of the house, there is plenty to do!” she says. She started the account in April 2016 and began posting about her favorite hikes, dinner spots, and activities with her kids. “People just loved it,” Senchenko says. Since then,

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98 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Following Anna Senchenko’s @spokaneplayground on Instagram means never running out of things to do.

Spokane Playground has amassed 23,500 followers. Spokane Playground features mostly restaurants and bars, but also activities like staying at the Historic Davenport Hotel. Senchenko’s feed showcases beautiful photos of coffee, sweet treats and savory entrees from places all over the Inland Northwest region, and not just Spokane. Senchenko’s favorite subjects to post about are, of course, the area’s newest food and drink spots. Followers of Spokane Playground shouldn’t run out of things to do. “I feel like if someone had no plans for the day or weekend, they could hop on my page and find something to do in town,” Senchenko says. While it’s easy to mindlessly scroll through Instagram

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

and not realize the work that goes on behind the scenes, Senchenko runs the account all while working a full-time job. As such, she appreciates the community for recognizing her efforts and taking the time to vote for Spokane Playground. Senchenko is excited to continue exploring and sharing all the nooks and crannies of Spokane and beyond. “I am just going to continue loving the community, supporting the community and showing off everything that Spokane has to offer.” — JAMI NELSON 2nd PLACE: @spokaneeats 3rd PLACE: @spokane.guild

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BREANN BEGGS, SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEST AUTHOR

JESS WALTER

2021 BEST BOUTIQUE

How lucky are we that we get to enjoy the kind of literary excellence that fills this category year in and year out? Jess Walter again finds himself as our readers’ favorite local author, and this summer readers will be rewarded with a new short-story collection, The Angel of Rome and Other Short Stories. It arrives June 28, so mark your calendar, and maybe revisit some of Walter’s old favorites in the meantime. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Sharma Shields 3rd PLACE: Shawn Vestal

“Breean brings humility, kindness and wise perspective to challenging issues. He aims for conversations and solutions at a time when many seem to thrive on discord.” (Yvonne L.); “Keeps fighting the good fight for the right reasons, despite the relentlessly and compulsively anti-government voices in local government and big media.” (Carmela C.) 2nd PLACE: Nadine Woodward, Spokane Mayor 3rd PLACE: Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council

BEST TV SPORTSCASTER

BRENNA GREENE, KREM

“She really cares a lot about sports and has a good rapport with the people she interviews.” (Patty M.); “She always seems very knowledgeable and puts a great smile on her face when she does her job. Love the positivity she expresses every time she’s on the TV.” (Tonya K.); “Girl power!” (Eileen C.) 2nd PLACE: Keith Osso, KXLY 3rd PLACE: Dennis Patchin, KHQ

BEST CHARITY EVENT

MARCH 21ST – APRIL 2

BEYOND PINK

“Beyond Pink is a terrific ambassador for women’s health and an amazing platform to support local fashion designers.” (Jamie T.); “What a fun and entertaining way to raise funds. I’ve only been to the online event because of COVID, but I know it’s even more fun in person.” (Mary N.) “High energy and passion!” (Colleen S.) 2nd PLACE: Tom’s Turkey Drive 3rd PLACE: Epicurean Delight; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Showcase, Community Cancer Fund, Coeur d’Alene

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BEST TV ANCHORPERSON

STEPHANIE VIGIL, KHQ

You don’t lock down a spot as a TV station’s news anchor for more than two decades without becoming a beloved part of viewers’ lives. Stephanie Vigil certainly is that, as she’s won this category title from Inlander readers many times. Vigil’s not just a face on the screen, but someone you see in the community, either working with a number of charities or just living her best Inland Northwest life. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Sean Owsley, KHQ; 3rd PLACE: Whitney Ward, KREM

BEST ART GALLERY

NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS & CULTURE

Technically a museum (versus a gallery), the MAC, as it’s known throughout the Inland Northwest, is numerous galleries under one roof exhibiting shows that cover everything from Spokane and Indigenous history to contemporary art and artists. The museum also hosts fun, family-friendly traveling shows like the current DreamWorks Animation exhibit. (CAS) 2nd PLACE: Marmot Art Space 3rd PLACE: The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene

Thank you Spokane & CDA for voting us #1! We appreciate the community’s support and aspire to continue to bring high quality sustainable vintage and antique furniture, lighting, clothing and decor to the Inland Northwest. Mid Century Modern • Modern Farmhouse Painted Furniture • Vintage Work Wear Women’s Clothing • Vintage Vinyl • Books Please call us at 509-327-7547 if you are planning to sell your vintage furniture or estate!

2021

#1 Best Antique/vintage shop #1 Best Vintage Boutique

509-327-7547 • 1012 N WASHINGTON • SPOKANE BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 101

Drew Timme is a legend. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

102 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST ATHLETE

DREW TIMME, GONZAGA BASKETBALL

t was March 2020, and Gonzaga was beating up on Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference tournament. Drew Timme was just a freshman then, coming off the bench for the Zags, but legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale made an astute prediction about him. “I think they are going to love him in Spokane because he’s going to be special,” Vitale said. Two years, and two Best Athlete honors later, it’s safe to say Vitale was right. It was Timme’s spectacular play that prompted those words, and his play no doubt is part of why he’s so beloved around these parts. Last year as a sophomore, and again this season as a junior, the big man from Texas has been putting up monster numbers on the court. Timme’s play, whether he’s putting defenders into the spin cycle or slamming home dunks with authority, is what’s helped him become the face of the Zags for the past two years. There’s more to Timme than just his game, though. Around here, Timme is beloved because he’s Drew Timme. He’s just himself, on the court and off, all of the time. He’s loved for the mustache, sometimes groomed into a majestic handlebar, that he incorporates into his signature celebrations. He’s loved for his game-day antics, like pulling Coach Mark Few out of his shell for a chest bump on the sideline, or the playful pregame bromance ritual he has with teammate Martynas Arlauskas. He’s loved because he plays basketball for what it is, a game to be enjoyed. Though that’s not the only thing he enjoys about basketball. Asked earlier this season about his penchant for having big performances in big games, Timme gave a simple answer. “I just enjoy kicking ass,” he said with a little shrug. — WILL MAUPIN 2nd PLACE: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga Basketball 3rd PLACE: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Circling Raven Golf Club BEST NORTH IDAHO GOLF COURSE

Voted as Best North Idaho Golf Course by the Inlander’s Best of the Inland Northwest Readers Poll, Circling Raven is nestled among 620 acres of wetlands, woodlands and Palouse grasses. You’ll admire the aesthetics almost as much as the play!

HOME OF THE CIRCLING RAVEN CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY KXLY 4 NEWS NOW AUGUST 22 ND – 28 TH , 2022

W E LC O M E H O M E .

C A S IN O | H OTEL | D ININ G S PA | CH A MPI O NS HIP G O LF 3 7 9 1 4 S O U T H N U K W A L Q W • W O R L E Y, I D A H O 8 3 8 76 1 8 0 0 - 5 2 3 -2 4 6 4 • C D A C A S I N O . C O M

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 103

BEST LAKE FOR RECREATION

LAKE COEUR D’ALENE

“So many options from fishing to skiing… exploring the St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene rivers including the chain lakes!” (Richard B.); “Big and beautiful!” (Jamie A.) 2nd PLACE: Priest Lake 3rd PLACE: Lake Pend Oreille

BEST GOLF COURSE

DOWNRIVER GOLF COURSE Rivers and trees help make Downriver Disc Golf Course a fun challenge.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST DISC GOLF COURSE

BEST DOG PARK

The Downriver Disc Golf Course might be daunting for beginners. The diverse terrain makes for a challenging round for sure, but it’s pretty tough to beat the scene, between the towering trees and killer Spokane River views. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Camp Sekani Jamboree 3rd PLACE: High Bridge Disc Golf Course NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Corbin Park Disc Golf Course, Post Falls

The South Hill Dog Park might win this category in the future, but it won’t be the same spot our readers have long loved for its wide-open spaces and shady spots, making it an ideal playground for ol’ Fido. A new middle school is coming, and while that entails construction on the 15-acre site, the city is researching a new location for a South Hill offleash park, so the dogs will have their day in the sun again. (DN) 2nd PLACE: SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge 3rd PLACE:Valley Mission Dog Park NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Stateline Dog Park

DOWNRIVER DISC GOLF COURSE

SOUTH HILL DOG PARK

“For decades, it has remained in top shape and relatively unchanged. The maintenance crew deserves a lot of credit for its alwaysimpressive appearance.” (John D.) 2nd PLACE: Kalispel Golf and Country Club 3rd PLACE: Indian Canyon Golf Course

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST GOLF COURSE

CIRCLING RAVEN GOLF CLUB, WORLEY

“Pretty, quiet, wide open. Challenging at times.” (Taylor V.)

Thank you, SPOK ANE! OUR CUSTOMERS ARE #1 WITH US!

BEST BOUTIQUE

3131 N. DIVISION ST. SPOK ANE, WA 99207 | MON - FRI 10 A M - 5 P M SAT 10 A M - 4 P M

104 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Thanks for voting for us as your

Best Gift Shop

BEST OUTDOOR REC SUPPLIES

REI

Look, when it comes to grabbing high-quality outdoor gear, everybody knows where to go: corner of Boone and Monroe. You can’t miss the big red brick building. Summiting Mount Rainier? Kicking back in front of a campfire? Looking for a new pair of pants for the office? This place has everything. Plus, take advantage of REI’s regular outdoors classes (currently all digital) and its regular members-only garage sales. (QW) 2nd PLACE: Rambleraven Gear Trader 3rd PLACE: Spokane Alpine Haus NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Tri-State Outfitters, Coeur d’Alene and Moscow

513 E. Sherman Avenue Downtown Coeur d’Alene MixItUpHome.com

BEST PLACE TO SKI

SCHWEITZER

Incredible views, tons of terrain, fun tree skiing and all the extra amenities one could ask for an apres-ski experience — it’s no wonder our readers love to head to the mountain above Sandpoint for a ski day or weekend. There are hills for all levels, so everyone in the family can get in on the fun. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park 3rd PLACE (tie): Silver Mountain Resort, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort ...continued

MixItUp_BestOf_032422_6S_AH

Thank you for voting Blink Best in Eyewear, We look forward to “seeing” you soon!

2021

Vision Dedicated Style Inspired

blinkspokane.com | 3150 E 27th Ave Suite 100 | Spokane BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 105

Best Musical Instruments Shop

We Sell and Service Vintage and Cool Player Grade used Guitars, Basses and Amps

509-325-8353 • MarksGuitarShop.com • 918 W Garland Ave

Thank you for your support of SVST!

2022 Tickets on sale now! With views like this, is it any wonder our readers love Dishman Hills?

MARY WEATHERS PHOTO

BEST HIKING AREA

DISHMAN HILLS, INCLUDING ILLER CREEK AND ROCKS OF SHARON

JUNE 17-26

JULY 8-24

AUGUST 5-21 Tickets : www.SVSummertheatre.com B ox O f f i c e : 5 0 9 -3 6 8 -7 8 9 7 Location : UNIVERSITY High School Theatre Mirabeau Park Hotel

106 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

DAVID AND CHRISTINA LYNCH FOUNDATION

ith hiking trails crisscrossing more than 3,200 acres of public land from the floor of the Spokane Valley to the top of one of the Selkirk Range’s southernmost peaks, the Dishman Hills bring the beauty of the Inland Northwest’s natural environment directly into the city, and that’s by design. “Our goal is to preserve in perpetuity,” says Isobel Smith, outreach director at the Dishman Hills Conservancy. “Our first goal is to outright purchase the land so that in 100 years or 200 years the land won’t be developed, it will still be there for [the] public and wildlife.” The Dishman Hills Conservancy helps manage and preserve three distinct areas of public land, with the Dishman Hills Natural Area at its northern end; from Glenrose east to Phillips Creek across its midsection; and along Iller Creek to the Rocks of Sharon in the south. In the natural area, hikers can meander around massive granite outcroppings. Glenrose and Phillips Creek provide sweeping prairie vistas and open skies. More adventurous hikers can follow Iller Creek along the forested eastern

slopes of Tower Mountain up to the Rocks of Sharon, where even more massive granite monoliths stand atop the ridge and look out across the vast Palouse. “Spokane is really unique in that it has a lot of different ecosystems,” Smith says. The Dishman Hills are a contrast, where many of those ecosystems exist in their natural state while surrounded by urban sprawl that the conservancy has been working to halt on its land for more than half a century. That precarious position, with development fencing it in on three sides, is also part of its charm. It’s deep in nature, but at the same time it’s right here. “What I love about the Dishman Hills is that you can get to any trailhead within a 20-minute drive from wherever you live in Spokane,” Smith says. — WILL MAUPIN 2nd PLACE: Liberty Lake Loop 3rd PLACE: Mount Spokane State Park NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Tubbs Hill, Coeur d’Alene

To all of my clients and supporters,

for voting me and Behler Homes, one of the BEST Realtors in Spokane!

All in, for you:

Samara Behler

Real Estate Agent

Lic: 130753

Windermere Valley/Liberty Lake

16201 E. Indiana Ave #1250 Spokane Valley, WA 99216 m: 509-828-7861 o: 509-928-1991

samarab@windermere.com

behlerhomesspokane.com

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 107

BEST BIKE SHOP

NORTH DIVISION BICYCLE

“Super nice owners, great bike shop, and they actively support the local biking community.” (Travis R.); “Incredible customer service and awesome black cat named MOTO who stalks you as you shop.” (Trish A.); “Locally owned, and just has a cool vibe.” (William M.) 2nd PLACE: The Bike Hub; 3rd PLACE: Wheel Sport Bicycles; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer, Hayden, Vertical Earth, Coeur d’Alene (tie)

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION

RIVERFRONT PARK It doesn’t get better for boarders than catching air at Mt. Spokane.

