Inlander 12/14/2023

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DECEMBER 14-20, 2023 | CELEBRATING EVERYONE ALL YEAR LONG

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EWU: ACADEMICS VS ATHLETICS 8 SILENT READING 37 BARTENDER BRAWL 42

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CULTURE 35 SCREEN 44 MUSIC 46 EVENTS 50

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EDITOR’S NOTE

S

ome things last all year, but we only celebrate them at specific times. Christmas is one only day, but it’s OK to be warmed by its charm for a month or so. Recognizing and celebrating our LGBTQ+ community is something we generally reserve for June, the month of Pride.

But why?

As Colton Rasanen — who helped lead this week’s cover package, ’TIS THE SEASON FOR LGBTQ+ EQUALITY — notes in his introduction to the section, it feels like we are slipping frighteningly backward when it comes to queer rights. Take this fall’s election of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said in October that American society is “so dark and depraved it almost seems irredeemable” in part because some younger people have begun identifying as “something other than straight.” Sure, he’s just one bigoted man, but he’s third in line to the presidency. And that doesn’t even get to the hate that’s being perpetrated in other parts of the world.

Still, there’s a lot of good work being done in the Inland Northwest.

As you read the stories, remember that it’s Christmas, when peace and goodwill to all should guide all of our actions and thoughts.

— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editor

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HALEY LEWIS

They spend a lot on football, and I think it’s kind of ridiculous. They’ve been cutting some of the arts, and that’s really a detriment to the kids.

Do you think that EWU should put more funding toward art programs?

I do. I think those kinds of things are starting to go away, and I think that’s really sad because it’s a good outlet for a lot of kids to be creative.

DOUG LUMBARD

I think they should expand what’s offered: athletics, any other extracurricular programs outside the mainstream education, music, drama, everything.

Do you think it’s important to have athletics?

Yes, I do. I just think it gives them a fuller experience, the students. The more athletic programs you have, the more participation you have.

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I’d look at the academic programs that don’t have as many students enrolled in them, and perhaps cut those, but try and focus on the ones that are going to lead to jobs and keep those.

Do you think that athletic programs are important?

I’m kind of an anti-sports person, and I think they spend way too much money on coaches.

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JAMES CASTLE

I don’t know that much about their academic program, but I would trim the fat somewhere else to keep sports programs up and running.

Do you think it’s important to have athletic programs at universities?

Yes, because of the relationships it builds for people. There’s so many positives to being on a team and participating in the sports.

DIANNA CHELF

Too many schools have cut academic programs already, and I think it hurts a school when they don’t have as much to offer rather than just athletics.

Do you think it’s important to have athletics?

People enjoy it, but I don’t think it should become so important that it rules out why you’re going to the university in the first place.

INTERVIEWS BY SUMMER SANDSTROM 12/9/23, TWO WOMEN VINTAGE GOODS

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Ridley Scott, left, not only embellished the life of Bonaparte, but he scolded critics who pointed it out. COLUMBIA PICTURES COURTESY PHOTO

Historical Truth Does Matter

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Even when they are not accurate, movies like Napoleon do leave an impression as being part of the historical record

BY LAWRENCE B.A. HATTER

O

ne of the year’s most hotly anticipated movies hit theaters on Nov. 22. Weighing in at a little under three hours and with a budget of $200 million, veteran filmmaker Ridley Scott’s Napoleon promised to tell the epic tale of one of history’s most famous figures.

Movie critics have praised the exciting spectacle of the battle scenes, but it has received a mixed reception from moviegoers, who currently score Napoleon 3.4 out of 5 on rottentomatoes.com.

6 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

Historians, however, have savaged Napoleon.

French scholars have accused the British-born Scott of indulging his Anglophone prejudices in his depiction of history’s most famous Frenchman. Biographer Patrice Gueniffey argued that Scott’s Napoleon

offered a “very anti-French and very pro-British” interpretation of the emperor, ignoring his many achievements in modernizing French civil society. British historian Andrew Roberts, however, was no more forgiving. He accused Scott of regurgitating the outdated trope that Napoleon was a megalomaniac who served as a prototype for Adolf Hitler and the greatest crimes of the 20th century.

Scott is having none of it. The notoriously irascible director has dismissed criticism that his movie is historically inaccurate by inviting historians to “get a life.” In a recent BBC interview, Scott challenged his critics by asking, “Were you there? Oh, you weren’t there. Then how do you know?”

That is not how history works. And Scott knows it. In the same interview, he noted that over 10,000 books have been written about Napoleon Bonaparte. Presumably, he doesn’t think that they were all authored by eyewitnesses to history. Historians access the past through different kinds of primary sources. Traditionally, these sources are written documents from the time, which in the case of an elite military and political leader like Napoleon, will number in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

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t the end of the day, Scott doesn’t care if his movie is historically accurate or not, just so long as it is critically and commercially successful. He answers to studio and network executives, not professional historians or an abstract sense of truth. And what does it matter anyway if a movie about Napoleon has a complicated relationship with the truth if the audience enjoys the show? Movies are a form of entertainment, not history lessons.

Would that it were. While Scott will lose no sleep over his problematic rendering of Napoleon’s life, historians should be alarmed because movies play an outsized role in shaping popular understandings of the past. Through cinematic magic, Scott and his fellow directors gain access to mass audiences who are voracious consumers of popular history but are often not equipped to tell truth from fiction.

Scott is by no means the first director to play fast and loose with history. Ask historians and you’ll find that they think that most historical movies are flawed to some extent. Often these criticisms can seem pedantic. Though depicted in Napoleon’s opening scene, Bonaparte wasn’t present at the execution of Marie Antoinette, for example. So what?

The problem is that scholars are not always good at explaining the inaccuracies that really matter and those that are less important. For example, Napoleon does not address the emperor’s reinstatement of slavery in France’s Caribbean colonies in 1802, which reignited a brutal race war in Haiti (and indirectly helped to secure the Louisiana Purchase for the United States) that killed tens of thousands of people. This matters not only for the sake of correcting the historical record, but also because it helps to explain the deep historical roots of the gang violence in 21st century Haiti.

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istory is too important to leave to movie directors. We should not expect movie moguls like Ridley Scott to be history teachers, even when they flirt with interpreting the past. Historians need to find ways to reach broader audiences on their own terms. Some already have. The “Historians at the Movies” podcast (historiansatthemovies.com) just put out an episode dedicated to Napoleon in which’ experts on French history discuss the movie’s hits and misses.

But triage efforts like these only respond once the damage has already been done. Above all, historians need to remind people that the truth is more entertaining than fiction. You shouldn’t have to make things up about the past to be able to tell a great story. n Lawrence B.A. Hatter is an award-winning author and associate professor of early American history at Washington State University. These views are his own and do not reflect those of WSU.

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About 20% of student fees and tuition at Eastern Washington University pay for athletics.

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EDUCATION

Academics or Athletics?

Everything from physics to football is on the table for budget cuts at Eastern Washington University

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

A

s Eastern Washington University works to become more financially sustainable and address a budget deficit, even the most celebrated aspects of the college are at risk of being cut.

Two reports released last week will guide the next potentially painful restructuring process. At a glance, there are some eyebrow-raising recommendations in the reports from two committees tasked with ranking every academic program and service at Eastern.

On the services side, not only are the student bookstore and on-campus dining options highlighted for “disinvestment,” but the school’s money-losing NCAA Division I football program is listed for “transformation.”

On the academic side, 175 programs were selected for disinvestment. That’s 40% of the school’s academic offerings, although they make up only 20% of the overall academic costs.

The reports mark the end of a yearlong “strategic resource allocation” process that called on two 16-member committees made up of professors and university staff to rank everything the school offers into five “quintiles”: invest, maintain, streamline, transform or disinvest.

The reports note that many of the programs in the bottom “disinvest” quintile could be maintained with some changes, such as combining similar majors or minors.

While there’s no guarantee the school’s Board of Trustees or administration will actually cut the programs in the “disinvest” group or will throw more money toward those in the “invest” group, the documents will guide university leaders looking to strengthen the bottom line.

For years, Eastern faculty have been calling on the school to look for financial savings in the athletics program rather than in the academic programs that serve the school’s mission as an institution of higher education.

8 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

Though athletics is continually spending more money than it takes in — and was more than $3.1 million in the hole in fiscal 2022 — the Board of Trustees has been unwilling so far to consider dropping out of the Big Sky conference. Board members explicitly voted in June 2021 to remain in NCAA Division I. Instead, with the university facing an expected budget gap between $10.5 million and $13 million for this fiscal year 2024, the board and university President Shari McMahan called on the campus community to look for ways to save money.

“Our students have chosen Eastern, and while it’s comfortable to do what we’ve always done, we can’t continue to do the same and expect different outcomes,” McMahan told the board on Friday, Dec. 8.

340 ATHLETES, 10,700 STUDENTS

State money budgeted for the university cannot pay for athletics, especially football, as one of the reports noted.

“It is unsustainable for a university of our size with our budgetary challenges to allow a single unit to accumulate annual deficits as large as the ones listed,” states the University Services Task Force report, released on Dec. 6. It recommends the idea of “moving football to a lower division.”

Faculty have pointed out that about 20% of student tuition and fees end up funding athletics at Eastern.

The university’s budget office says the true number is actually 18%.

Either way, that’s out of line with other regional state universities. In a July letter to President McMahan and Board of Trustees Chair Jay Manning, faculty leaders noted that Central Washington University and Western Washington University “dedicate closer to 4-5% of student

tuition and fees to athletics.”

In an August response, Manning said that while enrollment is declining and the university does need to look for savings everywhere, including in athletics, the board continues to believe its decision to remain in Division I is the right one. He also questioned comparing Eastern to Central and Western because those two have smaller, Division II athletics programs and larger student enrollment than Eastern.

“The benefits provided by our excellent athletic program justifies the ongoing investment,” Manning wrote. “I know we disagree on that point and reasonable minds can certainly differ on such a judgment call.”

But some faculty members don’t feel those benefits have been spelled out sufficiently. About 340 of the more than 10,700 students are athletes.

David Syphers, who teaches physics and astronomy at Eastern, was the president of the Faculty Organization when many of the questions about athletics arose a few years ago. He and a few other professors published a report in February 2020 digging into the costs of the program. He’s specifically asked the university to show how athletics helps drive enrollment or provides other benefits.

“We want to support all of our students. It’s not their fault that we’re having budget issues,” Syphers says. “But we’re trying to make sure we preserve the primary mission of the university, which is academics.”

About a third of students at Eastern are first-generation college students and about a quarter are Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need. As much as $1,600 of a student’s estimated $9,100 in yearly tuition and fees (for in-state students) goes to athletics.

They’d likely appreciate their tuition going toward investments in other services, such as mental health counseling and career advising, Syphers says.

“We need to be very thoughtful stewards of their money, and I don’t think that’s what’s happening with athletics right now,” he adds.

It’s not completely clear how much money Eastern could save by joining another division, but it’s likely in the millions if other schools are a model.

A February 2021 third-party report solicited by Eastern found that the median athletics loss for Division II schools was at least $7.7 million less than Eastern’s athletics loss in 2019. None of the 127 Division I programs in the Football Championship Subdivision generated more revenue than ...continued on page 10

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expenses in 2019, according to the NCAA, with a median net negative of $14.3 million.

Thanks to a 2018 bill from state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, Eastern and other state universities and colleges are required to maintain updated athletics financial information for the public. The Board of Trustees or Regents must also approve a plan to reduce deficits.

“The thinking was that the first step to controlling deficit spending would be to bring it to the surface so at least the public, regents, media and students would be able to see what’s really happening,” Billig says. “I think it has had a positive impact on transparency. But it does not appear that it has translated into less debt incurred or student tuition dollars being used towards athletics.”

VALUING LIBERAL ARTS

The two committees that sorted through hundreds of templates filled out by every university program were intentionally composed of rank and file staff at the university, rather than high-level administrators, says Pui-Yan Lam, the current Faculty Organization president and a professor in the Sociology and Justice Studies department.

The Academic Task Force focused on ranking programs in the undergraduate and graduate majors and minors, academic certificates, College in the High School, and clinics.

The University Services Task Force focused on the rest of the university, from housing and dining to athletics, facilities and more.

“Both of the task force reports are really calling on our administration to prioritize the academic mission of the university and prioritizing resources for our students like academic support, mental health, and counseling,” Lam says. “Especially with what our students have gone through during the pandemic, those resources are critical.”

Some findings in the data (which is not publicly accessible yet) might contradict ideas that people have about higher education, Lam says.

“It is not only beneficial for our students to have a balance of liberal arts so they have choices, but it is also financially good for the university,” Lam says.

For example, while some in-demand health science programs are expensive to run, other programs such as philosophy and English bring in millions more than they cost.

“To me it means that really we can offer students a lot of choices in academic programs, and by doing so we are actually putting the university in good financial health,” Lam says. “I think this is really very different from what people assume.”

Some of the common recommendations of the Academic Task Force include combining similar programs that only differ by a few courses, and ensuring that tenured/tenure-track faculty are prioritized over a rotating batch of instructors that contract for a quarter at a time.

For example, the report suggests combining resources for the Bachelor of Arts in education focused on elementary mathematics with the middle-level mathematics program, because there is only one course that differs between them.

The report also calls on Eastern to use only one type of academic calendar instead of the current use of both a quarter system and a semester system for some programs.

One of the major takeaways from the Univer-

sity Services Task Force is to concentrate investments in Cheney. Eastern has satellite campuses in Spokane and at Bellevue College on the west side of the state.

“As a regional comprehensive institution, our mission entails concentrating resources in Eastern Washington,” the services report states. “The task force recommends the institution should prioritize online degree programs over satellite campuses outside of the region.”

Both groups pointed out issues with the data they were provided, noting that the financial information each department received from the university didn’t always match up with internal accounting, or had to be allocated to each program based on enrollment, rather than the actual cost to run a program.

“Budget transparency is not only about the amount but about how understandable the information is,” Lam says.

REACTIONS AND NEXT STEPS

On Friday, Dec. 8, the chairs of the two committees presented the Board of Trustees with their reports. Both said their groups had suffered many sleepless nights over the last year, as their choices could impact the careers of their colleagues.

No one from the committees will be discussing the conversations they had to create the reports, as they agreed to keep those confidential. Eastern’s Provost Jonathan Anderson asked that people leave the committee members alone and not try to contact them.

During public comment, board members heard from several faculty and staff members who had mixed reactions to the report.

One man said that he was confused why three nearly identical programs in his department ended up in three separate groups in the academic report. Another said that one program was listed as losing $26,000 when in fact it was $28,000 in the black, and questioned whether supplemental data provided to the committees was adequately considered.

“I feel that our process of data collection has been rushed and flawed, and as a result, the process has not been sufficiently rigorous nor has it been based on real data,” said Vernon Loke, who was the interim dean of the College of Professional Programs through July. “As such, proceeding with the recommendations may do more harm than good.”

The university will accept public feedback on the reports through late January. After that, the next steps aren’t clear.

“One thing that I hope the university leaders and our Board of Trustees will do is to keep an open mind, and to really look at where those deficits are coming from,” Lam says.

Any cuts, streamlining or investments are going to be part of a multiyear process, says Dave Meany, Eastern’s spokesperson.

“We’re really emphasizing to people that this is just the first phase. These are recommendations.

People really have to digest what’s in the report,” Meany says. “We’re not pinning ourselves down to a timeline. We don’t know how long this will take.” n samanthaw@inlander.com

NEWS | BRIEFS

Camp Ban Survives

A state court upholds Spokane’s voterapproved camping ban. Plus, Liberty Lake edges toward more book banning; and a bikeway Christmas miracle.

BY INLANDER STAFF

I

n November, Spokane passed a ballot initiative to ban homeless camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds and child care facilities with an overwhelming 75% of the vote. Opponents of the ban — including Mayor-elect Lisa Brown — had argued that it wouldn’t solve the root problem and would likely face legal challenges. But last week, Washington’s Court of Appeals ruled that the newly passed homeless camping ban is, in fact, legal. The lawsuit against the proposed ban was first filed in August by Jewels Helping Hands director Julie Garcia, and Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium director Ben Stuckart. They argued that the ban conflicted with state law and superseded the City Council’s authority over zoning matters. The pair unsuccessfully tried to stop the initiative from appearing on the ballot and appealed when the request was denied. When asked how she would handle enforcement of the law if legal challenges fail shortly after her election in November, Brown said a “law is a law,” and that the issue would be a “top topic” for her transition team. “My goal would be to come up with a way where we can do outreach and offer places to be,” Brown said. (NATE SANFORD)

IRON GRASP

Last week, the Liberty Lake City Council voted to solidify its grasp on the city’s library. In a 5-2 veto-proof vote, the council updated its ordinance on the Liberty Lake Public Library, essentially rerouting all final policy decisions to the City Council. The library board, which is made up of five appointed members, will still be able to propose new policies or changes to old ones, but the final say lies in the hands of the City Council. This power struggle stems from a citizen complaint about Gender Queer, a memoir where the author explores their nonbinary gender identity. This increased focus on public libraries and the books they contain isn’t new though. Libraries across the country have been subjected to heightened censorship attempts over the past few years. Just last year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded nearly 1,300 demands to censor library books and resources. Many of the opposed books were written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people and other people of color, according to the ALA. (COLTON RASANEN)

$12 MILLION FOR BIKES, PEDS

Good news for those who don’t want to drive everywhere: On Monday, Spokane said it would spend $12 million in coming years to make Spokane’s roads safer for people on bikes and foot. The money largely comes from a $9.6 million federal grant, as part of 2021’s $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that is paired with $2.4 million from the city. Bikeway infrastructure makes up a large part of Spokane’s work, at $3.8 million. Among the projects is a connected, protected bike lane network in downtown Spokane built on First, Sprague, Second and Third avenues, and Washington and Stevens streets. Outside the city core, Broadway, Mallon and Sharp avenues will get new or improved bike lanes. For pedestrians, the spending has $2 million to build sidewalks and improve shared-use paths. Another $2.8 million will be used to install crosswalks, bumpouts and ADA ramps. Finally, $2.84 million will be spent on building more signalized intersections for safer walking and bicycling conditions. Work is expected to begin in 2025 and be complete in 2027. The spending comes on the heels of city leaders raiding the traffic calming fund of $1.8 million to help finance the police department. (NICHOLAS DESHAIS)

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DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 11

NEWS | ENVIRONMENT

Spokane Riverkeeper’s Katelyn Scott. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO

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New Protector, Old River The Spokane Riverkeeper hires attorney Katelyn Scott as the organization’s first water protector

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

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W

hen the longtime head of the Spokane Riverkeeper organization — Jerry White Jr. — retired earlier this year, the environmental group shifted to a new model of leadership.

