Inlander 12/21/2023

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DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 | HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

THE

Future

WAS THEN!

in uilt se, b th Hill u o H ray ne’s Sou Mur The n Spoka o 1965

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How a group of Spokane midcentury architects redefined the cityscape more than 50 years ago

By Madison Pearson

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VOL. 31, NO. 11 | COVER PHOTO: YOUNG KWAK

5 COMMENT 8 NEWS COVER STORY 16 SNOWLANDER 24

CULTURE 40 FOOD 44 SCREEN 46 MUSIC 48

52 EVENTS 54 I SAW YOU 58 GREEN ZONE BULLETIN BOARD 63

EDITOR’S NOTE

M

y favorite intersection in downtown Spokane is a history lesson. There, on the southwest corner of Riverside Avenue and Stevens Street, sits the Fernwell Block. Raised in the immediate aftermath of the Great Fire of 1889, the building is made of bricks from what is now the Cannon Hill Park pond.

On the southeast corner, the two stately buildings of the Paulsen Center fill the whole block. The older, steel-framed Paulsen Building shows the tenor of the city in 1908: ambitious and unpretentious. The tiered, Art Deco building next to it was finished in 1929 against the long odds of August Paulsen’s death and a cratering economy. On the northeast corner stands the Old National Bank Building. It was designed by D.H. Burnham and Co., the largest architecture firm in the world at the time. When completed in 1910, it was the state’s tallest building. For a year.

Finally, on the final corner is the two-story First National Bank building from 1953. Black and red granite tiles join aluminum-framed glass panels for a decidedly modern feel. It’s just one structure in Spokane’s impressive collection of midcentury buildings, the subject of this week’s cover — THE FUTURE WAS THEN! The neighborhoods of the inner city are dotted with similar masterpieces that, until recently, were taken for granted, derided or forgotten.

Not anymore.

— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editor

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COMMENT STAFF DIRECTORY PHONE: 509-325-0634 Ted S. McGregor Jr. (tedm@inlander.com) PUBLISHER

Jer McGregor (x224) GENERAL MANAGER

EDITORIAL Nicholas Deshais (x239) EDITOR

Chey Scott (x225)

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HISTORIC BUILDING IN SPOKANE? DUI BUI-NGUYEN

Out of all the buildings in Spokane, my favorite building would probably have to be [Mary Lou’s] Milk Bottle.

That’s a good one.

It’s just iconic. It’s shaped funny. It looks funny.

It just reminds me of good times.

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Seth Sommerfeld (x250) MUSIC & SCREEN EDITOR

Samantha Wohlfeil (x234) BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

Madison Pearson (x218) LISTINGS EDITOR

Eliza Billingham (x222), Colton Rasanen (x263) Nate Sanford (x282), Summer Sandstrom (x232) STAFF WRITERS

DWIGHT McCAIN

Not really, I’m from Coeur d’Alene.

Do you have a favorite building over there?

I have a least-favorite. Those tall residential buildings they’re putting in. There’s one that’s 18 stories.

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CHANTELLE LICKFOLD

I really like the Davenport Hotel.

Why that one?

There’s just so much history. Being able to see the different ballrooms and just being in those great spaces…it’s just beautiful to be in that space. It made me feel like I was part of something bigger.

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I used to live in an apartment on First [Avenue] that was renovated from the early 1900s.

Do you have a favorite architectural style?

Midcentury modern. I love the old downtown hotels.

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The Paulsen Center. It has the tiers to the top, and it’s always got a flag right at the top, it’s a pretty building.

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CIRCULATION

Do you know how old it is?

No, it’s gotta be ’40s or ’50s. You have these just beautiful ornate sculpted stone facades.

[Editor’s note: It was finished in 1929.]

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A Break from the Hate

The killing fields of the Western Front in World War I.

A real Christmas miracle broke out during World War I; while fleeting, it still holds lessons for this Christmas season

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eace.” A vacuous holiday card message. Commerce appropriates cherished aspirations such as Peace and commodifies it into Hallmark banality and Christmas kitsch. After all, Peace may sell in December, but war is perennially more lucrative.

For many Peace would be respite from exhausting holiday rituals of the nomadic shopping scrum, triaging hemorrhaging credit cards, torture

by Muzak “Jingle Bells” earworms, too many Santas and minimum wage elves, hair-on-fire cooking and cleaning, decking the halls to Chip and Joanna’s specs, and placating irascible relatives.

This season a salutation of “Peace on Earth” might evoke cynicism if not despair. As charlatans infect our body politic, Putin ravages Ukraine and the Israeli-Gaza carnage confounds, this is a dark winter of discontent, perhaps a convulsive awakening from our age of insular innocence.

Yet for one brief, shining moment during the First World War, better angels transcended our latent savages. German, British and French conscripts, some only 16 years old, fraternized with those they were recruited to kill, a court-martial

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6 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

“P

T

level offense. (See the 2005 film Joyeux Noel.) This war was an unprecedented massacre of innocents, a generation lost. Unlike Abraham and Isaac, the drums of war summoned sons to be sacrificed, but it was not God’s command but the false idol of nationalism.

his “war to end all wars” was a duel of dynastic cousins, tragic miscalculations and industrialized slaughter, fought ostensibly “to make the world safe for democracy,” causing the converse in Russia and Germany and gestating the Hydra of 20th-century wars.

By December 1914, four months into the conflagration, the fog of war had descended on the Western Front. The entrenched front would be a four-year stalemate of deadly mechanized lethality and attrition. The German artist Otto Dix described the lacerated trench landscape as “lice, rats, barbed wire, corpses, blood, liquor, filth, bullets, bombs, fire and steel. That’s war. It is the work of the Devil.” By Christmas Eve there were 2 million casualties, including 500,000 killed on the Western Front. (Watch 2022’s All’s Quiet on the Western Front and 2011’s Warhorse.)

The Christmas Truce of 1914 was initiated by common enlisted soldiers. On Christmas Eve, Germans adorned the parapets of their trenches with decorated evergreens. (Recall the pre-Christian, Germanic origin of the tannenbaum, a winter

solstice totem to ensure a spring resurrection.) The rapid rattling of cold metallic, flesh-eviscerating machine guns was blessedly silenced by German Christmas hymns. Apart from the distant, stuttering cacophony of a few angry guns, there were the raspy harmonies of “Stille Nacht,” voices hoarse from the cursing and crying after months of futilely fatal offenses.

As the German repertoire changed to spirited English hymns, entrenched British soldiers joined the chorus; yet fearing a ruse, emerged tentatively from the muddy, stinking morass. It was like a harrowing of Hell, a divine deliverance. They met and mingled unarmed and without malice in No Man’s Land, once a Flanders field of lilies. Yesterday Death scythed its grim harvest, this ground desecrated by profane blood, now consecrated by miraculous camaraderie and Peace. Perhaps only those having choked on the rancid taste of war can truly savor the sweet wine of Peace.

First the dead beckoned to be buried. Working side by side, Germans and British interred each other’s brothers-in-arms, recited the Psalm 23 in both languages, then toasted each other with Deutsche schnapps, exchanging simple gifts of tobacco, chocolates, newspapers and addresses with oaths that, “When this bloody war soon ends, we’ll quaff a pint of Newcastle or Hofbräu together!”

A British corporal effused: “Here we are laughing and chatting with men whom only a few hours earlier we were trying to kill!”

Alas, they were blood: The Germans were Saxons, Victoria’s Prince Albert was Saxon, and the English are Anglo-Saxons.

There were improvised soccer matches accompanied by ribald renditions of “God Save The King” and “Die Wacht am Rhein.”

A German barber trimmed hair and shaved British soldiers and with a flourish of his open razor wryly jested, “Maybe I should cut your throat today and save tomorrow’s ammunition?” To British soldiers, German humanity was a shock after the incessant propaganda about Teutonic bestiality. Alas, in war’s shadow there is “light that we cannot see.”

Not all troops along the 760-kilometer front fraternized. There was predictable subterfuge, some exploiting the truce to snipe exposed enemies or to do clandestine reconnaissance. Many French were wary as the Germans humiliated France in the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War, and by Christmas Eve of 1914, the Germans were 60 kilometers from Paris. A French newspaper declared that, “Any soldier found guilty of conversing with the enemy will be shot for treason.” British authorities issued similar menacing invectives.

The soldiers’ common retort: “If they killed us all, there would be nobody left to fight their damn war!”

In the German ranks, the Prussians remained obstinate — despised by other German soldiers and ferociously fervent to their heel clicking, goose-stepping, iron and blood, haughty esprit de corps. An Austrian corporal who was supplicant to this severe Prussian ethos, who never spoke of or received letters from family or friends, neither smoked or drank, was vegetarian, shunned women and brooded alone in the trench, was Adolf Hitler, who chastised the soldiers who fraternized with the enemy: “Have you no German sense of honor?”

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n Dec. 26, Gen. Sir Horace Smith left the cushy comfort of his chateau headquarters ensconced several kilometers behind British lines demanding that fraternization cease else the offenders be subject to severe disciplinary action. “Friendship between the trenches is forbidden!” Thus did the senseless slaughter resume and over the next 46 months, 6,000 soldiers died per day on the Western Front.

If the bitter belligerents of World War I could conquer their “hard-favor’d rage” with compassion, in this sacred season could we not forsake the schadenfreude that enshrouds our hearts with darkness and light a candle of Goodwill? This simple gift, sole cost only what the soul can tender, is the essence of a Peace that we can truly rejoice. n John Hagney taught high school and college history for 45 years. He was a U.S. Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher. His oral history of Gorbachev’s reforms was the first work on the subject and has been translated into six languages.

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Data from the Federal Communications Commission shows the lack of cell phone coverage in parts of Idaho, one of the least covered states in the nation. TOM STOVER ILLUSTRATION

CALLING IDAHO BUSINESS

The new Idaho Mobile offers “cheap” phone plans with goal of expanding access in the young, conservative company founder’s home state

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

Y

ou’ve probably heard the famous examples of tech leaders who dropped out of college to start their businesses — the minds behind Apple, Microsoft,

8 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

Spotify, Twitter and Facebook all did it.

But when Erik Finman was going to Coeur d’Alene High School about a decade ago, oddly enough it was a book by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian — who did graduate college — that helped inspire him to drop out before even finishing high school.

In 2011, at just 12, Finman had invested in a new cryptocurrency called Bitcoin. By 2013, he’d turned a roughly $1,000 gift from his grandmother into more than $100,000.

Despite his financial success, by 15 he was struggling in school. Though he enjoyed participating in a robotics club, Finman says he was getting Cs on his homework and

having a hard time finding value in classwork. Ohanian’s book — Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed — resonated with the young teen, with its focus on using the internet for entrepreneurial endeavors.

“I don’t think I would’ve ever dropped out of high school without that moral permission that came from that book and that advice,” Finman says.

He dropped out and made a deal with his parents: If he didn’t make $1 million by the time he turned 18, he’d go back to school. He started an online education business that he soon sold for more Bitcoin, reaching his $1 million ...continued on page 10

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goal, and then left Rathdrum for Silicon Valley.

Since then he’s found success in several cryptocurrency-related ventures and has gotten more involved in conservative politics. More recently he’s been drawn to the telecommunications world.

As of last month, the 25-year-old is back living in Idaho (this time in Boise), where he just launched Idaho Mobile, a budget wireless provider.

Idaho Mobile is now offering cheap unlimited phone plans — “I don’t like to say affordable, I like to say cheap,” Finman quips — ranging from $12 to $42 per month. Each plan will go up by $8 a month after the introductory rate. After the high speed data limit on each plan is hit, users will still be able to access the internet, the speeds will just be slower.

Like other budget plans, Idaho Mobile contracts to use major carriers’ cell towers. Without the overhead those companies have (or some of the perks they offer to customers), the plans can be offered at a better rate.

The service can be used in all 50 states, but Finman’s long-term goal is to invest in more equipment in rural areas that lack coverage throughout his home state of Idaho. He’d like to start the process of expanding coverage next year, starting in North Idaho.

“North of Sandpoint is probably the first place we’re going to do that,” Finman says. “As of today, it’s just cheaper, and then starting early next year we’re going to actually start the process of applying for those permits and installing stuff and paying someone to go set it up.”

People can keep their same number if they’d like to switch to Idaho Mobile, and the website offers a form that can help determine if your device can transfer. Users need to bring their own phone to the plan, and those devices need to be paid off in order to transfer service.

For customer service, an online chat function can help answer questions during business hours, and once someone is a paying customer they can access help over the phone during business hours, Finman says.

Uniquely, Finman is offering to provide the cell service for free to people who are experiencing homelessness, paying for their LETTERS service out of Send comments to his own pocket. editor@inlander.com.

“If you’re an unhomed person, if your income is extremely low or you have no income, I’ll pay from my own pocket for you to get it for free,” Finman says. “We’ll try to accept as many people as we can into that program.”

THE RISE OF BUDGET PHONES

Phone users have likely noticed the uptick in budget wireless providers in recent years. Verizon offers a trimmed down version of its unlimited service through Visible. Mint Mobile, Metro and Google Fi are versions of T-Mobile. AT&T has Cricket Wireless. Boost Mobile used to be Sprint.

Most major carriers already contract with other companies to share towers in order to provide their nationwide coverage. Budget plans offer similar access, although download speeds are often

a lower priority for those plans than for the major carriers using the equipment.

However, the New York Times tested multiple discount providers (many of which allow the use of eSIM cards) this year and found that the download speeds from each of the brands tested were more than sufficient to stream shows on apps like Netflix and Hulu.

Idaho Mobile’s longErik Finman term plans to invest in equipment and increase coverage could be uniquely appreciated in Idaho, which has some of the largest gaps in wireless coverage in the country, according to broadband data from the Federal Communications Commission.

While many of the areas with no reception in Idaho are in the wilderness, Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties have a huge variation in cell reception, with some areas showing as little as 0.58% coverage by any type of mobile broadband (3G, 4G, or 5G) and others showing 100% coverage, according to an FCC map.

Aside from billing issues, the next largest category of phone complaints received by the FCC this year have been about availability (including difficulty making or receiving calls in rural areas), with nearly 16,000 unique complaints year-to-date nationwide.

The goal, Finman says, is where good reception already exists, to make it cheaper. Where it doesn’t exist, he wants to invest. He says he’s the only funder behind Idaho Mobile.

“There’s a lot of dead spots,” Finman says.

“I can fund equipment and expand to places that maybe necessarily, you know, Verizon wouldn’t go out of their way to spend money for a very small town.”

Idaho Mobile doesn’t require long-term contracts, and it allows users to search their address to see if 4G or 5G coverage will be decent in their area before selecting a plan. A search for the Inlander offices in the 5G haven of downtown Spokane showed that 5G coverage wouldn’t be great, but 4G would be readily available.

DANCING BANS, FREE SPEECH AND ACCESS

So, jumping back to Finman’s claim to fame — being one of, if not the youngest Bitcoin millionaire(s) — how did a 12-year-old find out about Bitcoin in 2011? Those were the days when the cryptocurrency was mostly being discussed in law enforcement circles and used on the dark web.

It’s even stranger than you’d think. Finman says his older brother (12 years his senior) took him to the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., to attend a protest. The cause? Public outcry over the arrest of multiple people for peacefully

dancing inside the memorial. One man had been body slammed by park police.

So in mid-2011, the middle schooler found himself dancing with a few hundred protesters at the memorial, and then quickly dispersing when police yet again shut down the antics, a la Footloose. Finman recalls glancing at the shirt of a guy running away next to them and asking what the “B” with a dollar sign meant.

“He’s like, ‘It’s Bitcoin man, it’s going to end Wall Street, bro,’ and ran off,” Finman recalls. (The Occupy Wall Street movement would start that fall in New York, with protesters decrying corporate greed and bailouts in the wake of the Great Recession.)

Fast forward a few years and Finman was in Silicon Valley teaching others about cryptocurrency and continuing to develop his thoughts around free speech.

By 2021, he introduced the “Freedom Phone,” which was pitched as an “uncensored” option to avoid Google or Apple devices and the restrictive policies their app stores or specific apps had at the time. It was a cheap smartphone with an operating system adapted from Android’s open source code, and pitched for $500 on a slew of conservative shows. The phone came preloaded with apps like Parler and One America News Network, and received pushback from journalists at the time, who questioned the cheap quality of the phone and whether the operating system was truly a better option than devices designed by major companies.

The initial sales were through the roof. However, that success came at a price: PayPal and other processors didn’t believe the brand new company was trustworthy when it brought in millions of dollars in the first week.

“We did $3.5 million in sales in the first week, which is pretty incredible. But the problem was, I had no idea, you’re not allowed to make money overnight in this country,” Finman says, noting that some processors froze the money in reserve for up to a year. “That was a huge pain to deal with, because it was a tremendous success.”

“I’m a right-wing person but ... I think connectivity should be cheap for people who can afford it or free for people that are unhomed.”

That resulted in court battles with the payment processors and a Utah company Finman had partnered with, and delays in getting the phones out to customers. Still, Finman says customers ultimately had positive reviews.

