t’s been well over a decade since I was trekking uphill almost every day from Greek Row to Washington State University’s Pullman campus. There’s plenty I don’t miss about being a student — cram study sessions, writing way too many papers, and even the occasional bouts of homesickness. On the flip side, looking back at that time with a haze of nostalgia, the fun and freedom of college paired with the future’s uncertainty was unmatched; it’s something I’ll never experience again. Yet there are also many things I wish I knew back then as I was about to depart this comparably carefree undergraduate life for the “real world.”
Even though life tends to teach some of its most valuable lessons handson, we hope there’s still valuable insight imparted to 2025’s GRADUATES in this week’s issue, our small way of saying “congrats” for all the hard work and dedication it took to get here. As this year’s fresh batch of grads embark further along their life path to success and happiness, I say: You’ve got this!
— CHEY SCOTT, Editor
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
JEFF GROSS
It’s all gonna work out.
Did it all work out for you? After a couple of tries, yes!
SORREN LINDAMAN
You have the power to change who you are. Hang in there and stop being so dramatic.
KAYLEEN GEIGER
Be patient and always look forward to the future. Don’t get stuck and don’t let pain take over. Accept the things in your life and move forward with them.
THERESA SANDERS
Nose to the grindstone. I did that when I was younger.
And did it work out for you? It did!
CHARLIE GOOCH
Pay attention.
That’s good advice for everyone, I think. I wish I would’ve taken that advice when I was younger.
4/28/2025, ROCKET BAKERY (DOWNTOWN) INTERVIEWS BY MADISON PEARSON
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March 30-May 30
$500,000 Doctor’s Day Match Challenge
Thanks to Ace Hardware, donations to the Follow Your Heart campaign will go twice as far!
Follow Your Heart is an ambitious fundraising campaign to modernize Providence Heart Institute – the region’s premier cardiothoracic center.
The Ace Hardware match will kick off on Doctor’s Day to celebrate our amazing physicians and care teams.
Every donation, up to $500,000, will be matched dollar for dollar!
providence.org/INWAheart
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COMMENT | FIVE YEARS AFTER
Lockdown Hopes, Lockdown Dreams
Looking back on that first COVID spring and marking how far we have grown
BY TARA KARR ROBERTS
Five years and one month ago, I wrote my first column for this newspaper, a few weeks into the COVID lockdown.
Like most people, I was bewildered and exhausted. I was checking case numbers, stocking up on canned goods and disinfecting every light switch in my house at 11:15 every night, just because it felt like something I could control.
More than anything, I was worried about my kids. Henry was 11, Danny was 8. I’d pictured them entering an idyllic time of independence and adventure, and that vision was rapidly — and bizarrely — gone. As the loudest among my many loud thoughts, that worry was what I wrote about when the Inlander invited me to contribute to a series of early pandemic reflections from local writers (all of which are startling and beautiful to revisit). I tried to be honest about my grief, about the impossibility of parenting two little boys through an impossible time.
At the dawn of COVID in late March 2020, Lewis and Clark High School students shared their resolve. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
“This isn’t the spring I wanted for my kids. Nobody, obviously, wanted this,” I wrote. “But it’s what we’ve got. This is our spring.”
My mind has gone back to that first line so many times in the past five years, rewording and reapplying it again and again.
This isn’t the summer I wanted for my kids. This isn’t the school year I wanted. Not the election I wanted, not the environment I wanted, not the country I wanted. This isn’t the world I wanted for my kids. It’s a little silly how repeatedly I’ve had to realize that all times are impossible times.
Today, my two bright-eyed little boys are gangly teenagers with square jaws and opinions about everything along with their wildly creative minds and an absolute inability to fold their own socks. They are brilliant beings.
When I think about our pandemic spring, I’m still sad for what they lost, and I can see how that loss still ripples through them. But I also see how it deepened their compassion and their understanding that the story is not, in fact, all about them.
When I look into the future, that’s what I hope they remember most.
Five years and one month from today, my two gangly teenagers are going to be adults. (It shocks me just to type that.) Henry will be 21, and Danny will be graduating from high school.
It’s a damn safe bet that times are still going to be impossible. This imperfect world is still going to be full of imperfect people (my two brilliant beings included), unpredictable events, bewilderment and exhaustion and grief. It will not be the world I want for my kids.
“…all times are impossible times.”
I’m still realizing, slow-realizer that I am, that the real question is what kind of kids I want to give to the world.
That’s why I want them to remember what they learned during those months of lost independence early in the pandemic: Interdependence matters more. They’re part of an inextricably connected web of humans and organisms and landscapes, and their actions matter.
They’re going to be told otherwise, especially because they happened to be born white American boys. They’re going to be offered power at the expense of others. They’re going to be urged not to care so much, to believe that empathy and compassion are for the foolish and weak. They’re going to be told the story is all about them.
I worry about that. (I guess a mother always has to worry about something.) But I see, too, how they’re already taking the things they’ve learned and going in another direction.
At a pro-democracy rally a few weeks ago, Henry volunteered to lead half the march, carrying the flag of Idaho.
After a legislative session full of fear and derision and discrimination, he’d be justified to say this is not the state I want and walk away. Instead, he stood on a rock in the ice-cold rain and waved the flag, because he believes he can be part of making this state better.
That’s what I want for my kids. I want them to look at the world, see its brokenness, and love it anyway. I want them to love it so much, they’re willing to fight and work and care.
I want them to know this is the only world we’ve got, and it’s not just theirs. It’s ours. n
Tara Karr Roberts is a writer who lives in Moscow with her husband and sons. Her novel Wild and Distant Seas was published in January. Follow her on Bluesky and Instagram @tarabethidaho.
The Runge Bunch
A Spokane officer talks to members of Spokane’s Human Rights Commission and Police Ombuds Commission about how the SWAT team stays separated from suspects.
FORCE ≠ DE-ESCALATION
Spokane’s new police chief is reimagining ‘use of force’ review boards, with input from the Office of Police Ombuds
BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM
On March 4, 2024, a woman stepped off the sidewalk and onto Sixth Avenue in the Cliff/Cannon neighborhood.
According to a report filed by Spokane’s Office of Police Ombuds later that year, the woman said she was smoking a cigarette and wanted to avoid walking too close to a group of children on the sidewalk.
A Spokane police officer happened to be driving down Sixth Avenue toward Oak Street at the same time. The officer stopped his patrol car to engage the woman.
The interaction that ensued resulted in the officer picking the woman up by her waistband and slamming her body onto the pavement. The impact broke the woman’s elbow.
The review that followed revealed disagreement between Spokane Police Department trainers, reviewers
and administrators on not only whether this use of force was within policy, but whether it was ideal.
A defense tactics trainer on the review board said the officer’s actions were completely in line with police training. New Police Chief Kevin Hall disagreed. His leadership team mandated retraining for the officer. Public records requested by the Inlander revealed that the officer involved in the March 4 incident was also involved in an incident in May 2024 where he punched a juvenile in the face.
But the Office of Police Ombuds, a civilian oversight team, didn’t pursue either incident as individual misbehavior. Instead, they hammered on the ongoing mishandling of police oversight.
In a closing report this January, the ombuds office gave many recommendations aimed at combating a culture of permissibility and a lack of consistent guidance for
use of force review boards.
And so far, the requests have been heard.
The accountability office has essentially no power to force any kind of change within the Spokane Police Department. Police chiefs can either take or leave their suggestions. But Police Ombuds Bart Logue and Deputy Ombuds Luvimae Omana say that Hall has initiated more changes in response to their recommendations than they’ve ever experienced over the past decade.
“I’ve seen more change in the last four months than the entire time I’ve been here,” Omana says.
In the eight months he’s been on the job, Hall has already clarified policy around use of force and de-escalation. During a previous review board, one reviewer said that anything “up to lethal force can be de-escalation.”
...continued on page 10
“FORCE ≠ DE-ESCALATION,” CONTINUED...
As of early 2025, it’s officially in writing that any use of force is never considered a de-escalation tactic.
Hall is also reconsidering what reviewable uses of force are, so that more cases are reviewed by the chain of command.
Plus, when a promotion opened the spot a few months ago, the chief’s team assigned Spokane Police Lt. Sean Wheeler — who has a longstanding, collaborative relationship with the ombuds office and deep experience in Internal Affairs — to take charge of the Spokane police training academy.
“There was an opportunity to take my knowledge and my relationship with the ombuds and plug that into training,” Wheeler says. “I mean, we can talk about all the things that we want the officers to do better, but we have to provide them that training.”
In his new role, Wheeler also chairs the use of force review boards. He’s able to guide them with deep knowledge of the chief’s philosophies around force and de-escalation, with heavy input from the ombuds.
“I’ve not seen this quick of a response to our recommendations in the past,” Logue says. “At the end of the day, the police department has to buy in, and they did.”
Hall says the Office of Police Ombuds has considerable sway with him, even if they don’t always agree.
“They have a lot of influence over me, because I respect them as partners,” Hall says. “We’re very much aligned on what we want to accomplish here. We both want the most professional, respected police department in the Pacific Northwest.”
For Logue, the chief’s immediate action and continued willingness to listen is a welcome change — and he hopes it lasts.
“He’s bringing his ear to us,” Logue says. “It’s new and it’s good. For now.”
CHAIN OF COMMAND
Every use of force triggers some sort of review. Officers write reports after every interaction they have with the public, which immediately go to a supervisor.
But any incident that causes injury triggers a review up the entire chain of command. It ends up with the chief or his designee, usually an assistant chief, who decides whether the incident was within policy and if any discipline needs to take place.
At that point, it also goes before a use of force review board, which is made up of eight to 10 senior officers and a representative from the ombuds office (usually Omana). But since any disciplinary action is already decided without input from the review board, Omana has asked for years what the review board even does.
Instead of asking whether force was in line with policy, Omana has been pushing for the board to ask broader questions like “Was this use of force ideal?” and “Was there something else that could have been better?”
Wheeler, who now chairs the use of force review board, agrees.
“We can be justified in our actions, but if we could take a step back, why not?” Wheeler says. “The end goal is, if we can end this without any force, that’s the ideal situation.”
When reviewing a use of force, officers should consider factors like imminent danger, the reason for the arrest, and how much force is necessary to overcome resistance.
During the March 4 incident, the subject was resist-
ing arrest by trying to wriggle her hands away from handcuffs while she was pinned to the hood of the police car. She said repeatedly that she didn’t know why she was being arrested.
The officer later told the subject’s boyfriend that he was citing the woman for pedestrian interference. It wasn’t until after she was in cuffs and the officer learned the subject’s name and ran it through dispatch that he found out the woman had a felony warrant for trafficking.
Omana questioned whether the reason for the arrest and the amount of resistance merited a hard take down. She also questioned inconsistencies in the officer’s report, which described his actions as “guided to the ground,” while the Office of Police Ombuds maintains that in a witness’s cellphone video footage “it looks more like a wrestling take down.”
Reviewers also made a debatable distinction that “the suspect landed on the roadway, which is what caused the
K9 unit bites are reviewable uses of force. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
injury. The mechanics of the take down did not cause the injury.” Omana asked why the officer didn’t move the subject to a patch of grass a few steps away.
After the incident, Hall started considering a change to department policy so that all hard takedowns would trigger a chain of command review, regardless of whether the victim was significantly injured.
Omana says multiple reviewers showed general disdain for the administration’s decision that the incident violated policy. It started an “impassioned discussion,” Omana says, even though the chief’s decision brought up the same questions Omana had asked for years.
“For a long time, I felt like I was the only person on this soapbox about, ‘What is de-escalation?’” Omana says. “No interaction that I’ve ever had with these people led me to believe they would take anything I had to say seriously.”
Under Hall’s leadership, the officers on the review boards have changed. Critical analysis is being encouraged, not squashed. Hall’s willingness to listen has ended what Omana describes as years of feeling “gaslit.”
“There’s just this thing in policing where it’s like you have to be a cop for them to really respect your position,” Omana says. “All of these changes are because that is what is being communicated from the chief down.”
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
According to data from the Spokane Police Department, incidents that involve non-deadly uses of force by police officers are rare. In 2023, 85 of 107,567 interactions with the public involved a use of force — that’s just .07% of contacts. In 2024, it was up to .09% — still less than one-tenth of a percent.
These numbers are on the first slide of Spokane Police Capt. Jake Jensen’s de-escalation presentation. He usually presents it to officers, but on Friday, April 18, Jensen presented it to members of the Police Ombuds Commission and the Human Rights Commission. The police department invited both organizations to the police academy to talk about officer training.
After offering everyone donuts, Jensen went over the state codes that define the dozen or so complicated factors that could make use of force “objectively reasonable.” In a high intensity moment, an officer’s split-second decision-making “comes down to how good your training is,” Jensen said.
De-escalation tactics are supposed to slow an interaction. They’re defined by state law as “actions used by a peace officer that are intended to minimize the likelihood of the need to use force during an incident.”
Then, in red underlined font on one of his slides: “Using physical force is not a de-escalation tactic.”
Hall and his staff wrote the policy clarification in response to community outcry after the ombuds report revealed that a reviewer said anything up to deadly force could be considered de-escalation, Jensen said.
It’s proof that the department is listening to the community, but it’s not a major shift in policing mindset — most police officers know that force isn’t de-escalation, Jensen said. What the reviewer was trying to get at, Jensen said, is that using less force is better than using more force — that is, using a takedown is better than using a taser, and using a taser is better than using bullets.
The reviewer used the term “de-escalation” sloppily, Jensen said, and it prompted a clarifying discussion of the difference between de-escalation tactics and lower uses of force.
But sloppiness is exactly the kind of fat that Hall wants to trim from his police department. When it comes to implementing policy and cultural changes, Hall says he’s pushing for improvement, not punishment.
Ready for your Next Adventure?
“There’s always been this conversation or question about is it misconduct or is it a mistake?” he says. “I like to add a third one in there — is it mediocrity? Is it just mediocre performance that we need to address? That’s what I’m trying to push to the supervisors. A lot of these are preventable if we just have those conversations, have those coaching moments, and say we could have handled this a little bit better.” n
elizab@inlander.com
International Invite
Spokane pitches a unique experience as
a
2026
World Cup fan zone and team base camp
BY VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ
Imagine you see soccer legends like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé practicing a bicycle kick with their teammates from the Argentina or France national teams. But you’re not watching television, you’re seeing it live on the soccer field at Gonzaga University as the team prepares for the World Cup.
That once-in-a-lifetime experience is what Washington legislators, the city of Spokane, Visit Spokane and Spokane Sports are hoping Spokanites can experience as the city has been selected to host a team base camp for one of the teams. National soccer teams will use team base camps in the months leading up to the World Cup and during the group phase as a primary location for training, rest and preparing for their matches.
Spokane is also slated to serve as one of nine fan zone sites across the state, featuring large screens to watch matches streamed live and acting as a local hub for the FIFA World Cup.
Visit Spokane is helping market the fan zone, working with Seattle’s World Cup organizing committee, which selected the city as a fan destination. Visit Spokane CEO Rose Noble says the fan zone will be geared toward locals in the region.
At the heart of downtown Spokane, Riverfront Park is the ideal spot for people to enjoy the park, as well as watch the matches and purchase official merchandise without heading to Seattle, Noble says.
“Riverfront Park makes perfect sense, and we have the infrastructure to support a large viewing party, and being designated an official fan zone means we get all of the official branding and merchandise for FIFA,” Noble says. “We envision it being a very welcoming, inclusive,
vibrant space that has large screens to watch some of the key games with the branding that no one else will have anywhere on the east side.”
Spokane Sports will handle the fan zone operations.
The organization’s CEO Ashley Blake says via email that Spokane has always been a sports town, and the FIFA fan zone will be a great chance to curate lasting memories.
In March, Spokane Sports created fan sites for travelers and locals to enjoy during the Women’s March Madness games. They’ll be able to build on that work to create unique experiences in Spokane during the World Cup.
“Spokane Sports is proud to work alongside partners across the region to deliver a memorable fan zone,” Blake writes. “Our organization has a rich history in event execution, and we’re looking forward to building an electric atmosphere.”
Currently on Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk is House Bill 1515, which will allow local governments to ask the Liquor and Cannabis Board to approve expanded outdoor alcohol service on civic campuses, such as parks, for liquor licensees within their jurisdiction.
The bill was designed for fan zone sites like Spokane, and Seattle, which is a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bill, if signed by Ferguson, would allow the Gesa Credit Union Pavilion to serve alcoholic beverages outside of a confined, age-restricted beer garden, with up to 100 acres of space to maximize mobility for event guests and families. It will allow Washington cities with a population over 220,000 to produce up to 25 expanded alcohol service events a year until December 2027.
For Mayor Lisa Brown, it’s a natural evolution of
what can be done in Spokane, with places like Brick West already offering a large outdoor area for families to enjoy live music, drinks and food.
