Inlander 08/03/2023

YOUNG KWAK

EDITOR’S NOTE

B

read’s old.In 2018, archaeologists in Jordan found 14,000-year-old breadcrumbs. The bread was found in an ancient fire pit, among bones of gazelles, hares and sheep. So not only is it the oldest bread ever found, but the oldest burnt toast as well.

Regardless, the find puts bread as a foodstuff for humans living before the Neolithic era — before farming and metallurgy. Well before the written word and, therefore, cookbooks and bread recipes.

I bring this up because, when it comes to bread, not much has changed in the last 16,000 years. We still eat bread, and it’s still made with a few simple ingredients: flour, water and salt.

Yet there’s one more ingredient you’ll read quite a bit about in this week’s cover section, MEET YOUR BAKER. Nowadays we call it sourdough starter, but I’m sure millennia ago it was seen as pure magic. The way it grows your bread, strengthens it, binds it together, gives it flavor.

I have some starter, and it amazes me to watch it grow and breathe, as if it’s a living piece of dough. Now that I think about it, it still sounds like pure magic.

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BREAD?

NOAH PASINO

Sourdough.

Have you ever tried making bread at home? No, but my dad does a lot. I’ve seen him do it, and it’s such a process. I’m too busy to even try.

CECILIA MCGOWAN

It’s sourdough for me.

Where from?

The Grain Shed. Culture Classic, it’s called. It’s a classic.

MELISSA PARKER

I like sourdough.

Have you ever tried making bread at home? Oh yes. It’s really a lovely way to ground yourself in being home. I like to garden while the dough is fermenting.

RUSSELL NEFF

Sourdough.

What’s your favorite local bakery? I have three: The Grain Shed, Chaps and Twenty-Seventh Heaven.

MADDIE NEFF

I like sourdough, too. I promise I’m not just copying!

It’s a fan-favorite today.

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Pyre of Progress

As long as humans and hubris collide, the story of Frankenstein remains on point

BY JOHN HAGNEY

“Mitigating risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.”

So warns a May 29 statement from the Center for AI Safety, signed by more than 350 executives, researchers and engineers working in the artificial intelligence field.

Pause. Emote primal scream. Breathe.

Now recall 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), when supercomputer HAL acquires free will, refuses to obey commands and kills the spacecraft crew. Or the rebellion of the replicants (“More human than human”) in Blade Runner (1982). Do humanoid robots dream of mechanical sheep?

Imagine your smart house malevolently entombing you. Or worse, you program your autonomous 2000-mile battery EV for Vegas and onboard AI maliciously transports you to Omaha. HAL transfigured into AI Hell. Humans transmogrified into Kafkaesque insects. As the future accelerates past the present, are we postsci-fi? As Snoop Dogg observed more prosaically, “Is we in a f—ing movie, or what?”

Consider electro-synth pop singer Grimes’ new gig. Grimes, who conceived with Elon Musk a child named X Æ A-12, authorized anyone to use her AI singing voice as long as they shared royalties with her. Hundreds of songs were generated. So while her AI voice labors, she gets the Gucci, sips mojito and indulges X Æ A-12 as her avatars hoe the row on the digital plantation.

Perhaps the future of work is that the affluent have AI-curated leisure while proles subscribe to celebrity doppelgängers to compete for 15 minutes of fame.

Causally we propitiate Moloch-like algorithms that filter bubble our searches and surveil our online behaviors. In the past, authoritarians controlled citizens through coercion. Today sagacious authoritarians contract consulting firms like Cambridge Analytica to profile citizens using 3,000 data points harvested from personal online histories. This is manna to surveillance capitalists, the predatory nomads of the digital desert.

Our ingenious, marvelous machines can mutate into monsters. Our creations have fed, cured and connected our species in this Anthropocene Era yet inflicted catastrophic destruction through environmental degradation and war. This paradox is not due to evil intent by those who birthed our technologies. Most were moved to improve the condition of our species even if, like medieval alchemists, they were also driven by the obsession to transform base nature into gold. Rather it is the fog of our hubris. In achieving the heights of Olympus, we

With Robert J. Oppenheimer up on the big screen, it’s time to think about how to tame other threats to humanity.

believe we are gods. Pride goeth before the fall. Greek tragedy reminds that we are not omniscient, that even the most intelligent and virtuous are flawed. Victor Frankenstein is the Gothic exemplar.

Frankenstein was the “Modern Prometheus.” Prometheus defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, his punishment having his liver devoured for perpetuity by an eagle. Distraught by his mother’s death, Frankenstein creates an immortal being. Frankenstein’s flaw was that his creature was physically hideous, rejected by humans and thus became monstrous, avenging his despair by destroying those Frankenstein loved. (See Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 film, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.)

On Aug. 6, 1945, Hiroshima was incinerated with the ferocious fire of 10,000 Godzillas. In a millisecond, plutonium triggered a uranium core vaporizing humans at the inferno’s epicenter. All that remained of a young girl walking to her seijinshiki ceremony dressed in her first kimono was her shadow. Then the searing, radiated black rain fell. Hiroshima’s river was choked with charred corpses resembling Dante’s River Styx. The Weeping Demon of Kurosawa’s film Dreams (1990) still haunts Hiroshima. (See Charles Pellegrino’s The Last Train from Hiroshima, 2010.) This unholy conflagration weaponizing the sun’s fierce energy was the work of our Prometheus, J. Robert Oppenheimer — now the subject of Chrisopher Nolan’s new film.

Oppenheimer was no Icarus. Like Frankenstein, his intent was noble. As a scientist, he believed he had a duty to expedite the end of World War II by pre-empting German acquisition of an atomic bomb. As a Jew he also sought to halt the Holocaust. This was Oppenheimer’s — and our own — Faustian bargain.

In his 2005 Pulitzer Prize biography of Oppenheimer, Martin Sherwin called Oppenheimer “our Leonardo.” Like the Renaissance icon, Oppenheimer was a prodigious polymath who spoke five languages and was passionate about art, literature and philoso phy. After the war, Oppenheimer was Einstein’s boss at Princeton.

In 1943, Oppenheimer was deployed by the government to build the bomb in the New Mexico desert at Los Alamos, a site sacred to indigenous Anasazi. When the bomb was first detonated in the Trinity test, Oppenheimer was horrified and uttered a passage from the Hindu Bhagavad-Gita: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” Like Frankenstein, Oppenheimer was aghast as his creation violently convulsed into being.

In 1954, Oppenheimer’s security clearance was revoked in the McCarthy crucible and thus, again like Frankenstein, Oppenheimer lost control of the creature he conceived in beneficence. In the Strangelove technolust of the military-industrial leviathan, it became a monster. If World War III went nuke, World War IV would be fought with bows and arrows.

Like Oppenheimer, Geoffrey Hinton, the father of AI, despairs for the dark unintended consequences of his progeny. In a May 8 Wired interview, Hinton compared the effort to mitigate the emerging risks posed by AI as a kind of Manhattan Project; Hinton, then, is the present iteration of Oppenheimer.

At AI’s inception in the 1980s, computer scientist Alan Perlis effused, “A year spent with artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.” Did Perlis not recall Frankenstein’s creature’s lament, “I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the Fallen Angel”? Or was Perlis, unlike Oppenheimer, simply not versed in the humanities canon that reminds us about the foibles of our nature, the follies of our ignorance?

As initial supplicants to a myopic, fanatical faith in science, Oppenheimer and Hinton believed that their conceptions were immaculate and would ameliorate the evils of war and ignorance. Now their creatures are feral, exacerbating these maladies. Perhaps it is heroic to steal the god’s fire, but if science and gold be the solitary arbiters of our future, our species will be sacrificed on the pyre of progress. n

John Hagney taught high school and college history for 45 years. He was a U.S. Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher. His oral history of Gorbachev’s reforms was the first work on the subject and has been translated into six languages.

INTENSIFYING SPOKANE

Last summer, Spokane was in a state of emergency. An unprecedented population boom and influx of new arrivals during the pandemic had squeezed the city’s housing market to the breaking point. Home prices soared 60 percent in just two years, and many people saw their dreams of home ownership slip away.

As rental prices and visible homelessness soared, Mayor Nadine Woodward declared a housing emergency. Spokane needed more houses. But where to build them? Sixty percent of the city was zoned for detached single-family homes, and 23 percent didn’t allow any residential construction.

In July 2022, city leaders decided to do something radical: Make it legal to build multifamily housing almost anywhere.

Urbanists have long pushed for an end to singlefamily zoning restrictions, which limit development to a single unit of housing per parcel of land. Other cities in Washington had flirted with the idea but got bogged down in public process and bureaucratic hoops. Some had achieved minor reform — legalizing fourplexes near transit or parks, for example — but nothing on the scale of what Spokane was proposing.

“When you’re facing a crisis, it does require bold action,” says City Council member Michael Cathcart. “We had sort of played with the edges of our code for a decade or longer, and I think folks finally realized, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do something substantial.’”

The Building Opportunities and Choices for All initiative — BOCA for short — was passed as an emergency, one-year pilot program. It effectively ended single-family zoning restrictions citywide and made it legal to build duplexes, fourplexes and townhomes in any residential area.

It was a bit of a leap of faith.

“We didn’t really know what to expect,” says Spencer Gardner, the city’s planning director.

Despite some apprehension over unintended consequences and a rushed process, the City Council passed the emergency ordinance 7-0 with support from the mayor’s office.

“I think we should try it and see what it does,” Council member Karen Stratton said on the night of the July 2022 vote. “We know we’re having a housing crisis… I’m willing to take that chance to see where it takes us.”

One year later, proponents say the law has been a success. The emergency ordinance won a state planning award and attention from cities in other parts of the country. This spring, the state Legislature passed a “missing middle” bill that essentially requires large cities across the state to do the same thing Spokane did.

“This is literally a case of Spokane leads and Washington follows,” Cathcart says.

The city is currently working on a permanent version of the interim law that should be finalized by the end of the year.

The city has passed a number of other housing

BY

reform measures over the past year — like an expanded multifamily tax exemption passed last July — that also aim to encourage more housing. Between January and June this year, the city issued 509 multifamily and mixeduse housing permits. That’s more than any other year on record — and the year’s only halfway done.

Spokane’s housing crisis is far from solved, and the new pro-development laws haven’t been without critics. But Gardner and other proponents of housing reform argue that Spokane is on the right track, and that a city of diverse, attainable housing is within reach again.

DUPLEXES EVERYWHERE

Over the past year, permits for 70 new units of housing were processed as a direct result of BOCA.

Twenty-one new duplexes. Five fourplexes. Two new detached houses and five new townhouses on individual parcels. One single-family home conversion to a duplex.

“I’m pleased that the number is not zero,” Gardner says. “It tells me that there is some demand for these types of housing in the community.”

Gardner says 70 units is a great start, and that he hopes to see more in the future. Cathcart agrees. He says some developers were wary of committing to projects under a one-year pilot ordinance, and that he expects a big uptick in permitting after the changes are made permanent.

The $7.7 million Millennium North Hill will bring 60 units to Garland Avenue and Wall Street. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

One year ago, Spokane became a statewide leader in housing reform — but did the law work?

NATE SANFORD

66TH ANNUAL

SPOKANE HIGHLAND GAMES

Saturday, August 5th • 9am-5:30pm

Spokane County Fair and Expo Center

Heavy Athletics, Bagpipe Bands, Highland Dancing, Celtic Entertainment, Celtic Vendors, and Scottish Historic Exhibits

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ON STANDS AUGUST 24

NEWS | HOUSING

“INTENSIFYING SPOKANE,” CONTINUED...

When BOCA passed, some people expressed concern about single-family homes being torn down to make way for fourplexes. But Gardner says prohibitive demolition costs have resulted in a majority of the new development occurring on vacant lots. The new permits are also scattered evenly across the city — not concentrated in a single neighborhood.

“No one single neighborhood has seen a monumental, catastrophic change,” Gardner says. “We haven’t radically shifted the housing market in terms of disruption to individual neighborhoods or anything like that.”

Spencer says the permanent version of the zoning changes — titled “Building Opportunity for Housing” — is going to have some minor tweaks. But overall, he expects to be largely the same as BOCA.

On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved a series of changes to Spokane’s comprehensive plan that make up the first phase of the permanent version. Phase 2 — a series of code changes — is expected to be finalized by December.

The statewide “missing middle” law gives cities several years to update their laws and comply with the new zoning requirements. But while many other cities are now scrambling to catch up, Spokane’s missing middle law already covers most of the bases.

“We were forward thinking,” Cathcart says. “We’re going to be in compliance before the end of this year.”

NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER

Not everyone is happy with Spokane’s missing middle law.

While seeking public feedback on the comprehensive plan changes, the planning department heard from a number of people who are concerned about the city’s outskirts lacking infrastructure to support development.

On Five Mile Prairie, for example, a plan to build seven fourplexes under BOCA has been met with significant pushback from neighbors concerned about a lack of road, transit, school and fire infrastructure.

Gardner understands where those concerns are coming from. But he says that, while some outlying areas have long been marked by a rural character, they’re within city boundaries and subject to state laws treating them as an urban development.

He adds that there are mechanisms in place to ensure infrastructure is in place before new development goes forward, and that shutting down construction can actually hinder infrastructure, as developers are often on the hook

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Neighbors are actively appealing the city hearing examiner’s decision to approve the project. Former City Council member Candace Mumm, who testified on behalf of the appeal, says she has concerns about both BOCA and the statewide “missing middle” law.

“I think this was done a little hastily,” says Mumm, who was on City Council from 2013 to 2021. “I really hope that they continue to refine it.”

Mumm says she would rather see an emphasis on dense development near the city’s centers and corridors, where robust infrastructure is already in place. She argues that the outskirts development allowed under BOCA requires expensive taxpayer spending on new roads, fire stations and other services.

for improvements.

Cathcart agrees.

“It’s a very complicated issue in some of these outlying areas,” Cathcart says. “But in my opinion, at the heart of the policy, I don’t think it’s fair that wealthier neighborhoods are able to have different rules than less wealthy neighborhoods.”

Several commenters opposed to the Five Mile development also claimed that apartments would bring crime, the “less than favorable side of society” and lower property values. The city’s planning department tactfully referred to those concerns as related to the “integration of diverse economic households.”

Former City Council President Ben Stuckart, who served with Mumm and now works as executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, is less diplomatic.

“If we actually gave a crap about our fellow community members, everybody would be jumping up and down begging for more density, because that drives home prices down,” Stuckart says. “Mixed income neighborhoods make for better neighborhoods.”

PARKING AND PAVEMENT

BOCA isn’t the only big pro-housing law to come through Spokane over the past year.

Last June, the city loosened restrictions to make it easier to build accessory dwelling units — sometimes called “in-laws” — on single-family lots. The ordinance increased the maximum size of dwelling units and removed the requirement that property owners who want to build one live on the site.

Permit data shows a modest uptick in dwelling units: 42 were issued in 2022, compared to 27 in 2021.

In February, the City Council passed the “Pavement to People” ordinance, which uses tax

A new Logan neighborhood duplex, thanks to BOCA. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

breaks to incentivize developers to build affordable housing on downtown surface parking lots.

So far, Gardner says one developer has come forward to take advantage of the incentive.

Cathcart says he considers that a success. He says that while he voted for the ordinance, he frankly didn’t think the incentives would be strong enough to attract any developers.

Stuckart says it’s time to swap out the carrot for a stick and start charging outrageous fees until the property owners give up on their “immoral” use of downtown land.

Last month, the Spokane City Council also passed a law removing the requirement that developers construct parking spots when building new apartments or houses. The law removed those requirements for all developments within a half-mile of transit stops.

Anthony Gill, who runs the urbanist website Spokane Rising, is a big fan of that new law. He says studies have shown that off-street parking requirements can significantly increase rent and home prices. He wants the city to further whittle down its parking space rules.

“I want to get to a place where we don’t have parking requirements at all in Spokane, even for commercial” zones, Gill says. “I think it’s crazy that we have parking requirements… You have to build parking stalls for bars, which is just wild to me.”

Like BOCA, the parking ordinance is a one-year pilot program that will be made permanent if successful.

Gardner says the planning department is also working on a plan to encourage more high intensity development around the newly opened City Line.

GOODBYE DENSITY, HELLO INTENSITY

The comprehensive plan updates passed by the City Council on Monday are largely big-picture changes that aim to remove language that conflicted with the goals of BOCA. The original language, Gardner says, created “unresolved conflicts.”

“It’s not that they were bad policies,” Gardner says. “It created a tension in the plan that never really got resolved. And in the context of the housing crisis, that tension became more apparent.”

One value statement in the original plan called for “protecting the character of single family neighborhoods.” The new version passed Monday replaces that line with “celebrating the uniqueness of each neighborhood while allowing for growth and diversity everywhere.”

The new version of the plan also replaces the word “density” with “intensity.”

Spencer says that density just refers to the number of units per acre, “intensity” captures other important factors like height, mass and how buildings interact with the environment around them.

The update also replaces arcane terminology in the comprehensive plan with four new land use designations.

At the bottom of the new scale is “residential low,” which allows for traditional single-family homes, duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and accessory dwelling units. Nonresidential buildings — like churches, grocery stores, schools and other small retail spaces — are also allowed on a conditional basis.

