BOSTON BRED New album, same attitude from Dropkick Murphys PAGE 50 IRRIGATION
Central WA farmers finally connected to Columbia River PAGE 8
EDITOR’S NOTE
eeding yourself has gotten pretty expensive these days, hasn’t it?
Between rising grocery prices and many other economic factors in the modern climate, it can often feel like dining out is a big splurge. Each year as our team sets out to compile the Inlander’s CHEAP EATS issue, our annual budget-friendly dining roundup, we feel it, too. Finding low-priced meals that are tasty and filling definitely becomes more challenging year after year.
But the good news? The deals are out there. We found dozens of local eateries around the region getting even more creative with their budgets so that diners closely watching their bank statements are still able to enjoy a satisfying meal out. While “Cheap Eats” has a nice ring to it, low-priced food doesn’t always mean sugary or greasy (though you’ll still find plenty of treats here, too), and we make sure to pack this issue with dishes that are also well-rounded and nutritious. If we missed any great deals in this issue, be sure to drop us a line at editor@inlander.com, and we’ll try to check it out soon!
— CHEY SCOTT, Editor
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WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO PLACE FOR A BUDGET-FRIENDLY MEAL?
LAUREN CLAUSEN
Neato Burrito has the most for probably the most easy cost. I never finish a meal there. There’s Satellite [Diner & Lounge], which is nice, too. And then if I’m in the mood for a cheap Mexican, Atilano’s is nice.
GAIA GALLOTTI
I think Our Thai House.
What’s your favorite order?
Either the pad se-ew or the yellow curry.
EMILY TATE
I would say, I go to a little shop out in the valley called the [Garden Coffee & Local Eats]... and they’ve got really good breakfast, little tiny breakfast with avocado toast, stuff like that. And they have wonderful drinks. It’s not the cheapest place in town, but it’s the best.
ALINA MURCAR
I think South Hill Grill is a really affordable place, and then probably the [South Perry] Lantern in the Perry District, they’ve got really high quality meals as well. Up north, I feel like you can’t go wrong with Cascadia [Public House], especially for that kind of food it is very affordable with more specialty items.
BEAU SKINNER (AND PINCH)
Honestly, Zola, their happy hour, you can get like a [$6] smashburger. You can get like a whole meal and a drink for less than 20 bucks … But also they have live music and stuff like that, too, so you kind of get the best of both worlds. Budget meal, free concert.
07/11/25, ATTICUS
Murrow’s Message
Broadcast journalism is a mix of show business, advertising and news — and as Edward R. Murrow observed, that can lead to ethical conflicts
BY AL TOMPKINS
Publicly traded companies like Paramount have an obligation to generate returns for their shareholders. They must make strategic decisions that increase the company’s stock price and profitability.
If that was all Paramount had to consider when weighing whether to pay President Donald Trump millions of dollars after he complained about the way a CBS 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris was edited, then the settlement could be justified. A settlement might cost less money than a protracted legal battle. It is a coldly rational corporate decision where money takes precedence over principle.
But that is not all that journalism-producing companies like Paramount should consider. Something more important is at stake.
Nelson Poynter, the owner and publisher of the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) and the founder of The Poynter Institute, often spoke of newspaper ownership as “a sacred trust.” Biographer Robert Pierce wrote that Poynter believed that sacred trust “made public service, not moneymaking, the moving force and primary responsibility of a news medium.”
On Oct. 15, 1958, CBS anchor Edward R. Murrow delivered a speech before local news executives in which Murrow warned what could happen, indeed what will happen if corporate owners of news operations like CBS do not understand the same sort of “sacred trust” that Nelson Poynter spoke of. Murrow said on that evening:
“One of the basic troubles with radio and television news is that both instruments have grown up as an incompatible combination of show business, advertising and news. Each of the three is a rather bizarre and, at times, demanding profession. And when you get all three under one roof, the dust never settles.
“The top management of the networks with a few notable exceptions, has been trained in advertising, research, sales or show business. But by the nature of the corporate structure, they also make the final and crucial decisions having to do with news and public affairs.
“Frequently they have neither the time nor the competence to do this. It is, after all, not easy for the same small group of men to decide whether to buy a new station for millions of dollars… sell a soap opera, decide what defensive line to take in connection with the latest Congressional inquiry, how much money to spend on promoting a new program, what additions or deletions should be made in the existing covey or clutch of vice presidents, and at the same time… to give mature, thoughtful consideration to the manifold problems that confront those who are charged with the responsibility for news and public affairs.”
Poynter’s senior scholar Roy Peter Clark told me about a time when someone came to Poynter to teach business ethics. The ethics expert said that sometimes a profession is embedded in a business: journalism, medical work, accounting. The ethics of the professional and the business can bump into each other. When they do, it is imperative that the ethics of the profession take precedence. If they don’t, it’s not good for the profession OR the business.
New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger wrote, “There will be no worthwhile future for journalism if our profession abandons the core value that makes our work essential to demo-
Washington State University alum Edward R. Murrow broadcasting his CBS radio show in 1957. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BROADCASTING ARCHIVES IMAGE, PUBLIC DOMAIN
cratic society, the value that answers the question of why we’re deserving of the public trust and the special protections afforded the free press. That value is journalistic independence.”
It appears likely that before the end of this year, a newly appointed GOP-led Federal Communications Commission will approve a measure of deregulation of broadcast ownership. The biggest media companies will grow bigger, and you could see investors
“There will be no worthwhile future for journalism if our profession abandons… journalistic independence.”
who have no current interest in broadcasting enter the business. I want to suggest some language that should go into the prospectus for such a company’s stock offerings.
It would be a warning to investors that they are about to buy shares in a company that will try its best to make money, but that there will be times when something bigger will take precedence.
(I am sure there is, tucked away in the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, language that would keep any company from saying what I am about to suggest. But for a moment, indulge me as I offer a layman’s version of what I want a company that is in the business of producing journalism to say to potential investors.)
Maybe they could try something like this:
A NOTE TO INVESTORS
“Thank you for considering an investment in this media company. Please pay careful attention to what you are buying into. We do journalism. That means we report the news without fear or favor. What we report won’t always be popular, but we will strive to be fair, and we will value accuracy and context in all that we report. Don’t be surprised when some of your money goes to pay for protracted legal battles to protect press freedom. This company does not flinch when advertisers threaten us because we reported something they did not like.
“Consequential journalism costs lots of money. That part of our business may not always be profitable, but it is an important part of who we are, and we are proud of that.
“This company has a ‘firewall’ that protects the journalism from overt business or political interests. No shareholder, including YOU, will have the influence to influence what the journalist reports or how they report it.
“You are not just investing in a media company. You are investing in journalism and this company believes that journalism is essential. Every other part of this company, every other part of every company you may consider investing in, requires somebody to uphold the bedrock American principles of the right to free speech, freedom of religion, freedom to peaceably assemble, the right to petition for redress of grievances or the right to publish, broadcast or speak your truth. We will do that.
“This company believes that owning a news organization carries a sacred trust to serve the public with consistently reliable information. Other investments may produce bigger financial returns, but you are investing in a company that supplies you with essential information that any society needs to self-govern responsibly.”
Acompany that had the spine to say something like that would not bow before a whining president over a TV interview that made no difference in the presidential election. A company like that would be a pleasure to watch and an honor to work for. Sadly, the Paramount “settlement” with Donald Trump settles nothing. Expect its capitulation to lead to more attacks on the free press. Murrow warned us about these days.
He said: “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” n
After nearly 30 years working as a reporter, photojournalist, producer, investigative reporter and news director, Al Tompkins joined the senior faculty at the Poynter Institute. This commentary first appeared on poynter.org.
AGRICULTURE
Waiting for Water
Decades after it was initially promised, the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program delivers Columbia River water to Central Washington farmers
BY COLTON RASANEN
Like most farmers in the Columbia Basin, Roger Bailie has been thinking about water for most of his life.
In 1915, his family began operating a dryland wheat farm, relying only on the year’s rain to water the crops on their land north of Connell, about 40 minutes southwest of Ritzville. When he was only 10 years old, he attended a meeting with his dad to learn more about the federal government’s plans for irrigating Washington’s desert: the Columbia Basin Project.
At the time, the Grand Coulee Dam had been completed for almost a decade, making way for the federal Bureau of Reclamation to irrigate more than a million acres of farmland with Columbia River water. The Bailie family waited through the 1950s and ’60s hoping that the water would come, so they could begin farming more waterintensive crops.
In 1967, Bailie was hopeful when he got a permit from the state Department of Ecology to drill a well into the
subterranean aquifer beneath his land. It was only meant to be a temporary measure until the East High Canal was built to deliver water to their farm.
But that canal was never built, so farmers, including Bailie, continued pumping billions of gallons of water up from the aquifer to irrigate their crops. This undue strain on the aquifer caused it to go into significant decline.
Because of the substantial impact on the region’s groundwater source, efforts to irrigate the Columbia Basin — which stretches across Grant, Lincoln, Adams and Franklin counties — with Columbia River water were reignited.
Federal, state and local agencies announced the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program in 2013. Using infrastructure that had been built and mostly abandoned decades before, officials promised to pipe surface water from the river to approximately 90,000 acres of land pulling from the Odessa Subarea Aquifer.
On May 23, 2025, 75 years after he first attended that water meeting with his dad, Roger Bailie and his son Brad, who runs the family farm today, finally saw that promise fulfilled as they turned off their groundwater wells and turned on their new water, sourced from the Columbia River.
“I’m so grateful that we have this water, but my dad has been waiting for it much longer than I have,” Brad Bailie says. “You know, this was like the No. 1 thing on his bucket list, so I’m just happy he’s still here to see it.”
HIGH AND DRY
Like the Bailies, many farming families in the Columbia Basin have been waiting for river irrigation for the better part of a century. It was a promise the federal government made when it approved the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, which sits on the Columbia River about 90 miles
The recently constructed “EL 86.4” pumping station is a gravity-fed system that is helping deliver Columbia River water to farms in places like Connell.
PHOTO COURTESY EAST COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
NEWS | AGRICULTURE
“WAITING FOR WATER,” CONTINUED...
west of Spokane and more than 50 miles north of Odessa. Completed in 1942, the dam became the foundation of the Columbia Basin Project, which aimed to divert about 3% of the river’s flow to irrigate 1.1 million acres of arid land in Central Washington. Though the project is considered the largest water reclamation effort in the country — more than 1,600 miles of main and secondary canals, alongside 3,500 miles of drains and wasteways were constructed — it only irrigated about 60% of the land (about 670,000 acres) it was intended to.
“In anticipation of the federal project completing, Ecology started to issue groundwater permits to farmers within the basin under the assumption that that was temporary,” says Larry Mattson, Ecology’s Office of the Columbia River director. “So, they could drill wells and tap into the aquifer … until the federal agency, the Bureau of Reclamation, finished around 330,000 acres that needed to be done.”
The Odessa Subarea Aquifer, which farmers were allowed to use for irrigation, spans approximately 2,000 square miles beneath Adams, Franklin, Grant and Lincoln counties. It provides water to more than 60,000 people.
However, the basin project was never completed. The ongoing draw on the Odessa Aquifer made it decline at a faster pace than it could naturally replenish.
“They’re really, you know — mining the aquifer is a strong word, but really, I don’t know a better word to describe when you’re using a resource that’s going to take thousands of years to replace itself,” Mattson says. “In the true sense of mining, you’re using a resource and it’s gone forever. But really, we’re tapping into the groundwater and it’s going to be gone for generations before it’s naturally restored.”
In 2001, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, the Washington state Department of Ecology and three Columbia Basin irrigation districts (East, South and Quincy) partnered to create the Columbia River Initiative. The agencies collectively determined that one of the first priorities would be to alleviate the strain on the Odessa Aquifer.
“When we looked at different alternatives on how to address that declining aquifer, it was pretty easy to see that the lands were already part of the Columbia Basin Project. There were a lot of facilities that were already put in that could help take some of the pressure off a good portion of some of those diversions,” says Craig Simpson, manager of the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District. “And it was a lower cost than every other alternative we looked at.”
After a decade of work conducting studies and planning, the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program took shape in 2013. Simpson, who has worked for the irrigation district for three decades, says it’s a major program that will impact far more than just the region’s farmers.
“I mean, in my world, the replacement program is the biggest thing, but it is big for our state and our economies, too,” Simpson says. “It’s kind of quiet because it is in the middle of Eastern Washington where there’s not very many people — but it is still a big deal.”
The agencies determined that they could use existing Columbia Basin Project infrastructure — such as the East Low Canal flowing through Moses Lake, Warden, Othello and Connell — to irrigate 87,000 acres of farmland in the region with surface water, rather than the aquifer.
“The whole point of this is to reduce that pressure on the aquifer and stabilize it to make sure that the water that remains in the Odessa Subarea Aquifer is available for the local small municipalities who rely on that for their water,” says Marc Maynard, the Ephrata field office manager with the Bureau of Reclamation.
While coordinating the program between three agencies and various landowners hoping to take part in the program can be complicated, leaders say there isn’t an
easier way.
“It gets complex really quickly, and that’s been the challenge,” Mattson says, “maintaining good, clear, consistent, strong communication with all the parties over time.”
The Bureau of Reclamation needs to be involved because the water coming from the Columbia River is federal. Plus, the bureau built the 330-mile main canal, so any changes to the waterway need to be federally approved. Ecology holds the purse strings, ensuring that funding secured from the Washington Legislature is being used correctly. Meanwhile, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District is responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the 10+ water pumping stations being built along the East Low Canal.
“As a matter of fact, this work is kind of out of the scope of what most irrigation districts do. They don’t do the development, just the operation and maintenance of the Reclamation facilities,” Simpson explains. “But in this case, Reclamation wasn’t going to build it. The state wasn’t going to build it. So since these were our landowners, our board of directors told them that we thought we could build it economically.”
SLOW AND STEADY
After the groundwater replacement program was created, the state Legislature included $26.1 million in the 2013-15 capital budget to begin the program’s construction. (Since its inception, the state and federal government have infused more than $160 million into the program.) The first step was to widen the East Low Canal where all the water would be piped out of.
In 2016, Simpson’s irrigation district finished widening the canal to increase the amount of water flowing through it. Before it was widened, the canal had half the capacity it needed, he says. After, Simpson’s team began working to build pump stations along the canal that would distribute the water to nearby farms.
The pumping stations, otherwise known as a distribution system, are named for the mile marker where they are located on the canal — the first one built being the East Low 47.5 in Warden. There are six pumps in this system, pulling upwards of 60,000 gallons of water per minute.
These distribution systems are built to deliver water to a certain number of acres, depending on their size and location. For example, the EL 47.5 system that was finished in 2021 pumps water to 10,500 acres of land, but the recently finished EL 86.4 system only has the capacity to provide
water for about 6,200 acres.
With the completion in April of EL 86.4, the second distribution system, 16 deep wells were eliminated, conserving approximately 5 billion gallons of water in the Odessa Aquifer each year.
Two other distribution systems (EL 84.7 and 80.6), which together would take another 13,000 acres of land off the aquifer, are the next scheduled projects. Simpson says his irrigation district is already out to bid for the construction materials. A much larger distribution system that would distribute water to 17,000 acres (the EL 22.1 in Moses Lake) is also coming down the pipeline.
Simpson and Ecology’s Mattson each say state Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, has been a major supporter of the water replacement program, advocating for the inclusion of $44 million in the state’s 2025-27 capital budget for the Moses Lake distribution system.
“This capital budget is a big win for water infrastructure needs in the Columbia Basin and other parts of Eastern Washington,” Schoesler, a fifth-generation dryland wheat farmer, said in April after the Legislature passed the budget. “Three generations of farmers in the Columbia Basin are still waiting for irrigated water. Thanks to the funding in this capital budget, these farmers won’t have to wait much longer.”
While there’s not a solid timeline for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program’s completion, Ecology’s Mattson similarly says the sooner the program is fully implemented, the better, as farmers have been waiting on this water for generations. Currently, approximately 26,000 acres of land, close to 30% of the program’s 87,000-acre goal, have been transitioned from deep well water to Columbia River surface water.
“My hope would be five years from now, we’re seeing some stabilization of the aquifer,” Mattson says. “And we should be done in 10 years. We really should. I don’t think there’s any reason why it would take longer than that.”
NO-BRAINER
One of the most complicated parts about the program, Simpson says, is that it’s voluntary for landowners. Those who are drawing water from the declining aquifer are not required to decommission their wells in favor of river water.
“I wish somebody would just say, ‘You have to do this,’ because it’d be a lot easier then,” Simpson says, explaining that the financial burden is what holds some back from ...continued on page 12
Brad Bailie’s onions are now irrigated with surface water from the Columbia River. COLTON RASANEN PHOTO
Count Down
Spokane’s homeless count shows decrease, but tracks more unsheltered people. Plus, North Idaho libraries could stop sharing; and GU Climate Institute warns about heat
BY INLANDER STAFF
Each year, the city of Spokane spends a day at the end of January carrying out its Point-in-Time Count, a federally required survey meant to track how many people are experiencing homelessness in the county. Held on Jan. 22, this year’s count found that the county’s homeless population decreased for the second year in a row. Last year, there were 2,021 homeless individuals, including 1,578 sheltered and 443 unsheltered; this year, the city tallied 1,806 homeless individuals, including 1,189 sheltered and 617 unsheltered. “The numbers reinforce what my administration has said from the start — that consistent engagement and a focus on navigating people to treatment, case management, and transitional housing is the right approach,” Mayor Lisa Brown stated. While there was an overall decrease in homelessness, the one-day count identified more homeless people without shelter than the previous year. According to the city, that increase is due to a change in the survey methodology — volunteers were sent to areas where unsheltered people are known to stay, rather than sent out to search for themselves. (COLTON RASANEN)
BOOKS BE GONE
On June 18, members of North Idaho’s Cooperative Information Network, an interlibrary local consortium, discussed whether they should dissolve the 40-year-old network, which allows regional libraries to share materials. The Cooperative Information Network includes member libraries from Kootenai, Bonner and Pend Oreille counties, as well as the city of Liberty Lake, plus others. The members were scheduled to vote to officially dissolve the consortium at 10 am on July 16, with plans to dissolve completely by Sept. 30. If passed, patrons of these libraries would no longer be able to borrow books from other libraries in the network, many of which are rural and rely on the network to provide ample titles. In January, the network voted to reorganize under the name Inland Northwest Libraries, if the current group dissolved. It is unclear whether all libraries in the network would take part in the new group, as some member libraries have disagreed with mandates from the Community Library Network — a member that oversees certain North Idaho libraries — which states that library cards issued to minors “cannot be used to reserve physical or electronic materials from other libraries,” to prevent minors from checking out books deemed “harmful.” (MADISON PEARSON)
ESCAPE THE HEAT
As temperatures continue to rise across the Inland Northwest, experts at Gonzaga’s Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment urge residents to take precautions against extreme heat Dante Jester, the institute’s climate resilience program manager, says education and preparation are critical. “What’s kind of at the heart of our work is this idea that no one in Spokane should die a preventable death, and heat death is preventable with the right education and support,” Jester says. During the 2021 heat dome, 19 Spokane County residents died, many of whom were seniors living in homes without adequate cooling. Jester emphasizes that heat can impact anyone, not just people who are unhoused. Officials recommend using central air conditioning if possible and visiting cooled community spaces like libraries or community centers. People should also know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and call 911 immediately if severe symptoms occur. Find resources and tips at srhd.org or gonzaga.edu/climate-institute. “Heat exhaustion will make you feel pretty crummy for a while, and that’s a bummer, but heatstroke will kill you very quickly or cause more permanent damage,” Jester says. (DORA SCOTT) n
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“WAITING FOR WATER,” CONTINUED...
participating. “At the beginning of the program, there was a lot of interest, but people weren’t willing to commit.”
Landowners are eligible to sign up for the water if the land they’re already farming has the capability to connect to the canal’s distribution systems. Once they’re approved to make the change, they must also trade in their state water certifications — the documentation that allows their use of a certain amount of well water — for another one from their irrigation district.
Simpson says participating landowners will pay off the construction (whatever isn’t funded by the federal or state governments) over the next 30 years, with the financial impact going down as more landowners sign on. His office set a cap on the price so no landowner would need to pay more than $190 per acre, per year, for the water. Right now, landowners using the program’s water pay $124 per acre, per year.
“For context, in the EL 47.5 system, their first year they paid $175 an acre. And now it’s gone from $175 down to $124 per acre because the systems have come in under the cap that we placed and there’s been huge influxes of grant funding from the state of Washington to help offset costs,” Simpson says.
Brad Bailie, who took over his family farm near Connell two decades ago, says the decision to abandon groundwater is a no-brainer for the region’s farmers.
“Everybody knew that these wells were a losing proposition. The water level is dropping, and it’s just very expensive to operate a deep well,” he explains. “If you have the opportunity to get surface water, you’d be pretty much insane to not take that.”
The alternative, he says, is farmers continuing to irrigate
their crops with the warm, mineral-rich water that’s pumped up from deep in the aquifer. His well was about 800 feet deep, but some others in the region have had to dig as deep as 2,000 feet. That water causes the soil to become harder and clumped together, compromising crop health.