“The ability for people to come, for adults to have alcohol, and for kids to play is something we already have going on in Spokane,” Brown says. “I go to Brick West every year when my son plays music on the stage. I’ve got my little grandson there, and I just think it’s something we’ve already shown we can do.”
TEAM BASE CAMP
In Olympia, despite a tough biennial budget cycle, legislators also included $100,000 in the state capital budget to make improvements at Gonzaga University’s practice field so it can host the team base camp.
Alexander Scott, city administrator for Spokane, says all the qualifying national teams need to make their base camp selections by March 2026. He says that national teams may already be scouting without the city knowing.
Currently, the three host countries including Mexico, the United States and Canada, qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina have qualified as well. Other qualifying countries are expected to be determined by the fall.
For Scott, a dream scenario would be to host one of the nations with a Spokane sister city, such as Japan, South Korea, Italy or Ireland.
Scott says FIFA had to do a lot of back-and-forth with Gonzaga about their practice field, also known as a pitch. The international soccer organization has strict requirements for their pitches to have natural grass with a synthetic stitched base.
“FIFA technical crews were out here looking at the Gonzaga pitch and signing off on that,” Scott says.
Looking at past World Cups, Scott believes that there would be some collaboration for event planning between the national team that opts to stay here and the city. There will be opportunities to watch practices or youth clinics.
“The public would possibly be invited to attend an open practice, or they might put on clinics for youth,” Scott says. “For the most part, they’re going to be very much going about their business and getting ready for the World Cup.”
FIFA ruled out using university dormitories for teams to stay in while they practice during the months ahead of the World Cup, and when they’re not competing in one of the host cities, Scott says.
The official FIFA website lists Northern Quest Resort & Casino as the official hotel partner for a potential team stay in Spokane.
Brown says she’s looking forward to experiencing the fan zone sites and for people not from the region to experience all that Spokane has to offer. She says that even with the current issues around immigration, Spokane can be a connector of different cultures and languages united through soccer.
“Soccer — there’s just something about it as an international sport that I think connects us to the world in a positive way, and I think we need that right now,” Brown says.
The Seattle FIFA World Cup organizing committee is excited to have Spokane on board.
“Spokane’s fan zone is an incredible opportunity to bring the energy of the FIFA World Cup to Eastern Washington,” says Hana Tadesse, vice president of communications for Seattle’s FIFA World Cup committee. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring the celebration of soccer to everyone across the state — and especially in Spokane, the beating heart of soccer in the Inland Northwest.” n victorc@inlander.com
While Spokane soccer fans can catch the Velocity or Zephyr at ONE Spokane Stadium, international players could practice at Gonzaga next year. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
Funding Found
Maddie’s Place gets $2M to stay open. Plus, Washington passes annual rent caps; and political events will draw many in Spokane this week
Over the weekend, Washington lawmakers allocated millions of dollars from the state’s opioid abatement account — funded by settlements with companies that contributed to the opioid crisis — to help provide treatment options around the state. Maddie’s Place, a recovery nursery in Spokane that helps treat babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their parents, received $2 million from the opioid settlement funding in the state’s biennial budget, which passed on April 27. The hope is the one-time allocation will provide leeway for the nonprofit, which was at risk of closing, to secure more stable funding. Maddie’s Place President and CEO Shaun Cross thanked state Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, for his support in obtaining the funding. “[Sen.] Riccelli has allowed us to keep our doors open through the summer of 2026,” Cross said in a press release. “No stone will be unturned in our efforts to obtain a permanent solution to our funding. We’re seeing so many lives changed by our services at a cost substantially below the current model of care.” In a statement, Gov. Bob Ferguson noted he plans to review the budget “line by line over the next few weeks” and then decide what to sign or veto. (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)
STABLE HOMES
Nearly 40% of Washingtonians are renters. More than half of them are “rent burdened,” meaning that they spend more than a third of their income to pay for housing. The state is in dire need of more affordable housing, and the state Department of Commerce estimates that 1 million more housing units are needed in the next two decades to meet housing demands for all income levels. To provide relief from rising housing costs, the Washington Legislature passed a rent stabilization bill limiting annual rent increases for older rental units and manufactured homes. For rentals built more than 12 years ago, the bill limits annual rent increases to 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less. The limit for manufactured homes is 5%. There is no limit on rent increases for newer apartments or affordable housing managed by nonprofits. The bill awaits a final signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson. (ELIZA BILLINGHAM)
POLITICAL EVENTS
Latinos en Spokane is organizing the annual May Day March on Thursday, May 1, at 5 pm in Riverfront Park, near the clock tower. The march is to commemorate the struggles and achievements of labor movements. The organization calls on the community to show solidarity with essential immigrant workers. “We reject the criminalization of immigrant essential workers and call on labor unions, faith leaders, and community members to take a stand and march with us.” The next day, the annual Spokane County GOP Lincoln Day dinner takes place on Friday, May 2, at 5 pm at the Spokane Convention Center. The keynote speaker for the sold-out event is InfoWars host Owen Shroyer, who attended the Stop the Steal rally and pleaded guilty to illegally entering a restricted area for standing on the Capitol steps during the Jan. 6 riot. Olivia Krolczyk will also speak. She has made headlines on conservative media for her role as an ambassador for the Riley Gaines Center, which promotes anti-trans policies. (VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)
Maddie’s Place CEO Shaun Cross is relieved by the state budget. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
Politicizing the Water District?
Nonpartisan and historically quiet races in Idaho’s May election are contested this year
BY COLTON RASANEN
For the first time in its half-century existence, a spot on the Greenferry Water & Sewer District Board of Directors in North Idaho is a contested race this election.
There are 15 of these small water districts in Kootenai County that provide water and sometimes sewer services to folks who live outside city boundaries. Just like school districts have a school board, water districts must have an elected board overseeing and guiding their actions — three districts have board seats on the May ballot.
The Greenferry Water & Sewer District has two wells and serves about 1,000 people south of Post Falls and the Spokane River. Though the Greenferry district was created in 1975, there has never been a contested election to fill a spot on its board — until now.
Between May 5, when early voting begins, and the
May 20 election, voters in the Greenferry district will choose between incumbent board member Carol Rassier and Angelo Brunson, the owner of Angelo’s Ristorante. Kootenai County Elections Manager Asa Gray says turnout in these midseason, odd-year elections is generally between 20% and 30% of registered voters. With the ballot full of nonpartisan, often uncontested races for positions on water and highway districts, he says it’s not odd that these elections have low turnout. Voter fatigue could also be a factor.
“It’s easy to pass them by, we just had a presidential election that had the highest turnout ever,” Gray explains. “Now, [voters] are trying to get to day-to-day life.” Rassier, currently the board’s chair, first joined the board nine years ago when it was in a bad position, she says.
Chris Mantegna’s dream of being a marine biologist came true at the UW. As a grad student in aquatic and fishery sciences, she studies how pollutants affect our food chain — and she trains undergrads from communities underrepresented in the marine
“We had a moratorium on adding any additional users because our system was so antiquated that we couldn’t bring anybody else on, and we needed a lot of foresight and also money to bring it up to standard before we could get approval to even add more users,” Rassier says. “We were even concerned that we couldn’t keep the users that we had in the district [connected to] water. I mean, our pumps were like 30 years old, and nobody had ever done maintenance on them.”
Since then, the water district has expanded and most of its aged infrastructure has been updated or replaced. Rassier says if she’s re-elected she hopes to continue that work so the water district can keep up with the explosive population growth that North Idaho has seen in recent years.
Brunson has no experience with the water district, and this is his first time running for an elected position. He says somebody with the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, or KCRCC, asked if he would run for the position. So he obliged.
“I’m doing it for civic duties, and you know, accountability,” he says. “I know some of my neighbors have been on the board, so I know it’s kind of hard with the restaurant and catering company to do something like that, but I think it’s pretty low on the totem pole as far as what you have to put into it.”
He says his experience running a restaurant has shown him how to be accountable in a way that the district’s voters deserve. We asked Brunson what his goals are for the water district if he’s elected, but he says he doesn’t have any yet.
“We’ll see how it goes with getting up to speed on what I need to get up on,” he says. “You know, sometimes it takes a little while, believe it or not, to figure out what’s going on with everything. Primarily I was just doing it be-
cause [the KCRCC] asked and I’m part of that neighborhood.”
The KCRCC endorsed Brunson for the nonpartisan position. Though the party asked him to run, even Brunson says he’s not sure why he was endorsed over the incumbent.
“The person I’m running against knows so much more than I do, she’s so much more qualified,” he says.
John Austin, Greenferry’s district manager, says he doesn’t know why the KCRCC chose to endorse candidates in a nonpartisan race — especially when he feels that the current directors have been making a lot of progress.
“I’m not sure why the Republican Central Committee is supporting [challengers] over the incumbents, who I believe have done a really good job over the years,” Austin says. “I’ve been involved with the district here for over 22 years, so I’ve seen the district grow from a couple hundred [water] hookups to almost 400, and along the way we upgraded our 50-year-old infrastructure because of our board.”
KCRCC Chairman Brent Regan says Rassier was invited but did not participate in the party’s recommendation process. To get the party’s recommendation, candidates need to receive more than half the votes of the committee members at that meeting. While those who don’t participate are still considered, “if we don’t have a lot of information on ’em it’s difficult for people to make a decision about them,” Regan says.
As for weighing in on a nonpartisan race?
“There’s really no such thing as nonpartisan races,” Regan says.
Rassier is concerned about her opponent’s lack of experience.
“We’re really worried about this election, because of what’s going to happen going forward in our district,” Rassier says. “I haven’t got a clue how to win this. I don’t. I just always have been on the board and worked toward these goals that we set, so this is very new for me.” n
A RHYME OF PASSAGE
Mt. Spokane High School senior Sydney Frost heads to Poetry Out Loud nationals in Washington, D.C.
BY MADISON PEARSON
Sydney Frost recites Siren Song by Margaret Atwood with ease.
With minute hand movements and calculated inflection, her performance of the poem lasts no longer than two minutes, but the room is silent, listening expectantly.
“Shall I tell you the secret?” She says it quietly with a soft smile. Her hands flare out from her sides. And if I do,” her voice rises slightly. “Will you get me out of this bird suit?!”
A serious look overcomes her, and a furrowed brow accompanies this newfound direct tone. She finishes the poem and, amid cheers from the crowd, dons a smile as she exits the Tacoma Little Theatre stage.
Hours later, the senior from Mt. Spokane High School is crowned the state champion of Poetry Out Loud, an annual poetry recitation competition. Rising to the top from a field of over 8,000 students from 37 schools across Washington, Frost landed a ticket to the
Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C., held May 6-7.
“It was so emotional,” Frost says. “It was really hard because everybody there deserves to be there. I genuinely felt like everyone who participated deserved to win that day, but I am very grateful that I won.”
Frost has made it to Poetry Out Loud’s statewide competition all four years she has competed. Her best finish, until this year, had been runner-up in 2024.
Frost’s poems included the aforementioned Siren Song by Margaret Atwood, There are no kings in America by Aileen Cassinetto and No, I wasn’t meant to love and be loved by Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, translated by Vijay Seshadri — the latter is the poem she recited to secure the 2025 state title.
WATCH SYDNEY FROST PERFORM AT NATIONALS
May 6-7, streaming at poetryoutloud.org
“I’m usually very timid and shy,” she says. “Getting up in front of people makes me completely terrified.”
Each student must have three poems prepared for state: two that they’re guaranteed to recite in competition, and one they’ll be asked to read if they advance to the final round.
No, I wasn’t meant to love and be loved laments on the state of perpetually waiting on someone who will never be theirs. There are no kings in America was written in 2019 and is a commentary on immigration.
Out of the three poems performed by Poetry Out Loud contestants, one must be written prior to the 20th century and another must be 25 lines or fewer. Frost says she chose each poem with intention.
“I find a lot of value in each poem that I read,” Frost says. “So I searched for a very long time. I went through
17-year-old poet Sydney Frost recites a poem at Manito Park.
YOUNG
KWAK PHOTOS
POETRY
Frost competes at Poetry Out Loud’s 2025 nationals May 6-7.
almost every single poem on the Poetry Out Loud website and found ones that I relate to the most, and which I like the best and resonate with.”
Reading her chosen poems is not only a cathartic experience, but one that helps Frost grow personally and creatively.
“[Poetry Out Loud] really helped me with my self-image,” she says. “Just having more confidence in myself. It helps me feed my creativity.”
It’s pure coincidence that Sydney Frost shares a last name with prolific American poet Robert Frost, but she shares a similar love and appreciation for the craft.
“I started writing poetry in my freshman year,” she says. “And then in junior year, I kind of got more into it. I was working with a lot of poetry in AP [Language Arts], and it was so interesting. Nothing is published, but I have a very long Google Doc full of poems.”
Frost is set to graduate from high school in a few short months. She hopes to continue studying English as well as ballet, which she says also has aided her in preparing for the national competition.
Poetry Out Loud describes itself as a “dynamic poetry recitation,” meaning that students aren’t just reciting poems into a microphone while staring at a wall beyond the audience — they’re animatedly performing their prepared works.
“Ballet has really helped me with the little movements in my face,” Frost says. “They’re crucial, even if they don’t seem like it in the beginning.”
As part of her preparation ahead of next week’s national competition, Frost has been meeting with her three poetry coaches: Susan Best, Susan Dunfield and Izze Scourey. All three were, at one point, Frost’s English teachers.
“They’re the greatest,” Frost says. “So sweet, supportive, encouraging and excited for me. We practice during the week together, and I just couldn’t imagine having better coaches.”
The four of them work on things like inflection and movement, to aid Frost in understanding the deeper meaning of the poem she’s reciting.
Frost says that in order to properly incorporate her feelings into the poem, she has to dig deep and think about a lot of things while she’s performing.
“I feel a lot of my emotion in my face,” Frost says. “We practice putting emphasis on certain words and phrases that I feel need it depending on the way the punctuation is in the poem, or my personal interpretation.”
She says one critique she heard most often from Poetry Out Loud judges in the past was that she looked nervous, but, now in her fourth year competing, she looks far from it while reciting the powerful words of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib and Aileen Cassinetto.
“I didn’t know my own potential,” she says. “It’s given me a voice.” n
Crystal Clear
Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular ice skating acrobatics show Crystal performs its final leg in Spokane before retiring
BY HANNAH HIGENS
You’ve heard of Cirque du Soleil’s mesmerizing acrobatic feats: their signature hand-to-hand acrobatics, soaring trapeze displays, and performances interwoven with jumping, spinning, and flipping. Maybe you’ve even seen them yourself.
Now imagine these gravity-defying stunts on ice
For the past eight years, the Canadian entertainment company has been showcasing its talented performers in a one-of-a-kind production that combines the art of acrobatics with the precariousness of ice skating.
Crystal is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd arena show and its very first acrobatic experience on and above the ice. The show first blew audiences away in late 2017 as acrobats seemed to effortlessly fly through the air above the ice on trapeze. It’s still wowing viewers during this year’s grand finale tour, but that’s about to wrap up. Crystal’s very last performance ever before entering the annals of Cirque history takes place inside the Spokane Arena this weekend.
“The show is beautiful,” says Emily McCarthy, an aerial stunt specialist cast in the show’s lead role, a young woman named Crystal. “It combines the beautiful gliding on ice with the incredible acrobatics that Cirque du Soleil stands for.”
In the show’s story, Crystal feels misunderstood and doesn’t fit in with the rest of the world. One day, she runs away to a frozen lake to skate away her frustrations, but the ice breaks beneath her and she falls in. Crystal enters a dreamlike world not unlike Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland where she meets her own reflection. This version of herself helps Crystal unlock her creativity, embrace her true self and eventually leads her back to the real world.
Hailing from Leeds, England, McCarthy was just 16 when she first started working with Cirque du Soleil in 2012 on its show Varekai. By the time she joined the Crystal crew, a creative team had already been working on the show’s vision for over a year. Production on Crystal then began back in April 2017, when Cirque hired 22 ice skaters and 22 acrobats.
“They really needed our help to bring that vision to life,” she says. “It was really awesome for us because they gave us a lot of trust and freedom to put our own ideas and vision into the show. The act that I perform every single night, a lot of my own ideas are in there.”
Although she’s a skilled acrobat, McCarthy had never done hand-to-hand trapeze before joining the Crystal cast. She also had to learn how to ice skate.
Because of its unique melding of two highly specialized athletic endeavors, Crystal’s professional ice skaters had to learn acrobatics, while the acrobats had to learn how to figure skate.
“Learning to skate was quite a challenging process at first,” she says. “Obviously, I had been very used to using my body, and my balance was always quite good, but then putting the blades on my feet and the boots, I really struggled at first to understand how to balance on the ice.”
McCarthy says she and the team were trained by highlevel skating coaches who took safety very seriously. Crystal’s cast also underwent weekly emergency training to ensure they’d be prepared in case something went awry.