“Residential increased” areas allow for larger buildings and more commercial space. “Residential moderate” areas, intended to be within walking distance of the city center, allow for larger apartments and condo complexes.

The last classification is “residential high.” Picture the areas just outside downtown that have high-rise apartment towers.

It all fits into the broader theme, Gardner says. More choices. More freedom. Housing of all types that meets people’s needs and budgets.

Before Gardner’s appointment in January 2022, Spokane spent four long years without an official planning director.

Cathcart, Stuckart and Gill are all quick to credit Gardner for Spokane’s recent housing progress.

“I would put this victory solely on Spencer Gardner and the community members that pushed to hire Gardner,” Stuckart says. “He’s the exact right person for the job right now.”

Gardner himself is modest. “There’s always more we can be doing,” he says. n

nates@inlander.com

2001 - 2002

It didn’t take long for the turn of the century to start a chain of events that would have lasting impacts for the decades to come. Nationally, on Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airliners, crashing two of them into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon, and spurring wars and international conflict. Locally, meth was described as “Spokane’s drug of choice” in a cover story from April 12, 2001, and a lawsuit centering on the development and funding of the River Park Square parking garage became an ongoing issue. On the bright side, in 2001 operations began on the Stateline Wind Farm, one of the largest farms in the region. Plus, restoration efforts began on Spokane landmarks like the Fox Theater and Davenport Hotel, and funds were devoted to enhancing some of the city’s struggling neighborhoods that still stand as thriving hubs today.

IN THE NEWS

The CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY withstood three failed attempts at claiming its current city status in the 1990s, but on May 9, 2002, the article “Valley Inc.” by publisher Ted S. McGregor Jr. outlined the determination behind the campaign. “The drive for Spokane Valley is inspired… equally by the American spirit of self-determination, by business interests seeking more local control and by a simple sense of community pride.” Yet during the campaign, many residents seemed impartial on the issue, which was reflected by the 51 percent majority that determined Spokane Valley’s status as the eighthlargest city in the state.

CULTURE BEAT

Summer markets and fairs mesh seamlessly with the vibrant and bustling SOUTH PERRY DISTRICT, but two decades ago they served as an attempt to revamp the neighborhood. On July 7, 2001, an article titled “Rejuvenation Street” by Angela Johnson documented the second annual South Perry Summer Street Faire, which featured live music, food and art vendors, and a classic car show. Around that time, the South Perry District received over $300,000 in federal grant funding to transform the area, which had a reputation of having high crime rates. “The resurrection of the area will hopefully turn its reputation around once and for all,” wrote Johnson.

ON THE COVER

The Cheney Cowles Museum closed its doors for a two-year renovation, reopening in December 2001 as the NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE

The $28 million expansion and restoration project added a second building to the museum and created a gallery space suited to showcasing a myriad of local art installations and traveling exhibitions. These changes took place with the goal of making the museum a cultural destination for locals and visitors alike, giving “Spokane a sense of place,” according to the museum’s then-CEO Bruce Eldredge.

LOCAL FOLKS

One name that appeared frequently in ’01 and ’02 was JACK NISBET, a naturalist and historian who has written multiple award-winning books such as Sources of the River and The Collector history of the Pacific Northwest. Nibset continues to write occasionally for the Inlander, such as his recent story chronicling the history of condors in the region. He and his wife, Claire, have also curated traveling museum exhibits, including David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work

COMING IN AUGUST

Jinkx Monsoon EVERYTHING AT STAKE TOUR

Sunday

Two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and Broadway breakout star Jinkx Monsoon presents her biggest concert tour to date with “Everything at Stake.” This is an 18+ event.

Gipsy Kings WITH NICOLAS REYES

Saturday

August 19 8PM

August 13 8PM featuringNicolas Reyes

Melding traditional flamenco style with Western Pop and Latin rhythm, you’re in for an evening of joyous and infectious music that will be sure to have you on your feet dancing.

Nurse Blake

SHOCK ADVISED TOUR

Sunday August 27 8PM

Bring out your friends, family, and coworkers for an EPIC night as Nurse Blake shares new stories with a comedic twist of the ins and outs of being a nurse.

Preserving the Prairie

With explosive growth in Kootenai County, voters are asked to approve $50 million to protect open space

BY COLTON RASANEN

From longer waits at grocery store checkout lines and red lights to limited restaurant availability, long-time Kootenai County residents have seen firsthand what happens when a region experiences explosive growth.

Between 2010 and 2020, the population of the North Idaho county rapidly increased, by about 24 percent, at a time when the U.S. population grew by about 7 percent and neighboring Spokane County by 14 percent.

In the few years since, Kootenai saw another jump of 7 percent.

It’s not a change everyone welcomes.

“I ran for office last year and not one person said the county wasn’t growing enough,” says Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare. “I heard quite the opposite — that things were growing so fast that it was disruptive.”

The boom is eating into precious prairie land and causing more high-density development to be built throughout the county. Kootenai County commissioners have a plan — the Open Space and Park Development Bond — which will place the county’s future into the hands of its voters this fall.

If voters approve the $50 million in bond money, the county hopes to acquire public open land for scenic and recreational purposes. This may include new trail systems, dog parks, play areas and many more amenities that have yet to be determined.

“It’s an opportunity to mitigate density and add more open spaces,” says Mattare. “This gives the community a direct say on the growth of the county.”

But these are all just potential ideas. If the bond measure is passed, Mattare says officials plan to identify the best recreational or scenic uses for specific plots of land.

But which officials will decide? Well, that hasn’t been decided yet.

County commissioners plan to appoint an Open Space and Park Development Citizens Advisory Board… but only if voters approve the measure on Nov. 7. This advisory board is anticipated to work closely with commissioners and the director of Kootenai County Parks and Waterways to make recommendations about which properties to acquire and what recreational opportunities to develop.

Commissioners hope to enhance the county’s existing recreational trail system. By strategically buying parcels of land, the county could link the Centennial Trail, Prairie Trail, and trails along state Route 41 and U.S. Route 95, according to a county-run website meant to inform voters.

Along with these potential benefits, the bond will protect the drinking water supply in the Spokane ValleyRathdrum Prairie Aquifer, which provides water for most of Kootenai and Spokane counties.

Considering the aquifer, the bond is something of a regional issue. By acquiring open space above the aquifer, officials hope to protect local drinking water and prevent high-density development.

In 1978, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer as a sole source aquifer, making it the second in the nation to receive this weighty title. Then in 1985, Spokane County voters recognized the importance of protecting their drinking water and authorized the creation of a 20-year aquifer protection area, which was reupped in 2004. Three years after Spokane County’s reauthorization, Kootenai County formed its own Aquifer Protection

District, dedicated to funding aquifer protection programs. The two counties waited six more years to work together, creating the Idaho Washington Aquifer Collaborative in 2013.

New and existing businesses built over the aquifer are already required to report which chemicals they use and store on the property to the Panhandle Health District. While businesses must report any possible contaminants to the aquifer, residential buildings like apartments or senior homes are exempt, according to the health district.

The aquifer has no natural barriers to prevent surface water from entering it, meaning the region’s source of drinking water is at risk of contamination.

However, county commissioners aren’t asking voters to protect their drinking water. It’s just an added bonus of the bond’s passage.

By placing this bond on the ballot, lawmakers are asking voters what preserving the prairie is truly worth.

Over the $50 million bond’s proposed 20-year term, property owners will be faced with an estimated annual cost of $8 for every $100,000 in taxable value. At the Kootenai County median home value of $480,475, that tax increase would sing to the tune of nearly $29 per year, according to county calculations.

Property owners will face the brunt of a tax increase, but that doesn’t mean it won’t affect those who rent, says Jonathan Gillham, a spokesperson for Kootenai County.

“Those increases are going to go on the owner, where they may or may not increase rent,” says Gillham. “We can’t say definitively if this will affect renters.”

Census data indicates that more than a quarter of occupied housing units are rented, meaning the tax impact on nearly 18,000 households is virtually unknown.

Still, county commissioners expect these taxes per household to decline over the next 20 years as the population continues to grow.

This isn’t guaranteed though.

If the population declines then the opposite is possible: Property owners could be saddled with more than they originally planned for. However, Mattare optimistically says it’s all about perspective.

“If there are fewer taxpayers the obligation will be spread among a smaller demographic,” he says. “If the population goes down, then land prices could be less and people would be able to purchase land.”

Regardless of the tax increase and who it may affect, proponents of this bond have an uphill battle ahead of them. Idaho state statute says at least two-thirds of the ballots cast must be in favor of the bond measure for it to become a reality.

History tells us that many voters in Kootenai County are not fans of taxes or fees. In 2020, the county asked voters to increase vehicle registration fees to fund the largest investment in transportation infrastructure since the 1970s. Officials identified 12 projects that would benefit from this investment, and voters resoundingly said no.

If passed, however, the bond will be the biggest in recent memory. In November 2008, Kootenai voters turned down a $145 million public facility improvement bond, which failed. A year later, in November 2009, voters voted against a nearly $58 million bond, which would’ve funded improvements to the county detention facility. It also failed.

While many voters may turn their nose up at any potential tax increase, Gillham says just as many citizens have expressed concern over a shrinking Rathdrum Prairie.

“I highly doubt the public will be upset with an open piece of prairie land 20 years down the road,” Gillham says. n

coltonr@inlander.com

The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer stretches from Lake Pend Oreille to Long Lake on the Spokane River. LISA WAANANEN JONES MAP

Ban on the Ballot

Spokane voters will see a homeless camping ban on November’s ballot. Plus, environmental groups want to breach the Snake dams; and a suddenly empty position on the school board.

This November, Spokane voters will decide if they want to ban people from camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds and day care centers — regardless of shelter availability. The measure is a citizen’s initiative created by Brian Hansen, a local attorney who argues that it will protect children. The initiative collected more than the required 2,624 signatures, and this week the City Council unanimously voted to place it on the Nov. 7 ballot. “We can’t vote no, whether we like it or not,” said Council member Karen Stratton. The signature-gathering efforts were funded by Larry Stone, a local developer, political donor and homeless shelter landlord. Several public commenters expressed concern about the law running afoul of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ Martin v. Boise ruling preventing cities from enforcing camping bans without shelter space — which has remained in effect since the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in 2019. On Monday, Stratton called attention to the fact that one of the public commenters who spoke in favor of the initiative works for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. “Sometimes people will speak, and they have alternative motives,” Stratton said. (NATE SANFORD)

SOCKEYE SUIT

Environmental groups have given 60 days’ notice that they plan to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and seek an order to breach the four Lower Snake River dams. The groups — Columbia Riverkeeper, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Rivers United and the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association — hope to prevent the extinction of Snake River sockeye. In recent summers, water behind the dams has grown too hot for adult salmon to survive on their way upstream to spawn. In July, water behind all eight dams on the lower Snake and lower Columbia rivers exceeded the 68 degree threshold where salmon start to suffer. The groups argue that the Corps is violating the Endangered Species Act by killing fish with the continued operation of the Snake River dams. If the Corps doesn’t honor “its commitment to develop a credible plan to restore abundant Snake River salmon,” the groups say they’ll ask a judge to order “all necessary relief” to cool the river, “up to and including dam removal.” (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

VACATED SEAT

While most elected officials are … elected, some have the opportunity to bypass that requirement. After Spokane School Board Director Riley Smith tendered a three-day resignation notice less than two years after being sworn in, the district was left scrambling to fill the vacancy. Because Smith submitted his resignation after the candidate filing period for this year’s election, the position must be filled by appointment until the 2025 election cycle. School board races across the county are brimming with candidates, yet Tara Luedke, the executive assistant to the superintendent and School Board, says she’s only received one application since the application window opened July 17. Interested parties have until 4:30 pm, Aug. 16, to submit an application. Current school board directors tentatively plan to make a decision at an Aug. 23 meeting, Luedke says. Whoever is offered the seat is set to be sworn in 90 days after Smith’s effective date of resignation — Sept. 14, 2023. (COLTON RASANEN)

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A Coeur d’Alene Park homeless encampment was quickly removed in 2020. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Joy Ride

Janie Schnurr’s abstract artworks capture a childlike exuberance for shape, color and pattern

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

Janie Schnurr is moving forward in her artistic journey by going backwards in time.

A former art teacher, Schnurr admires how her elementary age students approached art with a joyful heart, responding to elements of design like shape and color without constraints that adults are often all-too-aware of.

“It was like free-form, and it was spirited, and it was naive in a way, but it was also innate,” Schnurr says. “Whatever [the children] had inside of them came out, and it was just the most beautiful thing.”

That’s the vibe Schnurr is channeling in her August exhibition at Barrister Winery titled “Collage Mix Up.”

The monthlong show features more than 40 of what Schnurr calls collage paintings, synthesizing her varied approaches to artmaking and materials.

In some works, Schnurr alternates between painting and drawing, often on different types of paper. Some of her monoprints use leaves, Japanese ukiyo-e inks, and other materials. She’ll often incorporate paper — colored paper, dress-pattern paper, photo-

graphic paper, or her own printed images — and even fabric into her work, painting layers of acrylic onto the surface and alternating between transparency and opacity until the piece “feels right.”

In some pieces, Schnurr coats the finished artwork with a layer of wax, giving it a durable matte finish so that the artwork resembles a technique known as encaustic.

Much of the work Schnurr is showing at Barrister is a continuation of several series she exhibited in 2022, including with the River Ridge Association of Fine Arts, and at Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and the Art Spirit Gallery. Schnurr began the Jubilee series, for example, shortly after moving to Spokane from Northern California in 2020. The colorful abstract paintings on canvas and wood panel was her way of dealing with the pandemic.

“I needed to find something happy” amid all the chaos, she says.

The titles for the pieces in her Jubilee series are numeric, but Schnurr’s other works have more revealing names. Jewel. Faith. Paisley. Eve.

The free-form nature of children’s art heavily inspired Janie Schnurr’s latest series. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

“I normally name my artwork women’s names because there’s a feminine edge to my work,” she says.

An ongoing series of portraits she showed at the MAC, for example, reminds of a female-focused version of the abstract paintings by Amadeo Modigliani, the early 20th century Italian modernist and contemporary of Pablo Picasso.

Schnurr often works on multiple series at once, allowing each to inform the other. When she travels, she always has a sketchbook and draws fantastical, Seussian images of kids that she watercolors using an outrageous color palette.

Her two-dimensional “Hat Ladies” series incorporates flat media from paper to fabric and narrates something about each subject via the “hat” above her head, as if they were imagining themselves in a different life. Three-dimensional “Hat Ladies” Schnurr created out of clay remind of contemporary ceramicist Viola Frey — whimsical yet also poignant.

Schnurr’s broad interest in art media is an outgrowth of her undergraduate years at California State University, Sacramento, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art.

“I describe myself as an artistic explorer,” she says. While still living in Northern California, Schnurr exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions, including at STUDIO Gallery in San Francisco, with which she’s still affiliated. Schnurr also returned to college to earn the necessary credentials to teach, which she did until 2014.

Although Schnurr was the teacher, the kids taught her in return, notably to just let go and create.

That resonated with Schnurr, who only has to spend time in her studio with her young grandchild, or to reflect on how art impacted her as early as second grade, to reconnect with a sense of exuberance for art.

“I was doing a lot of drawings and occasional paintings — watercolors and stuff — since I was really little,” Schnurr says.

Growing up in northeast Texas, she was fortunate to get art (and music) classes twice weekly.

Schnurr also had aesthetically minded parents. Her mother’s fondness for wallpapered walls instilled in Schnurr an affinity for patterns. As a teenager, Schnurr spent two weeks traveling in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, which exposed her to work by Old Masters like Peter Paul Rubens and modernists like Jackson Pollock.

“And I was like, wow. I was pretty much blown away,” Schnurr recalls. “And after that, I started going to galleries and museums.”

Now, to get herself in that mindset of being simultaneously awed and able to intuitively respond to the materials in front of her, Schnurr says she quiets her mind and turns on music. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, The Mamas & The Papas and other “oldies” from her youth. Orchestral music or jazz. Sometimes vintage country, like her grandmother’s favorite, Hank Williams.

Music is important to Schnurr, whose first job was at a record store. She remembers attending an Elton John concert at age 13 (the Tumbleweed Connection tour) and seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Reading the lyrics on album covers tuned Schnurr into a different iteration of patterns: the rhythm of words.

Although it’s not her mainstay, Schnurr also writes poetry, like The Jubilee, which she wrote after embarking on her Jubilee series of collage paintings. Included in the Barrister exhibition, it perfectly captures her joyful approach to art, noting: “I’m 6 years old / making collages of shapes / that wander about on a canvas or page. / It’s magic, I say …”

What’s next for Schnurr? More time in the studio, of course, but beyond that, she’s not sure. She likes to take one class or workshop a year.

“That tells me where I need to go next.” n

“Collage Mix Up” • Aug. 4-29; opening reception Fri, Aug, 4 from 5-8 pm; open daily noon-6 pm (Sat until 7 pm) • Barrister Winery • 1213 W. Railroad Ave., Spokane • janschnurr.com

‘From Cradle to Grave’

Woodworking invitational at Uniontown’s Dahmen Barn spotlights artists from across the Northwest

BY GABRIELLE FELICIANO

Marionette puppets, kaleidoscopes, bowls, vases, baby rattles, teapots, spinning tops, wine stoppers, chopsticks, ring holders and dozens of spoons. All wooden, all handmade by woodworkers across the Pacific Northwest.