Jule Schultz and Katherine Thompson will serve as the waterkeeper and managing director respectively. And Katelyn Scott, the third member to the leadership team, will be the Spokane Riverkeeper’s first water protector.

Scott grew up in Wellpinit and has a degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, focusing on public interest and environmental law.

We sat down with Scott to talk about the river’s worst polluters, the tribal effort to reintroduce salmon to the region’s waterways, and what the river will look like in 50 years.

This article has been edited and condensed for clarity.

INLANDER: Why did the organization shift to a team-led model, and what will you do as the water protector?

SCOTT: In the process of replacing Jerry, the board and hiring committee decided that it would be beneficial to the organization to add a person who specializes in law and policy.

My counterpart is Jule, who leads our community science and community outreach program. He’ll be doing a lot of the on the river fieldwork stuff, and I get to spend most of my time in the office doing the legal work. And then the third leg is Katie, our managing director, who will do all the behind the scenes stuff.

I’ll run our Clean Water Defense and our River Flow Protection Program. We’ll do things like implementing policies [like the Clean Water Act] and working with the city to try and conserve water and create policies that help conserve water and protect our river, but also enforcing the Clean Water Act by policing the pol-

luters and ensuring they’re complying with their permits.

What are some of the first things that you’ll do in your new role, and what are some long-term things that you’re hoping to work on?

More immediately, I’m hoping to work with the city on the water conservation law and close the loophole that exempts the city from that ordinance, because they’re the biggest consumers.

On a more long-term basis, I’d love to see a Rights of Nature campaign happen here, where our river actually has its own legal voice and we can start giving it its own rights again.

Could you tell me a little bit about issues you’re currently monitoring?

A lot of our work right now is going to be stormwater-related, because that’s just a big issue statewide right now. We’re working on the water conservation law and trying to find ways to actually enforce it. Right now, the city of Spokane is exempt from that law.

We’d like to see them change their position and actually follow it themselves. They are the biggest water consumer in the area.

A lot of work has been done to improve the health of the river. What is there left to do?

We have seen some improvements, but there’s a huge dissolved oxygen issue down at Long Lake Dam. You still see those huge algae blooms at Long Lake Dam and on the Little Spokane.

We still have a huge phosphorus problem and a sediment problem with Hangman Creek. And then we’re still battling with these permit holders to actually keep the toxins out of our river. The city has done quite a bit to install new systems that remove up to 99% from the wastewater system, but there are other polluters that are still putting PCBs [carcinogenic chemicals] into our river.

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Are PCBs still the biggest threat to the river?

PCBs are the biggest one right now. Dissolved oxygen is still a really big issue. Temperature is technically a pollutant, and we’re very concerned about the temperature of our river, especially with the effects of climate change on our river. One that’s kind of in the peripheral that we’re not sure about yet would be the PFAS, the forever chemicals. We don’t even know if they’re in the river yet.

We’re still monitoring that and seeing if that’s a concern.

How would you go about figuring out if PFAS is a concern in the Spokane River?

This is where it falls into Jule’s boat. He will investigate if there are studies that can be done, if there’s ways that we can detect it. And if they are there — if it’s testable, if it’s something we can afford to test for — we will see if we can identify where in our river it’s coming from.

Is the Riverkeeper working with the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene tribes on salmon recovery?

We fully support the tribes’ missions to get more salmon to the river. We work very closely with the Spokane Tribe and the Coeur d’Alene. We’re helping the Coeur d’Alene Tribe with their fishery on Hangman Creek. The facility that they’re developing is really cool. It’s going to essentially clean the water. The water they’re going to be discharging is cleaner than what they’re taking in, which is not usual. Fish hatcheries are usually big polluters.

What do you envision the Spokane River looking like in the next 10 years? In 50 years?

I think in the next 10 years, I would just like to see a greater respect for our river. It’s already very well respected in our area, but more respected in the sense that people actually understand where their water comes from and what it means to use water in our area. Fifty years from now I’d love to see the fish back in the river. I think that’s totally doable, maybe not to the historical levels and those 80-pound salmon, but I think we could see fish back in a river and see a more vibrant, red brown trout population and be a fly fishing haven more than we already are. n

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14 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

As Spokane’s transit system recovers from the pandemic, one STA board member wonders if low-income fares could help

BY NATE SANFORD

W

hen the pandemic hit, people stopped riding the bus in record numbers.

Nearly four years later, transit agencies across the country are still grappling with how to bring people back.

In Spokane, annual ridership was nearly halved. Annual ridership in 2021 was just 5.24 million compared with 9.97 million in 2019.

The number of riders has been slowly climbing back up, and the agency has already logged more than 8 million rides this year. During a September board meeting, Spokane Transit Authority CEO E. Susan Meyer noted that daily weekday ridership is the highest it’s been since the pandemic and that Spokane’s ridership recovery has outpaced the statewide average.

“The whole system is doing well,” Meyer said.

But the numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels. And even before 2020, STA ridership had fallen from its peak of 11.3 million rides in 2014.

Spokane County Commissioner Al French, who is chair pro-tem of the STA board, says ridership recovery is trending in the right direction, and that plans to add new routes and improve service quality will help ridership eventually return to pre-pandemic levels.

French says much of the ridership decrease is due to factors outside STA’s control — namely work-from-home policies.

“It’s really in the hands of the employers,” French says. “We just have to be patient, ride it out and make the appropriate adjustments necessary to respond to conditions that we can’t control.”

Spokane City Council member Zack Zappone, who also sits on the STA board, argues that more drastic action is necessary. He’s been pushing — unsuccessfully — for the agency to explore some sort of free or reduced fare option for low-income riders.

“We know that fares are a barrier for people to ride the bus,” Zappone says. “One of our No. 1 priorities is to increase ridership, and this is one way to do it.”

Zappone gave a presentation on the idea of a low-income fare program this spring, and asked

the board to consider the idea and hire a consultant to study the proposal. But the idea didn’t go anywhere.

Zappone says he’s frustrated by the lack of action, and that the STA board’s current rules make it difficult for board members to move ideas forward for a vote. The STA board rules are in the process of being revised, and Zappone says he may introduce the low-income fare proposal again in January.

French thinks it’s a terrible idea.

“Our community will abandon public transportation altogether,” French says. “Mr. Zappone might not have any respect or commitment to voters, but I do.”

FREE OR REDUCED

STA already has reduced fare programs for seniors, military veterans and students. The agency also has a “Community Access Pass” program that lets qualifying nonprofits buy day passes and twohour passes at a 50% rate to distribute to clients.

Zappone says he first started looking into the idea of a more comprehensive low-income fare program because he heard from nonprofits who said the 50% card program is helpful but insufficient.

Zappone says the costs eat into nonprofits’ limited budgets. Spokane’s therapeutic court doesn’t qualify for the 50% nonprofit discount and spends about $30,000 a year on bus passes to distribute to people with active cases. And people with low incomes who aren’t connected to service providers still have to buy passes at the full cost.

Zappone wants to explore a model similar to King County’s Orca Lift program, which lets people with income below 200% of the federal poverty level ride the bus with significantly reduced fare.

A recent Seattle Times analysis found that more than a third of Washington transit agencies have adopted zero fare policies on most or all of their routes.

When he presented the idea to the STA board in March, Zappone suggested the agency hire a consultant to explore the idea and help the board

figure out if passes should be reduced or totally subsidized, and how eligibility could be determined.

Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson said she was interested in exploring the idea, but other board members pushed back. Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns noted that staff had already studied the idea and decided not to move forward when former City Council member and STA board member Kate Burke brought it up. (Zappone notes that Burke had advocated for going totally fare-free — not income-based.)

There was also concern about the idea conflicting with STA’s comprehensive plan, which seems to prohibit STA from means testing, or the process of determining eligibility for social programs.

Zappone argues that STA could avoid running afoul of the comprehensive plan by relying on community partners that already do means testing. People could just show STA a photo proving they already qualify for a different income-based social program, he says.

“People aren’t riding the bus because they’re being left out,” Zappone says.

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French claims that efforts to implement free fares in other cities like Seattle turned buses into “mobile homeless shelters.”

“It jeopardized the safety of drivers, and it also made the experience for fare-paying passengers less enjoyable,” French says.

French also has concerns about the financial implications. He worries that voters would reject future STA ballot measures if the agency stops pursuing its stated goal of recovering 20% of its operating expenses through fares.

“You have to respect the commitment to your voters that voted to provide their taxpayer dollars to fund the agency,” French says.

Zappone doesn’t have an estimate for how much a free or reduced fare program would cost STA and says he wants staff to do a financial analysis. But overall, he says the agency is financially healthy enough to support it.

“I don’t believe taxpayers are wanting us to just save money, they want us to spend money to improve services and increase ridership,” Zappone says.

When STA opened the long-awaited bus rapid transit City Line earlier this year, the launch came with a free fare promotional period.

The length of the promotional period came with a lot of debate. Some board members, like Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley, were initially leaning toward a two-week promotional period, which would have cost the agency $26,730 in lost fare. Zappone preferred keeping fare free until May 2024, at an estimated cost of $548,856.

The board eventually compromised on an eight-week promotional period, with $90,882 in forgone fare revenue.

As of September, overall STA ridership was up 31% compared to 2022. But it’s youth ridership that’s increased most dramatically, from 502,360 rides as of September last year to 1.16 million this year — a 130% increase.

That’s largely because of a program launched in October last year that allows anyone under 18 to ride free through a statewide grant program.

French says the program is great for helping familiarize the next generation of bus riders but notes that the increase in ridership hasn’t translated to fares. STA currently recovers just 7.2% of its $92 million in operating expenses through fares, and it anticipates recovering just 6.5% in 2024.

He also notes that the program isn’t truly free, since it’s being funded by state taxpayers.

“There really isn’t anything for free,” French says. “It’s just who’s paying and who’s not.”

Zappone sees the success of the youth passes and the City Line launch as evidence that affordability makes transit more accessible.

“Our new vision we adopted last year is ‘connecting everyone to opportunity,’ and I think that vision is a great vision that we’re striving to,” Zappone says. “I just wish that every board member would live up to that.” n nates@inlander.com

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DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 15

Don We Now Our Gay Edition, fa-la-la…

B

etween the recent election of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and all of his homophobic baggage, Mexico’s first openly nonbinary magistrate being brutally murdered in their home, and a town in Tennessee covertly banning public homosexuality for almost half a year under the archaic guise of public decency, these past few months have been tumultuous for LGBTQ+ folks across the globe.

Just last month Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that the “international LGBT movement” is an “extremist organization,” jeopardizing the safety of people across the country.

Unfortunately, this isn’t something new for queer people. If you go back 20 years, you’ll find laws like the Defense of Marriage Act and military policies like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in full swing. Go back another 20 years and droves of queer folks were dying from HIV/AIDS, a disease that then-President Ronald Reagan didn’t even mention until four years after the first recorded case.

Look back another 20 years and the Stonewall riots had yet to happen as homophile groups worked to create more visible queer communities around the world.

It’s not all doom and gloom, but now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we tell these stories. And while we may not be able to cover it all, we can honor the countless LGBTQ+ folks who call the Inland Northwest home.

Inside you’ll find a few narratives ranging from the story of Spokane’s foremost HIV/AIDS advocacy group, SAN (formerly Spokane AIDS Network), to the archival work it takes to preserve queer history. You’ll also find a Q&A with Zack Zappone, the first queer person elected to the Spokane City Council, and loads of resources for whatever you may need.

So move over Christmas in July, here at the Inlander we’re celebrating Pride in December.

— COLTON RASANEN

Years after it lost state funding and had to shrink its footprint in Spokane, the organization once known as the Spokane AIDS Network has a new mission — and lease on life

BY COLTON RASANEN

16 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

F

Building Back Better

our squares of the AIDS Memorial Quilt hang from ceiling to floor in a small gallery connected to Spokane’s newest queer bar, the Q Lounge.

Benches in the center of the room allow visitors a moment to sit and confront their grief as they take in each intricate detail and each enduring memory of lives cut far too short by HIV/AIDS. Each square consists of several handmade panels sewn in honor of those dead. Each panel is about 3 feet by 6 feet — roughly the size of a coffin.

Despite the muffled chatter in the adjoining bar, the silence in this room is deafening.

For the past few years SAN (formerly Spokane AIDS

Network) has been hosting a couple of these memorial quilt squares to commemorate World AIDS Day, which occurs every Dec. 1. This year, all four squares on display had some tie to the Inland Northwest, according to Grant Ogren, SAN’s executive director. “[These quilts] are such a huge part in remembering our history,” Ogren says. “They really do just stop you in your tracks.”

This year, one of the quilts on display even contains a panel that SAN Board President Dale Briese made to honor his late partner.

However, instead of just the annual somber commemoration of World AIDS Day, this year’s event was

Blocks from the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display at the Q Lounge in downtown Spokane. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO brightened with the announcement that for the first time in about seven years, SAN will receive state funding once again.

This means that instead of solely being an organization to raise awareness and fight stigma, SAN will be able to provide the services it once did.

“For the first time since I became the executive director in 2019, I won’t be the only employee of SAN,” Ogren laughs.

For now, Ogren says they’re getting back to the basics. For SAN, this means hiring peer navigators who will be fairly similar to the medical case managers SAN used to employ, just without providing medical treatment.

“They’ll work directly with folks living with HIV/AIDS and ...continued on next page

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 17

PRIDE ALL YEAR

“BUILDING BACK BETTER,” CONTINUED... provide them with the support they need,” Ogren says. “This could mean taking them to a doctor’s appointment or just making sure they have food to eat or a bus pass to get around.”

Folks looking for clinical services will continue to receive them from the Spokane Regional Health District, according to Ogren. With the funding they’ll receive, Ogren says SAN will be able to hire three or four peer navigators, two of whom were introduced at the Dec. 1 celebration.

“I have this permanent grin on my face. I’m so excited to grow and rebuild to what we once were,” Ogren says. “I absolutely love my job, which is something I’ve never been able to say before.”

“R

are Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals,” The New York Times proclaimed on July 3, 1981.

That headline introduced Americans to a new epidemic, but the first known case of AIDS in Spokane County wasn’t recorded until 1984, three years after the first U.S. cases were recorded. A year later, a group of friends, medical caregivers and concerned citizens here informally established what was then called the Spokane AIDS Network.

SAN’s early work focused on end-of-life care and safe-sex practices. As time passed, however, advancements in drug treatments meant that the virus was no longer a death sentence, and that allowed SAN to widen its focus. For the next 20 years, the organization was able to host events like the Spokane AIDS Walk and the annual Oscar Night Gala, which was rebranded as the Red Ribbon Gala in 2015.

By 2016, SAN employed about 20 professionals and more than 50 volunteers working throughout the region in Spokane, Wenatchee, Tri-Cities, Moses Lake and Walla Walla. They were able to provide HIV medical case management to more

18 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

than 200 people in 16 counties on Washington’s east side.

That fall, SAN’s state Department of Health funding contract was not renewed, and the organization was forced to cut its HIV care and prevention services. This left SAN scrambling as it tried to figure out how to continue.

By March 2017, all of its clients transitioned to the Spokane Regional Health District to continue their care.

SAN’s board decided to renew the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status so it could continue to make an impact on the six-county area it serves, but the damage was already done.

“When we closed our doors and had folks solely going to Spokane Regional Health District, it became this very clinical process,” Ogren says.

“These people were just going to their doctors and no one else.”

“A lot of our clients became very secluded after that,” he continues.

That’s why he hopes, as the organization builds itself back up, that it can begin providing temporary housing services to its clients. This would allow SAN to build a community where folks feel they belong, but are also closer to the services they need. With its new funding starting in January, SAN is still ironing out some details.

By creating this community, instead of just finding folks places to live throughout the city, Ogren says they’ll be able to better ensure their safety and comfort.

“Most of the legwork is done already, we just need to secure the funding and find the land,” he says. “Once that’s secure it’s just a process that will take a few years to complete.”

But until then, Ogren and his new team of employees will be working steadily as they build SAN to what it once was. n

FROM TOP: The AIDS Quilt helps remember those lost to HIV/AIDS; Grant Ogren, director of SAN (formerly Spokane AIDS Network) speaks at an event commemorating World AIDS Day; the scene at Q Lounge; each panel of the quilt is handmade and roughly 3 feet by 6 feet, the size of a coffin.

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Here to Help Whether you’re looking for queer-specific services or perhaps just a friend, here are some local and national organizations that can help.

INLAND NORTHWEST ORGANIZATIONS

Eastern Washington University Eagle Pride Center 509-359-7870 • inside.ewu.edu/pridecenter Globe Bar & Kitchen 509-443-4014 • globespokane.com Gonzaga University Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center 509-313-5760 • gonzaga.edu/student-life/student-services/ lgbtq-resources Inland Northwest Business Alliance 509-402-4622 • inbachamber.org Inland Oasis 208-596-4992 • inlandoasis.org Lincoln LGBTQ+ Rights Clinic 509-313-5791 • gonzaga.edu/school-of-law/clinic-centers/ law-clinic/lgbtq-rights-clinic North Idaho Alliance of Care (formerly North Idaho AIDS Coalition) 208-665-1448 • niac89.org North Idaho Pride Alliance 208-352-3518 • nipridealliance.com nYne Bar and Bistro 509-474-1621 • nynebar.com Odyssey Youth Movement 509-325-3637 • odysseyyouth.org Out Spokane 509-879-2820 • spokanepride.org Peer Spokane 509-867-3778 • peerspokane.org SAN (formerly Spokane AIDS Network) 509-844-1758 • sannw.org Spectrum Center Spokane info@spectrumcenterspokane.org • spectrumcenterspokane.org Spokane Falls Community College LGBT+ Student Center 509-533-4331 • sfcc.spokane.edu/For-Our-Students/ Student-Resources/Mosaic/LGBT Washington State University LGBTQ+ Student Center 509-335-8841 • thecenter.wsu.edu

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Family Equality 646-880-3005 • familyequality.org GSA Network (Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network) 415-552-4229 • gsanetwork.org Human Rights Campaign (Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, Pullman and Spokane) 202-216-1572 • hrc.org Immigration Equality 212-714-2904 • immigrationequality.org National Black Justice Coalition 202-319-1552 • nbjc.org National Center for Transgender Equality 202-642-4542 • transequality.org National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance 917-439-3158 • nqapia.org PFLAG (Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Moscow chapters) 202-467-8180 • pflag.org SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Elders) 212-741-2247 • sageusa.org The Trevor Project 212-695-8650 • thetrevorproject.org Did we miss an organization or resource?