He downplays the importance of marketing of the phone to a conservative audience. He says his real passion is pushing back on limits on free speech, and he imagines that had the democratic-socialist U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the presidential election in 2016, Finman might have targeted people on the left who felt their speech had been unfairly limited online. Plus, cryptocurrency apps were being left out of the traditional app stores, and he wanted to make them easier to access.

“I’ve always had a passion for allowing people to say how they think and be who they are. On that project it was definitely about creating an app store that wasn’t necessarily limited in what was allowed on there,” Finman says. “I believe connectivity is a right, not a privilege.”

Thinking back on his upbringing in North Idaho, Finman recalls how phone calls would regularly drop (and still do in some areas) and how limited his internet service was at home.

He knows his family was well off compared to others. One of his robotics teammates not only didn’t have internet access at home, but their family couldn’t afford to keep the electricity on, Finman says.

That’s part of what’s driving his commitment with Idaho Mobile to provide the phone service free to those who need help the most.

“I am a right-wing person, but I fundamentally believe in the right to free speech for everybody and the right to connectivity for everybody,” Finman says. “I think connectivity should be cheap for people that can afford it or free for people that are unhomed.” n

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NEWS | DEVELOPMENT

Coeur d’Alene has seen an influx of people move there. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

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12 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

How Coeur d’Alene Schools bought into a different type of development for North Idaho

BY COLTON RASANEN

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or the last decade, people have been moving to Idaho at breakneck speeds. But from overcrowded schools to skyhigh living costs, one of the nation’s least-populated states has been struggling to keep up with the influx.

Take Coeur d’Alene for example. The city’s school district has three middle schools, two of which are nearing capacity and another is already at capacity, according to Jeff Voeller, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools director of operations. And the median cost of renting a one-bedroom property in Coeur d’Alene ($1,625) is closer to Seattle’s ($1,775) than places like Boise ($1,351) or Spokane ($1,000), according to Zillow.

Between 2010 and 2020, Idaho’s population grew by about 17% — the second-fastest growth in the nation behind Utah — according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Coeur d’Alene alone saw a jump of more than 20% in the same time.

But where do all those new Idahoans live? Cookie cutter, car-oriented suburban sprawl may be the order of the day, but at least one North Idaho development company is trying something a little different. Coeur Terre — a Kootenai County Land Co. project that hopes to transform 1,050 acres of rural land in the city’s southwest corner into a new community — plans to build close to 3,000 new housing units (single-family homes, townhomes and apartments), commercial shops and two new schools, all while maintaining space for parks and incorporating trails for biking and walking throughout, including a connection with the Centennial Trail.

Development has been in the works since about 2019, when the land — just north of I-90 and directly east of North Huetter Road — was acquired. But just last week, the Coeur d’Alene School Board took a crucial step forward, unanimously approving the purchase of a 20-acre plot of land in the development’s northeast corner to build a new middle school.

The school district’s Voeller, who has been working with the developers for three years, says that this will set the district up to better handle the region’s growth. It’s also the first time in more than three decades that a developer has come to the district and asked about their specific needs, he adds.

“At first they were planning to just dedicate a 10-acre plot of land for us to build a new elementary school,” he says. “But what we really needed was a new middle school.”

So now, the school district will be able to build both.

The district bought the land from the development company for about $4.36 million, which was more than $200,000 less than the land was appraised for. The district sold 10 acres of soccer fields behind Hayden Meadows Elementary and the old Hayden Lake School to finance the purchase.

However, as part of the purchase agreement, Coeur Terre developers will be on the line for the necessary infrastructure like roads and sewer and water connections before any construction can start. This, however, does not include the cost of the schools’ construction, which Voeller says will come in the form of a future bond (which has yet to be planned).

Coeur Terre developers anticipate that the entire community will be built in stages over the next 20 to 30 years. A timeline for building the two schools is unclear, according to Voeller.

‘TIS THE SEASON BEETHOVEN’S 9th

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s North Idaho officials continue to address the issues that come with a rapidly growing population, many citizens are sending mixed messages.

Some of the harshest critics of the Coeur Terre development are folks in the adjacent Indian Meadows neighborhood — many of whom are against the development because of anticipated impacts of its proposed density. Yet in November, Kootenai County voters rejected a $50 million bond that would’ve preserved open space around the county instead of being used for development.

Coeur d’Alene City Council member Dan Gookin says it’s hard to find an adequate answer to address the region’s growth.

So when the decision to annex more than 400 acres of the Coeur Terre development into the city came before the City Council in March, Gookin, along with Council member Christie Wood, voted against it.

Much of Gookin’s opposition stems from the objections from the adjacent neighborhood, but he also believes that the city should focus on building up instead of building out.

“I think it’s going to destroy the neighborhood,” Gookin says.

“It’ll destroy the life of these folks who are more used to their rural lifestyles.”

The rest of the council voted in favor of the annexation, meaning that the land became part of the city and can now be used to build the proposed housing with a higher-density than surrounding neighborhoods.

Coeur d’Alene Senior Planner Sean Holm thinks this development, while not appealing to its neighbors, is a smart path forward for the city to address growth in a meaningful way.

“There’s not much opportunity for development in Coeur d’Alene,” Holm explains.

With the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene to the south, Coeur d’Alene National Forest to the east, and Post Falls and Hayden bordering the city to the north and west, he says there’s not really any space to build out in the city right now.

“There are very few 20-acre parcels in the city that we could have even built a middle school on,” Voeller says, echoing Holm’s assessment.

At this point, Coeur Terre developers have successfully jumped through many of the logistical hurdles involved in a development like this, but Holm believes the main challenge is yet to come.

“I think the wildcard in all of this will probably be the state,” he says. “There have been plans for a Huetter Road bypass to help alleviate some of the traffic, but [the state] may be going back to the drawing board with the Coeur Terre development in mind.” n coltonr@inlander.com

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NEWS | POLITICS

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Spokane City Council members Michael Cathcart, left, and Zack Zappone. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS

Lines on a Map Will a new ethics committee decision and a February ballot measure put Spokane’s redistricting controversy to rest?

BY NATE SANFORD

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n February, Spokane voters will consider a ballot measure that would change the way City Council districts are drawn and — ideally — remove City Council influence and perceptions of partisanship from the process.

The ballot measure was prompted by last year’s redistricting process — a contentious affair that resulted in a legal battle, ethics complaints and accusations that Council member Zack Zappone had gerrymandered his own district by pushing a map that makes it easier for liberal candidates (like Zappone) to win.

Zappone insists he didn’t do anything wrong. He notes that Spokane County Superior Court Judge Tony Hazel ruled this spring that the map pushed by Zappone didn’t violate the law. Hazel also said that Zappone seems to have been aware of the partisan implications of his map and that council members shouldn’t be involved in the process going forward.

The new ballot measure — called “Measure 2” — aims to prevent a repeat of the redistricting fiasco.

City Council members unanimously voted last week to send the proposed changes to voters. The new proposal modifies an earlier ballot measure introduced by City Council member Michael Cathcart this summer, and is the result of compromise between progressive and conservative council members.

“These changes are reasonable,” Cathcart said before Thursday’s vote. “I think they represent a good common ground.”

Zappone says he hopes the unified support will show voters that the proposed changes to the redistricting process are intended to fix a broken system — not benefit a specific political party.

Several hours after Thursday’s vote, Zappone appeared in front of the city’s Ethics Commission for the final hearing in a complaint filed over his actions during the redistricting process.

The complaint was filed by Neil Muller, a local insurance sales executive who alleged that Zappone had “acted in a manner that is irresponsible, untrustworthy, without integrity, untruthful, dishonest, unfair, improper” and had used his office and city resources for personal gain.

14 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

After a lengthy hearing, the Ethics Commission came to a split vote.

Two members believed Zappone had violated city code by using the redistricting process to benefit himself politically. Two other members disagreed. With three vacancies, the normally seven-person commission was deadlocked.

Zappone says he had hoped for a more decisive answer, but that he still thinks it’s clear he didn’t commit an ethics violation. He hopes that Thursday’s ethics hearing — and the council’s collaboration on the new ballot measure — will help finally put the redistricting controversy to rest.

“We can move past this and hopefully work together,” Zappone says.

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ity Council district boundaries are updated every decade to account for changes in population. Last year, the process was driven by a Redistricting Commission composed of three appointed volunteers.

Zappone and then-Council President Breean Beggs served as advisory members.

The volunteer members drew up more than a dozen maps that aimed to balance the competing goals of keeping populations mostly equal, following geographic boundaries when possible and keeping neighborhoods intact.

Zappone also drew a map of his own and presented it to the board. Despite the Redistricting Commission’s recommendation that City Council adopt a map drawn by one of its members, the City Council voted 4-2 to adopt the one drafted by Zappone. Cathcart and fellow conservative Jonathan Bingle were opposed. Zappone, conscious of the brewing controversy, abstained.

Zappone has insisted that the map he drafted only aimed to unify neighborhoods and meet other redistricting requirements.

The map does avoid dividing neighborhoods, but it also moves the reliably liberal Browne’s Addition neighborhood into northwest Spokane’s District 3, giving progressive candidates like Zappone a small but not-insignificant advantage. It also makes northwest Spokane’s District 1 more friendly to liberals.

n the wake of the controversy, Cathcart introduced a charter amendment that aimed to limit the City Council’s involvement in future redistricting processes.

The charter amendment would expand the volunteer Redistricting Commission from three members to seven.

Three would be appointed by the mayor, three would be appointed by council. The seventh would be a nonvoting chairperson appointed by members of the commission.

The charter amendment would also create a process for residents to request a redistricting in the middle of the decade and restricts the City Council from choosing a map that wasn’t recommended by commission. If council members couldn’t agree, the commission would have to go back to the drawing board and create a new one.

In July, the City Council voted unanimously to put the proposed changes on the ballot. Months later, in early December, Zappone proposed withdrawing Cathcart’s measure and instead considering the redistricting changes as part of a larger, community-driven review of the entire city charter.

Zappone agreed that the redistricting process needed fixing, but he argued that Cathcart’s ballot measure didn’t actually have bipartisan support, as Zappone and two other council members had been absent during the July vote. Zappone also said there hadn’t been sufficient community input, and that the city was overdue for a charter review anyway.

Cathcart and Bingle pushed back. Council members voted to put the measure on the ballot months ago, they said, why restart the debate now?

Unable to agree, council members decided to defer the vote to Dec. 14 — just one day before the deadline to make changes to the February ballot.

“I just fear we’re going to have a rehash of a partisan fight,” Zappone said.

Zappone’s fears turned out to be unfounded. City Council members were able to agree and unanimously pass a new version of the measure.

The new version that will appear on the February ballot encourages the mayor and City Council to appoint people with demographic and geographic diversity in mind, and stipulates that preventing the breakup of neighborhoods is a priority. If the City Council can’t agree on the map the commission recommends, a municipal court judge steps in.

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he ethics complaint filed against Zappone relied heavily on text messages subpoenaed as part of the Superior Court lawsuit, which show Zappone coordinating messaging strategies and discussing how the new map would benefit progressives.

Newly elected City Council member Paul Dillon, a longtime progressive activist who briefly pops up in the subpoenaed messages between Zappone and his political allies, helped gather community feedback on the new version of the ballot measure that the City Council approved Thursday.

Dillon says there are some aspects of the measure — like the mayor having equal say with the City Council — that he wishes were different. But overall, he says the new version sends a “powerful, unified message.”

Dillon, who also stopped by Zappone’s ethics hearing on Thursday to listen and show support, says redistricting will always be a contentious process. But he hopes the charter amendment will help ease some of the tensions.

“This should instill more confidence in voters,” Dillon says. “People do not expect us to play games with democracy.” n nates@inlander.com

NEWS | BRIEFS

Green New Year

Live Lounge Entertainment Kicho CHINOOK LOUNGE DECEMBER 22 ND & 23 RD 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Gov. Jay Inslee names his three climate priorities for 2024. Plus, vehicle license fees in the Valley; and a Shigella outbreak hits the homeless community.

An accomplished musician and acoustic soloist Kicho brings a relaxing vibe to classic rock and country hits.

BY INLANDER STAFF

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The Real McCoy

ast week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced his plans to push for three major climate policy changes during the 2024 legislative session, which will be his last in office. The three priorities include holding the oil industry accountable by collecting data to better understand what contributes to the price at the gas pump; phasing out methane gas (also known as natural gas) in new residential and commercial construction; and linking the state’s cap-and-invest carbon market with California’s and Québec’s markets.

Inslee’s supplemental budget request also calls for investing more than $940 million in climaterelated projects and job development, from helping low-income families install heat pumps ($100 million) to investing in salmon recovery Gov. Jay Inslee ($25 million). (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE DECEMBER 22 ND & 23 RD 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM The Real McCoy is a 3-piece band hailing from Spokane Washington playing an array of music from Eric Clapton to Foo Fighters.

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REPAIRING ROADS

Starting next summer, Spokane Valley drivers can plan to pay more to license their vehicles. In a 4-3 vote last week, the Spokane Valley City Council passed an ordinance establishing an annual $20 vehicle license fee to help pay for transportation improvements in the city. Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Rod Higgins and Council members Tim Hattenburg and Arne Woodard voted in favor of the ordinance, and Council members Laura Padden, Ben Wick and Brandi Peetz opposed it. While those in favor of the fee say it’s the best way to address the city’s crumbling residential streets, those in opposition say it won’t fix the issue in an equitable way.

During their meeting, Padden argued that the fee would disproportionately affect those who are on fixed incomes or unemployed. With more than 140,000 registered vehicles in Spokane Valley, the council estimates a net revenue of $2.79 million. Due to state law, the fees won’t go into effect until July 1, 2024, meaning the city wouldn’t begin utilizing the funds until late 2024 or early 2025. (COLTON RASANEN)

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SHIGELLA AND TRAC

Shigella is really unpleasant. Severe diarrhea. Fever. Stomach pains. In some cases, people suffering from the bacterial infection need hospitalization. Last week, the Spokane Regional Health District confirmed that it had declared an outbreak of shigella in Spokane County shortly before Thanksgiving. Mark Springer, the health district’s manager of communicable diseases and infection, said that almost every confirmed case so far has involved someone experiencing homelessness, but that larger community spread is possible. People should wash hands frequently and stay home if they have symptoms. Springer said the health district has been offering sanitation guidance to local homeless shelters — including at the city’s Trent Avenue homeless shelter, where a localized Shigella outbreak was declared by the health district in early December. The future of the 350-bed warehouse shelter has been the subject of much debate and controversy in recent months. The Salvation Army’s contract to operate the shelter expires at the end of the month. Last week, City Council members put aside concerns about the organization’s high price tag and uncertainty over the shelter’s future and voted to approve a last-minute, $3.7 million four-month contract extension. “This is still complicated, it has not been solved,” Council President Betsy Wilkerson said. “This is a BandAid.” (NATE SANFORD) n

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 15

Modern IS HISTORI Spokane’s legacy of ‘modern’ architecture is everywhere you look — here are seven examples that should be protected and celebrated

BY MADISON PEARSON

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pokane’s skyline boasts three iconic buildings.

The Pavilion. Gifted to the city by the United States government in preparation for Expo ’74, the cable structure is unlike any other in Spokane.

The Great Northern Clock Tower. Constructed in 1902, it’s a reminder of the beginnings of our city’s history as a regional distribution hub in the early 1900s and, in many ways, feels like a beacon that draws people into the heart of our city.

The third building is a parking garage. Yes, a parking garage.

The Parkade Plaza, or simply the Parkade to locals, is an 11-story concrete building in the heart of downtown Spokane.

Though the parking garage is taken for granted by many of us today, the building was considered a major success after its completion in 1967 thanks to Spokaneborn architect Warren Heylman.

From the top floor of the Parkade, you can see Heylman’s impact on Spokane. Riverfalls Tower. The Latah Creek Viaduct. The Bennett Block he helped restore. The Spokane Regional Health Building — Heylman’s most controversial project — and the Spokane International Airport, which he designed in partnership with William Trogdon.

Along with Heylman and Trogdon, a host of active, modernist architects made Spokane their home in the mid- to late 20th century, bestowing the city with an impressive collection of midcentury modern commercial

16 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

buildings, like the Avista headquarters on Mission Avenue, the lemon-lime Shadle Park reservoir, downtown’s Farm Credit Bank Building, a host of churches and many more.

What’s lesser known — and less appreciated — is Spokane’s cache of midcentury modern residences.

Primarily concentrated on Spokane’s lower South Hill and in the Cliff-Cannon neighborhood, these homes are prime examples of the talent that came out of this modernist boom. With their clean lines, use of natural materials, flat roofs and vast expanses of glass, these homes are architectural gems hidden at the end of tree-lined streets and behind dense foliage.

In a city like Spokane — better known for its craftsman bungalows built primarily between 1900 and 1930 — these low-to-the-ground midcentury dwellings can get lost in a sea of older homes. Yet, in the past 15 years or so, midcentury buildings have become better appreciated by a growing number of architecture enthusiasts and those who have gotten over their distaste for the design of the past.

At the same time, midcentury homes and buildings are still being torn down in favor of newly built homes.