Eventually, he says the aquifer will hit a point of no return, leading those still relying on their wells to transition back to dryland farming in an area known for its minimal rainfall. He says the region only sees between 6 and 10 inches of rainfall each year, and dryland fields only produce crops every other year.
Nick Johnson, a fourth-generation potato farmer in Othello, agrees that signing up for groundwater replace-
ment is the best financial option for the region’s farmers. He estimates that an acre of dryland farm would sell for about $750 while an acre of land irrigated by deep wells would go for $4,000-$5,000. While he doesn’t have a crystal ball to see the future, Johnson anticipates that the land he irrigates with Columbia River water could be worth double the land relying on wells.
Plus, Johnson says it’s just more efficient to stop using groundwater. For example, one of his deep wells can bring up about 1,100 gallons of water per minute, while his replacement water source can produce about 3,600 gallons of water per minute, using half the horsepower.
“Farming gets harder every year, and it’s still only get-
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, dial 988 and press 4 for confidential support from a Native counselor. Visit NativeAndStrong.org for more resources.
Huge pipes are being used to deliver billions of gallons of water to thousands of acres of farmland. PHOTO COURTESY EAST COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
ting harder,” Johnson says, “So eliminating the difficulty with our deep wells is huge.”
Though it’s only been a few months since their water source transition, the small yellow blooms of mustard plants and lush Sudan grass planted atop some of Brad Bailie’s fields are evidence of the new water’s boon.
“I’ve never, ever been able to grow summer cover crops because I’ve never had the water,” he says.
In the past, he had to narrow his summer crops to a single field of potatoes and onions because that’s all the water he had. Now, in addition to planting cover crops, he’s able to irrigate all 1,268 acres of the land he farms, which he fills with organic onions, peas, squash, potatoes and ancient grains.
“It’s going to take awhile to remediate the problems that we’ve created with the well water,” Brad Bailie says. “But, now I have so many more options of how to keep something green and growing all the time on the land.” n coltonr@inlander.com
Adding Officers
Spokane Valley’s Proposition 1 asks for a sales tax increase to fund 10 new police officers
BY ELLIS BENSON
In early August, Spokane Valley voters will decide on a new public safety sales tax. If approved, Proposition 1 would increase the city’s sales and use tax rate by 0.1% in order to fund additional police officers.
This tax would be applied on all retail sales in Spokane Valley, which currently has an overall sales tax rate (including state tax) of 8.9%, compared to Spokane’s 9.1%.
The proposition is estimated to generate $2.6 million in 2026 and would add at least 10 new police officers.
According to the city, the new tax is needed because of the increases in both city population (currently estimated at 108,267, up from 89,755 in 2010) and calls for police service.
Opponents argue that the tax is an unnecessary burden and that public safety solutions should not focus on increasing police presence.
NEED FOR OFFICERS
In 2023, the city of Spokane Valley contracted with an outside firm, Matrix Consulting Group, to understand the police department’s growing needs. Matrix recommended that the Spokane Valley Police Department, which is staffed by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, hire an additional 31 officers to keep up with demand. Based on the recommendations, the city set forth a multiyear staffing plan.
In 2025, the plan’s first phase went into effect with the hiring of 10 new police officers. To make those hires fiscally possible, the city cut funding in other areas, Spokane Valley City Council member Ben Wick says.
“We reduced funding in our streets program primarily,” Wick says. “But we’ve actually cut on all the different city budget areas outside of public safety.”
The city currently pays for approximately 121 officers, including 101 officers dedicated solely to Spokane Valley. The total also includes positions shared with the sheriff’s office for things such as major crimes and regional task forces, which share supervision.
The plan’s second phase requires passing Proposition 1, which is on Spokane Valley ballots for the Aug. 5 primary election.
Wick says the proposition’s main goal is to add another 10 police officers, with the funds raised by the tax going entirely to fund law enforcement. RCW 82.14.450, which allows cities to pass these public safety taxes, requires a third of the revenue generated be used for “criminal justice purposes.” Wick says funding law enforcement falls into that category.
According to the city, Spokane Valley has seen a 54% increase in public safety calls since 2004, when the city had approximately 105 officers. Undersheriff Dave Ellis, the Spokane Valley police
Spokane Valley Police Department is hoping to grow to meet increased needs in the city. PHOTO COURTESY SPOKANE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
chief, says the staff increase will allow police to respond more promptly.
With increasing service calls, Ellis is also concerned about overworked officers and hopes that this staff increase will prevent burnout and lead to a more appealing workplace environment.
“We have mandatory overtime, and they’re working 12-hour shifts,” Ellis says. “So we’re looking to really try and find a better work-life balance for our officers and ensure that we don’t lead to any kind of burnout.”
A deficit in staffing impacts the department’s ability to do proactive policing, which is a crime-reduction strategy using increased police presence in neighborhoods to prevent crime. This strategy is especially pertinent for dealing with “nuisance houses,” such as known drug houses, Ellis says.
“Proactive policing is our ability to go and work those problem areas, [and] be a visible presence there to deter crime,” Ellis says. “We’re trying to get to the root cause of the problem versus making arrests. Maybe we can work with the landlords and people like that to hopefully address the issue.”
The 2023 study by Matrix Consulting recommended adding specific positions, primarily in patrol and property and drug crimes. Matrix did not recommend additional positions to address domestic violence, community services or behavioral health. However, Wick says the city has not yet committed to where the new positions would go.
One area that the city could look to increase with Proposition 1 includes school resource officers. Wick says additional coverage is needed for schools. Spokane Valley has three school districts: Central Valley, East Valley and West Valley.
“That is something that they are requesting assistance with as well, so this would allow us to have an increased presence at the high schools, making sure there’s a school resource officer there,” Ellis says.
The community has also asked Ellis for additional traffic enforcement in school zones and neighborhoods. Matrix recommended three new positions for traffic enforcement; the department, as of 2023, had seven officers assigned to that role.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
Rod Tadlock, a Spokane Valley resident who submitted an argument against the proposition for the voter’s guide, worries that it is an unnecessary tax increase with a misplaced focus on law enforcement.
“One of the things I’m kind of concerned about is the city’s priorities and spending, and one of them, I think, is a lack of focus on building communities,” Tadlock says. “I believe that doing things to build communities would be better for dealing with social issues than just funding police.”
Tadlock says that prevention is cheaper than dealing with crimes after they have already been committed, and providing safe community gathering places can play a role in prevention.
Another factor he is concerned with is the lack of transportation alternatives, such as buses and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. In Tadlock’s view, an increase in both public gathering spaces and public transportation can help build community.
“In these neighborhoods there’s really no place for kids to go,” Tadlock says.
While Tadlock believes that additional law enforcement is not what Spokane Valley needs most, he also is concerned about what the tax increase could mean for already financially burdened residents.
Council member Wick believes that the main hesitation a voter may have with Proposition 1 is the tax increase itself. The 0.1% increase will add 10 cents per $100 purchase. But he points to the benefit from visitors.
“About 50% of the sales tax generated in Spokane Valley comes from visitors,” Wick says. “So residents are only paying about half the amount that would be generated from this.”
On Monday, July 21, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, the city will host an open house at the Spokane Valley Library (22 N. Herald Road) for residents to learn more about the proposition. n
THEATER
Love and Respect
Theater on the Verge stages gay classic Torch Song at Hamilton Studios for the first time in Spokane history
BY COLTON RASANEN
Before Troy Nickerson and Chris Jensen founded Theater on the Verge last year, the duo imagined bringing Harvey Fierstein’s queer classic Torch Song to Spokane. The Tony-award-winning show, which was turned into a movie in 1988, follows drag queen and torch singer Arnold Beckoff as he searches for family, love and respect in 1970s New York.
“When I was a kid that was the first gay film I probably ever saw and it was the first time I ever saw representation of gay people in a film,” Nickerson says. “And even though I wasn’t out … it was so powerful.”
Part of that power, Nickerson thinks, came from how the main character was portrayed. Instead of a story where the protagonist must overcome discrimination and bigotry for being queer, Torch Song allows its lead to aim for something simpler.
“It was really quite radical how a gay man at that period of time, in the ’70s, was looking for normalcy, like a normal relationship and family and husband,” he explains. “At that period of time I never even thought that was a possibility. So it’s just something I have hung on to.”
While it’s not the first show Nickerson and Jenson produced together as they originally pictured, Torch Song — which has never been performed in the Inland Northwest before — shows at Hamilton Studio from July 17 to Aug. 2. It’s Theater on the Verge’s second stage production, with Jensen as the show’s producer and Nickerson directing.
While the show is undeniably a queer story, Nickerson says it gained popularity because its message about finding family is one most can relate to.
“It’s this piece about characters who were, at the time,
sort of off the beaten path,” Jensen says. “You know, drag was not at the center of culture nearly in the same way, it’s far more mainstream now thanks to things like RuPaul’s Drag Race and so [Fierstein] was writing about these liminal characters in this space that a lot of people didn’t know about.”
Jensen saw the film for the first time when he was a college student in the mid ’90s and had similar feelings. He was struggling to come to terms with his sexuality at the time, and to alleviate some pressure his friend brought over the VHS tape to watch together.
“It really floored me. Other gay representations in movies were nothing like this, where it was just about a person trying to sort of create a life for himself and create his chosen family,” Jensen says. “All the stories I had seen up to that point were about AIDS, and those are really
Marianne McLaughlin returns to the stage as Ma Beckoff after a 9-year hiatus.
DON HAMILTON PHOTOS
Though it deals with intense topics, Torch Song is a comedy at heart.
important stories, they need to be told, but when I was 18, I didn’t really relate to that. That wasn’t my story, you know, this was much more something that actually was hopeful.”
Beyond their own connections, Jensen and Nickerson feel that this time in our country’s history, as queer rights and especially trans rights are in danger, is the perfect moment to show Torch Song
“All [Arnold Beckoff] wants is love and respect, but there are a lot of circles in this country right now where that is no longer valued. Our lives and our rights, and all of these things are being called into question more now than I feel they have been in recent years,” Jensen says. “Having a piece that’s just saying ’Look, this person deserves everything that you have and is worthy of everything that you have.’ So, I think that’s really resonated.”
Though the story follows Arnold (Jonah Taylor) as he searches for family, one of his most complicated relationships in the show is with his own mother (Marianne McLaughlin).
Ma Beckoff is a conservative Jewish woman who doesn’t agree with her son being gay, or his choice to adopt a gay teenage son. When she comes to visit from Florida the two get into a series of arguments.
Yet, even though the two have this contentious relationship, both are grieving the loss of their respective partners, Nickerson says. There’s a tragic dynamic around whose grief matters more.
“It gets pretty intense, but it’s as funny as funny can be. The thing about [Fierstein’s] writing, too, is he just didn’t make it that Ma is this horrible person,” Nickerson explains. “I mean, she struggles to get it for sure, but then again, he struggles to let her into his life as well. So there’s blame on both sides.”
“You know, at one point she’s like, ‘You cut me out of your life and blame me for not being there,’” Jensen says, finishing Nickerson’s thought.
Towards the end of the show, Ma and Arnold finally have a hopeful conversation where both of them work to understand one another better.
“I’m so excited just to be telling this story and bringing it here to Spokane,” Nickerson says. “These actors are incredible, and so I’m kind of creating our own version of what we want to say and how we want to do the show.” n
Annual Manual
Crafting a Community
Lunarium’s monthly Tea & Kiki series offers a supportive environment to new and seasoned drag performers
The Insider’s Guide to the Inland Northwest
FOOD & DRINK SHOPPING
BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
On a Friday evening in June, Lunarium manager Lich Blackthorne Wyrmwood sits at one of the cafe’s long tables discussing the costume they are working on for an upcoming drag performance.
“Have you seen Saltburn?” they ask.
In short, the performance involves Wyrmwood as Tony the Tiger, complete with a rhinestone tiger body suit, recreating the film’s bathtub scene with a bowl of milk.
(Google it. Or, actually, maybe don’t.)
With years of drag experience under their belt, as well as a background in theater and performing at haunted houses, Wyrmwood can easily think of these out-of-the-bathtub, er, box ideas and has the skillset needed to pull them off.
They hope to both share what they’ve learned over their years in drag while also creating a supportive community for those new to the scene through Tea & Kiki, a monthly craft group for drag performers at Lunarium that meets every third Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm.
“I wanted to create a space where anybody could show up and they could see what each other is working on and maybe get ideas from each other or make new friends in a relaxed environment,” they say.
Wyrmwood says it can be difficult to find community in the drag world because it can take awhile to find people who get what you’re doing and support you. An ever-evolving art form, drag can range from the glitz and glam, popstar-level performances people have come to know from RuPaul’s Drag Race to the more alternative drag Wyrmwood themself favors.
“The mass majority in that world are people who maybe look at alternative as being lesser than or something not to be taken seriously,” they say. “That’s been a big hurdle, and my goal has been to really bring other younger performers that
are also in the same category as I am into spaces where they can mingle with those other groups and get a mutual respect for each other.”
Wyrmwood, who performs as T.S. Loveless, averages two performances a week. They have performed at Berserk, the Guardian, Nyne, Garden Party and Emerge in Coeur d’Alene. They also co-run Queerdos, a monthly alternative drag show at Neato Burrito.
With so many things to consider for a performance, from hair and makeup, to the costume and song choice, Wyrmwood understands that merely thinking about starting drag can seem daunting. They stress though that there’s no need, especially for those new to performing, to be dressed to the nines.
If you’re already good with makeup, make that your focal point. If you’re great at putting together a costume or working with wigs, focus on that, and learn how to add the other elements to your performance as you go.
“It doesn’t matter how much money you have or how many skills you have, slap some makeup on your face and wear some regular clothes and do an amazing performance,” they say. “Dancing is free. I have friends who don’t have the money to spend on a bunch of costumes, or have the skillsets to make a bunch of things, and they put on a little bit of makeup, and they’re amazing dancers and they can pull a crowd.”
Wyrmwood themself gets a lot of their material and clothing from local thrift stores. They often borrow wigs from other performers. Traditional drag queens go to dress shops for stageworthy gowns, Wyrmwood says, whereas alternative performers sometimes have to be more creative.
“I’ve made things out of trash,” Wyrmwood says. “I’ve made things out of random scraps of fabric… I’ve seen people make epaulets out of cheap wigs, and all kinds of crazy stuff. It really
Lunarium’s newest event series deepens its mission to welcome all. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS
depends on your personal level of creativity and what you want to use to achieve whatever vision it is. I have a friend who made an entire ball gown out of Walmart plastic bags. It looks awesome, and she’s used it multiple times. The possibilities are pretty endless.”
Like, for example, a Tony the Tiger bodysuit. Or pasties, an entry-level craft, Wyrmwood says, made from cocktail umbrellas, plastic foliage or rhinestones.
Since launching earlier this year, attendance has been low at Tea and Kiki. Pride Month was jam packed for a lot of performers, but Wyrmwood also says with the way the world is right now, many prefer to stay at home.
There’s also the fact that crafting, no matter the art form, can be vulnerable, especially if you’re just starting out. People might not feel confident in their abilities or like they can ask a more experienced person for help, but Wyrmwood wants those people to see Tea and Kiki as a safe space for learning.
Wyrmwood, like many in the drag community, is happy to answer questions from those looking to dip their toes in the water.
When asked, for example, they shared a brief history of how drag families are created. What used to be actual homes in which a house mother would care for, most often, people who were kicked out of their familial homes has evolved into groups of performers who share core values and support one another. They also discuss how long it takes them to put an act together (anywhere from a few hours the day of the show to two months of preparation), how often they repeat acts (not often, but if they do, they try to change it up somehow so it feels different for audiences) and how much stuff they have to bring to each venue (anywhere from a garment bag to multiple suitcases).
Wyrmwood says, at the end of the day, they want to be known for loving their community. Part of that love comes by bringing new performers into the fold and showing them that all are truly welcome in the world of drag.
“The biggest question that I’ve seen most drag performers get even now, even though there’s a broad community now of who does drag” is who can do drag, they say.
“Literally anybody can do drag. They’re allowed,” Wyrmwood continues. “If they’re a cis-person, they are allowed to do more cis-presenting drag. For people who are outside of the queer community, being sensitive to the history and the significance of doing drag is probably the most important thing that they can do. But if they’re respectful and they are willing to educate themselves and share the space with us, then everybody’s welcome to do this.” n
& Kiki
Next event: Fri, July 18 from 6-8 pm
Tea & Kiki facilitator and local drag artist Lich Blackthorne Wyrmwood.
BeatBachs
For this summer’s outdoor concert in Manito Park, BachFest mixes classical with hip-hop, tango and Brazilian forró
BY E.J. IANNELLI
Throughout most of the year, the Northwest BachFest is a showcase for noteworthy pieces — both well-known and underperformed — from the classical chamber music repertoire. Not all of the music in those concert programs originates from Johann Sebastian Bach himself, but it’s usually not hard to draw a connection between it and the 18th-century composer.
For the summertime Music in Manito series, however, BachFest Artistic Director Zuill Bailey has shown a growing fondness for testing the elasticity of those connections.
In 2023, Bailey brought in Simply Three, a crossover cello-violin-bass trio known as much for its YouTube videos as its unique covers of Adele and Coldplay hits. Last year, he tapped the genre-blending bluegrass duo of Mark and Maggie O’Connor to be the guest artist at the outdoor concerts in Manito Park.
This summer, Music in Manito ventures even further from Bach’s adopted hometown of Leipzig, Germany, and looks to the music of countries found below the equator.
The second half of each of the summer evening concerts features Biribá Union, a trio with some of the series’ most unconventional instrumentation to date. The Brazilian-music-inspired group consists of Mike Block, who wears his cello in a customized front-mounted strap, beatboxer, guitarist and hip-hop vocalist Christylez Bacon as well as Patricia Ligia on electric bass.
The three met through Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad, the multicultural music exchange that Block has been involved in for nearly two decades.
“On paper, we’re three very, very different people. We grew up in different places playing different music. Christylez grew up in downtown Washington, D.C., and I grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, and Patricia grew up in Uruguay,” Block says.
“Christylez’s background is hip-hop. My background is classical. And Patricia’s is jazz. Despite all of that, we gelled instantly.”
The music that they gelled around — “a shared reference point,” in Block’s words — was Brazilian music, specifically forró and choro.
“Choro is an urban, sophisticated music from Rio de Janeiro. It’s really influenced by American jazz of the early and mid-20th century, and so it’s very complex harmonically and virtuosic melodically, as opposed to forró, which is actually kind of a rural folk music,” he explains.
Those influences are evident not just in Biribá Union’s music, which borrows from the forró and choro lexicon even when approaching traditional American folk tunes. They also show up in the trio’s onstage dynamic. Along with the kinds of improvisational solos that are common in jazz, folk and hip-hop, there’s a lively freedom of movement that Block attributes in part to his Block Strap, the invention that enables him to remain upright and mobile as he plays.
“I’ve played concertos with it. I’ve played in string quartets with it. Actually, just last month I played a classical piano trio with it. I find it helps me feel all the more expressive and physically engaged while I perform, and I think it’s just all the more satisfying in non-classical environments to be able to move around on stage,” he says.
Bpersonal and professional friendship that began when they were still students at Juilliard.
“We were scouring the repertoire [...] for something that would highlight our friendship and our connection. When we started working on it, I would offer an idea, then he would offer an idea. So what makes it very special is that it’s more of a lyrical dialogue than a virtuoso showpiece,” Kim says.
The second piece is something of a callback for BachFest regulars. Kim performed Antonio Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons at Music in Manito back in 2022; Piazzolla’s composition is a South American spin on the same theme, naturally infused with some of the nuevo tango stylings that he pioneered.
“The Vivaldi Four Seasons can keep an audience entertained just because everyone’s familiar with it and it has those elements in it, but how Piazzolla utilizes instruments is just very different. There’s just so many unique sound effects that we’re going to be able to recreate,” she says.
“And I think it’s going to work so beautifully in that setting in Spokane, just because that is one of the most gorgeous outdoor venues I’ve ever been in, honestly.”
On the day after the final Music in Manito performance, Bailey and the guest musicians reconvene at Barrister Winery for the much smaller-scale BachFest Afterglow! concert. It features a different program but will embrace the same cross-cultural approach to music making.
“...that is one of the most gorgeous outdoor venues I’ve ever been in, honestly.”
iribá Union isn’t the only guest at Music in Manito this year. Before their post-intermission set, the violinist Helen Hwaya Kim performs alongside Bailey and other local musicians in Camille Saint-Saëns’ La muse et le poète, Op. 132 (The Muse and the Poet) as well as Astor Piazzolla’s Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires).
Kim and Bailey chose the Saint-Saëns as a way to capture their three decades of making music together — a
“Musically,” Block says, “you can bring people together in a way that’s not always as easy, dare I say, in the real world. There’s so much common ground that can transcend both geography and personality.” n
Northwest BachFest: Music in Manito • Tue, July 22 and Wed, July 23 at 7:30 pm • $5-$65 • Manito Park (Duncan Garden lawn) • 2124 S. Tekoa St.