Email us at coltonr@inlander.com

20 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

Bending Toward Justice We sat down to chat with Zack Zappone, the first openly queer leader elected to the Spokane City Council

BY COLTON RASANEN

T

wo years ago, voters in northwest Spokane’s District 3 elected Zack Zappone, 33, the first openly queer candidate elected to city government.

This past month we sat down with Zappone to talk about his role on the City Council, the rainbow crosswalk on Spokane Falls Boulevard, how we can fight against the Inland Northwest’s far-right extremism, and what the future may hold for Spokane’s LGBTQ+ community.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. A full transcript of the conversation can be found at Inlander.com.

INLANDER: Did you imagine being elected to this office when you were younger?

ZAPPONE: All my friends and teachers would always tell me, “You know, you’re gonna go out and be president.” I was student body president at [Spokane’s North Central High School] and voted most likely to become president. I’ve always had an interest in government, so I definitely thought that I could potentially run one day.

I remember when I was in graduate school my dream job was to be a part-time teacher and a part-time policy adviser. I got that — kind of.

we haven’t gotten yet. So I think back to Obama, who would always quote MLK: Our history is long, “but it bends towards justice.” I definitely believe that.

Do you have any goals as you finish out the next two years in your term?

I think trying to create more institutional programming with the mayor’s office, like that LGBTQ+ advisory group I mentioned earlier. And I still plan to keep meeting with community groups to try and figure out what we need to make Spokane a better place.

With a new mayor and new members on the City Council, do you think you’re going to have to advocate for these issues as hard now?

I hope not. I think that we’ll be able to make great progress together as a group that works together. n

So, do you think the presidency is in your future?

Ha, at this point I think I’m too old for that.

How does your identity play into your role as a City Council member?

It’s not the thing that I think makes me qualified to be a City Council member, but I do believe that representation is important. It’s about why we’re qualified and what we’ll do for our community, not just that identity.

How do you fight against the hate and extremism we’ve seen in the Inland Northwest recently?

Well, I think at the City Council level, that looks like increasing representation. Take the rainbow crosswalk for example. At first people said there was no point in doing it. But really, it’s a message that says, “We’re going to continue to be here and bring the community together.”

Also, as a council member, I’ve tried to organize quarterly meetings with LGBTQ+ organizations and leaders in town. That way we can come together and form this kind of LGBTQ+ advisory group to work on the issues that impact all of us.

Right now we’re also working on anti-hate legislation [with state legislators], which was really in the wake of the recent vandalism [of the city’s rainbow crosswalks].

When, if ever, do you think we’ll get to a point where everyone feels included?

Hopefully, tomorrow.

You know, the history teacher in me looks at the big picture and says that we’re always moving in that direction, but I also think of all the firsts in the world

Spokane City Council member Zack Zappone.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 21

PRIDE ALL YEAR

How to use THIS

A More Inclusive History

PULL-OUT SECTION

Students looking through WSU’s queer archives.

GRACIE ROGERS PHOTO

From a student cookbook to a ‘proudly queer’ VHS documentary from the 1990s, the WSU Queer Archives Initiative preserves the university’s LGBTQ+ history

BY LANNAN RUIZ

I

f you lined up the historical archives at Washington State University side by side, they would stretch for three miles. Of those thousands upon thousands of documents, just 2.5 feet contain LGBTQ+ content.

“I think it’s really important that we can see that queer people have always been here, whether that’s in rural areas or elsewhere,” says Josie Cohen-Rodriguez, who helps curate the archive, which includes queer comics, letters and pamphlets that support — and condemn — past LGBTQ+ rights movements..

As co-leaders of the WSU Queer Archives Initiative, Lotus Norton-Wisla and Cohen-Rodriquez are on a hunt to locate items in WSU’s vast archives to preserve the past and look toward representing the community in the future.

Since the first archive showcase in fall 2022, dozens of items have been found, researched and recorded.

Stacked in filing cabinets by the thousands, items in WSU’s Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections (MASC) are complex pieces of history tucked away in the Terrell Library. With the addition of WSU’s LGBTQ+ Center archives, the range of queer history that is preserved ranges wildly: from scrapbooks of old student organizations to a student community-made cookbook from 2008-09.

“One of my favorite pieces here is actually a documentary — it’s a VHS tape that we have,” says Cohen-Rodriguez. “[The documentary] is not afraid to be proudly queer.”

Created by a WSU student-athlete in the late 1990s, the VHS tape goes through the student’s and their friends’ experiences of queerness at the university and in rural Eastern Washington.

Although the documentary is still being processed by the archives for consent from the original creator, the impact of visual records of queerness in the late ’90s is undeniably impactful.

“It’s very loud, unapologetic and boldly queer,” says CohenRodriguez. “That was really inspiring to see that in a film from the late ’90s.”

As the initiative continues to evolve and excavate old and new archives, Cohen-Rodriguez says that the project has received solid support from the university administration and that she has never seen so many people interested in history.

N

ow, a little over a year into its endeavors, the initiative has gotten more help to look over information and sift through library archives through two grants.

The first grant was through the WSU Transformational Change Initiative to support “innovative ideas that address issues of inclusion, diversity, equity and access,” according to the university. The $4,900 in grant money was used to fund a research trip to various queer archives in the Pacific Northwest, and hire student interns.

22 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

The second grant the initiative received — for about $15,000 — was the Washington Digital Heritage Grant, provided through the Washington State Library. The Queer Archive Initiative used the grant funds to extend paid student internships for digitization of existing collections, conducting oral history interviews, and planning for a spring showcase, as well as share its findings in workshops and conferences. This grant funding lasts through July 2024.

“Before it was a paid position, it was just a bunch of passionate people from the LGBTQ+ center who had time to spare searching through the archived materials we could find,” says Hunter Kearns, the archive’s undergraduate student intern.

Kearns and Drew Gamboa, a doctoral student in history also interning at the archives, work collaboratively at MASC with Norton-Wisla, and in the LGBTQ+ center with Cohen-Rodriguez, uncovering nearly forgotten records and archives.

“There is a lot of cool stuff that you can just find searching through the archives,” Kearns says. “Getting the finding aid and then walking down there, pulling the box and seeing something that you really wouldn’t expect to see in a rural area.”

With the new help, Norton-Wisla and Cohen-Rodriquez can better dedicate their time to analyzing archives, researching past trends and looking toward the future of queer archive preservation.

Over the summer, members of the initiative took a research trip to look at other university archives at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, as well as Portland’s Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest.

In Portland, the team found documents about organizations and protests advocating for awareness about how things were dealt with during the AIDS epidemic in Oregon.

In Eugene, a longtime haven for lesbian and queer folks, the University of Oregon’s queer archive helped set a foundation for future preservation and research for researchers at WSU. “We were able to meet archivists and curators, as well as research [UO’s] collection,” says Norton-Wisla. “[We were able to] understand things from their experience and knowledge about the community outreach aspect.”

While WSU’s initiative continues to move forward and bridge gaps in the collection, the archives are available for the community to explore. Additionally, viewings of the archival material are presented at events each semester to discuss findings with the Inland Northwest community. The next event held by the Queering the Archives initiative will be in spring 2024.

“Learning the history of [WSU’s] student leaders and people who have created what’s here today, whether that’s LGBTQ+ or student orgs, is really important history,” says Cohen-Rodriguez. “It can inspire and give examples for people to take into the future.” n

Pull down then out

NOT an ice scraper

NOT a new puppy.

YES a resource you keep and share with friends.

Now you know how!

PULL-OUT & KEEP! GREEN ZONE GIFT GUIDE

Gre12/14/2023 en Zone

Gifts

Green Zone Gifts 12pgs

Strains, Adve

nture Kits,

A ctivities & Mor e!

24 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

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Gifts

DAILY SPECIALS MONDAY 15% OFF EDIBLES TUESDAY 15% OFF FLOWER PREROLLS

Dancing with the Sugar Plum Gummy

WEDNESDAY 15% OFF

CONCENTRATE | INFUSED PREROLLS | CARTRIDGES

THIRSTY THURSDAY 15% OFF DRINKS FRIDAY 15% OFF 5 FARMS BUDTENDER PICKS SUPERSAVER SATURDAY 25% OFF 1 ITEM SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY 15% OFF 1 ITEM

W

hen the sun begins to set before 4:20, and the carolers circle for yet another rendition of “I’ll Be Stoned for Christmas,” you know it’s that time of year: Green Zone Gifts!

We all have someone on our list who wants something a little more sticky than candy in their stocking. We have you covered. Don’t know what to get the new enthusiast? We do! What about a gift for the longtime toker who is looking for something a bit more bold? We have ideas for them as well. We also have suggestions for gifts to keep those stoney hands busy — doing something other than rolling yet another one up for holiday cheer, of course.

So go put the kids to bed, get to that sugar plum gummy, and let your mind settle down to wander that enchanted garden of cannabis flower. Because it’s Cannabis-mas, and that only happens once a year.

Please enjoy this year’s chronic-what!-cles of Green Zone Gifts.

SUN 8AM-11PM • MON - SAT 8AM-11:45PM TOKERFRIENDLYSPOKANE.COM

1515 S. LYONS RD, AIRWAY HEIGHTS • (509) 244-8728 CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DAILY DEALS!

WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

Contents STRAINS

PAGE 26

HEALTHY HIGHS

PAGE 28

ADVENTURE TIME

PAGE 30

NON-CANNABIS

PAGE 31

ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 32

BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habitforming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.

BASICS

PAGE 33

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 25

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STRAINS

Smokin’ Hot Strains for the discerning consumer

I

BY WILL MAUPIN

f someone winds up on your gift list this season, it stands to reason they’re someone you care about. They’re likely the kind of person you want only the best for, and if they’re a cannabis enthusiast, you may as well get them the best cannabis. While strains like Maui Waui and White Widow will never go out of style, they might get a little old from time to time. Here are four hot strains that are turning heads in the cannabis world, and where to find them locally.

PERMANENT MARKER (a)

Winner of cannabis website Leafly’s prestigious Strain of the Year honor for 2023, this trendy bud has quickly left quite a mark on the cannabis marketplace. According to Leafly’s data, Permanent Marker was available in just 10 stores nationwide in August 2023. By last month, that number had ballooned to nearly 600. With a thick marker scent and fruity, grape-infused flavor to accent the deep purple buds, Permanent Marker checks all the sensory experience boxes. West side grower Freddy’s Fuego was one of the early adopters of the strain and their products are widely available locally. Cinder • 927 W. Second Ave. and other Spokane locations

EYE CANDY (b)

A hybrid strain derived from the popular Apples and Bananas variety, Eye Candy — sometimes known as Icandy or I-candy — is a strain that’s starting to make some noise locally. Liberty Lake grower Joe Lima of

26 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

Novo Dia Farms calls it one of his favorite strains at the moment. Notable for its fruity flavors and frosty buds, Eye Candy has the classic look of a dank bud with the THC content to back it up. Greenhand • 2424 N. Monroe St., Spokane

WHITE TRUFFLE (c)

Painted Rooster Cannabis Co. grows its cannabis in the fertile and sun-soaked Yakima Valley, where the bulk of the nation’s hops is grown; hops and cannabis both belong to the same family of plants, Cannabaceae.

Their version of White Truffle, with its white crystalcoated buds, is true to the culinary delicacy from which it draws its name. The strain has been gathering momentum around the country over the course of 2023 and looks poised to establish itself as one of the more prominent strains on the market in 2024. Cannabis & Glass • 9403 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley

GARY PAYTON (d)

No, this isn’t the Seattle SuperSonics legend and NBA Hall of Famer, but this high-THC, indica-leaning hybrid has the potential to take you out of the game just like The Glove himself. However, known for its euphoric effects, smoking Gary Payton has to be a more enjoyable experience than playing against Gary Payton ever was. Spokane’s BudCo Farms’ one gram pre-rolls are a perfect introduction to this strain which has been making waves around the cannabis community over the past couple of years. 4:20 Friendly • 1515 S. Lewis St., Spokane

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APEX REWARDS SIGN UP AT ANY OF OUR SHOPS JOIN AND EARN 1 POINT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT AND RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE SPECIALS, SALES, BENEFITS AND DISCOUNTS.

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4/20 - APRIL THANKSGIVING - NOVEMBER

ASK YOUR BUDTENDER ABOUT MORE DETAILS & ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 27

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hile smoking may not be the healthiest pastime, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to change that. Whether that means keeping your glassware as clean as possible, preventing your pipe from clogging up with a buildup of resin or avoiding smoking altogether, there are many ways to ensure a healthier high. And whoever you’re shopping for will thank you, or rather, their lungs will.

HOT SUGAR! SOUR WATERMELON FRUIT DROPS (a)

ALTERNATIVES

A Healthier High Gifts for more thankful lungs

BY COLTON RASANEN

You can look out for your friends’ lungs by allowing them to get high without inhaling any smoke. The market for edibles is largely saturated. Between chocolates, gummy candy, brownies, cookies and many other options, it can be nearly impossible to choose. So we recommend this 10-pack of sour watermelon fruit drops. Each piece is a demure 10 milligrams, making it easier to plan out a high, and the flavor is to die for. $12 • Royals Cannabis • 7115 N. Division St., Spokane

AIROSPORT SUNBURST ORANGE RECHARGEABLE VAPORIZER (b)

Vaping has gained popularity in recent years as a healthier alternative to smoking due to its smoother consumption experience. That’s because instead of burning the cannabis, you’re vaporizing it. So if your friend wants

holiday Deals

Daily Deals Monday

Airway Boys Day 20% *Airway Boys Products Only

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Edibles, Drinks, & Topicals 15%

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Thursday

Vendor Day 15% Budtender’s Choice

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Sunday

ALL Concentrates 20%

Happy Hour: Mon-Tue 11-2pm & Sun 10-1pm | Closing Early Christmas Eve at 7pm, Closed Christmas Day December 25th 2829 N. Market | Corner of Market & Cleveland | 509.315.8223 |

Mon-Thu 8am-10pm • Fri-Sat 8am-11pm • Sun 9am-9pm

WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

28 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

greenhand

to continue inhaling over edibles or other alternatives, this is a sound option.

Just make sure to get a rechargeable vape, so we’re not emitting more plastic waste in the world each time the cartridge is finished. $25 • The Green Nugget • 1340 SE Bishop Blvd., Pullman

DAILY SPECIALS

CERES GARDEN: CBD DRAGON BALM ROLL-ON (c)

Not all weed consumers are looking to get high. Some are looking for the pain relief that CBD provides. This roll-on CBD balm is perfect for those looking for some pain relief because of its ability to produce localized relief. This specific product is made up mainly of CBD, however, the same product can be bought with a 1:1 match of CBD and THC for an extra $5. We recommend chatting with your local budtender to figure out which product will work best. $30 • Locals Canna House • 9616 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley

OPEN EVERY DAY!

EARLY BIRD MONDAY 811AM 20% Off (excludes all pre-rolls) TOP SHELF TUESDAY 20% Off WAX WEDNESDAY 20% Off concentrates $20 or more PREROLL THURSDAY $1 off packs of 4 or less, 20% off 5 or more

FEATURED VENDOR FRIDAY 20% off featured vendor SELFCARE SATURDAY 20% Off CBD & Wellness SNACK SUNDAY 20% Off Edibles & Drinkables

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FRIDAY

Sun-Thur 8am-10pm • Fri-Sat 8am-11pm | 2424 N. Monroe St • (509) 919-3470 WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

METAL PIPE SCREENS

Maybe you’ve thought about all these different gift options and come to the conclusion that your friend will want to continue smoking no matter what. If so, get them a few of these metal pipe screens. These can be used to prevent resin from building up and clogging the pipe, ensuring a clearer, stronger pull each time. These can be found in different materials and sizes depending on the gear you’re buying for, but these small metal screens are probably the biggest bang for your buck that you’ll find. $0.25 each • Alkaloid Cannabis Company • 11414 N. Newport Highway, Spokane

RESINATE BONG AND PIPE CLEANER (d)

Have you ever been to your stoner friend’s apartment and caught a glimpse of their well-used bong? What once was a piece of beautiful clear glass is now covered in resin, and you can’t even see the water at the bottom. For lack of better words, it’s disgusting. So instead of letting them continue puffing off that grimy glass, get them a gift that will fix the issue wholly. Even if your friend doesn’t thank you, I’m sure their lungs will be eternally grateful. $18 for 16 oz. • Cannabis & Glass • 25101 E. Appleway Ave., Liberty Lake

HAPPY

HOLIBLAZE! THRU DEC. 31ST 35-50% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE Open Mon-Sun 8am-12am 2720 E 29th Ave, Spokane 509.315.9262 thevaultcannabis.com/spokane WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 29

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INFUSED SRIRACHA

Fairwinds Manufacturing produces a number of tinctures, but none are as readily identifiable as the red rooster-clad packaging of their infused sriracha. This avocado oil-based tincture contains three kinds of chili pepper, along with garlic and vinegar, to bring the heat and flavor profile of the popular Vietnamese version of the condiment.

Unlike traditional sriracha, however, this one contains 100 milligrams of THC per bottle. Add some to a meal and you’ll get a kick from more than just the spice. $25 • Greenlight • 10309 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley

HIGH TIMES CANNABIS COOKBOOK (c)

AUDACIOUS

Be Bold!

Surprise the adventurous on your list this season with something new to try

BY WILL MAUPIN

W

hen dispensaries first opened their doors in Washington back in 2014, the offerings were limited. The shelves held simple, obvious products like flower, pre-

roll joints and some infused baked goods. Now, nearly a decade later, the offerings are overwhelming. Walking into a dispensary today can be seen as a challenge for consumers with a “what haven’t I tried before” attitude. If your list includes one of those adventurous souls, steer clear of the simple and consider these more obscure, oddball products on the market.