MT. SPOKANE PHOTO

BEST PLACE TO SNOWBOARD

BEST SNOW SPORTS SHOP

The terrain park at Mt. Spokane makes it a perennial favorite among Inlander-reading snowboarders. As the snow flies and accumulates over winter, the jumps, rails and other features come together to make boarding a blast. And if you’re just into riding through fluffy new powder elsewhere on the mountain, this mountain has plenty of room to play. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Schweitzer 3rd PLACE: 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort

If you’re looking for new snow gear to tear up Mount Spokane or any of the numerous snow havens in the Inland Northwest, go with the action verbs, like Shred in North Spokane. Not only is Shred considered the best snow sport shop by Inlander readers, it’s also got the hookup on skating, biking and wakeboarding gear. Find them on north Division and let the shred continue year round. (QW) 2nd PLACE: The Sports Creel; 3rd PLACE: Spokane Alpine Haus NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Tri-State Outfitters, Coeur d’Alene and Moscow

MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK

108 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

SHRED

“Love the new remodels and the new Pavilion!” (Matthew D.); “So much to see and do and learn, without having to spend money.” (Holly M.); BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS 2nd PLACE: Manito Park 3rd PLACE: Bowl & Pitcher, Riverside State Park NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Downtown Coeur d’Alene BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE 2nd PLACE: Manito Park 3rd PLACE: Wooden City Spokane NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Tubbs Hill, Coeur d’Alene BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION 2nd PLACE: Wonderland Family Fun Center 3rd PLACE: Silverwood Theme Park, Athol

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 109

The Coug is a Pullman institution. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

ou might know THE HARVESTER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE as the place with the inviting, glowing red “restaurant” sign as you drive on Highway 195 just south of Spokane. I know it as the place I once ordered nachos to share when I wasn’t very hungry, and was treated to a comically massive platter of food ready to feed a family. The nachos are still on the menu, but Melissa Bozarth, who’s owned the restaurant with her husband, Brent, for 13 years, says they’re now served in a more personal size, and happen to be one of her favorite dishes. The couple previously owned Ionic Burritos in Spokane but wanted to start a place that served breakfast, lunch and dinner, so the Harvester was a great fit when it came up for sale. Located at the very northern end of the Palouse, the

Spangle restaurant is sometimes lovingly referred to as a “diamond in the rough,” Bozarth says. Inside, antiques and old signs for soda companies decorate the walls, and in the bathrooms there may be a sign or two meant to make you laugh. While the Harvester serves delicious burgers and salads and more, as they’re open from 8 am to 8 pm Wednesday through Sunday, it was breakfast that made them an Inlander readers-poll favorite this year. Breakfast goes until noon on weekdays and 2 pm on the weekends, and Bozarth says people especially love their country fried steak, eggs Benedict, and the Spangle scramble, which comes with hashbrowns, eggs, bacon and onions topped with gravy and served with a side of toast. “We love the small town feel of it, and everybody kind of knows everybody,” Bozarth says, noting they’re also a popular stop for people headed to Pullman or

Thank you voters!

Spokane. “Come see us … We’ve got homemade soups, homemade food — if that’s something you’re looking for, that’s what we’ve got.”

f you head almost directly east of Spangle as the crow flies, you’ll find another Inlander reader favorite at HURD MERCANTILE & COMPANY, an 8,000-square-foot decor and gift shop with a little something for everyone. Teresa Carbone, who co-owns the shop with Jill Townsend, says this mix of vintage and new items are located inside a historic building that for generations served as Rockford’s general store. Inside, you’ll find “islands” of products based on different themes and types of decor, such as garden, cabin, children’s spaces, kitchen, French country, rustic farmhouse, etc.

2021

300 bikes in stock, largest selection of bikes and accessories in one location. 10503 N Division St. Spokane, WA | 509-467-2453 | northdivision.com STORE HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:30-6:00 Sat 9-5 Sun Gone Riding

110 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Best Bike shop

BEST BREAKFAST 1st Place: The Harvester Restaurant & Lounge, Spangle 2nd Place: The Breakfast Club, Moscow 3rd Place (tie): Harvest Moon, Rockford; Zoe Coffee & Kitchen, Pullman

BEST BAR

1st Place: The Coug, Pullman 2nd Place: Spangle Saloon 3rd Place: My Office Bar & Grill, Pullman

BEST VINTAGE/ ANTIQUE SHOP

1st Place: Hurd Mercantile & Company, Rockford 2nd Place: Bully for You Vintage, Colfax 3rd Place: Open Eye Consignment Shop, Palouse

BEST FOOD TRUCK

1st Place: Grub Wandering Kitchen, Moscow

BEST RECREATION DESTINATION

1st Place: Palouse Falls 2nd Place: Steptoe Butte 3rd Place (tie): Snake River Dunes; East Moscow Mountain

“It’s been evolving through the years, but basically everything you need is kind of here,” Carbone says, noting there are also candles, journals, tea and more. “The basic idea is vintage with new.” So you might find an old piece of furniture ready for a project next to a new picture frame that perfectly matches its style. The shop is open from 11 am to 4 pm daily, and attracts visitors year-round. “We’re only 20 minutes from Fairfield and Spokane Valley,” Carbone says. “We appreciate our customers for finding us and because they keep coming back.”

arther south on the Palouse, you’ll find some of the region’s most popular recreation spots, including reader favorite PALOUSE FALLS and runner-up Steptoe Butte. In Pullman, readers again honored THE COUG as their favorite Palouse bar. Over in downtown Moscow, you’d think that the closure of a few popular bars could’ve spelled the end for a food truck like GRUB WANDERING KITCHEN, but in fact, the business has seen a lot of success over the last two years, says owner John Fletcher. Eight years ago, he built out the late night mac-andcheese spot, and it’s since grown to be a business with seven other employees. While the bar crowd helped them gain popularity, Fletcher says they’re a common late-night spot for people who live in nearby dorms and apartments, and even for people who come over from Pullman just for some tasty bites. “I’d say, gosh, maybe a quarter of our customers are from Pullman,” Fletcher says. “We have a cult following.” They even have a Twitch channel (twitch.tv/grubtruckers) so people from anywhere can watch camera feeds inside and outside the truck. Some lucky customers get their meals paid for when generous Twitch viewers decide to chip in. Grub’s most popular dish is good ol’ five-cheese mac and cheese, but they also run a different special mac every week, on a rotation of about 20 different variations. You might find, for example, the Philly mac, with meat, peppers and onions. Or there’s the buffalo milonakis, with chicken, buffalo sauce, bacon, blue cheese crumbles and celery. The Grub Truck also has a couple tacos and a dessert burrito, but Fletcher guesses 80 percent of what they sell is that cheesy pasta goodness. “We make everything from scratch, so the quality is a little better than your average fast food,” Fletcher says. You can find Grub Wandering Kitchen starting at 10 pm, Wednesday through Saturday nights, at Third and Main in Moscow, usually in one of the parking spaces in front of the Garden Lounge. — SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

T H A N KS F O R VOT I N G U S

best dentist & D E N TA L P R AC T I C E

3143 E. 29th Ave. Spokane sleepdentistryspokane.com

Thank you! Best Wine Bar

BUILDING TRUST ONE HOME AT A TIME

Where Passion is Plated and Poured 208.758.7770 • vineandolivecda.com 2037 N Main St, Coeur d’Alene, ID (IN RIVERSTONE)

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 111

BEST BARBERSHOP

BLACK LONDON’S

he much-coveted “Best Barbershop” award for the Inlander’s annual Best Of readers poll this year goes to a relative newcomer to the Spokane hair scene. Black London’s, located in Browne’s Addition, opened just a few months before the pandemic began, yet landed the “best” title just two years later. It was a rough start, especially for barbers in the early days of the pandemic, says Will Enochs, 36, who opened the shop with coowner Earl Powell. But Black London’s weathered the storm and celebrated its second anniversary in business at the end of 2021. “We’re a specialty barbershop, which means that we focus on detail,” says Enochs. “We focus on the cleanliness of lines and great blends with your fade. There is immaculate attention to detail.” Now, you even get a cup of coffee from a next-door business, Bohemian Brew, which Enochs and his wife, Demitra Enochs, opened in February. With 11 barbers working out of the Browne’s Addition shop, an additional location is also in the works.

112 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Best Local Distillery VODKA GIN WHISKEY FLAVORED PRODUCTS Open

HOURS VARY BY SEASON OR BY APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL OR TEXT

2LoonsDistillery.com 509-998-0440 • 3950 3rd Ave., Loon Lake, WA Black London’s will have you looking sharp. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Enochs, who’d been living in North Carolina, moved back to his native Spokane at age 23 in 2009 to get a new start, he says. Although he’d been cutting hair since he was 12, Enochs made it his profession 10 years ago after completing his education at Total Cosmetology in Hillyard. He hasn’t looked back since. “I love it,” he says. “I get to dress how I want to dress, I get to listen to the music I want to listen to, and stand behind a chair and talk with my friends every day. That’s really all it is. I get to see family and friends every single day.” — QUINN WELSCH 2nd PLACE: Brickyard Barbershop; 3rd PLACE: Roundhill’s Barbershop; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Maverick’s Men’s Hair, Coeur d’Alene

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 113

BEST TATTOO ARTIST

ALEX DELGADO, BLACK HORSEMEN TATTOO

BEST EYEWEAR

BLINK EYECARE

“Amazing artist, one-of-a-kind talent. Spokane native, and great father.” (Phillip B.); “His art is off-the-hook amazing! I highly recommend that parlor. Neat-looking shop and just fabulous. Great atmosphere, energetic artists and most importantly great attitudes.” (Rachael W.); “His artistry is fabulous, such attention to detail!” (Cheri M.) 2nd PLACE: Jeremy Corns, Anchored Art Tattoo 3rd PLACE: Beth Swilling, Mom’s Custom Tattoo and Body Piercing; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Amanda Boik, Artful Dodger Tattoo, Coeur d’Alene

With hundreds of glowing online customer reviews noting the friendly and calming presence of the professionals at Blink Eyecare, it’s no wonder they managed to take first among our readers. With the latest technology and a team that’s able to manage and treat a slew of ocular diseases, they’ll help make sure you can keep enjoying the pages of the Inlander for years to come. (SW) 2nd PLACE: Spokane Eye Clinic 3rd PLACE: EyeGuys Optical, Spokane Valley and Hayden

BEST HAIR SALON

THE STUDIO

The Studio on Howard in downtown Spokane isn’t just a hair salon, but a full-service beauty stop. Brows? Yep. Lash extensions? You’d better believe it. Plus microblading, waxing, makeup, and haircuts for men. You can even take classes from their expert stylists and learn to do some great looks at home. You can find all their deets on Instagram: @thestudio_spokane. (SW) 2nd PLACE: Luxe Salon and Spa 3rd PLACE: Oasis Hair ...continued

BEST NAIL SALON

GLOSS NAIL LOUNGE

“Beautiful, great customer service every time, drinks and nails that last!” (Meagan S.); “Nails always look great and gel stays on for weeks. Elegant & comfortable salon.” (Theresa K.); “Very professional technicians and very clean!” (Sally N.) 2nd PLACE: Valentino Nails & Spa 3rd PLACE: D B Nails NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cool Nails & Wax, Coeur d’Alene

We’re thrilled to be serving Spokane’s Best Chicken Sandwich! 2021

great place to watch the game or grab some grub! Hamilton & Sharp in the GU District • 114 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

THANK YOU, SPOKANE, FOR MAKING US #1 #1!! We’re happy and a little sad! Happy that we were voted Best Florist again this year! Sad because we have closed the Florist side of our business. But don’t worry we are still here growing and putting all our inspiration into the Garden Center bringing you the best veggies, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and patio planters for all your spring planting needs. We really appreciate all your business throughout the years and look forward to seeing you soon. We are still the same family-owned and operated business since 1928.

GREENHOUSE AND GARDEN CENTER

BEST PILATES

BEST FLORIST

HALL OF FAME

Garden Center Opens April 1s t! 8th & Perry • (509) 534-9381 • libertyparkgreenhouse.com

Thanks for the Warm Welcome, Spokane! Book your

FREE

30 minute in tro class today!

CLUB PILATES SOUTH SPOKANE 2622 E 29th Ave | Spokane (509) 723-9025 | www.clubpilates.com/southspokane

CLUB PILATES NORTH SPOKANE 9502 N Newport Hwy | Spokane (509) 934-0154 | www.clubpilates.com/northspokane

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 115

BEST HEALTH CLUB

MÜV FITNESS This Spokane Valley spot offers much more than massage; they can pretty much cover all your spa service needs and send you on your way with a mean cup of joe, too. But it’s the massages that got our readers’ attention. The BrickHouse offers the expected works like Swedish relaxation and deep tissue massage, but they’ll also deliver a pain-relieving, energizing, CBD-enhanced massage for just a few bucks more. (DN) 2nd PLACE: La Rive Spa 3rd PLACE: Belladonna’s Massage NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Zi Spa and Salon, Coeur d’Alene

“A health club that truly cares about the results of its members and is involved with its community… puts the members first.” (Mona S.); “The best group exercise program!” (Christina P.); “Group fitness classes are diverse and well attended with fantastic instructors! Gym is bright, clean and full of smiling people. An enjoyable fitness community!” (Michele B.) 2nd PLACE: YMCA 3rd PLACE: Farmgirlfit NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: PEAK Health and Wellness Center, Coeur d’Alene

BEST PILATES

BEST JUICE AND SMOOTHIES BAR

Second-generation Pilates teacher Amber Butler has owned and taught at Precision Pilates since 2004. Butler and her instructors want to help you achieve your goals, whether that’s enjoying playtime with your kiddos without back pain or reaching the summit of a mountain. There’s a huge variety of classes offered at Precision Pilates — learn the basics with mat pilates or try a little bit of everything with the apparatus class. (JN) 2nd PLACE: Club Pilates 3rd PLACE: Core Pilates and Wellness ...continued

“Best menu in town for vegan smoothies! Always consistent, and growing their menu. Quick and easy-to-grab options.” (Becky N.); “Delicious smoothies and food.” (Amanda R.); “Best juice in the Northwest!” (Chloe L.) 2nd PLACE: Wellness Tree 3rd PLACE: Huckleberry’s NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Wellness Bar, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls

BEST MASSAGE

THE BRICKHOUSE

PRECISION PILATES OF SPOKANE

Precision Pilates is our readers’ favorite Pilates place.

Thank You For Voting Us

BEST

2021

FOR

BOOKSTORE

28 YEARS

and counting! SUPPORT LOCAL SHOP AUNTIE’S

402 W. MAIN AVE. ON THE CORNER OF MAIN & WASHINGTON, ACROSS FROM THE GRAND HOTEL

(509) 838-0206 • AUNTIESBOOKS.COM

116 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

COURTESY PHOTO

METHOD JUICE CAFE

Thank You Spokane for believing in us

and choosing us to service your vehicles since 2008

• Locally Owned & Operated • Full Service Auto Repair Shop • Open Mon - Fri 8:30a-5:30p • Over 15 Years experience • Factory Trained

2021 2630 E. Sprague Ave • 509.532.8631 petesindependenthonda.com

Best Auto Repair Shop

! u o Y k n a Th WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE LOVE AND SUPPORT WE RECEIVED FROM OUR COMMUNITY & INLANDER READERS.