Afterglow! • Thu, July 24 at 7 pm • $40 • Barrister Winery • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • nwbachfest.com • 509-326-4942
ABOVE: Biribá Union is 2025’s Music in Manito guest artist. EMILY WALKER PHOTO LEFT: Music in Manito fills the East Duncan Garden Lawn. DON HAMILTON PHOTO
Plan. Prepare. Protect.
Emergency Planning for Spokane’s Older Adults.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, join AARP Spokane, Spokane Emergency Management, Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW), and Avista Utilities for a free inperson event designed to help older adults and family caregivers in Spokane County take practical steps toward emergency preparedness. Come together with others in your area and walk away with the confidence to face emergencies—big or small.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Doors open at 10:30 a.m.)
Southside Senior Community Center | 3151 E 27th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223
Boxed lunch provided. Seating is limited.
RSVP at 877-926-8300. Or register online at events.aarp.org/planprotectspokane
aarp.org/wa /AARPWA @AARPWA
EATS
Feed Yourself from Morning to Night
When the kitchen isn’t calling, we all cycle through routine places near home or work for that convenient early morning coffee, lunch or family dinner. If we’re not careful, however, food bills can rack up, or we just get sick of eating the same ol’ things.
If you’re looking to shake things up, but not hurt your wallet in the process, our team has done the work for you and scoured the Inland Northwest for delicious and cheap bites. From that sunrise breakfast or weekend brunch to late-night munchies, this year’s Cheap Eats issue likely has more than you can stomach. In fact, there are more than 60 budget-friendly listings, with options for each meal of the day. “Cheap” also doesn’t always equate to delicious fried, salty or greasy dishes. Though you’ll find plenty of guilty pleasure foods, there are healthy and dietary-friendly options, too. Better yet, when you put these items into your rotation you’ll be supporting local restaurants. Maybe the tried-and-true establishments will draw you, or you’ll get adventurous and try newcomers to the food scene. The day is yours, get eating!
— DORA SCOTT, STAFF WRITER
CONTRIBUTORS
Ellis Benson (EB)
Madison Pearson (MP)
Colton Rasanen (CR)
Bee Reiswig (BR)
Chey Scott (CS)
Dora Scott (DS)
Carrie Scozzaro (CSz)
Seth Sommerfeld (SS)
Marta Szymanska (MS)
Samantha Wohlfeil (SW)
BREAKFAST BAGEL AND DRINK $8
Daily Habit Espresso
2124 N. Division St.
6702 N. Country Homes Blvd.
4605 N. Assembly St.
5629 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley
With this steal of deal — an $8 beverage and a breakfast sandwich of your choice — it may be hard to not roll through this coffee stand’s drive-thru every morning. With four Spokane locations, it’s easy to make a pit stop no matter your commute. For the breakfast sandwich’s carbs, choose between a croissant or bagel; for protein options, choose bacon or sausage. For the drink, the options are nearly limitless. From espresso-based beverages to fruity energy drink concoctions, if it’s on the menu and fits in a 16-ounce cup, it’s fair game. (DS)
This $8 combo deal from Daily Habit is cheap enough to become one... ALI BLACKWOOD PHOTO
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH &
QUICHE $8
The Mason Jar, 101 F St., Cheney
On most days this charming cafe, located on the main thoroughfare of Cheney’s historic center, is filled with busy students from Eastern Washington University just up the hill. Campus staff and locals know, too, that it’s a great spot for a hearty morning or midday meal. While there are tons of tasty, filling and healthy options for breakfast (smoothies, avocado toast, biscuits and more), try the home-style quiche, which comes in three flavor combos — ham and bacon, spinach asiago, and broccoli cheddar — and a side of mixed greens. A perfectly golden, flaky crust cradles the protein-packed eggy insides, a great combination to get your brain prepped for a busy day. The Mason Jar’s breakfast menu is served until 11 am on weekdays and all day on weekends. (CS)
BREAKFAST BAGEL SANDWICH $8
Rocket Bakery, 1325 W. First Ave. and other locations
Huge fluffy egg, melty cheddar and Canadian bacon, all on a soft bagel? Yes, please. This is the kind of breakfast sandwich you get for the person who’s a hangry mess if they don’t have enough protein to get their morning started. (I love you, mom! Yay, Rocket, for helping us kick vacation off right!) Pick your bagel (plain, Italian herb, asiago, etc.), and wait for Chef Mic to work his magic (yes, these microwaved eggs are great!) and you’ll get a super filling breakfast that you might even be able to stretch into two meals. (SW)
PEG’S BUTTERMILK HOTCAKES SHORT STACK $11.25
Little Euro, 1235 S. Grand Blvd. 517 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley
The great thing about breakfast is it’s the only meal where it’s 100% acceptable to just eat what’s ostensibly just dessert. Old European and its Little Euro spinoff restaurants know this all too well (heck, the best thing on their menu is literally called a “cake plate”). And while their crepes and aebleskivers fit the European delicacy vibe, sometimes you just want an old-fashioned stack of pancakes. The short stack of buttermilk hotcakes features two ginormous pancakes that might make you so full you skip lunch. When covered in butter and syrup, they make for an extra sweet start to any day. (SS)
THE BENNY $10
Mandala Chai & Coffee Co.
4102 S. Bowdish Road, Spokane Valley
Along Bowdish Road in south Spokane Valley, drivers pass by this cute little drive-thru coffee stand. Though Mandala Chai’s menu has many delicious things to complement a morning beverage, it’s hard to go wrong with their savory breakfast sandwich, The Benny. Layers of scrambled egg, havarti, arugula and a housemade lemony hollandaise combine to create a balanced array of flavors. Not to mention it has a double bacon layer, consisting of
Start your day off without emptying your wallet at these 11 spots
both the classic crispy strip and its Canadian cousin. All the middle bits are bracketed by a croissant that manages to elevate the meal further with its flaky, buttery layers. It’s safe to say I’ve found a new breakfast go-to. It’s well worth the drive. (BR)
PUMPKIN WAFFLE $11.44
Boots Bakery & Lounge, 19 W. Main Ave.
Pumpkin flavors are, unfortunately, often locked away in autumnal specialty menus that only exist for two months of the year. At Boot’s Bakery though, you can enjoy this squash-tastic flavor throughout the year. As someone who’s been eating at the allvegan Boots for the past seven years, I can assure you that the pumpkin waffle has stayed a menu staple for a good reason. With a side of chai flavored butter, these pumpkin waffles are more than just a throwback to predictable fall flavors. If you’d like to enjoy these waffles from the comfort of your own home, Boots Bakery also sells pumpkin waffle batter to-go. (EB)
MEAT LOVER’S BREAKFAST BURRITO $9.75
De Leon Foods, 102 E. Francis Ave. 15530 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley
There’s a reason De Leon Foods won best burritos in the Inlander’s annual Best of the Inland Northwest issue for 2025: they’re hefty, good and affordable. Hot food is served daily at each of the family-owned markets’ two locations, and these breakfast options are the perfect way to fuel up for the day. Made to order, the meat lover’s burrito is De Leon Foods’ most popular breakfast burrito option, packing in scrambled eggs, refried beans, yellow bell pepper, and a variety of meats including bacon and sausage. Spice things up with the complimentary housemade salsa verde and salsa. (DS)
BISCUITS AND GRAVY $6.50
Lucky Bistro, 325 S. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley
Carb lovers are in luck with the recent addition of Lucky Bistro to Spokane Valley’s food scene. The eatery is hitting its stride and offers customers affordable and quality breakfast and cafe fare. Hop on the eatery’s biscuits and gravy bargain train with three fluffy biscuits smothered in sausage gravy. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to grandma’s kitchen with the housemade quality — the gravy is well seasoned, generously portioned and comes with large pieces of sausage. Coffee is also a cornerstone of Lucky Bistro, which uses Indaba Coffee Roasters for its beans. Whether on the go (they also have a drive-thru!) or wanting a morning reprieve, grab a cup of Joe to start off your day. (DS)
BUTTERMILK PANCAKES $9
Molly’s, 224 S. Lincoln St.
It’s hard to miss the green A-frame roof or little black and white dog on the sign of this Spokane institution at the corner of Lincoln and Third downtown. Almost as iconic as its signage are Molly’s HUGE buttermilk pancakes. For $9, a stack of three fall-off-your-
plate pancakes get delivered to your table, ready to be slathered in butter and your syrup of choice. These ain’t no IHOP pancakes, they’re unbelievably fluffy and soak up butter and syrup like a delicious sponge. If you can get through all three in one sitting, I commend you. Otherwise, down one and save the others for a snack or second-breakfast later in the day. (MP)
GLUTEN-FREE AVOCADO TOAST $11
Cole’s Bakery & Cafe, 521 E. Holland Ave. Spokane’s gluten-free food scene isn’t that robust, but for the celiacs among us, Cole’s Bakery & Cafe up north is an oasis of GF eats. Despite boomers determining a love of this dish is the reason Millennials and Gen Z can’t afford houses (definitely couldn’t be decades of their regressive wealth-hoarding politics!), Cole’s avocado toast actually is a pretty good breakfast deal. The toasty GF slice is smothered with buttery, nutty avocado and topped with Cole’s house-made bagel seasoning, then served with a slice of orange and two eggs cooked in any style. Anything but an online punchline, it’s a filling way to start the day. (SS)
BREAKFAST BURRITO
$6.50-$7.50
Joel’s Mexican Restaurant, 229 Church St., Sandpoint There’s a reason Food and Wine magazine made mention of this Sandpoint local fave a few years back: burritos. Joel’s menu offers nearly three dozen burrito options, eight of which are in the breakfast family of food combos like egg, ham and crispy griddled potato; sausage, egg and rice; or the zesty tofu chorizo burrito. Not only are Joel’s burritos scratch-made super quick, but they’re also huge! And even though they’re called breakfast burritos, they’re available anytime for lunchtime ordering, too. (CSz) n
LUNCH
Flatstick Pub’s lunch special: two slices of pepperoni pizza, salad with ranch dressing and a beer? Yes, for real. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
PIZZA, SALAD & BEVERAGE $12
Flatstick Pub, 618 W. Main Ave.
This downtown pub is a playground for kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect excursion for a game of mini golf, a few strokes on the golf simulator, darts, duffleboard or even to grab a quick bite to eat on a budget while watching the latest sports game on the overhead flatscreen TVs. Flatstick also touts a lunch special that’s hard to beat: $12 gets you two slices of brick oven pizza — choose from Hawaiian, cheese and pepperoni — any beverage on the menu (alcohol included) and a side salad of your choice. (DS)
SMALL CAESAR
SALAD $9
Fresh & Foraged, 410 E. Holland Ave.
It’s no small feat to find quality, healthy food for cheap that doesn’t skimp on portions. But at Fresh & Foraged in North Spokane, not only are salads made fresh to order, even the small size is packed with nutrients for a satisfying and filling meal. On top of that, it’s all glutenfree. The classic Caesar boasts housemade dressing, GF croutons, coconut “bacon” (toasty brown shaved coconut that’s both crunchy and savory) alongside parmesan and seasoned, shredded chicken. Fresh & Foraged also has other house salad combos, or you can build your own by choosing your favorite dressing, proteins and other toppings from dozens of choices. Also find smoothies, chili, soup, sandwiches, baked potatoes and more. (CS)
SEATTLE DOG $9
Vern Cooks, 1100 W. Mallon Ave.
(Open Mon-Fri from 10 am-2pm)
Created by food vendor Hadley Long on the streets of Seattle back in 1989, the Seattle-style hot dog has become a Washington state culinary staple with its unexpectedly excellent addition of cream cheese to the hot dog topping array. And there’s no need to cross the Cascades to get a good one. Each weekday the Vern Cooks hot dog cart can be found in front of the Spokane County Courthouse, and their Seattle dog makes for a substantial and filling lunch. The hefty jumbo dog comes on a grilled bun coated with cream cheese and then piled high with grilled onions and jalapeños, bacon and mustard. The Vern Cooks cart can also be found at Garland Drinkery on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, plus late nights on Fridays and Saturdays outside the Volstead Act and Spoke ’N Sport. (SS)
CHICKEN DANCE
SANDWICH $11
Indigenous Eats, 829 E. Boone Ave.
808 W. Main (River Park Square, third floor)
Taste the rich traditions of regional Native American cuisine with a contemporary twist at Indigenous Eats’ two locations, near Gonzaga University and in the River Park Square food court. While there’s plenty to enjoy off the menu, Indigenous Eats’ chicken sandwich stuffs breaded chicken tenderloins, a generous dollop of huckleberry relish sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion between two pieces of frybread. For a few extra bucks, you can also order a side of fries. Or, keep the huckleberry hype train going with a glass of huckleberry lemonade. Keep your eyes peeled for Indigenous Eats’ new food truck, bringing their flavors to local streets and events. (DS)
FRIED CALIFORNIA ROLL $9
Umi Kitchen and Sushi Bar
1309 W. Summit Pkwy. and 10208 N. Division St.
I may be biased because I work in Kendall Yards, but there’s nothing better for lunch than Umi Kitchen and Sushi Bar’s fried California roll. It’s like this perfect mix of textures, with the warm, crab-y center surrounded by a crisp coating, and sweet, umami eel sauce and spicy mayo topping the roll. The portion size is deceptively large, too. For $9 you get eight large pieces and a hearty serving of ginger and wasabi. The first few times I ordered the roll, I treated it like an appetizer and grabbed an entrée, too, only to throw it in the fridge minutes later. (CR)
GREEN GODDESS GRILLED CHEESE
$6/half, $10/full
Hallet’s Market & Café
14109 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley
Call me naive, but I never thought to add more than maybe some sliced ham to a grilled cheese. Luckily, Hallet’s Market & Café has a menu that enlightened me. Along with feta cheese and provolone on sourdough bread, their green goddess grilled cheese comes with thinly sliced avocado, spinach and pesto mayo. It all combines in a melty yet fresh sandwich that does bring the divine to mind. The half sandwich is only $6 and is the size of a typical sandwich made from a store-bought loaf. The café is also great for browsing, whether you’re looking for some locally-made soap or soup. (BR)
DELI SANDWICH
$6/half, $10/whole
Green’s Fresh Market, 4915 N. Market St.
Until recently, I’d never been, but I’d heard the hype: In addition to offering great, rotating produce deals, Green’s Fresh Market in Hillyard is known for its hefty deli sandwiches. Pick your bread (French, wheat, rye, sourdough — subject to availability), your meat (roast beef, pastrami, turkey, ham or corned beef), your cheese (cheddar, provolone, Swiss, pepper jack or mozzarella) and let them know which fixings you want (lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard, onion, pickle, tomato). A whole sandwich was enough for a light dinner for me and my partner to share, and it was exactly what my sandwichloving heart had hoped for. (SW)
...continued on page 27
SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL PHOTO
YOURSELF TREAT
LUNCH
SMASH & BURN $10.95
Zozo’s Sandwich House, 2501 N. Monroe St. There’s a certain flavor profile that unfortunately doesn’t have much representation when it comes to cheap eats: spiciness. Thankfully the Smash & Burn smashburger at Zozo’s brings the heat. Two flattened beef patties serve as the base, surrounded by grilled onions, lettuce and Scoville-raising additions like grilled jalapeños and pepper jack cheese. But the real key — the Smash & Burn’s special sauce, if you will — is the chili ketchup, which provides a burning kick that burgers at other establishments often lack. Burn, baby, burn. (SS)
KIMCHI FRIED RICE
$8
Seng’s Asian Barbecue, 801 N. Monroe St.
For obvious reasons, this Asian-style barbecue spot on North Monroe Street has been extremely popular since it opened in May. While the self-grilling experience is the restaurant’s main draw, if you’re looking for a quick, tasty and cheap bite to eat you can stop in and order just an appetizer like the kimchi fried rice. Served fresh in a generous-sized bowl, the dish has spice from the housemade fermented kimchi, plus green onions, shallots and garlic, all fried in a sweet soy sauce. Note that Seng’s does not offer to-go options, so you’ll have to request to sit at or near the bar. (DS)
SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH $6
Frugals Spokane, 1229 N. Hamilton St.
It’s true — you can order the entire Frugals menu for just $25! However, if you’re not having a fast food feast or chowing down with friends, Frugals’ menu is full of other delicious deals. Personally, if there’s a spicy chicken sandwich on the menu, I’m ordering it. Frugals’ spicy crispy chicken sandwich, with its fresh bun, mayo and crunchy pickles, is perfectly simple and has just the right amount of spice to kick it up a few notches from just okay to downright delectable. And for just $6, you’re not gonna find a better, or cheaper, option with as much flavor. (MP)
SMASHBURGER $4-$5.79
Bruchi’s Cheesesteaks & Subs
707 W. Main Ave. (and other locations)
To be honest, there are a lot of burgers out there posing as smashburgers… and not all of them are top tier. But this lil’ cheapo smash from Bruchi’s? It’s the real deal, it’s super tasty and satisfying, and the price is no lie. A single smash patty is just a measly $4, while a double sits under $6. In its beautiful simplicity, you get a slice of melty American cheese, pickles and Bruchi’s tasty house sauce (a super secret mix of mayo, ketchup and vinegar) on a perfectly toasty bun. Watch for specials like free fries on Friday, too. (CS) n
THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT
JOJO DODGE, BRITTANY’S HOUSE, HAROLD’S IGA, & THE
MCCOY
PICK•AFTERNOON•ME•UPPICKAFTERNOON•ME•UP ME•UP
Seven snacks to tide you over ’til dinner
MINI BOWL $10-$12
Konala, 6740 N. Division St. 106 E. Appleway Ave., Coeur d’Alene 107 E. Seventh Ave., Post Falls
There’s no shortage of fast food options when you need to nosh for either an early dinner or a ’tween-time snack. But when you want to go for the healthy option that also happens to be 100% gluten-free, go for Konala, a local chain, which recently added its third location on Spokane’s North Side. The mini bowls are ideal for kids or for a smaller portioned meal that’s still big on flavor, from tangy orange chicken to steak with chimichurri to blackened shrimp with lime crema over your choice of greens or rice. (CSz)
BEER BUDDIES $10
Benneditos, 1426 S. Lincoln St. and 1909 E. Sprague Ave.
I hate to break it to you, but your beer gets lonely, too. If you really want to show some love and appreciation to your drink of choice, Bennedito’s Beer Buddies is a surefire way to do it. Small but mighty bites of delicious, buttery bread, all for only $10. These friendly bread bites are a great starter to pizza, calzones, salad, sandwiches, and pasta. Topped with parmesan and garlic, Benneditos Beer Buddies offer an indulgent side or appetizer that’s perfect for sharing with your own buddies. (EB)
PURPLE MOON $5.75
Uoni Bubble Tea, 1217 N. Hamilton St.
While Uoni Bubble Tea near Gonzaga University is known for its wide variety of eye-catching and Instagram-worthy boba tea drinks, the Purple Moon drink stands out from the options on its dairy-free menu. Made with lychee lemonade, blue tea and lychee jelly, it’s just as beautiful as it is delicious, fading from deep royal purple to a soft, creamy yellow from top to bottom. Uoni offers tons of refreshing drink options, including trendy pink matcha and honey lavender, alongside classics like milk and thai teas. There’s even a create-your-own boba, allowing customers to customize toppings, milk and sweetness level. (MS)
Pretty, pink and cheap!
LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
DRAGONFRUIT SMOOTHIE $8
Cultivated Chameleon, 709 N. Monroe St.
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more satisfying than the iciest, coldest drink you can get your hands on. Even better if it’s healthy and affordable — even pretty, like a hot pink dragonfruit concoction from this newish local cafe just north of the Monroe Street Bridge. While most of the space at Cultivated Chameleon is devoted to vintage clothing, decor and furniture, the back corner hosts a small bistro counter serving sandwiches, drinks and light snacks like pastries and caprese skewers. If you’d rather be hands free and sip through a straw, order the smoothie with orange juice for extra tartness, or milk and honey if you’d like something a little softer on the palate. For $3 extra, make it into a smoothie bowl topped with granola, shaved almonds, coconut and berries. (CS)
PARMESAN GARLIC BREAD BITES $10
Pacific Pizza, 2001 W. Pacific Ave.