Hundreds of these works of wood art and more are on display at the first Great Northwest Wood Show and Sale, happening Aug. 6 to Sept. 24 at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown, Washington, south of Pullman. The show features about 20 woodworkers, most from the Inland Northwest, alongside artists from other areas like southern Idaho and the Washington coast.

Ed Krumpe, a show coordinator and participating woodworker, has displayed his art at the Barn’s wood shows since 2009. He says wood art has elements of sculpture, painting, fine linework, color and other means of artistic expression.

“We have a broad concept of what art is,” Krumpe says. “It’s not just a table. People will make tables out of beautiful pieces of [burlwood] and things. It becomes a work of art.”

The Barn serves as a community art center, featuring a gallery, 11 artist studios, and a gift shop selling local art, books, and food products. Besides art shows like the Great Northwest Wood Show and Sale, Dahmen Barn also regularly hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and classes for ceramics and cooking.

Each woodworker is displaying at least four pieces during August’s invitational, ranging from furniture and wall hangings to kitchen utensils and toys. Krumpe is showing a Southwestern Indigenous American-inspired birch vase, black locust burl wood bowls or vases, maple and cherry toaster tongs, and a spalted maple trivet.

Krumpe usually has an idea of what to make out of a piece of wood before he even starts turning it. He said wood art takes “a lot of thought and a lot of mistakes,” as wood has natural imperfections and can break during turning or carving. The size and shape of a piece can also dictate the size and shape of the art.

“A lot of what we do all day is applying our craft. How do you form things? How do you

A wooden teapot by Jim Christiansen (below) and wooden spoons (facing page) featured in the invitational.

sharpen your tools to get the right cut and stuff like that?” Krumpe says. “But at the end of the day, what you have is art. A piece of art that is a thing of beauty that can inspire or mystify or raise questions.”

Moreover, Krumpe says woodworkers can spend more time on the finish of a piece than shaping or carving. The finish consists of numerous thin, layered coats of finish; one coat takes about three days to set, after which Krumpe polishes and buffs the piece before applying another coat.

Krumpe’s pieces usually have seven to nine coats of finish.

“People will look and they say, ‘Oh, that’s a nice wood salad bowl. I could get that at Ikea or something,’” Krumpe says. “Well, yeah, but you wouldn’t get one finished like this.”

Jim Christiansen, another show coordinator and participating woodworker, has also shown his art at the Barn since 2009. This year, he’s displaying silver maple and European pear teapots, walnut bowls, and kitchen utensils and chopstick sets made out of padauk, walnut and maple.

Christiansen says that, unlike more traditional art forms, wood art can also have practical use.

“Wood is one of the traditional materials that mankind has used almost since the beginning of time,” he says. “There are examples all over the

world… people using wood for food utensils and vessels and weapons and also using wood in a practical way, but then starting to include principles of design and put meaning into their life.”

Dahmen Barn held wood shows biannually until 2020, and annually since then, says Julie Hartwig, a curator and manager there. After the success of its last wood show in 2022, organizers decided to extend shows from one month to two, starting with the Great Northwest Wood Show and Sale. This is also the first year Dahmen Barn has opened submissions to the broader Pacific Northwest.

Originally built in 1935 by a German farmer, the barn itself still features original woodworking from the era as part of its structure, Hartwig says. That woodworking is also visible from the barn’s gallery, where the wood art is being displayed.

“A lot of people in America kind of have a reverence for wood,” Krumpe says. “Wood is with us from the cradle to the grave, if you think about it. And it’s nice to have artistic and beauti ful wood in there too.” n

The Great Northwest Wood Show and Sale • Aug. 6-Sept. 24, open Thu-Sun from 10 am-6 pm • Artisans at the Dahmen Barn • 419 N. Park Way, Uniontown • artisanbarn.org • 509229-3414

COMIC FAILS

BY BILL FROST

Comic-book movies are experiencing a superhero fatigue cycle of suck. DC’s Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and The Flash are all hot garbage, and Marvel’s Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and … oof … Morbius… don’t smell any better. Hey, it happens to the best of bloated media conglomerates, and this isn’t the first time. Remember these epic fails from comic-book cinema past?

THE SPIRIT (2008)

Director Frank Miller copy-and-pasted the high-contrast style of Sin City for his adaptation of Will Eisner’s classic comic strip The Spirit well enough, but he forgot a script. Ghostly Central City crimefighter The Spirit (Gabriel Macht) and a stacked cast of actors are left adrift in black-and-white nonsense with little else to do except look cool, but not all is lost: The sight of future Marvel partners Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson in Nazi supervillain regalia is almost worth it.

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (2014)

Having learned no lessons from The Spirit, Miller went back to the inkwell in 2014 with Sin City sequel A Dame to Kill For. The best that can be said for the performances of returning Sin City actors Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, and Bruce Willis is that they, well, showed up. On the other hand, titular Dame to Kill For femme fatale Eva Green goes over-the-top-of-the-top while exercising what appears to be a maximum nudity clause in her contract.

DICK TRACY (1990)

Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy was supposed to be the boxoffice successor to 1989’s megahit Batman, right down to the Danny Elfman soundtrack and the aggressively obnoxious (even by today’s standards) McDonald’s merch tie-ins. There isn’t much below the hyper-colorful surface of Dick Tracy besides an overstuffed rogues’ gallery of bad guys and the slim thread of hope that Madonna might finally learn to act (nope), but what a surface it is for a mere $57 million loss.

THE BUZZ BIN

ON THE RADIO

This August, Spokane Public Radio is airing the second season of RADIO PLAY CO-LAB audio theater in collaboration with Spokane Playwrights Laboratory. First up is Dead Mouse on Your Doorstep by Malcolm Pelles, a comedy about an activist who fights to buy his cat vegetarian food, which premieres Thursday, Aug. 3, at 12:30 pm on KPBX (91.1 FM). Up next is Mea Culpa by longtime Spokane playwright Bryan Harnetiaux, which centers on a priest and a child confessor listening and learning about each other’s guilt. Mea Culpa airs the following Thursday, Aug. 10 at 12:30 pm, also on KPBX. Both productions are directed by Juan A Mas, one of Radio Play Co-Lab’s founders, and feature all-local casts. If you miss the debut broadcasts (or later re-broadcasts on KSFC 91.9 FM), listen on-demand at spokanepublicradio.org. (SYLVIA DAVIDOW)

ELEKTRA (2005)

Someone actually looked at the half-assed production and whole-assed critical/commercial rejection of 2003’s Daredevil and thought, “We need a spinoff with that minor character we just killed. What’s her name? Shasta?” Hence Elektra, the most inessential follow-up since whichever Kardashian sister came after Kim. Star Jennifer Garner has the physicality, but none of the loner-assassin grit required here — and what’s with the “stealthy” neon-red bustier?

HOWARD THE DUCK (1986)

Was Howard the Duck the first Marvel movie? It was definitely the first Marvel movie to get everything wrong. As a 1970s comic book, Howard the Duck was a densely written and lushly illustrated psychological mind-effer that somehow infiltrated supermarket rack spinners. All the movie delivered was a dwarf in a cheap costume and roughly 578 duck-dick jokes at the expense of Lea Thompson. Thank Guardians of the Galaxy for semirehabbing Howard’s film image.

BATMAN & ROBIN (1997)

Bat nipples! Infamous “franchise killer” Batman & Robin had more going against it than visible goth nips, like stars George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell not being informed that B&R was a full-tilt camp comedy as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman clearly were. Thurman in particular lives her best villainous life as Poison Ivy, playing to the cheap seats with purring glee. Meanwhile, Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl is only here to fill out a pleather suit and a Taco Bell collector cup.

THE PUNISHER (2004)

If Jon Bernthal hadn’t nailed the character of Frank Castle/The Punisher so perfectly in the 2015-2019 Daredevil and The Punisher TV series, maybe the 2004 movie starring Thomas Jane would hold up better. But probably not. This is just a glum, you-killed-my-family revenge slog featuring another ridiculous John Travolta villain (sorry, you can’t top Swordfish). Also, this Punisher would never inspire tough-guy window stickers on jacked-up Fords accessorized with Truck Nutz. n

FOO FLIPPERS

So you didn’t score tickets to the Foo Fighters sold-out show Aug. 4 at Spokane Arena, but you still want a tiny dose of the band’s rocking attitude? Head to the lobby of the Garland Theater. There you’ll find the FOO FIGHTERS PINBALL (there are also Foo machines at Park Inn and Berserk). Unlike many rock-and-roll pinball machines that just seems like rushed cash-ins, Foo pinball is actually an amazingly constructed game that incorporates the band’s hits like “Everlong” and “Walk” seamlessly with a story about the guys fighting aliens (I have a super serious fanatical pinball buddy, and he claims it may be the best designed pinball table ever). It’s worth flipping out over. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST

Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on Aug. 4.

MAMMOTH WVH, MAMMOTH II.

Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddie’s son) looks to further carve out his own musical legacy of upbeat rockers on his second LP. (Bonus: He’s playing the Knitting Factory on Dec. 2.)

HOLY WAVE, FIVE OF CUPS. Get yourself a tarot reading to the sounds of the Austin psych-garage rock group’s latest collection of droning soft fuzz jams.

TRIPPIE REDD, A LOVE LETTER TO YOU 5. From Soundcloud rapper to Billboard mainstay, the prolific MC drops his second expansive mixtape of 2023. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

The current slate of subpar superhero movies is nothing new — Hollywood has been cranking out comic-book catastrophes for decades

Yeah, so George Clooney played Batman...

Th e ope n road is calling.

*Purchases at qualifying merchants only. Promotion runs from July 1 through September 30, 2023, and is limited to $2,500 in qualifying purchases, or up to 7,500 bonus points on top of your standard earned points. No limit on the amount of standard earned points allowed. Rewards points typically awarded within three business days after your qualifying transaction posts to your account. Earned points on purchases never expire, with at least one purchase every 24 months. Bonus points expire one year from date awarded. Subject to approval.

Shaun Thompson Duffy at work in his South Perry District bakery, which was recently joined by two other locations: the Grain Shed Taproom on South Cedar Street, and Locos in Hillyard. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Words with the

Bread Whisperer

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

Americans eat an estimated 44 pounds of bread every year.

For many, that means perfectly sliced pieces of a perfectly formed loaf encased in plastic and perpetually available at the grocery store. Bread’s role as a mere platform for other foods, like peanut butter and jelly or lunchmeat, means flavor is secondary. So is nutritive value.

And although whole grains — and artisan breads — have gained favor with American palates, bread has not yet risen to its full potential as a flavorful, nutritious, substantive food on its own.

Enter Shaun Thompson Duffy, a fine dining chefturned-baker who has dedicated more than 15 years to elevating bread baking.

“We have to change the way people think of bread,” says Thompson Duffy, who immersed himself in every component of breadmaking — from raw ingredients to how bread bakes best to the role of neighborhood bakeries — in turn evolving the local market for craft bread.

Shortly after moving to Spokane in 2012, Thompson Duffy helped transform baking operations at Luna Restaurant’s Bouzies Bakery by incorporating flour milled on-site.

In 2015, he formed Culture Breads, featuring freshmilled flour in naturally yeasted artisan breads available by subscription. What started with a few dozen takers grew to nearly 200 subscribers.

Then in 2018, Thompson Duffy installed Culture Breads in the South Perry neighborhood building that would become the Grain Shed. Now, the shop on East Newark Avenue and South Laura Street is equal parts bakery, brewery and community hub with live music, a modest food menu and special events like falafel night.

The Grain Shed is also an innovative business model: a worker’s cooperative Thompson Duffy co-founded with brewer Teddy Benson, Joel Williamson — also a brewer who co-founded Local Inland Northwest Cooperative (LINC) Foods and LINC

Malt — and Don Scheuerman, who co-owns Palouse Heritage farms in Endicott, Washington. But it always comes back to the bread.

DENSER, DARKER, CRUSTIER

“People think bread needs to be a real voluminous, fluffy loaf of bread, which is fine,” says Thompson Duffy. But more people are also learning that artisan loaves are different — denser, darker, crustier — for a reason.

“Taking it to a certain darkness is really important for us [at the Grain Shed] because whenever you slice a piece of bread, you have just a very thin piece of the crust,” he says, comparing the crust on artisan bread to the sear on a steak.

“And you have a lot of the crumb,” he says, referring to the pillow-y interior of baked bread, “and so you really need a bold flavor in that crumb.”

Where does that flavor come from?

Fat, because as the saying goes, fat equals flavor. But other than adding oil to the dough — or baking it into bread and slathering it with butter — where can that fat be found?

An unlikely source: flour, probably one of the most mundane yet ubiquitous ingredients in all of baking.

“Flour has an oil content and so that oil is where we get the flavor,” says Thompson Duffy, who loves to talk about flour. And where flour comes from (grain). And the parts of the grain (bran; the germ or seed embryo that would eventually grow into a plant; and the endosperm).

“Chefs don’t want to talk about flour because it’s not right-off-the-bat delicious,” says Thompson Duffy, a Texas native who cooked his way across the U.S. under chefs like Randy Rucker and in places like Picasso in Las Vegas while simultaneously teaching himself about breadmaking.

The germ, he continues, is larger in heritage grains like the ones used in Grain Shed bakes. And larger germs equal more oil, which equals more flavor.

Shaun Thompson Duffy’s granular understanding of bread making has transformed the Inland Northwest’s relationship with bread

“WORDS WITH THE BREAD WHISPERER,” CONTINUED...

And, of course, Thompson Duffy also loves talking about bread, which is what brought him to Portland, where he worked at Tabor Bread, altering his culinary trajectory from fine dining to baking.

“I just absorbed all the knowledge,” he says, adding that Culture Breads emulates a lot of what Tabor Bread founder, Tissa Stein, created. While many artisan bakeries employ woodfired ovens and “wild” (versus commercially packaged) yeast known as sourdough starter, Tabor Bread mills its own flour from locally sourced grains.

Culture Breads and the Grain Shed also mill their own flour from heritage grains grown less than 70 miles south of Spokane. (They come from Palouse Heritage, the farm owned by Scheuerman.)

These landrace varieties, and ancient grains like einkorn and spelt, are inherently more flavorful than modern grains for several reasons, Thompson Duffy says. Modern grains have been bred to have a smaller germ, which is sheared off during processing, even in whole grain flours. Opportunities — and flavor — wasted.

Working exclusively with Old World grains like Turkey red wheat and purple Egyptian barley has enabled Thompson Duffy to coax out a new world of flavors encased inside each variety of grain, flavors that manifest in the Grain Shed’s various baked goods.

“You can taste a lot of different things [like] a lot of fruity notes,” Thompson Duffy says. “Sometimes it tastes like raspberries.”

Thompson Duffy is the first to admit — and laugh — about how much more work it is to mill its own grain.

“It’s a pretty physical job. I mean you’ve got to lift up 50 pounds of grains over your head,” Thompson Duffy says. There’s also the chore of “chopping wood” for the wood-fired oven, he continues. “It’s a physical job.”

But the mill and bakery are inseperable.

“I wouldn’t have a bakery if I didn’t have a mill,” Thompson Duffy says.

Although the mill can accommodate 300 pounds, it’s typically only filled to a third of that, then set to the lowest and slowest setting.

“So the secret to milling is you want to mill low, and you want to mill slow,” Thompson Duffy says. “You don’t want to heat up the flour” because that impacts the flavor.

Milling adds around two hours to the overall baking process, not including letting the flour settle down.

“If the flour is right off the mill it’s gonna act wacky” because the grinding activates the enzymes in the grain, which affects the dough, Thompson Duffy says. “It’s really wild.”

Letting it sit overnight helps, he says, but that also adds time to the overall baking schedule and has to be factored in.

Time, time, time. The clock is always ticking at the Grain Shed.

TEMPERAMENTAL OVEN

When the Grain Shed opens at 7 am, Thompson Duffy is well into his routine. He typically arrives by 2:30 in the morning, turns on the lights and maybe some music, “like ’60s psychedelia to bluegrass to Beyoncé,” depending on his mood,

Old World grains like Turkey red wheat and purple Egyptian barley have enabled Thompson Duffy to coax out a new world of flavors. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

says the former music major who graduated from culinary school in Houston, Texas.

Thompson Duffy then checks the mood of the oven, a double-decker wood-fired model he had custom built in 2015 when he first started Culture Breads. Similar to a pizza oven, it’s capable of face-melting temperatures, upwards of 850 degrees.

“If the oven’s in a bad mood, then it’s going to be a tough one,” Thompson Duffy says.

The oven is also well into its shift, having been lit the previous afternoon and fed on Western larch and birch wood, which burns through the night and into the next morning producing ash that needs to be removed.

“We literally brush it out and we mop it just to have a nice clean chamber,” Thompson Duffy says. When it reaches around 850 degrees, the oven gets shut down, and steam trays go in. The residual heat in the brick-lined interior and the steam is what bakes the bread.

