They’re by our sides through all the milestones of life — the good and the bad — offering their unwavering companionship, loyalty and love. Pets remind us to pause and savor the little things: a fleeting sunbeam on the floor, an elusive bug in the grass, a cool splash in the water or a good long sniff of the fresh clean air. They make us laugh often. Sometimes, though, they make us cry because all we wish is for them to be by our sides forever. Pets let us feel what it means to love and be loved unconditionally so deep down in our hearts it can ache.
Great progress comes from using energy smarter. Small upgrades at home— like improved insulation, efficient windows or better appliances—help lower costs and reduce waste. Avista offers rebates to make saving energy easier than ever Learn more at myavista.com/getrebates
I’ve been lucky enough to love and be loved by several very special pets in my time on this earth so far. The brightest light of my life for the past nine years is Dellie, who I consider my “soul cat” — a being so deeply imprinted onto my heart it’s impossible to describe. While I’m not much of a spiritual person, it feels undeniable that the universe’s hand very intentionally brought us together all those years ago. I can only hope that Dellie and I share as many days together as possible in this lifetime, before we’re eventually reunited in some eternal dimension.
— CHEY SCOTT, Editor
Opening night of national debut tour
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IT’S OUR PET ISSUE THIS WEEK, SO: CATS OR DOGS?
KERRY WHITSITT Dogs.
Why dogs?
Well, I grew up having dogs. I don’t have a dog now. The last pet I had was a cat, and I loved her, but I just love [dogs’] loyalty.
ESTHER WAY Dogs.
Why?
I grew up with a lot of dogs, and they’re just more energetic. I don’t know, I like them. They’re nice to hang out with, you can go out and be more active with them than most cats.
CINDY HEDIN Cats.
How come? Independent. Cuddly. The purr.
HANS TAMMINGA Cats.
Why?
They don’t care if you don’t like them and vice versa.
MATTHEW ROSSEY Dogs.
How come? They’re more loyal.
Do you have any dogs? I do. I have two dogs, Belle and Ruby.
07/31/25, ROCKWOOD BAKERY INTERVIEWS BY BEE REISWIG
524 W Main Ave, Downtown Spokane thepurgatory.com Sun-Thu 12pm-11pm Fri-Sat 12pm - 12:30am
– Tanisha Townsend, Cameron’s mom
Generous donations provided lifesaving equipment for baby Cameron, born 14 weeks early and weighing only 1 pound and 6 ounces. The Giraffe Omnibed helped him grow stronger until his mom could hold him for the first time.
“ It was the best feeling in the world to hold and touch my baby. Those who donated to make that technology available are absolute heroes.”
Help patients like baby Cameron: https://foundation.providence.org/wa/eastern
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Sustainable Flight with a Local Twist
Washington state and the federal government are in alignment on the development and adoption of an alternative to jet fuel
BY ANDY BILLIG
You fly across the country to visit your grandma. The owner of a small manufacturing business in Spokane flies to Europe to finalize a large contract. Vital medical supplies are flown to the site of a disease outbreak.
All of the above and an almost endless number of other examples are made possible by commercial passenger and cargo flights and the jet fuel that powers those flights. Almost all of that fuel today is fossil-based jet fuel.
All that fossil-based jet fuel means that aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions today and, if no action is taken, that number is projected to increase to over 20% of global CO2 emissions by 2050 as the aviation industry continues to grow and other sectors decarbonize.
Aviation is one of the hardest industries to decarbonize. The electric power grid now has a variety of decarbonization options with wind, solar, hydro and nuclear. Road transportation has a credible path to decarbonization with electric vehicles. Buildings have energy efficiency solutions, geothermal heating and clean electricity. Today, aviation only has Sustainable Aviation Fuel or “SAF.”
There are some exciting developments happening with hydrogen and electricpowered aircraft for small planes (and some of that development is happening in Washington state), but both electric and hydrogen power are impractical for commercial jet planes as potential new fuel replacements because it would require entirely new fuel delivery systems and airport infrastructure, as well as new or retrofitted aircraft.
SAF is an aviation jet fuel made from a variety of feedstocks, including waste cooking oils, renewable natural gas made from the biogas released from landfills and dairy manure digesters; it can even be made from CO2 and green hydrogen.
A big benefit for SAF that makes it ideal for quick airline industry adoption is the fact that SAF is a “drop-in” fuel, which is certified for use across the world. It can safely be used in today’s airplanes and flow seamlessly through the current jet fuel infrastructure to any airport in the country.
But how safe is it? That’s a question I always get when someone learns about SAF for the first time. Safety is at the forefront of any new innovation related to aviation, and SAF has already been proven many times over to meet the very strict jet fuel certification standards and to be safe for commercial use. In fact, if you have flown out of Los Angeles, San Francisco or many other airports in the past few years, you’ve probably flown
The aviation industry has a goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050; adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the only way that will happen. ADOBE STOCK PHOTO
on a plane that was at least partially fueled by certified SAF. In addition to SAF’s ability to significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to regular jet fuel, it also provides local airport air quality benefits because it produces reduced particulate matter when used in a jet engine, which is good news for communities near airports and airport workers.
SAF has enjoyed bipartisan support at both the state and federal levels. A major SAF bill in the Washington State Legislature in 2023 was passed nearly unanimously. And, in the recently passed federal tax bill, SAF had strong bipartisan support and was one of the only Inflation Reduction Act incentives to be extended all the way to 2029.
This bipartisan support stems from a number of benefits, including job creation, energy independence and rural economic development, all while providing significant environmental advantages — carbon reduction and air quality improvement. These diverse benefits create enthusiasm for SAF across the political and geographic spectrum.
SAF is particularly important to Washington state because we are a leader in the development of this still very young industry with a number of organizations doing exciting things in our state already. Not only are we the leading aerospace state generally, but we also have specific SAF-focused organizations, including Boeing, which has been a leader in SAF development since 2006, and Washington State University, which is the leading research institution in the country for sustainable aviation fuel.
“…it produces reduced particulate matter when used in a jet engine…”
Washington aviation leaders — including Spokane International Airport — created the first-ever SAF regional assessment in 2010. And the first test flight ever with SAF, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 flight from London to New York in 2008, was powered by SAF produced in Washington state! That leadership continues today with supportive state SAF-related policies in Washington and with at least two SAF production plants under development in our state. (For the sake of transparency, I want to disclose that I am a consultant with a company that is working to develop one of these plants.)
But the industry has a way to go before reaching a stable cruising altitude with SAF. Less than 1% of aviation fuel consumed globally is currently SAF, which means we need to make significant progress to achieve the industry’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
One of the biggest challenges to further SAF production and use is the current cost of SAF compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuel. Like many new technologies and products, costs are always higher at the start because of large initial capital investments. To combat the cost challenge, there are some state and federal subsidies for SAF to help the industry get off the ground. Like many new energy-related industries, government support is necessary. This was true for hydro, solar, wind and even for oil.
While the SAF industry is still in its early stages, there are no viable alternatives to make flying significantly cleaner and greener over the next 20 to 30 years. This is a “must have” if we want to continue to enjoy the benefits of flying in the long term. Without wider SAF adoption, the airline industry and everyone who relies on commercial aviation could find themselves with a critical challenge, as the environmental cost of flying becomes greater and greater.
With Washington in the lead, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, when you fly to see grandma or take a trip for business or receive that next internet-purchased item that arrived by air, that flight will be powered by SAF, potentially even produced here in our home state. n
Andy Billig represented the 3rd District, covering much of Spokane, in the Washington Legislature starting in 2011 as a state representative. He became a state senator in 2013 and Senate majority leader in 2018; he did not run for reelection in 2024. Billig is the CEO of Brett Sports. You can reach him at andy@andybillig.com.
ELECTION 2025
RECREATION REHABILITATION
Spokane Parks and Schools focus on citywide recreation opportunities in Together Spokane tax proposal
BY COLTON RASANEN
“We want every member of our community to be active every day, whether that’s in trails, in parks or youth sports and adult rec,” Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Adam Swinyard says. “As a community, we need to be off of our screens, out of our homes together, doing something in real life. We know that that is critical for a healthy, thriving community.”
It’s an ambitious goal, but with the right infrastructure in place Swinyard says it’s something achievable.
After nearly two years of collaborative planning between Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks & Recreation, that infrastructure is in sight. In November, city voters will find two initiatives on the ballot pertaining to a package of citywide projects called Together Spokane.
If both pieces — including a 20-year $240 million levy from Spokane Parks & Recreation and a 20-year $200 million bond from Spokane Public Schools — are passed in November, the city will begin to roll out 200 projects over the next two decades. Some of the recreation-focused projects include the opening of a year-round indoor aquatic center, updates and renovations to most of the city’s sports
courts, and increased accessibility and innovative design at nearly every city playground.
To learn more about Together Spokane visit togetherspokane.org.
POOL ACCESS
When Ava Swigart moved to Spokane with her family for her sophomore year of high school, she was faced with the harsh reality of Spokane’s nonexistent swimming community. As someone who grew up in California’s Bay Area and learned to swim as a toddler, Swigart says it surprised her to find out Lewis & Clark High School (and every other high school in the district) didn’t have a swim team.
Instead of succumbing to a swimless school year, Swigart and three other students at Lewis & Clark, decided
to co-op with the Cheney High School swim team. Every day after school in the fall, the four swimmers had to drive themselves 30 minutes southwest to the Eastern Washington University Aquatic Center. There, Swigart and her classmates swam under coach Jennifer Hochwalk.
“There were just four of us, but it was the first Spokane swim team since the 1970s which is incredible,” Swigart says. “So we then went from four swimmers to around 14, including two divers. It’s crazy, because in two years, we went from people not even knowing that swimming really was a sport to Lewis and Clark High School being the Greater Spokane League champions. Every single person made it to districts this year.”
On top of the long daily drive to Cheney for practice, Swigart says the EWU facilities aren’t big enough or ventilated properly for a large group of swimmers and divers.
“Swimming is super fun and the highlight of my high school career, but… it’s a small pool” Swigart says. “It’s just so hard to breathe there.”
However, if voters pass the Together Spokane ballot
The unused swimming pool inside the Johnson Sports Center at Spokane Community College could be renovated for Spokane Public School students if Together Spokane passes in November. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS
Ava Swigart
measures in November, swimmers like Swigart will be able to recreate closer to home after a closed-down indoor aquatic center at Spokane Community College is renovated and reopened. While the K-12 school district plans to use the facility, the pool will continue to be owned by SCC, and Parks and Recreation will step in to operate it.
“I think it would make swimming a lot easier in Spokane. It’s a six-lane pool much, much closer. Plus, it’s in a pretty central location, which would allow all the high schools in the Greater Spokane League to have their own swim teams for women in the fall and then men in the winter,” Swigart says. “If we’re fostering a culture of swimming early, I imagine Spokane could be such a swimming powerhouse, and we don’t even know it yet.”
While Swigart, who graduates in 2026 and has already committed to swim at the University of Nevada in Reno, won’t benefit from that pool opening, she says she’s excited for high school swim teams to see a major resurgence in the Inland Northwest.
In addition to bolstering swim teams in Spokane, renovating the aquatic center will allow all second graders in the school district to get in-school swim lessons. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in second grade.
“It’s a great example of how we can solve complex challenges together, because no family in our community should lose their child to drowning. None of us should ever accept that reality,” Swinyard says. “By working together, we can leverage the facility programming, and provide an in-day school experience where our second grade students get to have a swim lesson experience. Every kid in our community should know how to swim.”
Swinyard, who became interested in an education career after he was hired to lifeguard and teach swim lessons at the Deer Park City Kids Pool in high school, says opening the year-round pool will create more opportunities for kids who want to follow the same path.
PLAYGROUNDS AND SPORT COURTS
When Spokane Parks & Recreation gathered community input for its 2022 Parks and Natural Lands Master Plan, one of respondents’ top priorities was for the department to improve the city’s parks by updating their existing features. Around the same time, staff with Parks & Recreation conducted a detailed condition rating of all the park play structures in the city, Park Planning Manager Nicholas
Annual
Hamad says. Each playground was rated on a scale of one to five, one being a brand new, fully functional playground, and five being a playground that isn’t functional or safe at all.
“What we found out pretty quickly is that they need a lot of work in most cases. Every single one of them will get physical improvement,” Hamad says. “So what we came up with is 32 of those 54 playgrounds need to be completely renovated and replaced to be able to restore good service to the community, and whatever’s left is going to get better maintenance, better care, better repair than it has now. So they’ll get sort of minor renovations to keep them going and keep them in good shape.”
...continued on page 12
Crafts SANDPOINT
Legal Rights
Spokane creates resource cards for immigrants. Plus, SRHD expands opioid treatment hours, and Idaho braces for budget cuts after tax relief measures
BY INLANDER STAFF
On Aug. 1, the city of Spokane launched a “Know Your Rights” webpage for the local immigrant and refugee communities. It includes critical information about the constitutional rights and protections for all people in the United States, information about local agencies dedicated to serving immigrants and refugees like Nuestras Raíces, Mujeres in Action, Manzanita House and Thrive International, among others. The new webpage also includes a link to printable “red cards” in 19 languages, including specific information about constitutional rights on one side and a script to read if approached by ICE or other law enforcement on the other side. “Our city is stronger because of the diversity of people who call Spokane home,” Mayor Lisa Brown stated about the new resource. “This new website is just one way we are working to ensure that everyone, no matter where they come from, has access to the support they need to feel safe.” To view the site, visit: my.spokanecity.org/civilrights/immigrant-andrefugee-affairs. (MADISON PEARSON)
TIME FOR TREATMENT
The Spokane Regional Health District decided to extend the hours of operation of its Treatment Services Clinic. Starting Aug. 4, the county’s opioid treatment clinic is open from 5:15 am to 1:15 pm (it previously ran until 11:45 am), a change requested by the Board of Health in June, based on community and client feedback. The clinic is part of SRHD’s state and federally accredited Opioid Treatment Program, which provides medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder alongside other medical care like counseling for individuals seeking recovery. The previous hours were intended to allow the community to receive treatment in the early morning before going to work or taking children to school and day care. “Now, by expanding our dosing hours into the early afternoon, we are able to increase access during the lunch hour,” SRHD public information officer Kelli Hawkins says via email. Once enrolled, clients work with staff to develop personalized plans for recovery. Methadone and buprenorphine are medications used to assist patients with withdrawal symptoms. This fall, the hours will be expanded into the early evening to further increase access. (DORA SCOTT)
PREPARING FOR CUTS
In May, Idaho’s Division of Financial Management administrator, Lori Wolff, notified all state agencies that tax revenue was millions of dollars below the state’s original projections. “The Legislature approved, and the Governor signed over $450 million in tax relief during this past Legislative session. While we are confident this historic tax relief will help with out-year economic growth, it does result in less revenue than originally projected for FY 2027,” she wrote. In her message, Wolff instructed Idaho agencies to plan for up to a 6% cut in state funds for future budgets. In the Kellogg School District in Shoshone County, where a 6% cut to state funding would mean the loss of more than $550,000 in fiscal 2026, the Shoshone News-Press reports that school board members are now considering adding a 6% buffer to the levy they plan to put before voters in November. A decision has yet to be made, but to appear on the November ballot, the News-Press reports that school board members would need to approve the levy at their Aug. 12 meeting. (COLTON RASANEN) n
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The goal of the project, Hamad says, is that no matter what neighborhood someone in Spokane lives in, they’ll have easy access to a park within 10 minutes of their home. And since the core users of parks are families, it’s important to make sure they have safe and functioning play structures for their children.
“The development of those children is heavily reliant on the ability to play, to interact with each other, to be physically active, to run around, to slide, to spin, to swing, to be able to learn their bodies and to use their bodies to learn the social world with their peers,” he says. “I think we all have our own reasons for why we want to be in a park, and a playground is a big part for kiddos.”