MOBIUS TRANSDERMAL PATCHES (b)

For the cannabis enthusiast who’s already tried everything from bud to brownies and concentrates to creams, transdermal patches are one of the more niche methods of delivering THC into the body.

While they’re applied to the skin like traditional topicals, transdermals allow THC to penetrate, as the name suggests, across the dermis and into the bloodstream. As a result, they can theoretically produce a high, but most patches are designed for more gentle, extended-release delivery of THC into the bloodstream. Mobius offers a handful of varieties each catering to a specific need like pain, mood or sleep. $15 • Greenhand • 2424 N. Monroe St., Spokane

If the infused sriracha mentioned above is too much of a finished product for the cannabis enthusiast and home chef on your list, give them a book full of inspiration for infused foods they can make from scratch. The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook contains 50 recipes from the people behind the venerable High Times magazine.

With recipe names like “time warp tamales” and “pico de ganja nachos,” the book, like the magazine behind it, leaves no doubt what it’s all about. $19 • Auntie’s Bookstore • 402 W. Main Ave., Spokane

CYCLING FROG SELTZER (a)

On first glance these infused beverages don’t scream “adventurous” with their 5 milligrams of THC per 12-ounce can and common seltzer flavors like wild cherry and ruby grapefruit. What makes these sparkling six packs unique among infused drinks is how you get your hands on them. Because the THC is derived from hemp rather than cannabis, the company has found a loophole that allows it to ship from Central Oregon to all 50 states regardless of any specific state’s laws on cannabis. It’s THC soda delivered directly to your front door.

That’s a pretty wild concept, even for 2023. $12-$30 • cyclingfrog.com

December Blowout Deals!

WYLD DEC. 8 2PM - 5PM 30% OFF ALL WYLD PRODUCTS

DEC. 27TH & 28TH 20% OFF ALL CANNABIS PRODUCTS

RAYS LEMONADE DEC 14TH 2PM - 4 PM 15% OFF 15% DAILY SPECIALS

DEC. 26TH 15% OFF ALL CANNABIS PRODUCTS

DEC. 29TH, 30TH & 31ST 25% OFF ALL CANNABIS PRODUCTS

601 State Route 20, Newport, WA 99156 (509) 550-5218 Mon-Sat 8-9 • Sun 9-8 • pendoreillecannabis.com This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

30 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

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

to pair with something basic like a grinder to add some festive fun to your present. $2 • Piece of Mind Cannabis • 9301 N. Division St., Spokane • pomcannabis.com

LAVA LAMP

This might be a bit of a cliche gift, but sometimes gazing at a lava lamp while high can be a very enjoyable activity. Boo Radley’s sells a few different colors of lava lamps, so there’s something that will nicely complement a range of interior design styles. And while the wax moving up and down is obviously very cool and mesmerizing to watch — high or not — lava lamps add ambient light that creates a calming environment to wind down in. $39.95 • Boo Radley’s • 232 N. Howard St., Spokane

COIN PURSE (b)

While a coin purse might not seem like an obvious gift for a cannabis enthusiast, it provides someone with an aesthetic and simple way to store all of their favorite gear in one place. Plus, a coin purse is more compact than a box or other storage vessels, making it easier to grab all of your essentials in one go. The large coin purses at Kizuri come in a variety of colors and are made of recycled huipil — a traditional piece of clothing worn by Indigenous women in Mexico and Central America — and feature embroidery work from the Joyabaj region of Guatemala. $10 • Kizuri • 35 W Main Ave #100 • shopkizuri.com

WEED ADJACENT

Don’t smoke me!

Cannabis-related items and gear that aren’t full of THC

JOINTLOCKER (c)

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

I

f you’re looking for a gift for your stoner friends and family, but you want to give them something that’s not straight up cannabis and that’s a bit more unique than a basic grinder or pipe, look no further. Here’s some unique (and holiday themed) gear that you can find at local dispensaries, plus some fun gifts that really aren’t related to cannabis, but are basically essentials for any regular consumer.

CANDY CANE ROLLING PAPERS (a)

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to light up a candy cane flavored joint? Plus, these papers have red and white stripes, so your recipient can make their holiday smoke seshes even more festive. They’re available at Piece of Mind Cannabis, which sells 1 1/4-inch-long papers. They’re a great stocking stuffer and great

In case you’ve ever wondered if there’s a way to store your lighter and joint in one container, look no further than the Jointlocker. From the online retailer Another Room, there’s a space for a standard-sized BIC lighter with a neighboring slot for a joint with a twist off cap to keep it safe unexposed to the elements. Between the original Jointlocker 1.0 and the slightly slimmer Jointlocker 2.0, they come in eight different colors. And while they’re made of plastic, Another Room uses 3-D printers and plant-based plastic to keep your consumption accessories sustainable. $24 • Another Room • anotherroom.io n

HapPy Holidaze OPEN CHRISTMAS EVE 8am - 8pm CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY

SPECIAL SAVINGS ON STOCKING STUFFERS

20% OFF

ONLINE ORDERS EVERY DAY NOW! OPEN

Mon-Sat. 8am-11pm Sundays 8am-10pm

ORDER ONLINE

SpokaneGreenleaf.com

9107 N Country Homes Blvd #13 509.919.3467

WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

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FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Highly Entertained What to get your energetic and creative buds to keep them from getting bored

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

W

hile some people like to use cannabis to slip into a pure state of relaxation, others like to spend that time nurturing their hobbies. Nearly everyone has a favorite pastime to partake in while high, such as watching movies, cooking, or even doing arts and crafts. Rather than gifting someone cannabis for the holidays, consider giving them one of the following items that’ll set their creativity ablaze.

go for a more decorative one, such as this orchid kit. Not only is putting together Legos a relaxing activity, you end up with an aesthetically pleasing orchid to display in your home. Plus, building this set is a great thing to do while listening to music, watching a movie, or, you know. $50 • The LEGO Store • 808 W. Main Ave., Spokane • lego.com

ORCHID LEGO SET (b)

If you know someone who’s always making something crafty or who hates adding scrap materials to the landfill, consider getting them a craft kit from Art Salvage. Everything in the kits or that’s sold at Art Salvage has been donated as a way to repurpose gently used items

Legos are a versatile gift. You can give someone a set based on one of their favorite franchises, like Harry Potter or Star Wars. Or you could

32 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

ART SALVAGE CRAFT KIT

that may normally be discarded but still have a myriad of uses. Art Salvage sells 10 different kits online, including a weaving kit and loom, multiple banners, a collage kit, and a wine cork board kit. $5-$20 • Art Salvage • 610 E. North Foothills Dr., Spokane • artsalvagespokane.com

STONER COLORING BOOK (a)

You can find a coloring book for almost any demographic, including stoners. Full of trippy images and designs, this book is perfect for cannabis enthusiasts in your life who like to doodle and color. While it’s not available in store at Auntie’s, you can buy the book on their website and pick it up while completing the rest of your holiday shopping.

While you’re there, be sure to grab an assortment of vivid coloring pencils or markers to pair with this collection of mind-bending images. $7 • Auntie’s Bookstore • 402 W. Main Ave., Spokane • auntiesbooks.com

POLKA DOT POTTERY TO-GO KIT (c)

While attending a pottery painting event and being high might sound like a fun experience to some, not everyone’s a social cannabis user.

Why not bring the fun of painting a Polka Dot Pottery piece to the athome users in your life instead? You can choose from a wide variety of pieces, including cute animal pottery, mugs and bowls. Each to-go kit includes paint brushes and your choice of three or more paint colors. Once the piece is complete, return the brushes and your painted pottery to the studio, where it’s fired in a kiln and ready to take home a week later. $20-$70 • Polka Dot Pottery • Various locations in Spokane and Spokane Valley • polkadotpottery.com

December BASICS

Back to the Bowl-sics Gifts that may come in handy for the first-time stoner in your life

BY COLTON RASANEN

W

hile every stoner has their go-to products for the perfect high, it probably took awhile to find the right products for them. So it may be easiest to go back to square one. Nowadays, though, there are so many ways to toke up that it can be hard just figuring out what the basics even are. Enjoy this tailored list based on my own storied history with the devil’s lettuce, or whatever you wanna call it.

TORCH LIGHTER

The first time I ever tried to do a dab — a highly concentrated cannabis resin product — I thought my regular Bic lighter would suffice. Safe to say it didn’t as I was left with a burnt fingertip and a subpar high. So, avoid the danger and buy your friend a torch lighter so they don’t make those same mistakes.

They’re not too expensive, and the only upkeep needed is the occasional butane refill, which can be bought for cheap at most local grocery stores. $15 • Cinder • 6010 N. Division St., Spokane and other locations

Cannabis Retailer

SALE

*ALL MONTH LONG*

*While Supplies Last*

$30 $20 Good Tide $25 $15 Phat Panda Solventless Edibles Flower 3.5g Jars $40 $30 Crystal Clear $30 $20 Dabstract Vape Cartridges Live Resin Dabs

ANNIVERSARY SALE DECEMBER 19TH 20% OFF STOREWIDE! 14421 E. Trent Ave Store Hours Order Online Spokane Valley, WA MON - SAT: 8am - 9pm Save 15% on Cyber Sunday www.treehouseclub.buzz SUN: 9am - 8pm 509-413-2169

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

BURKE’S SWIRLED GLASS PIPE (a)

This product is as “basic” as they get. I mean, almost everyone I know started smoking with a cheap and easily procurable glass pipe. These can be found at just about any dispensary in town, but this swirled glass pipe was just too cute to pass up. It’s also pretty cheap, which means you could also buy some cannabis to accompany it for the inaugural smoke. $12 • Smokane • 3801 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane

RASTA GRINDER

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to grind my weed with my fingers just to pack a small bowl. And while it technically works, it’s messy and unpleasant.

A small grinder like this will make that task a lot cleaner and more pleasant.

Also, with a tray under the main grinder part to catch the kief — a powdery substance with a higher concentration of THC — it rewards the user the more it’s used. $10 • Spokane Green Leaf • 9107 N. Country Homes Blvd., Spokane

LIL’ RAY’S TIGER’S BLOOD LEMONADE

There isn’t anything quite as basic as an edible product with too much THC in it for one sitting. And while the taste may not be pleasant in any way, you are getting a lot of weed for a lower price than some other edible options. This product, for instance, has 100 milligrams of THC — about 10 times the average edible. It’s also easy to mix up into other products like a smoothie or mixed drink, making it more versatile than many of the other products on the market. $12 • Lucky Leaf Co. • 1111 W. First Ave., Spokane

PERFECT ICE CUBE TRAY

Bongs are expensive and with the many different strains of cannabis out there, it may be challenging to pick the right products. But, you can still enhance your friend’s experience with this lovely little ice cube tray. By adding ice to the bong’s neck, you can make a more pleasant, less harsh bong rip. Just make sure your friend knows to wait a few minutes before toking up, so the water vapor and frost doesn’t cause any excess stress to the respiratory system. $15 • The Kitchen Engine • 621 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 33

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VISUAL ARTS

Glass Half Full From historic restorations to original creations, Spokane Stained Glass is working to keep a dying art alive

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

A

lex Brannin learned at a young age that the intricate and magical art of glasswork has few limitations.

He grew up around the craft with his father, Jerry, a self-taught working artist in Norfolk, Virginia, who showed Brannin all about glasswork.

“He always told me by the time I was able to walk, I was out handing him tools,” Brannin says.

His father started American Art Glass in Norfolk in 1971, when he began salvaging and repairing things like fireplace mantels and stained glass windows.

“He taught himself how to repair those things, taught himself how to make stained glass and just got absolutely into glass,” Brannin says. “It’s something that just kind of swept him up and became life and became employment, and it’s what I grew up in.”

Brannin moved American Art Glass to Spokane in 2014, rebranding it last year as Spokane Stained Glass.

Brannin had taken a brief hiatus from glasswork, but that ended when he undertook a restoration project at the Hotel Indigo in 2019. His work at the Hotel Indigo, formerly the Otis Hotel, consisted of removing several leaded glass windows from the building and restoring them to their original state and adding extra support to ensure they’ll last many more decades.

Leaded windows consist of decorative panes of glass with metal cames, which join pieces of glass together

Alex Brannin is a stained glass master.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

while creating a line between them. The term stained glass comes from silver stain, which adds a yellow shade to glass and was a common practice in the 1300s. In the time since, stained glass has morphed into a broader category defining a mosaic of colored glass.

Brannin enjoys unearthing the history of different buildings and glasswork while he’s doing restoration work, as he did at St. David’s Episcopal Church in north Spokane while repairing damage from a rock thrown into one of its stained glass windows.

While there, he discovered a window by Charles Jay Connick from 1929 hidden away in the building’s foyer.

Connick was a prominent American painter and stained glass artist, and the window in St. David’s was originally installed at Boston University. Sometime in the 1950s, Brannin says it made its way west and ended up in Spokane.

“I’m just a big preservationist, so when I see a piece of history that needs to be protected and kept up, I tend to kind of get on people’s case a little bit about it,” he says, adding that he built a backlit display box and a tempered glass cover for the window, SPOKANE which now is S TA I N E D G L A S S installed at the spokanestainedglass.com, 509-919-1017 church’s main Facebook: Spokane Stained Glass entrance.

Instagram: @spokanestainedglassllc Another recent project involved restoring glass windows at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Cusick, Washington, which was damaged by both BB gun pellets and rocks flying off the road when snowplows passed.

Brannin says the main challenge with this particular restoration was finding enough of the right glass to repair the windows. Many major glass manufacturers have closed over the past decade, but he eventually found what he needed. From there, he installed a protective cover over the restored panes to prevent further snowplow damage.

O

ne of Brannin’s favorite things about restoration work is stepping inside the original artist’s world, examining the techniques they used and discovering ways to replicate it.

That’s something he did while repairing an antique lamp for a customer, which required him to make shaped glass flower petals using a mold and heating it in his kiln in order to replace the damaged ones.

For certain repairs, Brannin has to completely disassemble a piece to fix and reform damaged glass. From there, he rebuilds it back to its original state using methods such as soldering, fusing, leading and foiling.

He also does commissions, such as a painted glass piece for an Air Force veteran who flew a KC-135 Stratotanker. To do so, he created a silk screen of the plane and printed the design onto a pane of glass, which was then fired in the kiln.

“We’ve used that in the past a lot of times, like in churches where people want to do dedication windows,” says Brannin. “They’ll have photographs of either the donor or passed loved ones, so we get good photos and put it right on the window.”

Brannin mentions that the United Kingdom recently added stained glass to the country’s Red List of Endangered Crafts at risk of dying out in succeeding generations.

“Nobody’s really willing to learn, a lot of people aren’t willing to teach, so it’s a craft that is sort of dying with a lot of people,” he says.

But he’s also anecdotally noticed revived interest in glassmaking, with people creating their own suncatchers or doing copper foil work and posting it on social media.

To ensure the craft is passed on, Brannin plans to offer classes in the coming months teaching people how to create simpler fused glass pieces, for which pieces of glass are cut and arranged to create a design. They’re then heated in a kiln to melt and fuse together, producing a singular coherent piece. He also hopes to teach more intricate glasswork techniques in the future.

“Glass is an endless medium, you can do anything with it. It’s magic stuff. It’s hard to put it any other way.” n

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 35

CULTURE | DIGEST

THE BUZZ BIN

Turns out love didn’t win anything here.

CULT DOCS FOR CHRISTMAS Pause your usual holiday rom-coms and cozy up with some cult documentaries

BY BILL FROST

‘T

is the season to watch cult documentaries, not Christmas rom-coms filmed last summer. Christmastime and cults go together like milk and phenobarbital-laced cookies: hypnotic sparkly lights, feigned goodwill, nonstop ad indoctrination, savior confusion (Jesus? Santa? Warren Jeffs?).

Wake up and smell the peppermint Flavor-Aid, people.

Here are a few cult docs to cozy up with this season.

LOVE HAS WON: THE CULT OF MOTHER GOD

It all opens with body-cam footage of the Colorado compound of the Love Has Won cult, zooming in on a mummified body with no eyes wrapped in Christmas lights — welcome to the weird. Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God has plenty to work with in Amy Carlson, a McDonald’s manager who died for the sins of this “3D world” in 2021, aided by a daily diet of booze, drugs, colloidal silver and a grab bag of New Age lunacy. Easily the cult doc of the year.

HEAVEN’S GATE: THE CULT OF CULTS

The extremely online Love Has Won crew owes it all to Heaven’s Gate, the OG internet cult. Like Love Has Won, Heaven’s Gate followers believed their leaders (Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles) would ascend to heaven on a UFO upon death. In 1997, clad in matching sweatpants and Nikes, they made it a 39-person group tour package by committing collective suicide to hitch a ride on the passing Hale-Bopp comet.

(HeavensGate.com is still up and active, BTW.)

THE WAY DOWN

Larger-than-life-haired Gwen Shamblin Lara rose to infamy with her Weigh Down Workshop diet program, later transforming it into a God-hates-fatties church called The Remnant Fellowship. Rumors of cult-like psychological, physical and financial abuse plagued Shamblin Lara until she died in a plane crash in 2021 — but that didn’t stop the documentary, which added two follow-up episodes in 2022. Proving you can take it with you, she left none of her fortune to the church.

36 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

THE VOW

MINI MOMENTS For the kids out there who are either just not into or flat-out terrified of getting their photos taken on Santa’s lap, a new holiday alternative has arrived. This weekend, local photo studio Electric Photoland is hosting two, daylong photo sessions inside its ELVES’ COTTAGE, a holiday photo set made in collaboration with national photobooth company Smilebooth. The smallest of children can crawl inside the elfin abode, all decked out for the holidays with tiny furniture and decor. Reservations can be made at electricphotoland.co in advance for photo sessions ($69) held at River Park Square (Sat, Dec. 16 from 10 am-8 pm, during Terrain’s BrrrZAAR) and in downtown Coeur d’Alene (Sun, Dec. 17 from 11:30 am-5 pm). Included with each session is a five-minute shoot, access to a private online gallery, and permission to use any session photos for holiday cards, prints or other personal projects. (CHEY SCOTT)

The Vow is better known than most of the other docs because it involves semi-celebrities like Smallville actress Allison Mack and the daughter of Dynasty star Catherine Oxenberg caught up in a “sex cult” (the ultimate documentary marketing phrase). Former NXIVM leader/current inmate Keith Raniere was a creeper “self-help” guru who recruited (and branded) members for money and sex, despite looking like the darkest timeline incarnation of Beavis & Butt-Head’s schoolteacher.