In 2018, Spokane lost two of these architect-designed, midcentury homes to demolition. One was designed in 1953 by Heylman for his friend, businessman John Hieber, the two men responsible for the Parkade years later. The other was designed in 1965 by Ronald Sims, lead architect of the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, for J. Birney Blair, a prominent television adman who

would later become president of KHQ. Both homes sat on the edge of the Manito Golf and Country Club.

Because neither home was listed on any local or national historical register, they had no protection against demolition. Yet, even if they were listed, not all historic registries guarantee protection.

People who own buildings on the National Register of Historic Places or state registers, for instance, can alter or demolish their properties as long as they follow local building regulations.

But in Spokane, we have the Spokane Register of Historic Places, which was established in the early 1980s.

The countywide registry offers better protection against alteration and demolition — but still on a very minimal level. All proposed aesthetic changes to locally registered properties have to be approved by both the Spokane Historic Preservation Office and the Spokane Landmarks Commission.

For a home to be placed on the Spokane register, it must be associated with a historically important person, event, or era, or embody a certain type of architecture.

Megan Duvall, Spokane’s historic preservation officer, acknowledges that early in her career, midcentury buildings weren’t her thing — a blindspot shared by previous preservationists.

“In the ’50s, people were looking back at the 1890s and 1900s buildings and saying, ‘This is my parent’s house. This is old, ugly and dusty,’” Duvall says. “I think we’re at that stage now — and probably have been for the past 15 to 20 years — where people are looking at stuff

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TWO PERFORMANCES!

Warren Heylman designed the Wells House, which was built in 1954.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

built in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s and thinking it’s old and uncool because it’s stuff they remember from their childhood. It’s a cycle.”

Midcentury modern buildings were the ugly ducklings of historic preservation. But now, as the design style becomes popular again, they’re being added to local and national historic registers.

Just this past November, Heylman’s concrete wonder — the Parkade — was added to the Spokane register. The building, according to its nomination documents, “was constructed in a period of change and challenge to Spokane” and “gracefully conveys a movement to the future.”

It’s now time to preserve the homes built during this era, if just to save the story of Spokane.

“These houses serve as the story behind the architects that were here,” Duvall says. “It’s not obvious to people, or even the homeowners, why the homes are considered historic.

We’ve got to bridge that gap because that is when they will realize that these homes are worthwhile.”

During the post-war modernist boom, Spokane was ripe with architectural opportunities. Royal McClure, Kenneth Brooks, Warren Heylman and Bruce Walker all saw it and decided to leave their mark on the city. The homes they designed deserve to be remembered, preserved and treated with as much care as was given to them by the architects who created them decades ago.

They may just look like houses, one of thousands and thousands in Spokane. But if you take the time to understand, their story unfolds before your eyes. n

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 17

Architecture Norman E. & Dorothy Wells House 2020 E. 18th Ave.

ARCHITECT: Warren Heylman YEAR BUILT: 1954 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Geometric design, vertical windows and the use of natural materials SIDENOTE: This home has been a part of many historic tours in the area, including the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture’s Mother’s Day Home Tour in 2013 and a tour of mid-20th century properties in Spokane sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2012. The house was chosen by the Spokane chapter of the American Institute of Architects for the Outstanding Architecture Award in 1960, and the home’s owners, Norman and Dorothy Wells, received special recognition from the chapter’s Design Recognition Program in 1977.

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ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

key piece of midcentury architecture was bringing the outdoors inside, and it seems like an extremely apt design concept for Spokane given the city’s proximity to nature and continuing love affair with the ideas and relics from the environmentally themed Expo ’74.

Decidedly Frank Lloyd Wright-ian, the Wells House deviates from architect Warren Heylman’s usual neoexpressionist design characterized by curving forms and unusual roofs — best represented at the Spokane International Airport and the Liberty Lake Golf Course clubhouse. This house is muted in comparison to Heylman’s other residential work and more in line with the philosophy of bringing the outside in by incorporating natural elements on the property into the home design.

Completed in 1954, the house was built for Norman and Dorothy Wells. Dorothy died in 1969. Norman, an executive at Old National Bank, remarried and moved to Walla Walla in 1989. The house had a few different owners until 2004, when Pat Smith and Kathryn Odorizzi purchased it.

In a May 2013 Spokesman-Review article, Heylman visited the home, almost 60 years after its completion. “I feel very good coming back to this house. So often you come back and you don’t even recognize the house you built, but you’ve done a great job here,” he said about the homeowners, Smith and Odorizzi, who lived in the home until 2019.

A history of the home, compiled by local preservationist Diana Painter and Aaron Bragg for their Spokane Mid-20th Century Architectural Survey Report, compares it to Wright’s Usonian period when the architect attempted to design “liveable, typically small houses tailored to their owners’ needs.” Heylman certainly channeled Wright in that sense as Usonian-style homes typically have large, vertical windows with flat roofs and cantilevered overhangs, all of which are present in the Wells House.

Heylman is best known for his large-scale public projects, so it may come as a surprise that he also designed and built over 20 midcentury homes during his 40-year career in Spokane. In fact, he lived in dwellings of his own design for most of his life — nearly 65 years in his red-roofed home near Indian Canyon Golf Course, and then, in their 90s, he and his wife moved into a condo in Riverfalls Tower until his death in 2022.

But the Wells House stands out among his portfolio of residential projects for its understated charm and timeless design.

Anderson House

ARCHITECT: Bruce Walker YEAR BUILT: 1965 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Use of wood inside and outside, extended rooflines, geometric design SIDENOTE: When architect Bruce Walker was just 28, he won a national design contest co-sponsored by the magazines Architectural Forum and Building, as well as the National Association of Home Builders.

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he original cost of the Anderson House was $55,000.

Last year, it sold for $1.2 million.

The home is tucked away near the end of a cul-de-sac in the Rockwood neighborhood. From the street it’s unassuming, but it’s quite the treat for any architecture nerd who may stumble upon it, including its new owners, John and Beth Harker.

“When I walked into that house for the first time I just knew,” John says. “I knew I never wanted to leave.”

The couple specifically sought out a midcentury, architectdesigned home when they moved to Spokane from California. (Their Realtor, Marc Nilson of Navigator Northwest Real Estate, has focused on selling midcentury homes.)

The home was originally built for Ted and Judith Anderson, who became good friends with architect Bruce Walker when they moved from Seattle to the east side of the state.

In a video made for the home’s sale last year, Judith describes the home as “wide open” and “lodge-like.” She continued: “I wanted the home to have Spokane elements. … The basalt, the brick and the cedar wood.”

The interior of the home mirrors the exterior, each of which features either cedar paneling and siding that’s gone untouched for almost 60 years.

From the outside, the house looks almost Craftsman-like, with triangular gables and painted trim. But vast expanses of glass and

2021 S. Abrams Court

post-and-beam-style windows give the home that quintessential midcentury feel.

“Our house is a piece of Spokane’s history,” says Beth, the new owner. “We are stewards to this home now and with that comes major responsibility to honor that house for what it’s supposed to be. …

Anything we touch, we seek to retain the original integrity.”

The Harkers are still updating the kitchen and other parts of the house, and have yet to move in. They’ve thought about placing the home on a historic register, but haven’t decided.

Walker was born and raised in Spokane. He left home for the first time in 1941 to get his bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Washington, but his education was disrupted when he was drafted into the Navy. After completing his military service in 1947, Walker went straight back to school and finished his degree.

Soon after moving home and gaining experience with a few local firms, including the famous and well-regarded McClure & Adkison, Walker went to Harvard and studied under Walter Gropius, the German-American architect and founder of the Bauhaus school who is regarded as one of the founders of modernist architecture. After a brief stint in Europe, Walker returned to Spokane in 1952.

His best-known projects include the Temple Beth Shalom, the Joel E. Ferris House, the Spokane Opera House & Convention Center (now called the First Interstate Center for the Arts) and the graniteand glass-faced Farm Credit Bank building on West First Avenue in downtown Spokane.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

18 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

Frank Toribara Residence 1116 S. McClellan St.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ARCHITECT: Frank Toribara YEAR BUILT: 1960 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Asymmetrical form, post-and-beam design and window walls SIDENOTE: Frank Toribara and his wife, Ruth, were forcibly relocated and incarcerated at the Japanese internment camp Minidoka in Jerome, Idaho. Like the vast majority of the 125,000 people of Japanese descent who were detained in U.S. concentration camps during World War II, Toribara was an innocent U.S. citizen facing the racist policies of a nation at war.

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esiding just outside the boundary of the Marycliff-Cliff Park National Historic District on Spokane’s lower South Hill, this midcentury residence was designed by local Japanese American architect Frank Toribara.

The home was designed in the contemporary style, defined by having fewer stylistic details, allowing the simple form and clean-lined design of the home to speak for itself — elements present throughout most of Toribara’s residential and commercial work.

Highlights of the home’s facade include an elongated entryway and a gently sloping roof that define the main form of the home.

The home also features a cluster of angular clerestory windows. A clerestory is a high section of wall that contains windows situated above eye level. Many midcentury architects used these to let air and light into a room — another way to bring nature inside through design.

The home stands out among those that surround it, thanks to Toribara’s unique Asian-influenced touches, such as the vertical siding and a garden attached to the entryway. The detached garage seamlessly flows into the home, as if it was not detached at all, serving as an ode to Toribara’s sensitive and careful planning.

The home underwent remodeling in 2010, but has retained its ’60s charm and remains a prime example of Spokane’s many Toribara-designed residential homes.

Toribara was born in 1915 and received his architectural degree from the University of Washington in 1938. For five years after graduation, he worked as a draftsman for Seattle architect James M. Taylor.

According to the UW’s archives, Toribara received his architectural license 13 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Soon after, he was incarcerated at the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho. After leaving Minidoka, Toribara and his wife moved to Spokane, and Toribara resumed his career.

During his lifetime, Toribara designed a plethora of commercial buildings in Spokane, including the Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Tombari Dental Clinic, and the former Farmers and Merchants Bank building. He was also involved in the design of the Garland Theater as well as the Japanese Pavilion for Expo ’74.

Toribara died in 2007, just as the buildings he designed in Spokane began to approach their 50th birthdays, and thus became eligible for protection. Now, the buildings and homes are beginning to be placed on the local register.

The owners of one of Toribara’s homes, the Louis and Ruth Farline House (1953), successfully listed it on the local historic register in 2016. In March 2023 the Highland Park United Methodist Church was placed on the Spokane Historic Register.

Those are just the beginning. Toribara’s impressive career spanned more than 50 years, and his impact on Spokane is still being felt and recognized.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 19

Architecture Murray House 611 W. Sumner Ave.

ARCHITECT: Donald Murray YEAR BUILT: 1965 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Asymmetry, use of concrete and angular roofline SIDENOTE: The Murray House features embellishments designed by Spokane artist Harold Balazs.

|

t’s easy to miss the Murray House, buried in foliage and surrounded by an ominous stone wall. But once you see it, you’ll never forget it.

Looking like something out of a sci-fi movie, this shed-style home was designed by Donald Murray, a Walla Walla-born architect, as his personal residence. The unique shingled peak in the middle of the roof is the obvious defining feature of the home.

Shed-style buildings are defined by their oft-recessed entryways, angular roofs and attention to energy conservation with their passive-solar design elements including south-facing clerestory windows, rock walls and more. The style was most popular in the ’80s; a commercial strip mall on South Grand Boulevard (home to Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe and the UPS Store, among others) boasts a similar design.

The Murray House is unique in the sense that it’s built out of concrete blocks rather than wood like most houses on this list. Concrete was a popular material in midcentury design, but it was used more often in commercial construction than in residences. Though the home is made of concrete, it doesn’t feel sterile or cold. It’s inviting, tucked away behind bushes and trees, almost beckoning pedestrians to stop and stare for a moment.

In 1982, the Murray House was almost a goner.

The Spokesman-Review reported that 13 firefighters fought an electrical fire and “flames burned the attic, roof and inside walls of the house.” Almost certainly, the use of concrete in the structure prevented further damage.

The home resides in the Marycliff-Cliff Park National Historic District but is a noncontributing building since it was built outside the district’s historically recognized period of development (1889-1941). This gives it little to no real protection from alterations or demolition, but the home’s owners have kept the structure sound, and it hasn’t been significantly altered from its original state.

Like many of Spokane’s noted modernist architects, Murray received his architecture degree and then went straight into service — on the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams, where he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his valor.

In 1946, Murray found himself in Spokane working at Funk, Molander & Johnson.

In 1957, he became a partner, and the firm changed its name to Funk, Murray & Johnson. In 1974 he opened his own firm.

He designed buildings for WSU (his alma mater), Gonzaga University, IBM, and the federal government. He retired in 1982 and died in 2004.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Will Apartment House 358 S. Coeur d’Alene St. ARCHITECT: Richard E. Will YEAR BUILT: 1964 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Modular form, use of concrete and geometric shapes SIDENOTE: Even though the Will Apartments are in the Browne’s Addition Local Historic District, the building has no protections. The historic district only recognizes structures built before 1950.

N

ow known as the Canyon View Apartments, this low-rise multifamily dwelling has nine residential units and offers incredible views of the Latah Creek Valley and its three tall bridges from its position on the southwest edge of Browne’s Addition.

Richard Will designed the Will Apartment House in the International style, which is known for its clean geometric simplicity and rejection of ornamentation. The movement was pioneered by noted architects like Walter Gropius and Florence Knoll.

This style cropped up in Europe first before heading to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City for the 1932 exhibition titled “The International Style: Architecture since 1922.”

Even though the style of building was introduced to the U.S. before World War II, the design didn’t become popular until after

20 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

the war.

The apartment building’s facade is devoid of aesthetic ornamentation beyond the canopy at the entrance, which was added after its initial construction. The ribbon windows form a continuous horizontal band around the facade, emphasizing the rectangular geometry of the building and creating a symmetrical design.

Along with the Studio Apartments (1102 W. Sixth Ave., designed by Bruce Walker, when he worked for McClure & Adkison), the Will Apartment House is an excellent example of a modernist, low-rise apartment building.

Although Will designed many Spokane apartment buildings after opening his own practice in 1964, he may be best known for the Backlund House in the Rockwood neighborhood.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

ARCHITECT: Richard Neutra YEAR BUILT: 1951 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Horizontal emphasis, use of natural materials and flat roofline SIDENOTE: Architect Richard Neutra was not from Spokane, but he was mentioned on The Simpsons in 2012!

Fischer House 1618 E. Pinecrest Road

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

|

n his life, Richard Neutra was just about as far removed from Spokane as possible, yet we’re lucky enough to have a small piece of his legacy within city limits.

In August 1949, the Vienna-born architect appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “Architect Richard Neutra: What will the neighbors think?” Two years later, Dr. Frederick Fischer and his wife, Cecel, commissioned Neutra to design their home in Spokane.

The home, which sits on the southeast edge of the Rockwood neighborhood, is an early example of modernism in Spokane with its vertical wood siding, ribbon windows and minimal decoration to the home’s exterior.

Before visiting the Pacific Northwest to design the Fischer home — as well as a residence in nearby Missoula — ​​Neutra was celebrated in California, where he was most prolific, for his rigorously geometric structures that served as a West Coast variation on the midcentury modern residence. Examples of Neutra’s early style include Palm Springs’ Kaufmann Desert House and the Lovell Health House in Los Angeles.

The Fischer house has a much more raw, natural feeling to it than his previous work in California, donning wood siding rather than the stucco finish typical of his homes.

Neutra was also known for the attention he gave to his clients. According to a 1954 Spokesman-Review article, the Fischers gave him a simple instruction: “Build us a home around music and a fireplace.” Neutra “gave them that and much more. It’s a place for their music — piano, organ and phonograph — their grandchildren… their books and paintings and their friends.”

Like many midcentury modern houses, the Fischer house presents a very private appearance, with dark, vertical wood siding under expanses of ribbon windows and a stone pathway leading visitors to the front door.

Neutra died in 1970.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 21

Architecture

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22 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

Gordon & Jane Cornelius House 3717 E. 17th Ave.

ARCHITECT: Royal McClure and Thomas Adkison YEAR BUILT: 1951 WHAT MAKES IT MODERN: Neutral color palette with pops of color; clean, straight lines; and asymmetry SIDENOTE: Current owner Andrew Wolfe purchased the home from Jane Cornelius in 2018. Wolfe and his family has a long history with midcentury architecture in Spokane — his grandparents as well as his parents lived in Bruce Walker-designed homes. He lived in a Walker home on 14th Avenue for many years, but says it was severely damaged by a fire in 2017. “Now it’s lost forever,” Wolfe says. “These homes are an essential part of our city’s history, I wish more people would appreciate them.”

S

ome of the best things in life are born out of teamwork.

The Cornelius house in Spokane’s Lincoln Heights neighborhood is a prime example of early modernist architecture with its boxy, geometric design. But it also represents the legacy of one of the greatest architectural partnerships in Spokane.

Architects Royal McClure and Thomas Adkison were both Pacific Northwest natives. The two graduated from UW and quickly formed a partnership that lasted 20 years.