In 2023, Spokane Parks & Recreation finished building a new playground, bathroom and disc golf course at Liberty Park. Since then, officials have seen the park’s environment completely transformed.
“It feels so much more comfortable now,” Hamad says, “We don’t have the same kind of tagging and activity that we had. And so we really think the investment in these amenities is greater than just the playing itself, too.”
There is not a timeline associated with the playground renovations, but Hamad says each of the city’s park districts — northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest — will see some work each year if voters see fit.
In addition to making sure kids have adequate places to play, the Parks department will also update its stock of subpar sports courts. In total, 14 existing tennis/pickleball courts throughout the city, including in AM Cannon Park and Manito Park, will be replaced and up to five existing baseball and softball fields will be renovated with an artificial infield and new lighting.
“We’re focusing on racket sport courts because it’s a
community priority. You know, we listened to what the community wanted, and are responding to that,” Hamad says. “We only have five sports courts in the city that are in good shape, so we have a lot of frustration.
“I mean, a lot were built between the ’60s and the ’80s, and they’re only really intended to last about 20 years or so,” Hamad continues. “The asphalt and the pavement bases are in such bad condition that they’re just not fixable without being completely replaced.”
Additionally, if the tax proposal passes, the U.S. Tennis Association will build an indoor tennis center on top of the outdoor racket courts at Shadle Park High School.
Together Spokane would also fund new recreational amenities, including a pump track for BMX riders and a
disc golf course, like the one built at Liberty Park.
“My whole focus all day, every day, is the experience for our kids and ensuring that it’s not only a welcoming and safe experience, but that they have awesome places to play, and that’s all the way from elementary through our high school varsity,” says Stephanie Splater, Spokane Public School’s director of athletics and after-school programs. “From that standpoint, this could not be a more exciting time for the city’s recreation.”
ACCESSIBLE REC
Integrated in each Together Spokane project is a focus on increasing accessibility for neurodivergent and disabled people hoping to use these recreational facilities.
The Underhill Park racket courts before and after recent renovations. If Together Spokane is approved, 14 of these sport courts will be replaced across the city.
PHOTOS COURTESY SPOKANE PARKS & RECREATION
For example, the indoor aquatic center will make it easier for the Parks department to run its four-week Sensory Friendly Swimming Program that began in 2024. These are times where the pool is quieter and only open to about 50 swimmers (typically the city’s pools have a capacity around 400) so those with autism or other sensory issues can swim in a place they feel safe. Plus, since the aquatic center will be open all year, this program won’t be relegated only to the summer.
Alice Busch, who runs the program locally and has worked for the Parks department for more than four decades, says she’s seen firsthand the benefits that this kind of program provides.
“Just within the three weeks we’ve done so far this summer, and we had one kiddo that just walked around the pool during the first week. Week No. 2, at the very end of the session, he put his feet in, and last week he actually got in the water,” Busch says. “It was so awesome to watch such a fast progression, and he was happy and smiling, and his parents were overjoyed, and his sibling was excited for her brother to get in the water. I just think having another area where we could potentially [host this] program would really meet the needs of our community.”
For the playgrounds, Hamad says much of the accessibility work will be focused in two areas. The first focus will be to ensure that everybody can get to the playground, by adding sidewalks leading to them. With many of these structures currently floating in the middle of a grassy lawn, it’s nearly impossible for someone using a mobility aid or a wheelchair to easily get there.
“The other component is there’s been a lot of development in playground design over the years to provide play amenities and features that accommodate kids with, let’s say, sensory impairments or mobility impairments, so that they have a good quality play experience regardless of their physical condition,” Hamad explains. “So for example, if you know you have an autistic child and they are easily overstimulated, we want to provide a cozy space within that playground where they can go and feel safe and comfortable and have a good play experience.” n coltonr@inlander.com
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AUGUST
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Jazzing Things Up
Funded by a prestigious national grant, Rachel Bade-McMurphy has assembled a who’s who
of the regional jazz scene for her Glass Bead Orchestra
BY E.J. IANNELLI
Wherever jazz is happening in Spokane, it’s not unreasonable to assume that Rachel Bade-McMurphy is nearby. Even if she’s not performing outright, the saxophonist and jazz advocate is likely to be found among the audience or in some behindthe-scenes capacity like mentoring or organizing.
Much of that ubiquity stems from her role in Imagine Jazz, the nonprofit she founded in 2018 and named after her band at the time, the Imagine Collective. Over the past seven years, the organization has brought some of contemporary jazz’s top talent and rising stars to Spokane — among them Jahari Stampley, Darryl Yokley, Jeremy Pelt and Willie Jones III to name only a tiny handful — to host workshops and jam.
Recently, Bade-McMurphy announced a new project, the Glass Bead Orchestra, which could almost be seen as a consummation of all the talents she usually channels in the service of Imagine Jazz — from the administrative (planning, grant writing) to the artistic (composing, playing, singing, bandleading).
Named for the 1973 Clifford Jordan album Glass Bead Games, which itself was named after Hermann Hesse’s
1943 novel about a complex academic game synthesizing the entirety of the arts and sciences, the group is designed to be more than just a live concert and workshop opportunity for area musicians. It’s also a vehicle for original work, a platform for future collaboration and a testament to female leadership in jazz.
“I’ve always wanted to do some orchestration with larger ensembles,” Bade-McMurphy says. “Throughout my musicianship and composition, most of what I do is a quartet [or] quintet setting, and I’ve always wanted to write with more colors.”
With that goal in mind, she applied last year — successfully, as it turned out — for a highly competitive Chamber Music America Performance Plus grant that allowed for ensembles up to 10. That number of musicians would give her the chance to compose for instruments beyond the conventional quartet makeup of horns, drums, upright bass and piano. It could even morph over time to offer an evolving compositional palette.
For the current incarnation of the Glass Bead Orchestra, the lineup is Jared Hall (trumpet), Cameron LaPlante (saxophone), Matt Peterson (trombone), Tim Gales
(cello), Tana Bachman-Bland (violin), Daniel Pinilla (guitar), Kate Skinner (piano) and Josh Skinner (bass) along with Bade-McMurphy herself on vocals and sax as well as her husband, Brendan McMurphy, on drums.
“The reason we call it an orchestra is because we do have strings involved,“ she says. “And so with the addition of the strings, I feel like it makes possible a lot more of my roots, which is classical training.”
Thanks to the $20,000 CMA grant plus funding from a 2024 Artist Trust GAP, Bade-McMurphy’s Glass Bead Orchestra will make its first fullfledged outing on Aug. 10 in The Listening Room at Hamilton Studio. The recorded live concert will build on the group’s smaller-scale debut last November at Spokane Falls Community College, where they premiered three songs: “Lonely Muse,” “Dim Reminder” and “Responsibility,” the latter being the first movement of a larger suite.
In some aspects, the music draws on free jazz, which is the genre’s more rarefied and abstract strain. But that relationship has more to do with technique than the music itself. Bade-McMurphy cites the free jazz musician Butch
The Glass Bead Orchestra performed at SFCC last fall; next they’re recording a live concert album at Hamilton Studio. ALICIA HAUFF PHOTOS
Morris and the improvisational method that he developed called conduction.
“What’s interesting about Butch’s work is he codified an entire list of hand signals. What he found is that, as a conductor, he wanted to be able to do more than just what was solidly written on the page,” she says. “And so he made all these hand signals so that he could basically at will call upon the orchestra to follow his signal into wherever he wished to go.”
The conduction method ends up introducing an improvisational element into conducting because the bandleader ends up changing their direction in response to the other musicians.
“You don’t get to control fully what happens,” Bade-McMurphy says, “so you are responding in real time to what you’re hearing.”
The resulting music, at least in the case of the Glass Bead Orchestra, tends to be a little more grounded than what many listeners might associate with free jazz. Bade-McMurphy herself variously describes it as “post-bop and modern jazz” and “impressionistic cross-genre-fusion,” but the sultry swing of a vocal jazz tune like their original “The Lonely Muse” wouldn’t be out of place in an Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan collection.
Following the concert at Hamilton Studio, that music will be put to tape as part of a recording session at Washington State
University. The forthcoming Glass Bead Orchestra album from that will mark Bade-McMurphy’s third LP of original songs.
Another provision of the CMA grant is that she gets to work closely with a mentor of her choosing, namely, Ryan Keberle, a globe-hopping trombonist who’s performed with artists ranging from David Bowie to the Maria Schneider Orchestra. Now based in New York, Keberle originally hails from Spokane, where his father, Dan, was a longtime director of the jazz program at Whitworth University.
Although Bade-McMurphy has the academic qualifications to match her gigging experience, she welcomed the opportunity to work with him.
“When I’ve explained this grant to people, the first thing on their face is, ‘Why would you need to rehearse and be taught?’ Of course I want help to take my ideas and figure out how to express them properly and to develop them,” she says.
“I’m a person who’s always been interested in hundreds of things at a time. And so, yeah, I really do consider myself very much in the learning stage. And I think I always will. If I ever stop caring to learn and grow, I think that that would be the end.” n
Rachel Bade-McMurphy’s Glass Bead Orchestra • Sun, Aug. 10 at 6 pm • $16-$45 • The Listening Room at Hamilton Studio • 1427 W. Dean Ave. • imaginejazz.org • 509-327-9501
Rachel Bade-McMurphy sings and plays saxaphone with the orchestra.
NOW FEATURING LOCAL SOUNDS!
We’ve partnered with Spokane Public Library’s Lilac City Records studio to bring you curated playlists featuring only local musicians while you shop and explore.
NEW INDOOR OFFERINGS:
Check out our expanded indoor space with:
• Espresso Bar by The Blissful Whisk
• Boba Bar by Teas Co.
*Don’t miss fun new Wednesday menu items from the kitchen!*
THE MARKET TABLE BY FOUR ROOTS:
Enjoy delicious weekly treats crafted from gleaned leftovers—helping reduce food waste while feeding the community.
FRESH FLAVORS WEEKLY:
Catch new cooking demos and rotating hot food vendors every week!
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CARTOON COMEBACK CAVALCADE
Upon the return of King of the Hill, here are more Fox animated series that deserve another shot
BY BILL FROST
After 16 years away, the beloved 1997-2009 Fox animated series King of the Hill has returned, in streaming form, on Hulu. The recent comeback of show creator Mike Judge’s other classic cartoon, Beavis and Butt-Head, was a minor hit for Paramount+, so why not? (Note to Mike: Do not attempt a remake of Idiocracy — you can’t top our current reality.) There are plenty more former Fox and Fox-adjacent animated series worth reviving; here are but a few.
AXE COP
(2013-2015; PRIME, YOUTUBE)
Comic book writer/artist Ethan Nicolle took the out-there ideas of his 5-year-old brother Malachai and turned them into cartoon gold with Axe Cop (catchphrase: “I’ll chop your head off!”). In the eventual Fox/FXX TV series, Axe Cop was brought to hilarious life with the voice of Nick Offerman, who delivers both unhinged murderous gusto and childlike whimsy over 22 11-minute episodes. Fox should cancel the craptacular Krapopolis and reinstate Axe Cop ASAP.
BORDERTOWN (2016; HULU)
MAJOR LAZER
(2015; PRIME, FANDANGO AT HOME)
Speaking of drugs, Major Lazer was designed with altered states in mind. The single-season series is based on DJ/producer Diplo’s EDM collective of the same name, animated in the style of ’80s G.I. Joe cartoons, and headlined by Jamaican superhero Major Lazer (voiced by Adewale AkinnuoyeAgbaje of Oz and Lost). Each 10-minute episode features slam-bang action and killer music, as well as guest voices like Charli XCX (nine whole years before Brat Summer).
LITTLE DEMON
(2022; PRIME, YOUTUBE)
The TV morality police really, really, really hated Little Demon, which inadvertently amplified the show more than FXX ever did. The series stars Danny DeVito as the voice of Satan, Lucy DeVito (the IRL daughter of Danny and Rhea Perlman) as the teen Antichrist, and Aubrey Plaza as her human mom and regretful one-night Belzeebub stand. Despite the demonic overtones and frequent gore, Little Demon is a sweet-ish family story that deserves another season.
DICKTOWN
(2020-2022; HULU)
It’s not officially canceled, but Dicktown hasn’t dropped a new episode since 2022, so it’s ripe for a comeback. John Hunchman (voiced by John Hodgman) is an ex-child actor who starred in an Encyclopedia Brown-esque TV show, but now he solves local crimes as an adult in his hometown of Richardsville (aka “Dicktown”). Even sadder, his detective partner is his former childhood bully (David Rees, Hodgman’s co-writer). Think of Dicktown as the cartoon flipside of Poker Face.
LUCAS BROS. MOVING CO. (2013-2015;
PRIME, YOUTUBE)
It didn’t get a fair shake during its original Fox run, but we need Bordertown now more than ever in these ICE-y times. The co-creation of cartoonist Lalo Alcarez (La Cucuracha) and writer Mark Hentemann (Family Guy) follows Mexifornia border patrol officer Bud (voiced by Hank Azaria) and his next-door frenemy Ernesto (Nicholas Gonzalez) as they navigate an increasingly brown America. Fox & Friends would hate Bordertown — which is all the more reason to bring it back.
HIGH SCHOOL USA!
(2013-2015; PRIME, YOUTUBE)
Writer Dino Stamatopoulos was already a fringe hero thanks to his work on Mr. Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and the darkest Adult Swim series of all time, Moral Orel, but his short-lived High School USA! pushed the taste limits of Fox and FXX. On the surface, it’s Archie Comics with the sex, drugs, and more sex quotient cranked to overdrive, but underneath … yeah, it’s just horndog Archie + Betty + Veronica fan fiction. For discerning sickos only.
The stoner-core comedy of twins Keith and Kenny Lucas usually only works in small doses (or tokes) in live-action fare, but their semi-autobiographical Lucas Bros. Moving Co. animated series may be their ultimate vehicle. The pair summarizes their show as “Bill & Ted plus Workaholics plus The Wire,” but the lackadaisical pacing has more in common with another of their influences, The Life & Times of Tim (if you know, you know).
THE GREAT NORTH (2021-2025; HULU)
Like Dicktown and Little Demon, Fox Animation Domination staple The Great North hasn’t been technically canceled, but it’s nowhere to be found on the network’s upcoming 2025-2026 schedule — almost always a sign to expect the worst. The series wasn’t worth such concern at first, when it came across as just a Bob’s Burgers in Alaska knockoff, but The Great North has since evolved into a quirky series equal to its cartoon cousin. Again, take Krapopolous first, Fox. n
Nick Offerman voices Axe Cop.
THE BUZZ BIN
TOUCH ’EM ALL, RYNO
Spokane lost a local sports hero last week when Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg died at age 65. The Spokane native was a superstar athlete at North Central High School, where he not only excelled on the diamond (now named Ryne Sandberg Field), but also on the gridiron, where he was a high school All-American quarterback. Choosing baseball professionally, he became one of the most beloved stars in the Chicago Cubs’ storied history. Sandberg was a true five-tool player who won the 1984 National League MVP, made 10 straight All-Star Games from 1984-1993, took home nine straight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess (1983-1991), and won seven Silver Slugger Awards, including for the 1990 season when he led the NL in home runs. While he may be gone, his legend will live on in Spokane.
(SETH SOMMERFELD)
THE SAGA CONTINUES
Spokane Arts has just awarded $60,250 in round two of the Grants to eight local creatives’ projects. Grant winners are as follows:
h Olivia Babinski’s Comedy for Kids workshop at the Blue Door Theatre (Aug. 4-8, 2025)
h Spokane is Reading featuring Tananarive Due (Oct. 23, 2025)
h KSPS PBS Inland Sessions Season 6 (2025-26)
h Sn̓kʷan̓ɬqtn̓ Community Garden’s native plant mural by Emma Noyes (Installation date TBD)
h Kate Reed’s WONDER KILLER community art project (2026)
h BoomJam music and arts festival (Sept. 20, 2025)
h Spokane Civic Theatre’s Summer at the Civic program (Summer 2025)
h The Unseen Ocean Collective’s monthlong exhibition (April 2026)
This round of grants pushes SAGA past the $1 million mark for total funding provided since the program launched in 2017. The next round of SAGA applications are due Oct. 1 and will provide grants of up to $10,000 for local creative projects. (MADISON PEARSON)
THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST
Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on Aug. 8.