When they’re not skating in the show, Crystal’s acrobatic performers wear special shoes with more than 50
small spikes on the bottoms called crampons. The shoes give better grip, allowing performers to move quickly — running, jumping and spinning — on the ice with ease.
“What’s wonderful about Crystal and the ice element is that everything moves so gracefully and fluidly,” McCarthy says. “It’s so fast and exhilarating, and even though it’s had its challenges, it’s been a wonderful object to help elevate the whole level of the show.”
The show itself features seven traditional circus acts, including trapeze, banquine (an acrobatic act in which two or more people on the ground propel a “flyer” into the air), aerial straps, juggling and hand balancing. Crystal also features visual projections, machine-made snow, and a soundtrack blending Cirque’s traditional background music with songs like Sia’s “Chandelier” and Beyoncé’s “Halo.”
“My favorite part of performing with Crystal is actually being able to tell the story,” McCarthy says. “I really get to perform the struggle that she’s been through and let the audience feel the frustration of what she’s been through and how ready she is for the next step.”
As Spokane’s run of Crystal marks the last performances of its current finale tour, it’s spurring some bittersweet feelings for the cast.
“I just feel so lucky to have been part of Crystal’s journey from the beginning until the end,” McCarthy says. “It’s a very special show, and I think when the audiences of Spokane see our show, they’ll really be able to connect with the story and see how much passion has gone into that production.” n
Cirque Du Soleil: Crystal • Thu, May 1-Sat, May 3 at 7 pm, also Sat, May 3 at 3 pm and Sun, May 4 at 1 pm • $38-$157 • All ages • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • spokanearena.com
Cirque performers take to the skies and the ice. OLIVIER BRAJON PHOTO
OUR SYMPHONY, OUR CITY
For its 80th season kicking off this fall, the Spokane Symphony is looking to showcase its versatility and homegrown talent
BY E.J. IANNELLI
With one last Star Wars-themed Pops concert this weekend plus a grand Masterworks finale — “Tales of Hemingway” featuring Northwest Bach Festival impresario and cellist Zuill Bailey on May 10 and 11 — left in its current season, the Spokane Symphony is nevertheless looking ahead to what the next one has in store.
After all, the upcoming season is a nice, round milestone. It marks 80 years since the organization first sprang into existence as the Spokane Philharmonic.
The new season opens in mid-September with the first of the Masterworks series, titled “The Mahlers.”
That concert program builds up to Gustav Mahler’s ambitious and evocative First Symphony, dubbed “Titan” as a nod to a then-famous novel by the German writer Jean Paul. It’s preceded by “Sieben Lieder” (“Seven Songs”) by Mahler’s wife, Alma, and an intermezzo from Alexander Zemlinsky’s opera Es war einmal (Once upon a time).
“If you’re going to end with Mahler One, which is quite a hunk of steak, you’ve got to have more of an appetizer,” says the symphony’s music director, James Lowe. He describes the three composers’ music and their era as “the highest of the High Romantic.”
Lowe also identifies the opener as “one of the two ‘love triangle’ concerts” in the 80th season, the other being February’s Masterworks 6, unambiguously titled “Love Triangle.” That features works by Clara and Robert Schumann as well as Johannes Brahms, a trio whose complex personal relationship has provided rich fodder for biographers and musicologists alike.
In the Mahlers’ case, Alma (née Schindler) was originally engaged to Zemlinsky but broke things off because of his lack of prospects. She instead married Gustav, whose Second Symphony had been a resounding success and who, coincidentally, had conducted the premiere of Es war einmal in 1900.
“One of the first things [Mahler] said to her was, ‘There’s only enough room for one composer in this relationship.’ There’s a great irony in the fact that Zemlinsky was teaching her composition, and then she ended up marrying a man who basically said, ‘No, you can’t compose,’” Lowe explains.
That captures another recurring theme in the 2025-26 season, which is highlighting female composers who were writing original music at a time when it was unconventional.
“We’ve done a lot of contemporary music by female composers in recent seasons,” says Lowe, “but I wanted to dig back a little bit further this year.”
That’s why you’ll find Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s stirring Overture in C major on the Masterworks 7: “Primavera” program in late March 2026 and Grace Williams’ “Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes” in January’s Masterworks 5 lineup.
The latter concert, titled “Stolen Melodies” because of the way it traces composers’ habit of riffing on earlier themes, sees local author Jess Walter presenting “The Inland Northwesterner’s Guide to the Orchestra.”
“Jess and I have become good friends, and recently I
gave him one too many martinis and asked him to do a new version of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34.’ The original narration is very much what I would call the 1930s BBC way of speaking — rather old-fashioned. Knowing Jess, his version will be tongue-in-cheek, a little bit irreverent and quite beautiful.”
The same concert also features the Spokane Symphony Chorale performing J.S. Bach’s “Vor deinen Thron tret’ ich hiermit,” BWV 327 (“Before Thy throne I now appear”).
That will be just one of many joint chorale and orchestra performances next season. Per tradition, they’ll unite for Handel’s exultant “Messiah” at St. John’s Cathedral in November followed by Beethoven’s Ninth on New Year’s Eve. But voice and instrument also join forces under the baton of Shira Samuels-Shragg for the “Music of Harry Potter” Pops concert in late October, then again for Giuseppe Verdi’s epic Requiem in Masterworks 8.
“James and I have been talking about our bucket-list pieces that we want to do together, and this was on that list. Besides the Mozart Requiem, it’s probably one of the most well-known choral-orchestral pieces out there,” chorale director Meg Stohlmann says.
“I don’t think I’ve heard a more powerful piece of music in my life. And with Verdi’s background in opera, you can really hear sort of that influence, like he’s writing for the stage,” she continues.
During the performance of Verdi’s Requiem, Stohlmann advises concertgoers to keep an ear out for the “Dies irae,” an ominous and ancient liturgical motif that crops up throughout the classical repertoire — including in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, which happens to be part of Masterworks 4.
Another part of Masterworks 4’s dance-influenced musical program is Paul Creston’s Fantasy for Trombone, Op. 42. The SSO’s principal trombone, John Church, is the soloist on that roughly 12-minute tour de force.
“This piece rarely gets programmed, and it’s probably the pinnacle of trombone solos. A lot of people don’t think of the trombone as a solo instrument [in classical music] as, like, a violin or piano. And so I feel like it’s an opportunity to definitely show off the trombone and what it’s capable of,” Church says.
He describes certain passages in the three-movement work as “badass” on account of their speed and complicated rhythms. Other passages have “incredibly lush chords” that he says are reminiscent of Ravel’s ballet-like Daphnis et Chloé
Church is just one of three Spokane Symphony musicians who’ll take center stage in the 80th season. For Masterworks 7, Concertmaster Mateusz Wolski steps out in front of the orchestra to solo on the Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21 by French composer Édouard Lalo. And for Masterworks 5, principal violist Nick Carper gets the spotlight on Paul Hindemith’s “Trauermusik” (“Music of Mourning”).
“The slogan this season is, ‘Our symphony, our city,’” Lowe says. “I really want Spokane to feel and understand how lucky we are to have this incredible orchestra. It’s easy to forget that these are the highest-caliber musicians — and they’re right here on our doorstep.” n
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi • Sat, May 3 at 7:30 pm and Sun May 4 at 3 pm • $35.50-$129
Masterworks 9: Tales of Hemingway • Sat, May 10 at 7:30 pm and Sun, May 11 at 3 pm • $24-$83 • Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox • 1001 W. Sprague Ave.
Find the complete 80th season schedule, season tickets and more information at spokanesymphony.org
The Spokane Symphony is almost 80! COURTESY PHOTO
On Your Mark…
Thousands of runners hit the streets this weekend for the 49th Bloomsday road race
BY DORA SCOTT
Moving to Spokane, Riverfront Park was a big draw. When I finally was able to step out of Google Maps and experience downtown and the park firsthand, I remember being struck by “The Joy of Running Together” sculptures by David Govedare commemorating the annual Bloomsday run.
It was my first introduction to the annual 12K race, set to take place this year on Sunday, May 4, and since then it’s come up in many conversations with Spokanites, as well as popped up during thrift store trips as I’ve unearthed plenty of Bloomsday finisher T-shirts.
Though I’ve yet to experience the race firsthand myself, from what I’ve learned it’s a good indicator of what Spokane is all about: community, generosity and a scenic showcase of area landmarks.
Founded by Olympic marathoner Don Kardong, the first race took place on May 1, 1977, with 1,198 finishers. Attendance numbers peaked in 1996 at 61,298 participants. When COVID-19 hit, Bloomsday took place virtually in September 2020, and then again in May 2021.
Michael Kiter, the new board president of the Lilac Bloomsday Association, predicts that there will be around 37,000 participants in this year’s race.
“I was heavily involved in the running community back in the ’90s as a little kid. Bloomsday, at that time, was doing Junior Bloomsday,” Kiter says.
After moving back to Spokane after college, Kiter gradually became more involved with Bloomsday as a volunteer. He was then asked to be on the board, which he’s served on now for 11 years.
This year, he’ll direct Bloomsday’s starting line, which has been shifted about 40 feet west due to a course recertification.
“We recertified the course and due to some road construction that’s happened on the course we had to move the start line,” Kiter says.
He says it’s normal for road race courses to be recertified every few years, making sure that it spans the exact distance.
Another change at the starting area includes a large screen showcasing this year’s elite athletes and information on race sponsors.
On Sunday morning, Riverside Avenue will be packed with runners and walkers separated into different Bloomsday color groups based on their expected pace. Many of them will shed extra layers of clothing worn for the brisk morning, throwing it up into trees to later be collected and donated to a local thrift store.
After passing through Browne’s Addition, these thousands of Bloomies cross Marne Bridge over Latah Creek into West Spokane. There are plenty of water stations, live bands and even some entrepreneurial snack vendors between there and the bottom of the dreaded Doomsday Hill leading back up to West Central.
Doomsday wouldn’t be the same without its iconic vulture waiting at the top to encourage runners, a costume made and worn by Bill Robinson each race for over 30 years. There’s not much farther to go for weary feet once you reach Broadway Avenue and pass the Spokane County Courthouse before turning right toward the finish line at the north end of the Monroe Street Bridge.
Among this year’s elite athletes is Kenya’s Sarah Naibei, who returns after winning Bloomsday’s women’s elite division last year at 39 minutes. Also keep an eye out for former Gonzaga running star James Mwaura, who’s running his first Bloomsday, and Diego Estrada, who broke the American record by running the 2024 25K Amway River Bank Run in Michigan at 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 9 seconds.
While there are athletes vying for glory and prize money, everyone who makes it past the finish line is an official Bloomie and can head to pick up their finisher T-shirt. Check out next week’s edition of the Inlander to learn more about this year’s design.
What sets Bloomsday apart from other major road races is that the bulk of participants are community-based.
“While we do have those that travel … the mainstay is local and community, and we really lean into that,” Kiter says.
He also notes that Bloomsday is the 10th-largest race in the nation.
“Most of the races that are bigger than us are marathons,” Kiter says. “We’re the largest race on the West Coast, and it’s just little ol’ us in Spokane.” n
GET SET — GO!
PRIORITIZE COMFORT
“Use the shoes that you’ve been running or training in. New shoes are going to lead to a whole lot of pain at about mile four or five,” Kiter says.
HYDRATE
“The other big thing is that you should be hydrating like crazy … making sure that you are drinking the right amount of water,” Kiter says.
EAT SMART
“Depending on what color group they are, I really recommend not changing too much of your breakfast habits,” Kiter says. “But if you’re a person that doesn’t eat breakfast, then I would definitely do something like a banana or a bagel, keeping it relatively light [and] giving yourself some energy to be able to use during the run.”
LATE REGISTRATION
While you can’t register the day of the race, you can sign up online or in person at the Spokane Convention Center on Fri, May 2 and Sat, May 3 for $50 (including fees). For the Virtual Bloomsday, online registration remains open until May 4.
CHECK-IN
Pick up your race number at the Spokane Convention Center’s Exhibition Hall, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Pickup is on May 2 (11:30 am-7 pm), May 3 (9 am-5 pm) and May 4 (7:30-9 am).
TRADE SHOW
After you check in or register, check out the trade show in the convention center filled with vendors of all types.
PREPARE ACCORDINGLY
Depending on your objectives, you’ll have needs throughout the race. For instance, if you’re planning to walk with children, Kiter suggests preparing snacks and other necessities.
ARRIVAL
Come to the starting area near 801 W. Riverside Ave., entering from the back of your assigned color group, about 30 minutes before your group’s estimated start time. Check bloomsdayrun.org for more details.
THE WEATHER
At the time of writing, the forecast for May 4 is partly cloudy with a high of around 60 degrees and a slight chance of rain.
Hope for good weather this year! YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Graduating? It only gets harder from here, so consider these cheat codes in order to thrive and keep leveling up
BY INLANDER STAFF AND GUEST
ICONTRIBUTORS
t’s graduation season! All of us here at the Inlander want to express a heartfelt congratulations to all 2025 graduates. What you’ve just accomplished is a feat truly worth celebrating.
Looking back on my own graduation from Washington State University so many years ago, it was a bittersweet moment. A lot in my life was about to change in a very big way, which was exciting but also pretty scary at the time. I was about to part from a core group of friends, the excitement of campus life, and my identity as a full-time student — a 20-plusyear routine that many of us don’t realize is actually pretty dang good until it’s gone.
As students, we focus on learning as much as we can to prepare for careers after college. In and out of the classroom, lab or lecture hall, we also learn a lot about being better people. Yet there are so many things that college doesn’t necessarily prepare you for. With that in mind, we set out to put together this issue, offering more than 100 pieces of unsolicited but helpful advice from our editorial team, and leaders around the Spokane community.
From saving money on DIYs to improving your mental and physical health, making sure to not let those “little” life moments pass by unnoticed and much more, we hope to impart a little bit of wisdom that we wish someone had told us back when we were about to make such a big life transition. You did it! Now go forth and change the world.
— CHEY SCOTT, Inlander Editor
Don’t cheap out on big purchases. When it comes to big, long-term purchases — ranging from beds to cars to TVs — it’s worth investing in quality items. (SETH SOMMERFELD)
Money isn’t everything, so don’t let it get in the way of your goals. Pursue a career that makes you happy above all else.
(COLTON RASANEN)
You may be eager to leave the nest, but remember to still spend time with your family. It’s never guaranteed you’ll have time to connect later. (CHEY SCOTT)
Try new foods, even things you thought you hated as a kid. Our tastes change over time, and you might be surprised. (CS)
When looking for a job, choose one or maybe two nonnegotiables, whether it be salary, values, location, responsibilities, flexibility, benefits or something else. You’re probably going to have to sacrifice other priorities when you take a new job.
(ELIZA BILLINGHAM)
Life advice from…
Strike up conversations with strangers. You might learn something new or gain a new connection or opportunity.
(DORA SCOTT)
Take pictures of everything because sometimes mundane moments become the most special memories.
(MADISON PEARSON)
LISA BROWN, MAYOR OF SPOKANE
To young women: You can have it all, but you can’t always have it all at the same time. There are going to be trade-offs between what you put into your professional life and your personal life, but you do not have to sacrifice one for the other.
4 Your time is as important as your money. How you spend both reflects what you value.
4 Diversify your portfolio: not just with stocks and bonds, but with experiences and perspectives.
Turn off most app notifications. Outside of texts and messaging apps, default to not allowing apps to send home screen notifications to your phone. It will save you the constant barrage of lighting up and buzzing for totally trivial nonsense. (SS)
4 Cultivate physical activity and outdoor time as a daily occurrence, even if it’s a short walk or dancing while you do the dishes.
4 Less screen time and more live music = less anxiety and more happiness.
You can’t love someone else unless you love yourself. It’s OK to be single for a while to figure out who you are and what makes you awesome.
(SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)
Look to thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace when furnishing your home or apartment. Don’t feel rushed to have your place perfect as soon as you move in, take your time decorating it — your wallet will thank you later. (DS)
KEVIN BROCKBANK,
SPOKANE COLLEGES CHANCELLOR
Don’t worry about following a plan. Say “yes” to everything in the quest to collect a lifetime of stories.