KEEP SWEET: PRAY AND OBEY

You can’t spell Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints without “fun.” Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey mixes interviews with the women who survived the jelly-wristed rule of FLDS “prophet” Warren Jeffs and dramatized background scenes to powerful effect, subtly increasing the “ick” factor. The religious tyranny, polygamy and child brides of the Mormon offshoot sect have been documented before, but never as bluntly and brutally as this.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

Actress Leah Remini has become nearly as famous for pissing on Scientology as she is for starring in the greatest American sitcom of all time, The King of Queens (I will die on this admittedly stupid hill). Former Church of Scientology members Remini and Mike Rinder spent three seasons interviewing fellow escapees, with Remini consistently (and rightfully) hammering one detail: the tax-exempt status of churches.

HOW TO BECOME A CULT LEADER

If you’ve read this far and are now thinking, “This cult leader gig sounds a hell of a lot better than [insert your dead-end job here]. How do I get in?” How to Become a Cult Leader, a satirical docuseries produced and narrated by Peter Dinklage, is here to help. The sixepisode “instructional” kicks off with MVPs Charles Manson and Jim Jones, later delving into deeper cult cuts like Aum Shinrikyo and Buddhafield. Presumably, MAGA will be covered in Season 2. n

LUNCH BUNCH Extra! Extra! Maybe the best news since sliced bread: RUINS is running a LUNCH MENU again, and it is wonderfully similar to Stella’s beloved sandwich board. Starting at 11:30 am every weekday, grab any of your old favorites — chicken salad, BBQ, tuna melt, egg salad or yes, of course, the legendary banh mi.

With fresh sandwiches between $7 and $15, it’s one of the most affordable, delicious midday meals out there. Dine in, take out, or get it delivered on GrubHub. And don’t sleep on dessert — snag a lemon curd parfait or bread pudding to round off the meal, or a Mexican Coke or Sprite (the ones with cane sugar!) for the perfect lunch pairing. Chef Tony Brown says lunch is here to stay at Ruins, much to the relief of OG fans who have followed Stella’s Cafe’s many iterations for a dozen years. The wait is over, and the banh mi is back to stay (hopefully). (ELIZA BILLINGHAM) JINGLE BELL ROCK Keep an eye out for some familiar faces while watching TV this holiday season! STCU is running commercials featuring local/regional musicians covering holiday favorites. North Idaho native Carli Osika can be seen sweetly singing “Santa Baby” with a guitar in hand, Spokane Valley-based musician Riley Anderson (RCA) performs “Joy (to the World)” at Arbor Crest, independent rock/indie group Fat Fox from Tri-Cities performs a stellar rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Americana-duo SmallTown Strings (JayJ and Caroline Carlile) from Curlew perform a bluesy version of “Winter Wonderland.” If you haven’t been able to catch the commercials as they air, view them all at stcu.org/holiday. (MADISON PEARSON)

CULTURE | BOOKS

Quiet Tome Silent Book Clubs break traditional reading group rules and foster community among introverts in Spokane

BY MADISON PEARSON

O

ne wouldn’t normally be attuned to the sound of a book page turning, but it’s hard not to notice when it’s the loudest sound in a room.

Reading is often a solitary activity — one that is cherished by introverts around the world — but if you spend all of your time indoors with your nose in a book, even the most reclusive of people will long for a bit of social interaction.

A solution to those problems was discovered just over 10 years ago when friends Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich began the first-ever Silent Book Club. Born out of a love for books, reading with friends, and because previous attempts at a book club fizzled, the two decided to read in silence together at a neighborhood bar in San Francisco. No assigned book, no forced discussion. Just two friends, a few drinks and their combined love of reading holding it all together.

Now, there are over 500 Silent Book Club chapters all over the world in more than 50 countries. Two of those chapters reside right here in Spokane.

Emma March decided to begin the South Spokane chapter of Silent Book Club after moving to Spokane just over a year ago and feeling like she hadn’t met many

Silent readers gather at the Meeting House in Spokane’s Perry District. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO people in the community.

“When I looked for the first time there were no chapters around here,” March says. “It was a super easy process to start a chapter so I figured, why not?”

After submitting some basic information (location, a description of the chapter, etc.,) and creating an Instagram page to promote it, the chapter was up and running within a week. The chapter debuted in August and has been meeting (in silence) every month since.

A regular meeting begins with an optional social hour and then transitions into the silent reading hour. After the second hour is up, people are encouraged to talk about their book or can continue reading if their book’s too good to put down. The first rule about Silent Book Club is that there aren’t many rules. Just show up with a book and enjoy yourself.

“The mission of Silent Book Club is to create a positive community for introverted people,” March says. “I think what draws people in is the idea that you don’t have to read the same book as others, there’s no timeline for reading a certain chapter, there’s no homework. It’s the freedom to just show up, meet new people and then read your own book.”

W

hen I walked into the Meeting House Café to attend my first Silent Book Club meeting in early December, I was, admittedly, a little

nervous.

I often dedicate nights, or entire weekends, to reading. It’s how I prefer to spend my free time. Warm in my apartment with a cup of tea beside me and only my inner monologue to keep me company. Reading with a bunch of strangers in the room is a scary proposition.

With my current read in hand, I took a seat next to a couple of complete strangers. I was quickly met with questions about my book and found that I really enjoyed

the company. I can’t casually talk about Joan Didion with many people in my life, but a few attendees had read Didion themselves and were interested in the particular title I brought that night.

March is seated next to me and, coincidentally, her book of choice tonight is one of my favorite books of all time, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. We talk about it, I give her recommendations and JOIN SILENT BOOK CLUB vice versa.

South Spokane Chapter Though Instagram: @silentbookclub.spokane the group only North Spokane Chapter meets once Instagram: @silentbookclubspokane a month, its members are familiar with one another and have formed friendships through the club. They ask each other whether they finished the book they brought last time and what they thought of it.

My other seat neighbor, Hannah Conwell, just relocated to Spokane after five years in New York City.

“Silent Book Club has given me a community in Spokane while I’m still finding my way here,” she says. “I’m so thankful for the conversations that come from pulling a bunch of readers into a cafe to chat about our lives and the book we’re currently reading. It really fosters a welcoming and rejuvenated atmosphere where I gain new friendships each month.”

Once the 20-plus person group is settled, everyone cracks open their book, and for one hour we enjoy the hushed tranquility of paper rustling and not much else.

Murmurs of “See you next month!” are heard across the room as books are closed, put away and people file out into their cars.

“It’s been amazing seeing how books can bring people together,” March says. “It’s like magic.” n

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 37

City Sidewalks DowntownSpokane.org

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ur slogan is ‘Fast, fresh and filling,’” says Jenny Slagle, coowner of INDIGENOUS EATS, “which is why our menu is perfect for when you’re out shopping and you want a quick but hearty bite to eat. A lot of our dishes are grab-and-go.”

There are convenient handheld meals, like the new Chicken Dance Sandwich or the popular Powow Burger with house-made huckleberry relish. There are also meat pies, which are traditional Native American fry bread stuffed with cheese and your choice of protein (ground beef, chicken, bison or beans). But if you’d rather have a warming, sit-down meal, try the classic Three Sisters Soup made with corn, squash and beans, or the new Auntie’s Burger Mac Soup.

Of course, River Park Square is filled with enough options to satisfy any appetite. SHIKI SUSHI was born from the culinary passion of chef Leon Chi, who wanted to bring both established and innovative recipes to sushi lovers in the Northwest. Prep your palate with something familiar like coconut or tempura shrimp, then get adventurous with the Coeur d’Alene Roll (spicy tuna, avocado, seared pepper white tuna, spicy mayo, cilantro) or the Spokane River Roll (salmon, spicy crabmeat, avocado, tempura flake, wasabi tobiko, spicy mayo). There are also hibachi, teriyaki and salad options on the menu.

Tucked away inside Nordstrom is the NORDSTROM MARKETPLACE CAFÉ. You’ll find this contemporary food marketplace on the third level of the store. It’s an ideal spot for a casual meal when you need to relax after a day of shopping or recharge in the middle of one. The menu offers a wide assortment of sandwiches, soups, salads, specials and sweets. Some of the customer favorites include the Santa Fe Chicken Panini with blackened chicken, jack cheese, chili pepper aioli and the Cilantro Lime Salad. 

Watch for more City Sidewalks every week through Christmas!

38 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

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RRRZAAR is back, baby, and it’s bigger and better than ever. This year on Saturday, Dec. 16, Terrain’s huge winter market featuring local artists, crafters and makers is returning to all three floors of River Park Square (808 W. Main), but it’s also expanding into the third-level Kress Gallery, which is where student art is traditionally shown. That makes for more than 80 vendors selling unique visual art, jewelry, clothing, health and beauty items, leatherwork, household goods, and more — with the majority of their wares priced below $100. On top of that, some of the area’s top musicians will be wandering troubadour-style throughout the event, and Electric Photoland is hosting holiday-themed photo sessions that will depict you in an elf-sized village. And even though BrrrZAAR is one day only, Terrain’s From Here shop — also in River Park Square — stocks handmade items from more than 100 local vendors year-round. 

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Stay and Play for NYE

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hether you live and work here year-round or you’re just visiting for the holidays, downtown Spokane makes for a great escape for your New Year’s Eve festivities. Stay at one of the many hotels in THE DAVENPORT COLLECTION (davenporthotelcollection.com), and choose among their different takes on contemporary or classic luxury.

If you’re at the Fox Theater for Beethoven’s Ninth, for example, the Historic Davenport, the Davenport Tower Check out the latest in and the Davenport Lusso all offer convenient and Downtown Spokane in stylish lodging when you’re ready to retire. next week’s edition of CITY Close to Riverfront Park is the Spokane City SIDEWALKS inside the Center DOUBLETREE HOTEL (hilton.com), which puts Inlander. Get excited for the you within easy walking distance of the New Year’s spectacular Cirque Dreams events at dozens of downtown wine tasting rooms show, and find hot, local and craft breweries. They’ve also recently debuted a nightspots where you can three-course Sunday night meal for $48 at their oncelebrate the end of 2023. site restaurant, Spencer’s.

Or book a room at one of the RUBY HOSPITALITY (rubyhospitality.com) accommodations like Hotel Ruby, the Montvale Hotel or the Ruby River Hotel. Each offers its own aesthetic and situates you amid a ton of dining and entertainment options to help you ring in 2024. 

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orget about partridges and lords a-leaping, how about some practical ways to shop local and save? Every day through Dec. 23, the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) will spotlight a different promotion, deal or discount that’s available at a downtown business this holiday season.

And while those 12 DAYS OF DOWNTOWN DEALS are guaranteed, a little holiday luck might bring you even more spending power, thanks to event sponsor STCU. That’s because there will also be drawings for the chance to win gift card prizes from some incredible downtown businesses. To find a list of featured businesses and to take part in the drawings, be sure to follow the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s Facebook page, @DowntownSpokane. 

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DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 41

Kate Garrett can pour a drink and throw punches. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

EVENT

CHRISTMAS PUNCH Local food industry workers are getting ready for Spokane’s first Bartenders Brawl boxing match

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

D

anny Thomas does just about everything at Monterey Cafe on North Washington Street in downtown Spokane — bartending, bouncing, serving pizza, hosting karaoke. But mostly, he watches the crowd. He watches how it moves, how it sways, who’s vulnerable, who’s problematic and who’s about to pass out. At his bar, safety is priority No. 1. Though he’s a big dude who could demand respect if necessary, he prefers de-escalating with a soft pat on the shoulder and gentle, “Hey, partner,” instead of throwing his weight around.

Thomas is also a trained boxer and assistant head coach at Lilac City Boxing Club, a nonprofit amateur boxing club that he and longtime local coach Ray Kerwick started in August 2022. As a coach, Thomas is also responsible for watching his boxers — how they sway, how their knees knock, where their eyes go — to make sure everyone stays safe. He says it’s much easier to control kids throwing punches at each other in boxing class than it is to control adult karaoke-ers at the bar.

It’s these two things —Monterey and training boxers — Thomas loves most. So it makes sense he’s organizing Spokane’s first-ever Bartenders Brawl, where food indus-

42 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

try workers with any amount of experience are invited to participate, as long as they train for at least six weeks before the match.

On Thursday, Dec. 21, the Brawl takes over the Knitting Factory, a downtown concert hall that hasn’t hosted an amateur boxing exhibition for over a decade. It’s a USA Boxing-approved match-style event, meaning each competitor is matched with one opponent at equal weight and experience. As many as eight bartenders and cooks from the surrounding area may get in the ring, some with multiple fights under their belt, some with no competitive experience at all. Other matches feature fighters from local boxing clubs. All proceeds go to Lilac City Boxing and its efforts to rebuild Spokane’s amateur boxing scene.

While this niche realm has faded in recent years, it could bounce back thanks to creative crossover events like this, and newfound female talent.

K

ate Garrett shadowboxes the mirror at Lilac City Boxing Club on South Sherman Street. She’s completely decked out in pink — pink sports bra, pink spandex, pink scrunchie and socks, plus a pink

Adidas gym bag in the corner with a pink Gatorade bottle inside. Even her Jeep parked outside is pink, with her nickname “Sassy Broad” across the spare tire cover.

She locks eyes with her reflection, slowly extending her arm, twisting her wrist and swiveling her back foot. Then she does it again, but this time with explosive power and sharp, cutting speed.

Garrett is a bartender at Whiskey Glasses in Chattaroy and D-Mac’s at the Lake in Hauser, Idaho. She grew up playing sports, especially gymnastics and softball, but as an adult with two jobs and four kids she didn’t have much extra time for working out. And yet, as responsibilities piled up, Garrett realized how much she needed a physical outlet.

“I struggled with anxiety and depression,” she says.

“I needed a sport, I needed activity. So when [a DJ at Whiskey Glasses] brought up doing this boxing event, I was like, ‘Heck, yeah!’”

The owner of D-Mac’s recommended Garrett train with Ryan Jeffries, a good-natured truck driver and Hauser local who left coaching a few years ago but might be convinced to take a novice on again. Jeffries agreed,

FOOD | OPENING but he also put Garrett in touch with Kerwick, Lilac City Boxing’s head coach, so Garrett could learn as much as possible in six weeks from not one but two personal trainers.

Garrett signed up for the Brawl and got to work. In class, she’s often the only woman, training with a lot of teenage boys. The tiny blonde in her 30s won them over with competitive athleticism, motherly encouragement and a complete lack of fear. When one 10-year-old boy told her he was concerned about sparring because he wasn’t allowed to hit girls, Garrett promptly responded that in the ring, she wasn’t a girl, she was a boxer.

“Being a bartender, you have to have a certain personality,” she says. “I have a spicy personality. I have a sassy personality. So this is fun for me.”

T

hree weeks before the fight, Garrett has upped her boxing lessons to four times a week, plus cardio.

“Kate has been a shining example of what a fighter should be,” says Thomas, who’s been watching her evolution from the other side of the gym. “She came in, she got registered, she got a physical done. She listens.

She doesn’t argue. You can’t cheat the process. If I had 10 Kates, I’d have a stress-free experience doing this event.”

Garrett’s biggest concern going into the Brawl is finding a suitable opponent. Amateur boxing is a fading sport in Spokane, especially as other contact sports like mixed martial arts and Muay Thai compete for participants.

Thomas’ event is a way to bring new eyes and fresh enthusiasm to the local boxing scene. For Garrett, it’s been a healthy addition to her life that she’d recommend to anyone, especially other women.

“When I go to bartend and it’s busy, it blocks out everything that’s bothering me in life. But when it’s slow, I’m thinking,” she says. “So this is a way to have an outlet. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done it before, if you’re awkward or you’re scared to start a contact sport. I would say it’s not what you think it is.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the restaurant and hospitality industry has some of the highest levels of drug use and depression of any industry.

Boxing doesn’t just provide a workout, Garrett says, but a community of disciplined, motivated athletes whom she quickly came to love like family.

Thomas says a lot of young men start boxing for all the wrong reasons — trying to be tough, to show off, to prove something. They argue with the coach, don’t put the work in, distance themselves from the team, and burn out pretty quick. Thomas says it’s more often women who prioritize the skill and art of the sport, and build a healthy, competitive community.

“In my opinion, I think women are the future of boxing,” Thomas says. “It’ll be a slow burn. But women are the ones who stick with it.”

While Thomas works to make the Bartenders Brawl a regular annual event, Garrett’s hoping that more women join her in the ring. But for now, she’s focused on her first-ever fight. Family, coworkers and even some beloved regulars are coming to watch.

“I have my own cheer squad,” she says. “We already have two VIP booths on ringside seats, eight people at least all cheering me on. That’s what makes me excited.

Doesn’t matter if I lose. They’re gonna have fun watching me get beat up, or they’re gonna have fun watching me do really good.” n Bartenders Brawl • Thu, Dec 21 at 6 pm • $25-$150 • 21+ • The Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com • 509-244-3279

Island Style Food’s kalbi ribs plate. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

The Next Wave Popular food truck Island Style Food opens a permanent location on North Division

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

S

in’ means “warrior” in Chamorro, the language of the people indigenous to the Mariana Islands, including Guam. It’s a fitting name for Nicholas DeCaro, professionally known as Chef Sin’.

He opened his Island Style Food food truck the month after COVID hit, but it grew so fast he just opened a brick-and-mortar location on North Division Street on Nov. 15. And he’s not done yet. The chef, artist and entrepreneur already has more plans in the works to keep expanding, keep improving and keep up the good fight.

Pacific Islanders and foodies already knew the truck for its hand-rolled lumpia, a kind of Filipino fried spring roll (three for $6); locally sourced Kalbi, also known as Korean short ribs ($18); Halo Halo, a cold dessert with condensed milk, coconut heart and ube ice cream ($9); and made-fresh-daily finadene and house special Pika Pineapple sauces.

Now, old and new fans alike can get their fix of Pacific Island and Asian fusion food year-round at the permanent location.