RISE AGAINST, RICOCHET
The veteran Chicago punk band rocks out with this new anthemic collection of songs about the inescapable interconnectivity between all people.
BRET MCKENZIE, FREAK OUT CITY
The Oscar-winning Flight of the Conchords singer returns with a solo album that mixes less outwardly comedic alternative pop with doses of mirth a la Randy Newman or Harry Nilsson.
MAROON 5, LOVE IS LIKE
“Pretty cool that whenever you see the color maroon now, you immediately think of KILLER f—ing rock ’n’ roll.” — comedian Rob Delaney (SETH SOMMERFELD)
JEFFERSON STARSHIP
RUNAWAY AGAIN WORLD TOUR AUG. 5 ANDY GRAMMER MONSTER TOUR AUG. 2
CHRIS YOUNG AUG. 9
SHAKEY GRAVES & TRAMPLED BY TURTLES
AUG. 14
POP 2K TOUR
AUG. 22
TRACY BYRD AUG. 29
SCAN TO BUY TICKETS.
All Hail the King
Selkirk the cat made waves at Spokane Pride — now he’s an internet star
BY MADISON PEARSON
Top: Owners Brian Trafford and Joanna Balin adopted their adventurous feline Selkirk — pictured here on an excursion at Cannon Hill Park — from the Spokane Humane Society. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
As pet owners, we all believe our pets are the absolute best. Joanna Balin and Brian Trafford, of course, think their cat Selkirk is as incredible as they come.
Selkirk is adorable, orange and feisty, and goes everywhere with the couple. And I mean everywhere
The couple knew they wanted an “adventure cat,” a fearless feline who would tolerate a harness and also indulge in their shared love of the outdoors.
“When we went looking for another cat to add to the family, we knew we wanted a rescue so we went to Bark,” Balin says. “There was one kitten there who was in the upper cages. He apparently had to be put up there because he was being ‘too much’ for the other cats.”
They took Selkirk out of his cage at Bark: A Rescue Pub, and it was love at first cuddle as he nuzzled into Trafford’s neck. They adopted him that day and gave him the name Selkirk, an homage to the mountain range that starts in Canada, where Trafford is from, and stretches into Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
On Selkirk’s Instagram (@selkirkthecat) and TikTok (@ selkirk.the.cat) accounts, he can be seen enjoying canoes, bike rides, paddleboards and even airplanes all while looking perfectly content and eager to explore the world around him.
Earlier this year, Selkirk found himself in another new setting, aboard a Spokane Fire Department truck during the Spokane Pride Parade. That’s when Balin and Trafford got confirmation that the entire community thinks their cat is the best cat in the world, too.
In a now-viral video posted on TikTok, Trafford can be seen holding Selkirk out the window of the truck, Simba-style, as Spokane Pride attendees scream, jump and yell for the little orange cat. Parade-goers in the street are seen smiling from ear-to-ear while waving Pride flags as Selkirk greets his new fans.
“I don’t think I’ve ever smiled or laughed that hard,” Trafford says. “I was so flabbergasted and blown away. It was like a K-pop or Backstreet boys concert or something with everyone screaming and losing their minds for our cat.”
Despite the crowd’s positive reaction to Selkirk’s appearance at Pride, the couple later received criticism from the fire department, yet were invited to participate in other regional Pride events this summer in Seattle, Portland and Missoula.
“It was a really heavy week that week,” Trafford says. “People needed a positive light to cling on to, and Selkirk was that.”
SSELKIRK THE CAT
Instagram: @selkirkthecat
TikTok: @selkirk.the.cat
ince his moment in the spotlight, netizens have also fallen head-over-paws for Selkirk. Redditors on r/ OneOrangeBrainCell have taken a particular liking to Selkirk, even writing poems about him in comments:
“I’m Selkirk the Orange, n you’ve seen me before / but these are the times that you treasure me more / my humans they sharing me wearing the sweater / so dapper and sassy — it makes you feel better / each moment is special with kitties, you find / the peace of the simple — the one-brain-cell mind /
...continued on next page
so think of me — Selkirk — the joy that I spread / in a boat, on a truck / not a thought in my head.”
The couple received an outpouring of support in the form of messages and comments with people saying “Selkirk is the only orange king I recognize” and “Selkirk for Congress.” One Redditor from the r/Spokane sub even 3D-printed Selkirk his own now-iconic crown, gifting it to him at Pride in Perry.
Trafford brought Selkirk to Missoula Pride after the success of his other appearances and was met with the same cheerful reactions.
“We reached out to the Missoula Fire Department, and they said they were very happy to have us, and they invited us back for next year’s parade,” Trafford says. “It was so welcoming and encouraging.”
With Pride celebrations for the year coming to an end, Balin and Trafford continue posting snippets of Selkirk’s day on social media, sometimes featuring his equally adorable brothers, Nobley and Purcell.
Nobley, the oldest of the trio, isn’t as adventurous as his counterparts but makes an appearance every once in a while during the family’s evening walks. Purcell the Siamese cat, named for a range next to the Selkirk mountains, likes to leave the safety of his travel backpack and explore on occasion, but Selkirk is the most fearless.
If you’re lucky, you can spot Selkirk and his parents out on adventures around Spokane in various parks and green spaces. Just look for the orange cat on a long leash, climbing trees and getting into trouble.
“We were at Cannon Hill Park the other day and Selkirk was running around on his leash,” Balin says. “All of the sudden he was right by the pond, trying to catch a frog out of the water.”
A plucky little guy, Selkirk is also loving and friendly to every new friend he makes — the perfect temperament for a newly anointed king.
Selkirk’s parents say he’s brought a lot of joy into their lives, and they’re happy to share that feeling with the rest of the world.
“It’s nice to be a part of something so lighthearted and fun in a world that’s a pretty dark place right now,” Balin says. “It’s hard to find things to smile about.”
“It’s so incredible to know that Selkirk has made millions of people smile,” Trafford adds. “We’re so glad that we get to share him with the world.” n
Selkirk wears his crown with pride. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
CAT CITY,
USA THE PET ISSUE
Spokane is the nation’s No. 4 cat-loving city per
PetSmart list; local shelters make the ranking paws-ible
BY ELLIS BENSON
Step aside Lilac City, it’s Cat City now! Spokane has been ranked fourth in the nation for its residents’ love of everything cats. This ranking is according to PetSmart, which used its in-store adoption rates and cat-related product sales to conjure up our impressive rank.
As someone who works hard to find homes for the stray cats in my South Hill neighborhood, I’m no stranger to how arduous the process can be to re-home kitties. Thankfully, Spokane’s adoption scene doesn’t solely rely on random college students with bleeding hearts. With multiple rescue groups operating in the city, such as the Spokane Humane Society and SpokAnimal, cat lovers have a plethora of options to find their purr-fect match or volunteer to help out kitties in need.
While PetSmart sells plenty of pet-related merchandise, many of its stores also feature on-site adoption centers. Locations in the Spokane area partner with SpokAnimal and Spokane Humane Society to help local cats find a forever loving home.
PETSMART’S RANKING
PetSmart Charities President Aimee Gilbreath says that the cities ranked in this year’s top 25 cat-loving cities list span a diverse swath of the country. Location and demographics didn’t play a major role in whether or not a city prefers cats, as the list includes a mix of both urban, suburban and rural-adjacent cities. In fourth place, Spokane was behind Lexington, Kentucky, (No. 1); Green Bay, Wisconsin, (No. 2); and Mount Juliet, Tennessee (No. 3).
Although Gilbreath believes that cats are “having a moment right now,” she also believes that the trend isn’t
temporary, perhaps due to purchasing trends swinging more toward smaller homes, which are better suited to cats than dogs.
“I think the appeal of cats will be enduring,” she says.
She also notes that for many years, dogs typically had better adoption track records than cats. About three years ago, this trend flipped, which may have been due to the pandemic and subsequent changes in people’s habits and routines. Cats don’t require as much maintenance as large dogs, for example, but still offer valuable companionship.
“This is shocking, in a delightful way, to see cats on top.” Gilbreath says.
For those who want to help cats find a home, Gilbreath says that becoming a cat foster parent is a great way to do so. Fostering a litter of kittens is usually a two- to four-week commitment and helps local shelters with capacity constraints. If you happen to fall in love with one of the foster kittens, you can always officially adopt them, too.
SPOKANIMAL
Helping more than 50,650 animals find forever homes since 1983, SpokAnimal is a local leader in pet adoptions. Besides its East Central shelter (710 N. Napa St.), adoptable animals under its care are also housed at local PetSmart and Petco stores, and at Kitty Cantina cat cafe in northeast Spokane.
SpokAnimal Executive Director Dori Peck believes that Spokane deserves its rank as fourth in the nation for cat lovers.
“A lot of our transfer partners, and a lot of other communities that I talk with and work with all the time, are amazed at how many cat adoptions that we’re able to do here in Spokane,” Peck says. “It’s grown exponentially in the last, probably, five years since COVID. People really started adopting cats, and we have a lot of folks that live in apartments and a lot of retired people. Cats are so much easier to manage in both of those situations.”
Having off-site kennels at locations such as PetSmart increases the visibility of adoptable animals, offering a crucial advantage. Peck says the off-site kennels make it possible for SpokAnimal to reach people who may not necessarily stop by its main shelter facility.
Last year, about 2,500 cats were adopted from their seven off-site kennels alone. SpokAnimal’s total number of cats adopted for 2024 was over 3,300, meaning the off-site kennels amounted to 75% of total cat adoptions.
For those who want to help even more cats get adopted, Peck says that becoming a SpokAnimal donor is a huge help to their organization. Learn more at spokanimal.org.
Can I come home with you, purr-lease? PHOTOS COURTESY SPOKANE HUMANE SOCIETY
SPOKANE HUMANE SOCIETY
Serving Spokane since 1897, the Spokane Humane Society has been an advocate for animal welfare for over 128 years. It was initially founded to prevent the mistreatment of both animals and children. Spokane Humane Society, or SHS, has long focused on the care and placement of companion animals and is based in northeast Spokane, at 6607 N. Havana St.
Kristi Soto, director of marketing and management for the organization, says their one off-site kennel at the Northpointe PetSmart helps increase adoption rates since shoppers there may choose to spontaneously adopt. In 2024 she says 621 cats were adopted from Spokane Humane Society’s adoption center inside the store. This also accounts for the majority of the organization’s 720 total cat adoptions last year.
“That’s the beautiful part of this partnership, is that it just happens on a whim sometimes, and not intentional, and these animals get adopted quickly,” Soto says.
Summer is one of the busiest times for shelters such as Spokane Humane Society and SpokAnimal. Summer (and part of spring) is “kitten season,” as it follows the peak breeding times for cats. While fostering kittens and volun teering are great ways to help during this busy time, promot ing Spokane Humane Society’s mission is a way those who are unable to foster, donate, or volunteer can support the animals.
“Sharing our stories on social media and with your neighbors, your friends, and your work, like if you can just share the stories that’s a big part of it, too,” Soto says. “Just to get the word out is super helpful.”
For those who are considering adding to their family, adopting a shelter pet doesn’t only significantly impact the animals’ quality of life — it can also be a boost for the adopter.
“Cats and dogs, and the adopting of them, is a huge support for people battling stress, loneliness, anxiety, or depression issues,” Soto says. “Just that companionship piece may be a huge factor of helping somebody off the ledge.” n
KITTY CANTINA
Even more rescue cats, now with a side of coffee!
First opened in summer 2020, Kitty Cantina is Spokane’s first (and remains its only) cat café. In addition to serving delicious coffee and pastries, Kitty Cantina, located at 6704 N. Nevada St., has a dedicated space to hang out with adoptable kitties. The cafe offers both reservations and drop-ins for these cat hang-out sessions. Its resident cats come via a partnership with SpokAnimal.
Kitty Cantina is locally owned by Justyn and Tori Cozza. The couple are dedicated to maintaining a comfortable, safe place for the cats, ensuring breaks in between appointments and ample time for the kitties to have their own me(ow) time.
Even customers without reservations can still enjoy the cats’ presence while sipping on some coffee. The glass-walled cat space is viewable from the café, making for pawsome views. Great for first dates, outings with friends, and meeting the purr-fect companion, Kitty Cantina is more than just a café. If you still want to enjoy cute cats and kittens but can’t make the trip to Kitty Cantina, its Instagram (@ spokane_kitty_cantina) regularly features videos and photos of adoptable cats.
With the sunshine stretching into the evenings making for perfect patio weather, it’s commonplace to see furry friends joining their owners while sipping or dining out.
Before 2022, however, dogs on restaurant patios were in violation of Washington State Retail Food Code. Even so, many business owners turned a blind eye despite risking a fine in order to attract pet parents.
“I would say that [violations were] common before the code changed, and we were citing pretty regularly on inspection reports,” says Jennifer Martin, Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) food safety program manager.
Martin notes that walkable neighborhoods saw the most violations, like Kendall Yards and South Perry, with dog walkers wanting to stop by their local eateries with their pups in tow. People traveling with pets were in for a rude awakening, too, if they came to Washington from a state that permitted dogs on patios and didn’t know about the ban prior to 2022.
“Many states had already allowed dogs to be in outdoor spaces, and so Washington was kind of one of the outliers, really,” says Craig Leuthold, Maryhill Winery co-owner alongside his wife, Vicki.
Then a board member of the Washington Wine Institute, a statewide industry advocacy group, Leuthold and other board members were concerned at how far behind in this regard Washington was compared to other states.
“I mean, really honestly, we thought it was kind of ludicrous that you couldn’t have a dog on a patio outdoors,” Leuthold says. “It just seemed that, you know, it wasn’t a health issue. You know, dogs lay on the ground, they’re not eating off the table.”
The Wine Institute then reached out to the Washington Brewers Guild and Washington Hospitality Association to ensure other industry stakeholders supported efforts to see the rules changed.
“So that was how the bill was introduced through our organization, the Washington Wine Institute, and then voted on by the state Legislature, and then eventually it became law,” Leuthold summarizes.
While dogs can now be on patios, food businesses must first fill out a form with their local health district to outline plans for handling things like customers with unruly dogs and cleanup protocols for pet waste. The regulations
also stipulate that dogs are not allowed inside businesses that serve food, and there must be outdoor access to patio seating.
On the other hand, establishments with no food preparation on-site, like some tasting rooms and breweries, allow dogs inside if they receive official approval of the local health jurisdiction.
Martin notes that while SRHD investigates and addresses complaints, she sees it as a cooperative relationship with food establishments — help them meet the code and protect public health to contribute to the success of the business.
After the statewide law change went into effect in March 2022, it became up to individual municipalities to update related health code rules.
As Maryhill Winery operates tasting rooms across the state — in Spokane, Goldendale, Vancouver and Woodinville — the Leutholds, also longtime pet parents themselves, celebrated as each city updated their policies.
Often accompanying the couple on regular visits to the Kendall Yards tasting room is their big white dog, Henry, a mutt the Leutholds adopted from Spokane-based Rescue4All in 2021, becoming the 11th dog they’ve owned together.
Maryhill Winery not only welcomes well-behaved and leashed dogs on its patios, providing water and treats, but the Leutholds have been consistent supporters of Spokane Humane Society and Rescue4All.
When you buy a bottle of the winery’s winemaker’s red called Rescued Red ($22) or the winemaker’s white Whiskers White ($22), $5 from each bottle sold goes to the Spokane Humane Society. The couple also donated $5,000 toward the humane society’s purchase of an animal transportation vehicle in 2018.
Keep an eye out for the winery’s Paws on the Patio event later this year (as of publication a date was yet to be determined).