Baking takes place over an eight-hour period, usually from about 3 am to 11 am, and at intervals from 10 to 15 minutes, up to 40 minutes.

When Thompson Duffy arrives before dawn, he checks to see how much residual heat remains in the oven’s brick-lined interior.

“That’s gonna tell us how long we can bake so it’s a very important number,” he says.

In addition to baking for the Grain Shed and its affiliate businesses — the Grain Shed Taproom on South Cedar Street, and a new worker-owned place in Hillyard called Locos — the oven produces bread for places like Tavolàta, Rocket Bakery and Thomas Hammer. The bakery averages around 200 loaves a day, says Thompson Duffy, with some baking days also dedicated to specialty items like chocolate babka and challah.

Another morning task is checking all the doughs. If it’s too cool, he explains, it won’t rise properly, but if it’s too warm, it rises too fast, which impacts flavor.

He does the same with the pre-fermented doughs — the levain, a mixture of fresh flour, water, and sourdough starter, as well the poolish, which is made using commercial yeast not sourdough starter.

Thompson Duffy wears a timer on his apron, checking it frequently.

“Breads and doughs are mixing,” says Thompson Duffy. “We’re running for croissants, we’re running for cookies, we’re running to make sure we usually have some extra things to bake off rolls.”

To be successful in a bakery like the Grain Shed, says Thompson Duffy, employees don’t need baking experience as much as the ability to multitask.

Thompson Duffy equates it to working in restaurants and “you’ve got a lot of tickets coming in, you have to juggle things in your head, like what to fire.” Picture the kitchen from Hulu’s

The Bear, minus most of the noise and cursing.

“It’s sort of like that,” he says, “only it occurs at four in the morning.”

He wouldn’t have it any other way. “I really thrive off chaos,” Thompson Duffy says.

TAMING HEAT

The oven, the dough, the starter. Not only is it all impacted by temperature — spring and fall are the most challenging times to regulate the breadmaking process — humidity is another factor.

“If it’s really humid outside, flour doesn’t want to absorb as much water, and if you put too much water in it, then it’s gonna be a challenge,” Thompson Duffy says. “It’s a pancake.”

Every new batch of heritage grain requires a similar testing period, says Thompson Duffy, who is looking forward to the August through September harvest (when he’ll get to watch the grain being harvested and also ride the combine, he says).

“We have some guidelines, some rules to follow,” he says, but they can’t skip steps or hurry the timeline of discovery without impacting the quality and flavor of what the Grain Shed produces.

“So it’s like a three-day process from start to finish before [the dough] goes in the oven,” Thompson Duffy says.

All that for bread that might get snarfed up in just a few minutes?

Indeed. And in addition to helping rekindle our love affair with bread, Thompson Duffy and the Grain Shed have helped reframe our relationship with the neighborhood bakery.

It’s community, Thompson Duffy says. “It’s why I opened up the bakery to begin with.”

Thompson Duffy loves baking bread and providing food, “but the thing that I really want to accomplish is like 25 years from now, whenever all the kids from the neighborhood are grown up and they have kids, they can talk about, ‘Oh, you know what, whenever I was a kid, I used to go down to this little neighborhood bakery.”

Another part of the job Thompson Duffy enjoys is the people who work with him, whom he says energize him and keep him young.

“The fact that I can teach someone to be a wood-fired baker, I think is really, really cool, because that’s a skill that hopefully they’ll take with them,” he says. “You know, how to tame heat. It’s a really difficult thing to do.” n

Thompson Duffy arrives at the bakery at 2:30 am and begins baking at 3. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Enveloped in Dough

Matt Toman is driven to master artisan bread in North Idaho

BY BEN VANDEHEY

Amid the aroma of freshly baked sourdough, Matt Toman’s commitment to learning pervades the air of Back Pocket Bakery.

Toman likes a challenge, and in 2022 he successfully transformed his passion — for bread and bettering himself — into a fullfledged profession with the opening of his co-owned bakery.

Six years earlier, Toman was working at an outdoor equipment gear manufacturer in Seattle. He devoted his spare hours before and after work to the art of baking sourdough, sparked by a few friends who pursued it as a personal hobby.

“I started to realize how difficult it was. That pulled me into it — failing over and over again but then trying to get better,” Toman says.

He taught himself through reading baking books and spent years refining his recipes. But despite his growing dedication, baking remained at the periphery of his life.

“While it took the backseat, I knew it was something that I wanted to learn and get better at,” Toman says. “Then the thought came to my mind, ‘What if I had more time to devote to this…What if I could replace this huge chunk of time that I was doing something else — my job?”

In 2018, Toman took a leap of faith. He and his wife, Krystle, moved to Coeur d’Alene with a vision to launch MAK Bread — a venture that involved baking sourdough loaves from home and distributing them through local farmers markets and a few wholesale outlets.

“It was a whole new world,” Toman says. “At that scale, there’s tons of opportunity for er-

BAKERIES HAVE BEEN IN SPOKANE AS LONG AS IT’S BEEN A CITY

The history of breadmaking parallels the history of human development. Although individuals have made bread since the Stone Age, grinding cereals and grains into a paste and exposing them to heat — the earliest flatbreads — that process is labor intensive. The availability of grain and establishment of flour mills combined with population growth gave rise to the nation’s baking industry, which came to Spokane in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

In 1910, Spokane saw its population more than double to around 100,000, spurred in part by European immigrants who would play a significant role in Spokane’s bread baking history. And with grain from the nearby Palouse, a robust rail system and the river to generate power, it’s no wonder that breadmaking thrived in turn-of-the-century Spokane.

Before it was the Wonder Building — the three-story red-brick structure facing West Broadway Avenue between Lincoln and Post streets— the Spokane-Continental Bakery Building housed Sengfelder Bakery & Confectionery Co., which dates to 1887. Like many bakeries then and now, it was bought, sold and renamed — it was Spokane Bakery Company for a time — several times over. In 1925, Continental Baking Company bought the place and began making the first fortified bread from its newly acquired Wonder brand. Interstate Bakeries Corp. bought the building in 1995, shutting down the ovens in 2000.

ror, beyond just not being experienced… I went through it all by learning the hard way.”

With no professional training at the time, Toman’s baking journey had primarily involved a process of trial and error. As he and Krystle envisioned expanding their business to a storefront bakery and restaurant, Toman eagerly sought formal training to enrich his knowledge and skills.

After MAK Bread had been in operation for about two years, Toman attended an intensive course at the San Francisco Baking Institute.

“So much of the business felt overwhelming, like the thought of opening a restaurant. This experience felt like it gave me permission to keep moving forward, knowing that I had formal training,” Toman says.

So MAK Bread transformed into Back Pocket Bakery, a storefront just off the main drag in downtown Coeur d’Alene, and Toman continues to hone and diversify his skills, continually expanding his mastery within the realm of baking. The bakery-restaurant provides the perfect medium for such a pursuit, presenting items ranging from a sourdough bagel to pizza.

“With the array of products that we offer, there’s always something that I can do, something that I can try to learn to make better. That’s very exciting and keeps me very engaged,” Toman says.

Growing up, Toman says he would get teased for going through a variety of phases. With baking, however, there are a multitude of facets awaiting exploration and expansion, he adds.

“It’s something that I can totally envelop myself in.” n

In 1889, Olaf Jacobsen opened his namesake bakery on North Ash Street, a space now occupied by My Fresh Basket. It changed hands several times, finally acquired by Boge’s Bakery, which was itself swallowed up by Oregonbased Franz Bakery in 1985.

In 1927, a major competitor to the Wonder brand opened with its Holsum brand: Silver Loaf Baking Company. With its tunnel ovens and mechanized production and packaging equipment, it was a beacon of modernism. It too exchanged hands over the years, ending up part of the Franz family by way of a Yakima-based bread maker, Snyder’s Bakery.

Although many bakeries have come and gone in Spokane, in some ways Franz has outlasted them all. A prosperous West Coast-based chain dating to 1906, the company acquired numerous smaller bakeries, folding them under the Franz umbrella. It still operates Franz Bakery Outlet on North Fancher Road, distinguished by the rotating red, yellow and blue Franz “loaf” sign 60 feet high and easily seen from Interstate 90.

While larger mills and bakeries arose concurrent with cities, a commercial mill anywhere usually signaled big doings in an otherwise rural area. Not surprisingly, one of the first buildings erected in newly formed Palouse, Washington, was a flour mill in 1874. By the early 1900s, Palouse was looking like a bona fide town with several stores, restaurants and its very own bakery. Commercial bakeries weren’t the only places where bread was being baked en masse. Hotels and grocery stores recognized the need to scale up baking operations for their hungry customers. Nearly 90 years since J. Merton Rosauer acquired a small grocery store on the corner of Lee Street and Sprague Avenue, homegrown Rosauers Supermarkets is still making bread from scratch.

The Wonder Building, circa 1925. NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS & CULTURE/CHARLES LIBBY PHOTO

Toman's Back Pocket Bakery makes bread, bagels and pizza in Coeur d'Alene. COURTESY PHOTO

‘A Reflection of That Moment in Time’

Stacie Kearney’s sourdough starter traveled the Oregon Trail 176 years ago, but each loaf begins and ends differently

Yeast is everywhere. In the air we breathe. Resting on our hands. And this wild yeast is the key ingredient in sourdough bread.

Stacie Kearney opened her small batch, cottage food bakery Lucky Lady Bread after falling in love with sourdough’s ever-changing nature.

“It’s also unpredictable, so if you change your timing and change your flour, you can influence the flavor,” she says. “You can’t control it, you can only work with it.”

Kearney’s starter — named Carl — dates to 1847, when it traveled the Oregon Trail with Basque sheep farmers. About 100 years later it made its way to and got its name from Carl Griffith, a sourdough enthusiast who began an online group dedicated to sharing the starter with bakers around the world.

Sourdough starter is simple. A concoction of flour and water, which attracts bacteria and wild yeasts and activates them, causing the dough to leaven.

To feed the starter, you add water and flour in parts equal to the starter, which marks the beginning of Kear-

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

ney’s three-day baking process.

From there, the bread goes through a bulk fermentation process in which Kearney lets it rise for between four and 12 hours before shaping it, letting it rise again and then baking it. How long the loaf rises depends on the day’s temperature and weather conditions.

“Sourdough is temperature dependent,” she says. “The same process in the summertime that takes me 15 hours takes 48 hours in the winter.”

Kearney says anything from a storm rolling through to moving to a new city can change the flavor of your sourdough. Different strains of wild yeast inhabit the air. Or the humidity’s off. These seemingly minor changes can make or break a loaf.

“Sometimes it’s not a mistake you made,” she says.

To navigate this, she uses warmer water in her mixture to make the bread rise faster, and colder water (or the refrigerator) to slow down the leavening process.

The inconsistency and finickiness of sourdough can intimidate some novice bakers, but Kearney says that’s

what makes it so unique.

“That’s the beautiful part about sourdough, is it really is a reflection of that moment in time,” she says.

Kearney doesn’t exclusively make sourdough loaves, but uses the discard from her starter to create other baked goods like brownies.

“You feed [the starter] and then you have to get rid of some of it so that you don’t overpopulate your bacterial community,” she says.

The discard can be incorporated into virtually any baked good, and Kearney says it adds a slight tang and richness to the product.

She mails the discard from Carl — that old starter — to people around the world. She also sells freshly fed starters at local farmers markets.

Overall, Kearney aims to continue sharing sourdough with people in the community and hopefully inspiring them to start making their own bread.

“For me it’s not about selling bread, it’s about getting people to know what good bread is,” she says. n

Kearney's unique loaves can be found at the Spokane Valley Farmers Market every Friday. NOREEN HISKEY PHOTO

A Bread Come True

Ricky Webster’s dream of an artisan bread and cheese shop is alive and blooming — so is Bob, the starter

BY MADISON PEARSON

It’s 7 am, there’s a chill in the morning air and the sun has barely risen, but Ricky Webster is smiling from ear to ear while stocking shelves with loaves of freshly baked bread. Webster is the owner of Rind and Wheat bakery on the edge of Browne’s Addition on West Riverside Avenue.

With 20-plus years of experience as a chef — previously running the kitchen at a now-closed local hotel and working with Sysco Spokane — and after realizing Spokane lacked an artisan cheese shop/ bakery, Webster decided in October 2020 to open the bakery he’d been planning in his head for years.

It’s close quarters inside the shop, but there’s no need for a huge space to create the glutinous magic that Rind and Wheat bakes up.

Right now, Rind and Wheat is in a transitional period. While Webster runs the place, Auriel Adams is the shop’s sole baker.

And she has no time for funny business when it comes to bread.

“Because there’s no one else mucking up the process, like finishing what I’ve already started,” she says. “I get to make all of the loaves and bake them myself. That means I can put a ton of care into each loaf and ensure that every single one of them is up to my standards.”

Rind and Wheat, which also sells pastries and cheese, focuses its efforts on sourdough bread.

Adams mentions that there are a ton of factors that go into the creation of a single loaf of bread, the first of which is Bob.

“Bob is our starter,” Adams says. “He’s a member of our family, and he’s just as important,

or more important, than the baker. In order for the bread to be perfect, Bob has to be nice and healthy.”

Adams and Webster feed Bob everyday. Even on holidays, it’s important that Bob gets fed. He holds Rind and Wheat together.

After that, all of the ingredients get measured, put into a mixer and the process begins.

She carefully splits the dough and weighs it down to the gram on a digital scale — precision is key in order to make each loaf as uniform as possible. Adams deftly rolls the dough into perfect loaves, flour fills the air, and she carefully scores each new little loaf before placing them in a floured basket for the final rise.

From start to finish, it takes Adams three days to make one batch of Rind and Wheat’s signature sourdough loaves.

“My philosophy is what you put in is what you get out,” Webster says. “[Bread] is not bad for us. We’ve done some things to our Earth, we’ve done some things to our crops, we’ve done some things to the processing that have made it intolerable, so we want to go back to why and what made it special.” n

Auriel Adams, the shop's baker, scores the loaves with love. COURTESY PHOTO

Ricky Webster's shop sells bread, pastries and cheese. NOREEN HISKEY PHOTO

Undermining a Wonder Bread World

Noah Rosen used to regularly ply the waves and the Santa Monica Farmers Market, now he’s Spokane’s punk bread baker

Get up. Surf.

Cook. Repeat. Noah

Rosen was living the California dream — a punk teenager who went to culinary school, worked in the best San Francisco kitchens, then headed south to be a private chef for the Los Angeles elite.

After early mornings on the waves, Rosen regularly combed the Santa Monica Farmers Market, picking the best ingredients and getting spontaneous in the kitchen. He started a sourdough starter on the side, just to dabble.

Rosen never meant to become a baker. But moving to Spokane in 2021 disrupted a lot of his life, so he anchored himself in the daily rhythms of breadmaking. He started Viva Ultra Bread from scratch in his basement, still getting up at dawn, but this time to the rise and fall of leavening and the growing waves of customers at his back door.

Named after a Palace Music song (one of indie-rock legend Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s early groups), Viva Ultra keeps the vibes alive. Rosen’s breads are as honest and straightforward as a ’90s troubadour — selfmilled, unsifted whole wheat flour mixed with his original, decade-old starter — but

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

also as finely tuned and perfected as any artisan could dream of.

Rosen’s dedication to quality ingredients started in his grandmother’s garden and followed him through the fine dining scene of Northern California. Spokane now gets to feed off his relentless pursuit of the best, which has created kick-ass loaves that undermine a complacent, Wonder Bread world.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Rosen builds. He gets up in the dark, puts his headphones on, then heads downstairs. He preps pecans for roasting, measures poppy seeds for bagels and fills a worn, orange Dutch oven with water, setting it on an electric hot plate to warm. The key to building gluten is keeping the temperature consistent.

A Mockmill 200 Pro grain mill sits on the top shelf of the corner cabinet. Rosen mills as many Palouse Heritage wheat berries as he can in the vintage machine, which can only process a few pounds of grain at a time. In a day, Rosen needs to build a hundred bagels and dozens of sourdough loaves. Eight bags of bread flour

from Cairnsprings Mill, 50 pounds each, sit under his workstation to supplement what the Mockmill can’t provide.

When the water is 88 degrees, Rosen pours it into a tub of flour and gets elbow deep into mixing. If he puts it in the electric mixer, a steel machine the size of a toddler, there will inevitably be hidden clumps of dry flour, he says. Hands are the only way to make sure all the dough gets hydrated.

Rosen, jamming to an album or podcast episode in a red snapback and graphic tee, dips his fingers in the warm water, swirls it a few times, then digs to the bottom of the flour. As the mixture comes together, it sticks to the sides of the tub. Rosen scoops around the edges and folds it into the center. It immediately laps back into the corners. Rosen catches the ripples and scoops again. More water is heating, and once this tub is mixed, Rosen will start all over again with the next.

The next six hours will fade away into a perfect orchestration of kneading, proofing, rising and shaping, each step finishing precisely when the next stage begins. Mix. Knead. Bake. Repeat. n

Viva Ultra Bread can be found at the Spokane, Fairwood and Perry farmers markets every week. COURTESY PHOTOS

New in downtown Spokane, Bowery serves excellent, ego-less food with a Parisian touch

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

Todd Andrews decided to get out of the restaurant race. He was nearing 40 and had been in kitchens since he was 15. He worked his way up from dishwasher to protege of a prestigious Italian dining room in Seattle. When he moved to New York City, the culinary scene in Brooklyn was exploding and Andrews was along for the ride. His tomato jam built a cult-ish following in Williamsburg.