Chef Sin’ grew a big community following with savvy marketing and deep roots in the city, gaining over 8,000 combined social media followers and high profile fans like Gonzaga’s star forward Anton Watson and University of Washington’s tight end Devin Culp. Now the community has a new space to gather and grow. DeCaro, who’s also a trained artist, spared no expense in creating an inviting, invigorating experience.

“I’m a dream big kind of guy,” he says. “I am also the kind of guy that does whatever it takes not to fail, sometimes at the expense of my health.”

Modern, industrial-inspired lighting lines the walls, with ocean blue booths and live foliage at each table. An open-concept kitchen nods to a food truck feel, complete with a self-serve sauce counter that lets patrons customize every dish. There’s “real toilet paper” in the restroom because “I judge a restaurant by their bathrooms,” DeCaro says. But the most elaborate expense is right at the entrance: a vapor feature that looks like dancing flames, backlit by sunset colors and surrounded by dense jungle plants. He’s dubbed it the “selfie wall,” where influencers, athletes and community members all pose for photos after an incredible meal.

A

s if opening a restaurant weren’t enough, Chef Sin’ is getting ready for another season with the food truck next spring, except he’s building a 24-foot food trailer to expand his operation on wheels. He’s already signed on to cater five weddings next year, is working to sell his Pika Pineapple sauce wholesale at local grocery stores, and is thinking about a merch and retail counter at his own restaurant.

“I’m never 100% happy,” he says. “When I reach a goal, it’s fulfilling, but then I set the next goal and keep moving on. So while I enjoy it, there’s never going to be an end target. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I’m old and in a wheelchair. Maybe I’ll come up with a wheelchair hubcaps.”

While DeCaro creates, designs, cooks and dreams, he usually has other people on his mind.

He loves to help customers understand where his food comes from — “There are more Pacific islands than just Hawaii,” he says — and he knows he doesn’t do this work on his own. Within just a few weeks of opening, Island Style already hosted a fundraiser for one of its staff members struggling with diabetes and losing his eyesight. While DeCaro doesn’t complain about the number of hours he’s putting in every week, he doesn’t downplay some personal battles, either.

“While on the exterior, it looks like we’ve had this tremendous growth and all this is happening,” he says. “But me and my family are still human.

We still have a lot that we’re going through personally, we just might not share it as much as others.

And that doesn’t mean our problems are any bigger or smaller. But my family and my crew — we’ve sacrificed a lot to be here.” n Island Style Food & BBQ • Open Wed-Sun 4-9 pm • 2931 N. Division St. • Instagram: @island_style_food • 509-315-9478

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 43

REVIEW

NOT SO SWEET

Roald Dahl-inspired prequel Wonka fails to capture the magic of its source material

BY JOSH BELL

T

here’s nothing interesting about Willy Wonka’s origin story. If anything, giving Willy Wonka an origin story ruins the character’s central appeal, at least as presented in author Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and both of its film adaptations. Wonka is an off-putting weirdo whose sole purpose is as an agent of chaos to disrupt the drab life of young Charlie Bucket after he wins a tour of Wonka’s fantastical candy factory. No one wanted to know what Wonka’s childhood was like.

But that’s never stopped Hollywood studios before, so Wonka gets his eponymous prequel anyway, in a movie that completely misjudges what could make him a worthwhile lead character. Director and co-writer Paul King’s Wonka also misses nearly everything that makes Dahl’s stories unique and alluring, settling instead for the upbeat, wholesome tone of King’s beloved (but occasionally insipid) Paddington movies.

Like those movies, Wonka features a wide-eyed outsider arriving in the big city and getting into various shenanigans. Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) has spent the past several years at sea, working as the cook on a merchant ship and perfecting his esoteric chocolate recipes.

He has big plans to open his own chocolate shop in the

world-renowned Gallery Gourmet, but he’s unprepared for the opposition he encounters almost immediately after disembarking.

First, he’s bamboozled by unscrupulous laundress Mrs. Scrubbit (Olivia Colman), who tricks him into signing a contract that amounts to indefinite indentured servitude. It’s baffling for a movie about a whimsical chocolatier to spend so much time on a storyline about escaping from forced labor, but King pays far more attention to Wonka’s efforts to break free from Mrs. Scrubbit’s clutches than he does to Wonka’s candymaking enterprise.

Wonka faces challenges in that realm, too, in the form of a cadre of chocolate tycoons who hold a monopoly on the local market. His fanciful creations are so appealing to the public that they immediately threaten the livelihoods of those dastardly businessmen, who enlist the local police chief (Keegan-Michael Key) to get rid of Wonka. There are so many forces aligned against Wonka that he barely gets any screen time to do the chocolate-making he’s most known for.

Wonka’s main ally in thwarting Mrs. Scrubbit and getting his chocolate out to the world is a young orphan girl named Noodle (Calah Lane), who’s a poor substitute

for Charlie. Chalamet plays Wonka as a kind-hearted simpleton, a sort of chocolate savant who’s naive about how the world works. It’s a limp performance that lacks the charismatic weirdness of Gene Wilder in 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Factory, or even the more calculated oddity of Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s uneven 2005 remake.

Wonka is packed with wan, forgettable songs by Neil Hannon, and while Chalamet can carry a tune, he can’t do much more with it. Instead of Dahl’s bracing, nasty humor, Wonka relies on dull, obvious jokes, along with plenty of sentimentality. Wonka forms a surrogate family with Noodle and their fellow laundry workers, and the movie comes dangerously close to declaring that the real chocolate was the friends he made along the way. Even worse is a subplot about Wonka’s illiteracy, which plays like the fake Oscar clip in Wayne’s World where Mike Myers wails, “I never learned to read!”

Dahl would be appalled at that level of sappiness here, and King can’t pull it off with the warmth he brings to the Paddington movies at their best. Wonka is cloying and phony, like the worst kind of off-brand chocolate you’d buy at a discount store. There’s no value beneath its overly shiny wrapper. n

WONKA

Rated PG Directed by Paul King Starring Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Olivia Colman

Wonka’s story lacks a special ingredient its predecessors posessed.

44 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

CREATIVELIFESPOKANE

SCREEN | REVIEW

              

MAESTRO

Starring Bradley Cooper

THE BOY AND THE HERON, HOLDOVERS, SALTBURN OPENING 12/15

RON GREENE • DEC 16 • ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS

Bradley Cooper conducts a moving ode in Maestro.

A True Masterwork

PAGE 48

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Bradley Cooper’s Maestro is a piece of symphonic perfection

BY MARYANN JOHANSON

O

h, frabjous film! What a movie. What an experithere’s lots of Bernstein’s music on the soundtrack, but ence. Bradley Cooper’s second feature as co-writer not much of it is diegetic (actually heard in the context of and director (after 2018’s A Star Is Born) is a the story being told) — and more of what drove Bernstein marvel: passionate, intoxicating, enrapturing. It’s an artistically. A lot of that was love for the public people astonishing cinematic high-wire act that feels classic and around him, foremost Montealegre. And a lot of it was modern at the same time. also love for the people he had to sneak around to see: Maestro is nominally a biopic docudrama, but it Bernstein was gay, or at least bisexual, and wasn’t very doesn’t feel like any you’ve seen before. I didn’t know good at pretending he wasn’t (apart from the bare minimuch about classical-music composer and orchestral mum to keep up public appearances in those homophobic conductor Leonard Bernstein before Maestro, and I didn’t days). learn many facts about him in this movie, and that’s OK! And yet this is emphatically not another story that “It’s not a documentary!” is the usual reminder when upholds the damaging cultural notion that noble sacrifice some folks complain about omissions or in support of a Great Man is a good thing. elisions in movie depictions of real people.

There’s a brief moment in which musician MAESTRO Cooper and his co-screenwriter Josh David Oppenheim (Matt Bomer), BernRated R Singer have leaned into that, so much so stein’s friend and one-time lover, suddenly Directed by Bradley Cooper that they’re not even pretending to be realizes that he will never be the center of Starring Bradley Cooper, documentary-ish. The way they tell the Bernstein’s life. Not a word is spoken, but Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer story of Bernstein here is immersive — we the look on Bomer’s face is heartbreakare there for Bernstein’s professional and ing. And that is nothing next to Felicia’s personal life in postwar America — but also impressionisjourney, as she slowly comes to terms with what she tic: Nothing is explained for us, we just let it flow over us. has denied herself — such as a husband wholly devoted There’s one brief mention, for instance, of a friend to her — in order to be in Bernstein’s thrall. Mulligan’s called Jerry... and it was only later that I realized that, oh, performance is delicate, seething with sorrow, and yet the that was Jerome Robbins, the director, producer, and chofilm doesn’t dare cast her as a victim, either. The lament reographer of West Side Story (for which Bernstein wrote here is that the world loses things, ones we aren’t even the music). Maybe there’s a brief passing mention of Steaware we’ve lost, when we try to crush huge spirits like phen Sondheim, who wrote the lyrics for that production?

Bernstein’s — and like Felicia’s — into tiny boxes.

I can’t really recall. Anyone hoping for a box-ticking list of Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein is sublime, utterly Bernstein’s notable collaborators will be disappointed. disappearing into the role to the point where he’s often After a brief opener where an elderly Bernstein unrecognizable. He seems to have taken onboard reflects on artistic inspiration in a late-1980s interview, Bernstein’s unflappable confidence, and it is a delight to Cooper throws us straight into the deep end of the man’s watch. There’s a bewitching scene late in the film in which early life. At a postwar ’40s party for the smart cultural Bernstein conducts a concert in a cathedral: It roils with set in the New York City metro area, he meets the woman passion and joy, and soars like the music itself. Perhaps who will become his wife, actress Felicia Montealegre no single other element of the film sings as much with (Carey Mulligan). From then on, we’re split between other Bernstein’s — and Cooper’s — power. parties — another one in the ’60s plays a crucial role in Bernstein’s compositions are eclectic, staccato, telling the tale of the romance between Bernstein and genre-defying, full of unexpected tonal shifts that neverMontealegre — and rehearsals, performances or quiet theless work. Maestro echoes its subject’s music. There’s a moments with family… but Cooper never holds our hands. visual and narrative freshness to this movie, a wonderful We enter conversations midstream, but we grasp what is eccentricity, a delicious audacity. They’re all a kick in the going on: This is the vital, energetic life of creative folks, pants to a mainstream cinema that has, in many ways, intellectual but also earthy. There’s a bit of flirtation, a bit been feeling more and more moribund. This is a perfect of sex, but even these moments of titillation are rooted in movie, but hopefully those who don’t agree would at brainy creativity. least recognize that it pushes boundaries in a way that we This is a tale less of one man’s creative output — very much need right now. n

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S

SCHOOL OF ROCK Spokane’s Justyn Priest hits the right harmonies as both performer and musical teacher

BY JULIA CARR

46 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

inger-songwriter Justyn Priest casually enters Poole’s Public House on the South Hill and sets up for a gig on the eve of Thanksgiving. There’s a quiet conversational rumbling in the pub, a sense of people enjoying the calm before the storm of the holidays.

Throughout the evening, Priest bangs out tunes on his acoustic guitar, heartfully singing his own orignal muisic along with famous classic rock, blues and modern folk crowd pleasers, while skillfully navigating the fretboard — jamming on every song, almost creating extended conversations with each melody. It’s all so seemingly effortless, like he’s just strumming from the comfort of his home, in a chair, by a fire with his dog.

I first saw Priest perform in late 2022 at Lucky You Lounge, opening for Midnight North, a band led by Grahame Lesh (son of Grateful Dead’s bassist Phil Lesh). Priest’s original compositions fit the style of the evening, and he expertly wove in a Dead cover (“Brown-Eyed Women”) for the audience of dancing Deadheads.

There’s a decent chance if you frequent the Spokane live music scene, you’ve seen Priest. Notably, he opened for Foreigner this past summer at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. He also plays with Royale, Ron Greene and Aspen Kye. This week alone he’s playing both Chan’s Red Dragon on Friday night, and will spend Sunday night at the Knitting Factory as part of Sammy Eubanks’ Blue Christmas concert (which supports the Rayce Rudeen Foundation.)

The 38-year-old Priest — who lives in Nine Mile Falls with his wife, Candice, and their Labrador mix, Willow — embodies a paradoxical blend of righteousness and humility. The songs he writes echo this. “Patience,” for example, is about not wanting to deal with incorrigible people.

“It’s about not having the patience to wait for that moment when understanding comes,” explains Priest, before wryly adding, “The song is aggressively positive.”

Priest defines good musicianship as “when you can translate emotion into sound.” He emphasized the importance of musicians to be grounded in themselves. First and foremost he’s on stage for himself, not for the sake of performance.

“Most people who write music will tell you that it’s not really coming from them. It’s coming from somewhere else and being kind of channeled through them.”

Priest’s musical dynamics are eclectic, a rock and blues style inspired by his own meanderings through a multicultural landscape of music including flamenco and latin rhythms, odd metered music (found in progressive metal and Indian tabla), blues, and rock. Priest’s improvisations echo this legacy of rhythms woven into an artistic expression.

Priest’s stage presence resembles the Southern bluesiness of Warren Haynes, with vocals comparable to Chris Stapleton or the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson.

“I don’t have the vocal capacity to even get close to those guys, but I work on it. I hope that I sound like myself more than anything,” Priest replies in a gentle tone at the comparisons.

Priest’s skillset is one that impresses even his peers.

“Who’s this kid that is playing all the right things at the right times and not playing at all the right times?” veteran Spokane singer-songwriter Cristopher Lucas recalls thinking the first time he saw Priest take that stage at a show in Coeur d’Alene back in 2008. “He has onstage tact. Sometimes you’ll have a musician who’s really hot and awesome, but they need to learn when to lay out and not show up all the time. Justyn’s always been a natural at that.”

Lucas and Priest eventually collaborated in the band Cruxie, where they played mostly Lucas’ original songs and covers. It was the start of a musical relationship that’s now spanned 15 years.

The 52-year-old Lucas recalled the first time Priest sang lead on stage in Cruxie. Lucas and his bandmates noticed that Priest had joined in singing, and all at once — with a sly signal to each other — they stopped singing and laid out on the next chorus, leaving Priest to carry the vocals alone.

“They sold me out,” Priest recalls with a laugh. “It was a good experience, though. It was like when somebody throws you into a pool, and you have to learn to swim. But then you realize

it’s the shallow end.”

Although Priest is mostly self-taught, at 19 he studied for a year at the Musicians Institute of Los Angeles (MILA), attending classes with highly successful musicians such as Carl Verheyen, one of the world’s top guitarists ranked by Guitar Magazine and a member of the British rock band Supertramp. After a year, Priest opted out of pouring over a hundred thousand bucks into being taught music. It was the end of his time as a student, but not the end of his time with musical education.

M

usic bridges the wisdom of generations and releases what’s inside our timeless, ageless hearts. Along with a prolific music career, Priest extends his passion through teaching lessons in Spokane. His classroom is a minimalistic office space at Gabriel’s Guitars near the northern border of the Emerson Garfield neighborhood. Some of the theories he learned at MILA carry into what he teaches today.

“He doesn’t just teach you how to play music,” says Holli Ugaldea, whose two teenagers take lessons from Priest. “He teaches you the why.”

Learning an instrument requires a commitment amid the distractions of modern life. Priest, raised without high-speed internet or smartphones, emphasizes a focused learning environment by providing printed music sheets and opting for hand tuners over tuning apps. His commitment to accessibility ensures that music becomes both a personal outlet and a means of connection for his students. He tailors lessons to the kids’ preferences, inviting them to choose what to play whether it’s the Beatles or Iron Maiden, AC/DC or Taylor Swift, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers or the Indigo Girls.

Sheridan Broderick also has two children under Priest’s tutelage. She spoke to his positive influence on her 10-year-old daughter, Taylor.

“She’s shy and getting her to play guitar with someone outside the household was really a struggle,” Broderick says. “Taylor played immediately for Justyn. I was so impressed. She really looks up to him as a teacher and mentor.”

Teenagers don’t need another teacher dictating their actions.

For instance, Priest began teaching my daughter Maya six months ago. He connected with her headstrong 16-year-old personality, fostering a focused and comfortable space that has turned her into a dedicated student.

Priest’s difficult journey through adolescence illuminates his ability to reach timid teens. For him, music became a refuge through a medical journey. He developed glaucoma as a baby, and doctors had to remove his right eye. Currently, he wears a glass eye, but while he was still growing, his choices were limited.

“It was between either being super uncomfortable and always having something in my eye or getting bullied most of my life… which was what happened,” Priest says.

Priest made the best out of a difficult situation by learning to shred on guitar.

The catalyst for Priest’s childhood desire to buy his first guitar (a generic Stratocaster imitation) is not an unfamiliar one — he heard Jimi Hendrix.

“I was at a buddy’s house and he was playing Hendrix, and I was like, ‘That’s what I want to sound like,’” he explains. “Those songs meant a lot to me as a kid who struggled with a lot of angst and isolation growing up.”

Priest’s influence as a teacher stems from a deeper wisdom, a knowing of how difficult the journey can be toward learning something new.

“I can definitely tell if someone has had a similar background as me,” he explains. “Kids have problems, and sometimes home isn’t a fun place to be. Music can be cathartic. The only time they get a peaceful moment.” n Justyn Priest • Fri, Dec. 15 at 7 pm • Free • 21+ • Chan’s Red Dragon • 1406 W. Third Ave. • reddragonspokane.com Sammy Eubanks’ Blue Christmas with special guest Justyn Priest • Sun, Dec. 17 at 6 pm • $15 • All ages • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

y r e v o c s i D c i Mus CAMERA READY

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 47

MUSIC | SOUND ADVICE

METAL ZAKK SABBATH

Z

akk Wylde might be one of the greatest guitarists in metal history — serving as Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist, fronting Black Label Society and being a touring member of the reunited Pantera — but at his core he’s still a teenage metal superfan. The evidence is plain to see in his side project Black Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath. Dude literally could do just about anything musically and is just like, “I wanna play Black Sabbath covers with my buds.” That’s some rock ‘n’ roll purity there. Upping the ante, Wylde simultaneously plays the roles of both Ozzie (singing) and Tony Iommi (guitar shredding). Headbang for the holidays when Zakk Sabbath stops at the Knit.