Partnering with Spokane Humane Society, the event will include adorable animals, Maryhill-branded doggie merch, special treats for both pets and people, and more.
Since the statewide code about pups on patios was changed, the Leutholds have noticed a big uptick in pets accompanying their owners on visits to Maryhill’s locations.
“Sometimes, on the weekends down at Goldendale, there are just as many dogs as there are people,” Vicki Leuthold says. “Sometimes, it’s just a huge dog parade.” n
MORE PET-FRIENDLY PATIOS
Leash up your pup and sniff out these Spokanearea patios where you’re both welcome to sit, snack and soak up the sun. (Note: Due to space constraints this is merely a sampling of petfriendly patios in the area.)
BRICK WEST BREWING
1318 W. First Ave., brickwestbrewingco.com 509-279-2982
CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE 6314 N. Ash St., cascadiapublichouse.com 509-321-7051
DAFT BADGER BREWING 1710 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene daftbadgerbrewingcda.com, 208-665-9892
DANE JOE ESPRESSO 2819 E. 27th Ave., 509-808-5330
THE ELK 1931 W. Pacific Ave., 509-363-1973
THE FLYING GOAT
3318 W. Northwest Blvd., theflyinggoat.com 509-327-8277
HOUND HOUSE 10157 N. Taryne St., Hayden, 208-274-5032
IRON GOAT BREWING
1302 W. Second Ave., irongoatbrewing.com 509-474-0722
ITALIA TRATTORIA
144 S. Cannon St., 509-459-6000
LATAH BISTRO
4241 Cheney Spokane Rd. Suite C, 509-838-8338
NO-LI BREWHOUSE
1003 E. Trent Ave., nolibrewhouse.com 509-242-2739
PERRY STREET BREWING 1025 S. Perry St., perrystreetbrewing.com 509-279-2820
REMEDY KITCHEN AND TAVERN
3809 S. Grand Blvd., remedyspokane.com 509-443-3730
ROCKWOOD BAKERY 315 E. 18th Ave., 509-747-8691
THE SCOOP
1001 W. 25th Ave., thescoopspokane.com 509-535-7171
11712 E. Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley yayabrewing.com
Maryhill owners Vicki and Craig Leuthold, with their dog Henry, welcome furry friends to the winery’s tasting room patios. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Furry
and Fearless
Latah Creek Animal Hospital is one of the region’s few Fear Freecertified clinics, adopting practices that make vet visits less stressful for people and pets
BY MARTA SZYMANSKA
Aveterinarian visit is often viewed as something that pets will fear regardless of the circumstances. There are countless examples of pets disdaining the vet in pop culture, one of the most iconic being Garfield. However, seeing the doctor doesn’t have to be a stressful and scary experience for a pet or their owner.
Latah Creek Animal Hospital in southwest Spokane is a Fear Free veterinary practice, part of a national network of animal hospitals that have undergone special training and certification to respond to anxious clients’ needs.
Clinic co-owners Dr. Megan Bauer and Jessica Osborne, a certified veterinary practice manager, believe going to the vet doesn’t have to be so inherently stressful that your pet should simply power through. Stress and trauma from the vet may have lasting impacts on animals and can be avoided, they say.
“What Fear Free means to me is taking the pets’ emotional well-being into consideration, not just their physical well-being, and not doing anything to cause them additional trauma,” Bauer says.
Fear Free is a program founded in 2016 by Dr. Marty Becker, a nationally known veterinary expert, media personality, author and Washington State University alum, with the goal of keeping animals healthy and happy. Fear Free certification requires veterinarians to undergo extra training in monitoring animals’ emotional state. According to the Fear Free website, areas of focus include using positive reinforcement, avoiding force, and keeping a pet owner in the room during exams and while administering vaccinations and medication.
safer when mom and dad are there,” Bauer says. “With dogs, if you can build their trust and make some of their care into a game, and if they’re choosing to participate, then they are much more likely to accept some things like vaccines and blood draws.”
While having a Fear Free certification doesn’t guarantee that your pet won’t experience any stress at all, it gives anxious animals an opportunity to be specially accommodated for. This special focus can make going to the vet a better experience for everyone: the animal, their owner and veterinary staff.
Oftentimes, easily stressed animals begin to struggle before they’ve even left the house. Luring your cat out from under the bed, the back of a closet or down from the top of the refrigerator — or wherever else they’ve tucked in to hide — and then by some miracle inserting them into their pet carrier is one of the biggest challenges of the day.
Fear Free clinics like Latah Creek Animal Hospital take into consideration their clients’ emotions during every step of the appointment, including before they even come in. If your anxious and possibly mind-reading animal somehow predicts their vet visit and gets anxious in advance, for example, Fear Free veterinarians can prescribe anti-anxiety medication to be given before an appointment. This alone can make a world of a difference for the pet owner and their pet.
comfortable.
Bauer and Osborne say staff pay special attention to pets’ feeling of stability by offering nonslip mats on the floor for dogs and nonslip mats and heating pads on exam tables for cats. They also spray animal-friendly pheromones inside the clinic and play calming music from speakers in each area of the hospital.
Clients are also asked to wait with their pets in the car before their appointment to avoid animals seeing each other in the lobby, which can cause unnecessary anxiety. The clinic also has separate entrances and waiting areas for cats and dogs, but typically clients go straight from the car to an exam room.
“Stress at the vet isn’t a mandatory thing,” Bauer says. “There’s so many things we can do to help them.” Bauer and Osborne are both passionate about the overall welfare of pets and animals. They say it’s far too common for pets to get extremely stressed at the vet, which can release cortisol in their system that can stay for around up to three days, or even cause an animal to develop trauma that lasts a lifetime.
“We hear that all the time from our clients,” Bauer says. “That they had a bad experience somewhere else and they’re glad they were able to come here.” n
OTHER LOCAL FEAR FREE VET CLINICS
For this story, we reached out to several vet clinics in the area that are certified under the official Fear Free program. Some of them were too busy for an interview before our deadline, but while researching this story, we confirmed the following are part of the Fear Free network:
INDIAN TRAIL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
“We don’t take pets from the room into the treatment area to do things like blood draws… all of that is done with the client in the room because most [pets] feel
“Sometimes if they’ve had previous trauma or they’re just very nervous to leave the house, they do need something extra to help them out,” Bauer says. “So each pets’ anxiety level is taken into consideration, and we use medications if needed as well to help keep them calm.”
Other than anti-anxiety medication, the Latah Creek team has a variety of other tools to help pets feel more
5150 W. Barnes Road, Spokane
LINCOLN HEIGHTS VETERINARY CLINIC
2829 E. 27th Ave., Spokane
LAKEWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL
272 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene
VCA NORTH IDAHO ANIMAL HOSPITAL
320 S. Ella, Sandpoint
Latah Creek Animal Hospital owners Jessica Osborne, left, and Dr. Megan Bauer hope pets feel at ease when visiting their clinic. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
Signs in the cat-only waiting area.
THE PET ISSUE
LENDING A HELPING PAW
Meet the local people making therapy and guide dogs successful
BY ELLIS BENSON
Pets such as dogs, cats and even miniature horses can offer humans much more than companionship. Trained therapy animals and guide dogs can provide essential assistance and support that other forms of therapy or assistance may not be able to offer. In the Spokane area, two organizations are helping provide these much-needed services: the 348 Golden Angels and the Spokane chapter of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s puppy raisers.
THERAPY DOGS
The 348 Golden Angels started after its founders, husband-and-wife duo Kris and Shane Carney, experienced a personal tragedy and witnessed firsthand the healing power of therapy dogs.
“In summer of ’22, my brother-in-law, Dan Patterson, after working a 24-hour shift as a Spokane Valley firefighter, he had went into cardiac arrest and ended up in the hospital for quite a few days,” Kris Carney says. “During that time a therapy dog came and visited us, and we saw the mood change, we saw how much it helped having that dog there.”
After Patterson died, the Carneys started 348 Golden Angels in his honor; 348 was Dan’s badge number. The couple, who already had two golden retrievers at the time, believed that their dogs would be perfect for providing such therapy.
The couple currently have three golden retriever therapy dogs that are in regular rotation as working therapy dogs: Mango, Rayne and Mitzi. The organization is also currently expanding by bringing in dogs from different owners. Levi, a Labrador, is one of them. And Mitzi’s sister, Waffles, will join the lineup once she’s passed all of her certification tests. (Mango is mom to both Mitzi and Waffles.)
Kris says each dog has their own distinct personality that benefits their therapy work. Three-year-old Rayne is extremely outgoing and cuddly. Mango, who’s 5, possesses a calming presence and is best suited to relieving anxiety in high-stress situations. Freshly certified Mitzi, at only a year-and-a-half, is still a bit nervous but opens up easily.
348 Golden Angels regularly make trips to the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center, local hospice centers, 911 dispatch hubs and other high-stress environments. The dogs recently lifted the mood of local firefighters responding to the Lake Spokane Fire near Tum Tum.
Kris says canine therapy can help people open up, making it much easier for them to talk. Since therapy dogs can also sense anxiety and tension, they often focus their attention on those who seem the most in need.
“They’re in tune to the people that need them the most,” Kris says. “It’s the comfort and calming of petting a dog, and them loving you and paying attention to you unconditionally.”
What keeps Kris motivated to continue this work is the joy and relief it brings to those in need.
“We just love the smiles that it puts on people’s faces,” she says. “They can be just having a really rough day and just walking into the room, even if it’s for a few minutes, it just lights up the room.”
Learn more at 348goldenangels.org
GUIDE DOG PUPPY RAISERS
Most people underestimate the labor that goes into training a certified guide dog. Training usually takes a couple of years, and starts early in a dog’s life. A big part of that training involves becoming acclimated to many different people, places, and environments.
Guide Dogs for the Blind, a national organization founded during World War II to aid blinded veterans, hosts a program that pairs up volunteers to help train its aspiring canine guides. Operating through locationbased clubs, the organization pays for all veterinary care, learning materials, and all equipment needed by puppy raisers. Volunteers receive their puppies at around 8 weeks old and care for them until they’re 14 to 16 months, which is when they’re sent to a Guide Dogs for the Blind campus for formal training.
The Spokane puppy raisers’ club has been around since the mid-1990s. Club co-leader Gretchen Frederick has been a volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind since 1988.
“We don’t train specifically how to lead a visually impaired person in the world,” Frederick says. “We are training our puppy [in] socialization and life experiences. So we’re getting our puppies out and about with us wherever we go, whether it’s shopping, doctor appointments — you name it.”
The goal of this hands-on training is to ensure that everyday interactions and experiences are not frightening or foreign to these future guide dogs. This training is essential since guide dogs follow and assist their handlers wherever they go.
For those who want to help out, the club is constantly on the lookout for new puppy raisers and puppy sitters. Puppy sitters help fill in when puppy raisers are out of town and temporarily unable to take care of their puppies.
“We actually almost need sitters more than we need raisers a lot of times,” Frederick says. “The commitment can be much easier and much more flexible as a puppy sitter.”
Frederick is currently raising her 13th puppy for the program. Due to the highly fulfilling nature of the work, puppy raisers often choose to raise puppies over and over again, she says.
“We get paid by the gift of puppy kisses.” n
Learn more at facebook.com/GDBspokanepuppyraisers
Attention: Guide dog in training! COURTESY PHOTO
The 348 Golden Angels give firefighters a much-needed break. COURTESY PHOTO
Fun with Furry Friends
DOG DAYS OF AUGUST
Treat your dog to a Saturday out around town with a stop at Mulberry Market Co. (pictured left) For this special event, local vendors are selling goodies and treats for both pets and people. There will also be a pet adoption event featuring local animal rescues. The first 30 dogs to walk through the door get a free goodie bag, so make sure to get there early.
Aug. 19 from 10 am-6 pm, free, Mulberry Market Co., 17325 E. Sprague Ave., mulberrymarketco.com
DOGGIE DIP
Treat your dog to a day at the pool at one of three participating Spokane City pools during this year’s Doggie Dip. This three-day event is organized annually by Spokane Parks & Recreation in partnership with SpokAnimal before the city pools are drained at the end of the season (and after they’ve closed to human swimmers). Bring your well-behaved, healthy and vaccinated dogs, and watch them discover the joy of a pool day! (Check the city’s website for details as locations vary depending on the day.)
Aug. 22-24, $10, Liberty, Shadle and Comstock aquatic centers, my.spokanecity.org
PAWS IN THE POOL
COMPILED BY MARTA SZYMANSKA
Dogs and puppies over the age of six months can also take a dip in Valley Mission Pool to finish off their summer with a splash.
Owners can bring their furry friends with an updated rabies vaccination certificate to get their paws wet. Participating dogs must be well-behaved and respond to commands. Aug. 24 from 10 am-2 pm, $8-$10, Valley Mission Pool, 11405 E. Mission Ave., spokanevalleywa.gov
PINOT’S PALETTE: PROJECT PET
Paint your favorite paw-some pal in a vibrant pop-art style during a special version of Pinot’s Palette’s Project Pet series. Art skills are not required, as staff ensure participants of all skill levels have a great time by printing a photo of your pet onto your canvas to serve as a guide. Participants must be 21 or over to sign up, and must present a valid ID at the door since wine and beer are available for purchase during class. Attend this fun Saturday activity independently or with friends and enjoy music and conversation in the studio’s lighthearted laid-back environment. Sept. 6 from noon-2:30 pm, $54, 1919 E. Sprague Ave., pinotspalette.com/spokane
GOLF FORE PETS
Golf for a cause! Spend the day golfing at the Colfax Golf and Country Club and raise funds for the Whitman County Humane Society. Finish the day with food, auction items and mingling. Starting at 10 am on Sunday, teams of four will cycle through the nine-hole public course. Funds raised help support animals in the care of the Whitman
County Humane Society. Sept. 14 from 10 am-5 pm, Price TBD, Colfax Golf and Country Club, 2402 Cedar St., whitmanpets.org
MUTT STRUT
Pawpular Companions Pet Supplies is hosting a 2.5-mile dog parade with live music, a pup and human ice cream social, themed raffles, local vendor booths, and plenty of treats for both people and pets. STAHR Rescue is offering pet microchipping, and there will be adoptable animals from SpokAnimal. Aug. 23 from 7:30 am-11 am, $5, Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road, Liberty Lake, pawpularcompanions.biz
SPOKANE HUMANE SOCIETY FURRBALL
Make an impact and watch adorable adoptables strut their stuff during the Spokane Humane Society’s 26th annual FurBall fundraiser. Guests will enjoy a formal evening of live music, a sit-down dinner, drinks, raffles, auctions, photobooths and the Parade of Animals. Funds raised go toward supporting housing and feeding homeless and neglected animals within the Spokane community. While this annual event is still a ways out on the 2025 calendar, tickets usually sell out in advance due to its popularity among local animal lovers. Nov. 22 at 5 pm, $125, The Davenport Grand, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., spokanehumanesociety.org
SWEETS
Here’s the Scoop
Try these five Spokane-area icy treats to cool down this summer
BY INLANDER STAFF AND INTERNS
When summer temperatures creep up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond, it’s not surprising to see long lines at popular local ice cream spots. While ice cream is a reliably easy-to-find summer staple, our team recently embarked on a mission to find a handful of more creative or unique ice-cold treats and drinks. Here are five Inland Northwest sweet summer staples that are worth the brain freeze and will make you wish the season never ends.
WINE SLUSHIE, $12
Nectar Wine and Beer, 1331 W. Summit Pkwy.
While a nice glass of wine is refreshing enough on any sweltering day ending in Y, there’s always room for improvement. Nectar Wine and Beer in the Kendall Yards neighborhood understands that perfectly, that’s why it serves wine slushies in the summertime.