While Pacific Pizza’s food and drinks are more than satisfying, its fun and inviting atmosphere is what cements itself as a Browne’s Addition classic. Pinball machines, an outdoor patio and live music all prove that Pacific Pizza is more than just a pizza place — it’s a neighborhood staple. Even if you aren’t hungry, taking a trip to Pac Ave is sure to be a pick-me-up any day of the week. But if you are hungry… the garlic parmesan bites are exquisite punches of garlicky cheesy goodness that Dracula himself would fear. For just 10 bucks, this appetizer is a cheap, satiating addition to any excursion in Browne’s. (EB)
CHIA PUDDING $7
Method Juice Cafe, 7704 N. Division St. and 718 W. Riverside Ave. Snacking is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but it’s often hard to find a healthy snack on a budget. Fresh fruit often spoils if not eaten within days and one can only eat so many granola bars before the flavor becomes repulsive. Method’s hefty, pre-packaged chia pudding has a simple list of ingredients: coconut milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, granola and strawberries. It satisfies a midday sweet tooth without being overly sweet or heavy. Along with being pretty allergy-friendly and appropriate for both vegetarians and vegans, it’s sold in a to-go cup, making it an easy grab-andgo option for anyone looking for a little pick-me-up. (MP)
COFFEE AFFOGATO, $5
Panhandle Coffee & Cone, 849 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene; 216 N. First Ave., Sandpoint; 511 S. Main St., Moscow Your tummy is rumbling. Something sweet, like fruit or chocolate? A little protein or a cup of coffee would give you the kick you require. Hmm. Panhandle Cone & Coffee won’t make you choose. Instead they offer the perfect combination of caffeinated chill in the sophisticated sounding coffee affogato, a dessert-drink of Italian origin. Pick the flavor of ice cream from Panhandle’s selection of staples like salted caramel and brown butter cookie or seasonals like strawberries and mascarpone, served with two shots of rich espresso. (CSz) n
Nine wallet-friendly deals during the happiest hour(s)
SMASHED POTATOES WITH LEBANESE SPICES $6
Baba, 1242 W. Summit Pkwy.
Every day from 3 to 5 pm, Baba rolls out its deal-filled happy hour menu consisting of a dozen dishes from its Mediterranean comfort food recipe book. Potato enthusiasts have got to try Baba’s smashed and fried red potatoes tossed in za’atar, which takes the humble potato to a whole new level. Baba’s happy hour menu boasts much more to nosh on alongside a drink or two, including numerous vegan and gluten-free options like hummus, whipped feta, baba ghanoush and crispy falafel. On a nice day, enjoy happy hour on the sidewalk patio beneath the shade of an umbrella as you enjoy the lively Kendall Yards neighborhood. (MS)
BAVARIAN PRETZEL $6
True Legends Grill, 1803 N. Harvard Road, Liberty Lake
At True Legends Grill, a mainstay of Liberty Lake’s dining scene for over a decade, all menu items marked with a small red HH (Happy Hour, of course) are half off every day from 3 to 5 pm. It makes some great food even more exciting! Among those choices is their Bavarian pretzel, which is huge, slightly crunchy on the outside, and soft and warm on the inside. Salt coats the top of the pretzel, which is served with warm beer cheese and the house stone-ground mustard. Enjoyed outside on their porch with a cold beverage, it all comes together to create the perfect summer snack. (BR)
CLAM CHOWDER $5
Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub, 719 N. Monroe St.
You know what they say: when in Ireland you… have to grab a pint at a local pub! And when you’re not in Ireland, but in Spokane at Shawn O’Donnell’s during happy hour (3-6 pm and 9 pm-close) you should take advantage of its many food and drink discounts. Those include 20-ounce pints and well drinks for $6 each, alongside $7 wine and $8 specialty cocktails. Balance out the beverages with a bowl of clam chowder, loaded with clams, celery, potatoes and bell peppers with a touch of Old Bay and Cajun spices. Aside from the soup, there are many other happy hour deals like the Irish poutine ($10), drunken wings ($11), fish and chips ($12) and the pub burger ($12). (DS)
Find this hefty and filling snack for only $5 at Baba. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
SMASH BURGER $6
Zola, 22 W. Main Ave.
Burgers are sacred. Most burger-lovers have a steadfast favorite and aren’t willing to change their opinion no matter what. In my opinion, the simple option always wins and that’s what makes Zola’s smashburger my favorite in town. Served from 4 to 7 pm and topped with cheddar cheese, onions, pickles and Zola’s signature sauce (akin to fry sauce), this crispy-edged smashburger is best enjoyed slowly while listening to the bar’s live music selections for the evening. For $4 more, you can get a side of their signature rosemary fries with gorgonzola sauce, which is well worth it if you ask me. (MP)
POKE NACHOS $14
Pure Northwest, 126 N. Division St.
Who knew nachos could get any better? Pure Northwest takes the classic finger food and puts a fusion twist on it, topping fried wontons with Ahi tuna, avocado and ponzu sauce. The downtown Spokane restaurant opened in place of the Red Lion Pub last year, revamping the space with nods to the Pacific Northwest, from the locality of its ingredients to the plant-centric decor. Drawing daytime downtown employees and shoppers alike, the restaurant’s happy hour from 3 to 6 pm also features $4 draft beers and $4 off signature cocktails, as well as select discounted shareables like the truffle fries ($6) coated in truffle oil, garlic aioli, Parmesan and parsley, or the crispy honey brussels ($8). (DS)
PRIME RIB SLIDERS $12
Clinkerdagger, 621 W. Mallon Ave.
While many locals consider this to (rightly) be one of the region’s top fine dining destinations, Clinkerdagger is really a place for all (well, as long as they’re 21+) during its happy hour, offered Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5 pm in the bar and lounge (but not during special events or holidays). Filling enough to be considered an early dinner, the prime rib sliders are much bigger than most, and come packed with juicy beef that’s topped with melty Monterey Jack cheese and caramelized onions, served with a side of rich aus jus. There’s plenty more that’s perfect for sharing — all food items are between $6 and $12 — from fries and fish tacos to a huge plate of crispy fried calamari. To drink, there are specials on draft beer ($4-$6) craft cocktails ($8-$10) and wine ($7-$9). (CS)
The Viking has a solid collection of daily deals, such as its $11 per pound of chicken wings deal on Monday. The Stevens Street pub’s happy hour special is offered from 2-6 pm every day and aside from the daily deals, it gives diners $2 off any appetizer and $1 off draft beer, craft cocktails and wine. We tried an order of bleu cheese fries, which were piled high with bleu cheese crumbles and sauce, crispy bacon crumbles and green onions, and the pork belly cracklin’s, which were served with a deliciously spicy pepper jelly. Both were huge portions, so you’ll likely have leftovers for another meal. (CR)
BRISKET TACO $6
Westwood Brewing Co.
8162 W. Main St., Rathdrum
Even if you have a smoker, spending hours tending to the thing sounds like way too much work, especially in the heat of summer. And why would you do that when Westwood Brewing is serving up all kinds of smoky goodness like brisket or pork seven days a week? Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 5 pm, you can get the mouth-watering brisket taco for just $6. Served with cabbage, cotija cheese and smoked chili aioli, that’s a tasty little snack in one hand, with one hand free to hold an ice cold beer like the Smokestack Scotch Ale, a nod to the brewery’s location along Idaho’s only regular rail line. (CSz)
ROMANA CROQUETTES $11
Tavolàta, 221 N. Wall St.
While Tavolàta’s happy hour remains an elite tier with its full-serving pastas (which can easily be split or taken home for two meals) at vastly reduced prices, they still fall just outside our ideal Cheap Eats price point of $15. An item on the Italian restaurant’s happy hour menu that fits the billing, however, are the Romana croquettes. A staple of French cuisine, the Italian spin on these puffy fried dough balls features a filling that mixes semolina flour with pecorino cheese, topped with parmesan and served with rotating dipping sauces (at the time of writing it’s a calabrian lime vinaigrette). Tavolàta doesn’t skimp on the serving size either, as the croquettes stick to your gut and there’s enough to share with multiple people (I tried eating a whole serving as a light dinner and ended up having to take some home). With their light cheesy flavor and refined presentation, the Romana croquettes are ideal for those looking for a classier fried appetizer on the cheap. (SS) n
COLTON RASANEN PHOTO
DINNER
DRUNKEN CLAMS
SHELBY’S 350 $9
Shelby’s Burgers
4241 Cheney Spokane Road, Suite B
Yes, there are a lot of burgers in this issue. A staple of affordable American convenience food, they’re darn tasty and satisfy many cravings. In the Spokane area, there’s no shortage of delicious and affordable burgers that don’t come from a building beneath a pair of golden arches, which is great news if you aim to support local businesses. One of those spots is Shelby’s Burgers in the Latah/Hangman neighborhood of West Spokane, which cooks up some of the best smashburgers I’ve had in the region. You can’t miss with the classics: a single patty, topped with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard. (CS)
CHICKEN TERIYAKI $13
Teriyaki Spice, 1412 W. Second Ave.
The chicken teriyaki plate at Teriyaki Spice hits all the essential notes of the sweet and savory dish that so many of us love. Is it extra fancy? Not particularly. Is it a ton of food that gets the job done? Absolutely. Served with a large, simple side salad, it’s the kinda dish you’re probably going to need a to-go box for. For me, it was enough for dinner in the restaurant, plus two days’ worth of lunch from the leftovers. While you’re dining in, top it off with more of the sweet teriyaki sauce to add some flavor to the rice for tasty leftovers. (SW)
$12.50 ON WEDNESDAYS
Remedy, 3809 S. Grand Blvd.
If you like clams, this is the killer deal for you. Every Wednesday, ALL DAY, you can get $10 off the drunken clams at Remedy. This pound of Alaskan manila clams is cooked in a delicious combination of white wine, garlic butter, lemon, red onion and herbs, and served up with freshly toasted baguette slices. OGs (original gourmands) will remember this deal used to only be a Wednesday evening special, and they would probably let you know that adding more bread for $3 is worth it to soak up that tasty sauce. Not a fan of seafood? Check out Remedy’s other daily specials like Monday’s $14 pint and a flatbread, or snag a burger and fries for $12 on Thursdays. (SW)
CHORIZO
STREET TACO
$3.15
Los Habaneros, 10115 N. Newport Hwy.
For a city so far from the Mexican border, Spokane has become a pretty excellent taco town. A wide array of restaurants offer up great artisanal, street, and birria tacos. But for my money the best meat that fills any of these tortilla treats is Los Habaneros’ chorizo (and I’m not normally a chorizo fan). The fiery pork sausage is packed with flavor and has a palpable fiery burn that blends perfectly with the onion, cilantro, lime, and Los Habaneros’ sauces. While grabbing a few of these tacos makes for a delicious meal, the only cheap eats downside is they’re so good you might want to keep ordering more, ad infinitum. (SS)
On Wednesday nights, Remedy’s Drunken Clams are a mega bargain.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Forget farm to for ! Forget farm to fork!
Around here, it’s farm to bowl.
DINNER
“CHEAP EATS,” CONTINUED...
FATTOUSH SALAD $11
Skewers, 1009 W. First Ave.
BURGER BONANZA!
These three weekly burger specials are hard to beat!
MONDAY CHEESEBURGER SPECIAL $5
Fizzie Mulligans, 331 W. Hastings Road
Join us on August 16 at 5 p.m. in Pullman's historic Reaney Park for FREE lentil chili, cooked in the world's largest chili bowl with locally sourced ingredients from Palouse farms.
's historic Reaney Park or FREE lentil chili, cooked in the world 's lar est chili owl with ocally so rced in redients ro Palo se ar s
Learn more at www.lentilfest.com Pullman f
If you’ve yet to go to Skewers’ brick-and-mortar downtown outpost there are two things you need to know. 1.) The food is very good. 2.) The servings are large. That certainly holds for the Middle Eastern cuisine joint’s fattoush salad. Easily enough to feed two, the greens come piled high with onions, cucumbers and tomatoes to be mixed and then topped with the very unique sweet bite of a pomegranate dressing. But wait, there’s more. The meal also comes with a healthy serving of splendidly seasoned pita chips and your choice of one of Skewers’ sauces (taratour, toum, jajukh, whipped feta, gtsu) that can be munched on the side or added to the salad as Middle Eastern croutons with a saucy kick. It’s a great lunch to share, lest the fattoush leads to a fat tush. (SS)
TAMALES $7.65
Tamale Box, 1102 W. Summit Pkwy.
A much-needed Monday pick-me-up can be found at a longtime staple of the local pub scene in North Spokane. Get a $5 burger special with a side of music and dancing at Fizzie Mulligans on Mondays between 11 am and 9 pm. The special — which is generously portioned — comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and a patty all tucked in between two buns. Additional toppings or sides can be added for 50 cents to $4, depending on the item. This special is only available for dine-in customers, so consider making “Monday night munchies” at Mulligan’s a weekly tradition! (MS)
TUESDAY DELUXE CHEESEBURGER
Pet Issue
At Tamale Box in Kendall Yards (there’s also a Liberty Lake location in the works), either stay to dine in and gaze out at the Monroe Street Bridge and downtown skyline, or grab a few of their scratchmade tamales to-go for an easy meal. The five different filling options are each based on family recipes and include cheese and jalapeño, chicken chili rojo, shredded beef, black bean, and pork chile verde. Some are more mild, like the chicken, or you can crank up the heat with the beef. If you want even more flavor, drizzle on the complimentary red and green salsa. (DS)
CHICKEN
TIKKA MASALA $10
Fancher Food Mart
5821 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley
If you’re down for a flavor explosion, you’ve gotta head to this… gas station? You heard me right! Some of our area’s best Indian food can be found in the corner of the Broadway Chevron station in Spokane Valley. For $10, you can get a large to-go container full of tender jasmine rice, and either chicken tikka masala, lamb curry or butter chicken, topped with cilantro for an extra layer of flavor. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, but the chicken tikka masala was full of juicy white meat chicken and an array of spices that set my mouth on fire in the best way possible. (MP)
$5 with purchase of a beverage; $8 without Union Tavern, 1914 E. Sprague Ave. While they’re not going to be able to touch the ubiquitous culinary branding that is Taco Tuesday, the next best deal to be found on the second night of the work week is a good old fashioned burger at Union Tavern. The bar’s weekly special (available from 6 to 9 pm) offers up a fully loaded deluxe cheeseburger with a choice of fries or a salad for the cost of one Lincoln bill. While it’s not a burger that’s going to wow anyone with its flavor profile, it’s always satisfying. Hungrier diners can upgrade to a double cheeseburger or top the base offering with bacon for an additional $3 a piece. It’s Tue good of a deal to ignore. (SS)
THURSDAY SMASHBURGER
AND FRIES $8
Eddie’s Kitchen & Tavern
10115 N. Newport Hwy.
Head up just past the North Division Y to Eddie’s Kitchen & Tavern for this Thursday deal consisting of a smashburger and fries for just $8. Sometimes simple is best, and this burger proves that with its flavorful and juicy quarter-pound beef patty, sautéed onions, pickles, a house sauce and cheddar cheese. On the side, pick at some of arguably the best fries in the area. Resembling a potato chip, the fries are crispy but with a soft interior akin to a potato wedge. Not to mention, the chip shape allows for great dipping. (DS) n
SOFT PEANUT BUTTER
BRITTLE (8 OZ) $9.50
Bruttles Gourmet Candies, 828 W. Sprague Ave.
Since my mom has a sweet tooth and an affinity for old-school candy, it’s my sonly duty to deliver her a box of Bruttles’ signature soft peanut butter brittle almost every time I return home to Montana for a visit. It’s an affordable sweet treat that’s well worth hauling hundreds of miles. The Bruttles special family recipe has been passed down over generations since Aunt Sophia first concocted a batch back in 1951, and it’s easy to see why it has staying power. While traditional peanut brittle has an unforgiving hardness that can be tough on the teeth, this peanut butter brittle is soft and flaky, almost melting with sweetness in your mouth while the embedded nuts still provide a crunch. (SS)
CHURROS $8
Cochinito Taqueria, 10 N. Post St., 9426 N. Government Way, Hayden If you’re looking for something sweet to end your night in downtown Spokane, or a little treat to accompany your day in Hayden, try Cochinito Taqueria’s churros. One order contains four 3-inch churros for $8, which feels like the perfect dessert for two. These cinnamon-andsugar-covered pastries are fried to perfection and can be paired with either a caramelly cajeta sauce or a rich chili chocolate sauce, or for an extra 50 cents, you can sample both sauces. (CR)
RED VELVET
CUPCAKE $5.95
Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop
15 S. Washington St. and 10406 N. Division St. While Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop has an array of special cupcake flavors in rotation depending on the day of the week, it’s hard to pass up the red velvet cupcake when surveying the options. Considering that red velvet cake isn’t super prevalent, the delicious blend of light chocolate and vanilla flavors has mainly become the domain of cupcakes, and Sweet Frostings knows how to pull it off in style. The wonderfully moist and spongy cake is topped with a super sweet cream frosting that’s adorned with a little red candy heart. Since it’s apparently still socially unacceptable to eat an entire cake by yourself, these cupcakes are a great way to tell your tastebuds that you love them without breaking the bank. (SS)
PERSONAL APPLE PIE $6
Birdie’s Pie Shop
712 N. Monroe St.; 1003 N. Spokane St., Post Falls; 9375 N. Government Way, Hayden
Don’t be so flaky and treat yourself to Birdie’s madefrom-scratch personal pies. Voted by Yelp users as one of America’s best pie shops, Birdie’s offers its 5-inch personal pies for an affordable price, starting at just under $6 with select pies costing a little more. These popular mini-sized treats are also available to purchase as a set of four ($21.50), if you’re saving some for later or stopping by with friends. The open concept kitchen at the North Monroe store made me feel like I was part of the action, watching as pies and pie fillings were carefully constructed in front of my eyes. Birdie’s classic apple is available year-round to satisfy your sweet treat cravings any time of day. (MS)
FRUIT PAVLOVA $9
MiFLAVOUR Modern French Bakery
3403 E. Sprague Ave.
Not only is this dessert absolutely gorgeous — a hallmark of all of MiFlavour’s artistically edible creations — it tastes fantastic. Light and airy but full of flavor and fresh fruit, it’s a treat that might just replace ice cream as the reigning summer champion. A meringue layer creates a bowl to hold soft Chantilly cream and fresh berries. The mixture of textures is delightful, with the cream sandwiched by the light crunch of ripe berries and the melt-in-your-mouth wafery meringue. It’s always fun to try something new, and this is more than a safe bet! (BR)
TRIPLET SCOOP $4.75
The Scoop
1238 W. Summit Pkwy. and 1001 W. 25th Ave.
The only downside about ordering ice cream at the Scoop is… narrowing down all the amazing flavor combos to make a final decision! While my go-to has always been the ’Tween — a kid-sized plus a baby-sized scoop on top, allowing the mixing of two different flavors — a new scoop has entered the chat: The Triplet. Indecisive ice cream connoisseurs rejoice, now you can pick three of your favorite flavors to be combined together into one cup or waffle cone (there are simply too many scoops for one sugar cone to contain) in the Scoop’s baby size. Scoot on over to thescoopspokane.com to see what’s scoopin’ at both the Kendall Yards and South Hill locations. (CS) n
LATE NITE SNACK NITE
Ten spots to sate most cravings past 9 pm
NACHOS $15+
Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave.
You’re out on the town and you’ve already burned through your dinner calories on the dance floor. Stomach rumbling, where do you go past 9 pm? Neato Burrito! Connected to the small, ambient Baby Bar — a destination in its own right for drinks — the two establishments often have live music. While the burrito selection is nothing to scoff at, with a customizable assembly line, you can never go wrong with the variety of nachos. Prices vary on your protein of choice, with cheaper options being the tofu and pork, increasing with the shredded chicken and cubed steak. The heaping plate can comfortably serve two people, topped with tomatoes, sour cream, cilantro, cheese and beans. Neato Burrito operates until midnight, 1 am or 2 am, depending on the night. (DS)
HOUSE PICKLED EGG $4
Hogwash Whiskey Den, 304 W. Pacific Ave.
Sometimes you just need a little protein pick-me-up to get you through a night out on the town. Hogwash Whiskey Den is very much here to help in that regard with its house pickled eggs. The delightfully tart hard boiled egg makes snacking without
overeating simple. As if that wasn’t enough, each egg is served on top of field greens lightly covered with an extremely tasty buffalo dressing to add a bit of heat to the equation. When trying to decide on a late night bite, this is hardly a tough egg to crack. Hogwash is open until midnight Friday and Saturday, and 10 pm other nights. (SS)
MILKSHAKE OR HURRICANE $6-$9
Zip’s Drive-In, locations vary
Ice cream just tastes better after 9 pm, right? Locals know one of the best places to satiate this sudden craving is their neighborhood Zip’s Drive-In, a regional staple of American convenience since the 1970s. While my go-to is always the simple chocolate shake, Zip’s has plenty of flavors to choose from: vanilla, strawberry, banana, butterscotch, peach, and more. If you want something a little thicker and filled with crunchy bits, Zip’s Hurricanes ($7-$9) feature soft-serve in a cup that’s blended with treats like candy bar bits, cookie dough, cake and brownie bits and more. While hours at each Zip’s location vary, downtown operates until 10 pm most nights, the North Monroe location goes until midnight, and in Cheney, it’s open 24 hours. (CS)
CAESAR SALAD $10
Radio Bar Spokane, 2408 W. Northwest Blvd.