But when the pandemic rocked the industry, Andrews thought about lower rents and less traffic and aging parents in Spokane. He moved back to the Northwest and decided to become a mailman, which offered the stability, hours, and pension that a restaurant never could.

Joke’s on Andrews.

Andrews is now the executive chef of Bowery, a new French restaurant on West Riverside Avenue. Though it’s named for a New York City street filled with cheap bars and delinquents, Bowery tries to offer every moment of a day in Paris — pastries and espresso in the morning, elevated dinner in the evening, cocktails and mystique late at night. It marries Northwest flavors with classic French techniques, seeking the elegance of French food, but ditching the snobby French ego.

French cooking isn’t so much a cuisine, Andrews says, as an extreme attention to process. It is an invitation to experience expert craftsmanship, the way you would admire a skilled musician or a polished athlete. The more you pay attention, the more you can recognize its influence everywhere, like finding through lines between Beethoven and Stevie Wonder, or watching Steph Curry inspire eternities of high-school hoopers.

“Every food comes from French food, even the simple, threeingredient Italian food,” Andrews says. “It’s not necessarily that it’s a French dish, but the idea behind it — the technique behind it, the prep behind it, how we approach it and how we look at it — is almost purely based in French cuisine.”

Chances are, you’ve had French food without even knowing it. You could describe sauce gribiche as an emulsion of egg yolk, mustard and oil laced with capers and pickles. Or call it a variation of hollandaise, one of the five “mother sauces” of French cooking. Or, you could just call it egg salad, Andrews says.

“I’m not trying to blow anyone away with French terms or make anyone feel uncomfortable,” he says. “Challenging people’s ideas of what French food is, is probably gonna be the most fun I have here.”

Bowery is the place to go whether you can recognize great French food or are desperately trying to figure out what all the hype is about.

A simple, straightforward, pronounce-able menu belies expert technique. Thoughtful and unique flavor combinations are approachable and tempting. Gnocchi and hazelnut. Salmon and morel. Duck breast and grape.

Andrews brought his unreasonably delicious heirloom tomato jam with him, serving it under burrata, squash and crusty toast ($15). Hand-crafted Parisian gnocchi with delicate browned butter and sage ($22) is pillowy, not chewy. Heartier entrees like black bass with artichoke ($30), grilled salmon with mushrooms ($38), or even steak with fries ($35) are prepared with the utmost attention to let each ingredient shine.

French

Without the Fuss

Fresh, seasonal and classic French dishes are Bowery’s focus.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

The door to Bowery is blue, and behind it is a comfy interior of exposed brick and wrought iron scrolling, like a French patio brought indoors. It hints at avant garde with an acrylic galaxy painting in the dining room.

Bowery isn’t open for lunch yet, though Andrews would like to offer Sunday brunch. It’s right off the new City Line, and an easy drive from Spokane Valley now that the Trent Avenue Bridge has reopened. The bistro adds to a growing block of downtown, right next to the Warren Apartments and across the street from popular joints High Nooner and Ruins.

Service is laid back and friendly, the kind you might find at your favorite local cafe. No one is in black tie, and you probably won’t geek out with your server about wine pairings. But you’ll be welcomed, pampered and promptly served.

“I’m not trying to be a destination place where it costs $300 to eat here and I see you twice a year,” Andrews says. “I wanna be a neighborhood joint where you can get coffee and pastries in the morning and have a work meeting at noon and come back for a quick meal because you don’t feel like cooking.”

That quick meal with a glass of wine might cost you more than a tank of gas. But you’ll be well-fed, both in body and soul, for much less than a ticket to Marseille.

Andrews never went to cooking school. He started scrubbing dishes as a teenager in Redmond, Washington, because he needed a job and his friends were doing it. Pretty soon he started to prep. Within a couple years, he learned enough to become a “line dog” — restaurant lingo for a line cook — which got him through college.

He didn’t mean to stay in kitchens after school. But some opportunities are too good to pass up.

“His name is Walter Pisano, and he’s the chef at Tulio in Seattle,” Andrews says. “He is a very big deal.”

So when Andrews had the chance to work with Chef Pisano, he jumped at it. Tulio is consistently recognized by Wine Spectator, Tripadvisor and OpenTable.

“I found a chef that I loved, and he took me under his wing,” Andrews says. “I learned most of what I know from him.”

Tall, thin, relaxed but controlled, it’s easy to imagine that Andrews is graceful in the kitchen. Somewhere along his journey through Seattle and New York City, Andrews picked up the tattoos, T-shirts and baseball caps of a “lifer,” someone who spends their whole life in restaurants.

“I think it’s one of the best industries,” he says. “I think everyone at some point should have to work in a restaurant.”

By the time he was 40, Andrews took a moment to count. He had worked for about 80 restaurants, either in the kitchen or as a consultant. It’s understandable that when he left Brooklyn, he thought he wanted something different.

But, again, some opportunities are too good to pass up.

“You can take the guy out of the kitchen, I suppose…,” he smirks, letting the listener fill in the rest. “I found this space downtown and fell in love and signed the lease and the rest is history.” n

Bowery • 230 W. Riverside Ave. • Open Tue-Sat 6 am-1 pm and 4-10 pm (until 11 pm Fri-Sat) • boweryspokane.com • 509-474-1790

This past weekend, the Showcase was a triumphant success thanks to the generous support of our partners and community. From celebrity golfers to Eddie Vedder to Journey - the weekend was spectacular. And all for the purpose of raising millions of dollars for the fight against cancer.

Together, we are Community Cancer Fund.

Bowery chef Todd Andrews was lured back to the restaurant industry.

Spokane’s Cool Big Sis

Uoni Bubble Tea opens near Gonzaga offering boba and other drinks, plus Japanese taiyaki cakes

BY SYLVIA DAVIDOW

Kellie Tran is a rising senior at Gonzaga University studying philosophy and economics. She’s also a budding entrepreneur who just opened her first business.

Tran celebrated the debut of Uoni Bubble Tea and Coffee late last month. For Tran, the milestone is a proud moment as she introduces her hometown to some of her favorite drinks. Among the many beverages on Uoni’s “favorites” menu is a brulee latte ($5.75$7.50) with tapioca pearls and torched sea salt foam. At Uoni, drinks are made slowly but with special care.

Initially, Tran planned to become a lawyer, but she yearned to do something with more creativity. She began dreaming of opening a boba shop near campus after hearing her friends complain that Spokane had no authentic boba tea spots. Tran’s vision was to create a cafe incorporating the same vibes as a Seattle or California boba shop — a place that infused the genuine cultures of boba and Asian desserts she and her peers know and love.

After finding a convenient location next door to The Ultimate Bagel on North Hamilton, Tran took a break from school to start her business. She wasn’t alone, however, recruiting her father, Ryan Tran, and mother, Tammy Nguyen, to help ensure success.

Despite coming from a Vietnamese family, in which Tran says the dynamics are traditionally not always easygoing, she and her father worked well together throughout this process. Of course, there were some challenges, such as navigating the business permitting process with her father, who doesn’t speak much English. But Tran feels that she and her family grew a lot closer during the project because she was given the freedom to collaborate on the space.

Tran believes she wouldn’t have come this far without going crazy if not for her mom, who offered vital emotional support. Launching a business also showed her family that not only could Tran stick to a project and finish it, but that they could trust her and her ideas.

“I hope that they take that anything is possible,” Tran says. “It doesn’t have to be boring and sad in order to be successful.”

Now that Uoni — which roughly translates from Korean to mean “big sister” — is taking off, Tran can return to student life at Gonzaga and focus on finishing her last year as an undergrad. Meanwhile, Uoni will focus on becoming something of a reliable older sister for fellow GU students and the broader community.

Tran envisions her cafe as a welcoming space for all campus dwellers, including foreignexchange students. A place where “even just anyone, from any kind of background, can come into and feel like they can find something that is familiar to them,” she says.

Besides boba drinks, Uoni also serves traditional coffee and espresso ($5.50), as well as lemonade ($5).

The cafe’s comfortable seating ranges from tables and booths to a window bar and cozy living room furniture in one corner, including bookshelves. Tran filled the shelves with titles she’s collected throughout the years, a variety of genres including past textbooks from her classes (a detail evoking the vibe of an older sister’s room) for customers to browse as they sip, perhaps on another Uoni bestseller, the Passion Gem ($5.75) with popping honey and lychee boba pearls ($.75).

Another element that gives Uoni a home-like feeling is its unique dessert menu of taiyaki ($3 each), Japanese cakes shaped like fish, a symbol of luck. Traditional taiyaki are either fluffy or chewy, but Tran balances the two textures. Uoni’s taiyaki batter is poured into a mold and baked into a waffle-like treat. Different fillings are then squeezed inside the fish-shaped cake, such as Oreo cheesecake and sweet cream cheese, or the traditional Japanese filling of sweet red bean paste.

“It’s so satisfying, especially with the cheese one, when you break it open and you could see the cheese filling, or the Nutella is just so good,” Tran says. n

Uoni’s strawberry cheesecake smoothie (left) and vanilla foam latte. COURTESY PHOTO

CRACKS IN THE SHELL

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem boasts lovely animation with only a so-so story

Of all the films that will come out this year, there are unlikely to be any whose style and soundtrack do as much heavy lifting as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The animation is vibrant and textured, with its rougher edges making the visual experience come alive in a way that the actual story itself struggles to the longer things continue. For every thrilling moment where the titular amphibious heroes leap their way through a scene, there are those that feel more tied down as the narrative efficiently goes through the motions without bringing the necessary emotion to make it into something greater. It is one of the better adaptations of the TMNT material, though its story remains quite safe even as its visuals are often spectacular. Smartly making use of largely unknown young actors to believably voice the teenage turtles, we follow the anthropomorphic amphibians Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Raphael (Brady Noon), Donatello (Micah Abbey), and Michelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.) as they spend their nights roaming New York City. Their outings are defined by running errands for their rodent patriarch Splinter, voiced here by action legend Jackie Chan, who is less wise sage and more crotchety loner living in the sewers. Being rebellious teenagers, the turtles will often linger in the city to catch an outdoor movie or take part in silly stunts under the cover of darkness, always longing to step out of the shadows.

BY CHASE HUTCHINSON

They will get an opportunity to do so when they meet fellow teen and aspiring reporter April. Voiced by the delightful Ayo Edebiri (of the sublime series The Bear), April is working a story about a run of mysterious robberies being done by other mutants. After a bit of a rocky start to their relationship, the group decides to team up to look into what’s going on and discovers a threat that only they will be able to stop before it is too late.

takes in its story dull what could’ve been a really special film. Much like the climactic scene where the shells of the turtles start to break under pressure, you can begin to see the cracks in the film itself. It doesn’t fully shatter, but it comes a bit too close.

TEENAGE MUTANT

NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM

Rated PG

Written by collaborators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad) along with the film’s co-director Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines), there is a persistent sense the movie is often being driven by its IP rather than individual ideas. Even with the opportunity to start fresh with this story, it drags itself down by setting up things to be fully explored later rather than doing its best this goaround. It contains great music and plenty of flair — with one slow-motion shot toward the end which proves to be a standout as abundantly cheesy as it is goofy — but its potential gets slightly squandered far too often.

Directed by Jeff Rowe, Kyler Spears

Starring Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Ayo Edebiri

Both the majority of the jokes and the narrative itself begin rather promisingly before becoming increasingly wrapped up in more conventional confrontations. Where the relationship between the turtles is refreshingly authentic in its depiction of youth and light on its feet in its action scenes, the more standard steps Mutant Mayhem

Though it’s somewhat understandably drawn some comparisons to this year’s visually magnificent yet messy Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse, that is ultimately a superficial point of reference in many regards. Not only is the animation different — with the spider sequel proving to be far more ambitious as it explores a variety of visual styles even within a single scene — but the movies couldn’t be more different when it comes to their substance. There are moments of thematic and emotional depth here — like one more joyous sequence near the end where the city residents join the fight in a manner that is reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s spectacular Spider-Man — they’re just still spread too thin to fully resonate. If this film were a pizza, to put it in a way these turtles will surely appreciate, it’d be one with a whole heaping of cheese and a single topping on some pieces. It makes for tasty enough eating, only to leave you a bit hungry by the end. n

Fittingly, the art style pops for everyone’s favorite artist-named turtles.

Portrait of the Artist as a Complete Jerk

Randall Park’s dynamic directorial debut Shortcomings proves the most interesting characters are often the most exasperating ones

BY CHASE HUTCHINSON

There is a recurring and largely regressive conversation that seems to continually come up around storytelling where works of fiction are unfairly expected to only center characters who can be flattened under the dreaded descriptor of “likable.” When all the posturing is stripped away from this argument, it can be traced back to the idea that to have a protagonist be anything less than morally pure is to somehow do something “wrong” by making a story about them.

One of the most infamous examples of this in action came at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival where Justin Lin’s second feature Better Luck Tomorrow was superficially criticized during a Q&A as being “amoral for Asian Americans” for daring to explore a cast of characters who — gasps — weren’t sufficiently likable. It was a historically bad “more of a comment and not a question” dripping with condescension. The late, great critic Roger Ebert then spoke up in defense of the film and how filmmakers ought to explore characters however they want.

Fast forward two decades to this year’s Sundance, where the delightful dramedy Shortcomings also made its premiere, rejecting such constraints in a sharply funny fashion. The debut feature from actor-turneddirector Randall Park (Always Be My Maybe) — based on the graphic novel of the same name by Adrian Tomine (who also wrote the screenplay) — the film’s story unreserv-

edly and refreshingly presents a flawed man who is increasingly insufferable by design. The man, in this case, is the brutally inconsiderate Ben (played with total commitment by Justin H. Min of the spectacular 2022 film After Yang), an aspiring filmmaker in a bit of a rut that he will only dig himself deeper and deeper into.

You don’t have to like Ben to like Shortcomings

ALSO OPENING

A COMPASSIONATE SPY

If you’re still itching for more atomic intrigue after watching Oppenheimer, documentarian Steve James (Hoop Dreams) presents the story of Ted Hall, a physicist on the Manhattan Project who shared vital details with the Soviet Union for his own moral reasons. Not Rated At the Magic Lantern

THE MEG 2: THE TRENCH

Following the events of 2018’s underwater creature feature The Meg, Jason Statham and his crew return to battle more giant prehistoric sharks. Maybe the filmmakers will insert some ship-sinking orcas to be timely. Rated PG-13

through which Park and Tomine ponder broader questions about representation. This is done as much for some wonderful jokes as it is to explore how Ben, whose arguments are frequently well-taken, can be shortsighted in moments when he shifts into casual cruelty. He can dish it out, but man does he become petulant when people return the favor in kind.

SHORTCOMINGS

Rated R

Shortcomings is a work about Ben’s descent which eschews a typical redemption arc as everything cuts right to the bone. Painful moments of earned comedic cringe play out right alongside genuine emotional discomfort to make for a poetic portrait of a real asshole. The basics of this involve Ben’s girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) decamping from the Bay Area to go to New York City for an extended internship. This leaves him with only his best friend Alice (played by a scene-stealing Sherry Cola of the recent film Joy Ride), to put up with him. The two exchange jabs as they navigate their respective personal problems before — wouldn’t you know it — they too end up in New York City to track down the suddenly hard-to-get-ahold-of Miko.

Directed by Randall Park

Starring Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno

It is this fundamental element of the character that has and will likely continue to lose people. The balancing act the film takes part in involves his painfully slow realization that maybe, just maybe, he should be a bit more considerate. It is then about teasing out the silly and somber subtleties in seeing his ego begin to crack ever so slightly before it all shatters around him.

Though the film is built upon these nuanced characters contemplating their uncertain futures, it is best to be vague about what precisely awaits them there to maximize the impact of what becomes an inevitable inflection point for each of them,

Even in its final moments, the denial of a freeing catharsis or transformation is playful yet also quietly profound. If you approach Shortcomings through the lens of likeability, you probably won’t fully “like” Ben by the end in any conventional sense, though you will have come to understand him perhaps more than he understands himself. Far from a failing of the film, it is Shortcomings’ greatest achievement, and a testament to the value, however discomforting, of getting a full view of an asshole. n

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Heart on Their Sleeves, Heads in the Clouds

Catching up with Seattle indie folk powerhouse the Head and the Heart

There’s a timeless quality to the Head and the Heart. I can recall the first time hearing “Rivers and Roads,” a standout track from the group’s 2009 self-titled debut LP and feeling like it was both fresh and a remembered relic from the past. It was as easy to imagine the sweeping indie folk epic about friends moving away being sung around a fire on a wagon trail headed west as it was envisioning your college buddies group singing it over a round of cheap beer after graduating in 2010.