This home was designed in the Contemporary style, meaning that it differed slightly from the ranchstyle homes of the era. Instead of horizontal emphasis, the Cornelius house is a high-style house with a flat roof and natural elements throughout.

The front of the home is composed almost entirely of glass. The windows are square and appear to be randomly scattered over the front and back sides, giving the home a distinctive look and decidedly retro feel. It seamlessly blends the natural elements of wood and glass together to create a cohesive building, something McClure and Adkison did well during their careers.

Along with many midcentury single-family homes, the pair worked on the Studio Apartments, the John F. Kennedy Pavilion on Gonzaga’s campus, Joel E. Ferris High School and the Stephan Dental Clinic on West Indiana Avenue, which is one of the earliest examples of modern architecture in Spokane. One of their most well-known commissions is the design of Spokane’s Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse, the Parkadereminiscent structure that represents the federal government but was designed by Spokane architects and built by Spokane laborers.

The architects’ firm, McClure & Adkison, left behind a large collection of midcentury buildings, residential or otherwise, for Spokanites to appreciate daily. The Cornelius house, though tucked away from their other major projects, shines brightly among them. n

Historic photo credits: Spokane County Assessor’s Office Spokane Historic Preservation Office MidCenturySpokane.org

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 23

LOCAL RESORTS

Mike Hattrup took some time to ski under Lone Peak at Big Sky Montana during his US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame induction weekend. BOB LEGASA PHOTO

ENTERING THE HALLOWED HALLS

OF ETERNAL BADASS-DOM Ski history and culture is on display at the annual US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame celebration, where living legends get their reward

I

’m going to do a little bit of name-dropping here: Klaus Obermeyer, Phil and Steve Mahre, Scot Schmidt, Warren Miller, Wayne Wong, Bode Miller, Spokane’s own Susie Luby. What do those people have in common? They’ve all been inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, the highest honor in snowsports.

Since 1956 the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has been recognizing individuals for their achievements and contributions. Every June, the hall of fame has compiled a list of nominations that will be voted on by a select group of peers/experts in the sport of skiing. To be nominated into the hall of fame, you must fit into one of three categories:

24 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

BY BOB LEGASA ATHLETES Candidates are recognized in a wide range of skiing and snowboarding disciplines for their national and international accomplishments.

SNOWSPORTS BUILDERS Candidates in this category must have been involved at a significant level and made a clear national impact in ski or snowboard sports.

HERITAGE Candidates here must have been retired from their qualifying activity for 25 years or have participated in it for at least 25 years.

Over the past five years, my long-time ski buddy Dan Herby and I have attended several induction ceremonies as a few of our close friends from our ski competition days have been voted into this prestigious group.

Herby and I went to our first one in 2017, when it was held at Squaw Valley, now Palisades Tahoe. We thought this would be a great one to go to — first off, it was our old stomping grounds from our competitive and film days plus. Plus Airborne Eddie Ferguson, who was our idol when we were young, long-haired kids back in the ’70s, was being inducted. Dan and I were both lucky enough to go to one of Airborne Eddie’s ski camps as teenagers, and over the years we’d all become friends.

We both found out these hall of fame events are much more than just a ceremony. It’s a huge, three-day reunion where we see old friends, mentors and idols, with plenty of parties, skiing history displays, fashion shows and, most important, the skiing.

L

ast year, the Hall of Fame event was held in Big Sky Montana; because of COVID, the Hall had to postpone the 2021 class induction, so it covered both the 2021 and ’22 inductions. With several of our friends being inducted, Herby, myself and our buddy Brandon “Moondog” Moon headed to Big Sky. But the No. 1 reason for Herby was that our old friend MIKE HATTRUP was being inducted. The three of us grew up competing in freestyle in the Pacific Northwest and then Tahoe in the early ’80s. It seemed each week that Hattrup and Herby battled back and forth on the moguls course on who would get to stand atop the podium.

I was fortunate enough to go on some wild and hilarious road trips with Hattrup back in the mid ’80s as we skied in some of Greg Stump’s films. Hattrup was selected for the U.S. Ski Team in 1987 and then he skied in one of the most groundbreaking ski films of my generation, Greg’s Stump’s Blizzard of AAHHH’S alongside Glen Plake and Scot Schmidt, who are also hall of fame members.

JOHN EAVES was another freestyle skier to be inducted. A true freestyle icon who we looked up to as young, aspiring freestyle skiers, Eaveman was one of the top freestyle skiers in the late ’70s and early ’80s, winning more than 42 World Cup podiums.

His skiing skills caught the eye of Willy Bogner, who was the cameraman/director of the skiing scenes for several of the James Bond movies. Eaveman performed ski stunts and doubled for 007 in several Bond movies. One of Eaves’ more notable ski stunts is the bobsled chase scene in For Your Eyes Only, where he doubled as 007, who was played by Roger Moore. The bobsled chase scene is still one of the most famous scenes in film history.

A cool little backstory on the skis Eaves used to do the stunts in a For Your Eyes Only: His ski sponsor, Olin Skis, custom made six or seven pairs of skis of different sizes for all the different stunts.

All the skis had the serial number 007 written into the sidewall.

Eaves donated his last pair of 007 skis at this HOF event. They were auctioned off and sold for $25,000.

A few other notable friends who were inducted: CJ MUELLER was one of the pioneers of speed skiing and the first person internationally to reach a speed of 130 miles per hour on skis. Crazy John was a three-time world record holder and Olympian.

U.S. and Canadian Ski Team Coach PHIL McNICHOL led the U.S. Ski Team’s Men’s Alpine program during its most successful period in history. He coached Olympians and world champions like Bode Miller, Ted Ligety and Daron Rahlves just to name a few.

Sun Valley’s KENT KREITLER was one of the more instrumental skiers in the early days of big mountain freeskiing. Kreitler also helped break ground in newly formed competitive events like slopestyle and the X Games.

B

ig Sky proved to be the perfect venue; the first day we were blessed with 12 inches of fresh, cold snow and bluebird skies. We hooked up with Hattrup and Kreitler and had an epic session of skiing some steeps just off Lone Peak.

On the second day, Hattrup’s Old Posse — “The Goon Squad” — rolled into town and with a 6-inch dusting overnight. This was a reunion of tight-knit friends and a time to celebrate Hattrup the best way possible — by skiing fresh snow and acting like teenagers once again. The chairlift rides and the periodic stops were filled with stories, jokes and lots of laughs. Hattrup nailed it perfectly when he said, “Having my family and friends here makes it that much sweeter, and to be able to celebrate something like this with those that mean the most to you. Just like a powder day, it’s way better when you’re with close friends and family.”

On Saturday morning, you guessed it — we were a little tired from all the skiing, parties and late-night stories and laughs. OK, midnight… that’s late for an old guy like me, but when you wake up to another 12 inches of fresh snow, you rally. A cup of joe and a few of Ibuprofen, and it’s go time. You can’t get this day and experience back. ...continued on next page

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 25

LOCAL RESORTS

“ENTERING THE HALLOWED HALLS OF ETERNAL BADASS-DOM,” CONTINUED...

The hall of fame is more than just a title for all these retired athletes.

“Being inducted to the Hall of Fame is super meaningful for me,” Hattrup said. “First because the people who vote on it are all my peers and the people that I’ve worked around and with over the last 30 some odd years. To be recognized for having some small influence on shaping our sport is as big an accolade as I could ever wish for.”

ABOVE: Friends from the old freestyle circuit: Dan Herby, Brandon Moon, Bob Legasa, Steve Youngerman and inductee John Eaves, who was a skiing stunt double for Bond, James Bond.

LEFT: Phil McNichol (left) and Wallace native Joe Jay Jalbert, with Bob. LOWER LEFT: Bob with POWDER magazine co-founder Jake Moe. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOB LEGASA BELOW: Yeah, the Hall of Famers can still shred. Here’s inductee Kent Kreitler of Sun Valley taking some turns between the accolades last spring.

BOB LEGASA PHOTO

T

he 2023 ceremonies will be happening in Park City, Utah, where another eight people will be recognized for their accomplishments.

The fastest American on skis, ROSS ANDERSON, who reached a speed of 154.06 in 2006. And there are the founders of POWDER magazine, JAKE AND DAVE MOE. I’m excited to see the Moe Brothers get inducted, as POWDER magazine helped shape my lifestyle and my life. The magazine was a driving force to pursue ski photography and to write about skiing.

I reached out to Jake Moe to get his take on what this honor means to him: “During the last 70 years, there’s been an estimate of a hundred million folks in the U.S. that have experienced the sport of skiing,” he told me. “And during that time, 450 have been recognized as deserving to be in the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. In that context, the enormity of this award makes me pause and reflect on the 50 years of POWDER magazine’s existence. And, it is best summed up by the readers of POWDER, personally telling me that the magazine ‘changed their lives!’ As they have retold, they dropped ‘everything’ and moved from the East to the West to experience the joys of deep powder skiing…all because of the stories and photos published in POWDER magazine. The hall of fame is truly a cherished honor for me.”

And it’s a deserved honor as well. I look forward to hearing the emcee say these words: “You are now being inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, where you will forever be remembered.” n Bob Legasa has been a Snowlander contributor since 1994. He’s also a Hayden-based independent videographer, TV producer and snowsports event promoter with his Freeride Media company.

26 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 27

MOUNTAIN PEOPLE

BLAME IT

ON THE

WALKMAN Even if freakishly small, let your ears be your guide to maximum enjoyment up on the slopes

I

STORY BY JOHN GROLLMUS | ILLUSTRATIONS BY EJ JENSEN

have small ears, freakishly small really. I mean they’re not quite small enough that I receive disability checks from the government or anything, but it’s close. Do they even do that? I’ll just say this about the size of my ears: Plenty of 1- or 2-year-olds and maybe even a few newborns have ears at least as big, if not bigger, than mine. For some weird reason people rarely seem to notice how small they are, or at least they’re polite enough not to mention it. I have a theory that people don’t notice because I have no hair, but that doesn’t really make sense since it seems to make my ears, or lack thereof, even more obvious. In any case, sometimes people do notice and are even forward enough to ask about my mini ears, and when that happens I have crafted what I believe to be an excellent explanation.

28 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

You see, I grew up skiing — a lot. In those coming-of-age years while I was skiing, I was listening to music something like 137% of the time. It’s my belief that skiing and music go together like peanut butter and jelly, but more on that later. The thing is, back in the day we had a different kind of headphones. They didn’t go in your ear like AirPods, and they didn’t completely cover your ear like the Bose noise canceling version. They just kind of sat on top of your ear.

If you’re, like me, slightly older than dirt, you will certainly remember the headphones that came with a Sony Walkman, and it’s those headphones that I argue determined the diminutive size of my ears. If you’re from the Beats by Dre era, do a quick Google search of the industry-changing Walkman and you’ll see what I mean. Those old-school headphones were about the size of a 50-cent piece and wrapped in a cheap foam cover. What was cool about them is that if your ears were small enough, they functioned not only as headphones, but also as earmuffs. My working theory is that I spent so much time listening to music while skiing that my ears stopped growing so they could stay warm under my super sweet headphones.

These days there’s a lot of debate about music while skiing, and I’m not here to take that up. Folks will tell you it’s dangerous to ski with music inbounds because you can’t hear the sounds of other skiers. Some people ski around with what amounts to giant speakers strapped to their bodies and blare music for all to hear. A lot of people find this annoying, but personally I’ve slowed down to match the speed of those people just to listen to a song a bit longer if it matches my current mood. Certainly, tuning in to music and tuning out to the environment while skiing in the backcountry can be unsafe. All these points are valid, and all deserve to be talked about on a deeper level, but for the purposes of what I’m explaining here, just get in the groove and let the beat go on, there’s plenty of time to argue about all that other stuff later. ...continued on next page

THIS IS NOT YOUR PRACTICE LIFE

TheGreatPNW.com

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 29

MOUNTAIN PEOPLE “BLAME IT ON THE WALKMAN,” CONTINUED...

M

y closely held belief is that skiing and music belong together, and I’d like to take you on a journey to make you a believer in the unlikely event that you aren’t already.

I tend to listen to music in different ways while skiing. For instance, if I’m skiing groomers in the sun by myself, I’ll keep it low and almost in the background. If I’m out on my own crushing deep powder laps and trying to forget the fiery pain radiating from my quads, I’ll crank it up louder and let the beats stoke my endorphins. If I find myself pulling my skis uphill in the backcountry, then the cadence of the music becomes the driving factor as I count on it to get me into the one-two trance required to help forget that I’m essentially walking up a mountain while strapped to the gills with gear.

Obviously music is an individual experience and everyone who listens to music while skiing will have their own versions of these lists, but here’s my currently well curated (at least in my mind) list of songs for these different situations: First stop is the deep powder list because of course it’s the most important: “Climb to Safety,” Jerry Joseph (Live at the Irish Times, Butte, Montana); “Five White Boys,” Current Swell; “The Fun Lovin’ Criminals,” Fun Lovin’ Criminals; I’ve Got a Hole Where My Heart Should Be,” The Sheepdogs; “Love Spreads,” The Stone Roses. Every run on a good powder day is a celebration, and music that pumps up your soul is simply a must.

The first song on this list has long been my favorite powder soundtrack and is long enough that if I time it just right and am riding the correct chair, I can crush three full powder laps before it ends. Try it someday, it’s inspirational.

W

henever I slap the skins to the bottom of my skis and strike out the wrong direction on the mountain, which is of course uphill, I seek out a rhythmic cadence. I look for tracks that will slip me into a sort of trance and get my legs pumping back and forth without thinking. Songs that get me lost in my mind and help drive me toward the top of the mountain faster. Without fail, the first song I play when I start out on an uphill track is the first one on this list, and I’m told it’s from The Sopranos, which I have never watched: “Woke Up This Morning,” Alabama 3; “Detroit Swing 66,” Gomez; “Get Higher,” Black Grape; “Who Am I,” Peace Orchestra; “Purple Haze,” Groove Armada. Sidenote: I’m told I should probably watch it. Hey there skinner friends, try these tracks on the uphill and tell me they don’t help. I dare ya!

We’ve all got our favorite ski tracks, so I say let the music play. Pop in your headphones, clip on your mini-speaker, strap that backpack speaker to your back or maybe even cover your entire ears with a Walkman from the wayback era, but just remember that your favorites might not be everyone else’s so show a bit of consideration. Or don’t — what do I care as long as you’re having a good time? n John Grollmus is a lifetime resident of the Inland Northwest, local restaurateur and backcountry ski guide. He loves all things outdoors, food of every kind and, more than almost anything, skiing. John can currently be found living with his wife and favorite human, Kim, near Hope, Idaho, and at johngrollmus.com.

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Visit Sandpoint, Idaho this month to catch these and other events 12/23-24 ski with santa

Young and old join Santa for a run on the slopes of Schweitzer – before he embarks on his Christmas Eve flight

12/31 new Year’s EvE

Ring in the New Year Schweitzer-style with a tubing party for families and kids, plus a hearty party in Taps

1/13 comedy avalanchE

Comedian Andrew Rivers kicks off the first show in his Avalanche series, in the historic Panida Theater

Get visitor information at 208.263.2161 • www.visitSandpoint.com 30 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

1/19-21 Banff mtn film festival The annual high-octane outdoor film festival comes to the Panida Theater, with different films each night

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 31

EVENTS

A LIL’ HELP

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Especially when you’re learning a new skill, so leave it to the experts at Spokane Figure Skating Club to teach emerging skaters all the essential know-how this winter. The Coaches Corner program, at the Numerica Skate Ribbon in Riverfront Park, aims to build up young and new skaters’ knowledge with helpful tips and tricks from actual ice skating coaches. You’ll be in good hands as you glide across the ice. The three-hour program takes place on select Saturdays in January.

Regular admission is required to participate.

— MADISON PEARSON Coaches Corner • Through Jan. 26, Sat from 11 am-1 pm • $6.95$9.95 • All ages • Numerica Skate Ribbon • 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • riverfrontspokane.org

32 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

TOTALLY TUBULAR

If balancing on two slippery, thin strips of laminated wood and metal while trying to descend a mountain isn’t your thing but you still love the winter season, Schweitzer has the activity for you. The resort’s tubing park, Hermit’s Hollow, has two lanes that stretch over 100 yards. No tumbling down the bunny hill or sitting alone in the lodge waiting for your snowboarder friends to finish, just bundle up, sit down and slide down the snowy landscape. This New Year’s Eve party features snacks, hot chocolate, fun LED lights and a sparkler celebration at 9 pm to ring in the East Coast New Year. Remember to fill out and print the waiver before your session.

— MADISON PEARSON New Year’s Eve Tubing Party • Sun, Dec. 31 from 7-9 pm • $40 • All ages • Schweitzer • 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint • schweitzer.com

More events on page 34…

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Sign up now at Inlander.com/newsletters DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 33

EVENTS DECEMBER DJ NIGHT ON THE ICE

Skate around the Numerica Skate Ribbon with tunes provided by DJ A1. Fridays from 6-9 pm through Jan. 26. $6.95$9.95. Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane. org (509-625-6600)

COACHES CORNER

Coaches from Spokane Figure Skating Club offer valuable tips and guidance to emerging skaters. Saturdays from 11 am-1 pm through Jan. 27. $6.95-$9.95.

Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane.org (509625-6600)

WARREN MILLER’S ALL TIME

This film dives into the birth of ski towns like Sun Valley and Aspen and features icons and innovators in the snow sports world. Dec. 23, 6:30 pm. $10. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg. silvermt.com

SNOWSHOE MOONLIGHT TOUR

Explore the meadows and woods around Mount Spokane with an experienced instructor. Registration required. Dec. 24, Jan. 19 and Feb. 23 from 6-9:30 pm. $41. spokanerec.org

SILVER MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS DINNER

Celebrate the holidays with a dinner of honey-glazed ham, roasted turkey and other sides. Dec. 25, 3-9 pm. $16-$38/4 and under free. Noah’s Canteen, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com

MT. SPOKANE NIGHT SKIING

Ski after the sun sets under the lights.

Dec. 27-March 16, Wed-Fri from 3-9 pm. $40-$80. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com

34 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL

This film festival includes documentaries and ski movies about athletic pursuit in the mountains, artistic vision, friendship and how the snowsports community is adapting to a changing environment.

Funds raised support the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center and the Wallowa Avalanche Center. Jan. 17, 7 pm. $12. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main. kenworthy.org

SNOWSHOE MOUNT SPOKANE

Take a tour of Mount Spokane by snowshoeing up and down hills through snowcovered trails. Dec. 30, Jan. 28, Feb. 3, March 3 and 16 from 9 am-1 pm. $41. spokanerec.org (509-363-5414)

NEW YEAR’S EVE TUBING PARTY

A night of tubing featuring snacks, hot chocolate, an LED light path and a sparkler celebration. Dec. 31, 7-9 pm. $40.

Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)

JANUARY

YOUTH WINTER ADVENTURES

Over winter break, learn how to cross country ski and snowshoe at Mt. Spokane State Park. Also learn how to build snow shelters, search for animal tracks and how to move around a snowy landscape. Fee includes guides, snowshoes, cross country skiing equipment, trail fees, instruction and transportation. Meets at Northeast Community Center. Jan 3-4 from 9 am-4 pm. $149. Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. spokanerec.org

LOOKOUT PASS JUNIOR RACE SERIES

A ski racing opportunity for both experienced and new racers. First session includes coaching and subsequent sessions include timed runs. Jan. 5-26, Fridays from 5-7 pm. $35-$45. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)

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and more. Jan. 14, 9:30 am-3 pm. Free.

Selkirk Lodge, N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanenordic.org/winterfest

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL

Go snowshoe-ing in the pale moonlight.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

Learn to cross-country ski and tour the trails of 49 Degrees North Nordic Area.

Instruction includes basics of equipment, ski area rules, etiquette and techniques.

Ages 13+. Jan. 6 and 21, Feb. 3 and 25, March 9 from 10 am-2 pm. $67. 49 Degrees North, 3311 Flowery Trail Rd. spokanecity.org

CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSONS

Learn the basics of cross-country skiing.

Fee includes a day long ski equipment rental and two hours of instruction. Jan. 13, 14, 20, 22, 28; Feb. 10, 15 and 25 from 10 am-noon. $77. Selkirk Lodge, N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanecity.org

SNOWSHOES & BREWS MOUNT SPOKANE TOUR

Free skate rentals are provided with each paid admission. Jan. 9-Feb. 27, Tuesdays from 11 am-8 pm. $6.95-$9.95. Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600)

A tour through the woods of Mount Spokane State Park. After, head to Big Barn Brewery on Green Bluff to learn about their locally crafted beer. Jan. 13 and Feb. 17 from 9 am-2:30 pm. $53. spokanerec. org (509-363-5414)

JACKASS DAY

SPOKANE NORDIC’S WINTERFEST

CHEAP SKATE TUESDAYS

Celebrate Silver’s roots with $20 lift tickets and a retro theme. Jan. 11. $20. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg. silvermt.com

Dozens of discounted lesson opportunities for kids and adults of all skill levels.

The event features a skijoring clinic for dogs, a free treasure hunt with prizes, adaptive ski demos, educational clinics

This curated selection of films highlights local stories of environmental action and communities coming together to create change. Jan. 19, 7 pm. $12-$16. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main. kenworthy.org

CROSS COUNTRY MOONLIGHT SKI AND DINNER

Make your way on cross-country skis through the woods and enjoy a meal from Greenbluff Fresh Catering afterward. Jan. 20 and Feb. 24 from 6-9 pm. $79. Selkirk Lodge, N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanecity.org

SNOWSHOE MOONLIGHT TOUR & DINNER

Travel through the winter landscape of Mount Spokane by the light of the moon.

After exploring the area, return to the Selkirk Lodge for a made from scratch meal of lasagna, salad, bread sticks and more from Greenbluff Fresh Catering Company. Jan. 20 and Feb. 24 from 6-9 pm. $79. Selkirk Lodge, N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanerec.org n

Find your

Deeper Nature in Sandpoint, Idaho

Find deeper delights this holiday season in Sandpoint, Idaho Light up your family holidays with a 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 21, 2023 INLANDER 35

City Sidewalks DowntownSpokane.org

NIGHTLIFE

GARDEN PARTY

’Tis the Season for Cozy Bars

A

lthough you might think of EMMA RUE’S (17 S. Howard St.) for its coffee and pastries, it’s just as cozy at night, when you can grab a cocktail and a charcuterie board from Wanderlust Delicato. To complete the morning-to-night cycle, why not try one of their delish espresso martinis? And there’s always something happening, like the new Rum Club, live jazz on Thursday nights and DJ Rosethrow on Fridays. For New Year’s Eve, dress up for their masquerade party. With its glitzy golden decor, Emma Rue’s makes for a swanky night out — especially during the holidays.

For something similarly cozy but very different from the norm, there’s GARDEN PARTY (107 S. Madison St.). “Garden Party is a breath of fresh air,” says its owner Kadra Evans. “It’s a place you have to experience to fully understand, from our Flamingo Room with botanical backyard barbecue vibes to our New Age nursery ambience.” And

Evans’ passion for houseplants isn’t just evident in the very leafy décor. The bar specializes in herbal cocktails using locally sourced ingredients — some even grown onsite! Plus, if you need a last-minute gift, you can always pick up one of their small houseplants or their infusion kits.

Be sure to keep an eye on Garden Party’s social media for recurring activities like yoga or special events like the Sugar Cookie Soiree on Dec. 23.

Sophistication is the watchword at SAPPHIRE LOUNGE (901 W. First Ave.). On the outside, you might get echoes of an Edward Hopper painting. Inside, you’ll find a relaxed, intimate vibe.

But where the Sapphire really impresses is in its bartenders’ knowledge and passion for cocktails and spirits. They can guide you in your pursuit of the perfect whiskey or pour a drink that just might become your new favorite. Alongside the carefully curated drinks menu are offerings from Northwest craft breweries and boutique local wineries. 

Strolling by the Past and Present

P

art of the fun of downtown Spokane during the holidays is creating an itinerary of the special seasonal sights. And any walking tour simply has to include the HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAYS at the Davenport Grand. Since making their return in 2018 after a 30-year absence, these unique window displays featuring historic Crescent Department Store figurines have reestablished a holiday tradition that was equally beloved by longtime Spokanites and downtown visitors alike. Once again, five window bays on the south side of the Davenport Grand feature these fun and charming refurbished figurines in newly designed settings, presented by Global Credit Union.

This year, local artists Mallory Battista and Moth Rosenau have gone with a Nutcracker theme. Each of the five windows depicts a different scene from the famous seasonal ballet. 

36 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

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JAMES LOWE AND THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY

E

xperiencing the grandeur, poignancy and uplift of BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SYMPHONY is a great way to start 2024 off on the right foot. On Dec. 31, you can join more than 150 performers from the Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Symphony Chorale in their popular annual tradition of ringing in the new year with this musical masterpiece that culminates in a rousing celebration of fellow-feeling, “Ode to Joy.” Even if you’re not a classical buff, it’s a tune you might recognize from movies like Die Hard and Dead Poets Society plus more than a few TV ads. Better still, the concert starts at 7:30 pm, which still leaves plenty of time for other New Year’s Eve activities — including one right around the corner from the Fox Theater (1001 W. Sprague Ave.). If you bring your Ninth Symphony ticket to the Knitting Factory right across the street, you’ll gain free entry to the MasterClass Big Band’s “Open the Door to ’24” countdown party with blues, swing and nonstop dancing. Visit spokanesymphony.org or call (509) 6241200 for tickets and more info. 

Downtown Holiday Events Keith Harrop: The Whimsical World Of Keith Harrop Harrop’s pencil drawings depict animals in a whimsical style. Daily through Dec. 30, free, Liberty Gallery, 203 N. Washington St., potteryplaceplus.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, bit.ly/aletrail2023

Revival Live: Blake Braley Local soul artist Blake Braley performs originals and covers as part of Revival Tea Company’s new Revival Live series. Sat, Dec. 23 from 7-9 pm, $5, Revival Tea Company, 415 W. Main Ave., revivalteacompany.com ...continued on next page

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 37

City Sidewalks DowntownSpokane.org

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE

Books for Book Lovers! Spokane’s Literary Landmark 402 W Main Avenue, Spokane

(509) 838-0206 | auntiesbooks.com

A Holiday Feast

W

hen it comes to sight and sound spectaculars, few can hold a yuletide candle to CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE. This highly acclaimed nationally touring production features a troupe of world-class acrobats, dancers, aerial artists, jugglers, sleight-of-hand experts and more who bring all the characters of the season to life through stunning costumes, eye-popping set pieces and breathtaking stunts. Against magical holiday backdrops, they’ll appear as penguins, reindeer and toy soldiers to blend childlike whimsy with Broadway-quality production.

And even though Cirque Dreams Holidaze is packed with plenty of visual razzle dazzle for the entire family, there’s also an original music score that will have you tapping your toes to inspired renditions of songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells.” What’s more, if you’ve happened to see Cirque Dreams Holidaze before, you’re in for a treat: This year’s show incorporates new sets and storylines. You can catch the extravaganza at the First Interstate Center for the Arts on two nights, Dec. 20 and 21. Head to firstinterstatecenter.org for showtimes, tickets and details. 

Gifts for Gamers & Comic Lovers 15 W Main, Spokane | Open 10-9 Every Day

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Puzzles, Games & Toys for the Whole Family

404 W Main Ave, Spokane • (509) 624-4633 • 14700 E. Indiana, Spokane Valley Mall • (509) 891-7620 and Redmond / unclesgames.com

Celebrate the Holidays at

Campbell House

December 20 - 23, 2023 Noon–4pm

2316 W First Ave, Spokane northwestmuseum.org

38 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

Art Elements From Crescent Department Store Coloring Book, 1973

Enjoy crafts and activities.

Talk with members of the 1914 Campbell household as they prepare for the holidays.

Live piano music. $2 with regular museum admission Free Parking

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Downtown Holiday Events New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spokane’s annual firework display to celebrate the New Year. Sun, Dec. 31 at 9 pm, free, Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St., riverfrontspokane.org

Masterclass Big Band: Open The Door To ‘24 Live jazz music from area artists and the MasterClass Big Band and Jim Swoboda Dancing is highly encouraged. Sun, Dec. 31 from 9 pm-12:30 am, $50-$100, Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave., masterclassbb.com

New Year’s Eve (The Grand’s Version) Celebrate the New Year by dancing to Taylor Swift, toasting with champagne at midnight and more. Sun, Dec. 31 from 9 pm-2 am, $75-$150, Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., davenporthotelcollection.com

Silver & Gold New Year’s Eve Party

THE CRESCENT WINDOWS AT THE GRAND Brought to you by Global Credit Union

Join us downtown this Holiday Season for a waltz down memory lane.

November 25 – January 1

Enjoy cocktails, dancing, a photobooth and a view of the Riverfront Park fireworks from the parking garage roof. All ages until 10 pm, then 21+ only. Sun, Dec. 31 from 9 pm-12 am, $15, The Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St., ershospitality.com

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 39

Conner Roulette is in his final season with the Chiefs. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS

SPORTS

Breaking the Ice Two young Spokane Chiefs players reflect on their pro-hockey dreams, and the unyielding family support it takes to get there

BY JACLYN BRANDT

40 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

S

pokane Arena is abuzz any night the Spokane Chiefs take the ice. Fans decked out in blue and red fill the stands, the Zamboni completes its pre-game rituals, and nacho cheese and beer are flowing. Back in the locker room the players gather around for a motivational speech, ready to take the rink.

But how did they get here?

The Spokane Chiefs have become a pivotal part of the local sports scene since moving to town in 1985.

Throughout the years since, the team has produced more than 60 National Hockey League players, yet not all fans may realize that many of those Chiefs are essentially just kids, or barely adults.

The Chiefs are part of the Western Hockey League, a major junior league under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella, which means players range from 15 to 20 years old. The program gives young players a chance to play high-level hockey and to be seen by professional leagues like the NHL. That’s certainly the case for Saige Weinstein. Now in his fourth year with the Chiefs, the 18-year-old is a native of Edmonton, Alberta, and has been skating since he was 4. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche in October. This means he can’t sign with any other teams during that period, but he’s still a way from earning his spot on the roster.

The NHL has two lower-level leagues associated with it, the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. Players can be signed by a team like the Avalanche, and be loaned out to the lower teams. The NHL also has an agreement with the WHL, so Weinstein can continue to play in Spokane until he’s 20.

“So I’m 18 years old now, I’m eligible to play in the

[NHL]. But it’s the NHL, it’s a hard league to play in,” Weinstein says.

Weinstein is a defenseman, but already has 37 points (seven goals and 30 assists) so far in his four years and 145 games with the Spokane Chiefs.

He grew up in an athletic household — both his older sister and twin sister are competitive soccer players. Weinstein attributes much of his success to the fact that all three played sports year-round, traveling for games and tournaments, and getting up early to get to practice.

“It’s always been a competitive nature in the house.

I used to play soccer as well,” he says. “My dad got me into hockey when I was young, and in Edmonton it snows lots during the winter. So when I was younger I was always out at the outdoor rink because there’s really nothing else to do in the winter in Edmonton.”

Weinstein’s teammate Conner Roulette was acquired this summer by the Chiefs from the Saskatoon Blades, and is in his first year with the team. He was drafted in 2021 to the Dallas Stars, and the 2023-24 season will be his last in the WHL before he ages out.

Roulette, 20, is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and also started skating when he was around 4 years old.

“I got into hockey because it’s my family thing.

Growing up in Canada… there’s really no other choice,” Roulette says. “So everyone in my family — my older brother, my dad, my grandpas, uncles — they’ve all played hockey. So growing up as a kid, I aspired to be a hockey player, and that’s how I got here.”

Roulette plays left wing with the Chiefs. In his five years and 219 games in the WHL, he has 218 points (including 92 goals and 126 assists).

billets, and they’ve been amazing. They’re just family now, and I think I really got lucky there. There’s lots of maturing that goes on when you first start billeting… and moving away from home is where you’re going to get that. And it’s definitely a good life skill.”

A

Chiefs’ defenseman Saige Weinstein.

lthough Weinstein went undrafted in the last NHL draft, this year he was invited to the Colorado Avalanche’s summer development camp.

“I was just going there to prove myself and obviously went there to give it my all,” he says. “I played some good hockey when I was there, and I got lucky enough to get invited back to main camp with all the big names… basically the whole Avalanche team. To be on the ice with those guys was amazing. And I showed myself well — I showed what I did well and I got lucky enough to sign a contract.”

Roulette recalls the day he was drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2021 as one of the best moments in his life so far.

“You play hockey at the high level you’re at, eventually you get rewarded for it,” he says. “I appreciated everything that Dallas has done for me, and it was just a really cool experience.”

Both players are excited for what their futures hold, but know it’ll take a lot more hard work to get there.

“I’m hoping to play pro as much as every other hockey player does,” Roulette says. “Getting to the next level is obviously a big goal for me, and it’s something that I’m working hard for.”

Weinstein tries to focus on the present and the many opportunities before him.

Y

outh hockey is a popular sport, and continues to grow. During the 2022-23 season, USA Hockey (the regulating body for much of youth hockey in the U.S.) had more than 387,000 registered youth players. USA Hockey’s Canadian counterpart, Hockey Canada, had more than 443,000 youth players last season. Each year, only 224 players are drafted into the NHL and even fewer ever play there — each team is only allowed to carry 23 active players at any given time, and may not have more than 50 players under contract at any point during the season.

There are various levels of competition, and for talented athletes like Weinstein and Roulette, playing for a lower league is one of their best chances to be noticed by the NHL all while continuing to improve their skills.

And they’re given plenty of opportunities to do so: This season, the Chiefs play 68 regular season games. The season kicked off Sept. 22 and wraps up on March 23.

These talented players aren’t alone in their commitment to a highlevel hockey career. The dream often requires equally serious support from family, whether ferrying them around to tournaments, rousing them from bed for 5 am practices, or paying for expensive gear.