For $12 a glass, folks can enjoy a refreshing, icy beverage on the patio overlooking the Spokane River. There are two flavors to choose from, limoncello and grapefruit rose. Both were tasty, so if you’re looking for something sweeter, we’d recommend the limoncello, and if you want something that’s dry and close to the source material, the grapefruit rose is perfect. These drinks pair well with Nectar’s charcuterie board ($13) filled with crackers, dijon mustard, meats and veggies.
If you’re looking for a micro wine walk experience through the neighborhood, also try the ice-cold peach Frozé ($9 a glass) made with sauvignon blanc at Maryhill Winery just a few doors down. (COLTON RASANEN)
GOOEY, $16
Dockside Restaurant, 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene
One of the most classic summer treats in Coeur d’Alene, Dockside’s famous Gooey is served in what looks like a wine glass almost the size of your head. It overflows with ice cream scoops and a variety of toppings unique to each flavor. My personal go-to order is the Butterfinger Hot Fudge Gooey.
A mixture of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, Butterfingers, whipped cream and chocolate swirls come together to create the perfect way to cool down on a warm day. I’m a big chocolate fan, but if you’re looking for a fruity kick, try the Royal Cheesecake or the current rotating option, Berry Blast Off.
Pro tip: I’ve found the most fun way to eat a gooey is with the help of a few friends fighting over the last spoonful, but they do have personal sizes if you want one all to yourself! (BEE REISWIG)
FIRE FAMOUS MANGONADAS,
$8.95-$12
La Nueva Michoacana
9827 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley
Touting 32 housemade ice creams — most with a Mexican twist like the bestselling Gansito, based on the strawberry-and-creme-filled cake snack— La
Nectar’s boozy slushies LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
Grab some friends and dig into a gooey! PHOTO COURTESY
Nueva Michoacana is a one-stop-shop for cool summer fixings. Aside from ice cream, the family-run business offers aguas frescas, popsicles and more.
Heat things up for your tastebuds, too, with the popular Fire Famous Mangonadas, served in a cup in flavors like mango, watermelon, lemon and strawberry. The mango comes with mango ice cream, syrup and mango pieces; the inside and top is drizzled with chamoy and Tajín. Adding some chewiness and crunch to the treat’s texture, fish for the pieces of tamarind and peanut candy on top.
Making it even more aesthetic — and easier to eat — the mangonadas come with a tamarind candy straw. (Note: Although the ribbed yellow straw may look like pasta, it isn’t.)
The ice cream shop is perfect for a family outing, with arcade games lining one wall and a vibrant color scheme that will make you feel like you’re inside a Crayola box. Come for the ice cream, stay for the fun. (DORA SCOTT)
FRUITY SOFT SERVE, $4-$6
The Scoop, 1001 W. 25th Ave.
Made famous as a staple of Disney’s theme parks, Dole Whip is a fruity soft serve that’s both dairy- and gluten-free. In 2023, Dole Whip-branded and inspired treats finally began being sold outside of Disney parks, skyrocketing the dessert’s popularity. This delicious and refreshing treat has grown a cult following for a good reason. Unlike many other soft serve ice creams, Dole Whip-style treats are especially light, airy, and refreshing — sort of like a soft serve sorbet — making for a delightfully cool treat on a hot summer day. The Scoop’s South Hill location (its soft serve sadly isn’t sold in Kendall Yards) is currently serving pineapple and strawberry flavored soft serve inspired by the original, viral Dole Whip.
In addition to being delicious, this soft serve also has great aesthetic value. A perfect swirl of contrasting colors, usually some combination of pink, orange or yellow, is practically made to be photographed. If you’re in the mood for a refreshing, cool dessert in this sweltering heat, stop by The Scoop and get some fruity, swirly soft serve in a cone, bowl or even as a float.
(ELLIS BENSON)
BOOZIE MILKSHAKES, $14-$16
Shelby’s Burgers, 4241 Cheney Spokane Road
At this retro-themed smashburger joint in west Spokane’s Latah Valley, you’ll not only find finger-licking handhelds but also a plethora of milkshake options. If you’re in the mood for a midday buzz, get your milkshake boozy, coming in three signature flavors: butterscotch, eggnog and raspberry cheesecake.
The butterscotch is whiskey-based with Five Farms’ country cream, while the eggnog has Villon cognac, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Topped with a graham cracker crumble, the raspberry cheesecake shake incorporates Washington-based Whidbey Island raspberry liqueur and crème brûlée cheesecake.
If those three are not to your liking, you can zhuzh up one of Shelby’s other milkshakes with a shot of your choosing. The classics include strawberry, Oreo and malted, while specialty versions offer flavors like cotton candy, creamsicle and chai.
Owner Susan Shelby first tried boozy milkshakes in Las Vegas, inspiring her to introduce the drink to Spokanites.
“We had ice cream and we had our liquor license, so I thought, ‘Why not?’” she says. (DORA SCOTT) n
Large selection of fresh, high-quality, value-conscious products and specialty items, in addition to everyday grocery essentials.
A game Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis can’t save Freakier Friday from falling painfully flat
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
When it comes to the movies we saw back in our younger years, nostalgia can both reveal and obscure their quality. While the good ones can earn their place in our memories, revisiting many of the lesser ones decades later can be a perilous experience where more discerning eyes expose unshakably flawed works that don’t even come close to holding up. More often than not, you come away wondering what the hell it was the younger you liked about them in the first place.
With that in mind, the 2003 comedy Freaky Friday remains a largely fun little romp about a mother and daughter swapping places. Played by the winning duo of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, each perfectly embodying their respective characters post swap, it’s a film about their characters ultimately better understanding the world of their loved one. It’s far from perfect, with bits that are slightly regressive in retrospect, but it mostly holds together as a heartfelt, humorous family comedy. Even as nostalgia can be a trap, there are far worse movies to remember fondly.
If there is one positive thing that can be said about Freakier Friday, a sequel that never once earns its existence, it’s that there is no risk of anyone in history ever being nostalgic for it. An insipid, increasingly insufferable slog of a film that treats Freaky Friday with awkward reverence while tossing aside the simple joys that made it work, it’s an utter disaster from start to finish. Though both have a swap and a subsequent sense of an earthquake rattling the characters, with this one, you wish that
the rumbling would take the entire Los Angeles setting into the ocean.
Set in modern L.A. with Anna (Lohan) now a mother herself to Harper (Julia Butters) and Tess (Curtis) a grandmother, we get a whole host of cringeworthy jokes right out of the gate about everything from podcasts to safe spaces. When Anna falls in love with the charming expat chef Eric (Manny Jacinto), who has moved to the U.S. from the U.K. with his daughter Lily (Sophia Hammons) in tow, the two decide to get married over the objections of their bickering children. When the kids encounter a mystic (played with chaotic wit by the always great yet underutilized former SNL cast member Vanessa Bayer) at Anna’s bachelorette party, Harper swaps with Anna and Lily swaps with Tess, leaving them all having to figure out how to return to their bodies.
Rated PG
their parts once more, the younger cast are far less successful in convincingly playing older characters trapped in the younger bodies. That the film then becomes increasingly convoluted makes it hard to care about whether you buy into their performances. Running what feels like an eternity longer than the original, Freakier Friday tries to hide its flaws behind a more busy story that just ends up growing inescapably tiresome. When it then merely goes back through the motions of its predecessor’s ending, offering slight twists before indulging in bizarre fan service, it reveals how few ideas of its own it actually has.
Freakier Friday
Directed by Nisha Ganatra
Shot more like an overlit sitcom, Freakier Friday feels like it’s a television episode that’s been hopefully overstretched to a feature rather than a more focused, funny film. Where the more effortlessly playful original was all about the shenanigans of the duo living in the other’s shoes, this one either recycles many of the same jokes without adding anything to them or just throws in empty montages that wander about in search of a punchline. It offers up double the swaps, but only half the fun, falling back on Chappell Roan needle drops in a desperate grasp for relevancy.
Starring Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto
Even as Lohan and Curtis each fully commit to
If nostalgia were a poison, Freakier Friday would kill anyone who watched it. It repeatedly pushes you to guzzle down a litany of references to Freaky Friday and meaningless cameos, with only Chad Michael Murray’s recurring appearance feeling like it’s getting closer to something joyously absurd. But all the small slivers of silliness that stand out aren’t enough to salvage what becomes a shallow, saccharine simulacrum of the original that earns neither laughs nor emotions. The only swap that could save the experience is to replace Freakier Friday with Freaky Friday and just watch that instead. You would even be better served watching the 1976 Freaky Friday, which at least has the guts to go completely goofy in the finale. Freakier Friday, for all the many ways it calls back to the past film and tries to replicate its successes, already doesn’t hold up. n
Curtis and Lohan can’t salvage this freak show.
Monster Mush
BY JOSH BELL
Rampaging monsters attack a small town in Sketch, but the movie’s scares are mild and family-friendly enough for it to be released by faith-based distributor Angel Studios. While there’s no religious content in Sketch, it’s still the kind of movie that risk-averse parents can feel comfortable taking their tween kids to see. It’s wholesome, positive and only occasionally interesting to watch.
Writer/director Seth Worley doesn’t shy away from difficult emotions, even if he takes a bland, superficial approach to the movie’s heavier themes. Young siblings Amber (Bianca Belle) and Jack (Kue Lawrence) are struggling to process the death of their mother, while their father Taylor (Tony Hale) seems intent on moving forward without any processing at all. Jack keeps his feelings largely bottled up, but Amber’s grief and anger manifest themselves in gruesome, violent drawings that earn her a visit with the school counselor.
Rated PG
ALSO OPENING
HIGH AND LOW
Before the new Spike Lee remake arrives in theaters, revisit Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese film noir classic, a kidnapping police procedural. Not rated At the Magic Lantern
IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY
Academy Award-nominated documentarian Amy Berg presents a moving portrait of the golden-voiced rock singer’s all-too-short life. Not rated At the Magic Lantern
STANS
Eminem’s 2000 single “Stan” changed the lexicon, making stan the term for overly obsessed fans. As stan culture has become more mainstream, this documentary dives into the complex relationship between the rapper and his most die-hard fans. Not rated
WEAPONS
Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger returns with new horrors as a teacher (Julia Garner) deals with the haunting and mysterious fallout after all 17 children in her class ran off into the darkness and disappeared on the same night. Rated R
NEW TO STREAM
WEDNESDAY (SEASON 2)
Jenna Ortega returns for another creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky school year at Nevermore Academy in this hit Addams Family spinoff series. Netflix
tual efforts to comfort her. Part of the problem with Sketch is that Worley seems so reluctant to embrace any true darkness or complexity that the everyday challenges the characters face are practically meaningless.
Taylor’s real-estate agent sister Liz (D’Arcy Carden) constantly admonishes him for getting in the way of her efforts to sell the family home, but his supposed transgressions amount to carefully walking into his own house to retrieve basic items while prospective buyers look around. When Amber gets in trouble for drawing a monster attacking a fellow student, it takes a little while to realize that the moderately sarcastic Bowman (Kalon Cox) is somehow Amber’s tormentor.
Sketch
Directed by Seth Worley
Starring Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Tony Hale
From the beginning, Sketch promotes healthy self-expression, as the counselor sensibly tells Amber that it’s best for her to explore her feelings on paper rather than letting them fester inside or lashing out in rage. That’s a nice, responsible message, although it’s slightly undermined when Amber’s drawings of dangerous creatures come to life after her notebook is dropped in a convenient magical pond in the woods behind the family’s house.
Worley builds methodically to that point, establishing and then underlining the basic relationships and interpersonal issues among the main characters. Amber comes off like kind of a demanding jerk, while her father and brother bumble through their well-meaning but ineffec-
The emotional dynamics are so limp that it’s a relief when the monsters finally show up, and Worley presents some creative designs on his limited budget. Although they’re now life-size figures, the beasts still look like a child’s drawings, making them less threatening but also more distinctive, without the off-putting uncanny valley effect of the creatures in John Krasinski’s similar — and much more cloying — IF. When Amber and Jack finally confront her most menacing creation, its genuine creepiness provides substantial contrast to the chaotic but cute monstrosities they’ve already dispatched. Worley has clearly been influenced by popular kidtargeted horror-adjacent movies from Gremlins to Goosebumps, but Sketch pales in comparison on both comedy and terror.
Hale (Arrested Development, Veep) and Carden (The Good Place) are both talented veterans of TV comedy, but they’re stuck playing it straight while the kids deliver weak recurring jokes that don’t get any funnier with repetition. Sketch often feels like an indie version of a Disney Channel original movie, with child performances that are slightly toned down but can still be grating.
Amber and her family conveniently live in an isolated area away from town, so Worley rarely has to strain his resources by depicting the monsters attacking more than a handful of people at a time. The result should be a focused, heartfelt story, but instead Sketch often seems limited, like something more exciting must be happening somewhere offscreen. It’s inoffensive and forgettable, just like most drawings by actual children. n
Sketch doesn’t feel fully drawn.
HAPPIER THAN EVER
Beloved Coeur d’Alene-born funk rock band Black Happy reunites with new songs
BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
LOCAL FUNK ROCK
Black (and white) Happy. DARREN BALCH PHOTO
Black Happy trombonist Jay Carkhuff doesn’t remember a lot about the band’s early days.
But he remembers the very, very beginning, when he and a few other members of the North Idaho College jazz band were asked by members of heavy metal band Sacrament to play on a song.
Carkhuff, who had played the trombone since sixth grade, performed in various bands and ensembles through his high school and NIC days. To him, it wasn’t a strange request.
“We did lots of crazy things back then when we were young,” he says. “That seemed normal to show up at a late night band practice out in the prairie, in somebody’s house, and give it a try.”
Though details are a little fuzzy, Carkhuff knows that first rehearsal led to others, which led to live shows. What started as a bit of a joke for Sacrament eventually became a permanent fixture of the band, who rebranded as Black Happy after they realized the brass section was a hit with fans.
“When we were coming up with the songs for Friendly Dog Salad and, particularly, for Peghead, I was really at the height of my performing abilities,” he says. “Later in life, trying to relearn some of those parts, I had really wondered why I had made some of the parts so difficult.”
Three of those five reunion shows sold out. Despite the proof that the band was still in demand, the octet once again put their instruments away.
That was until 2018, when the band again reunited to celebrate the release of Friendly Dog Salad and Peghead on vinyl via Seattle’s Latent Print Records.
“We’re not trying to reproduce what we did in the past, but I think it is what it is, and we like what it is.”
More rehearsals followed, sometimes in houses in Coeur d’Alene or Spokane, sometimes in storage units.
“We would try to find any place we could where we could rehearse and set up our stuff and play together,” Carkhuff says.
After releasing a 7-inch single, the band — consisting of Carkhuff (trombone), Jim Bruce (drums), Daryl Elmore (saxophone), Mike Hasseries (trombone), Mark Hemenway (bass), Paul Hemenway (vocals/guitar), Greg Hjort (guitar/vocals) and Scott Jessick (drums) — signed to Pacific Inland Records. In 1991, Black Happy released its debut album, Friendly Dog Salad, recorded at the since-shuttered Sinkhole Studios in Hayden Lake. Two years later, Black Happy released Peghead on Macola Records.
Just one year later, after two well-received albums and extensive touring around the Pacific Northwest, Black Happy broke up. Carkhuff does remember that time in the band’s life, but he doesn’t like discussing it. The logistics of working with eight schedules and members wanting to take the band’s sound in different directions led to the breakup.
Black Happy’s final album, The Last Polka, was released after the breakup in 1995.
All was quiet on the Black Happy front for the next 15 years, until a Facebook group called “Black Happy Needs to Reunite” popped up.
Carkhuff doesn’t remember much about the conversations the members had about the Facebook group, but they eventually decided to book a handful of shows in Spokane and Seattle in 2010.
Carkhuff had performed with the Panhandle Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles here and there in the years after Black Happy broke up, but he had stepped away from the instrument altogether a few years before the reunion shows. He also hadn’t listened to Black Happy’s albums in several years, so he had to both get back into playing shape and relearn the band’s songs.