When you’re out at the bars looking for something cheap to eat, you’re often inundated with greasy or salty choices (burgers, fries, pretzels) but at Radio Bar, which is tucked inside a former residence in the Audubon-Downriver neighborhood, there are more healthy options to choose from. One of the best deals on the bar’s menu is its $10 Caesar salad made with crisp romaine lettuce, parmesan, Caesar dressing and croutons. You’ll thank yourself in the morning for eating something so light, too. For an extra $3, you can add grilled chicken to the salad to make it more filling. Radio Bar is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and until 11 pm Tuesday through Thursday. (CR)
DEVILED EGGS $10
Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey Bar
524 W. Main Ave.
Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey Bar’s $10 deviled eggs, which pair amazingly with the spicy mouthfeel whiskey is known for, are a great late-night snack for those on a budget. One serving comes with six deviled eggs, each topped with a dusting of Cajun seasoning and paired with arugula and pickled red onions. Though you could easily finish the dish alone, it’s still a filling dish when split with another person. Purgatory is open until 12:30 am on Friday and Saturday, and until 11 pm other nights. (CR)
SLIDER $6
The Satellite Diner & Lounge, 425 W. Sprague Ave. Sometimes, the best things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true about the Satellite’s slider. It’s plain and simple really — just a mini cheeseburger on a mini bun — but its inclusion on the Satellite’s menu serves many purposes. Accompanied by a picky friend? They’re probably down for a tiny cheeseburger. Maybe a late-night basket of fries just isn’t enough — tack on a slider for $6 and satiate your nighttime need for some classic diner food! Plus, everything is much cuter when it’s tiny, and who doesn’t love adorable food? The Satellite operates until 2 am every day. (MP)
Share a plate of Neato’s nachos with friends as you wind down the night.
ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
GARLIC CHEESY BREAD OR CHEESY EIGHTS $7
Pizza Rita, 502 W. Indiana Ave.; 5511 N. Wall St.; 2605 E. 29th Ave.; 201 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley
When the late-night munchies hit, but you’re not quite hungry enough for a full pizza, order Pizza Rita’s garlic cheesy bread. For just $7, you’ll get 12 breadsticks to tide you over until the morning. If you’re looking for something a little different for the same price, grab Pizza Rita’s cheesy eights, which are basically the same thing, just stuffed full of mozzarella cheese. Plus, with multiple locations throughout Spokane, these delightful snacks are always within reach. Hours vary by location, but the majority operate until 10 pm most nights, and later on weekends. (CR)
ARTICHOKE GARLIC CHEESE SPREAD $12
Capone’s Pub & Grill, 751 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene; 315 N. Ross Point Road, Post Falls; 9520 N. Government Way, Hayden
You can call it a late-night snack, but for most people partying in the wee hours, food is what allows you to have a drink (or two) without overwhelming your system with alcohol. And yes, you can order a salad, but to keep your stomach satisfied until morning, you really need something solid like Capone’s artichoke spread with loads of garlic and cheese. It’s plenty to share with your choice of chips, warm pita or bread (and for a buck more, you can get all three!). Capone’s main location on Fourth is open until 10 pm daily, while hours vary at its other outposts. (CSz)
DONUTS $1-$3.50
Donut Parade, 2152 N. Hamilton St.
While Donut Parade switched from being a 24-hour oasis of baked sweetness to one that now closes at midnight (pour one out for us hardcore insomniacs), it’s still a standout in Spokane’s meager late-night food scene. From 9 pm to midnight, the shop offers happy hour pricing, with their already affordable tasty pastry treats slashed down to 50% off. We’re talking $1 for cake donuts with frosting and sprinkles or $1.60 for a jelly- or custard-filled fried dough treat. Do-not miss this deal. (SS)
CHOCOLATE SCONE $7
Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St.
If you’re not big on alcohol or the late-night bar scene, Lunarium is the place to be. This late-night café caters to the chill crowd with its near-daily crafty events and tea options to boot. When you’ve got a hankering for something sweet late at night, consider the café’s crumbly chocolate scone served with fresh whipped cream. It’ll make succumbing to your sweet tooth feel a little more elevated and less shameful than slurping down a milkshake in your car. Eat that scone loud and proud in the comfort of others who understand the need for a cheap, late-night sugar fix. Lunarium is open from 3 pm to midnight, Wednesday through Saturday. (MP)
CHEESE CURDS $6
Maxwell House, 1425 N. Ash St.
I often find myself at Maxwell House late at night, craving a riveting game of pool between friends-turned-momentary enemies and something deep-fried. Lucky for me, Maxwell House’s cheese curds are garlicky, buttery, cheesy and easily eaten while sinking billiard ball after billiard ball into the table’s pockets. At $6 a serving, there are plenty of cheese curds in one basket to feed a small group of hungry friends, but you’ll probably end up ordering more because of their absolutely addictive nature and alleged natural ability to increase your pool skills tenfold. Maxwell House is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and until 10 pm the rest of the week. (MP) n
Burger Guide
Indigenous Eats
A unique fusion of Native American comfort food and the beloved American burger.
The Indigenous Eats Powwow Burger is a high-quality 1/3 lb Angus beef patty, seasoned with a blend of sage forward spices that add depth and richness to the meat. It is topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. A house made huckleberry relish adds a sweet and tangy sauce that blends well with the savory and well-seasoned patty. The burger is served on a delicious frybread bun, a Native American staple that adds a unique twist and a slightly crispy texture.
Legendary eats at Spokane’s only premium cigar bar.
Sip, smoke, and savor at Legends of Fire inside Northern Quest. Take your pick of exotic cigars, kick back with top-shelf spirits, and indulge in upscale cuisine. The inventive menu features everything from candied pork belly and crab cakes to pan-seared sea bass and USDA Prime steak. Plus, we’ve perfected a smash burger so mouthwatering it’s sure to leave you coming back for more.
Double Smash Burger -American cheese, caramelized onion, Thousand Island, served with crisp russet fries
Open Tue-Sun / 4pm-close, Kitchen closed Tuesdays
Poole’s Public House Burgers
Scottie’s Favorite Hottie:
OK it’s his second favorite thing, after Liza. Loaded with grilled onions, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and topped with peppered bacon. Holy Cow!
All burgers are 100% locally sourced brisket blend beef patty. Served with Fries, Tots, Sweet Potato Fries, Side Salad, Caesar Salad, Chill or Clam Chowder. Substitute Chicken Breast or Veggie Patty, add 1.00. Make It a Double, add 3.50.
A Powwow Burger is a prime example of culinary fusion
Powwow Burgers offer a diverse and mouthwatering experience
A great combination of frybread, seasoning, huckleberry, spices and burgers!
The walk-in humidor holds over 5,000 sticks.
Try the steak bites—a Legends of Fire favorite.
Check out our “Humidor Highlight” series on social media!
Half-Off ALL alcoholic beverages from 3-5pm Monday through Sunday!
Join us for breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 8am-Noon! Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas are just $5!
Wine, Whiskey & Scotch are half-off on Wednesdays! Scottie’s Favorite Hottie
outstanding avor and complexity.
Our famous Purgatory Elk Burger was developed by owner Kevin Cox. This delicious burger is a tribute to the area and the hunting memories Kevin enjoys. The name came from an area which re ected the joy that great whiskey, beer, and food brought. This area is located in Colorado, where Kevin spent much time each year with friends and family enjoying the things that brought him joy; such as hunting big game, skiing, whiskey, good friends, and family.
other meats whiskey or craft beer
COEUR D’ALENE, ID 2420 Government Way 208-930-4274 POST FALLS, ID 403 N Spokane St 208-773-6532 HAYDEN, ID 8833 Hess St 208-772-6205 PULLMAN, WA 760 N. Grand 509-332-7829
OPENING
SPOKANE’S SEOUL
Downtown Spokane welcomes Korean street food spot Gangnam Style
BY DORA SCOTT
When Les Kim and his wife Sunhwa Han dreamt of bringing authentic Korean food to Spokane, they didn’t just imagine plates of crispy chicken and fiery tteokbokki. They envisioned a space where strangers turn into drinking buddies over soju bombs and family recipes passed down through generations. At Gangnam Style, a new Korean restaurant that opened on July 1 in downtown Spokane, the couple’s dream is now sizzling to life.
While the menu is inspired by the quick and affordable Korean food and drinks at street-side stalls called pocha, the restaurant elevates the experience, perhaps nodding to its namesake, the upscale Gangnam neighborhood in Seoul, Korea. (Yes, Gangnam is a place, but made popular by Psy’s 2012 hit).
When you step into Gangnam Style, located at 411 W. First Ave., absent are the hard plastic stools used for seating at traditional Korean food stalls, replaced by sleek and minimal birch wood benches and wood laminate tables that Kim built by hand.
Induction cooktops are built into the center of most of the tables, used for shareable main dishes like the spicy or black bean sauce rice cakes, called tteokbokki ($15), or the Chuncheon dak galbi ($35), spicy stir-fried chicken served with vegetables like lettuce to wrap the meat in.
“There’s a lot of Korean food [in the U.S.] that, when I taste, it’s more targeting to American taste. There’s a lot of missing components and ingredients,” Kim says.
“We want to make it very simple, but we want to make it powerful, [so] that it tastes like real Korean food that we actually grew up with.”
Since opening, the family has been surprised by the popularity of lesser-known Korean dishes like bossam ($25/ single, $45/double), braised pork belly wrapped in napa cabbage with sauces and garlic for a flavorful mouthful.
Still, Korean foods like bulgogi ($18-$22), thinly sliced marinated Black Angus beef, and bibimbap ($17$18), a mix of rice, fried egg, vegetables and fermented red chili sauce, continue to be hits for American palates.
Certain homestyle dishes, including the bulgogi, spicy pork ($17-$19) or stews ($16-$18), come with complimentary steamed rice and Korean side dishes like stir-fried anchovies, potatoes and fishcake, cucumber and cabbage kimchi, and seasoned soybeans. Sides vary by availability and season.
“One Google review actually really touched us and that was one person said that it felt like they were invited into a Korean friend’s home and that their parents were in the kitchen cooking their family recipes for them,” says the owners’ son, Caleb Kim, who moved here temporarily from New York City to help out at the restaurant.
The recipes were passed down through Les and Han’s families, but are also a culmination of trial and error. The couple had to perfect batch sizes for restaurantsize proportions, also adjusting the recipes on the fly if they run out of Korea-imported ingredients.
“I cannot tell you how much chicken I’ve had to eat,” Caleb says, joking about the numerous test batches of sweet and spicy yangnyeom sauce that coat one of the three fried chicken ($15) options.
Of the other two choices, there’s fried chicken sprinkled in cheesy, sweet seasoning and another glazed with garlicky soy sauce. Or get your fingers dirty as you dig into the sharable basket of crunchy chicken goodness.
Introducing tidbits of Korean food culture to Spokane has come with a learning curve. When seated, you’ll notice buttons on the table with Gangnam Style’s logo that you press to call a waiter. Though a common feature in Korean restaurants, it’s an entirely new concept for many Spokanites.
“As a server, a lot of people have been like, ‘Oh, I feel so rude,’” Caleb says. “But once you really get used to it, it’s actually very convenient for both parties involved because I think in your typical American restaurant you’re always trying to catch their eye to ask for the check or ask for more water.”
One of the main cultural divides, however, comes from the different paces of eating.
“I think a lot of Americans, or at least me growing up in America, this is what we feel about restaurant culture is you go in, you eat and then you get out,” Caleb says. In comparison, he notes how grabbing food and drinks with friends in Korea can be a three-plus hour af-
Chuncheon dak kalbi (left), jjajang tteokbokki (top), yangnyeom crunch (bottom) and a variety of banchan. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
fair, ordering here and there over laughs and conversation.
Caleb also heads up the restaurant’s drink program, diving into social media algorithms for inspiration on the latest Korean trends.
Non-alcoholic beverages include Milkis ($3), a Korean cream soda, green plum juice ($3.50) and a one-liter container of housebrewed iced Korean barley tea ($2). Get even more adventurous with handcrafted milk-based drinks like the dalgona latte ($7), topped with the Korean honeycomb toffee, or the sweet corn latte ($6) that blends in a corn puree.
The yuzu cider ($5) has been a customer favorite, made with Korean yuzu syrup and sparkling water. Or, transform it into a cocktail like yuzu highball ($8) that adds bourbon whiskey, the yuzu margarita ($8) that incorporates tequila and grapefruit soju, or the yuzu sunset ($8) with rum and hibiscus.
Other signature cocktails include the Makito ($8), mixing makgeolli (Korean rice wine), white rum and lime, and the Milkiway ($8) which adds vodka and Blue Curaçao to Milkis soda.
A true Korean drinking experience, however, wouldn’t be complete without some bottles of soju ($16.50-$32), a traditional Korean alcohol distilled from rice.
“We have all the fruit sojus,” Caleb says. “We have Jinro Fresh, obviously, but we specifically carry Chamisul Original which has the red cap, in addition to some of our premium sojus [like Andong Soju].”
Gangnam Style has slowly stockpiled the empty green glass bottles, which now line a shelf by the entryway and bar area. To make this decor feature even more special, pictures of customers are printed out and stuck on in place of the bottle’s label.
Opening up a Korean restaurant in Spokane has been Les’ American dream, his son notes. Though born in Korea, Les moved to Huntington Beach, California, when he was 12 years old. Les and his family later lived in Georgia for decades, where he tried to open up two different Korean restaurant concepts that failed respectively due to hurricane damage and the pandemic.
“So this is the third one,” Les says. “Third [time] is the charm, so hopefully no COVID and no hurricane in Spokane.”
Les and his wife moved to Spokane nearly a decade ago, but travelled to Korea at the tail end of the pandemic for two years to reconnect with their roots, and for restaurant inspiration. There, Han even attended a traditional Korean culinary school to learn about the cuisine on a deeper level.
Once they returned back to Spokane, the location they signed a lease for in 2023 in downtown Spokane wasn’t as turnkey as they hoped. They were drawn to the spot (which previously housed Thai on First) for its kitchen, yet the inside needed to be completely rebuilt. With a background in web and graphic design, Les tried his hand at interior design.
“Part of the design of the restaurant is inspired by a Korean hanok home,” Caleb says. “And so you notice the benches are actually on raised cement blocks. The idea is that in a traditional family home in Korea, way back when, all of the other rooms would be surrounding the courtyard and the courtyard is where everyone would come out to eat food together.”
So grab a table and become a part of Gangnam Style’s family. Here, you can fill your belly with homemade Korean cuisine, but you’ll also find yourself wanting to stay just a little longer. n
Style • 411 W. First Ave. • Open Tue-Sat 11:30 am3 pm, 5-10 pm • gangnamspokane.com • 509-904-2615
Out Of This World
BY DORA SCOTT
Spokane-based Barrister Winery made its space debut recently when its Rough Justice wine label floated inside the cockpit of Dragon Endurance, the craft for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission that launched on March 14. Spokane native astronaut and commander of the mission Anne McClain took the photo.
“I’ve always thought our Rough Justice was over the moon, and Anne’s parents have been loyal wine club members for years and years,” says Greg Lipsker, Barrister Winery co-owner. “I knew she couldn’t take a bottle of Rough Justice, but I asked her if she could take a Rough Justice label along with her up into space just to take it along with her. But then a few weeks ago, her mom sent us these pictures.”
Barrister’s most popular wine, contributing 40% of total sales, Rough Justice has also racked up numerous gold and platinum medals in international wine competitions. The current release was awarded a Gold Medal and 92 points in the 2025 American Fine Wines Competition.
It blends cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and cabernet franc, making for a fruit-forward, juicy taste with a great nose, soft tannins and a surprising complexity, Lipsker notes. It’s aged in French, American, Hungarian and Bulgarian oak.
“Oh, I was just blown away,” Lipsker says, recounting when he received the photos from McClain’s mother. “I thought it was going to be wonderful that she would carry it with her into space, but for her to take pictures and to send pictures of our Rough Justice just gave me goosebumps.”
He says the photo is being framed to hang in the tasting room at 203 N. Washington St. Go try for yourself what makes this wine space-worthy.
OPENINGS
Touting an other-worldly space theme with solar system decor, the newly opened 9% Milk Tea & Asian Market brings a menu of special 26-ounce smoothies ($7.49-$8), milk and straight teas ($5.69-$6.69) and Asian-inspired sweets to 1101 N. Division St. near Gonzaga University. Alongside the beverages, food options include trendy egg waffles ($8-$10) to soft, bouncy soufflé
pancakes ($10-$11). Toppings include Oreos, strawberries, mango, matcha and more.
If you’re craving some fast food but want to enjoy a juicy burger and salty fries in a more elevated setting, you can rejoice at the return of McRuins. Started by chef-owner Tony Brown as somewhat of a joke, McRuins took on a life of its own at Ruins’ original location on North Monroe.
After crafting 52 weekly themed menus for Ruins over one year, Brown was burned out and decided to play off fast food favorites. Now featured on Ruins’ Monday evening menu at its new location in west Kendall Yards (411 N. Nettleton St.), diners can find “fast food done right.” Think crunch wraps a la Taco Bell and beefy burgers reminiscent of Wendy’s.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
As the Hope Fire burned across thousands of acres near Kettle Falls, flames engulfed the Crown Creek Saloon on July 8. Owners Sally Shaffer and her late husband, Steve, built the saloon in 2001, which Shaffer has continued to operate since Steve’s death last year.
“Together, they poured their hearts into building the life they shared — and now, in the blink of an eye, the home and business they built together are gone,” supporter Hailey Iniguez wrote for a GoFundMe to help Shaffer secure temporary housing and start to rebuild. “If you’ve ever danced at the Crown Creek Saloon, shared a drink with Sally and Steve, or simply believe in helping someone who’s lost so much — please consider donating and sharing this campaign.”
Did you ever have a grand community idea but no idea how to fund it? A micro-granting community dinner series, Spokane SOUP, will consider ideas that could benefit Spokane County starting this fall on Oct. 5. Held at the Scale House Market (4422 E. Eighth Ave.) attendees pay $15 at the door to get a meal and a vote. Four presenters — submissions for proposals heard at the first event are open through Aug. 8 at spokanesoup.com — have four minutes to share their ideas, after which attendees discuss and place votes. The idea with the most votes takes home all the money collected at the door. n
From left: Owners Sunhwa Han and Les Kim with their son Caleb Kim.
From Spokane to space! COURTESY BARRISTER WINERY
ALSO OPENING
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER
Despite having the exact same name as the 1998 slash flick, this is actually the third canonical sequel in the horror franchise which sees a hookwielding killer targeting a group of young friends who cover up a fatal car accident. Rated R
SMURFS
The famed family-friendly blue cartoon forest dwellers get a cinematic reboot as a musical with Rihanna voicing Smurfette. Rated PG
REVIEW
Brain Stew
Eddington aims at many targets, but this sad excuse for a satire wildly misses the mark each time
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
America was (and is) in a mighty bad place. If this is the way you’re finding out, in a review of writer/director Ari Aster’s oddly empty misfire of a film Eddington of all places, please accept my sincerest apologies and go back to the enormous rock you’ve apparently been living under.
The thing is, while you’ve been down there, an already terribly cruel world has fallen further into violence, fascism and hate. To put it lightly, things are not looking good these days. So, when we turn to art, what does it say about this moment? In the case of Aster’s latest film, he argues not only is this all spiraling out of control, but that even the smallest of communities within the country may have been torn to shreds during the height of the pandemic. That they are now unraveling before our eyes as something has been forever broken. To Aster, we may be, as the kids say, cooked.
Rated R
but little else. Shallow, glib and dull, it’s the work of a far lesser filmmaker who’s not just lost his edge, but made you question if he ever actually had it at all.
Eddington
Directed by Ari Aster
The unfortunate thing is, this sordid state of affairs appears to have also cooked Aster’s brain as well. After proving himself with well-crafted breakout horror films Hereditary and Midsommar and the great anxiety nightmare Beau Is Afraid, Eddington only proves to be one of this year’s greatest disappointments. Less a satire and more an off-kilter dramedy that’s light on anything resembling clever jokes or deeper insights, it’s got some compelling craft in the final stretch and a few solid performances,
It’s also a pandemic film that leans hard into the specifics of the time, making the introduction to the fictional New Mexico town of Eddington feel fittingly exhausting as we get to know the bumbling Sheriff Joe Cross. Played by Joaquin Phoenix, who was a magnetic and pitiful mess in Beau Is Afraid, he will soon be revealed as a cruel fellow underneath his folksy exterior. When Joe begins butting heads with smarmy Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) over mask mandates and pandemic regulations, he decides to run against him in the upcoming election. This horrifies Joe’s wife, Louise (a complete waste of Emma Stone), who has a painful past with Ted and is hiding away in conspiracy-heavy corners of the internet that will utterly warp her mind. She isn’t alone as soon the powder keg of a town explodes into a heightened mess of dueling realities shaped by screens with Aster hovering, often literally with his camera, above the whole affair.
Rather than allow him to see more clearly, this vantage point makes everything feel small to the point of being insubstantial. Some of this is by design, with the town serving as a microcosm of the broader country and the characters more caricatures of specific hypocrisies to hold up to the light. However, it eventually just feels like Aster
is looking down at ants scuttling left and right, detached from any real investment in any of the ideas. This isn’t so that we can experience some deeper sociological satirical observations about people, as those never really come. No, it’s so Aster can hold to a false neutrality that ensures he never says anything at all. Instead, the film awkwardly has it be that the murder of George Floyd results in a protest in the town that is led by a selfish kid who is just looking to get laid or gain some online clout. That Eddington itself has all the depth of TikTok brain rot only makes this awkward throughline land with a depressing thud.