Roulette’s parents were deeply invested in helping their son achieve his hockey dreams.

“They’re big hockey fans, too, so there was always hockey on at the house, and I was always able to watch hockey and be surrounded by it,” he says.

Because Chiefs players are so young, they’re housed with local families in the Spokane area, known as billet (or host) families. Weinstein and Roulette both feel lucky to have been assigned to their respective families when they first moved to town.

“We all can’t really live on our own, and our families obviously don’t move out with us,” Roulette says. “It’s great that people are willing to put in the hard work of being hockey parents. They cook for us, and they do everything they can to make sure we’re living comfortably, and we do the best they can to make sure we’re giving back to them.”

There are many requirements to become a host family, including a dedicated room and bathroom for the player, daily meal provisions and preparation, and wifi access. Local families volunteer space in their homes to give players a welcoming experience while in Spokane. In addition to this housing setup, WHL players receive a monthly stipend and have all travel and equipment costs funded.

Weinstein says moving far from home at a young age can be really difficult on everyone involved, including a player’s parents.

“It really helps when you have a really good billet family,” he says.

“I was lucky enough, my 16-year-old year, I got matched up with my

Conner Roulette (No. 23) and Saige Weinstein (No. 24) during the Chiefs’ Dec. 15 home game against Portland.

“Practice every day, workouts every day — just trying to get better every day, and just focus on what I do well and what I’m not so good at,” he says. “Getting better at those and just taking it day by day. But it’s hard work. It’s hard to make the NHL, but that’s been a goal since I was young, and I’m going to keep working for it every day.” n Spokane Chiefs vs. Wenatchee Wild • Wed, Dec. 27 at 7:05 pm Spokane Chiefs vs. Tri-City Americans • Sat, Dec. 30 at 6:05 pm Tickets $17-$32 • Spokane Arena • 701 W. Mallon Ave. • More info at spokanechiefs.com

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 41

CULTURE | NEWS I feel like now, we’re in a position that we should save the Garland. We have plans to revitalize and make sure we maintain this asset for another hundred years.”

The Garland sale closes after months of uncertainty about the theater’s future, which became apparent in March when Bovey, a local artist and nostalgia enthusiast who owns Vintage Print + Neon (he’s also former art director of the Inlander), launched the “Save the Garland” crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $49,000 to date.

Bovey and his wife, Liz, had at the time agreed to partner with Fritchie to take over the theater as its operators, with Fritchie acting as more of a silent partner and landlord. Soon after, the Boveys teamed up with Arnold, who owns Jedi Alliance, a retro arcade and pop culture museum in Spokane Valley. Arnold and the Boveys hoped to make the theater profitable again by reigniting locals’ interest in seeing movies in person at a theater with themed screenings and events.

All summer long, however, that partnership failed to materialize, with a handover date that was continually pushed forward. By late September, the deal for Bovey and Arnold to take over the business had fizzled.

B

The Garland enters a new era.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

A SEQUEL IN THE MAKING Garland Theater’s new owner and operators plan to maintain and preserve the beloved venue

BY CHEY SCOTT

N

ine months after a feared closure and a plea for community support, Spokane’s historic Garland Theater is starting a new chapter.

Come Jan. 1, longtime owner Katherine Fritchie, who’s operated the 78-year-old theater since 1999, will hand over the keys to Jordan Tampien, a local real estate developer who bought the theater last week for $1.8 million.

The sale includes both the business and the historic theater building, along with adjacent properties that house Mark’s Guitar Shop and Vintage Print + Neon, as

42 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

well as the theater’s north parking lot.

Tampien, who co-owns 4 Degrees Real Estate, is planning improvements to the property and its adjacent parcels, though he’s passed on operations of the Garland as a movie theater to Chris Bovey and Tyler Arnold. The duo have been working toward that goal for most of the year, and under Tampien’s ownership have signed a 10year lease for the theater and attached Bon Bon bar, with options to extend the lease for an additional 10 years.

“I grew up going to the dollar theaters, it was the only theater we could afford to go to,” Tampien says. “So

ut it wasn’t over yet, and Fritchie began negotiating with Tampien in October.

Tampien says he first expressed interest in buying the Garland about a year ago. Fritchie has been seeking to pass on the theater for several years now.

“I’m at a point where, you know, I feel like I’ve really given it a good foundation and I’ve done what I can for it,” Fritchie says. “I feel honored to have done it, but I think it needs somebody younger to take over.”

Tampien also co-owns Brick West Brewing Co. and is responsible for restoring the west downtown building where it’s located, the historic former Watts Automotive.

Another of his current projects involves renovating the Peyton Building downtown on North Post Street into affordable apartments along with a group of fellow investors. Tampien was recently recognized with a Spokane Preservation Advocates’ 2023 Historic Preservation Award for his rehab of the Lolo Lofts downtown.

After weathering the pandemic shutdown, and people’s slow return to in-person movie watching, Fritchie says the Garland’s books were in the red, despite receiving federal funding during the COVID years for hard-hit businesses. In March, she was nearly ready to close the theater if it couldn’t turn a profit again.

Bovey and Arnold are reevaluating the theater’s entire operations, from when it’s open to how many second-run movies it’ll bring in alongside throwback screenings of older films. They hope to bring back weekly $1 movies geared toward families.

Jasmine Barnes, Garland’s current general manager, will also partner with the duo and take over the attached Bon Bon bar.

Bovey says they’ve earmarked the $49,000 raised on GoFundMe to buy a backup projector and a new popcorn maker, along with other essential equipment to run the theater.

Fritchie and current Garland staff will continue to operate the theater, which originally opened in 1945, and Bon Bon for the final weeks of the year. Due to a delay in acquiring business permits, Tampien and Bovey expect the theater will be closed for six to eight weeks at the start of the year.

Bovey says the new Garland team envisions throwing a big grand reopening celebration, and that everyone involved is excited to finally start seeing their dreams for the theater become a reality.

“You know, this isn’t just good for me,” Bovey says, “but for Spokane.” n

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 43

From left, Hat Trick owners Remington Oatman, Nick Coons and Christopher Anderson. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

OPENING

Make It a Triple Hat Trick Brewing is a new neighborhood hangout in West Central Spokane focused on friends and fútbol

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

U

nderstanding European soccer leagues can be complicated. But watching a match with your favorite beer doesn’t have to be.

At least that’s the thought behind Hat Trick Brewing, a comfy, casual new taproom on Maxwell Avenue in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood. Three friends turned an old cafe into the neighborhood’s biggest living room, complete with an ever-changing selection of small-batch brews and fresh bites, plus every early morning Premier League “football” game.

For a few years, Nick Coons, Christopher Anderson, and Remington Oatman, all previously of River City Brewing, dreamed of running a small-scale brewery for their own friends in their own neighborhood. Coons, a

44 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

die-hard Arsenal FC fan from Southern California, had slowly converted Anderson and Oatman from general soccer fans to Arsenal “Gooners” as well. The three noticed there weren’t any options in Spokane to grab a beer and watch Premier League games, which are televised at 7 or 8 in the morning on this side of the pond. They decided to change that.

With 30 years of brewing experience between them and a new niche to fill, the trio seem set for success all on their own. A hat trick, after all, is one player singlehandedly scoring three goals in one game. But from the get-go, Hat Trick Brewing was a project by and for the neighborhood.

When red tape almost shuttered the business before

it ever opened, a crowd-sourced GoFundMe campaign raised over $11,000 to help save it. A few months after opening, regular customers have already donated personal touches to make the space their own. Local artist Christina Deubel finger painted a custom mural, and one new neighbor asked Hat Trick to hang a soccer scarf he brought with him all the way from Ukraine.

“We live here, we work here, we’re a part of West Central,” Coons says. “This is our home.”

H

at Trick isn’t a sports bar. There are only four modestly sized screens, and one is currently showing a furry, green, Grinch-y Jim Carrey instead of a toned British athlete. A Toys for Tots box is in the corner next to a Christmas tree (a donation gets half off your first pint). Half the space has tables for four and a bar, while the other half has blue velvet armchairs, coffee tables and board games. Sports scarves hanging from the ceiling create cozy vibes. Two pinball machines are tucked in the back corner (including one based on the ’94 World Cup). Big street-facing windows let in lots of light and views of the neighborhood.

Hat Trick is where friends can meet on Sunday morning to catch Liverpool vs. Manchester United, or where the West Central Neighborhood Council can hold

its holiday meeting. Half the beers are lower than 6% ABV, so you don’t have to worry about getting hammered. For $8, grab a pint of Keeping it Mild, an English mild ale at 4.1% ABV, or I’m Going on Break, a dry Irish stout at 4.2%.

If it’s past 5 pm, try Trickonometry, a West Coast IPA collab with YaYa Brewing Co. and Genus Brewing. Or get a smaller pour of Coffee Break, a Baltic porter with two blends of beans from Anvil Coffee.

The thing is, with a two-barrel system that only produces four kegs a batch, beers are rotating in and out of the taproom every week. There will probably be something new to try every time you visit, thanks to the creativity and playfulness of the Hat Trick brewers.

“The variety of ingreSnacks to go with Hat Trick’s beer include a banh mi sandwich and charcuterie plate. dients that you can use in beer is just so vast,” Oatman crazy how complicated some people make it says. “There’s so much stuff seem. But we love doing it. We like to make good to play with. We’ve all been brewing for quite food and eat good food and drink good beer. And some time now, and there’s still plenty of ingredithat’s it. So far, everyone that’s come in has been ents that I’ve never used.” pretty much on board with it.”

The Hat Trick Challenge is already in place Another no brainer for the trio? Giving back. for January, a friendly competition with Genus “Breweries aren’t known for making a ton of and Whistle Punk Brewing. Each team draws a money, but we’re just the right type of idiots that random ingredient and has to create a new brew like to give away as much as we can,” Coons says. with it.

Hat Trick donates a percentage of all Sunday “It’s a way to push people out of their comfort profits to a charity of their choosing. Right now, zone a little bit and also bring the communities of the money goes to Shriners Children’s Spokane, different breweries together,” Oatman says. “At but the brewery will choose a new organization the end of the day, we’re in the beer industry, and every quarter or so. This spring, the trio plans to the beer industry should be fun.” use their parking lot for flea markets and plenty “If you’re not having a good time, go do of concerts, always with a charitable beneficiary. something else,” Coons chimes in.

“I don’t want to make a million dollars,” AnTo the delight of gourmet drinkers everyderson adds. “I want people to understand that I where, Anderson’s idea of a good time is brewing live here and this is what I’m proud of.” a true sour beer, one that’s fermented in barrels Anderson is a true Spokane native, growing for years in a long, expensive, uncontrollable up in Millwood but spending lots of weekends process. with his cousins in West Central. He would Anderson’s gosé, Frilly Toothpicks is on the spend Sunday afternoons with uncles in Maxwell menu right now, aged in oak for two years, so precious and sour that it’s only available in a 5- or House, an iconic pub beloved by the neighborhood for over 50 years, just down the street from 10-ounce pour ($10).

Hat Trick.

“I ran around this neighborhood growing ut fear not — if you’re a fan of fermentaup — it has changed quite a bit, but it also hasn’t tion, there’s plenty more to choose from changed as much as a lot of people think it has,” on the drink and food menu. Hat Trick Anderson says. “Outside of Maxwell House, loves good food just as much as good beer and there really wasn’t anything here for all these doesn’t need a fryer to make you come back neighbors. And now we’re here. It’s pretty cool. for dinner. Snag a plate of spicy house-pickled It’s a good neighborhood.” n veggies ($8) or eat ’em on top of a pork banh mi sandwich ($16). The tomatoes and burrata small Hat Trick Brewing • Open Mon, Wed-Fri plate features a house-fermented tomato sauce noon-close, Sat 7 am-10 pm, Sun 10 am-10 pm ($15). Or, just get a grilled cheese for your kid • 1913 W. Maxwell Ave. • hattrickbrewing ($4) and a classy grilled cheese for yourself ($11).

“It’s not complicated,” Coons says. “It’s pretty spokane.com • 509-315-4367

Santa sez don’t wait ‘til the last minute to stuff yer stockings if yous know whats good for ya

222 & 232 N. HOWARD • DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

B

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 45

ALSO OPENING ANYONE BUT YOU

Two singles who hate each other after a bad hookup (Spokane’s own Sydney Sweeney, alongside Glen Powell) both end up at the same Australian wedding and decide to fake they’re together because their exes are there, too. One wants to win their ex back, while the other wants an excuse to avoid their ex. But this is a romcom, so don’t expect the hatred to last… Rated R

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM

The second DCEU Aquaman film finds the King of Atlantis having to enlist his former foe/half-brother Orm in order to protect undersea civilization from the evil Black Manta, who wields the cursed Black Trident. Rated PG-13

MIGRATION

REVIEW

Row, Row, Row Your Boat Very Far Away

Unlike most ducks, Mack Mallard has no desire to migrate but is talked into finally taking a family road trip (air trip?) south for the winter. Unsurprisingly, things quickly go comedically afowl in the latest CGI animated feature from Illumination. Rated PG

OPENING ON CHRISTMAS THE COLOR PURPLE

Alice Walker’s Pulitzer-winning coming of age novel about an abused African American girl growing up in Georgia in the early 1900s gets another big screen adaptation (following Steven Spielberg’s 1985 Best Picture nominee version). This time it’s a musical rendition of the tale, based on the Tony-winning Broadway show. Rated PG-13

FERRARI

The life story of Italian race car titan Enzo Ferrari and the sleek directing style of Michael Mann feels like it should be a natural fit. The titular Ferrari being played by Adam Driver? Now that’s a bit on the nose. Rated R

While it may be catnip for dads, The Boys in the Boat isn’t a winner. LAURIE SPARHAM PHOTO

There’s no excitement or substance to George Clooney’s Washington-set sports period piece The Boys in the Boat

BY JOSH BELL

A

s an actor and a movie star, George Clooney is anything but forgettable. His charm and grit can enliven even terrible movies, and his charisma shines through in every interview and red carpet appearance. Yet as a director, Clooney has built a career on the kind of forgettable, middle-of-the-road fare that’s usually the province of anonymous journeymen. More often than not, he’s aping the style of more renowned, creative filmmakers. Clooney the director reaches new heights of mediocrity with The Boys in the Boat, a dull, predictable true-life inspirational sports drama that’s almost entirely devoid of conflict — or actual inspiration.

There’s plenty to admire in the real story of the 1936 U.S. Olympic eight-man rowing team, as chronicled in Daniel James Brown’s 2013 book. Both the book and the movie focus on Spokane native Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), an impoverished University of Washington student who tries out for the rowing team simply for the chance to secure a campus job and a place to live. All of Joe’s teammates come from similar working-class backgrounds, which stands in contrast to their often upper-crust competition in the elite world of rowing.

That these hard-working, disadvantaged athletes not

46 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

Sticking to the facts may mean that there are no notable defeats to include, but it’s hard to view The Boys in the Boat as much of an underdog story when Joe and his teammates start out by winning and just keep barreling past their opponents. There are minor difficulties to overcome, including some university opposition to the untested junior only defeated their university rivals but also went on to varsity team representing the school at regattas and a lastwin gold medals at the Olympics is an impressive feat minute fundraiser needed to get the team to Germany for and a worthy subject for a book or documentary (it was the Olympics. depicted in a 2016 episode of PBS’ American Experience).

Adolf Hitler and the Nazis are likewise presented Clooney and screenwriter Mark L. Smith fail to find a as mere inconveniences, although Clooney works in an way to make it interesting as a narrative film, though, awkward appearance from Jesse Owens to acknowledge struggling to build compelling characters or an engaging the historical impact of these particular Olympics. The plot. Aside from Joe, almost none of the rowers possess boat races lack suspense, and even the natural beauty any distinctive personality traits, and the only other team they showcase on the water has the plastic sheen of a member who stands out is notable for being pharmaceutical commercial, rather so reserved that he barely speaks.

THE BOYS IN THE BOAT than the immediacy of an intense Joe gets a perfunctory love interest in athletic competition.

Rated PG-13 fellow student Joyce Simdars (Hadley Robin- Directed by George Clooney Turner’s bland, underwhelmson), whose primary function is to breathing performance as Joe is matched Starring Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, lessly follow his rowing exploits, especially

by Joel Edgerton’s equally Hadley Robinson once the team leaves Seattle for competitions unremarkable presence as rowing in other cities, which are broadcast over the coach Al Ulbrickson, who gives radio. It’s rather astounding to see how popular rowing half-hearted speeches about teamwork and determination was as a sport in the 1930s, with regular attendance of that sound like they were put together by a sports movie 100,000-plus spectators at regattas — ones that were also chatbot algorithm. At least Clooney could have enlivened broadcast nationally. Clooney breezes past that phenomthat role if he’d played it himself, but he stays behind the enon, though, just as he does with nearly every milestone camera, robbing The Boys in the Boat of the one worthwhile on the way to the team’s eventual Olympic victory. asset he has to offer. n

SCREEN | REVIEW

              

OPENING 12/22

THE IRON CLAW

starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White & Lily James

OPENING 12/25

FERRARI

              

TICKETS: $10-11 • 25 W Main Ave #125 FOR SHOWTIMES: 509-209-2383 OR MAGICLANTERNONMAIN.COM

MOVIE TIMES on

On the Ropes

The Iron Claw’s bruatility in the ring pales in comparison to the tragedy outside the squared circle.