The Head and the Heart’s rise is a piece of Seattle music lore, packing folks into Ballard’s Conor Byrne Pub and selling 10,000+ CDs on their own before eventually signing with Sub Pop. The group has continued to ascend over the years, growing more eclectic as time has passed. The band’s 2022 album Every Shade of Blue is a testament to that, with bigger, lusher pop sounds that sound quite distant from the group’s bare-bones roots without losing sight of the emotional core of the tH&tH’s collective songwriting spirit.

Before the group swings into town for a co-headlining show alongside the brilliant, sardonic indie rock of Father John Misty, we caught up with the Head and the Heart singer, songwriter, guitarist, and violinist Charity Rose

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

Thielen (who’s also married to singer/guitarist Matt Gervais, who replaced original co-lead vocalist Josiah Johnson when he left tH&tH) to chat about what she likes about co-headlining tours, the strangeness of time and sandwiches with honey.

INLANDER: What’s the general state of the Head and the Heart? How y’all fairing these days?

THIELEN: The first tour we did this year — coheadlining with the Revivalists — was honestly one of the most positive tours I’ve experienced in this band. There was a very positive communal, collaborative spirit that you can’t really anticipate when you don’t really know a band before you tour with them. And there was just a very wonderful dynamic that was a gift and a pleasant surprise. I just feel like we’ll be building upon that going into the near future.

There’s a newness with Matthew and myself — we brought another child into the world, and we brought them on tour. [laughs] So that inspired a level of shifts in mentality. I think everyone was inspired to be a little healthier and on better behavior. Which, when you’re in a touring band for the long haul, that only benefits

everybody. The mega-dosing of having a new child and the mega-dosing of tour is not necessarily a match made in heaven, but there have been really, really positive byproducts for the general vibe of everyone. It’s been hard and rewarding at the same time.

It’s funny — prepping for our chat I was like, “Well, it feels like Every Shade of Blue came out three or four years ago...” only to look it up and remember it was a 2022 album. COVID has turned my brain to mush. Anyway, what are your feelings and relations to the songs on Every Shade of Blue now that you’ve had a chance to play them live?

That’s a great lead-in, because it is interesting how it has felt like the pacing and rate of time has changed post the time stoppage of COVID. So it does feel like it’s been a long time, even though it’s kind of been on par with our other [album] cycles.

It’s been incredible to be able to play the songs live, of course, especially being so isolated as we were working on it. We finished it during peak pandemic. So it’s been incredible just to see how they sit and react during the exchange of a concert. It’s been cool to play newer markets

The Head and the Heart trek across the Cascades to sing some folky harmonies.

SHERVIN LAINEZ PHOTO

POP FOLK

and expand who we’ve been playing for during this last run, and coming up here. I’m really excited to play [the songs] for Spokane because it’s in our home state, and I feel like we have so much support in that greater area, so it’ll be really special to be able to perform them live for the first time there.

For lack of a better phrase [laughs], there’s a lot of different shades on this album. We’ve never made a concept album. We’ve arguably never really made an intentionally cohesive album — it’s been cohesive for how variable and how different the writers and the personalities are in the band. So it’s been cool to kind of see the songs from Every Shade of Blue come together and create a pattern live. I love playing the title track live. It’s a very inviting and beautiful power ballad.

Do you have any favorite aspects of the newer songs now that you’ve had time with them?

Going into the second year, the second round of the cycle for the album, we’ve added more from our older canon. We’ve been a bit more specific about the songs from Every Shade of Blue versus playing the majority of it. We’re spreading out our canon throughout the set a little bit more, and so it’s been cool to kind of popcorn in various songs, take some out from the album and replace them with other ones. There are just so many different types of songs on this album.

“GTFU” has been a really fun surprise, even for us, and we’ve been throwing it in the encore sometimes. It kind of lights an excitement in us and the audience.

What are you looking forward to about this co-headlining tour with Father John Misty? You both have those Sub Pop roots, and it feels like a fun, musically contrasting peanut-butter-and-jelly combo.

I think that’s our internal approach as a band — we are like peanut butter and jelly, maybe with some honey added in there. As a fan, co-headlining tours are a really cool thing. With the Revivalists and with Father John Misty, there’s a spectrum of music that resonates with our band. We have a general openness to a wide breadth of interest and inspiration. And so it’s pretty great that we can do these back-to-back tours with very different flavors.

I don’t know what to expect as far as the tour goes, but there’s a lot of connections like Sub Pop. Our bassist Chris played with [Father John’s prior project] J. Tillman back in the Seattle days. And, at least speaking for Matty and myself, we’re big fans of his records. So there’s definitely a lot of overlap. There’s a kinship there, but our careers have been also very unique in their own respective ways. Different yet similar enough to be exciting.

When you reflect back on the little Seattle indie folk boom that happened — with y’all, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, etc. — how do you feel about your role in it and its ongoing musical legacy?

I’m inspired by it. We’re lucky to have been part of a wave. Folk music has just been a huge guide in my world, and so I think it’s great to be in a group with some of my favorite bands. But it’s also really incredible happenstance, in the fact that we also sound very different from those bands, yet we are part of this kind of expansive group, part of this wave of time. We couldn’t have predicted it being a wave, really.

We still very much see ourselves as a Seattle band. Every boat rose in that wave. And it’s not as dog-eat-dog as other scenes throughout the country. There was a perfect storm for that moment. n

The Head and the Heart, Father John Misty, Miya Folick

Sun, Aug

MUSIC | BLUES

A Guy Guide

Blues legend Buddy Guy takes a victory lap around the country on his “Damn Right Farewell” tour

BY AZARIA PODPLESKY

Blues guitarist Buddy Guy sums up his illustrious career pretty succinctly in his Instagram bio: “8x Grammy Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and Chicago Blues legend.” Character limits aside, Guy could add many more accolades to the list. There’s his lifetime achievement Grammy, his inductions into the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, his recognition at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors and his National Medal of Arts, which he received in 2003. He even has his own section of Highway 418 called “Buddy Guy Way,” which runs through his hometown of Lettsworth, Louisiana.

He’s released 19 studio albums as a solo performer, most recently 2022’s The Blues Don’t Lie, and guitar legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton took influence from Guy.

“He was, for me, what Elvis probably was for most other people,” Clapton said while inducting Guy into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “My course was set, and he was my pilot.”

All of Guy’s success is even more impressive given his, in a word, modest introduction to playing music.

Growing up in Louisiana, Guy wanted to eschew the baseball games the others played and instead “do something the rest of the kids can’t do,” Guy told Guitar Player’s Gary Graff. He fashioned a diddley bow out of a piece of wood and two wires taken from a window screen and began plucking away.

Guy didn’t get his hands on an actual guitar until about two years later while staying with his sister in Baton Rouge. In what could be the plot of an actual blues tune, a stranger approached Guy while he played his diddley bow and said, according to Guy, “Son, you could probably learn how to play if you had a real guitar.” The next day, the stranger picked Guy up and bought him a Harmony guitar.

“The first thing I learned how to play was ‘Boogie Chillen’ by John Lee Hooker,” Guy said. “When I figured that out, I walked a mile and found every distant relative I had and said, ‘Look! Listen!’... I was afraid to quit. I played it so long my fingers started bleeding.”

Guy later picked up the electric guitar, found his singing voice and moved to Chicago. The rest is… well… you know… see accolades above.

Guy’s current “Damn Right Farewell” tour is likely your last chance to see the guitarist in Spokane, as this run of dates marks the end of his extensive touring career. In the future, you’ll have to take a trip to Chicago and visit his blues club — Buddy Guy’s Legends — if you want to see the master ply his trade.

“GUNSMOKE BLUES” The lead single from The Blues Don’t Lie, “Gunsmoke Blues,” which features Jason Isbell, is a lyrically straightforward yet still searing song about gun violence. “Some folks blame the shooter / Other folks blame the gun / But that don’t stop the bullets / And more bloodshed to come / A million thoughts and prayers / Won’t bring back anyone,” Guy sings.

“DAMN RIGHT, I’VE GOT THE BLUES” The title track from Guy’s 1991 comeback record (he hadn’t released a studio album in nearly a decade) starts with 40 seconds of electric guitar that shows off his elite dexterity, it’s as if he’s telling listeners “Don’t call it a comeback / I’ve been here for years.”

“HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN” This Chicago blues classic has shown up in a lot of Guy’s recent setlists. Written by Willie Dixon, a prolific songwriter for Chess Records (which Guy called home for about a decade), “Hoochie Coochie Man” was first recorded by Muddy Waters. The song is about a man who has a way with the ladies all thanks to hoodoo. Ooh la la.

spokanepavilion.com

With nearly 70 years of songs, Guy’s output is as musically and lyrically diverse as it comes. Need to cry? Laugh? Love? Yell? Dance? Guy has a tune for you. These songs show a bit of that range, but don’t stop here. It’s worth exploring his catalog whether you’re new to the blues or re-listening to old favorites to prepare for the concert.

“MUSTANG SALLY” Another cut from Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues, Guy might perform “Mustang Sally” live as a nod to the late Jeff Beck, who played electric guitar on the track. For a show of just how supernaturally skilled Guy is with the guitar, watch his performance of this song at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival — Guy plays the neck of the guitar with his left hand and mirrors the fingering on his cheek with his right with such ease, you’d think that’s how a guitar is meant to be played.

“THE BLUES IS ALIVE AND WELL” The title track from Guy’s 2018 Grammy-winning album, which featured performances from the likes of Beck, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and James Bay, this might be an apt way for the blues legend to close the show. While the song is sung from the perspective of a heartbroken man, the chorus seems to summarize Guy’s feelings about his future. “As long as I am breathin’ / And my heart’s still beatin’ / I got my story to tell / I know the blues is alive and well.”

No matter what Guy plays, expect to have a good time. In fact, he almost demands that from his audiences.

“If you get angry at home, at your wife, your sister, your brother, your friend, come out and have a drink! If you are mad at somebody sitting next to you, then we need to cut that bullshit out,” Guy told Forbes’ Derek Scancarelli. “We only here for a little while, man, let’s just have fun!” n

Buddy Guy, Eric Gales • Wed, Aug 9 at 7 pm • $40$150 • All ages • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Fall Blvd. • firstinterstatecenter.org

Buddy Guy is still rocking his signature polka dots..

ROCK FOO FIGHTERS

Grieving is tough enough when we’re able to do it in private. When you’re basically forced to confront the sorrow of loss in public as part of your job, it can be even more brutal. It’s clear that Dave Grohl is wrestling with the death of another of his musical soulmates — Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins — on his band’s recently released album, But Here We Are. But the rock star’s poise when sorting through his troubled melancholy and the band’s unrelenting commitment to rocking out makes the new LP the best Foo record since 2011’s Wasting Light. If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket to the group’s sold-out Spokane Arena show with the Breeders (!), there’s no doubt Grohl and co. will deliver one of their alwaysexcellent marathon live sets to help fans get through the shared grief as well.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Foo Fighters, The Breeders • Fri, Aug 4 at 7:30 pm • Sold out • All ages • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • spokanearena.com

Thursday, 8/3

ARBOR CREST TASTING ROOM, Hannah Siglin and Lane King

J BRICK WEST BREWING CO., Kyle Richard and Friends

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam

CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds

COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Free Whiskey

J COMMELLINI ESTATE, The Two Lions Band

J CREATE ARTS CENTER, Poi Rogers

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Dr. Don Goodwin

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, True Loves

THE NEST AT KENDALL YARDS, One Street Over

J PINE STREET PLAZA, Music on Main: Scott Thompson

J RIVERSTONE PARK, Working Spliffs, Dag Zaggenz

STEAM PLANT RESTAURANT, Eric E.

J STELLA’S ON THE HILL, The Ronaldos

J THE FOX THEATER, The Steeldrivers

J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents

J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Jerry Lee Raines

J WAR MEMORIAL FIELD, Festival at Sandpoint: Michael Franti & Friends (Family Show)

J WAR MEMORIAL FIELD, Festival at Sandpoint: Michael Franti & Spearhead, SOJA

ZOLA, Mister Sister

METAL GHOST

Summer concerts needn’t be sunny affairs. If you want a dose of darkness, don’t miss Ghost. The Swedish metal group dwells in the gothic realm, usually led by lead vocalist Papa Emeritus IV, a lavishly attired, skull facepainted satanic pope character. Not surprisingly, given that detail, Ghost concerts are known for being over-the-top rock spectacles. But they’re also not pure doom fests. While the band’s sound is rooted in metal, it actually displays an unexpectedly eclectic musical dexterity with plenty of melodicism, classic rock, pop and the occult sprinkled into the package. It all makes for a ghoulishly good time.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Ghost, Amon Amarth • Sat, Aug. 5 at 7:30 pm • $40-$378 • All ages • Northern Quest Resort & Casino • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • northernquest.com

Friday, 8/4

J BING CROSBY THEATER, Amos Lee

J BRICK WEST BREWING CO., August to August,

Micah Clay Lübben

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Whack A Mole, Belly Dancers

COEUR D’ALENE CITY PARK, Son of Brad

J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, JoJo Dodge

THE DISTRICT BAR, Temple of Angels

J THE GRAIN SHED, Open Mic at The Grain Shed

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Brent Edstrom Trio

PARK BENCH CAFE, Nick Grow

J J PARK BENCH CAFE, Under the Trees Concert Series

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Ron Kieper Trio SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT, Echo Elysium

J J SPOKANE ARENA, Foo Fighters, The Breeders STOCKWELL’S CHILL N GRILL, Son of Brad

J WAR MEMORIAL FIELD, Festival at Sandpoint: REO Speedwagon, Charlie Farren

Saturday, 8/5

BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, Frank Dancey CHALICE BREWING CO., Son of Brad

J CHAN’S RED DRAGON, Slap Shot

CHAN’S RED DRAGON, The Longnecks

J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, AP Collective

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Kate Skinner Trio

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Polyrhythmics, Spilt Milk

NOAH’S CANTEEN, Pamela Jean

J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Ghost, Amon Amarth

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, The Ronaldos

SPOKANE VALLEY EAGLES, Ben Klein as Elvis

STEAMBOAT GRILL, Flipside

J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Jimi Finn

J WAR MEMORIAL FIELD, Festival at Sandpoint: Ashley McBryde

ZOLA, Blake Braley

Sunday, 8/6

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Nu Jack City

BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, Frank Dancey

J BIG BARN BREWING CO., The Kevin Shay Band

J THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, Red Books Trio THE DISTRICT BAR, Trashy Annie

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Michael Milham

HOGFISH, Open Mic

LIVE AT ANDRE’S, Birds of Play

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, John R. Miller

J J PAVILION AT RIVERFRONT, The Head and the Heart, Father John Misty, Miya Folick

J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin

J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW

J = ALL AGES SHOW

Monday, 8/7

BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, Frank Dancey

J EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Night Blues Jam with John Firshi

RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night

Tuesday, 8/8

LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Courtney Marie Andrews

J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Young the Giant, Milky Chance

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Land of Voices

ROCKET MARKET, Sean Kavanaugh

J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Dallas Kay

J TWIGS BISTRO, Gil Rivas

ZOLA, The Night Mayors

Wednesday, 8/9

BARRISTER WINERY, The Kevin Shay Band

J THE BIG DIPPER, Slime, Misery Whip, Impact, Tomb Ripper

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Wednesday Night Jam

J D-MAC’S AT THE LAKE, Chuck Wasileski

THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic

J J FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Buddy Guy, Eric Gales

J KNITTING FACTORY, Soulja Boy

MCEUEN PARK, Alive After 5: Fortunate Youth

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Son of Brad

J PANIDA THEATER, Richard Thompson

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Dwayne Parsons

RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates

J TWO SHOE BBQ, Karaoke Joe

ZOLA, Brittany’s House

Coming Up ...

J J THE FOX THEATER, Jinkx Monsoon:

Everything at Stake, Aug. 13, 8 pm.

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, MAITA, Matt Mitchell Music Co., The Holy Broke, Aug. 17, 8 pm.

J J PAVILION AT RIVERFRONT, Noah Kahan, Joy Oladokun, Aug. 18, 7-10 pm.

J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Boyz II Men, Aug. 19, 7 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Flogging Molly, The Bronx, Aug. 22, 7:30

COMMUNITY IN THE HIGHLANDS

Grab your kilts and prepare for a day filled with bagpipe ballads, dancing and impressive feats of strength at the Spokane Scottish Highland Games. Throughout the day, there will be live Celtic music, Highland dancing and a performance from the Scottish Country Dancers, as well as sheep and cattle exhibitions and a British classic car show. Attendees can watch athletes compete in a variety of intense events, including a Caber toss and hammer throw. Check out local blacksmith Levi Arbogast of Battle Mountain Forge and his masterful craft, or grab onto the rope in the tug-of-war that follows the opening ceremonies. Then check out vendors to find traditional food and a variety of goods.

— SUMMER SANDSTROM

Spokane Scottish Highland Games • Sat, Aug 5 from 9 am5:30 pm

• $5-$10 • Spokane County Fair & Expo Center • 404 N. Havana St. • spokanehighlandgames.net

BENEFIT RACING FOR READING

A typical race just consists of running. North Idaho’s annual Walk, Run, Read race includes a 5k, a kids dash, a virtual run and a book sale/swap. All proceeds from the event go to The Literacy Project of North Idaho, a nonprofit helping people of all ages improve their literacy skills. Black Bay Park is the place to be this Saturday morning, providing a variety of vendors, fun-filled family activities and even gifts for the kids. The park is the start of the 5k, which continues down the scenic Idaho Centennial Trail and into downtown Post Falls, finishing at the city’s community garden. The park also hosts a Kids Dash (ages 12 and under) and the book fair, at which attendees can trade books with locals or buy one for only $1.