BEST MED SPA

420 E Indiana Ave Suite 200 Coeur d'Alene, ID 208.964.9023 • 719.649.8155

medspacda.com

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 117

Thank you again,

for voting our team as

being the best to serve your pets

Improving the human-animal bond by providing exceptional and individualized healthcare services

Open Mon - Fri From 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Stay in touch with our Mobile App! www.prairieanimalhospital.com 208-772-3214 920 W. Prairie Ave Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

The Wellness Bar’s juices pack some healthy power.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST JUICE & SMOOTHIES BAR

THE WELLNESS BAR Best Hair Salon 2021

THANK YOU SPOKANE for your LOVE, support and your vote!

We are here for YOU! Hair, lashes, brows, makeup, nails, spray tans, teeth whitening, facials, training and microblading! 176 S. Howard | 509-315-9651 | @thestudio_spokane

118 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

he idea for the Wellness Bar began as a coffee and juice café, but morphed into Coeur d’Alene’s first brick-and-mortar juice and smoothie bar. “I celebrated my 33rd birthday opening up a dream of mine,” says co-owner Monica Engebretsen, who launched the Wellness Bar with her husband, Tait, in 2014. “I wanted to cultivate a community atmosphere where people could read our wellness magazine [North Idaho Wellness] and drink healthy smoothies and protein shakes.” The Wellness Bar’s açai bowls are a favorite among locals. The bar is known for its Bomb.com bowl ($11.50). “That one is our community favorite. It’s chock-full of nutrients,” Engebretsen says. Açai berries are blended with banana and cacao and topped off with granola, almond butter, bananas, berries, coconut flakes, almond slivers, hemp hearts and honey. Don’t forget some juice to go with your açai bowl. The Wellness Bar offers a rainbow of coldpress juices, all with different benefits. Its most popular is the green-forward Super Power ($8.50)

with spinach, kale, cilantro, cucumber, green apple and lime. “That one literally gives you power with all of its packed nutrients,” Engebretsen says. Appreciation for the Wellness Bar’s juice and açai bowls has cultivated a wellness hub in North Idaho with three locations, a mobile truck and a fourth location on the way. About a year and a half after its flagship Coeur d’Alene store opened, the Wellness Bar expanded to Hayden. A year after that, a third location opened in Post Falls. Now a fourth location is set to open this summer on Appleway Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. The Wellness Bar’s mobile truck can also be spotted at local farmers markets and events. The Engebretsens have come full circle, providing wellness-focused options in an area otherwise characterized as a fast-food highway. “We wouldn’t be here without our community,” Monica says. “We appreciate all the love and support.” — JAMI NELSON

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 119

BEST DENTIST/DENTAL PRACTICE

DR. C FAMILY DENTISTRY

“Great staff, great service and free coffee after your visit. I love visiting their dental office!” (Jill M.); “Amazing practice!” (Stephanie S.); “The friendly staff, modern updated office, and the excitement my daughter has when she goes there.” (Brent S.) 2nd PLACE: Sleep Dentistry of Spokane 3rd PLACE: Northview Family Dental, Peterson Dental (tie) NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Riverstone Dental, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

BEST AESTHETIC/MEDICAL SPA How could you not relax in a room like this at La Rive Spa?

COURTESY PHOTO

BEST TANNING

BEST SPA

Achieving glowing skin year-round at Slick Rock Tanning & Spa is easy. With multiple Inland Northwest locations and an array of tanning options, getting your glow on is no problem. Slick Rock offers four types of sunbeds with a range of tanning times and visit frequencies to maintain your tan. If you’re in need of some instant sun, Slick Rock also has options for high-quality, private spray tans that also rejuvenate skin with marine algae. (JN) 2nd PLACE: Sunny Buns Tanning Salon & Spa 3rd PLACE: Coconutz Tanning Spa

From relaxing with a massage or facial, to getting your nails, hair or brows done, La Rive Spa at Northern Quest Resort & Casino offers a wealth of ways to pamper yourself and your loved ones. In tribute to the Kalispel Tribe’s ties to the “riverbank,” some restorative treatments at La Rive use materials derived from and inspired by the Pend Oreille River. (SW) 2nd PLACE: The Davenport Spa & Salon 3rd PLACE: The Coeur d’Alene Resort Spa ...continued

SLICK ROCK TANNING & SPA

LA RIVE SPA

SARAH HAMILTON FACE

“Latest treatments and best customer service.” (Tricia G.); “Most beautiful spa with the most knowledgeable staff around! I love my visits there.” (Amethyst L.); “Super sweet, comforting and great customer service is amazing and kind.” (Darya P.) 2nd PLACE: Crafted Beauty 3rd PLACE: Luxe. Salon and MedSpa NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Lakeside Med Spa, Coeur d’Alene

Your story matters. Thanks for letting us be part of it.

canopycu.com 509.328.2900

120 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST MEXICAN FOOD NORTH SPOKANE

509 822-7907 • 10208 N. Division

SOUTH HILL

509 381-5540 • 2718 E. 57th

BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET

BEST TACOS GU DISTRICT

509 863-9591 • 1801 N Hamilton

NORTH SPOKANE

509 483-3033 • 102 E. Francis

SPOKANE VALLEY

509 926-5009 • 15530 E. Sprague

THANK YOU for voting Rocket Bakery the Inlander’s Best Bakery!

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 121

Thanks for voting us BEST MAC N CHEESE IN NORTH IDAHO

ONE OF THE BEST SANDWICH SHOPS IN AMERICA -Thrillist 208-664-1717 • MELTZEXTREME.COM 1735 W. KATHLEEN AVE CDA

Thanks Spokane!

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

ANCHORED ART TATTOO

Anchored Art Tattoo has been creating custom, quality tattoos for over a decade. Since opening, its artists have been a consistent favorite in the area — this is their fourth time winning this Best Of category. With dozens of years of combined experience, this shop is well-versed in making your imagination a reality, with an attention to detail that’s unmatched. (JN) 2nd PLACE: Mom’s Custom Tattoo and Body Piercing; 3rd PLACE: Black Horsemen Tattoo NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fourth Street Tattoo, Coeur d’Alene

Connie Smith

BEST YOGA STUDIO

Voted one of the Top 3 Realtors in Spokane From first-time home buyers, to that dream home puchase, whether you are buying or selling, my commitment is to make your experience the very best possible! Thank You for voting me one of Spokane’s Best Realtors!  Connie Sells Spokane

ECLIPSE POWER YOGA

This family-owned studio embraces yogis of all kinds: novice or expert, young or old. Eclipse Power believes yoga is beneficial for everyone, and its team strives to make a difference in the yoga community by eliminating exclusivity and stereotypes. Simply “come as you are.” Eclipse’s promise to the community is to provide a safe and empowering space for people to find their light. (JN) 2nd PLACE: Beyoutiful Hot Yoga 3rd PLACE: The Union

www.conniesellsspokane.com • 509-953-3839

Thank You Spokane! Come Taste Wine With Us!

HOURS

SUN-THU: 10AM-11PM FRI: 10AM-12AM SAT: 3:30PM-12AM

BEST BOWLING CENTER

509.467.5228

112 E. MAGNESIUM RD., SPOKANE

BEST WINE SHOP

Fridays 3:00-6:30 and Saturdays 2:00-4:30

FRIDAY Tastings

SATURDAY Tastings

• 3/25 Italian Wines • 4/01 Wine of the Month Selections

• 3/26 Old World vs New World • 4/02 Bubbles w/Matt

Your local friend in the wine business... SINCE 1995 122 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

222 S. Washington St, Spokane 509.838.1229 vinowine.com

Thank You For Voting! We’re here for you.

Now over 20 years of service to the wonderful people

#1 BEST 17 years in a row...

of the Spokane & Coeur d’Alene Community!

THAI

...and counting!

Check out our free and easy-to-use Loyalty Club and save 10% on your purchases plus get other free perks throughout the year!

One Year Anniversary! Visit Our New South Hill Location: Elegant Design, Tiki Lounge, Enclosed Patio, Banquet Rooms @thaibamboospokane

@thaibamboorestaurant

THAIBAMBOORESTAURANT.COM CDA NORTH SOUTH EAST 5406 N. Division St. | 509.777.THAI 2215 E 29th Ave. | 509.232.THAI 12722 E Sprague Ave. | 509.444.THAI 2010 4th St. | 208.667.5300 BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 123

BEST BRIDAL SHOP

MARCELLA’S BRIDAL

arcella’s Bridal is more than just a bridal shop. The locally owned family business has helped brides find their dream dress for more than 20 years while prioritizing close-knit connections between its consultants and customers. “We’re actually in the relationship-building business,” says Marcella Davis, designer and owner of Marcella’s Bridal. “We just have the luxury of selling wedding dresses as a byproduct.” Davis and her sewing machine have always been sidekicks. But in 1989, Davis decided to level up her past sewing projects and started designing custom wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses for friends and acquaintances. Ten years later, Davis and

124 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

her husband took a leap of faith, and Marcella’s Bridal opened at its first location. Now, brides whose dresses were once made by Davis at home are bringing their daughters back to Marcella’s Bridal to find their own special gown. Making the wedding-planning process as smooth and stressfree for brides is Marcella’s top priority. For example, if a bride finds that her style clashes with Marcella’s Bridal’s collections, consultants often contact other stores to find the perfect match, says Kassi Neubauer, general manager of Marcella’s Bridal. “I think what makes us unique is this dynamic bond that

Thank you. All of us at Safe Passage wish to say THANK YOU for selecting us as the Best of Non-Profits in Northern Idaho! We look forward to continuing to work together to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities. Access 24/7 help: Call: 208.664.9303 Text: 208.449.7228 Email: safety@safepassageid.org

850 North 4th Street, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 | safepassageid.org

Owner Marcella Davis (left) and general manager Kassi Neubauer.

ALYSSA HUGHES PHOTO

we have,” Neubauer says. “It’s more about the brides that are coming in.” Marcella’s Bridal offers dresses from a variety of popular designers like Evie Young, Maddie Lang and Adrianna Papell. For brides with a unique vision of their wedding ensemble, Marcella’s Bridal also offers custom dress designs. In this process, Davis collaborates with brides to create a dress that embodies their vision. “There’s some magic happening here,” Davis says. And it all begins with a touch of love. — NATALIE RIETH 2nd PLACE: Honest in Ivory; 3rd PLACE: Believe Bride NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Affordable Elegance, Coeur d’Alene

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 125

BEST PET SUPPLIES

PRAIRIE DOG PET MERCANTILE

If you need more proof of pet paw-rents’ appreciation for Prairie Dog, consider the recent Kendall Yards location’s move and expansion from a cramped corner spot to its new home inside a brandnew building that’s three times the size of its old store. All because business is booming! The locally owned pet boutique — which stocks high-quality food, treats, toys, bedding and much more — also continues to serve customers at its original, upper South Hill location. (CS) 2nd PLACE: The Yuppy Puppy; 3rd PLACE: Northwest Seed & Pet NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: GoodDog Pet Supplies Plus, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WINE SHOP

VINO, A WINE SHOP Add some fresh flavors to your life at Best Asian Market.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

THA NK YOU !

BEST ORGANIC/NATURAL FOODS

BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET

When it comes to natural and organic foods, Huckleberry’s is a tried-and-true favorite. Recognized as Spokane’s first natural supermarket, the full-service grocer also includes an organic juice bar, olive bar, locally curated bakery, scratch-made bistro fare, artisan sushi, local and regional produce and a specialty floral department. Friendly and knowledgeable staff help guide you, whether you’re just grabbing lunch to go or staying to meet up with friends. (LB) 2nd PLACE: Pilgrim’s Market, Coeur d’Alene 3rd PLACE: Main Market Co-op

Forget “Best International Market,” Best Asian Market may be one of my favorite places in Spokane, period. The sheer crackling variety of possibilities — chicken feet and duck eggs; oyster mushrooms and pickled mustard greens; tiny Thai peppers and long stalks of lemongrass; kimchi and dashi; soba and udon and ramen galore — makes me grin typing this. Pick up some silky soft tofu for Sundubu-jjigae. Some gochujang paste for bibimbap. Some Nori for sushi rolls. And never, ever, ever leave without at least a few cans of coconut milk and Thai curry paste. Come in with a recipe. But leave with at least one food you’ve never tried — or even seen — before, and expand your palette beyond Safeway and Trader Joe’s. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Asian World Food Market; 3rd PLACE: De Leon Foods

HUCKLEBERRY’S NATURAL MARKET

BEST ASIAN MARKET

Whether you’re an experienced wine lover or a wine novice, Vino has the grapes you (and the rest of our readers) are looking for! This shop offers a wide selection of local, regional and international wines — including the newest winery releases — and wine-related gifts. Vino also offers regular tastings and a wine of the month club for those looking to perfect their palate. (LB) 2nd PLACE: Nectar Wine and Beer; 3rd PLACE: Bottles NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pilgrim’s Market, Coeur d’Alene

BEST LOCAL CANNABIS BRAND

BLUE ROOTS

There are a lot of cannabis brands out there in the quickly growing legal weed market, and Eastern Washington is no stranger to them. While some brands pride themselves on storefronts or name recognition, Blue Roots, founded in 2013, prides itself on small batch, artisanal weed grown in its Airway Heights facility. The company says it’s all about quality over quantity. (QW) 2nd PLACE: Phat Panda; 3rd PLACE: Fifty Fold Industries

ve o L e W

U e! O n YSpoka

THANK YOU! e our v o l u u If yo ream, yo r ice c ld try ou shou agels! b

BEST ICE CREAM

Now Schmearing at

Hidden Bagel Co 1001 W 25th Ave www.hiddenbagel.com

Now Scooping at Kendall Yards 1238 W Summit Pkwy 509.703.7042 + South Hill 1001 W 25th Ave 509.535.7171 • www.thescoopspokane.com

126 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC

Thanks for Voting for Us!