While the pro wrestling the brothers take part in may be “fake” (as Kevin discusses at one point), the grueling physical toll those inring bumps take on them is far from it. And yet, each of the matches is made joyous to watch, especially when we see Kevin flying through the air. All of them are incredible athletes, and it’s easy to see why they became almost mythical giants in the wrestling world.

It all comes crashing down when this immense pressure to perform doesn’t stop once the boys step out of the ring. This will soon begin to swallow the brothers whole until there’s nothing left except empty trophies and a quiet house where the laughs have long since faded from memory.

All of this is given the necessary emotion even when the story

BY CHASE HUTCHINSON itself begins to form a great many cracks. Efron gives a career-best he Iron Claw is a film of outstanding performances, solid performance, bringing an understated care to a larger-than-life direction and a story that almost falls apart. However, figure, but it’s hard not to feel like something is missing. As it turns perhaps despite itself, it is also a resonant one about the out, there is. A whole brother, Chris, goes erased. It casts a shadow search for truth beneath a devastating family tragedy. Specifically, over the entire film. Cinema can and obviously should take creative it is about the legendary Von Erich wrestling family and how license, though that excision of an entire person feels wrong no matmost of them met an end far too soon. This is all seen through ter how you look at it. If it was for time, there’s no reason the film the eyes of the eldest surviving brother Kevin, played by a soulful couldn’t be longer. If it was to decrease the pain that it was already Zac Efron of High School Musical fame, as he tries to protect his sibtaking us through (Chris Von Erich died from a self-inflicted gunlings from a father hellbent on using them for his own ends. Fritz shot when he was 21), that’s worse and borders on being a cop-out.

Von Erich, played by Mindhunters Holt McCallany in top form, is This story is a painful one and, if corners are cut, there had a patriarchal figure both terrifying and commonplace. A former better be a damn good reason for doing so. In this situation, none of wrestler who never made it to the big time, he’s the possible explanations hold up to scrutiny. Connow living vicariously and financially through his sidering that one of the central tragedies of the film The Iron Claw sons, not caring what this does to them. While they is a father trying to crush the individuality of his Rated R rose to fame in the early ’80s, the family’s lasting sons to mold them into interchangeable wrestlers Directed by Sean Durkin legacy comes from its gutting fall. in the ring, it’s hard to stomach the film essentially Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, The film is helmed by Sean Durkin, whose doing the same by collapsing the specifics of one Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany previous features The Nest and Martha Marcy May brother into another.

Marlene were similarly about painful family stories.

This is compounded by a baffling scene toward Each are fantastic pieces of work, which his latest nearly rises to the end surrounding a vision of the afterlife. It’s so misguided that meet. It’s clear why he was interested in this story as it hits on it nearly dooms the film. The fact that it doesn’t is a testament to many of the same themes and ideas about how the people closest Efron and the rest of the cast. Much like the Von Erich brothers, to us may be the ones who destroy us. Much like those films, they carry the weight of this story on their shoulders and manage to there is a throughline about truth and performance. All three keep it steady even amid such painful missteps. The trouble is — like movies are about whether children can escape the lies created by their real-life counterparts — they shouldn’t have had to bear that their parents before it’s too late to live a life on their own terms. load in the first place. n

The Iron Claw is Zac Efron at his best, but the erasure of a brother from this pro wrestling true story is impossible to overlook

T

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MYOWNWORSTENEMYSPOKANE

MY OWN WORST ENEMY DEC 22 & 23 • MOOSE LOUNGE (CDA)

PAGE 50 DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 47

This Inland Northwest’s 2023 Sound Rounding up some of this year’s standout albums

by Spokane and Coeur d’Alene artists

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

A

regional music scene is a somewhat unwieldy entity. Try as one might, it’s hard to keep up with every new band that pops up, every producer releasing new tracks on Bandcamp, or every album released across the multitudes of genres the creative folks in the Inland Northwest craft. But it’s good as the year winds down to at least get a tiny taste of what the local music scene in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene offered up in 2023. While it’s hardly an exhaustive list, maybe this collection of albums will allow you to find a new local fav for 2024 and beyond.

CHRISTMAS PIANO

CALEB NOELDNER

If you’re the type of person who loves having instrumental Christmas music playing in your house at all hours during the holiday season, why not throw some local flavor into the mix? Let Coeur d’Alene’s Caleb Noeldner’s collection of calming piano arrangements of Christmas classics act as a warm and comforting sonic stocking stuffer. calebnoeldner.bandcamp.com

CONVALESCENCE

THE NIXON RODEO

Spokane scene stalwart the Nixon Rodeo has long blended together various hard rock genre flavors together to make a hot musical stew that packs a punch. That certainly continues on Convalescence, which vacillates between angsty aggression and emotional rawness, soaring sung melodies and screamed exasperations, metal shredding and chunky punk riffing, and so much more over the course of its rocking runtime. thenixonrodeo.bandcamp.com

CURA

MIKHAIL HAMMER

Like a sunny digital dreamscape, Mikhail Hammer’s Cura washes over listeners in waves of warmth. It’s bright and colorful electronic music that smoothly pulses and radiates with a friendly, welcoming aesthetic. It feels like audio positivity. mikhailhammer.bandcamp.com

48 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

GOLDEN PASTURES

PIT

While the addition of Carter Bastian playing synth and piano on a couple tracks brings a new dynamic to the group, Pit’s latest EP Golden Pastures still revels in the ramshackle indie rock charm that has become the band’s calling card when gigging around town. The poppy synth sound (especially on “Splinter”) actually provides a delightful counterbalance for a band that isn’t afraid to show off the rough corners of its sound. pitpitpit.bandcamp.com

GRAB A BUCKET

BAILEY ALLEN BAKER

It’s a fine line to walk as a songwriter to try to make songs that are fun while also slightly unnerving. Coeur d’Alene’s Bailey Allen Baker finds that sweet spot on Grab a Bucket.

Employing his slow brooding husky voice to high dramatic effect, the collection of forlorn dark alt-folk tunes dwells in dark moments of There Will Be Blood malicious grandiosity and downtrodden reflections that feel like they might need to be washed away by a bucket-sized shot of whisky. baileyallenbaker. bandcamp.com

HEAD CLEANER

HAYES NOBLE

In terms of fresh faces in the Spokane music scene, no other 2023 newbie can touch Hayes Noble. The recent Illinois transplant absolutely rips things up on Head Cleaner, a blissfully noisy burst of fuzzy alternative rock. Calling to mind bands like Cloud Nothings, Japandroids, and even early Nirvana, Noble’s no-nonsense brand of garage rock is grunge enough to appeal to Gen Xers while still boasting a touch of Gen Z slacker vibes. As long as you don’t hold people to an extended residency requirement waiting period, Head Cleaner is the best Spokane album of 2023. hayesnoble.bandcamp.com

MONOLITH

RAMBLING AND RECOLLECTIONS

It’s not easy to make lyrics-free instrumental post-rock feel particularly compelling. It requires real musicianship and a sense of the cinematic to pull off anything close to what a group like Explosions in the Sky can achieve. Spokane trio Pretending We’re Just Like Them proves up to the task on Monolith, crafting seven atmospheric rock tracks that make it very easy to get willfully lost in their dynamic, expansive soundscapes. pretendingwerejustlikethem. bandcamp.com

If you stumble into a dive bar where a folk singer is about to take the stage, one can only hope for someone who sounds like Mel Dalton. The Coeur d’Alene singer-songwriter mixes lyrical storytelling and blues-tinged Americana across this little treat of a five-song EP. meldaltonmusic.bandcamp.com

PRETENDING WE’RE JUST LIKE THEM

ONWARD STRIDES COLOSSUS

MERLOCK

As one might guess by its title, Merlock strives for stoner gloom metal epicness on Onward Strides Colossus. The 10-minute albumclosing title track encapsulates this goal with massive riffs leading a musical quest that should delight the headbanging adventurers. merlock.bandcamp.com

THE PEPLOWSKI PROJECT

DAVID LARSEN

While saxophonist David Larsen continues to be one of the best local jazz players, he’s not above ceding the spotlight. For example, this LP takes its name from Larsen’s collaborating clarinetist Ken Peplowski. Along with an ensemble backing group, the pair explores Al Cohn compositions and arrangements (along with some Larsen originals) across 11 fittingly jazzy tracks. larsenjazz.bandcamp.com

PRESENCING

AVALON KALIN

Avalon Kalin self-identifies as making “healing electronic music,” and that description seems more than apt when delving into the meditative album that is Presencing. An exploration of modern being, the album melds Kalin’s electronic template with calming vibraphone melodies to try to act as a soundtrack to listeners’ reflective explorations of their own awareness. avalonkalin.bandcamp.com

OTHERS TO CHECK OUT…

MEL DALTON

STREET CLOTHES

THE UNITED F—ING STATES

The debut EP from UFS feels like a disorientingly sloshed up-chuck of abrasive post-rock. It’s a snarling slap in the face when you’re still trying to wake up from a hangover haze. theunitedf---ingstates. bandcamp.com

UMBRA

KADABRA

When it comes to heavy psychedelic rock riffage, nobody in town does it quite like Kadabra. The band sounds even more confident in its stoner swagger on Umbra, where Blake Braley organ accents give depth to guitarist/singer Garrett Zanol’s sinister sonic world. The clean production style brings balance to each tantalizing ingredient in this witch’s brew of an album. kadabraband.bandcamp.com

WHO IS MAMA LLAMA

MAMA LLAMA

Oddball easy listening is a weird little niche, but Mama Llama aptly fills it. The group’s light rock sound sinks into jazzy bossa nova groves one moment and then bursts into fuzzy garage sounds the next, often while singer Isaac Murcar drones silly nonsensical lyrics. mamallama.bandcamp.com

WITCH OF THE NIGHT

HÍSEMTUKS HÍMI•N

Emerging from a foundation of black metal and the group’s Nez Perce roots, Hísemtuks Hími•n’s Witch of the Night offers up a heavy atmospheric barrage that feels like it’s awash in the glowing blue moonlight of a clear PNW night sky. hisemtukshimin. bandcamp.com Amnesia - Guy Wachtel Be Somebody Else - Glenn Case Bulletproof - Jake Rozier The Conquering Kind - Feral Anthem Daylight - Caleb Stuffle Echo from Deep Valley - Ho Lan Elegant Decay Pt. 2 - Ghost Heart Colorwise - Dario Ré Conflict Vol. 2 - Everyone Loves a Villain Fairytale - Heather M Erickson Fear. - Trent de la Cruz Flesh of My Flesh - Reaping Fields Gunk & Disorderly - Roderick Bambino High on a Daydream - Faces/Houses Intimations - Group Material Imposter Syndrome - Elemeno-P King Nothing - King Nothing Lie to the Smart Machine - Jeremy Wales Looking Glass - Not Chris Stark Medium Christmas - Caroline Fowler Memory_Book II - Brynn Cortez The Moon’s - The Moon’s Prizm - Jed Wagner Psychosis OS – Emperor Emotion Rabbit Hole Scenario - Kevin Kohler & Michelle Marcoccia The Rest - Whimsy and the Bee Singles Vol. 7 - Delt Smoke and Mirrors - Forged in the Storm Soon - Abe Baker Songs for a Ghost - The Walleye Sing While You Can - Blue Ribbon Tea Company Through Shadow and Stone - Those Who Dwell in Dim Carcosa Untitled Research Labs OST - Darius Simmons

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 49

MUSIC | SOUND ADVICE

ROCK MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS

I

f you prefer a bit of electric guitar in your holiday music fare, then Million Dollar Quartet Christmas might be your perfect seasonal treat. The show brings together performers portraying superstars Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins to perform classics like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Blue Christmas” and “Run Rudolph Run” at a staged version of the famed Sun Studios. Sure, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas is technically a musical… but let’s be real — all the interstitials are just fluff (scripted stage banter, if you will) to get to the musical numbers.

— SETH SOMMERFELD Million Dollar Quartet Christmas • Sat Dec. 23 at 3 & 8 pm • $54-$92 • All ages • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

• firstinterstatecenter.org

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

LOCAL ROCK HAYES NOBLE

Thursday, 12/21

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Craig Catlett Trio BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Inland Empire Blues Society Monthly Boogie CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin RED ROOM LOUNGE, Hip-Hop Night ZOLA, The Night Mayors

Friday, 12/22

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Jason Evans J J THE BIG DIPPER, Uh Oh And The Oh Wells, Hayes Noble, Puddy Knife, Sick Pay Holiday BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Laketown Sound CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, The Longnecks CHINOOK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Kicho J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire IRON HORSE (CDA), The Happiness MICKDUFF’S BREWING CO., Headwaters MOOSE LOUNGE, My Own Worst Enemy NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), The Real McCoy PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Nobody Famous RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin

50 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

S

pokane isn’t exactly a musical destination for most (see: most bands deciding to not stop here on tours, closing venues, etc.), so it’s worth celebrating when rad musicians migrate to the Lilac City. This year’s standout in that category is Illinois transplant Hayes Noble.

The young rocker absolutely rips things up on his 2023 debut, LP Head Cleaner, a collection of sharply produced, fuzzy shoegaze rock that calls to mind bands like Cloud Nothings, Japandroids and even early Nirvana. It’s probably the best Spokane album of the year… if you count it, since he released it before moving here. If you need to escape your relatives in town for the holidays, ducking out to the Big Dipper to catch Noble play as part of a loaded local rock bill is as good an excuse as any.

— SETH SOMMERFELD Uh Oh and the Oh Wells, Hayes Noble, Puddy Knife, Sick Pay Holiday • Fri, Dec. 22 at 7:30 pm • $10 • All ages • The Big Dipper • 171 S. Washington St. • thebigdipperspokane.com

THE ROCK BAR & LOUNGE, Steve Starkey

Saturday, 12/23

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Kori Ailene J J THE BIG DIPPER, Bad Penmanship: Dria Tha Gr8, Dusty Kix, Estimate, Jaeda, Windmil, Jalil Moses, Legal Addiction, Scoobie BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Laketown Sound J CAFE COCO, B CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Kat Herd and the Safar CHINOOK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Kicho J J FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

J J IRON GOAT BREWING CO., Festivus 2023: Lucas McIntrye IRON HORSE (CDA), The Happiness MOOSE LOUNGE, My Own Worst Enemy NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), The Real McCoy PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Truck Mills RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs J J REVIVAL TEA COMPANY, Blake Braley

Monday, 12/25

HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Thomas Pletscher

Tuesday, 12/26

LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs

Wednesday, 12/27 THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Peter Lucht RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents ZOLA, Brittany’s House

Coming Up ...

J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin, Thurs., 5:30-8:30 pm.

TRAILS END BREWERY, Kosh, Dec. 28, 6 pm.

BIG BARN BREWING CO., Dylan Hathaway, Dec. 29, 5:30-7:30 pm.

J REPUBLIC BREWING CO., Hannah Jackson, Dec. 29, 6-8 pm.

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Working Spliffs, Dec. 29, 7 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.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Quarter Monkey, Fat Lady, Children of Atom, Dec. 29, 8 pm.

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

IRON HORSE (CDA), Bruiser, Dec. 29-31, 8:30 pm.

MUSIC | VENUES 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.

MILLIE’S, Karma’s Circle, Dec. 31, 8 pm.

COEUR D’ALENE EAGLES, JamShack, Dec. 31, 8:30 pm.

CURLEY’S, Theresa Edwards Band, Dec. 31, 8:30 pm.

SPOKANE VALLEY EAGLES, Stagecoach West, Dec. 31, 8:30 pm.

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

J THE BIG DIPPER, Danté D’Angelo, Juvenilia, Bailey Allen Baker, Jan. 5, 7:30 pm.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Sugar: The Nu-Metal Party, Jan. 5, 9 pm.

J J CENTRAL LIBRARY, Heat Speak (Album Release Show), Traesti Darling, Jan. 12, 6:30-9 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 RELIC SMOKEHOUSE & PUB, Pamela Benton: StringzOnFire!, Jan. 18, 6-8 pm.

SPOKANE ARENA, Parker McCollum, Larry Fleet, King Calaway, Jan. 18, 7:30-9:30 pm.

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

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Dario Ré, Jan. 19, 5 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.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Madeline Hawthorne, Jan. 21, 8 pm.

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

J HEARTWOOD CENTER, Heat Speak, Mama Llama, Jan. 27, 6:30pm.

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

J THE FOX THEATER, Pink Martini, Jan. 29, 7:30 pm.

FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER, Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience, Jan. 30, 7-10 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, The Elovaters, Swayze, Claire Wrights, Jan. 31, 8 pm.