— SYLVIA DAVIDOW

MUSIC ALL THE ROAD’S A STAGE

Ice cream trucks. Taco trucks. Mobile eye clinic trucks and library trucks. But opera trucks? Sí, mio babbino caro, it’s true! The Inland Northwest Opera truck is wheeling singers and instrumentalists through town for two free concerts during the first week of August. The first portable performance unfolds in front of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture during Spokane Arts’ First Friday art walk. Grab a beer from the pop-up beer garden, and let your soul be serenaded by Mozart and Puccini. The second performance rolls into Kendall Yards on Sunday for a classy final note to the weekend. The stage might be travel-sized, but the majesty of opera will not be contained.

— ELIZA BILLINGHAM

VISUAL ARTS THE GREEN SCENE

’Tis the season for outdoor art markets! But, Art on the Green isn’t your typical art mart in the park (say that five times fast). Art on the Green is celebrating 55 years as an annual art festival this year, and the schedule is packed with never-ending fun through the weekend. Kick things off with entertainment from local musicians and dance troupes, and then make your way around the market to browse art from over 110 artists. Buy art from local painting legend LR Montgomery, visit the juried show to vote for the People’s Choice Award and stop by to see the infamous Art on the Green sandcastle’s construction. You won’t run out of things to do or see at this year’s Art on the Green.

— MADISON PEARSON

Art on the Green • Aug. 4-6; Fri from 11 am-8 pm, Sat from 10 am-8pm, Sun from 10 am-4 pm • Free • North Idaho College • 495 N. College Dr., Coeur d’Alene • artonthegreencda.com

FILM FELINE SALVATION

With AI seemingly taking over, and whatever is going on with Twitter/X these days, the internet feels a lot like a big dumpster fire that will never be suppressed. At least there are still cats. Back to make us forget all our troubles for an hour or so is the CatVideoFest, a showcase of fabulous, funny and furry feline shenanigans caught on camera. Making its way to Moscow’s historic Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, the compilation-reel style event features “the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses.” Best of all, a portion of proceeds from each showing around the U.S. goes toward helping cats in need. Moscow’s event supports the Humane Society of the Palouse.

— CHEY SCOTT

The ADapt Study is a research study testing whether a potential treatment, called lebrikizumab, may be a safe and effective way to treat adults and adolescents who have atopic dermatitis and were previously treated with the medication Dupixent® (dupilumab).

Eligible participants will receive the study drug every 2 or 4 weeks during the 24-week treatment period. The study will last a total of 36 weeks.

Taking part in this study may help in the advancement of a potential treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema). Reimbursement may be available for study-related expenses.

To nd out more about the ADapt Study, contact a member of our study team:

Premier Clinical Research

509-505-1823

Premierclinicalresearch.com 324 S. Sherman Ave Spokane WA 99202

I SAW YOU

SAFEWAY SELF CHECKOUT We smiled at each other; you were buying gummy worms and marshmallows. Want to do something fun together?

ESSENCE & PURPOSE “Judge.” It seems you didn’t understand her purpose in your “courtroom” on Thursday. Let’s hope you understand yours. The essence of service matters. Don’t discount those who show up other than to “get out of” a consequence. Money is not the motivator of many. Definitely not her. Lean a little more toward understanding. Especially those with zero excuses. They have much to offer. Greater good.

GUESS I DO HAVE A PROBLEM... To the pimpled faced d-bag riding the motorized scooter on a sidewalk who almost ran over a 50-year-old pedestrian, I thought you put your scoot scoot down at the bus stop because you were waiting for a bus. I didn’t even realize you were trying to start something until I walked off and noticed you sputter away like a version of some Macklemore video. I don’t know if you’re part of the new breed that’s taking over or an already entitled original, but dude... Do you think small d energy makes you impressive?

CHEERS

WANT TO MEET MY LIFESAVERS I’m looking for two women who on Aug. 21, 2022, were

doing trail maintenance past the gate at Selkirk Lodge on Mt. Spokane. They used a Subaru to get me off the trail to a Life Flight helicopter after I suffered a major heart attack while mountain biking. It’s been almost a year since that happened, and I want to thank them both, share how well I’m doing, and let them know that their actions literally saved my life. One was a nurse, named Lynn. Can anyone help me get in contact with these women?

YOU SAVED MY DAY To the older guy and it looked like his son who saved my life on Sunday, July 23, at around 2:30pm-ish. I was driving a little gold/tan Ford Ranger pick-up with a canopy on it and it died almost right at the intersection of Empire and Nevada. It’s a manual and I killed it and couldn’t get it started. You two were behind me in your, from what I could see, red SUV (maybe a Durango?), and saw that I needed help. You whipped around, parked in 7-11’s parking lot, went through traffic to get to me and pushed me (up an incline I might add), around the corner onto Empire to get out of the traffic. It was so miserably hot that day, and I had no idea what i was going to do. Every time I put it in neutral, to try to push it myself, it kept rolling backwards. You two were like guardian angels and saved my afternoon. You didn’t have to be so kind and nice but you were. I dont know how to repay you but if I ever see you again, I hope to pay it back. Thank you for being there that day and for showing me that people in Spokane can be pretty amazing!

TAKE TWO When you are “done” viewing “Sound of Freedom,” cue the next necessary film in that journey. “SPOTLIGHT.” Factual depiction of the similar reality that is creepy. If you are still in that “group” you are part of the problem. Own your excuses and your participation... especially the “looking the other way.” A MUST see. A MUST know.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS! A toast to the Danish National Symphony Orchestra for all the amazing music they have blessed us with (they’re on YouTube). Check them out and before writing that letter to Jeers. I suggest listening to the minute and a half piece, “Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes”. If that doesn’t put you in a good mood and a smile on your face, nothing will.

THE CURE Pro-choice, Pro-life,

PROPHYLACTIC! Ends AIDS, STDs, abortions. If you love her, use a rubber.

EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE Our Spokane VA Medical Center: Drs. Landon H., Marc J., surgeons, Janell S. MD, Luba RN, Heather S. RN, Eric W. RN, and the pre & post surgery team all provide excellent care. All

hopes that it never happens to them, but sometimes it happens to people. And sometimes people actually come out happier from years of stressful pretending and doing everything they could to save it. Friends of divorced people… Please do not drop them. They need you. If you ever unfriended them because you think

special to us. Thanks for leaving a mess and ruining me and my husband’s night and making us uncomfortable to have anything outside along with the comfort and safety of our home. The audacity you have to steal such a big worthless item must be tied to your self-worth to steal others items so confidently. I hope your karma for stealing

are kind, caring & compassionate. Thank you all for taking such good care of this veteran.

WHAT ABOUT THE VOLCANO? Cheers to the Inlander for featuring all the movies filmed in the region over the years! There was only exclusion from the movies I know that were filmed here — Dante’s Peak (1997), which was filmed in northern Idaho. The people complaining about Californians moving here should hype this film.

TRADER JOE’S GUARDIAN ANGEL To the guardian angel who let me know my dress had been tucked away as I cluelessly shopped for groceries. Many people walked by and said nothing, but you were brave and did the right thing. I cannot thank your kindness and bravery enough. We need more people like you in the world. Thank you. -White Summer Dress Shopper

RECOVERED PHONE Many thanks to the person who recovered my phone at Grocery Outlet downtown on Friday the 21st. You give me faith in humanity.

SISSY I MISS YOU Stephanie, I miss you. I am thinking of you and wish you would come back to see us. I am so sorry I was so harsh the last time I saw you. I feel so helpless not being able to contact you. Please come back to see us. Your little brother.

TO THOSE WHO VALUE DIVORCED FRIENDS

Cheers to those who value your divorced friends enough to continue to see them as the individuals they are throughout their traumatic experience. Divorce is terrible and devastating. Every married couple

it somehow will affect your own marriage, then your thinking is shallow.

JEERS

DEFINITELY NOT WHAT BARBIE WOULD DO To the pink clad teenage gang of girls at the showing of Barbie who watched a white-haired lady fall hard on the stairs before the movie started and did nothing… Barbie would be ashamed of you. You should have helped her up. You should have asked if she was OK. You could have at least made sympathetic noises as she slowly got to her feet again. You need to learn kindness and empathy before you deserve to don the pink again.

DECORATE LIKE OTHER PEOPLE LIVE HERE

Can you all cool it with the “drive like your kids live here” signs in your front lawns?

I’ve been dealing with infertility for nearly two years, and these signs are like a knife in the heart whenever I see them. Plus, it’s not cute to imply that people who have children are the only ones capable of making moral decisions that prioritize the lives of others. Please find another cute little saying for your yard and at least pretend to care about the experience of other people.

RE: REALLY SPOKANE I understand almost all of your objections, but what is your objection to tattoos? Is it specific tattoos or tattoos in general? Is your objection a cultural thing? I’m very confused.

WHOEVER STOLE MY GRANDFATHER CLOCK... To whoever stole the sentimental, emptied grandfather clock off my porch while home alone. You suck, and stole something that doesn’t even work and was

a cancer patient’s stuff catches up and involves eggs in a gross way. I hope you had a horrible night and hurt your back

RE: WHAT ABOUT MEN? Curious why you would assume they didn’t ask any men at all, instead of perhaps they asked and men either didn’t respond or their response wasn’t interesting enough or a rant too long to publish? Somehow I feel like if they had asked women what kind of G.I. Joe they’d design, a bunch of men would have got offended over that too.

DOGS OFF LEASH Jeers to the people who walk in public access areas including the Centennial Trail and don’t have the courtesy to follow the law and keep their dogs on a leash. Follow the rules of the trail. Dogs are to be on leashes at all times. Also, control your dog. When I pass by you, I have no idea if your dog bites. When it’s straining at the leash, and you have too much slack and aren’t able to hold your dog back, am I supposed to guess that I’m not going to get bit? But, the worst by far are those who just don’t think the law pertains to them and just lets the dog be free. The laws are there for a reason. Why don’t you try and follow them a--hole? n

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

“

Barbie would be ashamed of you. ”

BENEFIT

BURST-A-BUS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

The Salvation Army Spokane is collecting new school supplies at Shadle Walmart and all three Fred Meyer stores in Spokane County. See link for more info. Aug. 4, 9 am-6 pm. makingspokanebetter.org

SCRAMBLE FOR HOSPICE This fundraiser supports northeast Washington’s community-based, nonprofit hospice in its mission to provide customized care and support to patients diagnosed with a terminal illness and their families. Registration includes greens fee, cart, prizes and lunch. Aug. 4, 8:30 am-2:30 pm. $150. Indian Canyon Golf Course, 4303 W. West Dr. hospiceofspokane.org

SPECIAL DEEDS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

GOLF TOURNAMENT A golf scramble with a superhero costume contest, silent auction, long drive competition and more. Proceeds benefit SDSN (Special Deeds for Special Needs). Aug. 5, 9 am. $125-$500. Links Golf Club. sdsnkid.com

WALK, RUN, READ 5K The 5k, Kids Dash, and community event features a book sale, family fun area, story time, obstacle course, free items for kids, treats for purchase and more. Benefits The Literacy Project of North Idaho. Aug. 5, 7:30-11 am. $10-$30. Black Bay Park, 1299 E. Third St., Post Falls. fb.me/e/1dIWzIbOq

TERRAIN TABLE This annual even features food from the region’s top chefs and includes live music, cocktails, and art. Proceeds benefit Terrain. Aug. 9, 5-9 pm. $200. terrainspokane.com

THE GRAPE ESCAPE: LADIES NIGHT

This night of fundraising features wine by the glass, vendors and small bites. Proceeds benefit Safe Harbor, a local antihuman trafficking nonprofit. Aug. 10, 5-8 pm. $35. Rosemary Manor, 763 S. Manor Heights Dr. safeharborforfreedom.com

COMEDY

DON MCMILLAN McMillan has been doing his PowerPoint-driven comedy show for over 20 years. Aug. 3, 7:30 pm. $25-$40. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY JOKE JOKE

JOKE Charles Hall Jr. and Phillip Kopczynski perform stand up comedy. A silent-film social hour precedes the show. Aug. 3, 7:30-10 pm. $18. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com

DAN CUMMINS Cummins is a stand-up comic, podcast host and has his own comedy album, Revenge is Near. Aug. 4, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and Aug. 5, 7 & 9:45

pm. $35. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

MEDIUM-AT-LARGE Improv based on the life and adventures of the Blue Door Theatre Spiritualist. Fri at 7:30 pm through Aug. 25. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland. bluedoortheatre.com

IMPROV JAMS Fans of improv can try something new, brush off the rust and just have fun. Mon at 7 pm through Aug. 28. Free. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com

CHRIS KATTAN Kattan is best-known for his time on SNL. Aug. 10, 7:30 pm, Aug. 11, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and Aug. 12, 7 & 9:45 pm.

$22-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

COMMUNITY

FIRST FRIDAY ART & FOOD TRUCK

RALLY Celebrate First Friday at the Spokane Valley Farmers Market and enjoy food from local food trucks. Aug. 4. Free. CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Pl. spokanevalleyfarmersmarket.org (509-991-7275)

COEUR D’ALENE STREET FAIR An arts and craft fair with over 250 vendor booths. Also includes food, fine art, clothing and more. Aug. 4-5, 10 am-8 pm and Aug. 6, 10 am-5 pm. Free. Downtown Coeur d’Alene. cdadowntown.com

FEED THE BUFFALO This tour includes the farm history, a brief talk on bison and a Q&A session. Fri-Sat from 12:30-1:30 pm through Sep. 2. $6-$7. Win-Tur Bison Farm, 4742 W. Highway 231. winturbisonfarm.com (509-258-6717)

HILLYARD FESTIVAL The neighborhood community festival founded in 1911 features a parade, vendors, food, entertainment and more. Aug. 4-6. Free. Hillyard, Spokane. hillyardfestival.com

SPY CHALLENGE ESCAPE ROOM Solve all of the clues to complete the super secret spy challenge. Ages 10-12. Registration required. Aug. 4, 2 & 3:30 pm. Free. Deer Park Library, 208 Forest St. scld.org

THE TASTE OF COEUR D’ALENE TMore than 250 booths of food, fine arts and crafts, plus musical groups are on site through the weekend. Aug. 4-6; Fri from 12-8 pm, Sat from 10 am-8 pm and Sun from 10 am-5 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene City Park, 415 W. Mullan Rd. panhandlekiwanis.org/taste-of-cda

WEEKENDS ON WALL Downtown Spokane is piloting a series of public events along Wall between Main and Spokane Falls Blvd. to support local artists, vendors and more. Interested participants

can register online. Activities include Friday Night Live (music, food trucks), Summer Saturdays (interactive events, performances) and the Sunday Art Mart (arts, crafts, vendors of original works). Fri.-5-8:30 pm through Aug. 31. Free. downtownspokane.org/wall-weekends

2023 SPOKANE VALLEY SIEGER This dog show features two showings a day, each under a different judge. Aug. 5-6, see website for schedule. $40/free to spectators. Red Lion Hotel Templin’s on the River, 414 E. First Ave. iabca.com

HISTORIC WALKING TOURS Join local historian Chet Caskey for a walking tour of Riverfront Park. Learn the history of the Spokane Falls, Expo ’74 Pavilion, Clock Tower and more. Sat at 10 am and noon through Aug. 26. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com (509-625-6600)

SPOKANE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND

GAMES A day of traditional activities such as a flag ceremony, pipe band exhibitions, heavy athletics and highland dancing.Also features traditional food and vendor booths. Opening ceremonies begin at noon. Aug. 5, 9 am-5:30 pm. $5$10. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. Spokanehighlandgames.net (509-990-4299)

RIVERSIDE FLEA MARKET Shop 20 booths for clothes, home goods and more. Aug. 6, 10 am-3 pm. Free. Grocery Outlet, 1617 W. Third. riverside.spokaneneighborhoods.org

BUILDING WITH BOOKS: LEGO CHALLENGE Show off your building and engineering skills and participate in a building challenge. Grades K-5. Aug. 8, 4-5 pm and Sep. 12, 4-5 pm. Free. Cheney Library, 610 First St. scld.org (509-893-8280)

TWEEN LIBRARY CARNIVAL Tweens are invited to test their skills at classic and unique carnival games and earn prize tickets. Ages 8-12. Aug. 8, 2-3 pm. Free. Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Rd. scld.org (893-8200)

COFFEE & CONVERSATION This event aims to help people feel seen and heard. Conversation is free form; includes lowkey activities like coloring, puzzles and more. Wednesdays from 10:30 am-noon. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org

WHAT ABOUT NAGASAKI? Spokane

Veterans For Peace presents an interactive commemoration of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, in hopes of promoting peace upon the 78th anniversary. Aug. 9, 5:30 pm. Free. Saranac Commons, 19 W. Main Ave. spokaneveteransforpeace.org