GARLAND ANIMAL CLINIC

BEST MEN’S CLOTHES

BEST HOTEL

BEST ANTIQUE/VINTAGE SHOP BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

“Their love of our fur family shows in everything they do.” (Cheri M.); “Caring, efficient, and a great space.” (Neal S.) 2nd PLACE: Hunter Veterinary Clinic 3rd PLACE: Indian Trail Animal Hospital NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hayden Pet Medical Center, Prairie Animal Hospital, Coeur d’Alene (tie)

THE HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL

“World class in every aspect. Spokane is fortunate, indeed.” (John D.); “Love the history!” (Jenna H.); “Iconic.” (Lori Y.); “Amazing history and fun scavenger hunts.” (Marisol R.) 2nd PLACE: The Davenport Grand Hotel 3rd PLACE: Northern Quest Resort Hotel NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Coeur d’Alene Resort

BEST FLORIST

LIBERTY PARK FLORIST

“It’s local… beautiful selection of flowers.” (Angela J.); “Friendly and informed staff.” (Leslie S.); “Because they are the best!” (Richard B.) 2nd PLACE: Appleway Florist; 3rd PLACE: Anthesis Co.; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Duncan’s Florist Shop, Hayden

NORDSTROM

At risk of stereotyping, a lot of men like to keep their shopping simple. Not their fashion, mind you, but the actual act of shopping. Nordstrom is our readers’ favorite spot for men’s clothes, and it’s because you can find exactly what you need from head to toe, whether you want to dress up or keep it casual, all in one spot. (DN) 2nd PLACE: Anderson and Co.; 3rd PLACE: Kingsley & Scout

Serving up Scandinavian and Traditional style breakfasts

BOULEVARD MERCANTILE

Step through the doors of Boulevard Mercantile, and expect to have your expectations dashed, in the best way. Because you never know what you’ll find there on any given day, from home decor pieces to clothing to furniture, all handpicked by its experienced team of local vendors. That’s really the best thing about a trip to Boulevard — you’ll almost always find that one-ofa-kind “something” you can’t leave without. (CS) BEST ANTIQUE/VINTAGE SHOP 2nd PLACE: Tossed & Found; 3rd PLACE: Blue Cat Vintage NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Rebel Junk, Coeur d’Alene BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING BOUTIQUE 2nd PLACE: Veda Lux; 3rd PLACE: Fringe & Fray NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Marmalade Underground, Coeur d’Alene

The Best Of

...continued

BEST BREAKFAST –&– BEST EGGS BENEDICT Visit our other location:

517 N. Pines • Spokane Valley

littleeurorestaurant.com

7640 N Division St • oldeuropeanbreakfast.com

Thank you Inlanders 2021 for voting us Best Landscaping Firm

Best Landscaping Firm

Because Spokane is downtown explore the best of downtown at downtownspokane.org

5616 N Market St, Spokane | (509) 240-1713 | coppercreeklandscaping.com |

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 127

2021

Thank you Spokane for voting us

BEST SANDWICH in the Inland NW

28 time winner! Tom Domini & Staff

W. 703 Sprague • 747-2324

BEST TOY STORE

WHIZ KIDS

an St. George, otherwise known as “Jan the Toy Lady,” is ending her chapter at Whiz Kids with a bang. After successfully leading the toy store through a pandemic — followed by a year of record-high sales — St. George announced her retirement from Whiz Kids. She’s worked there for 17 years. “I’ve had a life of loving toys,” St. George says, laughing. “I’m just a big kid.” St. George joined Whiz Kids in 2005 as a part-time employee. “The previous owners were just opening the downtown location, and they put an ad in the newspaper looking for employees. I applied, and they gave me a chance,” St. George recalls. She quickly climbed her way up the management ladder, and purchased the store in 2010. So we asked St. George: What did she learn during that time? “How to juggle a hundred things at once,” she begins. (I also ask her if, as Jan the Toy Lady, she’s learned to juggle physical objects as well as metaphorical ones, and she explains that yes, she can, in fact, juggle up to three physical objects.)

BEST BREAKFAST IN THE PALOUSE

Jan St. George is retiring, selling Whiz Kids, and going out on top.

St. George goes on to say she’s also learned to “appreciate everybody for who they are,” a lesson taught to her by Whiz Kids’ customers. Those customers, she’s quick to point out, are at the heart of the Whiz Kids experience for her. They were “willing to embrace my love of learning something, but having fun doing it,” she says. “I have a lot — a lot, a lot — of repeat customers. All their support is why I’m in the position I’m at right now, going out on the best year yet. It’s the right time to turn the reins over to someone else.” St. George recently sold Whiz Kids to a local mother-daughter duo, Kathleen and Julia Lara, who also own French Toast Children’s Boutique in Kendall Yards. “I want everyone to support them the way they’ve supported me all these years,” she says. “I’m turning [Whiz Kids] over to great, wonderful people who are going to love the store just as much as I have. I’m totally behind them.” — HANNAH MUMM 2nd PLACE: Boo Radley’s; 3rd PLACE: Figpickels Toy Emporium, Coeur d’Alene

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT, BEAUTIES

Thank u Yo from The

Harvest Moon Family

20 South First Street Rockford WA 99030 (509) 291-4313

harvestmoonsaloon.com

128 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

ALYSSA HUGHES PHOTO

MENTION THIS AD & RECEIVE A FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE! 510 W Riverside Ave Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201 | 509.443.3594 | craftedbeautyspokane.com | @craftedbeauty

With stunning year-round views of the Spokane River, the Osprey Restaurant and Bar serves New American Cuisine and crafted cocktails. The river side patio features an outdoor entertainment area, fire pits and walk-up trail access.

Restaurant & Bar

OSPREYSPOKANE.COM 700 N Division St • 509.326.5577

ThankYou

Thank you Spokane! Your choice for Spokane’s Best Grocery Store.

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 129

BEST RETAIL CANNABIS SHOP BEST CANNABIS EDIBLES SELECTION BEST CBD SELECTION

CINDER

“Always helpful, clean, friendly and knowledgeable. Plus some of the best deals in town!” (Matthew C.); “Awesome selection of edibles from THC, to 1:1, to just CBD. Something for every edible consumer.” (Desiree A.); “Always super knowledgeable budtenders, the atmosphere is so welcoming, and I never feel rushed. They always have the best selections.” (Jacob Z.) BEST RETAIL CANNABIS SHOP 2nd Place: Apex Cannabis; 3rd Place: The Green Nugget BEST CANNABIS EDIBLES SELECTION 2nd Place: Apex Cannabis; 3rd Place: Lucky Leaf Co. BEST CBD SELECTION 2nd Place: Bath By Bex; 3rd Place: Apex Cannabis

Midweek is prime time at the Kendall Yards Night Market.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST FARMERS MARKET

BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP

The Inlander staff is spoiled having the Kendall Yards Night Market come to life Wednesdays for much of the sunny part of the year. The combination of local produce, artisan crafts, food trucks, live entertainment and more makes it a lively spot to spend an hour or two hobnobbing with friends and strangers alike, and it’s a fine showcase for the businesses in the neighborhood all year. (DN) 2nd PLACE: South Perry Farmers Market 3rd PLACE: Liberty Lake Farmers Market NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Downtown Farmers Market, Coeur d’Alene

Given the multiple outlets of Larry H. Miller’s car empire in downtown Spokane, we’re going to take our readers’ votes as a collective recommendation that whether you’re looking for a Toyota, Honda or Lexus, the nice folks at the Larry H. shops know how to treat prospective new car owners right. And given how tricky it is to get a used car these days for much less than a new one, why not treat yourself to that fresh new-car smell? (DN) 2nd PLACE: Wendle Motors; 3rd PLACE: Subaru of Spokane NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Parker Automotive Group, Coeur d’Alene ...continued

KENDALL YARDS NIGHT MARKET

LARRY H. MILLER SPOKANE

BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE

MY FRESH BASKET

“Wonderful combo of local and other grocery items.” (Nancy S.); “Great customer service!” (Lori Y.); “It’s actually fun to grocery shop there.” (Cindy J.); “They have it all!” (Karen U.) 2nd PLACE: Yoke’s, Indian Trail; 3rd PLACE: Rosauers, Five Mile

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE

PILGRIM’S MARKET, COEUR D’ALENE

“It has that awesome hometown feel!” (Samantha H.); “They offer lots of local, organic varieties. They grow their own produce, and the staff is friendly. The whole store has a great vibe to it.” (Eryn C.); “Locally owned!” (Mandy R.)

ATTICUS 2021

2021 Best Coffee (Single Location)

Best Gifts

BOO RADLEY’S Thank you for voting Brothers Flooring and Design Spokane's Best Flooring Company.

Best Gifts

Best toy store

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE • HOWARD ST.

130 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

“Best Cake in Spokane”

Hours of Operation Mon-Sat: 10:00am - 6:00pm Sun: 11:00am - 4:00pm

Expires 1/31/23. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery(ies) listed. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with any other offer. Discounts applied before tax. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. No cash value.

For Bakery Use Only

Spokane 2525 E 29th Ave, Suite 1B Spokane, WA 99223 (509) 535-4864

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 131

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

AUDREY’S BOUTIQUE

Audrey’s is the spot for unique and stylish women’s wear. Audrey’s provides casual, work and formal looks, plus resort wear and swimsuits available in-store all year round, making it a go-to for any and all clothing needs. The boutique also specializes in clothes for the post-mastectomy woman and offers custom bra fittings to all. Audrey’s has been dedicated to serving customers in the Spokane area for more than 25 years. (MP) 2nd PLACE: Jema Lane Boutique; 3rd PLACE: Lolo NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Marmalade, Coeur d’Alene

2021 Thanks for Voting us Best Gluten Free 3 years in a Row!

BEST BOAT DEALER

TRUDEAU’S MARINA

521 E. HOLLAND, SPOKANE • 509-413-1739 • colesbakeryandcafe.com

Now in its third generation of family ownership, Trudeau’s Marina sells new and pre-owned boats from the most respected names in the business, including Sea Ray, Bayliner and Boston Whaler. Trudeau’s manages the elusive balancing act of pairing competitive pricing with top-notch customer service. And if you suddenly realize that your new boat needs a trailer to haul it, don’t worry. Trudeau’s has got you covered there too. (EJI) 2nd PLACE (tie): Mark’s Marine, Hayden Hagadone Marine Group, Coeur d’Alene

Thank You, Spokane for your votes for Belladona’s Massage! We are a mobile massage company that brings relaxation and therapeutic massage treatments to you. We believe that home visits help you maximize the benefits of a massage, by eliminating the need to travel to and from an appointment, and by allowing you to feel safe, comfortable and completely relaxed in your own environment. We are currently hiring and looking to add to the team a licensed massage therapist that specializes in deep tissue massage. Email your resume to belladonas. massage@gmail.com

BEST USED CAR LOT

JENNIFER’S AUTO SALES & SERVICE

Audrey’s is for everyone.

ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

Since 1998, Jennifer’s Auto Sales and Service has been putting local drivers behind the wheel of fully serviced used cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. Although they have plenty of stock on their lot, you can also ask them to search for a particular make and model. Plus, buyers have the confidence of knowing that Jennifer’s is AAA approved, NAPA certified and recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. (EJI) 2nd PLACE: CAL Cars; 3rd PLACE (tie): UGM Motors; TK Auto Sales

Thank you for voting us #1!

BEST ROOFING Residential & Commercial Repair & Replacement Services

(509) 331-7348 JimmysRoofing.com

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED • TRUSTED ROOFERS SINCE 2001

132 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Thank You Spokane!

BEST JEWELRY

JEWELRY DESIGN CENTER

“Love their selection and love the Toone family!” (Robyn G.); “They take very good care of their customers, and their jewelry is always high-quality. Every time I have purchased something there it has been a very successful gift to my wife.” (Lee B.); “Repairs also done. Very trustworthy.” (Terri B.) 2nd PLACE: Pounder’s Jewelry 3rd PLACE: Tracy Jewelers; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Clark’s Diamond Jewelers, Coeur d’Alene

BEST GIFTS BEST COFFEE SHOP, SINGLE LOCATION

ATTICUS COFFEE & GIFTS

“So much awesome stuff! Best shop to go to without a plan to get a gift.” (Neal S.); “Great staff, my favorite coffee and very cool vibe.” (Holly M.); “The best. For decades. Even since the 4Seasons days.” (Matthew D.) BEST GIFTS 2nd PLACE: Boo Radley’s 3rd PLACE: Simply Northwest NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mix It Up, Coeur d’Alene BEST COFFEE SHOP, SINGLE LOCATION 2nd PLACE: First Avenue Coffee 3rd PLACE: Revel 77; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vault Coffee, Coeur d’Alene

AMC River Park Square Anthony’s Arbor Crest Winery Art on the Green Auntie’s Bookstore Azteca Boo Radley’s Churchill’s Steakhouse Clinkerdagger Dave, Ken and Molly Davenport Hotel & Tower David’s Pizza Dennis Patchin Dick’s Hamburgers Domini Sandwiches Dutch Bros. The Elk Finders Keepers Frank’s Diner Gordy’s Sichuan Thomas Hammer Hastings Huckleberry’s Jaazz Salon Jewelry Design Center KZZU Liberty Park Florist Luigi’s Manito Park Mizuna Mt. Spokane

Mustard Seed No-Li Brewhouse Nordstrom Northern Quest Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Pawn 1 Pig Out in the Park Red Robin REI Riverfront Park Rocket Bakery Satellite Diner Schweitzer Tom Sherry Spa Paradiso Spokane Arena Spokane Civic Theatre Starbucks STCU Swinging Doors Thai Bamboo The Tin Roof Tomato Street Twigs Stephanie Vigil Value Village The Viking Washingtown Trust Bank Wendle Motors Wheel Sport

For 11 plus years of your continued support and for your Votes in the Inlander’s 2022 Best Of Readers Poll

NEW ARRIVALS POSTED REGULARLY!