To Aster, everyone is a hypocrite with all their deeply held beliefs flattened into false equivalencies less insulting than they are just broad and boring. Yes, the Internet is reshaping our lives and creating schisms, though Aster feels like he can’t be bothered to dig into any of them with the needed nuance to make a worthwhile film. That the explosive finale plays like a blatant ripoff of No Country for Old Men is at least a jolt of fun because you get to see cinematographer Darius Khondji (Mickey 17) shoot the hell out of these scenes. Though when it ties everything together in a darkly comedic though contrived coda, it seems as though Aster is saying we’re all paying attention to the wrong things and that the big leaps he took didn’t matter anyway. It’s one final dodge in a film full of them, serving up the culmination of the complete cooking of Aster’s brain into less of a cinematic meal and more of a cheap microwave dinner. Ding! America’s done. n
Phoenix and Pascal form two sides of the same misguided coin.
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone
Child of War
A memoir of an African upbringing in turbulent times comes to life in Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
BY JOSH BELL
“Are we racists?” 8-year-old Alexandra “Bobo” Fuller (Lexi Venter) asks her parents in Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, and the defensive response offers everything viewers need to know about the perspective of white settlers in 1980 Rhodesia. Bobo’s parents aren’t wealthy oligarchs in positions of power in the former British colony in southern Africa, but they’re still occupying land that was forcibly taken from its original inhabitants. They view themselves as hard-working farmers struggling to make ends meet, and they’re openly hostile to the efforts by the country’s natives to establish self-governance in the current election. So yes, they’re racists.
Bobo’s father, Tim (Rob Van Vuuren), is gone for long stretches at a time while serving as an army reservist, leaving Bobo and her teenage sister Vanessa (Anina Reed) alone with their volatile mother.
Bobo finds refuge with the family’s Zimbabwean servant Sarah (Zikhona Bali), but she can’t shake the ingrained prejudices that have been passed down from her parents. “Any African can be a terrorist,” she says in her opening narration, not because she truly knows what a terrorist is, but because that’s what she’s been taught to believe. Sarah, in turn, is chastised by fellow servant Jacob (Fumani Shilubana) for her closeness with the Fullers. Colonization has created both deep injustice and an insurmountable barrier to simple human connection.
Davidtz lets these interactions speak for themselves, as Bobo bears witness to tense discussions among various adults. She spends her time laughing, playing and making herself a nuisance to adults, but she’s also forced to grow up quickly because of what’s happening around her. One of the most striking images that the movie frequently returns to is Bobo riding around the farm on a dirt bike, an air rifle strapped to her back in mimicry of the machine gun that her mother carries at all times.
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
Rated R
Bobo doesn’t know that, though, or at least she doesn’t entirely comprehend it, and the movie is a fascinating exploration of her emerging understanding of her place in the world, while she’s engaged in typical childhood activities. Adapted from the real-life Fuller’s 2001 memoir, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight is written and directed by South African actress Embeth Davidtz, who drew on her own youthful experiences in crafting the film and also plays Bobo’s bitter alcoholic mother, Nicola. Davidtz portrays the Fullers as complex, troubled, sometimes well-intentioned people, without ever excusing their participation in an oppressive, unjust system.
Directed by Embeth Davidtz
Starring Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, Zikhona Bali
A story like this could come across as condescending or didactic, but even in moments when it’s potentially problematic, Venter’s wonderful, wide-eyed performance keeps the narrative grounded. It’s astonishingly accomplished work from the young actress, who conveys Bobo’s mix of naïveté and cunning, as she processes the massive changes around her while holding onto her fierce sense of self.
For Bobo, that system is all she’s ever known, and Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight shifts from sun-dappled idylls to stark violence and unrest, all of which are normalized parts of Bobo’s upbringing. The movie takes place just as Rhodesia is asserting its national identity as Zimbabwe, with revolutionary Robert Mugabe leading in the country’s first free elections.
Davidtz is also excellent as the unstable woman whose mental illness doesn’t excuse her bigotry, and the movie finds convincing tragedy in both the personal and the political. Davidtz uses the cinematic language of nostalgic coming-of-age dramas (vintage pop songs, child’s-eye-view visuals) to capture an ugly period that should not inspire any nostalgia. It makes Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight a tough movie to watch at times, but Davidtz makes sure that neither Bobo nor the audience can look away from the unpleasantness around them. n
Lexi Venter delivers a standout child acting performance.
VINYL • CDs • DVDs • GIFT CERTIFICATES T-shirts • Posters & more Best music store in Eastern Washington
WHO’LL STAND WITH US?
Thirteen albums into an illustrious Celtic punk career, Dropkick Murphys is as fiercely political as ever on For the People
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
As with many charged conversations around pop cultural touchstones of late, Dropkick Murphys hasn’t suddenly “gotten” political, the band has always been that way (some people just have unfathomably low media comprehension). The Boston group has always been turning out feisty Celtic punk anthems championing the working class and unions in the ongoing battle against oligarchs and fascists since starting up in the mid-’90s.
After rising from small local clubs to the Warped Tour stage, the band broke through in a big way when their song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” became a hit
after being used prominently in The Departed. Despite being one of the biggest punk bands for a couple decades, Dropkick has never lost sight of its roots or morals.
After two acoustic albums created from unused Woody Guthrie lyrics (This Machine Still Kills Fascists and Okemah Rising), the band has returned to its hard rocking, mosh pit-starting ways with its brand-new album, For the People. The band has also garnered attention of late by being staunchly anti-Trump, including going viral this spring when lead singer Ken Casey bet a fan wearing MAGA merch that his shirt (unlike Dropkick Murphys’ merch) wasn’t made in the USA .(Casey won the bet, of course.)
Before Dropkick Murphys heads to Northern Quest Resort & Casino to put on a raucous show with fellow punk icons Bad Religion on Tuesday, July 22, we caught up with the band’s lead guitarist and primary musical songwriter, Tim Brennan, to talk about For the People, escapism, and being a drummer at heart.
INLANDER: Did the band have any specific intentions in mind when crafting For the People? BRENNAN: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, obviously, thematically, the lyrics deal with a lot of sort of the current state of things. But musically speaking, the last two records
CELTIC PUNK
Dropkick Murphys can still scrap with them best of ‘em. RILEY VECCHIONE PHOTO
that we had put out were both acoustic albums where we used the lyrics of Woody Guthrie. And I think while we were doing that, both Ken and I knew that the next actual Dropkick Murphys’ album that we did was going to be louder and harder than any of the previous stuff. So there was definitely forethought on my part, as a guy who writes a lot of the music, trying to come up with things that were not what we had just done with the Guthrie stuff. And then similarly, I think we were all looking to do, to do things that were out of the ordinary for us. I think a lot of people would say that they know what Dropkick Murphys sounds like, and so I think there was a little bit of intent, at least on my part, to sort of stretch the boundaries of what people think we sound like.
What are some of your favorite moments on For the People?
There’s a lot of stuff. Obviously, I think Ken did a wonderful job with the lyrics when he’s touching on the stuff that deals with present-day things — whether it be the political climate or just sort of the state of humanity. And then also, I love the songs throughout our whole career where Ken goes back and touches on things from his childhood, because his upbringing was super interesting to me. So that being said, my favorite song on the album is this song called “Street Lights,” which is maybe my favorite thing that we’ve ever done.
Musically speaking, there’s certainly a couple songs on there like the first single “Who’ll Stand With Us?” that is pretty much classic Dropkick Murphys sounding. And then there are songs like “Bury the Bones” where we took the sort of Irish-y thing that we’re known for, but did it in a very different sort of manner. There’s a song called “Fiending for the Lies,” musically, that’s so different from anything we’ve ever done before. So there are so many points on the album where I was so excited about what we were doing.
How did the collaboration with Billy Bragg for the song “School Days Over” come about? I mean, the song “There Is Power in a Union” by Billy Bragg has been part of our intro forever, certainly for the 22 years or 23 years I’ve been in the band. He did us the absolute pleasure of joining us for a couple songs on St. Patrick’s Day in Boston two years ago. He showed up and was the nicest, sweetest f---ing guy I’ve ever met in my entire life. And he was so down for anything, and he was so complimentary of us. And so immediately we knew that we wanted to work with him again in the future.
There’s this song called “School Days Over” originally written by Ewan MacColl — there’s a well known version by Luke Kelly — and we thought that Billy would sound great on it. And so we reached out to him, and he was like, “That’s one that’s probably my favorite Ewan MacColl song, and I would love to do it.” And so luckily, these days with recording being how it is, he didn’t have to come to us, he could just go to a studio where he was. But the fact that he agreed to do it was amazing. And then just
to hear that voice come out of the speakers while our song is on? It’s incredible.
They say never meet your heroes. And in some cases, they’re right. But in the case of Billy Bragg, meet him all day, because the guy is a goddamn gentleman.
Speaking of guest vocalists on this new album, what was it like getting Dropkick’s old singer Al Barr back in the fold for “The Vultures Circle High”?
That was fun, and I’m glad he was able to do it. Again, talking about voices coming out of the speakers, it’s sort of nice to hear that again. And it’s just sort of a reminder to everyone that he’s still around and very much a part of the family. You know, people like to speculate about whatever, but the fact of the matter is he’s doing his family thing. He was on the road for so many years. He’s doing his family thing now, while his mom is sick. And we were very excited to be able to get him on a song on the new album.
Considering you started out as an eclectic multi-instrumentalist in Dropkick — playing accordion, tin whistle, banjo, etc. — before shifting to guitar, do you have a favorite instrument to play?
I mean, I love doing all that weird stuff. The accordion holds a special place in my heart, because when I became a Pogues fan, when I was 14 or whatever, the thing that jumped out the most to me was the accordion playing. I’ve since had the absolute pleasure of becoming friends with James Fearnley, the accordion player from the Pogues, and have learned so much from him. He’s helped me so much along the way, that he’s kept it a very exciting thing for me to play. So I love doing that, apart from guitar. But at the end of the day, I consider myself a drummer. Gun to my head, can only play one instrument for the rest of my life, it would be the drums.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about this tour you’ve got coming up?
I can’t even explain how excited I am to get out on the road and play a lot of these new songs for people. A lot of them are so different sounding from what people might think Dropkick Murphys sounds like, and then I can’t say enough about how well Ken did putting all the lyrics together, especially considering the current state of things.
And we’re super excited to be going out with Bad Religion. We haven’t toured with them in like 20 years or something. You know, we hope to provide a nice night out for everyone where they can forget about all the bullshit that’s going on and just enjoy some music for an evening.
While also singing about some of the bullshit that’s going on. [Laughs]
Yeah, we’ll be reminding you of the bullshit while you’re there trying to forget about it. But we’ll do it in an aggressive and fun way. n
Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, The Mainliners • Tue, July 22 at 7 pm • $30-$92 • All ages • Northern Quest Resort & Casino • 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights • northernquest.com
SIBLING REVELRY
Starting from a very early age, the family band Skating Polly only gets more rocking with time
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
Despite being in her mid-20s, Skating Polly singer/ bassist Kelli Mayo is a seasoned industry vet. While that label might seem like a stretch for most artists her age, most of them didn’t put out their band’s first album when they were 10 years old.
Mayo and her stepsister and guitarist/vocalist Peyton Bighorse started Skating Polly when they were both preteens living in Oklahoma. The duo played all the instruments on early albums starting with 2010’s Taking Over the World and garnered attention by displaying a wunderkind sense of aggressive melodicism and riot grrrl spirit that belied their ages. After relocating to Tacoma, the pair eventually added Kelli’s brother Kurtis Mayo on drums in 2017 to round Skating Polly into a sibling trio. The resulting album, 2018’s wildly underrated The Make It All Show, remains one of the best Northwest albums of the 2010s — a pure blast of aggressive, sassy and biting alternative rock that never misses the mark. Skating Polly proved to be an elite family band, even if that wasn’t actually their goal in those very early days.
“Honestly the reason that I’m always scared to tell people that we’ve been in a band since we were so young, especially when I was a teenager, was that it would sound like this is something our parents put us up to. Like this was some gimmick. Like we’re little trained robots,” Kelli Mayo says. “Cause also we played some shows with little robot kids and kid bands, and we always stuck out like a sore thumb. For better or worse, we weren’t kids who were taking guitar or vocal lessons since we were 6. I just want to play with the band.”
Admittedly, dynamics of being in a band with your family can be fraught at times (ask the recently reunited Oasis), but the siblings know that even after squabbling they’ll stick by one another in the end.
“I always tell people it’s really easy to knife each
other, because you know all of each other’s biggest insecurities. So you can turn breakfast into a total f---ing war to the dead really quick if you want. [Laughs] Even if stuff gets really emotional and it’s like, “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!” it’s like, well... you don’t really hate each other because you’re siblings. What’s the worst you’re gonna do?” Mayo says. “But the good thing is we don’t take shit from other people, we really have each other’s back. I think we’re really good about it.”
Never content to stay in a certain lane, Skating Polly followed up the streamlined Make It All Show with a sprawling 18-track double album in the form of 2023’s Chaos County Line. From pedal-to-thefloor thrashers (“Rabbit Food”) to emotionally wrenching piano rock ballads (“Someone Like a Friend”) to odder stylistic experimentations (“Booster Seat”), the expansive collection shows off Skating Polly’s many shades without feeling meandering.
“So since the start of Skating Polly, we’ve always had different vibes of songs that we like to kind of write in: acoustic songs, piano songs, the fast ones, slower rockers, yada yada yada. It’s on every album a little bit, but on this album, I really wanted to go so far into all these different worlds and just really kind of push it,” Mayo says. “And I really wanted to do a double album, it also felt like it wasn’t enough of a challenge just to get together and write an album. Exile in Guyville [by Liz Phair] is one of our favorite records, and [our producer] Brad Wood also produced that. I knew we could write a really good album, but what would be harder is to make a double album where I actually love every single song. So that’s what we did.”
The process of crafting Chaos County Line also coincided with a health scare for Kelli, which delayed things but amped up the band’s desire to deliver something
large for fans who’d been waiting patiently for new Skating Polly tunes.
“I had just recovered from two surgeries on my vocal cords, and so I more or less spent about a year on vocal rest, where I couldn’t really do much. And it luckily overlapped with that first year of COVID, when people weren’t playing shows anyway. But it was really scary and intense,” she says. “But there were just so many songs and so many ideas, and it felt like such a long gap of time between that and The Make It All Show. It just felt like “Oh my god, five years? Half a decade? Jesus Christ! We got to do something big.’ We felt like we had this debt, almost.”
While they may no longer live under the same roof (in fact the sisters live separately in Southern California now, while Kurtis still resides in Tacoma), Skating Polly boasts a rock camaraderie that not many bands can touch (which you can see live when the band plays The Big Dipper on July 24). And while Chaos County Line might be Mayo’s favorite Skating Polly album, she’s still got a soft spot for those songs written when she was still a little kid.
“I’ve gone through phases of being like, ‘Oh god. No, no, no. Listen to the stuff past when I was 17. Because I was a child.’ But even though I was, I still like it,” she says. “I like all of it for the legacy. I mean, I think it’s kind of cool. I think it’s going to be really funny when people are listening to Skating Polly on shuffle, and it goes from Chaos County Line to “Rainbows” off Taking Over the World, where I’m 9 years old on the vocals. People are gonna be like, ‘Wait, what is this? No, this isn’t the same band. Wait what?!?’” n
Skating Polly, Black Ends, Itchy Kitty • Thu, July 24 at 7:30 pm • $18 • All ages • The Big Dipper • 171 S. Washington St. • thebigdipperspokane.com
Kin chaos with Kurtis, Kelli and Peyton. TRAVIS TRAUTT PHOTO
Spokane family water safety
Dr. David Ward, a Spokane-based Kaiser Permanente family medicine physician, is a self-described “massive water enthusiast.”
“Igrew up tubing on the river, jumping off 40-foot cliffs with waterfalls, and searching for crawdads,” he says. Today, Ward and his family enjoy sunny days as they splash through summer in many of the region’s beautiful 100-plus lakes and rivers. But he stresses that water needs to be treated with reverence, particularly where children are involved. More than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drowning is the top cause of death for children ages 1– 4. Babies and toddlers — with heavier heads and torsos — can accidentally tip into and drown in a few inches of water, such as a toilet or backyard play pool. It’s also the second-leading cause of accidental injury deaths for ages 5–14. Even more children experience near-drowning, with around 22 nonfatal drownings per day in the U.S. Drowning deaths peak every year between May and September, as temperatures increase and more families gather at pools, lakes and rivers.
Poolside safety
Unsupervised children can slide beneath the surface of a backyard pool without warning. “Drowning can happen so fast,” Ward says. “It’s not like we see in the movies where someone’s splashing and screaming for help.”
At every pool party, he says, there should be adult supervision. If you have a larger pool party, designate an adult as the “lifeguard” to keep an eye on swimmers, with vigilant handoff between parents or other trusted adults.
Freshwater safety
With access to local rivers and lakes, accidental child drownings in the Spokane area do occur.
It’s critical to set early ground rules about freshwater fun. Avoid jumping into fresh water without knowing what’s underneath, test water temperature before diving in and adjust slowly to colder water temps. If you’re new to a river or lake, stay within designated safety areas with active lifeguards.
Even calm-looking rivers can pose dangers, Ward says. For example, Riverside State Park’s waters may appear peaceful but unstable riverbanks can collapse, he notes. Swift-moving currents could sweep even strong swimmers away, and fallen trees can create natural dams that pull swimmers under.
“In the Spokane River, my family is all wearing life vests, and if we’re in a boat on a lake, we’re wearing vests,” he says. Although his two pre-teen sons swim well, they’ll take their vests off to swim only under adult supervision.
Lakes can hide similar issues where surprising undertows and currents from side rivers can create hidden danger. When cold, both lakes and rivers can send the body into shock leading to sudden blood pressure and heart rate changes that can be deadly.
As a teen, Ward would swim underneath his favorite waterfall every spring to ensure the freshwater pool’s depth and safety. He says that even if you’re familiar with an area, it’s wise to re-check. “Significant rain or weather patterns can shift rocks or other objects,” he says.
According to Ward, if we approach swimming with safety in mind, the results are more fun for everyone. “My best summer memories are jumping into water — knowing the water is deep, there are no objects, and people are watching,” he says.