“That felt right to me,” Carkhuff recalls feeling about the second round of reunion shows.
He had played more consistently from 2010 to 2018, so relearning the band’s songs again wasn’t as tough the second time around.
Again, several of the shows sold out. Shortly after that run of shows, some members stayed in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, while others returned to Seattle or the Midwest.
This time though, the band didn’t let their instruments collect dust. The musicians began sending musical ideas back and forth and eventually wrote a few new songs.
“We’re not trying to reproduce what we did in the past, but I think it is what it is, and we like what it is,” Carkhuff said.
The desire to play together live and present those new songs drove the band to arrange this third round of reunion shows, at the Knitting Factory and at the Showbox in Seattle.
Carkhuff doesn’t make any promises about a new Black Happy album, saying the band is taking things one day at a time. There is more creativity and potential for new songs than there is the opportunity for the band to get together and rehearse, he says. So for now, they’re just enjoying being able to hang out and rehearse in the same room.
But, you never know.
“There are many songs in the works, but these are two that we felt good about presenting live, and this does follow the format that we’ve always followed is to learn some new songs and play them in front of people and then record them later,” Carkhuff says.
The band announced these reunion shows on April 1, and by April 3, the band needed to add one more show in each city after the first dates sold out.
The band never wants to assume that the crowds will come rushing back, so it’s (black) happy with the anticipated turnout for this run of shows.
“We are generally pleasantly surprised by how much the people that we love love us back,” Carkhuff says. n
Black Happy, Light in Mirrors (Aug. 14), The Divorce (Aug. 15) • Thu, Aug. 14 (tickets available) and Fri, Aug. 15 at 8 pm (sold out)
$45
All ages • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com
Inlander’s annual philanthropy guide highlights many of the region’s
A World of Our Stone
A to-do list from a vet of Allen Stone’s annual music festival in Liberty Lake
BY MADISON PEARSON
There are three certainties in my life: death, taxes and Stone Family Field Trip.
Each year around this time, my calendar is marked with “best weekend ever” as I prepare for two days out at Zephyr Lodge in Liberty Lake for Allen Stone’s annual music festival.
Beginning in 2017, Stone Family Field Trip started as an intimate gathering of the Spokanite soul singer’s closest friends and family, but opened to the public in 2022. Since, it’s grown to include performers from all around the world and keeps fans coming back year after year — myself included.
As a self-proclaimed Field Trip veteran, here are some things you must do at this year’s iteration to ensure a fun, relaxing, music-filled time.
FIND A NEW FAVORITE ARTIST
Given the festival runs for two days and each day is absolutely packed with artists from near and far, you’re bound to find someone you like. The best way to go about this is to park yourself somewhere in the lawn (either on a blanket or in chairs) or on the dance floor in front of the stage, and relax while Allen and Co. gift the audience with sweet sounds all night long. In 2022, I did just that when Stephen Day put on one hell of a set, and he hasn’t stopped gracing my playlists since. And, lucky for you, Day is back for this year’s Field Trip, so you can experience the all-encompassing joy of his funky music.
TALK TO OTHERS
Field Trip is all about community, so wherever you end up for the night, look to your left or right and introduce yourself to the person next to you (Stone will often ask the audience to do this during his set, but get ahead and start early to ensure maximum friend-making time.) Chances
are, they love music just as much as you do. Sing and dance along with strangers who might become friends by the end of the festival (hi to my Field Trip buds Carmii and Melia!). You never know if you don’t try!
LEARN YOUR LOCAL SCENE
With Stone himself hailing from Chewelah and having called Spokane home for over a decade at this point, it would be strange for him not to include a few local bands on the bill. Vika and the Velvets graces the Field Trip stage for the first time this year (3 pm on Sunday), fresh off of the release of the band’s new album Like a Spade. Check out Stone’s keyboardist and local scene mainstay Blake Braley (5 pm on Saturday) for all the funky fresh groove you could possibly desire. Braley will also be gracing the stage all weekend, donating his vocals and ivory-tickling abilities to plenty of other sets.
BE AT THEO KATZMAN’S SET
If you take anything from this list, please take this one to heart: You must see Theo Katzman’s set. If you are doing anything other than standing among the crowd on the dance floor at 8 pm on Saturday night, waiting for this magic man to grace the stage, you’re doing Field Trip wrong. The Vulfpeck member is a musical wizard and his funky powers are only amplified while on stage at Zephyr Lodge. Be there or be oh-so-incredibly square.
FIND THE PERSON HANDING OUT TINY HANDS
There’s always someone walking around, slipping tiny plastic hands onto the fingers of Field Trippers. Their identity must remain a secret, so when offered one, grab it and move on with haste. Join the secret tiny hand club for the full Field Trip experience.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO APPROACH ARTISTS
Stone Family Field Trip isn’t your typical music festival and that becomes evident when you inevitably end up in conversation with on-the-bill musicians multiple times throughout the weekend. The artists you see on stage are always going to be walking around the grounds and getting down on the dance floor just like you. Compliment them on their set or just make casual conversation. Stone himself is known to join in with the crowd throughout the night. Remember that everyone is a friend while at Field Trip.
GET IN YOUR FEELS
There’s plenty to cry about at Stone Family Field Trip. It’s hard not to get emotional while surrounded by nature and some of the most talented musicians gracing the indie scene at the moment. I often get overwhelmed with a love for my amazing friends and the gift of music and weep for a solid 10 minutes before heading back onto the dance floor. Whether Amelia Day’s gorgeous, confessional songwriting on “Clementine” brings a tear to your eye or Brother Elsey’s mindbending musicianship gives you chills, crying is welcomed, encouraged and celebrated while at Field Trip. (Just make sure to bring your own tissues.)
SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ALLEN STONE’S VOICE
Shhhh! Do you hear that? It’s the syrupy sweet sonic goodness of Allen Stone’s voice echoing off of the verdant trees that surround Zephyr Lodge! In the past few years, Stone hasn’t had many tour stops in Spokane, so Field Trip is one of the only chances locals have to witness the religious experience that is an Allen Stone set. Stone performs twice during the festival, at the tail end of each night, but typically jumps into a song or two with each artist on the lineup. So, whatever you do, be quiet for those moments and take in one of the greatest voices to ever come out of the Northwest music scene. n
Stone Family Field Trip • Aug. 9 and 10 •
$80-$600 (Free for ages 12 and under) • All ages • Zephyr Lodge • 1900 S. Zephyr Road, Liberty Lake • stonefamilyfieldtrip.com
Field Trip: When you’re here, you’re family. LAUREN LINDLEY PHOTO
LEADERSHIP
Gwen Pevonka
Rebecca Cook
Sharma Shields
IMAGINATION
Robby Sletner
James “Moss” Landsiedel
Patty Dewitt-Garegnani
COLLABORATION
Michael Smith
Spokane Print & Publishing
Rebecca Craven
YOUTH ARTS LEADERSHIP
Simone Shaw
Sindhu Surapaneni
Shadle Park Leadership Students
INCLUSION
Daniel Schaefer
Sarah Dahmen
Rich Cowan
ARTS ADVOCACY
Gwen Pevonka
Rebecca Cook
Sharma Shields
Join us as we celebrate the artists and organizations that make Spokane an Arts city! This year’s gala theme is “HOMECOMING,” and we’re excited to see the fashion (and hair!) that you come up with! Scan the QR code to REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE SEATS now!
The Arts Awards Gala will be held at the beautiful Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center on the campus of Gonzaga University from 6:30pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, September 13. For Sponsorship information, contact us at info@spokanearts.org!
Artwork by Kate Reed Scan for Links!
LOCAL HARDCORE PSYCHIC DEATH
INDIE ROCK NIGHT TALKS
Thursday, 8/7
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Sean Patrick Urann
J THE BIG DIPPER, MC Chris, Swell Rell
J BRICK WEST BREWING CO., Buffalo Jones
J COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Patrick Dwyer
PJ’S PUB, The Dirty Champions RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Thursday Night Jam
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Thurrsdays EDM Night
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Honky-Tonk Rodeo Dance Party
STELLA’S ON THE HILL, Bay 7
J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Evan Denlinger
ZOLA, The Zola All Star Jam
Friday, 8/8
AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, Gil Rivas
J J THE BIG DIPPER, Psychic Death: Trilogy Album Release Show with Puddy Knife, It’s A Setup EATS ON SPOKANE STREET, Pat Coast
FIZZIE MULLIGANS, Blank Check
J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire GREEN CITY SALOON, DJ KJ
J HAMILTON STUDIO, The Divas: What She Wants
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), Seance Audio
J MEDICAL LAKE WATERFRONT PARK, Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival
MULLIGAN’S BAR & GRILLE, Son of Brad NIGHT OWL, Four On The Floor Fridays
J PARK BENCH CAFE, Under the Trees Concerts: Bethann O’Neil-Long
J PUEBLA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, Latin Dance Party RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Bobby Patterson
J RIVERFRONT PARK, Riverfront Sessions: Bailey Allen Baker
J ST. MARIES CITY PARK, PJ Destiny STORMIN’ NORMAN’S SALOON, Too Slim and the Taildraggers THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic
Psychic Death is here for a good time, not a long one. The local hardcore punk trio consisting of singer/ drummer Audrey Gore, guitarist Jon Montano and bassist Jeff Glinski specialize in delivering short, sharp bursts of ripping aggression. The vast majority of the band’s tunes clock in at under two minutes, but that’s plenty enough time to thrash wildly as Gore wails away pent up aggression through shredding screams. After releasing three digital/cassette EPs, Psychic Death is combining the trio of records (along with a few bonus tracks) to create its first LP, Trilogy. Pit patrons can pick up Psychic Death’s first vinyl album when the group heads to The Big Dipper for an album release show alongside fellow local noisemakers Puddy Knife and It’s a Setup.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Psychic Death: Trilogy Album Release Show with Puddy Knife, It’s a Setup • Fri, Aug. 8 at 7:30 pm • $10 • All ages • The Big Dipper • 171 S. Washington St. • thebigdipperspokane.com
Alot of empowering music with a pop-bent can end up feeling a bit saccharine. That’s not the case with Night Talks, the Los Angeles trio driven by Soraya Sebghati’s powerful vocals. Her introspective and reflective lyrics on songs like “Gasoline” and “Applause” pack a punch while the backing instrumentals from guitarist Jacob Butler and bassist Josh Arteaga make for incredibly danceable indie pop. Night Talks calls to mind the vibes of bands like The Joy Formidable and Deep Sea Diver, but with less technical wizardry and more upbeat bopping. Embrace the band’s inherent warmth when Night Talks stops by The Chameleon’s Jaguar Room for an all-ages gig.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Night Talks, The Chilling Alpine Adventure, Jojo Dodge • Wed Aug. 13 at 8 pm • $10-$15 • All ages • Jaguar Room at The Chameleon • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • chameleonspokane.com
J MEDICAL LAKE WATERFRONT PARK, Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival
J MIKEY’S GYROS, Violent By Nature, Satan’s Grasp, Chapter 13 NOAH’S CANTEEN, Tamarack Ridge Duo
J OLD SCHOOL LIQUOR BAR, Just Plain Darin
J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Agents of Rock RED DRAGON (THIRD AVENUE), Dr. Cecee & The Elixir
RED ROOM LOUNGE, AfroSounds with KosMos the Afronaut
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Chris Young
J BEARDED GINGER BAR & GRILL, Nate Ostrander
J J ZEPHYR LODGE, Stone Family Field Trip
ZOLA, The Jesse Lee Falls Band, Aspen Lockwood
Sunday, 8/10
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Soul Proprietor
J THE BIG DIPPER, Gasket, xGaargoylex, KURB, Wicked Issue
J CONKLING MARINA & RESORT, Just Plain Darin
THE DISTRICT BAR, Giovannie & The Hired Guns
J HAMILTON STUDIO, The Glass Bead Orchestra
J MIKEY’S GYROS, Antimxb, Swordfish Perfume J
J ATHOL COMMUNITY HALL, The Black Jack Band, John Pitcher
J INDABA FLAGSHIP CAFÉ, Rosethrow & Spro
THE GOODY BAR AND GRILL, Midnight Open Mic
LIVE AT ANDRE’S, Scooter Brown
J MEDICAL LAKE WATERFRONT PARK, Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival
J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Steve Starkey
J J ZEPHYR LODGE, Stone Family Field Trip
Monday, 8/11
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Open Mic
STELLA’S ON THE HILL, Rhythmic Collective Duo ZOLA, River Spell
TRVST • 120 N. Wall St. ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416
9-Years Open In Reardan • 50 Years As A Museum
Rides At 11:00 am • 1:00 pm • 3:00 pm
Ticket is for one ride in a restored passenger car plus admission to the Museum. Includes Scavenger Hunt for kids after the ride with prize for each! Model trains, Drive A Spike, Memorabilia, Historical Exhibitors, Free Cake...Fun!
Saturday August 9, 2025 RIDE/ADMISSION FEE: 4 & Under On Lap Free • All Others $20.00 Order Tickets Online • Pick Up Day Of Ride
Inland Northwest Rail Museum 27300 Sprinkle Rd-Reardan, WA-509-796-3377 www.inlandnwrailmuseum.com
MUSIC HEART OF FOLK
Sometimes it feels like every new musician is trying to emulate someone else or be someone they’re not. Olive Klug is decidedly the opposite. Sure, they pull inspiration for their confessional songwriting from folk legends like Joni Mitchell and modern artists like Brandi Carlile, but their music is all their own. The singer-songwriter’s 2025 sophomore album, Lost Dog, is a journey through all of life’s changes backed by shimmering vocal harmonies and the occasional twang of a banjo. Klug narrates their journey of self-discovery and navigating adulthood with emotionally charged lyrics that leave listeners teary-eyed. If you’re looking to get in your feels while stomping your feet a little on a Tuesday night, Klug’s first show in Spokane is the place to be.
— MADISON PEARSON
Olive Klug • Tue, Aug. 12 at 8 pm • $20-$24 • The Jaguar Room at The Chameleon • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • chameleonspokane.com
THEATER BEHIND PETER PAN
Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and adventured through Neverland with the Darling children (who — let’s be real — he practically kidnapped). But how did Pan and the rest of the tale’s characters, such as Tinker Bell and Captain Hook, come to live on the fantastical island of Neverland? Find out over the next few weeks as the Spokane Civic Theatre shows the Tony award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher, which details the backstory of these characters. Presented on the Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre stage, this show directed by Jessii Arp is a Civic Education Production meant to engage young Spokanites in the art of theater and storytelling.
— COLTON RASANEN
Peter and the Starcatcher • Aug. 8-17, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm • $20-$35 • Spokane Civic Theatre • 1020 N. Howard St. • spokanecivictheatre.com
SPORTS READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
Spokane technically doesn’t have a college football team (Whitworth is slightly outside of the city limits). And while there are plenty of Washington State Cougars fans in the city, the significantly closer Eastern Washington Eagles are striving to plant their flag as the Lilac City’s gridiron gang. To that end, EWU is hosting their first-ever Spokane scrimmage at ONE Spokane Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 14. The free-to-attend Red Turf Takeover gives a chance for the Eagles to drill their skills in front of a friendly crowd before Big Sky football season kicks off. In addition to the scrimmage, the first 509 fans will get a free hot dog. Ticket deals for this season’s games on the blood red turf at Roos Field in Cheney will also be offered, and players will sign autographs after the game.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Red Turf Takeover: EWU Scrimmage • Thu, Aug. 14 at 6 pm • Free • ONE Spokane Stadium • 501 W. Gardner Ave. • goeags.com
GET LISTED!
Submit events online at Inlander.com/getlisted or email relevant details to getlisted@inlander.com. We need the details one week prior to our publication date.