COFFEE IN THE GARDEN Gather in the

garden for refreshments, demonstrations, and conversation with Anna Taylor teaching Tai Chi. Aug. 10, 10 am-noon. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org (509-447-9277)

MEND-IT CAFE Bring clothing or textiles that need repair to be fixed by a member of Spokane Zero Waste. Aug. 10, 3:30-6 pm. Free. Garland District. instagram. com/spokanezerowaste

FILM

CAT VIDEO FEST A compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of submissions, sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. Proceeds support Humane Society of the Palouse. Aug. 3, 7-8 pm and Aug. 4, 7-8 pm. $10. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org/ events-calendar/cat-video-fest-2023

FREE KIDS MOVIES: THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS Max is a spoiled terrier who enjoys life in a New York building until his owner adopts unruly Duke. July 31-Aug. 4, daily at 9:30 am. Free. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com

MOVIES IN THE PARK A series of familyfriendly in Sally’s Park. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Fridays at 7:30 pm through Aug. 4. Free. The Salvation Army Spokane, 222 E. Indiana Ave. spokane. salvationarmy.org (509-325-6810)

MOVIES ON THE MOUNTAIN Enjoy a movie at twilight outside of the Crow’s Bench. See website for schedule. Aug. 4-25, Fri at 8 pm. Free. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE When an unconfident young woman is cursed by a spiteful witch, her only chance lies with a self-indulgent young wizard. Aug. 5-6, 4 & 7 pm. $7. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT: THE PRINCESS BRIDE Featuring the film’s score performed live. Aug. 6, 7 pm. $45 (Youth: $13). War Memorial Field, 855 Ontario St. festivalatsandpoint.com/grand-finale

FREE KIDS MOVIES: THE LAND BEFORE TIME Littlefoot is orphaned and sets out to find his family, meeting new friends along the way. Aug. 7-11, daily at 9:30 am. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com (509-327-1050)

MOVIES AT THE PAVILION: TOP GUN MAVERICK Bring a lawn chair, blanket and your own food and drinks. Aug. 9, 8:30 pm. Free. Pavilion at Riverfront, 574

FOOD

RIDE & DINE Enjoy a scenic gondola ride, live music and a barbecue on the mountaintop. Fri from 3-8 pm through Sep. 1. $8-$51. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com (208-783-1111)

THE POWER OF PROBIOTICS This nutrition class focuses on the importance of gut health and how to support it. Aug. 5, 1-2 pm. Free. Natural Grocers: South Hill, 2512 E. 29th Ave. naturalgrocers.com

BOMBASTIC BREWING X COCHINITO

TAQUERIA A scratch dinner paired with beers from Bombastic Brewing Co. Call for tickets. Aug. 6, 6 pm. $89. Cochinito Taqueria (Hayden), 9426 N. Government Way. (208-518-1517)

CAMP COCKTAIL: HAVANA A class on drinks from Prohibition-era Havana. Aug. 6, 5-7:30 pm. $75. Hogwash Whiskey Den, 304 W. Pacific. raisingthebarnw.com

ICED TEA & PORCH READS Sample iced tea from local shops and get suggestions for books that pair well with them. Registration required. Aug. 6, 2-3 pm. Free. scld.org (509-893-8400)

OBON JAPANESE CULTURAL FEST This 10th annual cultural event honors Japanese ancestors and features food for purchase, cultural performances and more. Aug. 6, 11 am-6:30 pm. Free. Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org

TASTE OF THE STARS As part of the Grand Finale at the Festival at Sandpoint, sample pours from 15+ breweries and wineries. Aug. 6, 5-7 pm. $12.95-$44.95. War Memorial Field, 855 Ontario St. festivalatsandpoint.com

BBQ & BANDS A meal of beef kabobs with live music by the Jackson Roltgen Trio. Aug. 10, 5-7 pm and Aug. 31, 5-7 pm. $15-$20. The Culinary Stone, 2129 N. Main St. culinarystone.com

MUSIC

SINGING IN THE SADDLE An evening of opera, food, games and a live auction to benefit Inland Northwest Opera. Aug. 3, 5:30 pm. $135. Settlers Creek, 5803 W. Riverview Dr. inlandnwopera.com

FRIDAYS AT THE CLOCK Family-friendly concerts feature live music from WSU music students, activities for children and more. Aug. 4, Aug. 25, and Sep. 8, 6:30-8 pm. Free. Bryan Hall Theatre, 605 Veterans Way. events.wsu.edu

...continued on page 46

N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com

Refund Rollout

Washington debuts a new bureau to handle vacated drug possession conviction refunds

BY WILL MAUPIN

People convicted of simple drug possession in Washington may now be eligible not only to have those convictions wiped from their records, but to receive a refund for legal fees as well.

Last week, the state rolled out the website for its “Blake Refund Bureau,” which is meant to help people navigate the process of vacating their record and applying for a refund. The program is a result of the state Supreme Court’s State v. Blake ruling in 2021. The court struck

down the state’s simple drug possession law as unconstitutional because people could be convicted even if they were not knowingly in possession of a controlled substance.

The case originated in Spokane in 2016 when a woman was convicted of possession of methamphetamine after a small bag of the substance was found in the coin pocket of her jeans. She claimed to be unaware that the drug was in the pocket, and said the jeans were a recent gift from a friend.

Because of the ruling, people who had been convicted for simple possession before the ruling became eligible to have those convictions vacated from their records. Those who have their records vacated are now eligible to receive a refund for legal fees and fines paid to the court for their Blake-related convictions.

When a conviction is vacated it is wiped from the record and is treated as if it was never there to begin with.

Blake-related convictions are not exclusive to cannabis. Even simple-possession convictions for drugs that remain illegal in the state can be eligible for the vacateand-refund program.

In 2021, the state Legislature allocated $74 million for the refund program, a number that the Northwest News Network reports has grown to over $90 million today.

Chris Stanley, director of the state Administrative Office of the Courts’ Management Services Division, told TVW that his office is aware of over 200,000 simple possession convictions and estimates that more than half will be eligible for the new program.

Convictions must be vacated before applying for a refund. The Blake Refund Bureau does not handle the process of vacating the convictions, but it provides resources to help people looking to begin that process. The Spokane County Public Defender’s office is one of the resources available for people who received their convictions in Spokane County.

The program is open to people with past convictions as well as those currently incarcerated. n

BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habit-forming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.

NOTE TO READERS

Be aware of the differences in the law between Idaho and Washington. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport cannabis in the State of Idaho. Possessing up to an ounce is a misdemeanor and can get you a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine; more than three ounces is a felony that can carry a five-year sentence and fine of up to $10,000. Transporting marijuana across state lines, like from Washington into Idaho, is a felony under federal law.

Washington has $90 million for the refund program.

Marijuana use increases the risk of lower grades and dropping out of school.

EVENTS | CALENDAR

MUSIC ON MONDAYS: T & COMPANY T and Company perform eclectic acoustic music. Aug. 7, 6-7:30 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)

CAMP MIXTAPE Create a mixtape using instruments and beats from Garageband while working with peers and mentors. Aug. 8-10, 9:30-11:30 am. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SCENIC CHAIRLIFT RIDES Ride the chairlift up/down the mountain. Fri-Sun from 10 am-3:30 pm through Sep. 30. $9-$13. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0. skilookout.com

HUCKLEBERRY HIKE Learn techniques for picking and storing berries with a huckleberry expert who takes you on a five-mile hike. Aug. 5, 10 am-2 pm. $49. Mt. Spokane State Park, 26107 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanerec.org

LILAC CITY ROLLER DERBY DOUBLE

HEADER The Yetis vs. Hellgate at 5 pm and Lore vs. Atomic at 7 pm. At the EWU URC Ice Arena. Aug. 5, 5-9 pm. $10-$15. Eastern Washington University, 526 Fifth St. lilaccityrollerderby.com

SPIKE & DIG An outdoor, co-ed, sixon-six volleyball tournament with over 200 teams competing. Aug. 5-6. $220$245. Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, 5701 N. Assembly St. spikeanddig.com

WSU SPOKANE COUNTY MASTER

GARDENER PLANT CLINIC Ask experts and get advice about your plant and gardening issues. Sat from 11 am-3 pm through Sep. 30. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley. spokanelibrary.org

YOGA FOR YOU! A blend of stretching, strengthening and balance work. BYO mat. Aug. 7-28, Mon at 9:30 am. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org

AFTER-HOURS MINI GOLF Play indoor golf at the library with family or friends. Tee times every 20 min. for groups of up to 6. Registration required. Aug. 8, 6:30-8:30 pm. Free. Medical Lake Library, 3212 Herb St. scld.org

SPOKANE INDIANS VS. HILLSBORO

HOPS Promos include Bark in the Park (8/8), Dollars in Your Dog and Team Photo Giveaway (8/10), Fireworks (8/11), Storybook Princess and Fireworks (8/12). Aug. 8-10, 6:35 pm, Aug. 11-12, 7:05 pm and Aug. 13, 1:05 pm. $8$22. Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana. spokaneindians.com

THEATER

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Performances of Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in rep. July 20-Aug. 6 and Aug. 31-Sept. 17, Thu-Sun at 6:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. In Manito, Riverfront and Sky-Praire parks on rotating schedule. Donations accepted. spokaneshakespearesociety.org

LIZZIE A rock musical retelling of the Lizzie Borden story, featuring an allfemme cast performed by Bright Comet Theatre. Aug. 4-5 at 7:30 pm. $20. Mad Co Labs Studios, 3038 E. Trent Ave. brightcomettheatre.com

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Don and Lina have been cast repeatedly as a romantic couple, but when their latest film is remade, only Don has the voice

and Kathy, an aspiring actress, is hired to record over Lina. Aug. 4-13, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. $22-$28. Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. aspirecda.com

ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE This musical comedy centers around a parttime bartender/singer who falls for a career-minded tourist. Aug. 5-20, WedSat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. University High School, 12320 E. 32nd Ave. svsummertheatre.com (509-386-7897)

VISUAL ARTS

CREATE A ZINE Briefly discuss the history of zines then make your own. Ages 13–18. Registration required. Aug. 3, 1-3:30 pm. Free. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Rd. scld.org

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: WOMEN PRINTMAKERS OF WASHINGTON The first overview of women printmakers of Washington state active in the early to mid-20th century. July 29-Nov. 19, TueSun, 10 am-5 pm. $15-$20. The MAC, 2316 W. First. northwestmuseum.org

ROBIN KAHN Jeweler Robin Kahn creates pieces with varying colors, textures and shapes. Aug. 1-31, daily from 11 am-7 pm. Free. Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington. potteryplaceplus.com

DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS Linda Hyatt Cancel and John Sebastian showcase fine art paintings. Wed-Sat from 11:30 am-5:30 pm through Aug. 25. Free. Trails End Gallery, 204 E. Main St., Chewelah. (509-936-9181)

ART ON THE GREEN Over 130 artists sell fine art, photography, pottery, jewelry, clothing and more. Aug. 4, 11 am-8 pm, Aug. 5, 10 am-8 pm and Aug. 6, 10 am-4 pm. Free. North Idaho College, 495 N. College Dr. artonthegreencda.com

CHANCE LUCY: CONSUMER CULTURE

A collection of paintings and sculptures featuring logos of brands we consume in our daily lives. Aug. 4-26, Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com

CULTURAL HEROES & HEROINES Portraits of rock stars from the 60s and 70s by John Thamm. Also featured: Travis Chapman, Audreana Camm, Tom Quinn, Rick Davis, Roch Fautch, Darrell Willcox, and Matthew Wolf. Open Wed/ Fri, noon-6 pm, or by appt., through Aug. 11. Shotgun Studios, 1625 W. Water Ave. shotgunstudiosspokane.com

CYBERNETICS Abstract oil paintings of landscapes, figures and more by Kurt Carlson. Aug. 4-25, Thu-Sat by appointment. Free. Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. kolva-sullivangallery.com

FIRST FRIDAY Art galleries and businesses across Spokane host receptions to showcase new displays of art. Aug. 4 from 5-8 pm. firstfridayspokane.org.

JANIE SCHNURR: COLLAGE MIX UP This exhibition features more than 40 abstract collage paintings. Aug 4-29, daily from 12-6 pm. Aug. 4-29, 12-6 pm. Free. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. janschnurr.com (509-465-3591)

SKETCHBOOK CLUB FOR QUEER

TEENS Local artist Nanette Cloud helps queer teens develop creative skillsets by guiding friendly feedback chats and offering supportive advice. Fridays from 6:30-8 pm. Ages 13-18. Free. Odyssey Youth, 1121 S. Perry St. odysseyyouth.org

SUPERCOLOR SPECTRUM: UX ULTRAMAX 8 Large-scale aerosol paint works by MAX featuring music by DJ FTK,

[ocean jams], and Estimate during an artist reception Fri, Aug. 4, 5-9 pm. Open daily from 10 am-6 pm through Aug. 28. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. (509-414-3226)

CAMPBELL HOUSE 125TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR SERIES Explore the 1898 mansion and its historic neighborhood. Sat from 11 am-noon through Sep. 23. $8-$10. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)

POTS & PLANTS: FLOWERPOT DECORATION Choose from a variety of supplies and embellishments to make a flowerpot. Registration required. Aug. 5, 10 am-noon. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org

TEA POTS (THAT MIGHT HOLD WATER) WITH COLLISTA KREBS Students construct a teapot from clay. Ages 12+. Aug. 5, 10 am-1 pm. $76. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)

FIGURE/LIFE DRAWING WITH TIM BOVEY Participants draw from a nude model. Ages 18+. Aug. 6, 12-3 pm. $56. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net

THE GREAT NORTHWEST WOOD SHOW & SALE An exhibition and retail show featuring works made out of wood by established and emerging artists. Aug. 6-Sept. 24, Thu-Sun from 10 am-6 pm. Free. Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way. artisanbarn.org

THE HIVE OPEN STUDIO Stop by to see what Artists-In-Residence are up to and tour the building. Wed from 4-7 pm through Dec. 31. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org

WORDS

SUE GOETZ: SENSIBILITY, A GARDEN FOR THE SENSES Poet Sue Goetz discusses how to garden while using all five sense to build a connection with the natural world. Aug. 3, 4-6 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. tieg.org (509-535-8434)

3 MINUTE MIC A poetry open mic where readers may share up to three minutes. All ages. First Fridays of every month, 7-8:30. Free. Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com

MICHAEL B. KOEP: GIGMENTIA Readings, signing and a Q&A with the author. Aug. 8, 6:30 pm. $20. Iron Horse (CDA), 407 E. Sherman Ave. michaelbkoep.com

BROKEN MIC Spokane Poetry Slam’s weekly open mic series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. Free. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First. bit.ly/2ZAbugD POETRY AFTER DARK EWU MFA students lead discussions about craft elements, style and form in poetry. Second and Fourth Wednesdays, 7-8 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

SEANAN MCGUIRE IN CONVERSATION WITH TRAVIS BALDREE Local author Travis Baldree chats with Seanan McGuire about her latest release, Be Sure. Masks are required to attend. Aug. 11, 7 pm. Free. Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com

FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED: DESIGNING AMERICA Historian Laurence Cotton presents on the life and career of the famous landscape architect. Aug. 12, 2-3:30 pm. Donations accepted. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) n

15. Eke ____ living

34. Beatty and Rorem

35. Essay, say ... or a good clue for 71-Across

39. Frozen waffles since the 1950s

41. “Am ____ brother’s keeper?”

42. “Straight Outta Compton” actor ____ Jackson Jr.

43. Common stir-fry ingredient ... or a good clue for 71-Across

46. Thin batteries

47. It’s hot

48. Akhenaten’s kid

50. Wander (about)

51. Hernando’s “Huh?”

54. Scot’s “no”

55. Earns a dog treat, say

58. Italian cheese city

60. Implore

63. Fish tank buildup

64. Pattern recorded by an EEG ... or a good clue for 71-Across

66. Portraitist with a Baltimore museum named after him

67. Lena of “Chocolat”

68. Judicial order

69. German steel city

70. Noah of “ER”

71. Want this puzzle’s theme explained to you? Never mind ... you get the ____

DOWN

1. Possible diagnosis from a child psychologist, for short

2. Unoccupied

3. Genuine

4. Uneven?

5. Labors over

6. Persians, e.g.

7. Anesthetic since the 1840s

8. Chicken ____ (Japanese dish)

9. Country great McEntire

10. Hydrocarbon suffixes

11. Buster Keaton trademark

12. Two-time French prime minister Georges

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13. Out of style

18. They’re born before Virgos

23. “Sound of da Police” rapper

25. Caribou’s cousin

27. Spoiler of a perfect report card

28. Squashes, e.g.

29. “Blue Dancers” painter

30. Hum from a fan

32. NYSE debut

33. Facial expression

36. “if u ask me”

37. Stooge chuckle

38. The right direction?

40. 1040 fig.

44. “Stat!”

45. Source of cassiterite

49. Tandoor-baked bread

50. Flip

52. Violin stroke

53. Ahead of time

56. Lupita Nyong’o’s alma mater

57. Spotted

59. Amtrak track

60. Poet

61. Wilcox daughter in “Howards End”

62. “____ move on!”

65. Conflict that ended at 11:00 on 11/11

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