9 BEST ANTIQUE STORE

BEST VINTAGE DECOR SHOP

BEST ANTIQUE SHOP & BEST VINTAGE SHOP

VINTAGE & ANTIQUE SHOP

2607 N Monroe St • 509-325-2607 • Mon-Sat 11-5

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022 INLANDER 133

134 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST 2022

Barbecue is still Red Lion’s specialty, seen here on this tri-tip dip. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

OPENING

Long Live the King Red Lion Pub and Barbecue reopens with a fresh look and menu mixing new and treasured dishes

o you have any old photos of Spokane’s Red Lion Pub and Barbecue? Its new owner, Jonathan “Jon” Tampien, might want to speak with you. Unlike the generations of Red Lion patrons who’ve frequented the Division Street establishment since it opened in 1959, Tampien wasn’t very familiar with the place until a few years ago. He’s been enjoying learning about its history since buying the pub in February 2020. “I’ve always wanted to have more like a pub, where people come in and watch sports, and have good food,” says Tampien, who grew up in Moses Lake, attended Whitworth University, ran a bar in Puerto Vallarta and then spent six years in the military. In 2012, the retired Army veteran settled in Spokane, coached youth baseball and — when his friend and Red Lion’s prior owner, Tony Talotti, said the family was looking to sell the pub — became a restaurant owner. “This spot was hard to say no to,” Tampien says. “The building was in pretty good shape, minus the inside.” In a story familiar to many from the 2020 pandemic shutdown, however, Tampien had to decide whether to keep operating the business under challenging condi-

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO tions or to close it and use the time to address long-term projects. Tampien chose the latter. Originally he planned on updating the bar area. But the more he looked at the pub’s interior, the longer his project list grew, Tampien says. “[The pub] probably had been cleaned and [kept up], but it was a hundred-year-old building,” says Tampien, who also works with his father flipping houses. Those construction skills came in handy during the Red Lion renovations. Tampien’s younger brothers, Jordan and Joel, have also developed numerous local food venues, including Brick West Brewing Co. To date, Tampien gutted the pub’s interior, replaced the knob-and-tube wiring and upgraded the plumbing. He replaced floors and wood trim, refurbished stained glass windows, and rearranged several spaces, including the bathrooms. Tampien also worked with Spokane’s Historic Preservation Office to learn about the neighborhood, and bought period photographs from Spokane Public Library’s Northwest Digital Collections to adorn the restaurant’s walls. Most of them show nearby Main Avenue, but Tampien is still looking for images of Red Lion’s early days.

The original, newly refinished bar is likely from a 1920s-era drinking establishment in Spokane, but the front section where patrons sit is newer. Combined, the bar area is a fitting showpiece for the pub synthesizing old and new traditions.

o revamp Red Lion’s food menu, Tampien brought aboard chef Noah Leffel. Leffel’s resume includes roles with Eat Good Group, the Globe Bar & Kitchen, and Zola, as well some once-popular places that now exist in Spokane restaurant history: Herbal Essence Cafe, Isabella’s Restaurant & Gin Joint, and Geno’s Traditional Food and Ales. In developing the menu, Leffel kept some Red Lion customer favorites like the fry bread, which is included with all salads. The fry bread — or fried bread, as it’s also known — is also a side choice with any burger ($11$13), sandwich ($13-$16) and combo plate ($19-$28). The latter offers a choice of ribs, brisket (including brisket burnt ends), steak, smoked chicken or locally made Sonnenberg sausage. ...continued on next page

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 135

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The Red Lion’s sporting a fresh new look inside its historic building.

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“LONG LIVE THE KING,” CONTINUED... Another Red Lion fave is the wine-broiled chicken, featured on the menu as a special. “We’ll just have it till it’s gone, one day a week, so people can look forward to that,” says Leffel, who anticipates Wednesdays to be the day for the dish. Barbecue is a big deal at Red Lion, says Leffel, who still uses the pub’s original barbecue sauce recipe. One of his favorite meals is the tri-dip sandwich ($15): tri-tip steak with Swiss cheese, grilled onions and horseradish mayo on a bun. Recipes for Red Lion’s wine-broiled chicken and its barbecue sauce are closely guarded secrets. In fact, when TV producers for the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives arrived in Spokane more than 10 years ago, the Talottis declined to be featured because it would mean giving up their family’s treasured recipes (which Tampien acquired when he bought the business). Leffel has added new dishes, too. Try The Coug ($14), a sirloin burger with Cougar Gold cheese and jalapeño bacon jam; a southern BLT ($13) with fried, green tomatillos; or the charcuterie board ($17). Also try Slop Bucket Nachos ($15/$18), with choice of chicken, steak, ground beef or barbecued jackfruit over house-made tortilla chips with Cougar Gold queso and the usual accompani-

ments like olives, tomatoes and guacamole. Red Lion also offers a weekday lunch special ($12), from 11 am to 2 pm: ham and Swiss or turkey and cheddar sandwiches with one side (try the mac ’n’ cheese) and a cookie. “The nice part about here is we have a good luncheon and dinner crowd, so we don’t have to stay open late,” Tampien says. What’s next for the Red Lion? The exterior, says Tampien, who’s seen social media posts asking if the restaurant is open yet because of its pared-down appearance. It’s been open, however, since February. After removing old awnings and signage, Tampien had a black wash applied to the outside walls. He’s still working with local design firm HDG Architecture to finish exterior remodeling, including restoring those old signs and adding new awnings. Redoing the patio area is also in the works, Tampien says. “We’ll probably do it after St. Patrick’s Day when it gets trashed so we don’t have to do it again,” he says with a laugh. n Red Lion Pub and Barbecue • 126 N. Division St. • Open daily 11 am-close • facebook.com/ redlionpubandbbq • 509-315-9613

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Tatum and Bullock star as out-of-their-depth adventurers.

REVIEW

ROMANCING THE SANDRA The Lost City is a lighthearted romp, and one that largely works thanks to its likable leads BY CHASE HUTCHINSON

n evaluating the films released thus far this year, it is hard to think of one that more closely aligns with about everything you would expect than The Lost City. It’s a comedy about a romance novel essentially coming to life that stars Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum as unlikely adventurers who find themselves growing closer together against a backdrop of PG-13 peril. That, in a nutshell, tells you all you need to know about this silly yet straightforward film. It packs some good chuckles thanks to the charm of its leads. However, it finds diminishing returns as its humor begins to wear thin the longer it goes on. The film begins with Bullock as Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who spends most of her days locked away from the world after her husband’s

138 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

death. Following a book tour stop with Tatum’s himbo cover model Alan, she’s kidnapped by Daniel Radcliffe’s wealthy media mogul Fairfax. Fairfax hopes to use Loretta to help him find fictional treasure she wrote about that he believes is real. Alan launches a rescue attempt despite being way out of his depth, and shenanigans ensue in a modern updating of Romancing the Stone. The best part of the film happens when Brad Pitt arrives as a suave mercenary and part of the rescue mission. With a real sense of grace and comedic bravado, Pitt does everything from leaping over a fence to flipping his luscious locks while a giant explosion happens behind him. The ending to this action rescue is a fitting cherry on top that is the film’s most surprising moment. The rest of the movie isn’t able to live up to the

energy of that early scene, despite the winning chemistry of Tatum and Bullock. Many of the jokes land, but they become tedious when the actors are left to riff on their situation, leading to lengthy laugh-free stretches. This is especially unfortunate when the hilarious supporting cast of Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Patti Harrison, Raymond Lee, Bowen Yang and Oscar Nuñez are vastly underutilized. Even the committed and conniving Radcliffe often feels forgotten. Still, the film is brisk and breezy, never getting too bogged down in its missed opportunities. Will The Lost City be hailed as one of the great comedy movies of the year? Probably not. Is it a playful and heartfelt film that will offer a nice time out at the movies? Yeah, it most likely will. In particular, the manner in which it pokes

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fun at the tropes of romance novels helps keep the movie going through its shaky moments. It does this lovingly, never coming off as meanspirited about the genre it’s playing with. The Lost City is at its best when it is light and silly, smoothing over some of the rougher edges where its jokes don’t always land.

THE LOST CITY

Rated PG-13 Directed by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee Starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe When it shifts from being less about the gags and more about the relationship between the leads, you’re willing to go along with it because of the goodwill it has built up. It is a film that is abundantly cheesy and owns it, reveling in the romance that is as much about its heart as it is about its humor. n

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Rescue Me

Beware the Storm, viewers.

be rescued. Most of the dialogue consists of Pam yelling John’s name over and over, as he stumbles around like a toddler. Instead of harrowing, it’s almost comical, which undermines the sense of danger for both characters. When Pam admonishes John not to fall into a river as he’s slowly inching across a log, what happens next comes across more like a punchline than a disaster. Occasional gauzy flashbacks to Pam playing with her two young daughters hint at the trauma BY JOSH BELL she’s processing, but it’s not until the third act hings are never going to turn out well for that director Malgorzata Szumowska and screensomeone who decides to go mountain writer Josh Rollins explore Pam’s motivations, climbing in a movie called Infinite Storm. or how they connect to John’s equally vague That doesn’t stop Pam Bales (Naomi Watts), a background. By that time, the central crisis has search-and-rescue volunteer in New Hampshire’s passed (the infinitude of the storm is, of course, Mount Washington State Park, from heading metaphorical), and the revelations feel anticlimacout into ominous weather on a November day tic, a way to add thematic weight to a relatively that marks the anniversary of some tragic event simple, straightforward series of true events. from her past. Pam is a real person, and Infinite Polish director Szumowska has worked Storm is based on true events, but the movie holds mostly in small-scale, character-driven dramas, back on revealing anything about Pam’s backand her staging of the most intense action in story until close to the end, making her a largely Infinite Storm lacks the excitement and urgency inscrutable character, despite Watts’ best efforts. of more successful survival thrillers. Although At first, Pam is alone on the mountain, free set in New Hampshire, the movie was shot in to exorcise whatever personal demons she’s the more budget-friendly mountains of Slovenia, and cinematographer Michael Englert (who dealing with. As the clouds gather, the wind also receives a separate copicks up, and the snow starts falling, director credit) captures some Infinite Storm begins to look like a solo INFINITE STORM imposing images of nature. survivalist drama, especially when Rated R The vast establishing shots Pam falls down a hole and spends Directed by Malgorzata Szumowska provide a sense of scale for the next several scenes attempting to Starring Naomi Watts, Billy Howle, what Pam and John are facescape. But once she makes it out of ing, but when the focus shifts that hole, she comes across a man who Denis O’Hare to the characters themselves, appears nearly dead, stranded in the snow while dressed like he’s spending a sunny the action is typically limited and confusing. day in the park. The man is barely coherent and Despite the frequent onscreen time stamps, it’s possibly intoxicated, and she decides to call him often unclear how far the characters have gone John as she talks him through her rescue efforts, or how much distance they have left to cover in warming him up and guiding him onto the path order to reach safety. back down the mountain. The real-life Pam Bales is an inspirational John (Billy Howle) thwarts her at every figure, and it’s no surprise that her story went turn, casting off the clothes she puts on him and viral when it was first reported. But Infinite veering off-course, seemingly determined not to Storm fails to translate that story into compelling survive. The movie becomes a tedious, repetitive drama, stretching material better suited for a struggle between this almost absurdly selfless short documentary into a tiresome, treacly narrescue worker and a man who does not want to rative feature film. n

Infinite Storm makes tedious drama out of an inspirational true story

Sharp-dressed Smokes Alexander (left) and Slater.

LOCAL

Smokes Signals The Smokes have returned to Spokane and haven’t slowed down on G.O.V.T. Graffiti BY SETH SOMMERFELD

he Smokes have every right to be aggravated. The Spokane rock duo of guitarist/singer Himes Alexander and drummer Matt Slater has always been on the snarling counterculture edge. Formed in 2014, the group grew over the years on the strength of driving live shows and not-too-subtly titled LPs (Slave, Revolt) featuring hard garage-punk songs about fighting against the powers that be, and eventually becoming one of the best local acts around before uprooting to Minneapolis in June 2017. Aggression was always at the forefront. So it’s not wild to think the past couple years would cause that ever-burning angst to boil over in a full rage. The Smokes had to deal with all the pandemic mental strains we all went through, plus the music industry grinding to a halt because of COVID. If that wasn’t enough, they were Black men in Minneapolis during the tense powderkeg that was the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a police officer. In the midst of all this chaos, the guys moved back to Spokane in December 2020.

AMIA ART PHOTO

It was a lot to process. But rather than turning up the musical fury, the Smokes actually used these trying times to get more contemplative. The results can be heard on the band’s new album, G.O.V.T. Graffiti, which drops March 25. “Our mindset while writing the album turned more into a reflection of the experiences we were going through at the time,” Slater says. “Whether it be in Minneapolis during the uprising or returning to our hometown, Spokane, to see it as a shell of the place we remembered — keeping in mind that the whole world was a shell of what it used to be. … We [didn’t] know what type of a world it will be released in, whether live shows would be allowed or even what venues would remain open. We really weren’t even sure where we would be living by the time it was recorded. Or if it even would get recorded. Because of all these intense changes going on around us, we thought about who we are as a band, what we want to say, and how we want to say it.” ...continued on next page

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 141

HOME OF THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY

MUSIC | LOCAL

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The G.O.V.T. Graffiti album cover.