J = ALL AGES SHOW
INDIE ROCK JAPANESE BREAKFAST COUNTRY CODY JINKS
Thursday, 7/17
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, RCA and the Radicals
BIG BARN BREWING CO., Bryan Bielanski
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Bolo’s Blues & Brews THE CHAMELEON, Bart Budwig, Sunbathe, The Holy Broke
J COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Front Porch Rockers
GARLAND DRINKERY, Speak Easy: Open Mic Night
J INDABA FLAGSHIP ROASTERY, Open Mic Night
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), Jacob Rountree, Nathan Stratte, Tomboy THE KENWORTHY, Izzy Burns + The Hipocrats
J LUNARIUM, Starlite Open Mic
J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin
RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Thursday Night Jam
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Thurrsdays EDM Night
SEDLMAYER’S RESORT, Son of Brad
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Flatland Cavalry
STELLA’S ON THE HILL, LakeTown Sound
J TIMBER RUN RESERVE, Milonga
J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Evan Denlinger
ZOLA, X24, Garbage Island
Friday, 7/18
AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, Gil Rivas
BARRISTER WINERY, Stagecoach West
J THE BIG DIPPER, Proleterror, The Scoffs, The Karens, Dissonance
J BING CROSBY THEATER, Macy Gray
THE CHAMELEON, M1KO, K!d Judo x Brant Demetri, Nate Synonymous, Keze, Prodsythete x Bambii
J EAST CITY PARK, Rendezvous in the Park
J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Mumford & Sons, Japanese Breakfast
J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire
GREEN CITY SALOON, DJ KJ
J IDAHO POUR AUTHORITY, Karli Fairbanks, Water Monster
J NEATO BURRITO, Atomsk, Love Brunch, Jumbotron
NIGHT OWL,
Four On The Floor Fridays
J PARK BENCH CAFE, 3 Lane Highway
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, KOSH
RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Bobby Patterson
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Lyndsay Lee, Buddha NW, Lotus the Vibe, Wise Owl, Neo, Dusty Kix
THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic
J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Kori Ailene
WHISPERS LOUNGE, JoJo Dodge ZOLA, Jacob Roundtree, Sydney Dale Band
Saturday, 7/19
J BERSERK, Blunt Skulls, Psychic Death,
There aren’t a lot of people walking this earth more talented than Michelle Zauner. As the creative force behind the band Japanese Breakfast, she became an underground indie rock fave for years thanks to her dreamy pop sound and cracking live performances. Her sound finally broke through in a big way on the dazzling 2021 album Jubilee, a sonically explorative distillation of all her best qualities as a songwriter. If that wasn’t enough, the same year she became a literary superstar with her debut memoir Crying in H Mart The beautifully told chronicling of her relationship with her late mother and their shared love of Korean food stayed on the New York Times Bestseller list for a staggering 60 weeks. Japanese Breakfast now heads to the Gorge to steal the show when they open for Mumford & Sons with tunes from the band’s stellar new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Mumford & Sons, Japanese Breakfast • Fri, July 18 at 7:30 pm • $68-$544 • All ages • Gorge Amphitheatre • 754 Silica Road NW, George • gorgeamphitheatre.com
The flaccid sound of contemporary pop country is mostly just sleek pop rock made by cosplaying cowboys using hollow rural buzzwords. Cody Jinks is here for the old school country fans who can’t stand that drivel. Despite starting his musical career in the trash metal world, the Texan eventually was drawn back to the outlaw country he was raised on. As an independent artist working outside of the Nashville system, Jinks has become a beloved figure among country fans who crave the authenticity of artists like Merle Haggard and wouldn’t be caught dead at a Walker Hayes concert. In addition to favorites like “Mamma Song” and “Must Be the Whisky,” expect a healthy dose of new songs when Jinks plays Northern Quest a few days before the release of his new album, In My Blood — SETH SOMMERFELD
Cody Jinks, Tanner Usrey • Sat, July 19 at 7 pm • $35-$611 • All Ages • Northern Quest Resort & Casino • 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights • northernquest.com
Pesticide, The Dilrods, Proleterror, Itchy Kitty
J THE BIG DIPPER, Daikaiju, Absent Cardinal, The 4th Kind
THE CHAMELEON, Supa Dupa Fly
J EAST CITY PARK, Rendezvous in the Park
J INDABA FLAGSHIP ROASTERY, Rosethrow & Spro
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), The Emergency Exit, Kids on Fire, Eep Oop, Stubborn Will
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Certified Outfit, Cordell Drake, Mak Music, Young Neves, Kozby, Kosha THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic TRVST, Steezy Hendrix WHISPERS LOUNGE, Ryan Schneider ZOLA, Hot Club of Spokane, Stares of Vega
Sunday, 7/20
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Soul Proprietor
J THE BIG DIPPER, Paloma, The Ongoing Concept, BRADEN ALL CAPS THE CHAMELEON, Die Sexual, 2Libras, Joaquin
J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW
THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, Jerry Lee Raines
THE DISTRICT BAR, Town Mountain, Sam Lewis
J KNITTING FACTORY, Houndmouth
J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin
J J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Social Distortion, Plague Vendor
Monday, 07/21
J THE BIG DIPPER, Flummox, Willing Hands, Iabsorbyourstatic, Sex With Seneca RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Open Mic
ZOLA, Nate Stratte
Tuesday, 07/22
J THE BIG DIPPER, Dance Myth, Derek Zanetti, August To August
J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, The Mainliners
J OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Kosta La Vista
PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Carson Rhodes
J PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN, Ben Klein as Elvis
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Turn Up Tuesdays with Scozzari
SWING LOUNGE, Swing Lounge Live Music Tuesdays ZOLA, The Zola All Star Jam
Wednesday, 7/23
THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic
J KNITTING FACTORY, Iration, Bikini Trill
J MATCHWOOD BREWING CO., John Firshi
J MCEUEN PARK, Zach Cooper Band
J OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Kosta La Vista
PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, David Speight
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Jam
J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents
TRVST, The TRVST Open Decks ZOLA, Akifumi Kato
Just Announced...
J THE BIG DIPPER, Dayglow Abortions, July 29.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Squad Pisser, Aug. 23.
J THE DISTRICT BAR, Suzzallo, Sept. 16.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Eight Bells, Sept. 26.
THE DISTRICT BAR, Young Dubliners, Oct. 6.
J THE BIG DIPPER, Fox Lake, Oct. 19.
J KNITTING FACTORY, Yung Gravy, Oct. 21.
THE DISTRICT BAR, The Buttertones, Oct. 30.
THE DISTRICT BAR, Polyrhythmics, Nov. 20.
Coming Up...
J J THE BIG DIPPER, Skating Polly, Black Ends, Itchy Kitty, July 24, 7:30 pm.
MUSIC | VENUES
219 LOUNGE • 219 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • 208-263-5673
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS • 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-927-9463
BARRISTER WINERY • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • 509-465-3591
BEE’S KNEES WHISKY BAR • 1324 W. Lancaster Rd.., Hayden • 208-758-0558
BERSERK • 125 S. Stevens St. • 509-315-5101
THE BIG DIPPER • 171 S. Washington St. • 509-863-8098
BIGFOOT PUB • 9115 N. Division St. • 509-467-9638
BING CROSBY THEATER • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-227-7638
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL • 116 S. Best Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-891-8995
BUCER’S COFFEEHOUSE PUB • 201 S. Main St., Moscow • 208-596-0887
THE BULL HEAD • 10211 S. Electric St., Four Lakes • 509-838-9717
CHAN’S RED DRAGON • 1406 W. Third Ave. • 509-838-6688
In support of the local first responders and families impacted by the recent Canfield tragedy that resulted in the killing of two Kootenai County firefighters last month, No-Li Brewhouse is hosting a series of fundraisers, including a two-day event at its Bier Hall this weekend. Attendees can purchase a special “Fight Fire with Beer” pack, which includes a 20-ounce event mug, special bucket hat and more, but there are only 500 sets available. Locals can also nominate (head to No-Li’s website) a local firefighter to receive a gift card, purchase a T-shirt or donate directly to the Red & Blue Foundation to aid the impacted families. No-Li furthermore aims to donate a total of $30,000 in support. Come together as a community for drinks, music and support for our first responders.
— BEE REISWIG
Fight Fire with Beer • Fri, July 18 and Sat, July 19, starting at noon • Free • No-Li Brewhouse • 1003 E. Trent Ave. • nolibrewhouse.com • 509-242-2739
THEATER SCREAM QUEEN
Just about everyone knows about Stephen King’s Carrie, the story of the bullied teenager who gets telekinetic revenge on her class after a humiliating prank at prom, whether they like it or not. It’s notorious because beyond the supernatural scares is a retelling of the mundane — and all-too-common — horrors of high school. The story is so popular that there’s even a musical retelling, which is now showing in Spokane at Stage Left Theater for the next two weekends. With music by Michael Gore and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, the show is produced by Bright Comet Theatre, a three-yearold group composed of younger artists and those who’ve been underrepresented in Spokane’s theater community.
— COLTON RASANEN
Carrie: The Musical • July 18-26; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm • $25 • Stage Left Theater • 108 W. Third Ave. • brightcomettheatre.com
COMEDY THE SPOKANE SHOW
It’s difficult to find anyone who hasn’t heard of Jay Leno. From hosting The Tonight Show for 17 years, winning multiple Emmys, and continually making guest appearances in TV and film, he has more than earned his place in the Television Hall of Fame. Leno’s career accolades define him as one of the most iconic entertainers of our time. Next, alongside special guest Arsenio Hall, Leno makes a stop to perform his well-honed comedy at the Spokane Tribe Resort and Casino on July 18. Whether you’re a longtime Leno fan or just a casual comedy enjoyer, his hilarious stand-up is sure to give you a good time.
— ELLIS BENSON
Jay Leno • Fri, July 18 at 8 pm • $96-$223 • Spokane Tribe Resort and Casino • 14300 W. SR-2 Hwy., Airway Heights • spokanetribecasino.com • 877-786-9467
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 BABY, JUST SAY YES
Search for your true love inside the pages of a new romance book purchased at the Meet Cute Market adult book fair. Organized by It’s a Love Story bookstore in Hayden (above), the market invited local vendors, authors and creatives to make the outdoor event as magical and romantic as the novels they’re selling. On top of books, featured vendors will have romance-themed and bookish goods such as art, self-care goods and stationery supplies. Treats and snacks will also be available to buy, including cakes from Novalee Cakes. Whether you’re a serious romance fan or looking for a fun activity with friends, the Meet Cute Market might have something sweet in store.
— MARTA SZYMANSKA
Meet Cute Market: Summer Edition • Sun, July 20 from 9 am-4 pm • Free • It’s a Love Story Books & Cafe • 8927 N. Hess St., Hayden • lovestorybooksandcafe.com
FOOD SATISFY YOUR HUNGER
Putting Inland Northwest chefs to the test, Crave! Northwest draws foodies to Spokane Valley’s CenterPlace Regional Center for one of the largest culinary events in the state. Taste how regional chefs utilize fresh ingredients from fresh seafood and meats grilled over an open flame to vegetarian options and more. The net proceeds from Crave! go towards the JAKT Foundation, a nonprofit that supports chef education and more. Since its inception, the event has expanded to other cities like Billings, Montana (Aug. 8) and Lynnwood, Washington (Sept. 26). Single- or multi-day tickets includes samplings of all food and beverages, so all you have to do is prepare your appetite for a full day of foodie fun.
— DORA SCOTT
Crave! Northwest • July 17-19 from 6-8 pm • $95-$120 • Ages 21+ • CenterPlace Regional Event Center • 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley • cravenw.com
I SAW YOU
RESTAURANT NORTH OF SPOKANE You were out on the patio with a friend looking up, and I was inside the restaurant looking down. We connected! I would like to invite you to come see us play. Contact me myfunband@gmail.com
CHEERS
TARA KARR ROBERTS Thank you for your insightful and funny articles in the Inlander. Your writing is a work of art, and a pure delight! Please, more wonderful words from you!
AI AI (Alien Invasion) (Artificial Intelligence) Nanotechnology is happening. The merging of nanobots will provide full immersion into virtual reality, and our nervous system will connect our neocortex to the cloud. Transhumanism is a philosophical movement to improve our physical and cognitive abilities, which involves merging man with machine and creating a type of artificial ascension. The body is mostly water and more than a biological robot.
Water has a memory, consciousness affects matter, and the lunar matrix controls the tides. Our conscious state of mind can affect the magnetic properties of DNA to assist in a natural, organic ascension.
COMPASSION AT VALLEY MALL On Saturday, July 12, I missed the curb at the Spokane Valley Mall food court entrance and fell. Four people stayed around to make sure I was okay. One of the women had such long, curly blonde hair that I had been watching how beautiful it was as I crossed the parking lot. I never got to tell you that you are beautiful inside and out.
CHEERS TO THE WOMXN WHO NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING I see you in Spokane — holding signs in the cold, showing up to school board meetings, standing next to queer and trans kids without needing credit. You’re the ones who figured out how to be a karen for a good cause — asking hard questions, making noise when it counts, refusing to disappear quietly. You remind me that aging doesn’t have to mean softening. That solidarity isn’t something you retire from. Cheers to staying loud and standing with us.
RIVERSIDE CHEERS Thank you to Andy at Spokane Parks and Rec who was so helpful and flexible with our big group at Nine Mile Falls for the Little Spokane River shuttle on Saturday! We not only got on the river at the same time and could be together, but you made us feel welcome and our day was beyond fantastic. Highly recommend this stretch of beautiful river; thank you for making it possible for us to really appreciate it and not have to worry about logistics.
CHEERS TO ZACK ZAPPONE! It’s great seeing an elected representative actually stand up for the citizenry and take a well-worded stance against a practice that’s not and never has been in their best interests. I refer to his stand on absentee property owners and management companies paying for their own security and code enforcement, rather than sponging off of city resources. A major real estate company in town crying about no more subsidies? Oh please. Maybe if they
and their ilk don’t want to have to pay for the upkeep on the vacant properties in their charge, they just shouldn’t have so many of those properties in the first place. Maybe lowering rents, or keeping sale prices down in the realm of the reasonable would help small, locally owned businesses get a foothold against the ever-encroaching chains and keep
JEERS
SPOKANE FIREWORKS Well, I’m not sure how many are deserving of this jeer, but suffice it to say that people were disappointed that the fireworks went off
require mandatory Chapel sessions which I think is controlling, because God is all about freewill. The preachers constantly said things like: “You’re not special,” “you’re not the brightest star,” “you’re a loser.” All in the guise of false humility. Those who break the rules are kicked out, exposed to danger, thugs and who knows what fate
those empty commercial spaces filled? Just a thought. Regardless, it’s about time this city made developers, property mis-managers, absentee landlords and other deadbeats pay their fair share; they’ve gotten away with too much for too long and all on our dime. This is just a start, but it’s a positive sign. Anyway, thanks Zack! Keep up the good work.
THE POWER OF LOVE Huey Lewis & The News’ “The Power of Love” is a song about the power and impact of love. The song highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of love, emphasizing its potential to be both cruel and lifesaving. Love is a fundamental and transformative experience that transcends social class and background. The four fundamental forces of nature are the forces that are responsible for all interactions observed in the universe. They are gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force and weak nuclear force. They are considered fundamental because they are not known to be reducible to more basic interactions. Gravity is the weakest of the fundamental forces. Since we are magnetic in nature, both attraction and repulsion, then “The power of love” is the alternative for the strong and weak nuclear forces.
RED MINI COOPER To the Red Mini Cooper on Rutter Parkway (Sunday 07/13 10:30ish) corking for me as I plodded my way up the twisty climb up from the Little Spokane River: Thank you! Though it took me a minute to realize what you were doing. It is nice to know that people like you exist. You went out of your way to help me to have a better experience! That was the highlight of my 50-mile ride! (Almost as refreshing as the cold beer right after!)
at Riverfront Park despite people being cleared due to a false active shooter threat. Did those who were yelling about an active shooter really believe that to be the case or were they just trying to ruin everyone else’s enjoyment? Regardless, once the park was “cleared,” that should have been it for the night. Because Spokane is so small, unlike larger cities, they don’t televise the shows. So, the only people who saw the show were those who decided that despite the potential threat, they were going to wait it out anyhow and take their chances. What a waste of money! Couldn’t the show be moved to the next night, or was it just too difficult to change the plans? Regardless of who was at fault, some of us can honestly say that it was the least impressive 4th of July ever. The shows on tv would have been a better choice. Boo! Spokane: near nature. Near a lousy 4th of July.
GULF OF AMERICA Trump almost got it right, it’s not the Gulf of America, but the “Gulf of the Americas.” Remember, their are two of them, both north and south.
A BLOWIN’ IN THE STREETS When hearing the screaming screeching 2-cycle 2-wheeled leaf blower / chainsaw crotchrockets reving and racing the streets, we think of kids who didn’t get the attention desired as a child; “Mommy, Daddy look at MEEE...!” Hoping they’ll live to own a REAL bike someday, still FLA (fast, loud, & annoying).
SHAME ON YOU My experience @ a local women’s shelter was traumatizing. I went there to seek help but I was met with hate, abuse, stigma, and disregard. The majority of the staff are borderline Gestapo, hateful and dehumanizing. They
awaits them. There are frequent flyers there, who act as the henchmen of the staff: Ordering people around like slaves, abusing in the guise of directing. Trump is uplifted, women’s, people’s, & homeless rights are being disregarded. This place causes trauma instead of healing, it needs to be shut down and put under federal investigation for domestic violence. Nuff said.
GARLAND LANDLORDS The Garland Theater is more than bricks and mortar, it’s a cultural landmark, a living piece of Spokane history, and a beloved gathering place for generations. But under your ownership, it’s being slowly strangled by greed and neglect. Instead of collaborating with the community to preserve this local treasure, you’ve chosen to bleed it dry. Whether it’s through unreasonable lease terms, refusal to maintain the space, or chasing profit at the expense of legacy, you’re pushing out the people who give the Garland its energy.
SHUT UP FOR REAL.