— SETH SOMMERFELD Zakk Sabbath, The Native Howl • Sat, Dec. 16 at 8 pm • $30 • All ages • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW J = ALL AGES SHOW

Thursday, 12/14

HIP-HOP GRIEVES

F

or those into the underground independent hip-hop world, being on the Minneapolis-based record label Rhymesayers Entertainment acts as a seal of approval. That’s the way that Seattle-based MC Grieves popped up on many a hip-hop heads’ radar with albums like 2011’s Together/Apart and 2014’s Winter & the Wolves. While he’s no longer rockin’ on Rhymesayers, Grieves’ casually scrappy flow hasn’t missed a beat, as showcased on WHY NOT, his 2023 collaborative LP with Mouse Powell. Don’t show up late to Grieves’ stop at District Bar, as opener Oblé Reed put out the best Seattle hip-hop album of 2023 in the form of LINDENAVE!.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Sean Kavanaugh CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds THE DISTRICT BAR, Hayden Pedigo J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin RED ROOM LOUNGE, Hip-Hop Night J RELIC SMOKEHOUSE & PUB, Pamela Benton: StringzOnFire!

ZOLA, The Night Mayors

Friday, 12/15

J THE BIG DIPPER, Children of the Sun, Still We Rise, Concrete Grip, Dysfunktynal Kaos J CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Justyn Priest CHINOOK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Keanu THE DISTRICT BAR, SuperAve. & Super Future J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire LORD STANLEY’S, Third Frequency Fridays NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), DJ Cruz PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Sheldon Packwood RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin J WOMAN’S CLUB OF SPOKANE, Caroline Fowler: Medium Christmas Album Release Show ZOLA, Brittany’s House

48 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

Grieves, Oblé Reed • Sat, Dec. 16 at 9 pm • $20-$70 • 21+ • The District Bar • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

Saturday, 12/16

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Ron Greene J THE BIG DIPPER, Emo 2000: Ugly Sweater Edition J CAFE COCO, B J CENTRAL LIBRARY, Uh Oh & The Oh Wells, The WowWows, The Sifters CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, ASM CHINOOK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Keanu COLVILLE, WASH, Brassless Chaps J THE DISTRICT BAR, Grieves, Oblé Reed J J KNITTING FACTORY, Zakk Sabbath, The Native Howl NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), DJ Cruz J NORTH HILL ON GARLAND, Just Plain Darin

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Jona Gallegos RED ROOM LOUNGE, LitFrank & Ernie Wayne RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs J REVIVAL TEA COMPANY, Revival Live: John MF Ward J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Quiet Riot, Great White, Slaughter, Autograph ZOLA, Blake Braley

Sunday, 12/17

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, DJ Priestess HOGFISH, Open Mic J J KNITTING FACTORY, Sammy Eubanks’ Blue Christmas with Justyn Priest J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin

Monday, 12/18 J EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Night Blues Jam with John Firshi RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night

Tuesday, 12/19 LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs

Wednesday, 12/20 THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Bob Beadling RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents ZOLA, Brittany’s House

Coming Up ...

J J THE BIG DIPPER, Uh Oh And The Oh Wells, Hayes Noble, Puddy Knife, Sick Pay Holiday, Dec. 22, 7:30 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Bad Penmanship: Dria Tha Gr8, Dusty Kix, Estimate, Jaeda, Windmil, Jalil Moses, Legal Addiction, Scoobie, Dec. 23, 6:30 pm.

J IRON GOAT BREWING CO., Festivus 2023: Stella Jones, Dec. 23, 6:30-10 pm.

J J REVIVAL TEA COMPANY, Blake Braley, Dec. 23, 7-9 pm.

J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA, Dec. 29, 7:30 pm.

J J THE BIG DIPPER, Monke Business, Vika & The Velvets, The Bed Heads, Dec. 29, 8 pm.

MUSIC | VENUES THE DISTRICT BAR, Quarter Monkey, Dec. 29, 8 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, Dec. 29, 8 pm.

J REVIVAL TEA COMPANY, Truehoods, Dec. 30, 7-9 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Scatterbox, The Dilrods, Proleterror, Absent Cardinal, Dec. 30, 7:30 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, OX, Room 13, Blacktracks, Spooky, Dec. 31, 7:30 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, MasterClass Big Band: Open the Door to ‘24, Dec. 31, 9 pm-12:30 am.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Bourbon Roulette, Juvenilia, Bailey Allen Baker, Jan. 5, 7:30 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Tomb Ripper, Xingaia, Bonemass, Torn Open, Jan. 13, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Dirtwire, Jan. 13, 8 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Kaivon, Jan. 17, 8 pm.

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Hinder, Jan. 18, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Hell’s Belles, Jan. 19, 8 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, The Red Books, No Soap Radio, Sing Chuck Sing!, Jan. 20, 7:30 pm.

J SPOKANE ARENA, Bryan Adams, Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook, Jan. 21, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Plain White T’s, Jan. 23, 8 pm.

J FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER, G3 Reunion Tour, Jan. 29, 7 pm.

J THE DISTRICT BAR, Slothrust, Weekend Friends, Jan. 31, 9 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Fit for a King, The Devil Wears Prada, Feb. 14, 7 pm.

NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Gin Blossoms, Feb. 15, 7:30 pm.

J J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, The Scratch, Feb. 18, 7 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Silversun Pickups, Hello Mary, Feb. 18, 8 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Sarah Jarosz, Feb. 23, 8 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Zeds Dead, March 8 & 9, 8 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, GWAR, Cancer Bats, Fuming Mouth, March 21, 7:30 pm.

J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Melissa Etheridge, March 24, 7:30 pm.

J J FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER, Disney Princess: The Concert, March 27, 7 pm.

219 LOUNGE • 219 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • 208-263-5673 ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS • 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-927-9463 BABY BAR • 827 W. First Ave. • 509-847-1234 BARRISTER WINERY • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • 509-465-3591 BEE’S KNEES WHISKY BAR • 1324 W. Lancaster Rd.., Hayden • 208-758-0558 BERSERK • 125 S. Stevens St. • 509-315-5101 THE BIG DIPPER • 171 S. Washington St. • 509-863-8098 BIGFOOT PUB • 9115 N. Division St. • 509-467-9638 BING CROSBY THEATER • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-227-7638 BLACK DIAMOND • 9614 E. Sprague Ave. • 509891-8357 BOLO’S BAR & GRILL • 116 S. Best Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-891-8995 BOOMERS CLASSIC ROCK BAR • 18219 E. Appleway Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-368-9847 BUCER’S COFFEEHOUSE PUB • 201 S. Main St., Moscow • 208-596-0887 THE BULL HEAD • 10211 S. Electric St., Four Lakes • 509-838-9717 CHAN’S RED DRAGON • 1406 W. Third Ave. • 509-838-6688 COEUR D’ALENE CASINO • 37914 S. Nukwalqw St., Worley • 800-523-2464 COEUR D’ALENE CELLARS • 3890 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-2336 CRUISERS BAR & GRILL • 6105 W Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-446-7154 CURLEY’S HAUSER JUNCTION • 26433 W. Hwy. 53, Post Falls • 208-773-5816 THE DISTRICT BAR • 916 W. 1st Ave. • 509-244-3279 EICHARDT’S PUB • 212 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-263-4005 FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • 509-279-7000 FOX THEATER • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-624-1200 IRON HORSE • 407 E. Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-7314 IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL • 11105 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-926-8411 JOHN’S ALLEY • 114 E. Sixth St., Moscow • 208-883-7662 KNITTING FACTORY • 911 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-244-3279 LEFTBANK WINE BAR • 108 N. Washington St. • 509-315-8623 MARYHILL WINERY • 1303 W. Summit Pkwy. • 509-443-3832 THE MASON JAR • 101 F St., Cheney • 509-359-8052 MAX AT MIRABEAU • 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-922-6252 MILLIE’S • 28441 Hwy 57, Priest Lake • 208-443-0510 MOOSE LOUNGE • 401 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-7901 MOOTSY’S • 406 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-838-1570 NASHVILLE NORTH • 6361 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-457-9128 NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 877-871-6772 NYNE BAR & BISTRO • 232 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-474-1621 PEND D’OREILLE WINERY • 301 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-265-8545 THE PODIUM • 511 W. Dean Ave. • 509-279-7000 POST FALLS BREWING CO. • 112 N. Spokane St., Post Falls • 208-773-7301 RAZZLE’S BAR & GRILL • 10325 N. Government Way, Hayden • 208-635-5874 RED ROOM LOUNGE • 521 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-838-7613 THE RIDLER PIANO BAR • 718 W. Riverside Ave. • 509-822-7938 SEASONS OF COEUR D’ALENE • 1004 S. Perry St. • 208-664-8008 SPOKANE ARENA • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • 509-279-7000 SOUTH PERRY LANTERN • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-473-9098 STEAM PLANT • 159 S. Lincoln St. • 509-777-3900 STORMIN’ NORMAN’S SHIPFACED SALOON • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-862-4852 TRANCHE • 705 Berney Dr., Wall Walla • 509-526-3500 ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416

LOANS AVAILABLE

New Construction Land Development Bridge Loans Fix & Flip Call Now (509)926-1755 www.pmcmoney.com

Breathin’ easy

‘cause we have our vaccines!

Flu & COVID-19

Flu & COVID-19 srhd.org/breathineasy

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 49

COMMUNITY GIFTS WITH PURPOSE

It’s OK if you’ve put off gift shopping until now, because there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find plenty of options for every person on your list during Terrain’s annual winter arts market. Filling three of River Park Square’s retail floors, BrrrZAAR unites dozens of local artists and makers to showcase and sell their handmade wares. Those goods range from jewelry and art prints to home decor items, skin care, candles, clothing and beyond! Besides being a one-stop-shopping event, the other great thing about BrrrZAAR is that it helps ensure local small businesses and artists can support themselves while making our community a more vibrant, beautiful and joyful place. New this year, the event has expanded into the Kress Gallery (behind the food court) to accommodate more vendors, added holiday photos from Electric Photoland and local live music.

— CHEY SCOTT BrrrZAAR • Sat, Dec. 16 from 10 am-8 pm • Free • River Park Square • 808 W. Main Ave. • terrainspokane.com

DRINK PINTS OF CHEER

Pull out those tacky holiday sweaters, Santa hats, reindeer headbands or whatever other kitschy Christmas garb you’ve got stashed in the back of your closet because No-Li’s winter beer fest returns for its sixth year. The unticketed event offers limited edition 20-ounce mugs ($12) that give the holder access to special festival beers for $8 per pour. The first 500 guests who head to the brewery’s East Spokane campus for the event and buy said mug also get a special No-Li branded pom-pom beanie. The four seasonal, small-batch brews featured on tap for this year’s Frost Fest are the Frost Bite kettle sour (6% ABV), Fireside red ale (6.5%), Royal Roast coffee ale (5.8%) and Snowgaze cold IPA (6.5%). Word on the street is that Santa himself even plans to swing by to enjoy a pint or two.

— CHEY SCOTT No-Li Frost Fest • Sat, Dec. 16 from noon-3 pm • Free admission • 21+ • No-Li Brewhouse • 1003 E. Trent Ave. • nolibrewhouse. com

50 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

FILM A HOT DEBATE

Yippee-ki-yay, Christmas lovers! Join the Moscow Film Society for a screening of perhaps the most controversial “Christmas” movie ever made: Die Hard. As part of the society’s Alt Christmas series, this 1988 film takes audiences on a wild ride as Bruce Willis’ character John McClane battles terrorists during a Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza in central Los Angeles. Regardless of where you stand on the age-old debate of whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie (hint: it definitely is not), the screening of this iconic actionpacked film is sure to be a lively and unconventional addition to your holiday season.

— AMELIA TRONCONE Moscow Film Society: Die Hard • Tue, Dec. 19 at 7 pm • $8 • Kenworthy Performing Arts Center • 508 S. Main St., Moscow • kenworthy.org

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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.

MUSIC SINGIN’ THE SEASON

If we’re being completely honest with ourselves, there’s a point when hearing the same Christmas songs over and over can grow grating. So put some fresh festivities in your holiday season with Spokane singer-songwriter Caroline Fowler’s new album Medium Christmas. A longtime Lucky You regular as part of the monthly Alcohol & Feelings cover show, Fowler’s indie pop Christmas LP features an array of original songs covering a lot of seasonal ground, from lowering holiday expectations (“Medium Christmas”) to odes to baby Jesus (“In the Bleak Midwinter”) and from making the most of Christmas when money is tight (“Priceless”) to peppy numbers about winter activities (“Christmas Lights Bus Ride”). For the traditionalists, there are a few seasonal classics too (“Silent Night,” “Auld Lang Syne”). On Friday, Fowler and her local musical pals head to the Woman’s Club of Spokane to showcase Medium Christmas via a free album release concert.

— SETH SOMMERFELD Caroline Fowler: Medium Christmas Album Release Show • Fri, Dec. 15 at 7:30 pm • Free • All ages • Woman’s Club of Spokane • 1428 W. Ninth Ave.

INDOOR EVENT

DEC. 1 – 31, 2023 Fridays 5-8pm, Saturdays 4-8pm and Sundays 3-6pm, Open on Christmas Eve and last Thursday in December

BENEFIT GIFTING & GIVING

As a kid, I always wanted to get in on the Christmas gift-giving. This usually resulted in me wrapping random objects I found around the house and giving them to family members instead of buying gifts because my tooth fairy money didn’t go very far. If the kids in your life want to participate in the giving season, consider taking them to Santa Express in the Valley Mall. This gift boutique has items ranging from $1 to $12 for kids ages 4 to 12 to choose from for each person on their list. An “elf” will help your child shop around, stay within budget and wrap the gifts they buy. All proceeds from gift sales benefit Vanessa Behan, a safe shelter for kids who are in crisis situations.

— MADISON PEARSON Santa Express • Through Dec. 22; Mon-Fri from 11 am-7 pm, Sat from 10 am-7 pm, Sun from 11 am-5 pm • Free admission • Spokane Valley Mall • 14700 E. Indiana Ave. • santaexpress.org

KIDS 10 & UNDER FREE Private parties 50 and larger available.

Contact Northwestwinterfest@gmail.com

SCAN FOR TICKETS

SPOKANE FAIR AND EXPO CENTER NorthwestWinterfest.com

The Pacific Northwest’s LARGEST illuminated holiday and cultural festival DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 51

CHEERS 500 YEARS The 500-year prophecy of the eagle and the condor from the time of Columbus is at hand. It seems like we are being overrun at our southern border by people trying to escape from Central America. The seven countries in Central America are obscured by the jungle. This tropical rainforest hides multiple flat-top pyramids that include different layers.

Think of the movies “Indiana Jones” and “Avatar.” By clearing the jungle and reopening the pyramids, we could build our own chips and would not have to depend on Taiwan, since they produce almost 90% of the world’s semiconductors.

I SAW YOU LIFE COULD BE DYNAMITE I Saw in My Dreams a KPOP Dance Night in Spokane.

Thanks to whoever put on the tswizzle dance night at the Knitting Factory. Please someone with pull/authority let’s make this happen <3 SMOKEY SCOTCH Should of grabbed your number!

DAMN! I WISH I WAS YOUR LOVER… Hi! I hope I am who you think I am, but I have my doubts. I would love to reach out to you, but I don’t know if I could forgive myself for doing so if I ended up being wrong. You know how to find me, I’d love to hear from you. Despite what you might think, a text from you is always welcome. I will reach out to you if you tell me your first and last initial, or include something that would let me know it’s you if you’d rather.

RE: TERESA, THIS ONE’S ABOUT YOU I’m the person who you are seeking. Right here waiting for you. I’ll see you in my dreams. TDB

YOU SAW ME RE: TERESA, THIS ONE’S ABOUT YOU 2 I’m responding to your ad. My initials are TJ. Ciao.

GOOD SAMARITAN Thank you for helping me when I ran out of gas on Sprague and Pines on the day before Thanksgiving. I still had to drive home to St. Maries, and you saved the day. Two sisters battling that crazy gas can nozzle on the side of the road and YOU? NO SURRENDER!! Thanks again, see you up the ‘Joe sometime.

RE: PLASTIC SPOON VS. SILVER SPOON I am laughing while reading your post. You are funny & astute.

LOVE Love is a sacrifice CHEERS TO THE ZAGS Cheers to the Zags men’s basketball team. It’s just great that they can beat teams with four wins and six losses by such a large margin. Over 100 points scored! Great job! What are the next games? Maybe against Gonzaga Prep High School? I bet they’d score over 100 against them too. What happened against Purdue?

Must have just been an off night. Go Zags!

CLEAN CLOTHES Shout-out SuperWash Laundromat in Browne’s Addition for always being awesome, every time.

ARE YOU TRYING TO CATCH A CAT?’ I was pouring tuna from a pouch into a small glass bowl on the trunk of my car outside a grocery store when you asked me that. I usually eat my lunch inside, but there was someone I wanted to avoid, so I decided to have lunch in my car. I was still bitter about that, and stressed from a long and busy first half of my shift, when you approached me. I snapped back, “No, I’m eating,” and climbed into my car. It took a few minutes for me to realize that it probably looked like I was eating cat food, and you wanted to express concern in the most delicate

way possible. Having people be genuinely concerned over my welfare is a relatively new experience for me. My knee-jerk response is defensiveness, and it usually takes a few minutes to realize that I got it all wrong. You seem like a very kind person, and you did the right thing, and I snapped at you. I’m sorry if I made you feel like you were being punished for your good deeds.

That is a horrible way for anyone to feel, especially someone who would approach a

“

opportunity... like ‘Brain Fryday.’ I’m so grateful you’re my teacher.

JEERS CUSTOMERS Man. I barely know where to start. Just... be kind? Be patient? Be compassionate? Be logical? I work

else’s responsibility as to self-protection of the other person walking their dog AND the other person’s dog. And I’m tired of it! The first encounter was the delinquency park across from the library where there are usually 10-20 school-age people hanging out looking to do what? The next was on the path (you know the bicycle racing path through Kendall Yard) while we are out just minding our own business. If your dog attacks other dogs, what are you doing out

An elderly woman slipped... Cheers to the many people who came to her aid...

stranger who looked like they were in dire straits with gentle care. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope it’s fun and light and full of joy, because you deserve it.