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“The original name of the album was supposed to be Lighter,” Slater continues. “We’re basically trying to reverse the perspective or approach of the way that we had been writing, which was a lot more angsty. We wanted to see a more positive side to things, so that’s what we set out to do with this album. It’s changed a lot along the way, but I think that that aesthetic positivity goal has prevailed.”

way the track authentically captures the spontaneous energy the guys felt in the studio. “We wrote a lot of it in studio. I was writing lyrics as I was singing them,” Alexander says. “It just really validates the procrastinator style. Because it came out, and I love it. It has a little piece of all of our energy on it. “We’ve done [spontaneous songs] before…,” Alexander starts adding, before Slater interjects, “...But we don’t play those songs anymore. [Laughs]” The album’s title actually came after seeing the cover art they commissioned from Cryptic Novelties (Elizabeth Reeves). The Smokes have further upped the art game by having distinct throwbackstyle cover art for each song on the album, which both is a fun bonus treat for those who buy the album and a distinct move by the guys to distinguish tracks in a digital age when people more and more consume songs removed from album context. The Smokes celebrate the release of G.O.V.T. Graffiti on Friday, March 25, with a concert at the Big Dipper. There’s certainly a sense of comfort for the guys feeling settled and making new music again in Spokane. And even if the new album isn’t focused as much on unloading their aggressions, it doesn’t mean a Smokes show isn’t still the perfect place to unload all your pent-up frustrations to a rocking soundtrack. n

“I was writing lyrics as I was singing them. It just really validates the procrastinator style. Because it came out, and I love it. It has a little piece of all of our energy on it.”

ecorded in four days with Jack Endino (who produced Nirvana’s Bleach) at Soundhouse in Seattle, G.O.V.T Graffiti certainly has a less full-throttle aggro vibe than past Smokes releases. But that’s all relative. Don’t get it twisted, the Smokes still go hard. Standout tracks include the melodic and catchy acceptance of imperfect mental health that is “Fully” and the introspective “Tact” (the closest the Smokes get to cosmic Hendrix-esque rock). But there are also still songs with fangs-out social commentary (“Go Ahead and Tread On Me”), bouts with feelings of exploitation (“It Was Something In There”), and even a vert fun rocker of nothing but goofy lip sounds and wails (“Mentat”). The new album is certainly the band’s most widely accessible collection of songs to date. Alexander has a special place in his heart for the album-ender “Emerald Glass,” because of the

The Smokes: G.O.V.T Graffiti Release Show (with Gorilla, Chicken, & Rabbit, Bandit Train, Portable Morla) • Fri, March 25 at 7:30 pm • $12-$15 • All ages • The Big Dipper • 171 S. Washington St. • bigdipperevents.com

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THE SLAPS, MAMA LLAMA Mon, March 28 at 8 pm Lucky You Lounge $12 OHGEESY, DJ VISION, THAT MEXICAN OT, YOUNG HAWAII SLIM Tue, March 29 at 8 pm Knitting Factory $20-$95 PAUL CHERRY, DOUGIE POOLE, SEDONA Tue, March 29 at 8 pm Lucky You Lounge $15-$18 TEENAGE BOTTLE ROCKET, SUZI MOON, SHOCKTROOPERS Tue, March 29 at 7 pm The Big Dipper $18 CON BRIO, B RADICALS Wed, March 30 at 8 pm Lucky You Lounge $15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Wed, March 30 at 7 pm Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox $56-$78 THE BOBBY LEES, GOTU GOTU, BETTER DAZE Thu, March 31 at 7:30 pm The Big Dipper $8 SANTANA Sun, April 3 at 8 pm Spokane Arena $45-$315 For complete music listings, visit inlander.com/events

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 143

MUSIC | PUNK

Keeping the Faith Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley chats about the enduring legacy of the legendary punk band BY SETH SOMMERFELD

unk rock may be considered a young person’s game, but don’t tell that to Bad Religion. The legendary Los Angeles punk band has been active since 1980, with the group’s debut LP How Could Hell Be Any Worse? coming out 40 years ago. But steered by original core members Greg Graffin (vocals), Jay Bentley (bass) and Brett Gurewitz (guitar), the group has never allowed itself to drift into the territory of being a legacy or nostalgia act. The band’s no-frills, unapologetic, straightforward and driving style also has always carried a sense of composure, allowing the music across 17 studio albums to age incredibly well. Unlike a lot of standout punk bands, consistency has always been at the forefront. There’s no singular landmark Bad Religion album, which rewards listeners who dive deep into the group’s catalog. Heck, you can make an argument that the eight most popular Bad Religion songs come from eight different albums. Can any

other bands make that claim? In anticipation of the band’s first ever headlining show in Spokane, we caught up with Bentley to discuss the state of punk and the band’s illustrious career. INLANDER: What’s the relationship dynamic between you and singer Greg Graffin and guitarist Brett Gurewitz having been in the same band together for four decades now? BENTLEY: Brett doesn’t tour with us, so getting together with Brett is always sort of like seeing the relative that you only see a couple times a year. It’s always fun, and then we just go about our day. And Greg and I are kind of like past all of it. I don’t know how to describe it other than maybe you don’t want to be in the same room with the person, but you’d step in front of a bullet for them. I don’t really know how that all works. It’s sort of a perfect relationship that has defined how Bad Religion has

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been since the beginning. We were always very independent, even as individuals. With such a sprawling catalog, how do you determine setlists each night when touring? Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming because you really want to present surprises. I’m still a fan of music, and I like to go see concerts, and I always get a kick out of seeing something that’s not usual. But at the same time, there are songs that I just know I’m going to put in the setlist before I even get out a pen. And the reason that I do that is because Greg will say from stage, “How many people is this your first time seeing Bad Religion?” and so many people raise their hands. And I’ll say, “That’s why we play ‘21st Century (Digital Boy)’ every night. That’s why we play ‘You’ a lot.” Because those are songs from videos or from a certain era or from the only gold record we’ve ever had. I try to make sure to touch on those points for people that may have heard of us from just one song. I want to find those songs. But at the same time, for people that’ve seen us many times, I want to play something where they go, “Wow, I never thought I’d see that live.”

Bad Religion still bring it live; Jay Bentley is second from right. STEVEN ALBANESE PHOTOS

What’s it like being on stage and seeing literal generations of fans in the crowd? Like you could legitimately see a longtime Bad Religion fan bring their grandkid to their first punk show.

I do understand that privilege, because it feels like the people that started following us in the late ’80s, like with [the album] Suffer or whatever … I see those people, and I realize what a privilege it is to have grown up with them. They didn’t just come in for one record and then leave. And so many people have sort of stayed with us, and you’re right, they bring their kids. Since so much of punk music is rooted in youthful rage, how has your perspective changed as you’ve become a veteran punk musician? The hope is that you sort of grow into your rage. You don’t grow out of it, you’re able to focus it a lot better. I think when you’re young, you’re sort of a Tasmanian devil of emotions. And you get to a point in your life where you can finely tune your anger and your rage at what you’re upset about, versus just everybody. Hopefully, we’ve become a little more eloquent in our ability to relay our feelings. You don’t talk about emotions in punk rock songs. You’re not supposed to anyway. [Laughs] Yeah, the only emotion is “f--- you!” [Laughs] Pretty much. n Bad Religion, Slaughterhouse • Wed, March 30 at 8 pm • $35-$38 • All ages • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com • 509-244-3279

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MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 145

MUSIC SHADES OF BLUE

Green isn’t the only color we’re looking forward to this spring. Blue is the featured hue as the Coeur d’Alene Resort welcomes back local and regional performers for the Coeur d’Alene Blues Fest, three days of ticketed and free events, indoors and out. On Friday, board a blues cruise ($32.50) doing a double-dose of bluesy rock from the Kenny James Miller Band and Bobby Patterson Band. Or check out the smoky stylings of local fave the Doghouse Boyz, one of several free gigs over the weekend. On Saturday, get funky on the rooftop with Bellingham-based performer Diego Romero ($5). Or settle in for eight incredible hours of music from five different bands inside the convention center, including headliners Ana Popovic (pictured) and John Németh ($44.50). Sunday means brunch with a side of blues ($39). There are also overnight packages so you don’t miss a note. — CARRIE SCOZZARO Coeur d’Alene Blues Festival • March 25-27 • Prices vary • The Coeur d’Alene Resort • 115 S. Second St. • cdaresort.com/ play/events/blues-festival • 844-262-9791

146 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

MUSIC SPOOK SHOW

THEATER SHE’S GOT CHUTZPAH

Ghost Funk Orchestra, The Jack Moves, BaLonely • Sat, March 26 at 8 pm • $12 • 21+ • Lucky You Lounge • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • luckyyoulounge.com • 509-474-0511

Funny Girl • March 25-April 24; Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm • $10-$35 • Spokane Civic Theater • 1020 N. Howard St. • spokanecivictheatre.com • 509-325-2507

For a band with “ghost” in its name, Ghost Funk Orchestra sure is lively. Bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum initially started GFO as a one-man recording project to explore all the funk corners of his psychedelic brain. But the sound couldn’t work solo live, so he put together a 10-piece band featuring a horn section and multiple female vocalists. The result is a funk group that can span the sonic gamut from smoky slow jams to salsa-inspired dance tracks to expansive psych rock explorations. Ghost Funk Orchestra is sure to sound massive in the comfy confines of Lucky You Lounge. — SETH SOMMERFELD

Fanny Brice was one of the most celebrated stars of her time, and since her death she’s been memorialized in a plethora of ways — one of those being the biographical musical Funny Girl. Through the end of March and most of April, Funny Girl is gracing the Spokane Civic Theatre’s main stage, transporting audiences into the heart of New York City. The musical, which features classic Broadway tunes such as “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People,” chronicles the life of Fanny Brice as she navigates her newfound — and long sought after — fame and her up-and-down relationship with pro gambler Nick Arnstein. — MADISON PEARSON

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You are not alone.

Do you fight anxiety, depression or another type of mental condition? (Or perhaps you struggle to help a loved one who does?) NAMI Spokane offers hope. NAMI Spokane is the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, serving eastern Washington and North Idaho. We provide free services to anyone with mental health issues, as well as to concerned family and partners who just want to help. Our education courses, support groups and advocacy forums are led by trained people who have been in your shoes. So they know what you’re going through. Get free help today. Learn more at NAMIspokane.org.

MUSIC SWINGIN’ SOUNDS

I’ll always have a soft spot for “In the Mood,” that instantly recognizable, big-band standard made famous by the Glenn Miller Orchestra back in 1939. It was the track one of my high school gymnastics floor exercises was set to, and thus the tune is eternally embedded into memory. Fun fact: “In the Mood” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 50 years after its release, and is among the band’s 16 total record-breaking, No. 1 singles. While the group’s namesake leader’s time in the spotlight was brief — Miller’s plane disappeared over the English Channel in 1944 while traveling to entertain troops — his legacy lives on, and an orchestra performing Miller’s chart-topping arrangements continues touring today. Its 18 members stop next in Spokane for an evening sure to be filled with romantic nostalgia for an era long past. — CHEY SCOTT

509.838.5515 10 N. Post St., Ste. 638 Spokane, WA 99201

The Glenn Miller Orchestra • Wed, March 30 at 7 pm • $56-$78 • All ages • Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • foxtheaterspokane.com • 509-624-1200

LOANS AVAILABLE

New Construction Land Development Bridge Loans COMEDY LAUGH IT OUT LOUD

You ever have the experience of discovering some artist who’s been around awhile, and immediately wondering how you’re so late to the party? That’s my experience with comedian Kyle Kinane, a guy whose punk-rock roots and friendly bar-banter approach developed as he started stand-up in Chicago make him, on paper, right up my alley. Experiencing his segment on The Standups on Netflix made me a fan, and learning that he named the tracks on his early comedy albums after the song titles on Cheap Trick’s Dream Police, KISS’s Destroyer and N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton records sealed the deal. He spins a hilarious yarn, and he’s only gotten better as he’s aged, delving into complicated relationships with people, booze and keto diets. — DAN NAILEN

Fix & Flip Call Now (509)926-1755 www.pmcmoney.com

Kyle Kinane: The So, Where Were We? Tour • Sat, March 26 at 8 pm • $25$30 • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com • 509-244-3279

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 147

I SAW YOU DEFINITION OF BEAUTIFUL “The 1st time I saw you, up at our friends, was the day that I learned what Beautiful meant. “”In regards to saying something nice”” Beauty or shall I say BEAUTIFUL IS NOT even close to the Definition of the Word... To know you Blows the word out of the water.. Im grateful to have known you, as well as know you... The love I have for you is very REAL, & WILL LAST BEYOND MY LIFETIME ANY OTHERS AFTER.. I want that first kiss , I want that first time we said I LOVE YOU, You are truly the breath I breathe, my SOUL, my LIFE... YOU’RE A VERY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH A BEAUTIFUL HEART THAT CARRIES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LOVE, I’m greatful to be a part of that & your life... Let’s do it AGAIN... ALWAYS IN A DREAM Me.”

SOUND OFF

THE TRUTH The Truth of the so-called housing shortage (which is causing the extreme prices) is an alliance, or shall I say, an association. Yes, I believe it is called the Washington State Commercial Association of Realtors. Their main office is Lynnwood, Washington. I don’t know about you, but I have seen this nonsense about a shortage of housing stock for well over eight years now, and I’m sorry if my not swallowing that lie casts a bright light in your shade, but humans have been managing growth and especially urban growth for long enough to know how to also forecast trends and thus respond accordingly. The million-dollar question, or answer to the million-dollar question, is worth more than a million, is whether or not the city and county administration has been providing the association of commercial brokers with the constraints needed to create a housing shortage. If you have lived in this town long enough, you too should know that unless you have a friend in the real estate market, your permits for your project, your bid for that contract, your application for that loan, will be the death of your planning efforts in Spokane. To be fair, I’m almost positive this kind of thing happens in other cities as well.

CHEERS MOM NATURE LOVES YOU The weekend of 3/12 my dog and I went walking on the river. Where we met multiple groups of people cleaning up garbage. I kept thanking them; my dog and I try to clean, but we have had an injury and can’t pull our wagon. The last group told me they were from Chas Clinic. I want to thank Chas and their wonderful employees for taking care of our river. THANKS FOR THE HUMOR I just wanted to say “Thank you!” to Mike Bookey for the great article this week (March 17-23, 2022) on Russell Wilson’s departure. I have to start by saying I’m not a football fan, so the fact that I read and enjoyed your article should say even more. I enjoyed your humor in a dark/sad moment, and the writing is the kind that makes me laugh out loud. I think we all sorely need that these days. Just wanted you to know your skills are appreciated. I’ll be looking for your byline in future issues. Thanks again! BREAD IN THE SKY Thank you, Franz, for replacing the great loaf of bread in the sky. The joy I get from seeing the floating loaf helps my daily commute!

JEERS PROTECT THE TURKEYS Jeers to the new transplants driving in their silly cars that don’t know how to YIELD to the dang South Hill TURKEYS! I seriously saw a little turkey wait for a gap in traffic to cross Grand, and as it finally stepped out, someone sped by

“

DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION To all the stores and restaurants that have deals that are through phone apps or internet only shame on you!! Most elderly people don’t have digital phones or the internet. I know some young people who can’t afford smartphones or internet services. This is digital discrimination & it needs to stop!! Give everyone the deals or don’t.

”

In one breath you disparaged both genders.

paying no mind to the flock near the street. It caused the turkey to jump back and flap all over, which made the person swerve their car. Please be mindful of the presence of our turkey friends if you’re anywhere on the hill. If you’re a real Spokanite, you’ll take the L on being late for your meeting, and you’ll wait for as long as the birds need to cross safely. JEERS, MORE LIKE, WHHUPPA-WUH? Suffer The Little Children To Come Unto Shea? According to news outlets, the former Rep Matt Shea is holed up in Poland with a mess of kids (62) he plans to bring to the US for adoption. Lovely thought, if a little more thought than holy-whim went into it. Dude, that’s not how you do that! Even A-List celebrities have to file Paperwork! You know, Mr. Shea, there has been a multitude of African children orphaned by idiotic wars over the last twenty years. Are your bounteous intentions only for un-parented white children? I’m thinking you’re missing a great opportunity here. Some of the African orphans have already been trained in hand-to-hand combat, the use of small arms, and the Art of War. I mean, if you’re looking to pull a Koresh, don’t you want the kids with the most applicable skill set possible? LEFT EMPTY-HANDED To all the people who steal the hand-held shopping baskets at our local grocery stores: you are making the shopping experience miserable for the people, especially Seniors, who come into the store to only buy a few items.Now,we have to get a big bulky cart( if you haven’t stolen those,too) to push around in the store.Jeers too,to the store management whose dumb idea to solve the problem is just to discontinue ordering the baskets. Thanks for nothing.