WORDS OF HER OWN
This year marks two decades since the brutal murders of the Groene family and kidnapping of the two youngest children, Shasta and Dylan. The siblings were stolen from their home in Coeur d’Alene and taken into the remote woods of Montana by their kidnapper and family’s killer, Joseph Edward Duncan. Days after killing Dylan, Duncan took Shasta to a Denny’s in Coeur d’Alene where she was recognized by waitresses and rescued by police, 48 days after the kidnapping. Shasta Groene has now worked with Gregg Olsen, a New York Times bestselling author, to tell her life story — her whole life story, not just the tale of the atrocity committed against her. Olsen and Groene appear together at The Well-Read Moose to sign copies of the book, Out of the Woods: A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home
— BEE REISWIG
Book Signing: Gregg Olsen with Shasta Groene • Fri, Aug. 8 from 5-7 pm • Free • The Well-Read Moose • 2048 N. Main St., Coeur d’Alene • wellreadmoose.com • 208-215-2265
COMMUNITY EDU-MAZING
With the school year quickly approaching, Art Salvage, Spokane’s nonprofit creative reuse store, invites local teachers and educators to select free materials for their classrooms at the store’s fourth annual Educators’ Day event. Teachers and educators can swing by the material giveaway area located outside of Art Salvage’s storefront and gather plenty of fun, unique materials for the upcoming school year. Free supplies include paper, fabric and textiles, craft items, art tools and more. There will also be special discounts, demos and prize giveaways inside the store. Educators do so much for our local community; now it’s their turn to be on the receiving end!
— MARTA SZYMANSKA
Art Salvage Educators’ Day • Sat, Aug. 9 from 11 am-2 pm • Free • Art Salvage • 610 E. North Foothills Dr. • artsalvagespokane.com
I SAW YOU
BAKERY BY THE LAKE PARKSIDE - BLUE You commented on my blue shirt. Sometimes I can be so shy. Then you waved good bye. Hope you’ll forgive me. I’m going back there in hopes to see you again. If you see this, send a note to weisacre@gmail.com
CHEERS
DEFENDING THE PEACE On behalf of many thousands of folks in this city, a big Cheers to SPD for (finally) addressing the noisy street racers. Mufflers designed to make vehicles even louder do not sound “macho,” it’s childish (immature personality), sociopathic (“I don’t care”), and/or misanthropic (“I enjoy disrupting other people’s lives”). A big CHEERS also to those who called crime check! Thank you for defending our rights for rest and quiet at night and our physical and mental health. Deserving safety from speeding negligent drivers who also disturb the peace is part of what taxpayers should still be able to expect. Not “Oh, that’s just the way it is now.”
G INGER MAN IN DISTRESS I want to thank the 2 gentlemen, I will call them The Cowboy and the Accountant, for checking on me and picking me up off the Northpoint parking lot after I tripped and fell. Thanks again
BEST GIRLFRIEND EVER Where do I even begin? I can’t even believe I have been lucky enough to have met you let alone having something as deep as we do. You’re beautiful, talented, smart, and so down to earth. You inspire me to be a better person every day and I can’t wait to spend forever with you. I’m glad everything in my life has happened to bring us together and you’re my destiny. Thank you for being you and making my day every day, I love you Kylie <3 ~TC
CLASS ACT ...always, but especially this July 4th. MCBB, your concert in the Park was stellar! Didn’t see you “topping” last year’s gig! Thrilled with that s’prise!! We enjoy your shows EV’RY time, but that stage is fun! A blessed, heartfelt THANK YOU to the leaders on stage, your tech. team/sound, and the concert organizers: Your calm, methodic handling of the frightening threat and advice to take cover was A+ . NO one in those few moments knew for certain what was unfolding; thanks for erring on the side of caution. To our fellow attendees, thank you for calmly managing the unknown. You. Are. Prepared. Thank God we are all safe. (To those who complained of a ruined evening, you can’t be serious...right? ) Just because you didn’t see or hear the warning by park-goers doesn’t mean it wasn’t real!!
Thank you to those who saw something/ said something. MasterClassBigBand, you are a shining light in this tawdry town. We’ll see you soon, and definitely July 4th, 2026.!!
Grateful we’re dancing. The alternative is grim. We pray your performers and fans are doing well.
JEERS
SPOKANE DRIVERS Dear Spokane a&%holes: When driving down city streets, you don’t just merge into another
SHOW US SOME LOVE!
Disappointed this week is so light on entries? We need more submissions! Send in your Cheer or I Saw You at Inlander.com/ISawYou
lane when you feel like it because the more intelligent person driving safely can’t read your mind. Instead, you signal your intention and then merge into the other lane when it’s clear that you have enough room so as to not cut off the driver in the lane you’re merging into. Duh!
OWNER NOT RENTER! Why are we allowing all these BIG companies to buy up our housing and make them rentals?
“
NO SAFETY AROUND SHELTERS I was assaulted by sex traffickers while walking to the bus stop at 2 pm. To reach my bus stop I have to follow a route taken by the residents of the Catalyst [housing project]. During the walk, I was harassed by adults in a car. They circled their car around me, honking at me, yelling at me that they had a proposition for me. All I felt was terror. I couldn’t fight off two people. Once I had to stop walking at the intersection of Sunset and Government Way the driver stopped
cannot support a larger flag if the measures I have noted above take place.
PLEASE RECYCLE Spokane county fairgrounds needs to recycle aluminum cans. I was at an event and there were garbage cans full of aluminum cans with no place to recycle. Millions of aluminum cans are thrown away in this country. They are worth good money. We even have an aluminum plant in Spokane.
thrown away in this country. They are
good money. ”
This should be illegal!!! The common people should be the first ones to be able to buy their own homes and condos!!
WASHINGTON VOTERS Jeers to you for voting blue no matter who. Grocery prices in our state have risen 17% over the last two years. In the last two months, those prices have increased 2.2% percent. Liquor licenses are about to go up 50%! Small businesses are beginning to close down and move out of our state! Who should you blame? You should be pointing the finger at our Democratic leaders, but I’m sure you’ll continue to blame Trump and Republicans for all our problems. They’re a perfect scapegoats so your chosen leaders remain forever blameless.
I LIVE IN A 55+ mobile home community and let me tell you, the way the landlord runs this place is top notch! First, along with DNR, they tore out all the arborvitae trees and bushes to minimize fire risks. The hill coming into our wonderful San Souci West is now just an ugly mess, along with the entrance to our Clubhouse. Can’t forget all the debris left behind homes. But! Someday there will be new plantings and hillsides will be cleaned up. Someday. Nobody seems to know! Second, there’s the roads. Oh my! Potholes to rival those in the city! Yet there is no money to repair them this year. Third? As soon as the rent cap on rentals went into law, what did they do? Raised our rent by 5%! The maximum allowed by law.
in the road in the crosswalk so close to me and assaulted me. I’m still scared for my life. This experience has been horrible, and I am constantly thinking about the victims of sex trafficking in this city and the danger we all have to face. I reported this incident to the police, and all I have is a crime victim’s pamphlet with my case number on it.
RE: DISPLAY THE PROPER SIZE FLAG
Regarding the proper size flag displayed atop the Spokane County Courthouse. I suspect no one alive has spent more time in the courthouse tower than me. I am intimately familiar with the flag, the pole, and the infrastructure. Prior to the renovation of the flag pole and parts of the tower some 20 years ago, the previous pole and support system had been in place since 1894/95. During those 100 plus years that system (although the flag was not displayed 24/7 during most of those years) supported much larger flags. If the weather was bad the flag was lowered, if not it was raised. Regarding the fact the current infrastructure is not engineered for a larger flag, the solution is to have an employee lower the flag as needed and raise when appropriate. The facilities department is staffed 24/7 and an employee on duty can handle the task, just as occurs when winds exceed 50mph. In addition I am curious what kind of “historical codes” are in place regarding the pole and the flag. If a larger flag was displayed on 100-year-old construction, I fail to see why circa 2006 engineering
KIDDING You’re annoyed that the fireworks in R.F.Park couldn’t be “post-poned”/ delayed/rescheduled?! That wonderful free gift of a show is presented by professional pyro-technicians, beautifully planned, designed and implemented, all perfectly timed and coordinated with the free gift of a FANTASTIC concert, each year! July 4th is Spokane Special because of that show. The concert team, the band/ orchestra/ tech. team, and security-safety can’t just “post-pone” such a magical event when interrupted or halted. That planning begins for the year, July 5th of the year we’re in. Instead of whining, how ‘bout we join together in THANKING all involved in not only presenting that gift, but keeping us safe when a threat occurs. Thank God no one was injured, badly when we needed to disperse. (It could have been lightning, a medical event, or a threat of harm). Let’s all breathe a beautiful PNW sigh of relief that nothing horrific came to us. n
SOUND OFF 1. Visit Inlander.com/isawyou by 3 pm Monday. 2. Pick a category (I Saw You, You Saw Me, Cheers or Jeers). 3. Provide basic info: your name and email (so we know you’re real). 4. To connect via I Saw You, provide a non-identifying email to be included with your submission — like “petals327@yahoo.com,” not “j.smith@comcast.net.”
a new era of music at the MAC
EVENTS | CALENDAR BENEFIT
NORTHEAST YOUTH CENTER LEMONADE STAND The kids from Northeast Youth Center sell lemonade to fund an excursion of their choosing. Lemonade price is donation based. Aug. 8, 8 am-3 pm. By donation. Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Ave. spokaneneyc. com (509-625-6200)
ARTISANS GUILD SPAGHETTI FEED A spaghetti feed, raffle and auction benefitting the Artisans Guild. RSVP via Facebook. Aug. 16, 4-6 pm. $10. The Artisans Guild, 4727 N. Division St. facebook.com/TheArtisansGuild01
COMEDY
CAROLANNE MILJAVAC Carolanne is married with four kids residing in Saint Joseph, MO. She has cultivated a massive online presence across multiple social media platforms. Aug. 7, 7 pm. $27-$37. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com
FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY JOKE JOKE
JOKE A unique comedy experience that takes full advantage of the Garland Theater’s projector system, combining stand-up comedy, live sketches, and other mixed-media comedic bits. This month features Jess Everett, Brock Terrano and host Josiah Carlson. Aug. 7, 7:30-9 pm. $15. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org
T.J. MILLER Miller is a skilled improviser with three comedy specials. Aug. 8-9, 7 & 9:45 pm. $37-$7. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
JOHN CAPARULO John Caparulo has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central Presents, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Aug. 14, 7 pm, Aug. 15-16, 7 & 9:45 pm. $18-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub. com (509-318-9998)
RELIGIOUS TRAUMEDY Local comedian Adam Swensen and his friends unpack growing up Christian through characters, drag and more. Ages 21+. Aug. 15, 7-9:30 pm. $20. Jaguar Room at The Chameleon, 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. chameleonspokane.com
COMMUNITY
ADVENTURE AWAITS: RECREATION IN NORTH IDAHO This exhibit celebrates the diverse ways people have enjoyed the great outdoors in North Idaho. Daily from 11 am-5 pm through Sep. 30. Free. Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd. museumni.org
COFFEE IN THE GARDEN An event highlighting a new creative each week including demonstrations, activities and refreshments. Artists include Shaun Deller, Lynn Walters, Bill Moore, Linda Cassella and more. Thursdays from 10 am-noon through Aug. 21. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St. createarts.org (509-447-9277)
FIRE: REBIRTH AND RESILIENCE An exhibition exploring the catastrophic 1889 fire that destroyed more of Spokane’s downtown core. The exhibit features information on historic and contemporary fires, illustrating how destruction is a catalyst for rebirth and resilience. Tue-Sun from 11 am-5 pm through Sep. 28. $9-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org
SPOKANE SINGLES MIXER Play games, mingle and make connections with fellow singles. Reservation includes one free drink. Aug. 7, 7-8:30 pm. Free. Brick West Brewing Co., 1318 W. First Ave. brickwestbrewingco.com
UNDERSEA FANTASY NIGHT MARKET
& STREET FAIR An undersea-themed night market and arts experience. The monthly street fair features vendors, artisans, makers, music and artists. Aug. 8, 5-9 pm. $3. Catalyst Building, 601 E. Riverside Ave. thewavybunch.com
BUDDHIST WORKSHOP ON KARMA
& ATTACHMENTS Rev. Umezu, the retired Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America, invites participants to share their thoughts, experiences, and reflections on karma and attachments through open discussion. Aug. 9, 4-6:30 pm. By donation. Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. facebook. com/SpokaneBuddhistTemple
EDUCATORS’ DAY Free materials for teachers and homeschool parents available, including paper, fabrics and textiles, mixed media supplies, interior design samples, craft items, art tools and more. Aug. 9, 11 am-2 pm. Free. Art Salvage Spokane, 610 E. North Foothills Dr. artsalvagespokane.com
VIETNAM VETERANS EXHIBITION A showcase of 30 posters commemorating 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. The event also features traditional Vietnamese food and other activities. Aug. 9, 3 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-899-5058)
FORUM: WHY WE LOVE AMERICA
Sheriff John Nowels, journalist William Jasper, educator Leah Southwell and community leader Cecily Wright hold an open forum about patriotism. Aug. 9, 3-5 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. freevietnews.com
BRITBULL BRITISH CAR SHOW A showcase of classic British motorcars from Bugeye Sprites to Rolls Royces. Trophies are awarded in 19 car classes. Aug. 10, 9 am-1 pm. Free. Grant Park, 1015 S. Arthur St. northwestbritishclassics.com (208-719-9245)
BONNER COUNTY FAIR A classic fair with carnival rides, food, games, entertainment and livestock. Aug. 12-16, daily; times vary. Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd. bonnercountyfair.com (208-263-8414)
LNK SOCIAL A meetup/networking experience that links fashion, art, music, as well as business owners and growth mindset individuals. Aug. 14, 6:30 pm. Free. The Chameleon, 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. chameleonspokane.com
PEND OREILLE COUNTY FAIR & RO -
DEO A fair featuring a livestock show, rodeo, vendors and live music. Aug. 1417, times vary. Pend Oreille County Fairgrounds, 419152 State Route 20. pocfair. com (509-445-1367)
NORTH IDAHO STATE FAIR This year’s fair theme is “Keeping Tradition Alive”, it features a variety of family-friendly entertainment and attractions. Aug. 15-25; times vary. $9-$52. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way. nisfair.fun (208-765-4969)
WALLACE HUCKLEBERRY FESTIVAL
The 40th annual Wallace Huckleberry Festival features a 5k race, a pancake breakfast, food and craft vendors, live music and much more. Aug. 15-17. Free. Wallace, Idaho. wallaceid.fun
4TH ANNUAL LOCALMOTION CAR
SHOW A car show featuring categories such as rat rod, lowrider, under construction, import and more. $25 to enter a vehicle. Aug. 16, 11 am-7 pm. Free. Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson, 19011 E. Cataldo Ave. localmotioncc.com
AN EVENING WITH JED BROPHY A Q&A and signing with Jed Brophy, who starred in all six Middle Earth films including the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. A ticket ensures a signed photo or personal item. The event is open to all, with or without a Q&A ticket. Aug. 16, 6 pm. $20-$30. Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe, 411 W. First Ave. instagram.com/ jupiterseyebookcafe
GARLAND PRIDE A pride celebration in Spokane’s Garland District featuring a vendor fair, drag shows, live music, food and more. Aug. 16, 4-9 pm. Free. Garland District. spokanepride.org
UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY The region’s largest multi-cultural event featuring a cultural village, traditional food, a career/education fair, entertainment and more. Aug. 16, 10 am-3 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. nwunity.org (509-625-6600)
FILM
SUMMER FLICKS: THE GOONIES A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. Aug. 7, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)
SUMMER MOVIES IN THE PARK A screening Cars in Colfax’s Schmuck Park. Aug. 7, 8 pm. Free. Colfax, Wash. explorecolfaxwa.com
CAT VIDEO FEST 2025 A compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. Aug. 8, 7:30 pm, Aug. 9, 7 pm and Aug. 10, 4 pm. $10. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org
DRIVE-IN MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY: PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE Bring a large cardboard box from home and the library will provide all the decorations and supplies to make your car movie-ready. Some cardboard boxes will be available while supplies last. Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie is rated PG. Aug. 8, 1-3 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org
FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE Set in 18th-century France, a young painter named Marianne is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a reluctant bride, Heloise, in secret. Marianne must observe her during the day while pretending to be a companion, then paint her from memory at night. Aug. 8, 6:30 pm. $8. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First. northwestmuseum.org
OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE PARK: THE WILD ROBOT A screening of The Wild Robot in Mirabeau Point Park. Snacks are available for purchase, bring your own seating. Movie begins at sunset. Aug. 8. Free. Mirabeau Point Park, 2426 N. Discovery Place. spokanevalley.org MOVIES IN THE PARK: WICKED A screening of Wicked in Pavilion Park. Movie starts at dusk. Aug. 9. Free. Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Rd. libertylakewa.gov (509-755-6726)
EVENTS | CALENDAR
MOONLIT MOVIES: CHARADE A screening of Charade under the stars. Film begins at sunset. Aug. 13. Free. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commellini. com (509-466-0667)
SUMMER FAMILY MATINEE: HERCULES
The son of Zeus and Hera is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must become a true hero in order to reclaim it. Aug. 13, 1 pm. Free. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org
SUMMER MOONLIGHT MOVIES: IF A free screening of If in Airway Heights’ Sunset Park. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. Movie begins at dusk. Aug. 15. Free. Sunset Park, 924 S. Lawson St. airwayheightsparksandrec.org
FOOD & DRINK
SUNSET DINNER CRUISES A buffet featuring baked salmon, roasted beef, summer salads and more. Cruise length is two hours. Daily at 7:30 pm through Sept. 1. $57-$84. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com (208-765-4000)
GRAINMAKER 2025 Over 40 breweries from across the west coast showcase 20+ collaboration beers to the community. The event also features barbecue food, live music and a beer garden. Proceeds benefit the Barley Fund of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. Aug. 8, 4-8 pm. $40. Brick West Brewing Co., 1318 W. First. grainmakerbeerfest.com
RIDE & DINE SERIES Enjoy a scenic gondola ride, live music and a barbecue meal. Fri from 3-7:30 pm through Aug.