Find hobbies that support your lifestyle goals. Want to exercise more? Do something both active and fun. It’s two birds with one stone. (DS)
Playing video games is an expensive pastime, so ensure you’re going to actually spend time on a game or console before you buy it. Compare the cost to the hours you plan to play. Check this gamer math: If you spend 60 hours on a $60 game you’ve effectively paid $1 per hour for it. (CR)
Life advice from… Life advice from…
Maintain separate email accounts. In the digital age I’ve found it very useful to at least have three email accounts: a work email, a private personal email (only given to people you know), and a public personal email (for signing up for email promotions, online shopping, etc.). It’s a way to keep the onslaught of spam in check. (SS)
EVERYONE is insecure. Some people just don’t show it the same way you do. (EB)
Don’t underestimate the value of a self-care day. Stay home and cozy up or recharge your batteries by treating yourself to something you love: a new book, movie marathon, spa treatment, shopping trip or favorite treat. (CS)
Keep a chore chart, even if you live alone. While you may not need help remembering to do the dishes or clean the bathroom, there are some cleaning tasks that can fall through the cracks. You should be washing your bedding and cleaning your floors on a weekly basis. Every few weeks you should deep clean your kitchen appliances — dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator — and dust your home. And more complicated tasks, like cleaning your dryer filter or oven should be done a few times each year. (CR)
Share your location with someone you trust when taking long trips or going to an unfamiliar area. That way someone knows your whereabouts in case of an emergency.
(VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)
When you first move into a rental, be sure to take photos and videos of the space, especially areas of previous damage. Also, save all communication with your property management or landlord, including receipts of rental payments. This evidence can help you get your deposit back when you move out. (DS)
Eat plants! You don’t have to go hardcore vegan. Just try reorienting your approach to meals. How many plants can you include in one entree? Can you include a veggie in every meal? Don’t focus on cutting — focus on adding. Even moderate amounts of fiber and micronutrients are so good for you. (EB)
Invest in cookware and food containers that aren’t plastic. We still don’t know all the potential long-term effects of microplastics. (DS)
KARLI FAIRBANKS,
Buy toilet paper in bulk! It’s cheaper and lets you check that essential off your shopping list for a long time. It’s better to have a lot of toilet paper than to run out. (VCM)
If you can figure out a way to enjoy the things you have to do — washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. — your entire life will be a lot more fun. (EB)
VISUAL ARTIST, SINGER-SONGWRITER, MURALIST
Want to have a career in the arts? Develop a daily creative practice. No matter what art form you want to work in (music, visual, writing, dance, etc.), it will benefit your life deeply. Do something creative every day so that it just becomes a regular part of your routine and way of moving through life. All creative careers require fortitude and fluidity, and I believe a daily routine of expressing yourself is how you build that.
Learn to enjoy the process. Every part, project, and season of life has a beginning and ending. The middle part is the longest so it’s really nice when it becomes the part you look forward to the most.
Challenge yourself to learn (or keep learning) a new language — for real. There are so many tools at our disposal — lots are free or way more affordable than a college-level course — and these days, you can learn at your own pace. Find learning tools that are fun or interesting to stay on track. (CS)
Always opt in to your employersponsored retirement savings plan, and contribute up to the amount they’ll match. (It’s free money!) (CS)
Surround yourself with people who make you genuinely happy. Life is far too short to keep any Debbie Downers around. (MP)
STRETCH! Every time you work out, whether it’s playing a sport like tennis or basketball or just going for runs around town or at the gym, take five to 10 minutes at the end to just do some basic stretching. While young bodies recover quickly, old ones can stiffen up tremendously if you don’t take this easy wellness step. (SS)
Please, please, please wear deodorant when you go out! No one will fault you if you’re a sweaty mess after a night of dancing, but if you show up to the club smelling like a soggy armpit, it’ll negatively impact the experience of those around you. (CR)
Other people don’t think about you that much. It’s pretty freeing. (EB)
Life advice from…
Don’t suppress your emotions, you’ll only have to deal with them later when they’ve festered longer than necessary. If you’re sad, watch a heart-wrenching movie and let out all those tears. If you’re angry, find an empty space and let out the biggest scream you’ve got. (CR)
Buy a small toolbox for easy at-home fixes and maintenance. At the bare minimum you should have an adjustable wrench, a hammer, both Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers, and a tape measure. (CR)
Listen to all those skincare experts and dermatologists saying you should wear sunscreen every day (at least on your face/neck). You won’t notice the cosmetic benefits until many years later, and hopefully you’ll also prevent skin cancer. Find a good facial moisturizer with SPF protection, and you’ll never have to think about it. (CS)
KITTY KLITZKE, SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 3
Find your people. Even if you are an introvert, do not allow yourself to be isolated. If you struggle to be social, find an interest group or hobby where you can stay busy and make connections in a lower-stakes scenario. Everyone needs a few people to talk to and turn to in times of need. Whether you find them crocheting, arguing about movies, hiking or mountain biking, make sure you find them. And if they don’t work out, find others. There is someone out there who is just as interested in that thing as you are and also needs a friend.
You do not need a house or a car to get started in life, in fact they can hold you back from experiences and opportunities. Avoid status spending and economize — but have fun. Find as many ways as possible to economize on housing, transportation, subscriptions and electronics, and use it for experiences that cultivate your most positive interests. Travel and recreation that helps you learn and form connections with people, interest groups, cultures, history and natural systems is invaluable.
Learn to do things yourself. But you don’t have to do it by yourself. Take advantage of community groups, libraries, and other public or nonprofit programs that can give you the training and loan you the tools to get your apartment deposit back, fix your bike, alter your latest vintage haul to fit you perfectly, etc. If you can’t find something locally, there is a whole universe of YouTubers and interest groups on social media that would love to teach you for free.
Remember and use the power of your youth. Humbly making mistakes, receiving the help and guidance you ask for, taking risks, failing and trying again are your birthright. Showing up is 90% of the work. You are entitled to be given space to learn. You don’t have to perform for anyone.
If you have any furry friends, invest in a good vacuum. You wouldn’t believe how much pet hair and dander can get trapped in a carpet in just a few days. Costco usually has great deals on cordless options, but you can find the right fit for you and your space just about anywhere. (CR)
Car window smashed? Headlight burned out? YouTube tutorials, auto parts shops, salvage yards and friends have helped me keep costs low when my car’s been in need. Especially with basic fixes like replacing lightbulbs, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to do on your own. I’ve replaced a backseat window for a quarter of the cost quoted at a major window replacement company, replaced my radiator (OK, this one was tricky…), and even replaced my car stereo. (SW)
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” — Blaise Pascal (EB)
For more serious doctor’s appointments or hospital visits, ask a loved one or friend to go with you
Sometimes it’s hard to remember all the details. It’s invaluable to have someone there to help remember information, advocate for your care, provide emotional support and ask important questions. (DS)
Always exercise your right to vote. In primaries, on local tax or bond initiatives, in state and national legislative races, the presidential election — all of it. (CS)
interests make people, and job candidates, interesting. (EB)
Stay curious about the world around you. (CS)
Read nonfiction books by experts who’ve spent untold hours researching and digging deep into a topic that interests you or that you know little about. You’ll always learn something new about the world. (CS)
It’s OK to be sad. It sucks, but the only way out is through. (EB)
It’s easy to fall into the latest health fad. Do your research before buying products, looking carefully at the ingredients and seeking out trusted expert opinions. (DS)
Alcohol costs a lot — financially, physically and mentally. If you drink, make sure it’s actually what you want. (EB)
Life advice from…
NOREEN HISKEY, CHEF AND CO-OWNER OF INDICANA
If you have a car, make sure to get your oil changed every six months (or sooner if you’re hitting those mileage intervals). Keeping up on routine car maintenance will help your vehicle last longer and hopefully prevent more serious (and expensive) issues down the road. (CS)
Do NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT flush ANYTHING except for toilet paper. Not tampons, not socalled flushable wipes, not medication, nothing but toilet paper should go down the toilet, no matter how new your place is. (SW)
Be patient. Careers are long. (EB)
If you have a “dream job,” ask people who work in that field how they got where they are. You can Google any number of questions about working in the field, but that on-the-ground experience is invaluable and may provide answers you weren’t expecting. (CR)
You can plan and visualize your life and path all you want, but it’s the small opportunities you seize, the wild chances you take (often despite fear, uncertainty and unpreparedness) and the people you surround yourself with daily that truly shape your path.
Niche
Life advice from…
KINGSTON PRESCOTT,
DJ (KOSMOS THE AFRONAUT), TALENT BUYER/ PRODUCTION MANAGER AT THE RED ROOM, BOOKING MANAGER FOR TRVST
Go meet some people that are unlike you. Talk to them in person. Social media strips communication of its humanity. People are often more complex than you think.
Go somewhere you’ve never been. Do it often. Expanding your horizons has a MASSIVE effect on the way you see the world and how you relate to the people in it.
Don’t be afraid to do your own thing. Most people spend a lot of their younger years blending in in many ways, then end up in their 30s undoing all the garbage they learned from that time. Make your own way earlier, it will be what distinguishes you from anyone else.
Keep in mind, YOU WILL FAIL. A LOT. You’ll also learn what works and what doesn’t and start to hone your craft, your art, your work, your personality into who and what you truly want to be. Then you start winning.
Find a hairstylist you like and stick with them if you can. Your hair will thank you for the consistency. (CR)
Going the Extra Mile
For
No-Li, sponsoring Bloomsday
is all about building community pride
As the o cial craft beer sponsor of Bloomsday, No-Li Brewhouse enjoys certain perks. eir logo is featured on the tens of thousands of race bibs that many of the participants keep as mementos.
Avoid in-app purchases, even the small ones. They add up quickly if you’re not careful. (CR)
Use hospital systems’ financial assistance programs if you don’t make too much money. When you run into big unexpected medical bills, there are programs to ease this financial burden. Don’t be too prideful to use them. (SS) Don’t make dating decisions out of fear. You should be with someone because you want to be with them, not because you’re afraid of being alone. (EB)
Life advice from…
JOSH LORENZEN, OWNER OF THE CHAMELEON, CHEF-OWNER OF RÜT BAR & KITCHEN, MUSICIAN
Really focus on building your community and your inner circle Harbor quality, honest relationships that have open communication. What I’m realizing — as I get older and get more involved with business ventures — is that I’m not really capable of doing everything that I want to. My brain will bite off more than I can chew. And the best way to actually get things done and to feel OK in the process is to have people around you who are really in it to win it. You need to develop a core team that allows your capacity to expand. That takes emotional support. It takes brutal honesty and being open-minded about trying to help other people. It’s not that you can’t do it alone — I don’t want to discourage people who feel alone — but there’s so much potential value that can come from working as a team. Try to harbor those relationships, because they tend to yield greater results.
I think people underestimate how much being a “good person” can really get you far in life — just being honest, genuine and compassionate. There’s wins that can be had by service. Doing things for other people sounds corny, but the moments that I say, “You know what, I’m going to go out of my way to make sure that this relationship stays positive by communicating better” or “I’m going to lend a hand here” — they always pay back. And it’s not a one-for-one thing, like “if I do this for you, you’ll do that for me,” but the return on investment in building yourself — particularly in music and food — is very high. You can’t really make it anywhere without the people around you. Treat them with respect.
But for the entire No-Li team that helps make it special each year, it’s much more than a race — just as it is to all the runners and walkers.
“Bloomsday is a community brand that represents a gem in our city and in our region,” says John Bryant, owner of No-Li. “ e opportunity to sponsor Bloomsday is a privilege.
“It’s about what we believe in,” he adds. “Bloomsday has deep meaning to our community. To be a close partner, you have to have a relationship. We’re working 12 months a year behind the scenes, putting time, energy, resources and thought into how to make Bloomsday great.”
You’ll see evidence of that year-round e ort at No-Li’s Bier Hall, the popular gathering spot that hosts the annual Bloomsday kicko celebration.
SQUATCH SEZ!
You’ll also see it on race day at the Monroe Street Bridge, where the brewery’s Bloomsday signage creates a cool photo backdrop for everyone who crosses the nish line.
And it’s at the bustling Bloomsday post-race beer garden that No-Li organizes in cooperation with King Beverage. And you’ll see it in the NoLi × Bloomsday coasters and custom Bloomsday pint glasses that No-Li creates each year.
Bloomsday’s director of sponsorship and communications, Bethany Lueck, says that the No-Li partnership is as personal for her as it is professional.
“When I came to Bloomsday in 2022, I was stepping into a new role. I was feeling very nervous and excited, and when I sat down with John and Jack Bryant, they were just like, ‘What are your goals? Let’s make them happen.’ ey were ready to go above and beyond because they shared our love of Spokane and the Inland Northwest.”
And the region has clearly reciprocated that love for Bloomsday and No-Li over the years. John is quick to point out that the ongoing support from the local community is what helped the brewery grow from its humble beginnings into a top-tier Bloomsday sponsor.
Want to get your hands on one of No-Li’s custom Bloomsday commemorative pint glasses? Stop by the Bier Hall over race weekend (May 3-5), purchase a pint and show your Bloomsday registration. Don’t walk, run! There’s only 1,500 of ’em. Once they’re gone, you’ll have to wait until next year’s race.
“We feel like we’ve been building to this,” he says. “Now we’re in a position to help build a community event that creates more awareness, more engagement and more smiles. And you can only do that if you live here and you’re totally invested in it.”
Take your time in romantic relationships. If you’re confident it’s a lifelong commitment, there’s no need to rush into anything too soon. (CR)
If going to therapy has crossed your mind, try it out! Sometimes taking that step to book an appointment or find a therapist can be hard, but if you find the right person it can be really helpful. (DS)
Life advice from…
Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t go out alone because you’re a woman. It’s how I met all my best friends, because you’re open to talking to new people when you’re out on your own. (SW)
KIMBERLEE MESSINA, SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT
The soon-to-be graduates are too young to appreciate the Rolling Stones, but “you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need” is pretty wise.
It’s never too late to start something new. You will spend most of your life working, so choose something that brings you joy.
When it stops being fun, try something new! But also make sure you have a life that fulfills you outside of work
Don’t let your job be your identity.
Give yourself grace to make mistakes. As long as you learn from them, they are not really mistakes.
Don’t stop pursuing a new hobby because you’re not immediately good at it. Practice makes perfect, and you never know when you could break through. (MP)
My dad always says if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you look good. If you’re feeling down, putting just a little extra effort into picking a nice outfit, or wearing your hair differently for a day, can give you a huge boost of confidence. (SW)
MARY STOVER, YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIALIST
So many of us feel like we have to know all of the answers when we are young adults. We don’t, no one does. Things are about to get super real in your world. You have to know that it is acceptable to ask for help. When someone comes to you with a big personal problem — like suicidal thoughts — simply sitting with them, letting them know that they matter to you, and texting a crisis line together is a great start. [You can text or call the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.]
Mr. Rogers said that anything mentionable is manageable — he was talking about our feelings. Learning to recognize and control your feelings is a huge lesson for every adult. There are no wrong emotions, you just have to learn how to talk about them in a healthy manner. If something overwhelming is happening, don’t keep it to yourself. Your feelings matter, you’re worthy of love and belonging, and help is always available.
Be mindful of how you speak to yourself, no one wants to be insulted or discouraged all day, so talk to yourself like you’d talk to a good friend. Positive self talk helps maintain positive mental health — and positive mental health can change your life. Take such good care of you.
Try to be more mindful about shopping habits. Stop and think before making an “impulsive” purchase. For example, what do you already have in your closet? Could you save yourself some money and be more sustainably minded by shopping secondhand, or focusing on quality over quantity? Just because you can donate things doesn’t mean these items are actually being reused. (CS)
Make friends and potentially meet your future life partner by getting involved with causes near and dear to you. Volunteer or join a local sports club — you’ll meet people with similar interests and values. (CS)
Ladies, find a gynecologist who listens to you. They are out there, I promise. Ask your friends for good recommendations. (EB)
Prioritize people. They might just be colleagues, but don’t underestimate how much the people you work with will affect your entire life. Sometimes it’s better to prioritize the workplace over the actual job. (EB)
AARON JORDAN,
OWNER OF ROAST HOUSE COFFEE
Prioritize seeing the world, as much as you feasibly can. Yes, travel is crazy expensive, which means you may have to save for years to afford a dream trip, but it will be so worth it. Seeing how people live in cultures unlike ours will truly change your worldview, and you will make treasured memories along the way. (CS)
I’ve been really inspired by this quote Deb said years ago and actually wrote on the walls of the roastery: “I may not change the world… but I can try.” — Deborah Di Bernardo, Founder of Roast House Coffee, mentor, friend
We can try — by living a life rooted in values. That isn’t easy, but it is simple. By surrounding ourselves with people dedicated to making an impact, changing the world becomes achievable.
Go to things solo. As people’s lives progress, and they become more centered on work and starting up families, it can be much harder to pin down friends to accompany you to every concert, movie, or restaurant you want to try. Don’t bail on things you’re excited to experience just because you don’t have a partner in crime. (SS)
Engage and communicate with your local representatives and politicians! They want to hear from you and understand your concerns. Sometimes they can even help resolve issues through their connections within agencies. (VCM)
PAM HALEY, MAYOR OF SPOKANE VALLEY
2025 Graduates, congratulations on this amazing achievement! As you enter a world full of opportunities, don’t hesitate to step outside of your comfort zone. Growth comes from challenging yourself and trying new things. Always remember your unique strengths that brought you here as you follow your passions and let them lead you toward your dreams. Spokane Valley is proud of you and excited to see the impact you will have on the world. Congratulations!