1. Visit Inlander.com/isawyou by 3 pm Monday. 2. Pick a category (I Saw You, You Saw Me, Cheers or Jeers). 3. Provide basic info: your name and email (so we know you’re real). 4. To connect via I Saw You, provide a non-identifying email to be included with your submission — like “petals327@yahoo.com,” not “j.smith@comcast.net.”

148 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

ARCHAIC ADVICE To the Advice Goddess, I’d like to preface this with my honest appreciation of your work. With that, however, the last letter, “Don’t Goo Me Like That,” was pretty offensive. For context the woman writing in is discussing her husbands lack of emotion; the response you gave felt entirely chauvinistic. To tell the woman that well, “aw schucks the entirety

of the Male species is just like that...they dont speak, “chick.” I’m flabbergasted that in one breath you disparaged both genders. As If a woman is hysterical and a man is made of stone. It doesn’t take a modernist to see that this advice has deeprooted issues in gender norms that are outdated. We have evolved, and so should your sentiment of the dynamics between partners. RE:PRETEND SOLDIERS How dense are you to think that civilian AR-15s are anywhere close to military grade? Ukraine is handing out automatic AK-47s to its civilian population to defend itself. The greatest irony here is the cognitive dissonance in which you see other countries civilians in need of weapons but not our own. Meanwhile, let’s address the elephant in the room. What’s happening to the Ukrainian people is awful, but the only reason most of us care is because they’re White. No one cares that we’re funding a genocide in Yemen; no one cares that we regularly drone strike brown children all the way from Syria to Libya to Afghanistan. Our country has bombed literal weddings and is responsible for 1 MILLION Iraqi deaths. So, go ahead; promote more violence in Ukraine, get on your high horse about keeping our children safe while you sit by as administration after administration keeps manufacturing your consent for the deaths of tens of thousands of brown children. I’ll keep my AR-15. LOCAL NEWS BROADCASTS It’s becoming harder and harder to watch local news. Other than repeating weather and sports, plus commercials, there is little else reported. It’s the same on all networks. There is no substance in what short time remains to pass on actual news coverage. They’ve got to do better than this to keep me tuned in.

KNOW-NOTHING BIDEN BASHERS Every day we are confronted with obscene antiBiden signage proudly displayed by kneejerks who have no clue about, for example, why gas prices have gone up. Catch a clue, haters — oil is bought and sold on the worldwide market. With more countries refusing to buy Putin’s blood-soaked petroleum, demand for non-Russian oil increased, especially in Europe, where countries were much more dependent on it than the US. More competition for a more limited supply of anything means its price goes up. You want to blame someone? Vladimir Putin’s cruel war against Ukraine set this in motion. But no! This would require a basic understanding of economics. Willfully ignorant Biden bashers are Putin’s puppets. He loves you. DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH Relax ,Seahawk nation, before you jeer Pete Carroll because of the Wilson trade — after all he found Willson in the third round, which I like to call a diamond in the rough. Who’s to say he can’t find another diamond before it turns into a prima donna! n

THIS WEEK'S ANSWERS I O U T A T T I F E E M A S A P T I M E M R T J A S K E I W I N R E L P E O P A P B I R E A L K A R L

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O W E T E R S E A E D S O O M N T H

NOTE: I Saw You/Cheers & Jeers is for adults 18 or older. The Inlander reserves the right to edit or reject any posting at any time at its sole discretion and assumes no responsibility for the content.

EVENTS | CALENDAR

FILM

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION: THE EXHIBITION From the makers of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls, comes an extraordinary exhibition celebrating over 25 years of DreamWorks Animation. The show includes more than 400 items including rare and neverseen-before concept drawings, original artifacts, interactives, film clips, and more. March 27-Sept. 5; Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm (third Thursdays until 8

MUSIC

GONZAGA COMPOSERS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE Original music composed by GU Students, faculty and alumni performed by the Gonzaga Faculty Ensemble. March 24, 7:30-9 pm. $11. Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, 211 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga. edu/music (509-313-6733) COEUR D’ALENE BLUES FESTIVAL The 12th annual festival features top talent from local, regional and national blues artists. March 25-27; see complete schedule and ticketing online. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdaresort.com/play/events/blues-festival (208-765-4000)

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ROCKET WINE CLASS Rocket Market hosts weekly wine classes; sign up in advance for the week’s selections. Fridays at 7 pm. Call to reserve a seat, or register online. Price varies. Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. rocketmarket. com (509-343-2253) SCENIC HOT COCOA CRUISES A hotcocoa bar is available on-board with original cocoa for the kiddos and spiked cocoa for the adults. Offered every FriSun, at 12:30 and 2:30 pm, through March 27. $12-$16. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com/ hot-cocoa-cruises (208-765-4000) HUB CRAB FEED FUNDRAISER Includes a crab dinner along with silent auction and other activities. Funds generated are used for outreach programs and events at the HUB Sports Center. March 26, 5:30-8:30 pm. $70-$560. CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place Dr. hubsportscenter.org REMEDY MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY DINNER Chefs Jordan Obermeyer and Frank Kos are pairing six courses with cocktail creations from mixologist Grant Hanson. Each course focuses on the physical and chemical transformation of food to provide an introduction to the world of molecular gastronomy. March 27, 4:30 pm. $95.49. Remedy Kitchen & Tavern, 3809 S. Grand Blvd. remedyspokane.com (509-443-3730) KILL THE KEG & SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT This weekly special includes $2 off select GHP beer, $1 off select guest beer and a 20% discount for service industry patrons. Tuesdays from 3-9 pm. The Golden Handle Project, 111 S. Cedar St. goldenhandle.org (509-868-0264)

30 ASE % LA

FOOD & DRINK

Shop Early

ON ! AS OW SE N OF ON

MICHAEL RAPAPORT Michael Rapaport is an American actor and comedian who’s appeared in over 60 films since the early 1990s. March 24-25 at 7:30 pm and March 26 at 7:30 & 10:30 pm. $30-$50. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com ALMOST BEST IN SHOW Hobby horses are the vehicle for the BDT players to explore the lengths competitors go through to win. Rated for general audiences. March 25 at 7:30 pm. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (509-747-7045) JULIA SWEENEY: OLDER & WIDER LIVE TAPING A 75-minute, live comedy show taping featuring the Spokane native comedian. March 26 at 4 and 8 pm. $25. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org (509-624-1200) KYLE KINANE: THE “SO...WHERE WERE WE” TOUR Kyle has been performing for 10 years and has been seen on NBC’s Last Call With Carson Daly and the BBC’s The World Stands Up. March 26, 8 pm. $25. Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com SAFARI A “Whose Line”-esque, fastpaced short-form improv show for mature audiences. Saturdays at 7:30 pm. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com KRISTINA KUZMIC: THE HOPE & HUMOR TOUR Kristina is providing her audience with encouragement, hope and humor. Ages 16+. March 27, 6 pm. $35-$75. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com NEW TALENT TUESDAYS Watch comedians of all skill levels work out jokes together. Tuesdays at 7 pm (doors at 6 pm). Free. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com AD IT UP Go behind the scenes at an ad agency and laugh at the executives, creatives, staff and clients as they improvise tag lines and commercials for products based on audience suggestions. Fridays in April at 7:30 pm. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (747-7045) CHAD DANIELS Originally from, and still residing in, rural Minnesota, Chad’s been touring for over 20 years and has made six late-night appearances. April 1-2 at 7:30 and 10:30 pm. $35-$45. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com TIM ALLEN The award-winning film, TV and comedy star is coming to Spokane for a night of stand-up. April 1, 8 pm. $49-$112. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. firstinterstatecenter.org (509-279-7000

LET’S CHAT ABOUT VOTING Members of the League of Women Voters invite high school students to talk about the importance of voting and receive tips on registration and getting information. Registration required. March 24, 5-6:30 pm. Free. my.lwv.org (509-535-0803) 61ST GEM MINERAL & JEWELRY SHOW Gem dealers are selling jewelry, crystals, gems, fossils, minerals and lapidary supplies. March 25-27, Fri-Sat from 10 am-6 pm, Sun from 10 am-4 pm. $7-$8. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. spokanecounty.org AERIAL OPEN HOUSE: Aerial instructor Avi gives mini lessons to the public. Learn moves on both the silk and lyra. March 25, 5-7 pm. Free. Atomic Threads Boutique, 1905 N. Monroe St. facebook. com/atomicthreadsboutique BIRDS IN THE COAST POP-UP Shop one-of-a-kind, upcycled garments and accessories from previous collections, which will not be reproduced, designed by Birds in the Coast. March 26, 5-9 pm. Adjust, 709 N. Monroe St. facebook. com/birdsinthecoast CABIN FEVER DANCE The night starts with a salsa lesson taught by professional instructors, followed by dancing, refreshments and door prizes. Couples, singles and all levels welcome. March 26, 7-10 pm. $5-$9. Ponderay Events Center, 401 Bonner Mall Way. (208699-0421) TAKE IT APART Curious about how things work? Using basic tools, gloves and safety goggles, take apart electronics, small appliances and other donated devices. Kids 8 and under must bring an adult. Grades K+. Registration required. March 26, April 23 and May 28 from 10 am-noon. Free. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Rd. scld.org WASHINGTON STATE QUILTERS ANNUAL YARD SALE Various quilting and sewing items for sale, featuring 50+ tables with bargains. March 26, 8-11:30 am. Free. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. spokanecounty.org (509-477-1766) SPOKANE SMALL BUSINESS CONVENTION An afternoon of networking and learning for small business owners. March 27, 1-5 pm. $20-$60. Burbity Workplaces (Sullivan Valley Commons), 2818 N. Sullivan Rd, Ste. 100. eventbrite. com/e/spokane-small-business-convention-tickets-273776672397 COMMUNITY FUN DANCE Participate in lines, rounds, polkas, Scillian circles and reels. Dancers of all experience levels welcome. April 2, 7-9 pm. $5. Western Dance Center, 1901 N. Sullivan Rd. squaredancespokane.org

ON SALE NOW!

D E EN L SA

COMEDY

COMMUNITY

BETWEEN EARTH & HEAVEN A fundraiser to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. March 25, 7 pm. $15-$30. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. sandpointconservatory.org/northidahophil SERIOUSLY, HEATH A benefit for the Harmon family, in memory of Heath Harmon, who died from complications with COVID-19, featuring various artists, live music, wine specials and more. April 1, 5-8 pm. By donation. Terra Blanca Winery, 926 W. Sprague. terrablanca.com (509-340-9140)

pm). $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) TOTALLY TUBULAR TUESDAYS The Garland’s cult favorite film series is back every Tuesday evening. See complete schedule and pre-buy tickets online. Tuesdays at 7:10 pm through May 31. $2.50. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com FAMILY NIGHT: ODD SQUAD MOVIE Spark Central and KSPS host a screening of the “Odd Squad” movie. After the movie, your young investigator agents can make their own badges, create their own math rooms or play Odd Squad games on iPads. March 31, 3-5 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org/events/family-nightodd-squad (509-279-0299)

AT S RE L G A DE

BENEFIT

ALL WINTER GEAR

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3.6” wide by 5.4” high

RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY MARCH 31 Advertising@Inlander.com | 509-325-0634 ext. 215

Advertise in this guide to reach families with kids and help them plan their summer now!

Make sure your camp is listed! getlisted@inlander.com or go online to Inlander.com/submitcamps Submission Deadline: March 24th

MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 149

Bestselling Author

Christina Olds reflects on the life of her father, Robin Olds Friday, March 25th - 7pm -&Saturday, March 26th - NOON

The backstory of America’s greatest fighter pilot and his family’s connection to Spokane

Free admission to Members

12 General Admission

(discounts for seniors, veterans and students)

Join us at 5829 E. Rutter Ave. Spokane – Felts Field 509.535.6000

historicflight.org 150 INLANDER MARCH 24, 2022

EVENTS | CALENDAR JAMES TORMÉ James Tormé infuses jazz classics and contemporary influences with a smooth, stylish flair. March 25, 7:30 pm. $17-$36. Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, 211 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga.edu/myrtle-woldsonperforming-arts-center NORTH IDAHO PHILHARMONIA: BETWEEN EARTH & HEAVEN Conducted by Maestro Jan Pellant, North Idaho Philharmonia performs W.A. Mozart’s Symphony No. 5, Antonin Dvorak’s Czech Suite in D Major, and Camille Saint-Saëns “Carnival of the Animals. “March 25, 7 pm. $15-$30. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. sandpointconservatory.org/northidahophil NORTH IDAHO PHILHARMONIA: FAMILY CONCERT Guest pianists Dr. Matthew Goodrich and Melody Puller perform arrangements of The Carnival of the Animals, written for two pianos. March 26, 2 pm. $7-$30. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. sandpointconservatory.org/northidahophil ST. JOHN’S MUSIC SERIES: THE SELKIRK QUINTET Woodwind music by Danzi, Holst, Klughardt, Schuller and Ellerby. Musicians include Keith Thomas, Erin Foster, Jennifer Brummett, Alicia Zeiler and Tom Shook. March 27, 4 pm. By donation. St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave. stjohns-cathedral.org THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra brings timeless classics like “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “String of Pearls” and “Tuxedo Junction” back to the stage. (Rescheduled from 2020.) March 30, 7 pm. $56-$78. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.com (509-624-1200) SPOKANE SYMPHONY CHAMBER SOIREE An intimate evening of chamber music. Wine, refreshments, coffee and dessert included with ticket. March 30-31 at 7:30 pm. $68. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. spokanesymphony.org (509-465-3591) LEON ATKINSON IN CONCERT An evening of classical guitar by Leon Atkinson, who had his debut at Town Hall New York City in 1974. (Rescheduled from Sept. 10, 2021) April 1, 7:30 pm. $25. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