SILVER MOUNTAIN BREWSFEST Ethe craft offerings of breweries and cideries from the Inland Northwest craft beer scene and listen to live local music. Aug. 9, 1-6 pm. $50-$72. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com
RIVERFRONT EATS A lineup of local food trucks serve up savory dishes, sweet treats and everything in between on the orange Howard Street bridge in Riverfront Park. Every Tuesday from 11 am-2 pm through Aug. 19. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. rivefrontspokane.com
NATIONAL LENTIL FESTIVAL A festival celebrating Pullman lentils with cooking demos, samples, kids activities and more. Aug. 16. Free. Reaney Park, 460 NE Morton St. lentilfest.com
MUSIC
BLUE WATERS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
A music festival featuring folk and bluegrass bands as well as bluegrass jam and vendors. Aug. 8-10; times vary. Waterfront Park, 1386 S. Lefevre St. bluewatersbluegrass.org (509-869-0252)
STANDARD DEVIATION: SCREEN TIME
Standard Deviation, a local jazz group, plays themes from iconic TV shows and video games like Duck Tales, Star Wars, the Legend of Zelda and more. Aug. 8, 7-9 pm. $10. Hill House Event Center, 3023 E. Diamond Ave. larsenjazz.com
SATURDAY WITH THE SYMPHONY The Coeur d’Alene Symphony performs, puts on aninteractive activity and a book is read by the children’s librarian. Ev-
ery third Saturday at 11 am. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
ITTF PARA FUTURE SPOKANE Para table tennis athletes compete to showcase their skills on an international stage and build their rankings. Aug. 6-8; times vary. The Podium, 511 W. Joe Albi Way. thepodiumusa.com (509-279-7000)
RIVERFRONT MOVES: ECLIPSE POWER
YOGA A unique exploration on the mat featuring fun playlists designed to uplift and invigorate, supporting your poses and generating energy from Ujjayi to Savasana. Instructed by Eclipse Power Yoga. Aug. 7, 6-7 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600)
SPOKANE BIKE PARTY A community bike ride with music through Spokane beginning and ending at Olmstead Brother’s Green in Kendall Yards. Aug. 8, 7-9 pm. Free. Olmsted Brothers Green, N. Nettleton St. and Summit Pkwy. instagram/spokane_rides
TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK: GLENROSE-DISHMAN HILLS NATURAL AREA
Educators from The Lands Council introduce the fundamentals of tree identification during this interactive walk. Aug. 8, 8 am-noon. Free. Dishman Hills, 625 S. Sargent Rd. scld.org (509-328-9900)
COEUR D’ALENE TRIATHLON Options for the annual race include an Olympic distance triathlon, the scenic sprint and a
duathlon. Race starts/ends in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Aug. 9. $133-$224. Coeur d’Alene. cdatriathlon.com
ROOFTOP PILATES & SOUNDBATH A restorative mat pilates class and immersive sound bath hosted by The Pilates Ritual and AnamCara Healing Center. Aug. 11, 6-7 pm. $40. The Steam Plant, 159 S. Lincoln St. thepilatesritual.com
RED TURF TAKEOVER: EWU FOOTBALL
SCRIMMAGE A scrimmage between EWU football players with autographs to follow and free hotdogs for the first 509 attendees. Aug. 14, 5 pm. Free. ONE Spokane Stadium, 501 W. Gardner Ave. ewu.edu
SPOKANE ANGELS GOLF TOURNAMENT A four-person team scramble benefitting Spokane Angels, an organization dedicated to supporting foster children and their families. Aug. 15, 1-5 pm. $500. MeadowWood Golf Course, 24501 E. Valleyway Ave. spokaneangels.org
THEATER & DANCE
JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT The beloved musical by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Weber reimagines the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors. Wed-Fri at 7:30 pm, SatSun at 2 pm through Aug. 17. $25-$48. University High School, 12320 E. 32nd Ave. svsummertheatre.com
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can is the high-flying musical
comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. Aug. 1-10; times vary. $23-$30. Aspire Community Theatre, 1765 W. Golf Course Road. aspirecda.com
THE LION KING JR. A production of the Lion King Jr. with a cast of adults with special needs. Aug. 2-10; Thu-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. By donation. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. myturntheater.com (509 270-8472)
SHE LOVES ME Set in a 1930’s European perfumery, we meet shop clerks, Amalia and Georg, who, more often than not, don’t see eye to eye. After both respond to a “lonely hearts advertisement” in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Aug. 8-17; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. $50-$192. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 880 W. Garden Ave. cstidaho.com
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores greed and despair and the bonds of friendship and love. Aug. 8-17; ThuSat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $20-$35. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. spokanecivictheatre.com
ANNIE! With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-tonothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who gave her up as a child. Aug. 14-25; WedSat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1:30 pm. $30. Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N. Grand Ave. rtoptheatre.org
VISUAL ARTS
EMILY SOMOSKEY: CONSTANTS Drawing inspiration from physics diagrams and elements of everyday life, the works in this exhibition transform abstract equations and scientific notations into layered narratives, bridging the empirical with the intuitive. Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm through Aug. 30. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe. terrainspokane.com
LAUREN URLACHER: DAHLIA DAYS OF
SUMMER Lareun Urlacher, a Spokanebased floral artist, displays paintings of dahlia flowers. Daily from 10 am-7 pm through Aug. 30. Free. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. potterplaceplus. com/liberty-gallery (509-768-1268)
TESA KAWAKAMI: WHAT IF YOU STAY
Artwork from Seattle-based artist Tesla Kawakami whose oil paintings xplore themes of nostalgia, destruction, identity and transformation. Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm through Aug. 29. Free. Chase Gallery, 808 W. Spokane Falls. spokanearts.com
TRACKSIDE ANNUAL STUDIO SALE
Everything in Trackside Studio is marked down 10% with many featured items marked down as much as 50%. Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through Aug. 30. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net (509-863-9904)
TOBE HARVEY & ARLON ROSENOFF
Tobe Harvey displays botanical work and Arlon Rosenoff showcases mosaics of palette knife strokes. Fri-Sat from noon8 pm through Aug. 30. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com
CELEBRATING THE SOUL OF BLUES
Nicholas Sironka displays vibrant acrylic
paintings of blues musicians. Live music by John and Monique Dingledein and works by Bob Lloyd, John Thamm, Rick Davis, Roch Fautch. Fri from 1-7 pm and Sat 1-4 pm by appointment through Aug. 31. Free. Shotgun Studios, 1625 W. Water Ave. ShotgunStudiosSpokane.com
GARRIC SIMONSEN Garric Simonsen showcases a mix of illustrations, mixed media and paintings. Aug. 8, 5-9 pm. Free. Turkey Tail Tattoo, 1306 S. Grand Blvd. turkeytailtattoo.com
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR A two-day event featuring local arts and craft vendors as well as artwork displays. Aug. 9, 9 am-5 pm and Aug. 10, 9 am-4 pm. Free. Downtown Sandpoint. artinsandpoint.org
PAINT AND SIP This Paint & Sip event invites you to follow along as instructors guide you through painting your own version of a featured artwork. Aug. 9, 4-6 pm. $40. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar St. bluedoortheatre.org (509-747-7045)
DESIGN AND SEW A PLUSH MONSTER Unleash your creativity by designing and sewing your own plush monster using basic hand stitching techniques with instructor Koreena Nagai. Mon from 1-3:30 pm through Aug. 14. $170. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)
CROCHETING FRIENDS Learn new stitches, share patterns, crochet items for hospice or those in need and make friends with fellow crocheters. Every Tuesday from 4-5:30 pm at the Clark Fork Library. Tues., 4-5:30 pm. Free. Clark Fork. ebonnerlibrary.org
HEARTISTRY: ARTISTIC WELLBEING A relaxed and inspiring environment for
self-discovery. Participate in basic artistic concepts and activities or respond to a mindfulness prompt. Every Tuesday from 3-5 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org
TUESDAY GALLERY TALKS Join a museum staff member or docent for an 20 minute informal discussion about one of our currently showing exhibitions. Every Tue at 11 am. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
COLLAGE WORKSHOP This workshop offers an opportunity to create two original collage compositions under the guidance of an experienced local artist. Through a curriculum consisting of two assignments, students learn how to compose and execute their own original works of art using materials provided by the instructor. Second Wednesday of each month from 6-8 pm. $25. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St. lunariumspokane.com
DROP IN & DRAW Join a creative community for this weekly free-form drawing program. Explore different artistic mediums, develop skills and ideas and cultivate imaginative thinking through art. All skill levels are welcome. Supplies and projects provided. Wednesdays from 5:30-7 pm Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org
OPEN STUDIO Stop by The Hive to see what current Artists in Residence are up to, and tour the building. Every Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org
YOUTH ART-A-PALOOZA: A LIVE ART & CREATIVITY FESTIVAL This hands-on event invites kids and teens to explore
creativity through a variety of themed art stations, including painting, drawing, fiber arts and more. Aug. 13, 1-2:30 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
ARTVANA PAINT & SIP CLASS A guided acrylic painting class of a jar of fireflies. Enjoy Black Label Brewing Company’s full menu of beer and pizza while you paint. Ages 10+. Aug. 14, 6-8:30 pm. $45. Black Label Brewing Co., 19 W. Main Ave. artvana.life (320-805-0206)
STERLING SILVER EARRINGS In this course, students will practice techniques in wire bending and beading to make their own fine jewelry with instructor Olivia Watkins. Aug. 14, 3-5 pm. $63. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)
ART FEST An art show and sale hosted by the Jacklin Center featuring local artists and vendors. Aug. 15-23, daily. Free. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org
WORDS
GREGG OLSEN AND SHASTA GROENE: OUT OF THE WOODS Acclaimed true crime author Gregg Olsen and Shasta Groene sign copies of their book collaboration, Out of the Woods. Aug. 8, 5-7 pm. Free. The Well-Read Moose, 2048 N. Main. wellreadmoose.com
CHLOÉ CALDWELL: TRYING: A MEMOIR
Author Chloé Caldwell will discuss Cher new memoir alongside local author Chelsea Martin. Aug. 8, 5:30-6:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
WRITE TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY WRITING SESSION Bring your current writing project and your favorite writing tools and prepare to hunker down and write with local novelist and Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields. Aug. 8, 10 am-noon. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org
BOOKSTORE ROMANCE DAY: Local romance authors Bethany Bennett, Courtney Davis, Lucy Gilmore and Jessica James sit on a panel focused on romance books. Aug. 9, 6-8 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com (509-838-0206)
BOOK CLUB WITH A BEVERAGE After reading the month’s selected book, come to the MAC to join in the discussion facilitated by local writer and lecturer, Jenny Davis. August’s pick is Jess Walter’s new novel So Far Gone. Aug. 10, 1-3 pm. $20-$24. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
MORGAN RICHTER: THE UNDERSTUDY
Author Morgan Richter discusses her new book about an opera singer uncovers the dark secrets of her cruel and alluring understudy when a murder disrupts her disciplined world. She will be in conversation with local author Lucy Gilmore. Aug. 14, 7-8:30 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com
FORAY LIT PICNIC #2: THE COVE Bring your own picnic supplies, a chair, even a suit for swimming and watch performers includeing Karen Mobley, Sharma Shields, Will Roberds-King, Joseph A. Williams and more. Aug. 14, 6-9 pm. Free. The Cove, 22515-22301 W. South Bank Road. instagram.com/foray4thearts n
GREEN WRAPPING
New WSU study finds that aesthetically pleasing cannabis edible packaging attracts teens’ attention
BY COLTON RASANEN
While a March 2024 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that the legalization of recreational cannabis did not entice teens to partake, a new Washington State University-led study says the packaging for edibles just might.
In collaboration with public health agencies in Seattle and King County, researchers at WSU’s Murrow College of Communication set out to reduce accidental cannabis exposure among teens by finding which types of packaging on edible gummies, chocolates, pretzels and sodas, appealed to them the most. To do this, the researchers hosted virtual interviews with 28 Washington teens (ages 13 to 17) where they showed real product photos and asked for feedback on what caught the teens’ attention.
In June they published a study in the Journal of Health Communication, in which they found that teens (ages 13 to 17) were attracted to bright, colorful packaging.
“Our findings suggest that teens are drawn not just to the look of these packages, but to what the design represents,” Stacey Hust, a professor in WSU’s Murrow College and the study’s lead author, told WSU Insider. “They saw these products as trendy, natural and aspirational — qualities that resonate with their identities and beliefs.”
Additionally, the researchers learned that teens familiar with cannabis, whether from personal experience or proximity, were more likely to pay attention to warning labels and the edible’s dosage. Other teens were less likely to notice these packaging details. Plus, “locally made” and “vegan” labels made products more appealing to teens who felt it aligned with their personal values.
“What surprised us was how often these products were interpreted as healthy or natural,” Jessica Willoughby, a WSU associate professor of communications and co-author of the study, told WSU Insider in June. “When you combine that with vibrant packaging and familiar fruit flavors, it’s easy to see how these items start to look like snacks — not something potentially harmful or illegal for teens.”
While the researchers hope their study can help lawmakers regulate the underage appeal of edible packaging by requiring clearer warnings and branding that doesn’t mirror health food, that kind of broad change will take time to implement.
“We’re not calling for a marketing ban,” Hust told WSU Insider. “We’re asking for thoughtful regulations that balance the rights of adult consumers with the need to protect kids.” n
Visually pleasing edible packaging might give teens the wrong message. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
TECH MADE SIMPLE
Rogers ___ (retractable roof stadium in Toronto) 43. Letter sign-off 45. Placated 46. Part of an intro for a local hero,
“Clue” weapon 48. Precious metal, to Mateo 49. It means a great deal
___’wester (waterproof hat) 55. BP acquisition of the late 1990s 56. Atlantic feature 57. 1/6 of a fl. oz.