The best exercise goal I’ve ever had: work out so that you want to work out again. This goes for both intensity and style. It took me a long time to figure out I hate exercise classes, love certain lifts, and like running sometimes. It’s different for everyone. But in my not-sohumble opinion, the absolute best workout is the one you’ll do again.
SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT
Master the moment. Master the work. In every job, take the opportunity to learn and grow. Every position has value, no matter where you find it.
Businesses know how to make money better than you do. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. There’s always a catch. If you think you’re gaming the system, you’re the one being had. (EB)
Go to the dentist! Tooth decay and gum disease is no joke. Even if you brush and floss twice a day, dental experts still recommend a checkup and cleaning every six months. (CR)
JENNI MARTIN,
Life advice from…
MARCUS RICCELLI,
WASHINGTON STATE SENATOR FOR SPOKANE’S 3RD DISTRICT AND SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER
Let it rip. Be adventurous in how you follow your interests, soak up life. Take any opportunity to travel that comes your way — it will only make you grow fonder of our region and this wonderful place we get to call home. Make meaningful contact as often as you can with those you care about, telling them “I got you” when they need it most, or even when you think they might not need it. Make yourself uncomfortable, push yourself, and risk failure — it will only lead to growth.
Have difficult conversations every day, but rise in the grace you extend, even to those you disagree with. Take time to engage in your community; you are needed now more than ever.
Most importantly, never forget the power of play — play every day. Play is the fountain of youth, and it is infectious in making you and all those around you have fun and find joy in the time we have to walk this earth.
Start building an emergency fund as soon as you can to make unexpected things like car or home repairs — or a major health event that could lead to you being unable to work — less scary and stressful. Figure out how much you’d need at the absolute minimum for food, housing and other essentials, and try to save three to six months’ worth of money to cover that. You can do this slowly over time, and it’s best to keep that money in a high-yield savings account. (CS)
Turn on two-step authorization for all your accounts — social media, emails, and financial accounts — and back up ALL your photos in multiple places. As someone who lost my Facebook to a hacker, and 10 years of photos along with it, try to protect yourself against a digital house fire. (SW)
Don’t get a pet unless you can actually afford it. Pets are expensive. Even the inexpensive ones can cost more than you expect — supplies, pet sitters, vet bills, specialized food. An unexpected medical emergency for a cat can be just as expensive as an unexpected trip to the human ER. You don’t want to have to give away your furry friend because you can’t pay to take care of them. (EB)
Building habits takes small, sustainable steps. If you want to feel better, don’t make yourself feel worse. Plus, make sure your goals are your goals, not social media pressure creeping into your psyche. (EB)
JORGE GUERRERO, IMMIGRANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZER WITH LATINOS EN SPOKANE
If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be to practice work/life balance. Don’t be in such a rush to chase money, we spend so much of our time at work, and we work for the majority of our lives. Rather, we should prioritize spending quality time with family, friends, and loved ones. Doing the stuff we enjoy and that are positive for us, like taking walks through nature or reading a good book or eating tacos or whatever you like. Breaking bread and actually talking to people is so important, without being on our gadgets all the time.
LOCAL ARTIST, WRITER AND ARTS CONSULTANT
I am going to pass on a little list of things from my mom that I remember:
Afraid? Do it anyway. Even if you don’t know if something is going to work out, take chances. You don’t have to marry him to go to the movies. By this she meant, don’t be afraid to get to know people different than you are. Date and have fun.
Write to your friends and family. Stay in touch. You might be living a long way away from people you know, but you don’t have to lose touch.
Make new friends. Try new things.
Always have “mad money.” Be sure you have enough money to get home if you go somewhere and the people you went with are unpleasant or you need to take care of an emergency. Nowadays, that means cash and two credit cards in case something goes wrong.
Get a calendar and use it. Plan your work, play and rest times. Look ahead and ask for what you need and be prepared for what people expect of you.
Always check a venue’s FAQ page before attending an event. It’ll save you from the walk of shame back to your car after you realize your handbag should’ve been clear. (CR)
MICHAEL
CATHCART,
SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1
Civic engagement is more than just voting — and it shouldn’t be something you put off until you’re older or only do every four years. It’s a habit you build now, and importantly, one you pass on to your children. State and federal decisions shape our long-term future, but local choices shape our daily lives. So don’t just vote — engage in it, and talk about it. Teach your kids why it matters, and how to grow up thinking critically about the issues and candidates appearing on their ballots. Use your influence not just to build informed voters, but to raise the next generation of Spokane leaders.
Never let what you perceive as weaknesses define your limits. As an introvert, I was convinced my path would always keep me working behind the scenes. But over time, by continually stepping outside my comfort zone, I found that opportunities — like the role I’m grateful to play today — that once felt out of reach were entirely possible. More than talent or work ethic alone, it’s relationships that steer you toward your greatest opportunities. Cultivating meaningful connections takes deliberate effort — a lesson I’m still learning — but each moment you invest not only builds trust and opens doors your résumé never could, it also creates space to grow, to learn and even to lift others along the way.
SHARMA SHIELDS, LOCAL AUTHOR
My own graduation from high school was very fraught, so my message to graduates is one of empathy. To all of you who may have made big or little mistakes, who may have lied to yourselves or to others, who may be moving through a world where love always feels uncertain, meted out, conditional, or maybe not there at all: I see you. I see you as I now see my younger self. And I want you to know you are never too young or too old to hold yourself accountable for your actions (and to note the difference between accountability and self-hatred), to begin advocating for yourself, to believe in yourself, to self-validate, to finally cultivate self-compassion. You deserve to have a growth mindset, you deserve autonomy from those who harm you, and you deserve to heal.
There is unconditional love waiting for you. Follow what brings you joy. Know you deserve healthy and loving relationships. Pick up a journal or a guitar or a paintbrush and record your thoughts and emotions; teach yourself however you can that you have a voice. And trust that the world is a big enough place that even though there is grief and sorrow and atrocity, there is peace and joy and love, too. Allow yourself to exist within it all with the understanding that you, like all living beings, deserve to be here. Despite what you may have sometimes been shown and told, the truth matters, authenticity and kindness matters, and so do you. n
Paw-pular Spots
Check out these 15 pup-approved patios in and around Spokane
BY DORA SCOTT
With spring in full swing and sunshine stretching into the evenings, it’s the perfect time to get outside. Chances are, your pup feels the same way. But as any pet parent knows, finding spots that welcome four-legged friends can be hit or miss. Thankfully, a 2022 update to Washington state’s health code made it possible for restaurants to open their patios to dogs as long as they meet certain requirements and keep things safe and sanitary. So leash up your pup and sniff out these Spokane-area patios where you’re both welcome to sit, snack and soak up the sun.
UPRISE BREWING CO.
Since opening in 2022, Uprise has been a go-to for dog owners. The partially covered, dog-friendly patio includes large picnic tables, year-round heaters, and an AstroTurf area for lawn games or to simply enjoy the sun with a pint in hand. Ask for dog treats at the bar. 617 N. Ash St., uprisebeer.com, 509-368-9411
NO-LI BREWHOUSE
Relax riverside at No-Li’s award-winning Bier Garden, named one of the country’s best by USA Today. Enjoy pub fare and cold drinks with your leashed dog, who’s welcome in both the garden and the indoor Bier Hall on the front side of the brewery complex. 1003 E. Trent Ave., nolibrewhouse.com, 509-242-2739
BRICK WEST BREWING
Located on the west side of downtown Spokane, Brick
West has a large outdoor patio bordered by a lawn. It’s perfect for a doggy date while you kick back a cold one. There’s ample outdoor seating as well as shade umbrellas if you and your pup need a reprieve from the heat. The patio has water bowls for dogs. 1318 W. First Ave., brickwestbrewingco.com, 509-279-2982
THE FLYING GOAT
Located in the Audubon-Downriver neighborhood, the Flying Goat allows well-behaved, leashed dogs on its patio, which has about a dozen tables, some under a built-in cover and others shaded by umbrellas. Heaters and firepits make for a cozy outdoor seating experience for patrons and their dogs on cooler days. Water bowls are provided and dog treats are sometimes available. 3318 W. Northwest Blvd., theflyinggoat.com, 509-327-8277
IRON GOAT BREWING
Blue awnings and umbrellas provide ample shade on the brewery’s long stretch of patio, which seats about 45 people. Iron Goat also has a puppy photo area with a mural as a backdrop and encourages patrons to share photos on its social media. Water bowls are available on the patio; ask a staff member for a free dog treat. 1302 W. Second Ave., irongoatbrewing.com, 509-474-0722
THE SCOOP
The ice cream shop’s lower South Hill location allows leashed dogs on its patio with 10 tables and partial shade from nearby trees. Water bowls and free treats are pro-
vided, but if you want to really pamper your pet, order ice cream made just for dogs. The flavor is only available from June to August and consists of coconut milk, powdered peanut butter, banana and dog treats. 1001 W. 25th Ave., thescoopspokane.com, 509-535-7171
DAFT BADGER BREWING
The Coeur d’Alene brewery has a year-round outdoor patio structure that’s heated during the colder months. In summer, a large tent is set up in the parking lot for extra outdoor seating. Water bowls are provided, and you can order a side of turkey or bacon for your pup. 1710 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, daftbadgerbrewingcda.com, 208-665-9892
PERRY STREET BREWING
Perry Street Brewing’s patio has long been a popular neighborhood hub. The outdoor eating area wraps around two sides of the building and includes umbrellas and awnings for shade, making it a comfortable spot for you and your pooch. 1025 S. Perry St., perrystreetbrewing.com, 509-279-2820
CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE
Leashed dogs are welcome on Cascadia’s outdoor patio, which seats around 40 people. It’s also well shaded on the front half and has heaters and firepits for chilly nights. Water bowls are provided for dogs. 6314 N. Ash St., cascadiapublichouse.com, 509-321-7051
REMEDY KITCHEN AND TAVERN
The patio’s faux grass and glass-free container usage makes for comfortable paws. There are also free treats and water bowls. Bring your leashed pup for a bite to eat out, or maybe join Remedy’s Pup Club on Tuesdays for happy hour drinks and a chance to meet other dog owners. The space is human friendly, too, with large picnic tables and a covered section with heaters for cold weather. 3809 S. Grand Blvd., remedyspokane.com, 509-443-3730
Touting a pub-grub menu for lunch, dinner and a late-night bite, The Elk has a large pet-friendly patio so you’re able to bring Fido along for the adventure. Water bowls are provided, and the patio is partially shaded. 1931 W. Pacific Ave., 509-363-1973
ROCKWOOD BAKERY
Within walking distance of Manito Park on the lower South Hill, get your caffeine fix or a little sweet treat at this neighborhood bakery. Leashed dogs are allowed on the patio, demarcated by metal railings. In warmer weather, awnings are set up. Water bowls are set out for pet patrons, and their human companions can ask for a free whipped cream pup cup. 315 E. 18th Ave., 509-747-8691
DANE JOE ESPRESSO
The dog-loving cafe on the lower South Hill has three tables for outdoor, pet-friendly seating and umbrellas for shade. While you get your coffee, order a whipped cream pup cup ($2.15) or the dog bowl ($3.25) with whipped cream topped with dog treats and a peanut butter drizzle. 2819 E. 27th Ave., 509-808-5330
YAYA BREWING
Separated by stone walls topped with planters, YaYa’s large patio space has a variety of seating options and plenty of sun umbrellas. Leashed dogs are welcome, and water bowls and treats are available. 11712 E. Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley, yayabrewing.com
HOUND HOUSE
As the name suggests, this new coffee shop in Hayden, Idaho, caters mostly to our furry friends with its stock of dog supplies. However, humans can get a refreshing drink or coffee while they wait for their dog to be groomed at Guardian Angels Grooming in the same building. 10157 N. Taryne St., Hayden, 208-274-5032 n
-George Harrison
SUNDAY, MAY 11TH
Flower bouquets, hanging flower baskets, wine, chocolates, candles, soaps, bath bombs, face masks, and other Mother’s Day essentials.
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Despite Florence Pugh’s superhuman efforts, Thunderbolts* is yet another misfire for Marvel
“There’s something wrong with me. An emptiness.”
So says Florence Pugh’s Yelena in the initially promising opening moments of the Thunderbolts*, before she leaps off the world’s second-tallest building. In addition to this first line feeling like it could just as easily be referring to the emptiness at the core of the latest film in the Marvel machine, the scene itself serves as a fitting metaphor for the descent of all that follows. While it’s a fun stunt with an idea about how even assassins who are essentially gig workers can grow existentially exhausted by the daily grind (à la The Killer) underpinning it, the rest of the film is never once able to reach the same heights with which it began. Though Thunderbolts* (stylized with an asterisk for reasons ultimately more tiresome than cheeky) is, in many ways, about living in the long shadow of the far better movies that came before it, all the subtextual readings in the world about it as a knowing response to superhero fatigue can’t give it a spark.
Thunderbolts*
Rated PG-13
Directed by Jake Schreier
Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
This comes despite the best efforts of Pugh who, as one fascinating trailer for this film attempted to foreground, has done great work in films like the stunning Midsommar. So too have returning stars Sebastian Stan (frequently astounding in last year’s A Different Man) and the always great Julia Louis-Dreyfus (witheringly funny in 2023’s You Hurt My Feelings). Yes, as the so-called
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
“A24 trailer” (because it referred back to so many of films released under that studio’s banner) established, Thunderbolts* employs plenty of talent in front of and behind the camera. It is indeed directed by Jake Schreier and cowritten by Joanna Calo who worked on the stellar series Beef together. It does have cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo who previously shot the terrific The Green Knight, production design by Grace Yun who helped Hereditary come to nightmarish life, and editing by Harry Yoon who cut the wonderful Minari. While it’s clever marketing to try to align the Thunderbolts* with all these more acclaimed works, it’s a deception. Because when it all comes down to it, this is still a Marvel movie too timid to take the necessary leaps to warrant praise of its own.
After Yelena makes her leap, takes out a bunch of goons in a lab, and gets sent on one final mission that will bring her into a broader conspiracy surrounding the attempt to create new Avengers, the film itself falls into being just like any of the recent Marvel movies of late. There is a world to save from a threat that actually doesn’t ever feel all that meaningfully threatening, an array of serviceable yet frequently stiff quips to make, and an increasingly forced emotional throughline less embraced as much as it is half-heartedly tacked on. There are moments when it wants to be closer to something like James Gunn’s joyous The Suicide Squad
in how it assembles a more scrappy group of antiheroes, which includes The Winter Soldier (Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Red Guardian (David Harbour) and mysterious newcomer Bob (Lewis Pullman), though the longer the film carries on, the more you feel it’s struggling to remain light on its feet.
Some of this comes down to the action, which starts out rather solid with the fights Yelena has on her initial missions, yet is reduced to seemingly invincible, awkwardly CGI characters throwing each other about. When they fight more generic gun-wielding cannon fodder, there is at least one moment where you can see a stunt performer going out of their way to not attack and instead just wait their turn to get beat up. When we get the unsurprising reveal of a new all-powerful being, whatever moments of wonder that shadowy figure finds when it takes to the sky or unsettling darkness it creates as it begins to obliterate any who come in its way are too rushed to leave a mark.
That the film builds itself around shame, peering into the past to see what guilt the characters carry, is interesting, but it never takes this far enough to cut into the psyche. Instead, it plays like a hollow gimmick and a way to get into more generic fights. Thunderbolts* is leaps and bounds better than the studio’s other movie from this year, the baffling Captain America: Brave New World, but that’s damning with faint praise. As an inauspicious end to the MCU’s Phase Five, it’s less a triumphant conclusion and more just a shame. n
Even Florence Pugh can’t save this phase of the MCU.
Life’s a Beach
The Surfer boasts a great performance from Nicolas Cage and a nightmarish vibe you can’t escape
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
Afilm that rivals George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa in terms of how it turns Australia into even more of a stiflingly hot hellscape than it already is, The Surfer is a film less watched than it is endured. In every shot, you can practically feel the heat rising off the screen, melting the brains of the characters and maybe even yours in the process. Throw in the always-committed Nicolas Cage (who gives his best leading performance since the poetic PNW wonder Pig) is a man who just wants to surf — but who’s being stopped by what seems like an entire universe that hates him — and you have a mesmerizing nightmare of a film. Even as it hazily stumbles about the remote beach setting and can get a little tangled up in itself along the way, there’s no shaking free of the sweaty, often surreal, and increasingly stressful vibe that it creates. You hope for relief in the serene blue waters, but The Surfer just keeps ratcheting up the heat.