SPOKANE GOOD SAMARITANS On Friday, Dec. 8, an elderly woman slipped in the parking lot in front of the Dollar Store on 29th Avenue. She fell to the pavement resulting in a big goose egg above her eye and broken glasses. She was prone in the parking lot, holding her head and very distraught. Cheers to the many people who came to her aid, ensured that the first responders had been called, and worked to comfort her and keep her warm on a cold day. At least a dozen people came up to offer assistance. Cheers also to the first responders who arrived quickly and rendered excellent assistance. My faith in the goodness of people was renewed.

BEST NEIGHBORS Sending a special shoutout to my neighborhood in the Perry District for working together to remove snow from driveways and walkways. Everyone was helping each other and even made time from some street sledding!

CONGRATULATIONS To my friend who deserves all the love in the world. Love isn’t just a sacrifice, it’s a gift to one another to always cherish each other. And when two become one in front of each other’s loved ones is the most important thing you can do. You finally found your soul mate.

Congratulations!!!!!!!

THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY Cheers to Mr. L at Mullan, whose philosophy on learning teaches us that a challenge is also an

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.”

at a superstore. The pay is horrid. The atmosphere would be decent — if it weren’t for the monstrosities of humans we dealt with each day. Today a woman chewed me out for stocking the mac and cheese. Yes, you read that correctly. “THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED!” Oh, which brand? I asked so I could resolve the issue if it were our own.

“ALL OF THEM! THEY ARE HORRIBLE FOR YOU!” Was her reply. This lady was just livid at the existence of mac and cheese. And apparently I was to be held responsible.

Two weeks ago a coughing woman, smelling so strongly of urine it could knock you out, spat in my face. I almost lost my job when I had to call out sick due to the corresponding cold I caught. A child literally came up to me and kicked me about five times, and their parents said nothing to me, but told their little angel “now now, no kicking” softly. Y’all. Get it together. I’m begging you. I know this place is tough, but you do need to figure it out to some extent or stay indoors. Some of us are managing to get by without two cents to rub together and being kind while we do so.

WORTHLESS DOG OWNER To the lady who stood there and watched her dog piss on the floor in the plaza. Someone needs to rub your nose in it to teach your responsibility and respect.

TWICE IN TWO DAYS! I live in the Kendall Yards area, and because we live in an apartment it necessitates a dog walk every day that’s possible. Good for the dog and me! However, in the last two days we have been attacked by dogs on each walk! My dog is 12 lbs and a sweet little girl. People seem to take owning a dog as someone

”

without having them under control because a leash is CLEARLY NOT enough! There are a lot of people out walking their dogs that are just fine. But the few that are NOT just fine seem to realize they will Not be held responsible because who you going to call?

The police? lol!

FORMER WASHED UP COLLEGIATE RUNNER I didn’t realize being a former collegiate runner made you the authority of who can and cannot use the road. Apparently you also feel the right to comment on the pace of runners too. I have an idea! Why don’t you slow down your dry, climate-controlled car for a moment to let a runner pass by safely and then go home and shovel your sidewalk (and maybe your neighbors’) so it is safe enough to run on! Seasons greetings!

RIVERFRONT PARK VEHICLES I don’t know why y’all think since the park is full of pedestrian paths that means you don’t still have to drive on the correct side of the path, but it most definitely does NOT mean that. Keep it on the right side like you have some sense. n

THIS WEEK'S ANSWERS M P S A R O A C E F A N G T U R B O S U S E R E E L L P G A S T A N L E Y C U P D R A W L E R S A R N O S I G H T S E E I N G T R I P O W E S C A N E E V A I T A S R O S A S O M E T H I N G C A M E U P L E A R R E P T W I X P R O G R I C K S H O O T F R O M T H E H I P G A L E T R A N S F E R M A K E I T S T O P R O S E I S I N T O E V S A S I N P S S T C E N S O R R E I

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

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Deeper for the holidays

Find deeper delights this holiday season in Sandpoint, Idaho Light up your family holidays with a Christmastime getaway to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. The peak of a winter visit is up at Schweitzer mountain, where the whole family can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tubing. But there’s more family fun to be had in Sandpoint. The Pine Street Woods has trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with equipment rental on-site at the nordic center. Or journey to Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, for a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a winter wonderland. After the outdoor fun, head to town with your shopping list to find fine gifts in Sandpoint’s unique shops and galleries. To top off the day, enjoy Sandpoint’s vibrant entertainment scene with live music and holiday events, terrific restaurants and excellent lodging in town or on the mountain. Less than 90 minutes east of Spokane. We hope to see you here!

Get visitor information at 208.263.2161 • www.visitSandpoint.com

DECEMBER 14, 2023 INLANDER 53

EVENTS | CALENDAR

BENEFIT

HUTTON SETTLEMENT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM FUNDRAISER The annual tree sale offers a wide selection of precut wild and farmed trees, fresh garland, and wreathes for purchase. All proceeds fund the Hutton Settlement’s on-campus, youth-led educational programs.

Through Dec. 15; Mon-Fri noon-6 pm; Sat-Sun 10 am-6 pm. Hutton Settlement Children’s Home, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave. huttonsettlement.org (509-926-1027) SANTA EXPRESS With the assistance of an elf, kids shop for everyone on their list from a wide selection of gifts from $1$12. Purchases are tax free and proceeds benefit Vanessa Behan. Through Dec. 22; Mon-Fri from 11 am-7 pm, Sat from 10 am-7 pm, Sun from 11 am-5 pm. Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana Ave. santaexpress.org (509-415-3506) HOLIDAY FOOD FUNDRAISER Bring perishable food donations to participating businesses. In addition to food donations, 10% of the proceeds from Brick West’s Out Cold IPA, wherever it is sold, will go to Northwest Harvest. See website for full details. Daily through Jan. 19. khq.com/giving (509-279-2982)

COMEDY

NIKKI GLASER Glaser is an American stand-up comedian, actress, podcaster, radio host, and television host. She was the host of the television series Not Safe with Nikki Glaser. Dec. 14, 8 pm. $48$170. Spokane Tribe Casino, 14300 W SR Highway 2. spokanetribecasino.com BRYAN CALLEN Callen began his career as one of the original cast members on the sketch comedy series MADtv. Dec. 15, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and Dec. 16, 7 & 9:45 pm. $28-$50. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com HA!!MARK The Blue Door Players improvise a holiday movie full of twists, turns and romance. Dec. 15 at 7:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedootheatre.org (509-747-7045)

COMMUNITY

CRESCENT HOLIDAY WINDOWS Five window bays on the south side of the Grand display scenes featuring refurbished figurines rescued from the basement of the former Crescent Department Store. Fri-Sat from 12-10 pm and Sun-Thu from 3-8 pm through Jan. 1. Free. Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. davenporthotelcollection.com ELF ON A SHELF Elf on a Shelf characters are hidden around downtown Coeur d’Alene. Find one of the dozen Coeur d’Alene Scout Elves and win a prize from Santa. See website for a list of participating locations. Daily through Dec. 17. Free.

Downtown Coeur d’Alene, Sherman Ave. cdadowntown.com (208-415-0116) JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE CRUISES A 40-minute holiday cruise across Lake Coeur d’Alene to view holiday light displays and visit Santa Claus and his elves. Daily at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm through Jan. 2. $12.50-$ 27.50. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com (208-765-4000) LIBERTY LAKE WINTER GLOW SPECTACULAR Various holiday light displays throughout the park. Nov. 18-Jan. 1, daily.

Through Jan. 1, 2024. Free. Orchard Park, 20298 E. Indiana Ave. winterglowspectacular.com

54 INLANDER DECEMBER 14, 2023

NORTHWEST WINTERFEST A holiday lantern display and cultural celebration featuring dozens of lighted holiday lantern displays and immersive experiences in holiday cultures of the world. Thu-Fri from 5-8 pm, Sat from 4-8 pm and Sun from 3-6 pm through Dec. 31. $10-$40.

Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. northwestwinterfest.com WINTER WINDOW MURAL Make a window mural for the Shadle Park Library community to enjoy. This is a temporary project and will remain up for the remainder of December. This program is intended for kids ages 9-15 and 6-8 with an adult. Dec. 15, 3:30-4:30 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5390) BULL HEADS UGLY SWEATER CHRISTMAS PARTY Show up in your ugliest holiday sweater to be entered into the Ugly Sweater Contest, enjoy holiday drink specials, music and more. Ages 21+. Dec. 16, 8 pm. Free. The Bull Head, 10211 S. Electric Ave. bullheadsaloon.com ELVES WORKSHOP This all-inclusive workshop invites kids and their families to participate in winter-themed crafts to give as gifts. Dec. 16, 12-4 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. sparkcentral.org (509-279-0299) PARADE OF LIGHTS A holiday parade promoting suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Dec. 16, 4:30 pm. Free.

Horizon Middle School, 3915 S .Pines Rd. paradeoflights.net/home PICTURES WITH KRAMPUS Take a photo with Krampus. Adults, kids and pets are welcome. Sat from 11 am-6 pm. 11 am-6 pm through Dec. 23. Free. Petunia & Loomis, 421 W. Riverside Ave, Suite 102. instagram.com/petunialoomis THE STOREHOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET POP-UPS Shop a curated market featuring handcrafted art, jewelry, gift items, homemade jams and baked goods, locally raised USDA prime beef, fresh herbs and more. Sat from 10 am-5 pm. 10 am-5 pm through Dec. 23. Free.

The Storehouse, 107 W. Lake St. medicallake.org (509-993-1723) WINTER WONDERLAND MARKET A cast of rotating vendors sell gifts, crafts, food and more. Seasonal movie screenings will be streamed on screens across the venue. Sat from 10 am-2 pm through Dec. 23. Free. The Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St. wondermarketspokane.com GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY CHRISTMAS SERVICE The annual Christmas service is led by Pastor Edwin Weber and features performances by the Concordia Choir. Dec. 17, 3-7 pm. Free. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave. germanamericansociety-spokane.org

FILM

THE BOY AND THE HERON A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. Dec. 14, 4-6 pm, Dec. 15, 7-9 pm, Dec. 16, 4-6 & 7-9 pm, Dec. 17, 4-6 & 7-9 pm, Dec. 19, 4-6 pm, Dec. 20, 1-3 pm and Dec. 21, 4-6 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127) MOSCOW FILM SOCIETY: BATMAN RETURNS While Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta. Dec. 14,

7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127) MOSCOW FILM SOCIETY: DIE HARD A New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Dec. 19, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main. kenworthy.org

FOOD & DRINK

S’MORES BY THE SHORES Make s’mores while gathered around one of the resort’s firepits. Daily from 3-9 pm through Dec. 30, 3-9 pm. $75. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdaresort.com WEST END WINTER ALE TRAIL Visit each west end downtown Spokane brewery, buy a beer and scan the QR code to be entered to win prizes. Participating breweries include Humble Abode, Whistle Punk, Golden Handle, Brick West, Grain Shed Taproom and Iron Goat.

Through Jan. 7. Brick West Brewing Co., 1318 W. First Ave. bit.ly/AleTrail2023 CHRISTMAS DINNER A Christmas dinner consisting of rostbraten (roast beef) with sides. Traditional glühwein (mulled wine) included. RSVP via phone. Dec. 16, 5:3011:30 pm. $20. German American Hall, 25 W. Third Ave. germanamericansocietyspokane.org (509-954-6964) NO-LI FROST FEST Dress in your best holiday attire and try a handful of small batch beers. Commemorative mug available for purchase. Dec. 16, 12-3 pm. Free admission. No-Li Brewhouse, 1003 E. Trent Ave. nolibrewhouse.com BRUNCH WITH SANTA ON THE RIVER A festive brunch featuring hot cocoa and a meet-and-greet with Santa. Dec. 17, 9 am-1:30 pm. $15-$25. Ruby River Hotel, 700 N. Division St. rubyhospitality.com THAI SPICES: HOLIDAY COOKING WITH SUWANEE Suwanee shares her secrets on spicing up holiday foods. Dec. 17, 1-2 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org COOKIES AND COCOA BOMBS CLASS Toni Flavor, pastry chef at Bowery, teaches participants how to make holiday cookies and hot chocolate bombs. Dec. 19, 1 pm. $65. Wanderlust Delicato, 421 W. Main., Suite 103. wanderlustdelicato.com

MUSIC

A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS This musical performance features classic holiday songs performed by a 17-piece orchestra.

Dec. 15-17; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. $25-$44. University High School, 12320 E. 32nd. svsummertheatre.com ROBINSONG A harp, guitar and flute trio performing holiday, Celtic and Americana music. Dec. 16, 6-8 pm. Free. Craftsman Cellars, 1194 W. Summit Pkwy. craftsmanwinery.com (509-413-2434) SPOKANE SYMPHONY POPS 3: A BING CROSBY CHRISTMAS The symphony and Jake Bergevin perform holiday music

by Bing Crosby. Bing’s nephew Howard Crosby joins to share memories and lead a sing-a-long. Dec. 16, 7:30 pm and Dec. 17, 3 pm. $47-$100. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org VISIONS OF CHRISTMAS: A CELEBRATION OF LIGHT AND MUSIC Holiday melodies played by pianist Archie Chen, soprano Malinda Wagstaff Metro and other local stars. Dec. 17, 2-3:30 pm. $25-

$250. Holy Names Music Center, 3910 W. Custer Dr. hnmc.org/visionsofchristmas CANDLELIGHT: HOLIDAY SPECIAL A string quartet performs holiday music selections surrounded by candles. Dec. 20-21, 6:30 & 9:30 pm. $31-$57. Riverside Place, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. feverup.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

DJ NIGHT ON THE ICE Skate around the Numerica Skate Ribbon with tunes provided by DJ A1. Dec. Fri from 6-9 pm through Jan. 26. $6.95-$9.95. Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600) SPOKANE CHIEFS VS. PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS Promotions include Coors Light Seattle Kraken Trip Giveaway. Dec. 15, 7:05 pm. $13-$32. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanechiefs.com COACHES CORNER Coaches from Spokane Figure Skating Club offer valuable tips and guidance to emerging skaters.

Sat from 11 am-1 pm through Jan. 27. $6.95-$9.95. Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600) BARTENDERS BRAWL A boxing competition comprised of local bartenders. Dec. 21, 6 pm. $25-$150. Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com

THEATER & DANCE

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Based on the 1946 film, this musical follows George Bailey’s life from his childhood dreams to his midlife disappointments and beyond. Thu-Sat at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm through Dec. 17. $13$15. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. tacatthelake.com ELF: THE MUSICAL Once an orphan raised by elves in the North Pole, Buddy travels to New York city. There, he seeks to discover his true identity and save Christmas. Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm through Dec. 17. $12-$16. Spokane Children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia. spokanechildrenstheatre.org NUTCRACKER NIGHT IN Do crafts, learn dances from The Nutcracker, eat pizza and watch a filmed production of the New York City Ballet performing The Nutcracker. No prior dance experience required. Ages 6-10. Dec. 16, 5-8:30 pm. $50. Sandra’s Studio of Dance, 304 W. Seventh Ave. sandraolgardsstudioofdance.com (509-838-7464) CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE This holiday show showcases the magic of the season with a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. Dec. 20-21 at 7:30 pm. $51-$101.

First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls. firstinterstatecenter.org

VISUAL ARTS

10TH ANNUAL CUP OF JOY A holiday exhibit of over 150 ceramic cups made by local, regional and national artists.

Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through Jan. 13. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net (509-863-9904) 2023 ANNUAL ORNAMENT AND SMALL WORK SHOW This annual holiday show features over 30 participating artists

showcasing ornaments and small works.

Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm, Sat from 10 am-4 pm through Dec. 23. Free. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500) ALEXANDRA IOSUB: BETWEEN KNOWING AND BEING This exhibition encapsulates the culmination of the artist’s 8-year project, ‘Making Room,’ which explores creating personal space in the world. Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm through Dec. 30. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com BAYLEEJOEE, ABE KENNEY, MISSY NARRANCE, JON SWANSTROM AND SUSAN WEBBER Various artworks by local artists BayleeJoee, Abe Kenney, Missy Narrance, Jon Swanson and Susan Webber. Daily from 11 am-6 pm through Jan. 1. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. explodingstars.com (509-414-3226) ROBERT BANGER: CABINET PICTURES OF MY GARDEN FRIENDS ALS IK KAN A selection of cabinet paintings (small paintings) of animals. By appointment only through Dec. 31. Free. Hamilton Studio, 1427 W. Dean. hamiltonstudio.com JERRY WHITE & KATRINA BRENNAN Jerry White showcases woodburning and Katrina Brennan presents acrylic paintings. Thu-Sat from 11 am-4 pm through Dec. 31. Free. Avenue West Gallery, 907 W. Boone Ave. avenuewestgallery.com KEITH HARROP: THE WHIMSICAL WORLD OF KEITH HARROP Harrop’s pencil drawings depict animals drawn in a whimsical style. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through Dec. 30, 11 am-7 pm. Free.

Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus.com (509-768-1268) SARANAC ART PROJECTS ALL MEMBER EXHIBITION: MEMBERS ONLY Members of the Saranac Art Projects display new works as well as work from the archive.

Fri-Sat from 12-8 pm through Dec. 30.

Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com BRRRZAAR Over 70 local artisans sell their wares including jewelry, ceramics, artwork, candles and more. The event also features live music and familyfriendly activities. Dec. 16, 10 am-8 pm.

Free. River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. terrainspokane.com/brrrzaar HANDMADE HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Celebrate the holidays by making ornaments with provided supplies. Dec. 19, 4-5 pm. Free. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Rd. scld.org LUMINOSITY & LIBATIONS: A WINTER SOLSTICE ART AFFAIR Celebrate the solstice with beer, wine and art. The event also includes a raffle drawing. Dec. 21, 4-7 pm. Free. Teascarlet Fine Art, 6389 Kootenai St. teascarlet.com

WORDS

AUNTIE’S BOOK CLUB: NEW FICTION Discuss “The Strange Beautiful” by Carla Crujido at the December meeting. Dec. 14, 6 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com AUNTIE’S BOOK CLUBS: QUEER & WEIRD Discuss “Artificial Condition” by Martha Wells at the December meeting.

Dec. 16, 6-7 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com BROKEN MIC Spokane Poetry Slam’s longest-running, weekly open mic reading series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; signups at 6 pm.. Free. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit.ly/2ZAbugD n

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