If your car, truck or motorcycle is excessively loud, you are a piece of shit. Full stop. No caveats, no exceptions. Bitch, do not get my attention or interrupt my extremely limited free time unless you need me to start first aid or call an ambulance. n
EVENTS | CALENDAR BENEFIT
8TH ANNUAL JACKED UP BIG SHOW A benefit for INW Dyslexia featuring raffles, kids games, vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, car show and more. July 19, 11 am-4 pm. Free. Harmon-Shipley Park, 6000 N. Market. rockstarwheelers.com
GLASS ON GRASS CORVETTE CAR SHOW A showcase of local Corvettes with food trucks and more. Proceeds benefit Spokane Shriners Children’s Hospital. July 26, 9 am-2:30 pm. Free. Mirabeau Park Meadows, 13500 Mirabeau Parkway. spokanecorvetteclub.org
COMEDY
CAGE MATCH An improv battle featuring various improvisation games. See which team makes it to the finals and wins the coveted award. Fridays ay 7:30 pm through Aug. 29. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar. bluedoortheatre.org
JAY LENO Acclaimed late-night icon and stand-up comedy powerhouse, Jay Leno is best known as the longtime host of The Tonight Show, where he entertained millions with his quick wit and everyman charm. The show also features special guest Arsenio Hall. July 18, 8 pm. $66$206. Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino, 14300 W. SR Highway 2. spokanetribecasino.com (877-789-9467)
JEFF GARLIN Garlin is known as the Executive Producer and co-star of the critically acclaimed HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. July 18-9, 7 & 9:45 pm. $32. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
ANDREA SQUARED Andrea Forcum and Andrea Caspari perform stand up comedy based on their backgrounds as teachers. July 19, 4 pm. $32-$37. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
EXPEDITION A family-friendly improv show featuring the Blue Door Theatre players playing a variety of improv games with audience suggestions. Every Saturday at 7:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar. bluedoortheatre.org
JAY HOLLINGSWORTH “Big Irish” Jay Hollingsworth is a stand-up comedian who started in Boston, MA where he was named “Best Comedy Export” by the Boston Examiner. July 20, 7 pm. $15-$20. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
SHAYNE SMITH Through his storytelling and unique style, Shayne Smith is quickly becoming one of the most talkedabout comedians on the scene. July 24, 7 pm, July 25-26, 7 & 9:45 pm. $25-$35. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
TODD ROYCE Todd Royce is a comedian and former professional wrestler who blends his unique background with sharp wit and self-deprecating humor. July 26, 4 pm. $17. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
COMICS UNDER THE INFLUENCE Comics perform a set while sober, get a few drinks in them and then perform again while intoxicated. July 27, 7 pm. $13-$19. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
COMMUNITY
ADVENTURE AWAITS: RECREATION IN NORTH IDAHO This exhibit celebrates the diverse ways people have enjoyed
the great outdoors in North Idaho. Daily from 11 am-5 pm through Sept. 30, 11 am-5 pm. Free. Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd. museumni.org
AMERICAN GIRL OF THE MONTH CLUB
Each month’s meeting features one of American Girl’s historical dolls and includes fun activities that are inspired by her era and heritage. Every third Thursday at 1 pm and 4 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)
THE BATEAU, RIVER PIGS AND PRIEST
RIVER LOG DRIVES In honor of the return of the Diamond Match Bateau to Priest Lake, Priest Lake Museum historian Kris Runberg Smith examines the role of the boat during the annual Priest River Log Drives. July 17, 7-8 pm. Free. The Inn at Priest Lake, 5310 Dickensheet Rd. priestlakemuseum.org
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE NONPROF-
IT This workshop is for anyone who is thinking about or in the beginning phases of starting a nonprofit organization. Learn about strategies for building a strong foundation with long-term sustainability. Topics include selecting the right corporate structure, forming a board of directors, defining a business model and examining fundraising strategies. July 17, 12-1:30 pm. Free. scld.org
CHALK THE BLOCK A sidewalk chalk festival for all ages and skill levels. Grab a bucket of chalk from the gallery, choose a spot on the sidewalk and draw whatever you want. Prizes are awarded to five different category winners. July 15-19, daily from 10 am-5 pm. Free. Teascarlet Fine Art, 6389 Kootenai St. teascarlet.com
COFFEE IN THE GARDEN An event highlighting a new creative each week including demonstrations, activities and refreshments. Artists include Shaun Deller, Lynn Walters, Bill Moore, Linda Cassella and more. Thursdays from 10 amnoon through Aug. 21. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St. createarts.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 11 am-5 pm through Sep. 28. $9-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
GENEALOGY DETECTIVES Join EWGS for a workshop on genetic genealogy using several tools, including DNApainter. This site allows us to analyze DNA matches within specific family lines identified through MyHeritage, FTDNA and GEDmatch. July 17, 10 am-1:30 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
LILAC CITY LIVE! This edition of Spokane’s version of a late-night talk show features Myles Kennedy. July 17, 8-10 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org
WINDOWS 11 WORKSHOP A tech workshop for anyone using Windows 10 who is looking to make the transition to Windows 11. In this workshop, you ll receive hands-on overviews of tools, information on choosing the right edition and clear guidance for new users. July 17, 4:30-5:30 pm. Free. CHASE Tech 8, 327 E. Pacific Ave. chasetech8.com
BINGO LOCO: NAME THAT SONG A “name that song” contest with music trivia, dancing, lip sync battles and
prizes. July 18, 7 pm, Sep. 13, 7 pm and Dec. 13, 7 pm. $42. Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com
COMMUNITY, AN EVOLVING DEFINITION Local mental health professional, Holly Meginniss and local entertainer, Duck E. Loveless talk about what it means to come together and build community in a changing climate and culture. July 18, 6-8:30 pm. Free. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe. lunariumspokane.com
FOREST CEMETERY WALKING TOUR
These guided tours through Forest Cemetery offer an immersive journey through time, highlighting the stories of notable figures and local legends. Every Friday at 8:30 pm. Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd. museumni.org
SCENIC CHAIRLIFT RIDE Ride a chairlift to see views of the Bitterroot mountains, pick huckleberries and more. Fri-Sun from 10 am-3:30 pm through Sept. 28. $12-$16. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0. skilookout.com
BROWNES ADDITION WALKING TOUR: THEN & NOW Take a stroll and look at the changes our corner of Browne’s Addition has undergone for more than a century. Use actual locations and historic photos to highlight key aspects that are important to the neighborhood and the Campbell House family. July 19, 11-11:50 am. $12-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
COMMUNITY MUTUAL AID A free event focused on doling out mutual aid to the community through sharing clothing items, food and more. No ID required. Donations and volunteers welcome. Located at the corner of State and Pacific streets. Third Saturday of each month from 7-8:30 pm. Free. Downtown Spokane. instagram.com/lilacmutualaid
KIDS FREE MARKET A parking lot sale featuring gently used children’s items including toys, clothes, shoes, sports equipment, books and more. July 19, 9 am-noon. Free. True Hope Church, 1316 N. Lincoln St. truehopechurch.org
MEND-IT CAFE Bring textiles in need of mending and experts from Spokane Zero Waste will help you repair them. July 19, 12-3 pm. Free. Catalyst Building, 601 E. Riverside. spokanezerowaste.org
PREMISE CONVERSATION SESSION: WHAT DOES DEMOCRACY DEMAND OF US? What does it really mean to live in a democracy—and what does it ask of us in return? An evening of meaningful conversation focused on what it means to live in a democracy guided by Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas and N.K. Jemisin’s The Ones Who Stay and Fight. July 19, 4-5:30 pm. $25. Zola, 22 W. Main Ave. premiseinstitute.com (509-624-2416)
SETTLERS OF CATAN NATIONAL QUALIFIER TOURNAMENT An official CATAN United States National Championship Qualifier Tournament. The winner will win a guaranteed seat at the 2025 CATAN United States National Championship Tournament, August 16-17 in Denver, CO. July 19, noon. $15. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com (509-838-0206)
MEET CUTE MARKET A celebration of all thinks bookish with an adult romance boo fair, handmade goods, merch, local authors, and more. July 20, 9 am-4 pm. Free. It’s a Love Story, 8927 N. Hess St. lovestorybooksandcafe.com
SOAP MAKING Explore the process of making handmade artisan bar soap and
the science behind the art in this twoday workshop taught by Gayle Kruger. July 20-21, daily from 6-8 pm. $65. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net
SUNDAYS AT THE CROSBY HOUSE A series of educational workshops featuring local authors, historians and various experts who share information about Bing Crosby and his hometown. July 20, 3:30 pm. Free. Crosby House Museum, 508 E. Sharp Ave. gonzaga.edu
RIVER RUN: ECOLOGY OF THE SPOKANE RIVER Learn more about the ecology of the Spokane River and the animals that call it home through movement and hands-on exploration. July 21, 1-2 pm. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org
BEGINNING BUDDHISM Tibetan Buddhist nuns Venerable Thubten Samten and Venerable Thubten Monlam teach a solid foundation for understanding Buddhist world view, based on the book, Open Heart, Clear Mind by Sravasti Abbey founder, Venerable Thubten Chodron. Wed from 6-7:30 pm through Sept. 24. By donation. Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry. sravastiabbey.org
SHIBARI AND FLOW: GOTH NIGHT Shibari instructors and performers showcase burlsque, dance and aerial performances. July 24, 7 pm. $35. The Chameleon, 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. chameleonspokane.com
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
A mobile blood drive with American Red Cross. Appointments are not required, but they are encouraged. July 25, 11 am-4 pm. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org
33 ARTISTS MARKET An all-day art market featuring 95 vendors selling handmade goods, jewelry, art ad more. Also features live music by Rosethrow, coffee, food offerings and more. July 26, 11 am-6 pm. Free. The Pergola Event Center, 2928 N. Madelia St. 33artistsmarket.com (803-603-5179)
AMERICAN BULLY KENNEL CLUB DOG
SHOW A dog show hosted by the American Bully Kennel Club featuring judges John Certeza, Vanessa Cuevas, Rhianna Wright and Damien Ornelas. July 26, 10 am-7 pm. $20-$30. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. abkcdogs.net (509-998-9925)
FILM
SUMMER FAMILY MATINEE: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth. July 17, 1-3 pm. Free. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)
SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK
A screening of Moana 2 in Colfax’s Schmuck Park. First Thursday of every month at 8 pm through Aug. 21. Free. Colfax. explorecolfaxwa.com
FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE: BURNING While working in South Korea, Jong-su bumps into a girl who used to live in his neighborhood. After the two of them get reacquainted, Hae-mi introduces him to a wealthy and mysterious man named Ben. Ben tells Jong-su of a peculiar arson hobby that he is compelled to investigate. July 18, 6:30 pm. $8. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org
EVENTS | CALENDAR
OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE PARK: MONSTERS INC. A screening of Monsters Inc. in Balfour Park. Snacks are available for purchase, bring your own seat. Movie begins at sunset. July 18. Free. Balfour Park, 105 N. Balfour Road. spokanevalley.org
MOONLIT MOVIES: CASABLANCA A screening of Casablanca under the stars. Film begins at sunset. July 23. Free. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commellini.com (509-466-0667)
OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE PARK: TOP GUN A screening of Top Gun in Balfour Park. Snacks are available for purchase, bring your own seating. Movie begins at sunset. July 25. Free. Balfour Park, 105 N. Balfour Rd. spokanevalley.org
SUMMER MOONLIGHT MOVIES: SURF’S UP A free screening of Surf’s Up in Airway Heights’ Sunset Park. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. Movie begins at dusk. July 25. Free. Sunset Park, 924 S. Lawson. airwayheightsparksandrec.org
STAGE TO SCREEN: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. July 27, 2-4:30 pm. $20. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com
FOOD & DRINK
CRAVE NORTHWEST Crave! Northwest is dedicated to uplifting the culinary scene in the Northwest. This year the three-day food festival is chef-focused, showcasing the creative talents of chefs and tastemakers from around the region while highlighting the flavors of the great Northwest. July 17-19, daily from 6-9 pm. $65-$90. Spokane Valley CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Pl. cravenw.com
MASTERS OF SMOKE TOUR A casual tasting and meet-up as part of the Master of Smoke Tour. July 17, 4-7 pm. Free. Total Wine & More, 9980 N. Newport Hwy. mastersofsmoketour.com (212-221-7611)
SUNSET DINNER CRUISES A buffet featuring baked salmon, roasted beef, summer salads and more. Cruise length is two hours. Daily at 7:30 pm through Sept. 1. $57-$84. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com (208-765-4000)
NO-LI FIGHT FIRE WITH BEER WEEKEND Two days of small batch brews with DJ Exodus playing live tunes all weekend. Ticket includes a bucket hat, access to the limited edition brews and pours all weekend long. July 18-19, noon. $15. NoLi Brewhouse, 1003 E. Trent Ave. nolibrewhouse.com (509-242-2739)
NORTHWEST WINEFEST 2025 Sample wines from around the Pacific Northwest while enjoying local food vendors, mountain activities and live music. July 19-20.. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Road. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)
CAMP COCKTAIL: FLAVORS OF THE 1980S AND ‘90S Uncover the history of three drinks from the 1980s and 1990s through this class featuring freshsqueezed juices, housemade syrups, and prepped ingredients at your bartending station, class booklet and camp-themed appetizers. Ages 21+. July 20, 5-7 pm. $84. Hogwash Whiskey Den, 304 W. Pacific Ave. raisingthebarnw.com
OBON FESTIVAL This annual festival features traditional Japanese food, cultural performances and crafts. All proceeds benefit the Spokane Buddhist Temple. July 20, 1-7 pm. Free admission. Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. spokanebuddhisttemple.org
THE DINNER DETECTIVE TRUE CRIME MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW
Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. July 26, 6-9 pm. $83.72. Ruby River Hotel, 700 N. Division St. thedinnerdetective.com (866-496-0535)
JUST THE WURST PAIRING DINNER
Cellar & Scholar sommelier, Justine and the WURST chef Oscar prepare bratwurst and wine pairings. July 27, 4-7 pm. $35. Cellar & Scholar, 15412 E. Sprague Ave. cellarandscholar.com (509-218-6226)
MUSIC & CONCERTS
THE DIVAS IN CONCERT: WHAT SHE WANTS Join Sandra Marlowe, Gaye Kruger Ribble, Carol Davis, Robin Hambey, Claudia Gallagher and Caitlin Weber for two nights of powerhouse vocals and unforgettable stories. July 18-19, 7 pm. $35$50. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org
DUELING PIANOS Jimi Finn and Kevin Shay deliver a high-energy, requestdriven show on dueling pianos. July 18, 5:30-7:30 pm. $25. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd. arborcrest.com
SATURDAY WITH THE SYMPHONY The Coeur d’Alene Symphony performs, puts on aninteractive activity and a book is read by the children’s librarian. Every third Saturday at 11 am. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)
MUSIC IN MANITO A program curated by Zuill Bailey featuring the mesmerizing sound of Biriba Union blending Brazilian music with American hip hop and jazz. Guests artists include Mike Block, Christylez Bacon and Patricia Ligia. July 22, 7:30 pm and July 23, 7:30 pm. $5-$65. Manito Park, 1800 S. Grand Blvd. nwbachfest.com (509-456-8038)
PLAID CAT Enjoy a musical mix of swing, country, oldies, and original songs from the beloved, fan-favorite band Plaid Cat. July 23, 6:30 pm. Free. Sutton Park, 805 Washington St. scld.org
GIRLS ROCK LAB CONCERT An evening of performances by the bands created at Girls Rock Lab summer camp. July 25, 6-7 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
2025 ROSAUERS OPEN INVIATIONAL A 54-hole individual golf tournament with a cut after 36 holes benefitting Vanessa Behan. July 18-20. $370-$400. Indian Canyon Golf Course, 4303 W. West Dr. pnwpga.com (509-953-3780)
SUMMER SLAM BASKETBALL 2025 A series of summer basketball tournaments for high school teams. Teams will play a minimum of five games over the threeday tournament. The initial games will be in a round robin format to determine seeding for the bracketed tournament. July 11-13 and 18-20, daily from 10 am-8 pm. $375. HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. hubsportscenter.org
SUNSET KAYAKING Take a tandem, sit-on-top kayak on a tour of the Spokane River at sunset. Locations vary, see website for specifics. July 18, 5:457:45 pm and July 22, 6-8:30 pm. $45. my.spokanecity.org
RIVERFRONT MOVES: MAT PILATES A dynamic pilates class with core work, hip work, mobility and feel good movement with River City Pilates July 19, 10-11 am. Free. Spokane Pavilion, 574 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6000)
SPOKENYA A 7k walk/run along the Centennial Trail and SFCC to raise money for clean water in rural Kenya. July 19, 8 am. $40. Life Center Church, 1202 N. Government Way. spokenyarun.org
EAGLE AVIARY TOUR A tour of the first tribal Eagle Aviary in the Northwest, owned by the Coeur d’Alene tribe. July 25, 8:45 pm. $65. Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S. Nukwalqw. cdacasino.com
CYCLE CELEBRATION A summer ride with three different routes for riders of various skill levels. Choose from the 10, 25 or 50 mile option. Each comes with a sack lunch and a shirt. July 26-27, 8 am-1 pm. $34. Mirabeau Point Park, 2426 N. Discovery Place. cyclecelebration.com
SPOKANE VELOCITY VS. SACRAMENTO
REPUBLIC Regular season game. July 26, 7 pm. $17-$95. ONE Spokane Stadium, 501 W. Gardner Ave. uslspokane.com
THEATER & DANCE
DRIVING MISS DAISY Daisy Werthan, a rich, sharp-tongued Jewish widow of seventy-two, has demolished another car. Her son, Boolie, hires Hoke to be her chauffeur. Slowly and steadily the dignified, good-natured Hoke breaks down the stern defenses of the ornery old lady. July 18-28; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $6-$26. The Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave. uidaho.edu (208-885-6465)
KIDS’ DANCE CLASS: JAZZ/HIP HOP A one-hour class with a professional dance instructor. July 17, 5:30-6:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org
TORCH SONG This play follows Arnold Beckoff—a drag queen and torch singer searching for love, family, and acceptance in 1970s New York. July 17-Aug. 2, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm. $37.50. Hamilton Studio, 1427 W. Dean Ave. theaterontheverge.com (509-327-9501)
CARRIE Based on a Stephen King thriller and the subsequent film adaptation, this production gives the musical treatment to a story about a shy, bullied young teenager who has the dubious gift of telekinesis. July 18-27; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $25. Stage Left Theater, 108 W. Third Ave. brightcomettheatre.com
ANASTASIA A brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home. July 18-27; times vary. $68. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 880 W. Garden Ave. cstidaho.com (208-254-0504)
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS The Wind in the Willows follows Mole, Rat, Badger and Mr. Toad, whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. July 18-27; Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $20-$35. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com
THE TEMPEST a bold, modern reimagining of The Tempest. Set off the coast of Seattle in today’s world, this take on Shakespeare’s most enchanting work brings Prospero’s island into the digital age. July 19-20, 4 pm. Free. Chewelah Center for the Arts, 405 N. Third St. chewelahcenterforthearts.com
VISUAL ARTS
BERGEN: AMERICAN CALLIGRAPHY An exhibit showcasing calligraphy’s impact on contemporary art. Wed-Sat from 11 am-6 pm through July 26. Free. D2 Gallery and Studio, 310 W. First Ave. d2gallerystudio.com (509-981-7153)
CITY OF MOSCOW PORTABLE COLLECTION The Portable Collection is comprised of over 120 works, which are prominently displayed in City of Moscow buildings. It represents a broad spectrum of artistic media and styles and reflects the City of Moscow’s commitment to the arts. July 17-Aug. 28, Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm. Free. Third Street Gallery, City Hall, 206 E. Third St. ci.moscow. id.us/230/Third-Street-Gallery
GIGGLES: HUMOR IN ART A show created by Diane Rowen Gamire featuring regular New Moon artists’ humorous work. Wed-Sat from 11 am-5 pm. through July 31. Free. New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague. manicmoonandmore.com
HILLYARD ART WALK Wander the historic Market Street Corridor to explore pop-up art galleries in neighborhood shops, live music, historic spaces, and hands-on art activities. Every third Thursday from 4-7 pm. Free. Hillyard, Spokane. hillyardspokane.org/artwalk
ABE KENNEY: IT’S JUST A GAME A solo exhibition featuring works centered on the game of chess from local artist Abe Kenne. Daily from 11 am-6 pm through July 31. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. instagram.com/entropygalleryspokane
FOUND Artists Krista Brand, Bradd Skubinna, Val Wahl and Cyn Short explore the use of common, sometimes discarded materials to compose installations or create new objects. Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm through July 27. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com
THE PAPER ROOM: Artist Louise Kodis recreates her studio in the Saranac gallery and showcases work from her 60year art career. Thu-Sat from 2-6 pm through July 26. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com
PRESTON SINGLETARY: RAVEN AND THE BOX OF DAYLIGHT An immersive exhibition that tells the Tlingit story of Raven and his transformation of the world. Featuring works from internationally acclaimed artist Preston Singletary, the exhibition takes visitors on a multisensory odyssey through the transformation of darkness into light, brought to life through narration, original music, coastal Pacific Northwest soundscapes and projected images. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Jan. 4. $9-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
TESLA KAWAKAMI: WHAT IF YOU STAY Artwork from Seattle-based artist Tesla Kawakami whose oil paintings xplore themes of nostalgia, destruction, identity and transformation. Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm through Aug. 29. Free. Chase Gallery, 808 W. Spokane Falls. spokanearts.com
TEA & KIKI Join Drag Thing T.S. Loveless AKA Lich Wyrmwood for an evening of tea, treats and crafts. There are no limi-
tations on experience level for this group whether you are a drag aficionado, new to the scene, or just interested in getting your start. Every third Friday from 6-8 pm. Free. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St. lunariumspokane.com
TEACHING ARTIST TRAINING AND REGISTRY INFO SESSION An info session about how working artists can monetize their teaching practice through a series of hands-on continuing education workshops and continuing paid teaching opportunities through Spark Central. July 18, 5:30-6:30 pm. Free. Spark Central Studio, 1206 W. Summit Pkwy. sparkcentral.org (509-798-7144)
WORDS
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
FORAY: SUMMER LIT PICNICS #1 This event features readings by Emerald Anderson-Fitzpatrick, Kurtis Ebeling, Kate Lebo, Christina Momono, Will RoberdsKing, Sarah Rooney, Eighty Six, Joseph A. Williams, and more. July 17, 6-9 pm. Free. James T. Slavin Conservation Area, 12900 S. Keeney Road. foray4thearts.org
JESS WALTER: SO FAR GONE Local author Jess Walter discusses his newest novel, So Far Gone and signs copies of the book. July 17, 7 pm. $14-$57. PalouseClearwater Environmental Institute, 1040 Rodeo Dr. bookpeopleofmoscow.com
SCLD ONLINE AUTHORS SERIES: MARIE LU Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets in her book Legend. July 17, 1-2 pm. Free. scld.org
MERMAID STORYTIME: Hang out with some local merfolk and listen to them read their favorite underwater children’s books. July 19, 11 am-noon. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com (509-838-0206)
STORY AND CRAFT A read-aloud of a popular children’s book will be followed by an optional craft related to the story. Ages 3-7. Every Saturday from 11 amnoon. Cost of admission. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
SUMMER STORYTIME Grab your picnic blankets, water bottles and meet for a colorful outdoor story time featuring books, songs, parachute play and more. Ages 2-5. Mon from 10-11 am through Aug. 11. Free. Comstock Park, 29th Ave. and Howard St. spokanelibrary.org
TEEN WRITE CLUB Teen writers are invited to get feedback on their work and explore all things prose and poetry. Every Tuesday from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. sparkcentral.org (509-279-0299)
SCLD ONLINE AUTHORS SERIES: REX OGLE Award-winning author Rex Ogle discusses his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book Free Lunch. July 23, 1-2 pm. Free. scld.org
TRAILS AND TALES This collaboration with Kaniksu Land Trust involves leading a one-mile hike while reading books along the way. Tue at 9:30 am through July 29. Free. Pine Street Woods, 11915 W. Pine St. ebonnerlibrary.org n
Smoke and Fire
Sparking up presents a risk this time of year
BY WILL MAUPIN
Fire season has arrived in the Inland Northwest, and I’m not using “fire” as in quality cannabis.
Last week saw a pair of large fires erupt, one near Davenport and the other near Kettle Falls, prompting evacuations and impacting air quality as each grew to thousands of acres.
At the time of writing, it is unclear what exactly started the fires. One thing that is clear, however, is that cannabis can sometimes be a culprit.
“As the temperatures get warmer and the relative humidity starts to drop, we start to see the probability of ignition start to increase with any type of flame or spark,” says Deputy Fire Marshal Ken Johnson with the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
If you’re consuming cannabis flower in any form, you’ll need both a spark and flame.
“The probability of a match or something that’s
over, let’s say, 500 degrees touching the ground and the ability for it to actually ignite … on a day like today where the relative humidity is in the teens, you’re looking at probability of ignition of 100%, which means any match or any spark that hits the ground is going to ignite,” Johnson says.
That high probability is because of more than just the low humidity — Spokane County is coming off its driest June on record.
“If you’re talking about a marijuana cigarette, when someone’s puffing on a cigarette, that could get up to 1,200 degrees,” Johnson says. “And the cigarette itself, when it’s just smoldering, can be around 800 degrees.”
Dry grass blankets the Inland Northwest during summer months, and it can ignite at as low as 300 degrees, far below the temperature of an unextinguished joint or smoldering ash from a pipe.
While for many, last week’s two large wildfires marked the unwanted arrival of fire and smoke season, cannabis consumers need to be wary of more than just fires away from the city.
Johnson notes that investigators often find cigarettes — fire data rarely differentiates between tobacco and cannabis — to be the cause of structure fires. This time of year, structure fires can spread well beyond the initial outbreak.
“In the summertime, we usually will send a brush complement to a working structure fire because it’s pretty common to have it spotting into the grass,” Johnson says. “And of course if it’s a windy day that contributes to the possibility of the fire spreading into the wildland.”
Cannabis users should always use the utmost care when consuming combustible products, but this time of year that care is most important. n
Joints can get surprisingly hot. Only YOU can prevent wildfires.
tree
55. Rightmost column in the periodic table
59. Temporary place to live before moving out, maybe 62. Finito 63. Justice Kagan
64. “M*A*S*H” actor Alan
Julia, in “Ocean’s Eleven” 66. Alaskan carving
67. Slovenly sort
1. Plagiarize
2. Tissue additive
3. Chicken chow ___
4. “Fifth wave” genre that sounds more like indie rock
5. “Carry On Wayward ___” (song that actually doesn’t have “My” in the title)
6. East Coast convenience store chain
7. “Put ___ my tab”
8. Welsh comedian ___ Gilbert, former presenter of “Never Mind the Buzzcocks”