The Surfer
Rated R
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan
Starring Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, who previously made the similarly confined and suffocating Vivarium, it all kicks off with Cage’s unnamed man taking a drive to a beach with his son. We learn the troubled patriarch has a personal connection to the place, with fragments about a tragedy surrounding his family getting increasingly cut to as he unravels. Now, he hopes to buy a pricey house to be able to restore what he has lost. However, before he can take his son out surfing on the water to show him the best view of the structure, they’re intimidated by a cultish group led by the menacing Scally (an excellent Julian McMahon), who will spend the rest of the film tormenting Cage’s character. As he desperately tries to close on the house, futilely believing this will save him, he’ll lose his possessions and pieces of his mind until he crumbles before us.
This could sound like it’s Cage just being superficially “crazy” for the sake of it, as films like the putrid attempt at parody The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent have sometimes reduced him to, but this is far more interesting than that. The actor, while often pigeonholed into being a meme in reductive online chatter rather than someone committed to their craft, is not just being wild without any layers to it. Over the course of the film, he descends through desperation, anger, fear, and, in the surprising ending, emerges on the other side by finding notes of grace amid the chaos. At every torturous turn, we fully buy into the portrait Cage creates of a man losing his entire sense of self.
Though painting on a relatively small canvas where we don’t ever leave the beach, the film benefits greatly from the vibrant, frequently hallucinogenic colors created by cinematographer Radek Ladczuk
(who previously did remarkable work on films like The Babadook and The Nightingale), which give everything a heightened sensibility. As Cage’s character suffers through trial after trial, losing access to food, water, and sanity, the fact that he doesn’t leave is the point. It’s less about taking things literally than it is about embracing the way the film is an unrelenting snapshot of obsession. While it gestures toward ideas about masculinity and the destruction men can inflict on themselves, it doesn’t spell any of the things out as much as it represents this havoc visually. It isn’t as insightful as one would hope for, but it also isn’t afraid to shift into being a trashy exploitation film where the world’s saddest dad makes a man eat a rat. What holds it together — for all the ways the characters maniacally laugh as you recoil at the nightmare unfolding before you — is how The Surfer never once blinks. No matter how bright the sun beating down may get, it’s like the piercing stare of Cage himself: unsettling yet oddly brilliant. n
TUESDAYS 3-7PM FROM MAY 6-JULY 29
ConNect
MOVIE TIMES
It’s anything but a chill day at the beach for Nicolas Cage’s surfer.
SONIC SPRING CLEANING
ALWAYS BEEN - CRAIG FINN
While rock musician might be his day job, anyone who’s listened to songs penned by The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn knows he’s a writer at his core. His latest solo album, Always Been, almost feels closer to a scored novella than an album. Over 11 tracks, he tells the tale of a fallen reverend and plenty of downtrodden characters that occupy and flesh out his world. There are crises of faith, a down-on-her-luck sister with a daughter, bathtub overdoses, pseudo-transient job hopping, young love faded, robberies and Spokane transit stations (no, really). Finn’s solo sound instrumentally strips back The Hold Steady’s alternative bar band aggression to a lighter, airier palette (with a dose of ’80s Springsteen pop rock), allowing more space for his lyrics to paint the scenery and add layers to the characters. All the while, Finn is questioning how we can outlive our past mistakes… or if that’s even possible.
BILLBOARD HEART - DEEP SEA DIVER
Deep Sea Diver is not a pickup truck. But when heaping praise on the band, it’s weird how much the descriptors for truck commercials come to mind. When throwing on a Deep Sea Diver tune you can basically guarantee it’ll be dependable, reliable, powerful and get the job done. Led by singer/guitar ace Jessica Dobson, DSD excels at precise complexity — showcasing technical chops without ever doing it in an overly showy manner. That operating principle continues on the Seattle band’s Sub Pop debut Billboard Heart. There are plenty of moments of soaring sound while the band rocks out (“What Do I Know”), but it’s always in service of the song. Dobson’s vocals have the slightest touch of smokey lounge singer allure and are at their best when powerfully blending with Madison Cunningham’s guest vox on the standout track “Let Me Go.” While Dobson often lyrically operates thematically from a place of unsteady uncertainty, Billboard Heart finds a band at the peak of its confidence.
Rounding up some of the best albums released so far in 2025
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
BUNKY BECKY BIRTHDAY BOY - SLEIGH BELLS
Go with me on this one: You know how satisfying and fun it can be to watch a massive and kinda dumb over-thetop action movie on the big screen if you’ve been mainly watching depressing cerebral dramas at home? That’s kinda how throwing on the Bunky Becky Birthday Boy felt. I’d just been subconsciously missing the hyper-kinetic explosiveness of Sleigh Bells, and the band’s new LP scratched that itch. Singer Alexis Krauss still radiates riot pop energy, while the shredding metal guitars, heavy drum machine beats, and soaring synths from Derek E. Miller still effectively hold back just enough to be more rad than cheesy. While the new album doesn’t match the heights of the band’s fantastic first two albums (Treats and Reign of Terror), Sleigh Bells is still the best at what they do. So just grab a tub of popcorn, turn off your brain for a bit, and enjoy it.
FOREVER IS A FEELING - LUCY DACUS
While singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus hits the hardest when crafting wistful tunes about slightly sour nostalgia (see: 2021’s stunning Home Video), nobody wants their favorite artists to forever be going through it in the heaviest ways. Forever is a Feeling still wallows in longing, but it’s also Dacus at her most musically hopeful to date. Listeners can feel the warmth of someone who was searching for and found love (with her Boygenius bandmate Julien Baker), even if the road to get there could feel messy. A track like “Limerence” feels timelessly composed like a lost ’50s fem crooner classic (that just happens to have a Grand Theft Auto reference), while the majority of the album locks into mid-tempo explorations queer love and trying to be present when your brain always wants to be focused on past mistakes and future what-ifs. Forever may be a feeling, but feelings only truly exist in the moment.
FOR MELANCHOLY BRUNETTES (& SAD WOMEN) - JAPANESE BREAKFAST
The past few years have been a whirlwind for Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner. In 2021, she released both her band’s breakthrough jubilant indie pop album Jubilee and published Crying in H Mart, her debut memoir which stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for over a year. In a way, her follow-up album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), feels like her taking a graceful pause to catch her breath. The soft-handed LP takes songs that would hold up in their basic forms and blows them out into theatrically lush indie pop ruminations on love, trying to find contentment and comfort, and anxieties about when to strive for more. Even as Zauner’s lyrics may sketch out uncertainty, she basks in the beauty of the moments with the poise of an artist who’s free from the struggle of trying to make it. Zauner’s world may have changed, but her tender heart remains.
FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF SABA & NO ID - SABA & NO ID
The Chicago duo of rapper Saba and producer No ID collaborate for one of the best musical hangs of the year with From the Private Collection…. No ID’s beats and arrangements tap into old school hip-hop’s soul and funk sampling roots, while Saba’s melodically energetic, yet overall tranquil, delivery give the proceeding a light R&B feel. It’s not to say there’s not some fire in the words the Saba delivers, but even when spitting venom the vibe still remains one closer to sprawling out on the couch and talking smack with your buddies over taking to the streets for confrontation. There’s an unquantifiable ease to the pair’s chemistry, allowing for the LP to serenely flow and further make the case that Saba is one of the more underrated MC’s in the game.
LONELY PEOPLE WITH POWER - DEAFHEAVEN
Deafheaven went out on a limb with its 2021 album Infinite Granite, which saw the acclaimed black metal band trade in the heaviness for a more atmospheric post-rock sound. While the backlash for that album was unwarranted (it’s good, just different!), Deafheaven returns to its thunderously aggressive comfort zone on Lonely People with Power. The band has long stood out for slyly inserting melodic undercurrents within its pummeling wall of harsh noise with the violent hiss of George Clarke’s screamed vocals acting sonically closer to a fifth shredding instrument than traditional singing, and that formula remains on point on the new LP. Those able to decipher Clarke’s cries will discover some beautifully poetic lyricism focusing on masculine fear, grief, discomfort and emotional exhaustion, as well as the sense of helplessness that being introspective about those issues can breed. Deafheaven provides a constant musical reminder that the harshness of the darkness and beauty’s relief are intertwined.
PHONETICS ON AND ON - HORSEGIRL
After making one of the most effortlessly cool shoegaze albums in their teens with 2022’s Versions of Modern Performance, the members of Horsegirl take their sound in a new — but still great — direction on the band’s second LP Phonetics On and On. The sleekly detached wall of shoegaze noise gets traded for jangly alternative twee pop that’s much more Kimya Dawson than My Bloody Valentine. The stripped-back environs allow for much more space for emotional vulnerability from singer Nora Cheng and the expanded instrumental palate gives the band more playful colors with which to paint. Rarely does such a vast sonic overhaul work so seamlessly, but so far both sides of the Horsegirl coin are winning ones.
TUNNEL VISION - BEACH BUNNY
Beach Bunny frontwoman Lili Trifilio is elite when it comes to crafting poppy indie rock songs that instrumentally sound super upbeat while actually lyrically being extremely anxiety-ridden. On Tunnel Vision, Trifilio finds herself hitting the point in one’s late 20s where their life suddenly needs sorting out after things haven’t exactly gone as envisioned. Self-reflections and a rejiggering of one’s perspective don’t typically sound this relentlessly sunny and catchy, but that’s long been the wheelhouse where Beach Bunny excels. If you throw on those summery shades, no one can see the anxiety in your eyes.
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT - LAMBRINI GIRLS
You know the antiquated concept of “the type of girl you want to bring home to mom?” Lambrini Girls are doing absolutely everything in their power to be the opposite of that. The queer English noisepunk band’s debut album has caustic molotov cocktail energy as frontwoman Phoebe Lunny and bassist Lilly Macieira-Bosgelmez explode with anarchistic fury and look to burn it all to the ground. Lunny sonically swings her lyrical fists at the patriarchy, corporate office culture, societal body standards for women, gentrification, nepo babies and more. Those who enjoy unrelentingly pissed off British rabble-rousers like Sleaford Mods can find an even more aggressive version of that rage by giving Who Let the Dogs Out a spin. n
ALSO DON’T MISS…
Astrovan: The Love Song Vignettes - Humbird
Dead Channel Sky - Clipping.
Glory - Perfume Genius
The Human Fear - Franz Ferdinand
Lonesome Drifter - Charley Crockett
Mary And The Hyenas (Original Soundtrack) - Billy Nomates
Patience, Moonbeam - Great Grandpa
Send a Prayer My Way - Julien Baker & Torres
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment TheorySharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
Viagr Aboys - Viagra Boys
HIP-HOP NATE SYNONYMOUS
J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW
J = ALL AGES SHOW
Thursday, 5/1
J THE BIG DIPPER, Eyas/Luna, Fauvism, Willing Hands, Dissonance
GARLAND DRINKERY, Speak Easy: Open Mic Night
J KNITTING FACTORY, Dirtwire, KR3TURE
J PANIDA THEATER, Jim Messina
J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Thurrsdays EDM Night
J THURSDAY MARKET, DJ Lydell and DJ Junebug ZOLA, X24
Friday, 5/2
J THE BIG DIPPER, Box Elder
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Pastiche
THE CHAMELEON, EYEHATEGOD, Absent Cardinal, POTUS
J J THE CHAMELEON, Nate Synonymous: The Curiosity Constant Release Show
CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Kicho
GARDEN PARTY, Storme
J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire
GREEN CITY SALOON, DJ KJ
IRON GOAT BREWING CO., Son of Brad
IRON HORSE (CDA), Sonic Groove
THE KENWORTHY, Eilen Jewell, Charlie & The Changelings
J KNITTING FACTORY, Yelawolf
POP ROCK KT TUNSTALL
MOOSE LOUNGE, Fire From Ashes
MOOSE LOUNGE (NORTH), Theresa Edwards Band
J NEATO BURRITO, The Colourflies, Jjanggoo, Bailey Allen Baker NIGHT OWL, Four On The Floor Fridays
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Nobody Famous
J PUEBLA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, Latin Dance Party
RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Max Daniels
THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin
THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic ZOLA, Jason Evans’ Cosmic Fantasy, Sydney Dale
Saturday, 5/3
J THE BIG DIPPER, Loomer, Drook, Jaoquin BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Pastiche
CHALICE BREWING CO., Son of Brad
THE CHAMELEON, Work It
CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Kicho
J CREATE ARTS CENTER, Blue Ribbon Tea Company
THE DISTRICT BAR, Never Come Down
J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire
IRON HORSE (CDA), Sonic Groove
J JAGUAR ROOM AT CHAMELEON, Elektro Grave: Cohesion
MOOSE LOUNGE, Fire From Ashes
One of the great things about the local hip-hop collective Skeemn is that its various members each offer their own flavor. Spokane rapper Nate Synonymous kind of feels like a full-bodied, sativa chill-out high that makes you feel like you’re melting into your couch. On his new EP The Curiosity Constant, Nate’s smooth, laid-back flow on songs like “Not the Same” and “Part of Me” pair seamlessly with strippedback beats that value vibes over a ferocious lyrical attack. That’s not to say he can’t lock into darker (“The Opener”) and more energetic groover feels (“MindWrap”), but Nate’s music is more about crafting a cool calm party over a rager. The MC celebrates the new EP’s release with a concert that will also feature his pals like Bambii, Kid Judo, Da Gilly, Estimate and more.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Nate Synonymous: The Curiosity Constant Release Show • Fri, May 2 at 8 pm • $10-$15 • All ages • Jaguar Room at The Chameleon • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd • chameleonspokane.com
Twenty years ago, a young woman and her looping pedal made a splash on the musical landscape. The Scottish singer-songwriter used layers of her rhythmic guitar playing and sweet contralto vocals to craft the hit bluesy single “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on her debut album Eye to the Telescope (which also boasts the hyper-licensed single “Suddenly I See”). While she hasn’t reached the same radio highs since, she’s still putting out great work from her most recent LP — a duet record with Suzi Quatro called Face to Face — or penning the music for the new musical version of Clueless. Tunstall will be back in her looping bag when she heads to Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino for a one-woman concert showcasing her deep discography. — SETH SOMMERFELD
MOOSE LOUNGE (NORTH), Theresa Edwards Band
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Tom Catmull
J POST FALLS BREWING COMPANY, Just Plain Darin
RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Eternal Jones
J J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, KT Tunstall
THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic
UNCORKED WITH FRIENDS, Mike McCafferty
ZOLA, Blake Braley, Matthew Lindley & Isaac Murcar
Sunday, 5/4
J HAMILTON STUDIO, Hot Club of Spokane
IRON HORSE (CDA), Heather King Duo
J J KNITTING FACTORY, Silversun Pickups
J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin
Monday, 5/5
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Open Mic
Tuesday, 5/6
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Jack Purdie
SWING LOUNGE, Swing Lounge Live Music Tuesdays ZOLA,
The Zola All Star Jam, Mark Winters
Wednesday, 5/7
J BING CROSBY THEATER, Liverpool Legends:
The Complete Beatles Experience THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Jam
J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents TRVST, The TRVST Open Decks
ZOLA, Akifumi Kato, Angelic Noise
Just Announced...
THE CHAMELEON, The Chilling Alpine Adventure, May 23.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Geneva, May 25.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Gaytheist, May 29.
J HAMILTON STUDIO, Cllive Carroll, June 8.
J KNITTING FACTORY, Old 60, July 19.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Silent Theory, July 26.
J BING CROSBY THEATER, Taj Mahal, Aug. 5.
THE DISTRICT BAR, G. Love & Special Sauce, Aug. 9.
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmakers, Sept. 4.
J KNITTING FACTORY, Fortunate Youth, Sept. 25.
J COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, BlackHawk, Oct. 26.
J KNITTING FACTORY, The Oh Hellos, Nov. 1.
THE DISTRICT BAR, Brent Cobb, Nov. 22.
Coming Up...
ZOLA, TDC (Acoustic), May 8, 5-7 pm.
J COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Karla Perez as Selena, May 8, 7 pm.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Full Color Dream, Hermano Kuya, Killmer, When She Dreams, May 8, 7:30 pm.
THE CHAMELEON, Ashley Young, Tristan Hart Pierce, Heart Machine, May 8, 8 pm.
J JAGUAR ROOM AT CHAMELEON, Forest Stoke, Landon Spencer, The Holy Broke, May 8, 8 pm.
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Ponderay Paradox, May 9, 5-8 pm.
ZOLA, Rōnin, May 9, 5:30-7:30 pm.
THE BEE’S KNEES WHISKEY BAR, Justyn Priest, May 9, 6 pm.
CRUISERS BAR & GRILL • 6105 W Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-446-7154
CURLEY’S HAUSER JUNCTION • 26433 W. Hwy. 53, Post Falls • 208-773-5816
THE DISTRICT BAR • 916 W. 1st Ave. • 509-244-3279
EICHARDT’S PUB • 212 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-263-4005
FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • 509-279-7000
FOX THEATER • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. •
IRON HORSE
IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL
JOHN’S ALLEY
KNITTING FACTORY
MARYHILL WINERY
MILLIE’S MOOSE LOUNGE
NASHVILLE NORTH
NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO
NYNE BAR & BISTRO
PEND D’OREILLE WINERY
POST FALLS BREWING CO.