2400 FEET OF SCHWEITZER 24 Hours for Hank presents its fourth annual event, featuring the nation’s longest GS Race, starting at the Sky House and finishing at The Outback. Proceeds support cystinosis research and local resident Hank’s future. March 26, 7 am-1 pm. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. 24hoursforhank.org JAM 4 CANS URBAN CHARITY RAIL JAM A freestyle competition for skiers and snowboarders to collect donations for local food banks and raise community awareness of their needs. Entrance fee for competitors is 15 cans of food. March 26, 6:30 pm. Free. Summit Northwest Ministries, 1486 W. Seltice Way. jam4cans.com (208-773-5950) SCHPRING FINALE Celebrate at Schweitzer fun events to wrap up the season. The Ponderay Rotary is on site with their duck derby, plus there’s other fun for all ages. April 2 -3. Schweitzer,

10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)

THEATER

NEIL SIMON’S PLAZA SUITE Hilarity abounds in this portrait of three couples successively occupying a suite at the Plaza. In the Studio Theatre. Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm through April 3. $10-$20. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com WICKED The Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz… from a different angle. Through March 27; Tue-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm. $53.50$153.50. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. broadwayspokane.com FUNNY GIRL Fanny Brice was one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time. With unique humor, talent and chutzpah, young Fanny, who “isn’t pretty,” defies the odds and becomes one of the greatest stars of her generation. March 25-April 24, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. (April 17 Easter show at 7:30 pm.) $10-$35. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com (509-325-2507) JUVIE: A BOX SHOW Set in a juvenile detention center, Juvie depicts the life of kids who are scared, lonely and locked up. March 25-27 at 7 pm. $13$15. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. onthestage.tickets/show/tac-atthe-lake/juvie-70292/ (509-432-1890) SPACE MAN / BROADWAY Two new one-act plays by Molly Allen. March 25-April 10, Thu-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $20-$25. Stage Left Theater, 108 W. Third Ave. stagelefttheater.org MET LIVE IN HD: DON CARLOS The Kenworthy’s annual series of MET Live in HD operas. Don Carlos features tenor Matthew Polenzani in the title role, soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Élisabeth de Valois and mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as Eboli. March 26, 9:55 am and April 4, 6 pm. $15-$20. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org

VISUAL ARTS

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE Featuring painters Kay O’Rourke and Tim Lord, this exhibit asks attendees to suspend disbelief and dive headfirst into an artistic vision that’s equal parts whimsy and grounded naturalism. Through March 26, Thu-Sun from 11 am-6 pm. Free. The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave. theartspiritgallery.com ELEMENTAL ART EXHIBITION: This exhibition will feature art in the theme of ‘elemental’ by artists Rosemary Barile, Karen Mobley and Deb Sheldon. March 3-31, Sun-Tues and Thu 12-6 pm, Wed and Fri 12-9 pm, Saturdays 12-7 pm. Through March 31, 5-9 pm. Free. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. barristerwinery.com/ (509-465-3591) NIC ART FACULTY EXHIBITION The works of five North Idaho College art professors: Jen Erickson, Brian Fahlstrom, Otis Bardwell, Michael Horswill and Jessica Raetzke. Mon-Thu from 10 am-4 pm; Fri from 10 am-2:30 pm through April 25. Free. Boswell Corner Gallery at NIC, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Building 22. nic.edu (208-7693276)

PEWTER CASTING A beginning class to learn the process of making castings in molds. March 24, 3-5 pm. $25. Create Arts Center, 900 W. Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org (509-447-9277) PROCESS: INVESTIGATIONS IN FIBER, FORM & TRANSFORMATION: Sculptor Elyse Hochstadt presents new works in felted wool, a medium that reflects her commitment to natural materials and conceptual interests through its transformative, resilient and flexible qualities. Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm through March 25. Free. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland Ave. spokaneartschool.net REMNANTS Featuring site specific installation, photography and participatory sculpture work by Annie Cunningham and Jamin Kuhn. Mon-Fri from 9 am-5 pm through April 21. Free. EWU Gallery of Art, 140 Art Building. ewu. edu/cahss/ (509-359-2494) KIMEKOMI WITH JENNI BARRY Kimekomi is the unique art form of tucking fabric into a pattern you draw. Bring favorite fabric pieces and a snack. March 25, 11 am-3 pm. $36. Create Arts Center, 900 W. Fourth St. createarts.org ROBERT GRIMES: FINAL WORKS FROM HIS STUDIO After 25 years representing Spokane-based artist Robert Grimes, the gallery is exhibiting final works from his studio to be offered to the public for sale. Grimes is known throughout the Northwest for his intricate, three dimensional “paintings on carved wood” that take on the aesthetic qualities of both oil painting and sculpture. Through March 26; open Thu-Sun from 11 am-6 pm. Free. The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave. theartspiritgallery.com KIMEKOMI WITH JENNI BARRY Kimekomi is the unique art form of tucking fabric into a pattern you draw. Bring favorite fabric pieces and a snack. View color books, quilts or stained glass patterns for inspiration. March 25, 11 am-3 pm. $36. Create Arts Center, 900 W. Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org LIGHT IN THE DARK Ezekiel Fee’s watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings on paper. Fridays from 5-8 pm through March 25. Free. KolvaSullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. kolvasullivangallery.com/ (509-458-5517) THE WINTER HEXAGON Art inspired by a collection of the brightest stars in the Western Hemisphere. Friday from 5-8 pm; Saturday from through March 26. Free. Shotgun Studios, 1625 W. Water Ave. ShotgunStudiosSpokane. com (509-688-3757) ANTLER BASKET Basket weaving is planned around the shape of each antler. Bring a prepared antler. March 26, 9 am-6 pm. $45. Create Arts Center, 900 W. Fourth St., Newport. createarts. org (509-447-9277) ENAMELING ON COPPER Learn the basic techniques of enameling onto a copper surface, creating a design in glass. Finished pieces can be used to make jewelry, or as components in other sculptures, or as stand-alone art pieces. Taught by Lisa Soranaka. Ages 16+. March 26, 10:30 am-4:30 pm. $60/session. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland Ave. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500) MMIW: NO MORE STOLEN SISTERS ART SHOW In an effort to raise awareness of the thousands of currently open, unsolved cases of MMIW (missing and murdered indigenous women and

RELATIONSHIPS

persons) throughout the U.S. and Canada, a collective of local Native American speakers and artists share their works of traditional and contemporary arts and research. Fri from 4-7 pm, Sat from 10 am-3 pm through March 26. Free. Gonzaga University Urban Arts Center, 125 S. Stevens St. gonzaga.edu/art UKRAINE PYSANKY EGGS WITH LYNN WALTERS This wax and dye process uses a kistka (small funnel) to draw the design and a candle to remove the wax. Ages 12+. March 26, 10 am-1 pm. $25. Create Arts Center, 900 W. Fourth St. createarts.org WSU MFA THESIS EXHIBITION These student-artists have engaged in an intense two-year interdisciplinary studio program. This focused conclusion marks an transition toward their professional careers. April 1-May 7; open Tue-Sat from 1-4 pm. Free. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson Rd., Pullman. museum.wsu.edu

WORDS

POETRY READING: MICHAEL MCGRIFF & OSCAR OSWALD A dual book launch and reading, with poets Michael McGriff and Oscar Oswald, professors at University of Idaho. March 24, 7-8:15 pm. Free. Moscow Contemporary, 414 S. Main St. (208301-5092) THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY Louisa Morgan discusses her new novel, The Great Witch of Brittany. Proof of vaccination required. March 25, 7-8 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com SUDS & SCIENCE SEMINAR SERIES: SOIL SCIENCE Dr. Michael Ebinger retired from WSU, where he led the WSU Center for Innovation. Before that, he was a staff scientist and manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. There, he invented and patented a soil analysis method using laser spectroscopy; a related method is now on Mars aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover. March 26, 7-8 pm. Free. The Golden Handle Project, 111 S. Cedar St. goldenhandle.org/suds-and-science SCRIBBLER’S SOCIETY VIRTUAL WRITING CLUB Discuss writing, share your work and find inspiration with fellow writers. All ages. March 14-Oct. 24, every second and fourth Monday at 3 pm. Free. cdalibrary.org JULIE MEIER WRITER’S COMPETITION Entries for the 33rd annual writer’s competition are due March 31, noon. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org/events/writerscompetition/ (208-769-2315) KATE QUINN: THE DIAMOND EYE A virtual book release celebration for The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. See website for VIP details. March 31, 4-5 pm. Free. auntiesbooks.com EASTERN WA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY SEMINAR Richard Sola lectures about the creation of the Inland Empire and the people who populate it. Susan Dechant teaches about Grand Coulee Dam and the impact it’s had on the region. April 2, 9 am-2:30 pm. $25-$35. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. ewgsi. org/index.php (509-444-5390) n

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My wife and I got married eight months ago. Whatever I suggest for the apartment — a paint color, a bathroom fixture — my wife immediately dismisses. For example, the living room couch she wanted was too huge for the space: a really awkward, uncomfortable fit. She kept ignoring objective facts about spatial relations — even after I pulled out a measuring tape and drew a schematic of the room. It occurred to me that her wanting it her way and ignoring my ideas are patterns in our relationship. This feels pretty bad. —The Husband

There are those of us with special abilities in certain areas. Personally, I have a multi-decade track record in two areas: as a writer and as an automotive moron. (Lift your hood and I’ll identify all the parts: “There’s that round thingie and a bunch of intestine-esque tube-y thingies...”) Hiring me to write something (ideally for dump trucks of money) suggests you have fabulous taste and superior intelligence. Hiring me to fix your car suggests you lack the mental firepower to pick your nose without assistance. Men and women, in general, have different spatial abilities — in line with the sexual divisions of labor in the ancestral hunter-gatherer world: male hunters tracking and killing animals and female gatherers doing the “grocery shopping” 2 million-ish years before grocery stores. Psychologists Irwin Silverman and Marion Eals find that women, across cultures, are vastly better than men — even 60 or 70% better — at “object location.” This is the ability to remember an array of objects in a setting, as well as their placement (relative to the other objects) — basically by pulling up a mental snapshot: “Those nice berries by the cliff; poison ivy near the river — by the dead tree where I found those yummo beetle appetizers.” Men, on the other hand, are significantly better at “mental rotation”: turning a 3-D object around in their mind and predicting how the object would fit in a certain space — or hurtle through it. This skill allows the outfielder to catch the pop fly, but for Joe Loincloth, being ace at aiming his spear meant his family might dine on wildebeest mignon instead of mealymouthed excuses. Granted, your wife — like most people — is probably not clued in to the wonders of evolved sex differences in spatial ability. However, you mention that her unwillingness to listen to you is a pattern in various areas of your relationship. And that’s a major problem. Being ignored — especially by those who matter most to us — takes a bite out of our dignity. Contrast that with somebody giving us their attention — theirfull attention (meaning listening like we’re about to tip them off on tomorrow’s winning lotto numbers). They’re telling us they respect us. Whatever we have to say is important for them to hear. That kind of listening doesn’t just come from the ears. Psychologist Carl Rogers, who used it with his therapy clients, described it as “active listening” and explained: “I hear the words, the thoughts, the feeling tones, the personal meaning, even the meaning that is below the conscious intent of the speaker.” Listening deeply like this starts with setting aside the impulse to “win” — to hammer another person with what you believe. Admittedly, that can be a highly successful tactic — if you’re looking to persuade someone to bolt themselves even more tightly to their position. Listening is a vital element of a healthy relationship — one in which spouses accept each other’s “influence,” explains marriage researcher John Gottman. This means each spouse makes the other a “partner” in their decision-making: respecting and honoring them and their opinions and feelings. For a marriage to thrive, spouses have to “share the driver’s seat.” For your marriage to have a chance at thriving, your wife needs to see the benefit in acting as a “we” instead of pressing forward as a “me” (with a large piece of husband-shaped luggage). The direct approach — telling her she needs to change — is likely to be a fail, coming off as a threat to her getting her way and thus triggering not change but rebellion. Instead, tell her how you feel. (For example: hurt, disrespected, and embarrassed that your opinions seem of no interest to her.) This should evoke her empathy — meaning make her feel bad that you feel bad — which could motivate her to take steps to change (which, by the way, would involve time, practice, and setbacks). Ultimately, she knows being a marital bully is way out of line — assuming her wedding vows didn’t include: “I promise to love, honor, support, blah, blah, blah — uh, providing my husband shuts his complainy yap about having to scale the Couch Alps whenever he wants to grab a beer out of the fridge.” n ©2022, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. • Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405 or email AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)

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MARCH 24, 2022 INLANDER 151

CRIME

Deadly Turn Washington sees a rash of fatal dispensary robberies as cannabisrelated banking reforms languish BY WILL MAUPIN

annabis retailers have been dealing with an increasing number of robberies in recent months, and last week saw multiple such incidents take a deadly turn. Three separate robbery-related fatalities were reported on the west side over a four-day span. Two of the three killed were suspects in attempted armed robberies, while the third was a dispensary employee. These deaths come as dispensaries around the state have been dealing with a surge in crime targeting their businesses. Last month, the Washington Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 5927, which would add a year to the sentence of anyone convicted of first or second-degree robbery of a cannabis retailer. The bill was introduced in January, as the wave of robberies was growing. However,

Keeping cannabis a largely cash-only business comes with obvious risks. it did not make it through the House before the annual legislative session ended on March 10. In the days after the bill was introduced, Seattle’s KING-TV reported that there had been more than 30 incidents of violent crimes targeting dispensaries in Washington between November and January. The first deadly robbery last week took place at a Bellevue dispensary on Wednesday, March 16. Three suspects fled, and police tracked them to a neighborhood in south Seattle. Two of the three surrendered but a third engaged in a standoff. Seattle police say that suspect opened fire on law enforcement, who then returned fire, killing the suspect. A day later in Covington, a suburb southwest of Seattle, an armed suspect attempted to rob the Euphorium dispensary and took an employee hostage. The suspect was fatally shot by the dispensary’s armed security guard.

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Employing armed security guards at dispensaries is recommended by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis board. Then on Sunday, an employee at World of Weed in Tacoma was shot and killed by an assailant during an armed robbery, according to the Tacoma Police Department. In the days following the fatal armed robberies, the Washington State Treasurer’s Office has been increasing its calls for cannabis banking reforms, which at the federal level have repeatedly stalled out in Congress. Because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, and federal banking reforms have not been enacted, many financial institutions are wary of getting involved with the industry. As a result, experts believe dispensaries are being targeted by criminals in large part due to their cashdependent business model. n

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