RAZZLE’S BAR & GRILL
RED ROOM LOUNGE
THE RIDLER PIANO BAR
SEASONS OF COEUR D’ALENE
SPOKANE ARENA
SPOKANE TRIBE RESORT & CASINO
SOUTH PERRY LANTERN
STORMIN’ NORMAN’S SHIPFACED SALOON
TRANCHE
ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416
FILM THE FORCE IS STRONG
While Star Wars Day — May the 4th be with you — has become an unofficial holiday embedded in the pop cultural zeitgeist to celebrate all things from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, having the date fall on a Sunday allows for a full weekend of space dogfights and lightsaber battles. While Star Wars Day Eve lacks a pithy catchphrase (May the Third Nerd, anyone?), it’s the day the Garland Theater will celebrate the Skywalker family’s saga by screening all three of the original trilogy movies: A New Hope (2 pm), The Empire Strikes Back (4:30 pm) and Return of the Jedi (7 pm). Almost half a century after the original film’s release, the galaxy-hopping adventures of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy, R2 and 3PO still offer a dose of pure bliss on the big screen.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Star Wars Day Marathon • Sat, May 3 at 2, 4:30, & 7 pm • $25 pass; $10 per film • Garland Theater • 924 W. Garland Ave. • garlandtheater.org
VISUAL ARTS FEELIN’ PINE
Take a second to look out of the nearest window. What do you see? Chances are, it’s a glimpse of the natural beauty that fills the region. A river, flowers, and especially the region’s beautiful, towering evergreen trees. Artist Rebekah Wilkins-Pepiton and author Lisa E. Silvestri have created an ode to the region’s magnificent trees with their new book, Grow Like a Tree, and an art show to accompany it. The exhibition features illustrations from the book made from foraged ink and materials found on the forest floor. The children’s book poses questions drawn from the duo’s lived experiences as new mothers during the hot, smoky summer of 2018 when they were confined to their homes due to a city ordinance that prohibited outdoor activities.
— MADISON PEARSON
Grow Like a Tree Exhibition • May 2-31; Fri-Sat from noon-8 pm • Free • Saranac Art Projects • 25 W. Main Ave. • sapgallery.com
COMMUNITY PALETTE TO PALATE
What better combination than local food and an art market is there to celebrate and support Spokane’s international community? The Global Food and Art Market is a new weekly market featuring small businesses from Spokane’s international community, including immigrants and refugees. The market kicks off on May 6 and will be hosted every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm outside The Gathering House, located in the Garland District, until July 29. For those who love supporting local markets and are eager to explore the beautiful variety and culture that Spokane’s international community has to offer through foods and arts, this is the perfect event to experience through midsummer.
— HANNAH HIGENS
Global Food and Art Market • Tue, May 6 from 3-7 pm; weekly through July 29 • The Gathering House • 733 W. Garland Ave. • instagram.com/globalfoodandartmarket
GET LISTED!
Submit events online at Inlander.com/getlisted or email relevant details to getlisted@inlander.com. We need the details one week prior to our publication date.
COMMUNITY A SUPER DEAL
Expand your comic book collection with a free comic book giveaway at The Comic Shop’s three locations: on North Division Street, in the Northtown Mall and in Spokane Valley. The free books will be set up at tables near the entrance, and each person can choose three. With each $1 donation, you can pick an additional book, with proceeds going to a local charity. This year’s Free Comic Book Day selection includes popular franchises like Mega Man, One Piece, Spider-Man, Superman and Sonic, to name a few. At 4 pm at the Northtown Mall location, there’s a cosplay contest with prizes for winners. Cosplayers also get a 10% discount while purchasing store goods in costume. Visit freecomicbookday.com for more info and to find other local stores participating in the giveaways.
— DORA SCOTT
Free Comic Book Day • Sat, May 3, all day (cosplay contest at 1 pm) • Multiple locations • thecomicbookshop.net
WORDS BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Oregon author Eileen Garvin’s debut novel, The Music of Bees, transported readers to Oregon’s Hood River Valley. In her newest novel, Crow Talk, she takes readers on a journey through the beauty of the Washington wilderness. A chance encounter with an injured baby crow in the woods brings a trio together as an unlikely friendship blooms, allowing the three characters to find healing and unrelenting joy. Rooted in the author’s personal history and experiences, Garvin’s ability to paint a picture with words and interweave complex storylines makes Crow Talk a must-read for any reader who enjoys found family tropes, the natural world and beautiful connections between humans and animals.
— MADISON PEARSON
Eileen Garvin: Crow Talk • Wed, May 7 at 7 pm • Free • Auntie’s Bookstore • 402 W. Main Ave. • auntiesbooks.com
its
I SAW YOU
RAY RAY AT MAVERICK Gurl, I KNOW you lost my number. Let’s hang out and listen to $B again. I’ve decided I kind of like you. If you wanna spend some more time together, meet me behind the Safeway I dropped you off at, by the no parking sign. Saturday at 7 pm? If I don’t see you there this Saturday, I’ll be there next Saturday at 7 pm as well. Or just knock on the door of my spot by planet fitness, I’m usually there after 11 pm. ***If ANYBODY READING KNOWS OF RAY RAY (25F dark skinned, short hair) PLEASE INFORM HER OF THIS POSTING.***
CHEERS
LOVIN ON SPOKANE Seeing the “CHEERS” section looking more abundant, I read with special interest and wasn’t disappointed a bit! Laughed outloud to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR and ARE YOU DISAPPOINTING YOUR DOG, said “Amen” to the CORPORAL PUNISHMENT long, well written paragraph, patted my self on the back for “being a super tipper” while enjoying Spokane food and drink and even saw a post RE: ILLEGAL PLATES where for the first time in over a year, I gave serious thought to tagging up my second car….. still on the fence for that but did totally get me to write and holler from the rafters “SPOKANE IS A GREAT CITY” I’m so glad to call my forever home.
ASH AND BURN Cheers to the lovely couple who pulled over to rescue me after
a pretty hard Lime scooter crash on N. Ash street. I can’t remember the full details considering my head injury, but I wish I got your names. You saved my life and I hope the universe shows you my appreciation. Five stitches later and a couple of road rash injuries, I’m still kickin! Thank you for reminding me that Spokanites truly are a kind community.
SPOKANE CHIEFS Thank you Spokane Chiefs for the best, most exciting season we have had in a long time. GO CHIEFS GO!
FRIENDLY COUPLE AT SUPER 1 Cheers to the sweet couple outside Newport who totally unexpectedly and randomly threw $40 on my groceries; I was so focused on getting through the grocery line and was totally caught off guard when you put your change into my grocery cart, winked/smiled at me, and skipped away :) Obviously y’all were having a nice day and I greatly appreciated being part of it; nice things like that hardly ever happen to me so THANK YOU. I will continue to pay it forward — your kindnesss has crossed my mind several times in the past couple weeks since. I hope you continue to have nice days!
TO THE BEST PARENTS EVER! Thank you, Mom and Pop, for being wonderful parents, for looking at the back of my report card to see if I was behaving before opening my report card and looking at my grades. You taught me sympathy, empathy, caring and support. I love you!
JEERS
RE: BESTIE FASHION SENSE The classic Trump T-shirt might not provide the most favorable social introduction for a devout Christian never wishing to associate with hypocrisy, divisiveness, or viciousness. Might I suggest something in the way of a T-shirt proudly proclaiming devout Christian adherence to the First Commandment and the rule of law?
OH! THAT’S GOTTA HURT! How’s that sweet, sweet karma taste Spokane Business Association? See the SBA has been doing these “crisis walks” everyday at 5 am, to highlight the homeless crisis. That sounds commendable. But what they are pretty transparently concerned about is “visible homelessness” and its impacts on their profit margins. Also, going for a walk at 5 am isn’t much of a sacrifice when you’re a
wealthy business owner with nearly infinite amounts of money and free time, but I digress. Last week, like total freaking chads, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled against Prop. 1, dealing a huge blow to these ruling-class plutocrats who can’t even
RE: TO MY “BESTIE” We sympathize with you over losing your “Bestie” from something as lame as politics. Not fun, especially after 35 years. Your first mistake: you made friends with someone in whom you trusted & confided but you didn’t talk
bear to look at the victims of our corrupt economic system. A system that many of the members of SBA benefit from.
NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR CONSTRUCTION
DANGER Spokane must be the most dangerous city to drive when construction is in motion. Greene Street northbound is closed to one lane during the day and if you’re turning left onto Ermina, there is a yellow flashing light. The problem is there is a long line of traffic headed north. So, there isn’t a possible way to turn left into SCC unless traffic going north stops for you and they don’t because “people” (term used loosely) run the red light. So, you either can’t turn left or have to guess that traffic is going to stop when they have a red light. This is a place where someone is going to have a serious car accident. When they do, I hope they sue Spokane.
MIDNITE OIL STATE LEGISLATURE JEERS to the Midnite Oil Burning Party in Olympia. Three tax increases after midnight? Are you serious? Hey, a lot of us voters may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. Next time you vote on important issues; have the courage to stand up in Daylight and vote them. That’s how representative democratic republics work!
RE: EXPIRED TABS You wrote that you can’t afford license tabs because you’re in your 60s and everything is expensive? The Inlander is free and allows you to read it as well as post your stupid comments. So, there is some cost savings. Try to tell your story to law enforcement when you get pulled over. “I’m sorry officer but I can’t afford the cheap tabs because my other costs are too expensive and I didn’t save any money. Can I just continue to drive with expired tabs?” Seeing how many others are driving with expired tabs, it......just....... might.....work. But I hope it doesn’t.
deeply enough about ideological issues. You were probably too busy, so your talks were more about YOU instead of society & our planet. Second mistake: You voted for Trump. Whether or not you’re too ill-informed, you probably voted based on what you saw on FOX. I won’t spend time lecturing about the evils that have begun, and will only worsen. I’ll settle with this: you contributed to the downfall of democracy & the death of the Constitution. Now, join the rest of us & RESIST this attack on the American people. We might forgive your termporary insanity. PS: I served my country, defending our Constitution & your right to vote for people like Donny. Just admit you did wrong. Perhaps you will when he & his fascist army come after everything YOU love. I side with your “Bestie.”
RE: CAR TABS ENOUGH ALREADY I have to agree with the author of the “Car Tabs” post last week about “enough already.” It isn’t fair to pick on these total losers who don’t buy car tabs. It isn’t their fault that they didn’t save enough money and are now in their 60s and on a fixed income with no assets. That is the fault of society. As such, please leave these losers alone and pay double for your car tabs. Also, police officers, please realize that you make more money than these dregs on society and they need to be able to keep their money for other “stuff.” Also, please someone, step up and buy this loser a new car and pay the insurance on it for them. Also, please pay their homeowner’s insurance since they had to “dump” them both. Then after you do, please “sit down and stfu” as they have instructed. Wise words. Wise words indeed. Really makes you think.
FOOD @ COFFEE STANDS So many of our local coffee stands now serve meals — a lot of us are just rolling through on our way to work for our caffeine. You’re slowing people down.
RE: CANNABIS COVERAGE This may be a little education for the writer. The basic concept of the free enterprise system. Paper cost money, ink cost money, delivery trucks cost money and staff cost money. You may have noticed the copy of the Inlander you decided to write your complaint in is free. That means other means of income are required to pay for all of these functions. Those funds are derived by advertising. Nobody says you have to read the ads but at least allow the Inlander to continue to provide this free form of communication.
YOUR “BESTIE” WAS RIGHT In response to the person complaining that their friend didn’t like them voting for Trump: your “personal vote” has an impact in the world, you absolute dolt. Your friend was right to ditch you. Your politics have tanked America’s global standing and are a damning reflection of who you are, and your friend is well rid of you. May you feel the full impact of everything you voted for. May you also get a thesaurus so you can stop repeating “divisive and vicious.”
SPOKESMAN Great article about the state of the Spokesman and its plans to donate (with strings) its publication. It also covered (in part) the reason for its financial demise. What was missed is also a major factor in their current situation, a distinctly liberal bias. I personally know several, but I’m sure there are many more who have dropped their subscriptions for this reason. Evidence of this is the balance of commentaries, letters to the editor and reprinted articles from news services and papers who are well known as leaning to the left. One can’t help but feel that the Spokesman hasn’t recognized that the majority of it’s potential readership is on the other side of most issues. Hopefully, new ‘owners’ will be balanced. n
BENEFIT
A WOMAN’S WORTH 3RD ANNUAL
GALA An event honoring women as they get back on their feet prior to being released from their incarceration. May 2, 6-8:30 pm. $125. DoubleTree by Hilton City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Ct. awomansworth.co (509-385-7074)
ELEVATIONS CHARITY GOLF CLAS -
SIC A shotgun start golf tournament at Wandermere Golf Course benefitting Elevations Spokane through raffles. May 10, 11:30 am-noon. $150. Wandermere Golf Course, 13700 N. Wandermere Rd. elevationsspokane.org
HEROES GARDEN PLANT SALE Locally grown flowers and veggie sale with proceeds benefitting the Heroes Garden, a therapy garden for veterans and Gold Star families. May 10, 9 am-5 pm and May 11, 9 am-1 pm. Five Mile Grange, 3024 W. Strong Rd. facebook. com/HeroesGarden (509-990-4558)
COMEDY
DAN SODER Soder has appeared on Conan and has his own Comedy Central comedy special. May 1-3; Thu-Sat at 7 pm and Fri-Sat at 9:45 pm. $32-$42. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY JOKE JOKE
JOKE A unique comedy experience that takes full advantage of the Garland Theater’s projector system, combining stand-up comedy, live sketches and other mixed-media comedic bits. This month features headliner Lindsay Glazer, Josh Teaford and host Josiah Carlson. May 1, 7:30-9 pm. $15. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
DAMON DARLING Darling mixes jokes, crowd work and stories from his real life into his shows. May 4, 7 pm. $27-$37. 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
MICHAEL IAN BLACK Black is an actor, comedian an actor who began his career with The State, a comedy troupe. May 7, 7 pm. $25-$35. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
COMMUNITY
THE EVOLUTION OF THE JAPANESE SWORD This exhibition showcases Japanese swords as more than a mere weapon of war. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through May 4. $9-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org
FIRE: REBIRTH AND RESILIENCE An exhibition exploring the catastrophic 1889 fire that destroyed more of Spokane’s downtown core. The exhibit features information on historic and contemporary fires, illustrating how destruction is a catalyst for rebirth and resilience. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Sep. 28. $9-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org
ASIAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS A cultural celebration featuring Tai Chi, yoga, kendo, karate and more. The event also featuring demonstrations, food and tra-
ditional performances. May 3, 12-4 pm. Free. Spokane Valley Library, 22 N. Herald Rd. asianhealthwellness.eventbrite. com (509-590-6613)
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025 Every attendee receives three free comic books. Every $1 donation gets you an additional comic book with proceeds benefitting a local charity. The event also includes a cosplay contest with kid and adult categories. May 3, 11 am-8 pm. Free. The Comic Book Shop), 4750 N. Division St. comicbookshop.net
HUTTON SETTLEMENT: THEN & NOW
Learn about the history of Hutton Settlement and how they have evolved over the years to provide care for children. Adults. Presented by David Milliken. May 3, 2-3 pm. Free. Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Rd. scld.org
OUR STORIES: ASIAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES IN SPOKANE
Celebrate and learn about our Spokane Asian American community. Experience Spokane’s rich history from the perspective of members of the Asian American families in Spokane. Learn more about Spokane’s Asian American communities and family experiences while looking at objects and photos throughout historic Campbell House. May 3, 11 am-3 pm. Free. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
PAULINE FLETT MIDDLE SCHOOL’S 3RD ANNUAL POWWOW 2025 An event focused on bringing the community together, including vendors, educators, students and families, to celebrate food, dance and Native culture. May 3, 10 am-10 pm. Free. Flett Middle School, 5020 W. Wellesley Ave. spokaneschools.org (509-822-8000)
VINTAGE PRINT GRAND OPENING
Celebrate the opening of the new Vintage Print store as well as the Spokane Neon Museum. Event includes limited edition Zips bags, free drink coupons, live music and more. May 3, 11 am-5 pm. Free. Vintage Print + Neon, 1905 N. Monroe. facebook.com/vintageprint.us
WHITWORTH POLYNESIAN CLUB’S ANNUAL LŪ’AU A community gathering featuring traditional performances and food from Polynesia. May 3, 5-9:30 pm. $8-$35. Whitworth Hixson Union Building, 300 W. Hawthorne Rd. whitworth.edu (509-777-1000)
SPOKANE ASIAN GRADUATION CELEBRATION An event honoring Asian and Asian American students graduating from Spokane County colleges, universities and high schools featuring break dancing, food, commemorative stoles, photos and more. May 4, 3-5 pm. Free. The Philanthropy Center, 1020 W. Riverside Ave. aclspokane.org
MONTHLY ASTROLOGY FORECAST
Join Astrologer Jessica Martin for an overview of the planetary transits for the month and what they mean. May 5, 6-7 pm. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org
FOSTER CARE DAY CELEBRATION Celebrate the foster youth and families in the community, as well as learn about the resources available to foster youth and how you can support. May 6, 4-6 pm. Free. Summit Church (U-District), 1003 E. Trent Ave. lcsnw.org
BITCH ‘N’ STITCH Grab your crochet, knitting, embroidery, weaving, cross stitch, felting, looming, macrame, friendship bracelets and craft casually in the company of others. Every second and last Thursday at 6:30 pm. Free.
Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St. facebook. com/Lunarium.Spokane
FREE IMMIGRATION CLINIC A free clinic or anyone in need of an immigration legal consult. Second Thursday of each month from 5-7 pm Free. Latinos en Spokane, 1502 N. Monroe St. latinosenspokane.org
MOTHER’S DAY FLORAL WORKSHOP
Join Jen, head floral designer at My Fresh Basket, and learn flower arranging techniques while you create a oneof-a-kind bouquet for your mom. Email to RSVP. May 8, 5:30-7 pm. $65. My Fresh Basket, 1030 W. Summit Pkwy. myfreshspokane.com (509-558-2100)
THE WAVY BUNCH NIGHT MARKET & STREET FAIR A night market and street fair featuring vendors, live music, art installations, a beer garden and more. May 9-Oct. 10, second Friday of each month from 5-9 pm. $3. Catalyst Building, 601 E. Riverside Ave. thewavybunch.com (509-828-1393)
JUNIOR LILAC PARADE Spokane’s historic middle school and parade. Marching bands, drill units, youth organizations and clubs perform while walking the streets of downtown Spokane. May 10, 10:30 am. Free. Downtown Spokane. spokanelilacfesstival.org
MOTHER’S DAY HOME TOUR An exclusive look at Spokane’s historic homes and buildings, this year highlighting the historic Millwood district. May 10-11, 12-4 pm. $15-$30. Downtown Millwood. northwestmuseum.org
FILM
STAR WARS DAY MARATHON Watch the original Star Wars trilogy back-toback at the Garland. Single move tickets and three-movie passes available. May 3, 2, 4:30 & 7 pm. $10-$25. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
SENSORY RELAXED MOVIE SCREENINGS Screenings of various movies showing at the Garland with slightly brighter lights, lowered volume and designated areas to move around, dance, walk or sit during the movie. Second Tuesdays (PG 13 movies) at 6:30 pm, second Saturdays (all ages movies) at 11:30 am. $5. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
FOOD & DRINK
WES ANDERSON DAY A Wes Anderson-themed event featuring trivia, costumes, an a la carte menu and unexpected surprises. May 1, 5-10 pm. $20. Cellar & Scholar, 15412 E. Sprague Ave. cellarandscholar.com (509-218-6226)
GOODY BAD WEEKEND A brunch and drunch (brunch for dinner) event, offering culturally-authentic comfort food with diverse music and entertainment. Every Fri from 11 pm-midnight and SatSun from midnight-4 am and 11 am -4 pm. $12-$22. The Goody Bar and Grill, 8714 E. Sprague Ave. (509-425-0536)
NORTH IDAHO WINE SOCIETY: ANNUAL WINEMAKER DINNER Enjoy a five-course gourmet meal while hearing about J Bookwalter Winery from Ed Holmes, the J Bookwalter National Sales Director. May 2, 6:30 pm. $125$150. Hayden Lake Country Club, 2362 E. Bozanta. northidahowinesociety.org
MURDER MYSTERY SUPPER CLUB An immersive murder mystery supper where the jazz is hot, the drinks are cold, and danger lurks beneath the glitz and glam. May 3 & 5, 6:30-9 pm. $85. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commelliniestate.com (509-466-0667)
GLOBAL FOOD & ART MARKET An outdoor food and art market celebrating Spokane’s international community. It features small businesses from Spokane’s immigrant and refugee community. May 6-July 29, Tues from 3-7 pm. Free. The Gathering House, 733 W. Garland Ave. instagram.com/globalfoodandartmarket
MUSIC & CONCERTS
WE JUST CAN’T KEEP FROM SINGING
A chorus of 36 women sing familiar old time songs, songs from Broadway musicals, patriotic songs and more with unique arrangements from decades past. May 2, 7-9:30 pm. Free. Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. Fifth St. 3cscda.com
STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI
The original Star Wars trilogy comes to a close with Luke, Leia, and Han’s triumph over Imperial forces at the Battle of Endor, and you’ll see the film in high definition on a big screen while the Spokane Symphony plays John Williams’s epic soundtrack live on stage. May 3, 7:30 pm and May 4, 3 pm. $36-$130. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org (509-624-1200)
WHITWORTH CHOIR 2025 SPRING
CONCERT The premier choral ensemble performs the renowned “Path of Mira-
cles” (first movement), reflecting on a spiritual pilgrimage. Following that, the program features other music that reflects different experiences in a broader journey in life. May 3, 3-5 pm. $11-$13. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
THIRSTY THURSDAY WORKSHOP: GREEN GRASS DONE RIGHT Master the basics of efficient lawn care, from plant function to irrigation best practices. Learn how to water wisely while keeping your lawn lush and healthy. May 1, 6-7 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org
BLOOMSDAY 2025 An annual run or walk 7.46 miles/12k on a set course around Spokane. Finishers receive a free tshirt. May 4, 8:30 am. $35-$50. Downtown Spokane. bloomsdayrun.org
BLOOMSDAY BIKE CORRAL Secure, attended bike parking for anyone who would like to bike to the start of Bloomsday. Riders are welcome to leave warmup clothes, picnic baskets, etc. with their bikes. May 4, 7:30 am-2 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. spokanebicycleclub.org (509-448-6271)
SPOKANE INDIANS VS. VANCOUVER
CANADIANS Regular season games. Promotional schedule includes: SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night (May 6), Smokey Bear Night (May 7), Cafecitos de Spokane Night (May 8), Military & Veteran Appreciation Fireworks Night (May 9), Rosauers Family Feast & Fireworks Night (May
10) and Mother’s Day Game (May 11). May 6-10, 6:35 pm, May 11, 1:05 pm. $12-$32. Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. spokaneindians.com (509-535-2922)
THEATER & DANCE
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: CRYSTAL With seven traditional circus acts adapted for Cirque du Soleil’s first foray into a brand-new creative territory — ice skating— Crytstal takes audiences on an unforgettable journey into the world of imagination. May 1-2, 7 pm, May 3, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm and May 4, 1 pm. $36-$157. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. cirquedusoleil.com (509-279-7000)
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE Maureen is stuck in the house she grew up in, caring for her aging mother, Mag. Mag is a nightmare and their mutual antagonism hits a new level when Maureen’s first, and possibly final, chance at love suddenly appears. May 2-18, Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sunt 2 pm. $15-$30. Spokane Civic Theare, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com (509-325-2507)
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Set in the French capital in the wake of World War II, An American in Paris tells the story of a young American soldier, a French girl, and an indomitable European city – each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of international conflict. Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1:30 pm through May 4. $30-$35. Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N. Grand. rtoptheatre.org
VISUAL ARTS
TRACY POINDEXTER-CANTON: VIGNETTES & WANDERINGS New mixed media works inspired by poetry and prose by Tracy Poindexter-Canton. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through May 24. Free. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. spokanelibertybuilding.com
MASTER OF FINE ARTS THESIS EXHIBITION A collection of work from current WSU Master of Fine Arts candidates Cameron Kester, Anna Le, Abigail Nnaji and Sara St. Clair. Tue-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through June 28. Free. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson Rd. museum.wsu.edu
STRUT YOUR STUFF A 20th anniversary art show featuring work from 15 local artists focused on themes of natural heritage, the industrial legacy of sawmills and community spirit. Tue-Sun, times vary through May 23. Free. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org (208-457-8950)
VISIONS UNVEILED: THE WOMEN PAINTERS OF WASHINGTON A contemporary fine art showcase revealing new perspectives from the Women Painters of Washington. May 1-June 27, Wed-Sat from 5-8 pm. Free. Trails End Gallery, 204 E. Main St. chewelah.org (509-936-9181)
KIM LONG & COLLISTA KREBS: STORIES THAT MIGHT BE TRUE Kim Long displays vibrant paintings alongside Collista Krebs’ whimsical clay art. both showcase their love for the animal kingdom. May 2-30, Wed-Sat from 11 am-5 pm. Free. New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague Ave. manicmoonandmore.com
FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT
DARYA J. PILRAM: EMBRACING IMPERFECTION: THE ART OF KINTSUGI REPAIR Darya J. Pilram exhibits ceramic works repaired using the art of Kintsugi, a Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics by joining the pieces with lacquer and gold. May 2-30, Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. TracksideStudio.net (509-863-9904)
FIRST FRIDAY Art galleries and businesses across downtown Spokane and beyond host monthly receptions to showcase new displays of art. First Fridays of each month from 5-8 pm. Free. Spokane. firstfridayspokane.org
BARRISTER WINERY FIRST FRIDAY Artist Christy Branson with music by Stagecoach West. May 2, 5-10 pm. Free. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. barristerwinery.com (509-465-3591)
SAINT GEORGE’S IB VISUAL ARTS JUNIORS A showcase of work by Saint George’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Visual Arts Programme Junior classstudents. May 2-31, Thu-Sat from 11 am-4 pm. Free. Avenue West Gallery, 907 W. Boone Ave. avenuewestgallery.com
GROW LIKE A TREE EXHIBITION & BOOK LAUNCH Artists Rebekah WilkinsPepiton and Lisa E. Silvestri present their children’s book Grow Like a Tree about the life cycles of trees. Each illustration is made of foraged materials. May 2-31, FriSat from noon-8 pm. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com
JAMES DHILLON: PAST IS PRESENT James Dhillon shows immersive and expressive work in this exhibit. May 2-June 3; times vary. Free. D2 Gallery and Studio, 310 W. First Ave. D2gallerystudio.com
JOSEPH R. TOMLINSON: “...” Illustrations inspired by comic books, album art, movie posters and more by local artist Joseph R. Tomlinson. May 2-June 2, daily from 11 am-6 pm. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. instagram. com/entropygalleryspokane
THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE SPRING ART SHOW The Artist Collective Spring Art Exhibition featuring Nathan Chartrey, hosted by Moeckel Studio and Skeemn Ent. features RKVR, Matt Schwenk, Mo Stach, Matt Wolf, Dave Hill and more. RKVR, May 2, 5-8:30 pm. Free. Moeckel Studio, 154 S. Madison St. moeckelstudio.com (509-217-6831)
MYTHOS This exhibition featuring artists Jesse Albrecht, Sally Jablonsky and Hannah Koeske looks broadly at the idea of mythology in contemporary art. May 2-30; Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm. Free. Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. mobile.kolva. comcastbiz.net
WORDS
HARMONY WRITERS GROUP A writing group focused on memoir and craft. Every other week on Thursday from 5:15-7 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
DROP IN & WRITE Aspiring writers are invited to be a part of a supportive writers’ community. Bring works in progress to share, get inspired with creative prompts and spend some focused time writing. Hosted by local writers Jenny Davis and Hannah
Engel. Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299)
3 MINUTE MIC Readers may share up to 3 minutes worth of poetry. Sign-ups at 6:30 pm. May 2, 7-8:30 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com
WRITE TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY WRITING SESSION Bring your current writing project, your favorite writing tools and prepare to hunker down and write. Local novelist and Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields writes and provide prompts and advice. May 2, 10 am-noon. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org
STORY TIME WITH LALA Join LaLa on the first Saturday of each month to read a story, participate in a craft and enjoy snacks. First Sat. of every month, 10:3011:30 am. Free. Wishing Tree Books, 1410 E. 11th Ave. wishingtreebookstore.com
POETRY AFTER DARK EWU MFA students lead discussions about elements, style and form in poetry. Every Tuesday from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org
SANDPOINT STORYMAKERS A group focused on helping creative people achieve their dream whether it’s a novel or a video game. Every Tuesday from 5-6:30 pm. Free. Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. ebonnerlibrary.org
BROKEN MIC A weekly open mic reading series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. . Free. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit.ly/2ZAbugD
ELIEEN GARVIN: CROW TALK Author
Eileen Garvin discusses her newest novel, Crow Talk, about an unlikely trio and an encounter with a crow in the woods. May 7, 7 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main. auntiesbooks.com
KINDERGARTEN COUNTDOWN STORYTIME A weekly program consisting of stories, music, rhymes and interactive fun that help promote essential socialemotional, motor, language, literacy and math skills. Ages 3-5. Wed from 10-11 am through May 28. Free. Hillyard Library, 4110 N. Cook St. spokanelibrary.org
MASKED WEEKLY WRITERS GROUP
A weekly meet-up for creative writers in any and all mediums to have a semistructured time to work on and get feedback on their projects. Face masks are required and will be provided to those who don’t already have one. Every Wednesday from 2-4 pm. Free. Great Harvest Bread Co., 2530 E. 29th Ave. greatharvestspokane.com (509-535-1146)
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME PLAY & LEARN Share books, songs and fun. After storytime, spend some time in open play with learning activities. Every Wed from 10-11 am. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org n
Cannabis and Citrus
This lemon cordial recipe will elevate your cannabis-infused beverages BY WILL MAUPIN
Whether you make it at home or find it in a store, cannabis tinctures are an easy and effective way to consume the plant. They’re also almost always pretty foul tasting.
Fortunately, the right flavor pairings can turn the experience of consuming tincture from one more like begrudgingly swallowing cough syrup into a truly pleasurable drinking experience. This lemon cordial recipe involves concentrated citrus that cuts through the earthy and dank cannabis flavor without completely overwhelming it like the mass-produced infused beverages available in stores.
INGREDIENTS
• 12 lemons
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Water
• Any kind of cannabis tincture
The ingredient list is almost deceivingly short, because the lemons play multiple parts throughout the process. Their zest will add a candy-like sweetness, while the juice punches through with the tangy, sour citrus flavor. Even the water will take on some lemon essence along the way.
DIRECTIONS
1. Zest all of the lemons, making sure to only get the outermost yellow layer and not the bitter white interior of the peel.
2. Place the lemons in a large pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn off the heat and remove the lemons from the pot, but reserve the water. When the lemons are cool enough to handle, slice and juice them.
4. Once you know how much lemon juice you have, take an equal amount of the reserved water and transfer it to a smaller pot.
5. Add the lemon zest and sugar to the transferred water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the lemon juice and return to a boil.
7. Cool, strain and refrigerate.
Depending on the size of your lemons, this will produce approximately 4 cups of cordial.
Once the cordial has been made, it can be mixed with just about anything. I prefer to add the tincture on an as-used basis to maintain freshness. Mixing it in all at once creates an unappealing cloudy appearance in the cordial and leads to a funky flavor after a few days.
My favorite way to use the cordial is to pour an ounce or two into a glass, splash in a small dose of tincture, and then add a 12-ounce can of sparkling water — passionfruit LaCroix pairs very nicely. Adding the sparkling water last mixes everything together, so there is no need to stir.
The cordial will keep for about two weeks if sealed in the refrigerator, but I’ve never had to worry about it lasting that long. n
NOTE TO READERS
Be aware of the differences in the law between Idaho and Washington. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport cannabis in the State of Idaho. Possessing up to an ounce is a misdemeanor and can get you a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine; more than three ounces is a felony that can carry a five-year sentence and fine of up to $10,000. Transporting marijuana across state lines, like from Washington into Idaho, is a felony under federal law.
Elevate your lemonade for the hot days ahead. WILL MAUPIN PHOTO
GREEN ZONE
BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habitforming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.
YOUR TEEN ASKS WHY IS LEGAL FOR YOU, BUT NOT HIM. AND YOU SAY?
Now that marijuana is legal for those 21 and over, it’s more important than ever to talk with your kids.
RURAL RESOURCES COMMUNITY ACTION
PROJECT: Renovation of San Poil Apartments located at 466 Thornton Dr, Republic, WA 99166
Separate sealed BIDS for the complete remodel of a 14 unit apartment community in Republic, WA will be received by Colton Thompson at the office of Rural Resources Community Action until 8:15AM (Local Time) on May 29th, 2025 and then at said office publicly opened. The BID DOCUMENTS may be examined or obtained from Colton Thompson through email- cothompson@ruralresources.org . All contracts exceeding $10,000 shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Executive Order 11246, entitled, “Equal Employment Opportunity,” as amended by Executive Order 11375 and as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations (41 CFR Part 60).
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