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

J THE BIG DIPPER, Classics From The Casket: GRYN, Element X, Knothead, Dirty Savage, Hench The Entertainer, King Scrub, Mr. ERB, MCHOR, Ginjabred, Feb. 2, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Fooz Fighters, Feb. 2, 8 pm.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Cris Jacobs, Feb. 4, 8 pm.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Moontricks, Feb. 8, 9 pm.

THE DISTRICT BAR, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Feb. 10, 9 pm.

J J THE FOX THEATER, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Feb. 12, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Magic City Hippies, Feb. 13, 7:30 pm.

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

THE DISTRICT BAR, Summer Sweeney, Erin Enderlin, Feb. 14, 9 pm.

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

J KNITTING FACTORY, Red NOT Chili Peppers, Feb. 16, 8 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Priscilla Block, Ryan Larkins, Feb. 17, 8 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 SPOKANE ARENA, TobyMac, Cory Asbury, Mac Powell, Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick, Terrian, Feb. 22, 7-9 pm.

J THE FOX THEATER, Healing Harmonies: Eli Young Band, Ryder Grimes, Feb. 23, 7:30 pm.

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

THE DISTRICT BAR, Early Eyes, Trash Panda, Thank You I’m Sorry, Feb. 24, 8 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Beartooth, The Plot in You, Invent Animate, Sleep Theory, Feb. 28, 6:30 pm.

J THE FOX THEATER, Tommy Emmanuel CGP, Feb. 28, 7:30 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

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DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 51

COMMUNITY OLD-FASHIONED HOLIDAY

Get a taste of what the holidays looked, sounded and felt like during Spokane’s early days at the turn of the 20th century by taking a trip back in time at the MAC’s historic Campbell House. Undergoing a magical transformation each year, the stately mansion-turned-museum is all decked out with fresh greenery, an elegant Christmas tree and other period-appropriate holiday decor. During this four-day, open house-style event, visitors can explore the home at their own pace, partake in a scavenger hunt challenge, enjoy live piano music and interact with living history actors portraying Campbell family members and staff (tickets can be purchased in advance by phone or in person). Count down the final days before Christmas with this cherished local tradition.

— CHEY SCOTT Campbell House Christmas • Through Sat, Dec. 23, daily from noon-4 pm • $17-$22 (members and kids under 5 free) • Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture • 2316 W. First Ave. • northwestmuseum.org

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52 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

MUSIC FOR THE REST OF US

There are loads of classic sitcom episodes, but only one has truly spawned a widely accepted holiday event. When writer Dan O’Keefe wrote the 1997 Seinfeld episode “The Strike,” he brought an unusual holiday to the masses — Festivus. Presented as Frank Costanza’s alternative to Christmas commercialization, it includes an airing of grievances against those you feel have wronged you over the past year, feats of strength, and of course the Festivus pole (literally a bare aluminum pole). Spokane’s premiere Festivus purveyor is Iron Goat Brewing Co., which hosts an annual Festivus gathering. So gather all ye outsiders to vent, gaze at the pole, and show your might (while also enjoying live music from Lucas Brown and a brew)!

— SETH SOMMERFELD Iron Goat Brewing Co.’s Festivus • Sat, Dec. 23 at 6:30 pm • Free • Ages 21+ • Iron Goat Brewing Co. • 1302 W. Second Ave. • irongoatbrewing.com

VISUAL ARTS PERSONAL SPACE

It took eight years for artist Alexandra Iosub to create the pieces featured in her latest solo exhibition, on display through the end of the month at Terrain Gallery. Titled “Making Room,” the project explores what it means to create personal space in the world, and how daily habits evolve into spiritual rituals. This philosophical questioning was explored through art making and personal introspection as Iosub lived in the tiny house she built, which she eventually destroyed for the sake of art. “The method was visually investigating the relationship between body and space…” Iosub writes in her artist statement. “I looked at how meaning is pulled from the habits formed in relationships to the space, and elevated on a spiritual level in the evolution to a place-based personal spiritualism practice.”

— CHEY SCOTT Alexandra Iosub: Between Knowing and Being • Through Dec. 30, open Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm • Free • Terrain Gallery • 628 N. Monroe St. • terrainspokane.com/gallery

Breathin’ easy

‘cause we have our vaccines!

COMMUNITY BLOCKS ON THE CLOCK

If you head to Campbell House Holidays, make sure to also get your Minecraft on before it’s too late by visiting the pixelated setting of “Minecraft: The Exhibition,” on display until New Year’s Eve at the MAC. Block-by-block, this immersive touring exhibit, on its last stop before permanent retirement, brings the virtual landscapes of Minecraft to life and takes visitors on a journey through the game’s creative realm. From actual in-game scenes, patterns and colors to 15 large-scale game characters, guests can discover the artistry behind the iconic game, which has captivated tens of millions around the world.

This exhibition celebrates the creativity born within the digital landscapes of Minecraft, while also exploring its global cultural impact. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious onlooker, don’t miss the chance to delve into the game’s captivating world.

— AMELIA TRONCONE

Flu & COVID-19

Flu & COVID-19 srhd.org/breathineasy

Minecraft: The Exhibition • Through Dec. 31, open Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm • $11-$20 • Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture • 2316 W. First Ave. • northwestmuseum.org

THEATER XMAS KICKS

Theater arts powerhouse Laura Little has had a big impact on both the regional and national theater scene. Her credits include producing All Is Calm for PBS, a true holiday tale set on the battlefields of World War I, as well as the long-running Traditions of Christmas revue-style show in Coeur d’Alene for about a decade. She’s also co-producer of Broadway’s Come From Away, as well as Peter and the Starcatcher. While she’s no longer based here in the Inland Northwest, Little still has one foot planted in the Lake City as co-producer of this year’s holiday show at the Kroc Center, Need a Little Christmas. Similar to Traditions’ format, this family-friendly showcase includes Rockettes-style kicklines, a USO tribute, Dickensian carolers and much, much more. Before the big holiday arrives locals can still catch three more performances, although tickets are selling quickly.

— CHEY SCOTT Need a Little Christmas • Thu, Dec. 21 at 7 pm and Fri, Dec. 22 at 2 and 6 pm • $24-$37 • The Kroc Center • 1765 W. Golf Course Rd., Coeur d’Alene • needalittlechristmas.com

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

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 53

you (or some one you know) will see this.

CHEERS RE: CHEERS TO THE ZAGS You forgot to put in your cheers that they can beat all these teams by 100+ points. Maybe after 20+ years they will finally be able to take the championship and win against these high competition college teams by at least 1 point? C’mon Spokane. We all have fantasies that will never happen, but its the thought that counts, right!?

I SAW YOU MR BRIGHT SMILE AT SAFEWAY We were both at the Shadle Safeway Wednesday the 13th, you with who I guessed was your mom, me with my son. You made eye contact and smiled the brightest smile when we first crossed paths, and then our shopping paths crossed a couple more times, each time with another big smile. I finally stopped you and told you you had the most gorgeous smile, and you said, “I see you! You do too!” And then we went our separate ways. I’m kicking myself for not shooting my shot! Hoping we both need groceries at the same time again sometime in the future!

RE: TERESA THIS ONE IS ABOUT YOU I see someone else is wondering if they are the one you seek. Are they the one? TB IN MY DREAMS Red curly beautiful hair, I still see you in my dreams. Even though it didn’t last long for some reason I can’t forget about you. You touched my life in a way nobody else has or ever will. I will love you forever. AnJ BEST OF THE WEST BEAUTY (11/5) Saw you numerous times starting the latter half of the evening. You: wearing a long sleeve white top. Me: wearing a blue long sleeve collared shirt. You were seated at a table near the front (stage right). We last locked eyes in the parking lot as you were walking alone to your auto, and I was in the passenger seat of my friends white p/u driving away. It has been over a month, but I keep thinking of you, so taking a chance

BRIGHTENING HEARTS AND WINTRY EVENINGS A big shout-out to the team behind Manito Park’s Holiday Light display!

You guys really nailed it this year. The lights were creative and delightful and made the cold a bit easier to bear. This spectacle truly brought some much-needed cheer to our winter evenings. Cheers to you for lighting up our park and our mood! Favorite display: giant snowflakes in the evergreens!

GRAY SKIES DON’T STOP GRAY DOG PRINTING Kudos to local Spokane publisher Gray Dog Printing for their swift and efficient service. Their team’s proactive approach and understanding of our needs truly showcased their professionalism. They ensured timely delivery of our reprinted books before the holiday! We look forward to future collaborations.

MERRY CHRISTMAS R Cheers to you Miss Emily, your ability to show grace and elegance through any of life’s ups and downs and to always be grateful has made me inspired to do the same. I love you very much, and you deserve everything good you want in life — just remember: All you have to do is ask, and it will be given to you. Remember to smile because that is how to keep the anxiety away; also don’t be afraid to be fair to yourself no matter what. Your happiness matters, it is essential for mine, and I just want you to know this is my way of letting you know early Merry Christmas and that you definitely made my nice list and I’m proud of you and I hope you continue people and follow the path to your biggest dreams; you can reach them st4rsh1ne. I wish for the most grand Christmas and for your father and I to spend it with you.

FLIP THE NARRATIVE CHEERS to the SCSO and SPD for keeping us safe “out here” in this weird WILD West of a cow-town!

CHEERS to our officers in uniform. We

are safer in this scary hole. Thanks to the businesses that have security presence.

Keep it happening. Then, we won’t have to wonder if we can patronize your place.

Your backbone is rare. Your strength is important. Thanks!!

“

GROCERY STORES Jeers to the grocery stores that implement policies that are more difficult for customers. One store on Market has decided that anyone who wishes to purchase a deli product must pay for it in the deli rather than being able to take it and pay for it (along with other groceries) up front because they don’t want to hire security officers to discourage thieves. I’ve talked to a number of people about this policy and have consistently been told, “I don’t go to stores that don’t give me good customer service.” Being of the same mind, I’d like to ask others to consider doing the same. Choose another grocery store in town or in Idaho. In fact, in Idaho they even give you a bag “for FREE!” Borrowing the language of someone else I’ve seen in this paper, “Spokane: near nature. Near bad customer service.”

LOCAL TV ENTITLEMENT Please, someone enlighten me. Why would a local TV station show a live Gonzaga basketball game on two of their channels at the same time thus pre-empting Jeopardy, a wonderful game show that thousands of Spokane viewers look forward to each night? The answer I received when I called them was “we can do what we want.” OK, I can also do what I want, and that is watch the nightly news on KREM. STOP JUDGING Stop dehumanizing people because of they are unhoused. Be kind or helpful and try to wrap your head around what it might feel like to be cold, hungry and lacking basic necessities. The judgment you show only shows your lack of compassion and fear.

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.”

54 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

leash and was covered in blood next to the woman. Why does the apartment complex allow pitbulls to be housed there?

Why doesn’t Spokane required aggressive breeds to be muzzled while out in public?

Oh, and for your uneducated who say there are no dangerous breeds, look up

Have a merry Christmas pinching pennies and remember to tip...Don’t be a Scrooge!

JEERS

Insured by NCUA. Restrictions apply. Visit hzcu.org/get200 for terms and details.

BAHUMBUG! Wow. I’ve worked customer service for 15 years, and I am shocked by amount of customers this Christmas season that purchase large group orders of drinks and food items and do not tip a penny OR they tip $1 on their $40 order! A quarter per staff for your latte, sandwich and

dessert? How generous. We will eventually automate a 20% tip per order because of this, so be a cheap ass while you still can. Is this west side and Cali influence?! Certainly not. I understand cost has gone up for everyone and everywhere, but taking it out on the service industry workers is just rude.

People who work food service depend on those tips to make up for the insufficient hours and “living wage” that just brings prices up yearly. Most of us are here to serve because we care about Spokane and the community... all of us are either in school or single and have children. So have a merry Christmas pinching pennies and remember to tip your barista, waiter, bartender, and whoever else there is out there! Don’t be a Scrooge!

GET REAL To all the fry cooks, classroom teachers, dental receptionists, mechanics and the like who really think they know more than Biden about the conflict in Palestine — get real. How can it be that you don’t understand how much you don’t understand? Biden has decades of experience with statecraft, geopolitics, dealing with conflict and terrorism, and dealing with hard-right extremists like Netanyahu. And yet you think you can jump in with your two cents. I can think of only one reason for this: You are dumb.

DANGEROUS BREEDS So when is Spokane going to wake up and realize that there needs to be an ordinance created to protect people from dangerous dog breeds? In the last several months, two separate people (one child and one adult) have been killed by pit bulls. In the last instance, it was reported by the local news that the woman killed lived at the Beau Rivage apartments with her adopted pit bull. When the police found her body, the dog didn’t have a

”

the reported data online. Of all breeds, pit bulls are the most likely to attack and inflict serious injuries when they do so. The rank number 1 on the list of 10. Duh. duh. Dumb.

A TWIST What a twist! You’re telling me that the guy whose one defining trait is hating homeless people let homeless people live in dangerous conditions to the point of a Shigella outbreak. This guy practically told you he would do this. He heard “Kill The Poor” by the Dead Kennedy’s and didn’t know it was satire. It’s time we leave him and his classist BS in the past and start talking about realisitic solutions to these problems. n

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

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.

EVENTS | CALENDAR

BENEFIT

JINGLE ‘N’ MINGLE A family-friendly networking event featuring warm food and drinks, unlimited carousel rides and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Transitions, a Spokane County United Way partner organization that supports children. Dec. 21, 5:30-9 pm. $20. Looff Carrousel, 507 N. Howard St. unitedwayspokane.org (509-625-6600) 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. Free.

Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana Ave. santaexpress.org (509-415-3506) WEST PLAINS ANGELS GOLDEN WINGS MOBILE PET FOOD PANTRY A spaghetti feast (meat and veggie options available) with salad and garlic bread prepared by the Harvester Restaurant.

Proceeds benefit the Golden Wings Mobile Pet Food Pantry. Daily from 11 am-2 pm through Dec. 22. $15. The Harvester Restaurant, 401 W. First St. west-plainsangels.square.site HOLIDAY FOOD FUNDRAISER FOR NORTHWEST HARVEST FOOD BANK Bring food donations to participating businesses. In addition, 10% of the proceeds from Brick West’s Out Cold IPA, wherever it is sold, go to Northwest Harvest. See website for details. Through Jan. 19. Free. khq.com/giving

COMEDY

OPEN MIC STAND-UP Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. See website for sign-up details. Free. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com MICHAEL LOFTUS Loftus is a comedian and comedy writer who’s worked for Charlie Sheen and George Lopez.Dec. 21 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 22-23 at 7 pm and 9:45 pm. $15-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com CHARLES HALL Hall is a local comedian who makes online video content, among other things. Dec. 28, 7:30 pm. $12-18.

Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com TIM MEADOWS Meadows is most wellknown for his time spent as a comedian on Saturday Night Live. Dec. 29, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and Dec. 30, 7 & 9:45 pm. $25-$35. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

COMMUNITY

CAMPBELL HOUSE HOLIDAYS Explore the historic Campbell House, enjoy the Christmas tree, decorations, a scavenger hunt, and an activity on the sun porch.

Interact with living history characters, including beloved cook Hulda Olson, and other members of the household as they prepare for a holiday celebration. Dec. 21-23 from 12-4 pm. Museum admission + $2. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave.northwestmuseum.org 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. Through Jan. 1; Fri-Sat from 12-10 pm and Sun-Thu from 3-8 pm. Free. Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. davenporthotelcollection.com

JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE CRUISES A 40-minute cruise across Lake Coeur d’Alene to view holiday light displays and visit Santa Claus and his elves. Through Jan. 2; daily at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm. $12.50-$ 27.50. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com LIBERTY LAKE WINTER GLOW SPECTACULAR Various holiday light displays throughout the park. Daily through Jan. 1, 2024. Free. Orchard Park, 20298 E. Indiana Ave. winterglowspectacular.com MINECRAFT: THE EXHIBITION The world of Minecraft is explored in this wide-ranging exhibition, designed for players and non-players of all ages. It also celebrates how Minecraft has developed into a platform for unlimited creative expression and inspiration to build a better world outside the game.

Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Dec. 31. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) 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. Dec. 1-31; Thu-Fri from 5-8 pm, Sat from 4-8 pm and Sun from 3-6 pm. $10-$40. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. northwestwinterfest.com NUMERICA LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT Walk through the park and see dozens of trees lit up with holiday lights. Through Jan. 1.

Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org QUESTMAS VILLAGE This outdoor family-friendly winter experience features large displays, a synthetic ice rink, photo backdrops and more. Through Feb. 18; Mon-Thu from 4-9 pm and Fri-Sun from 12-9 pm. Free. Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd. northernquest.com (509-242-7000) THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE This monthly event includes live music, gallery cruising, gallery talks, lectures, artist workshops and demonstrations, periodic exhibition openings and special Campbell House programing. Third Thursday of each month from 5-8 pm. $7.50-$10.

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org PICTURES WITH KRAMPUS Take a photo with Krampus. Adults, kids and pets are welcome. Dec. 23 from 11 am-6 pm. 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. Dec. 23 from 10 am-5 pm. Free. The Storehouse, 107 W. Lake St. medicallake.org (509-993-1723) WHEATLAND BANK HORSE & CARRIAGE RIDES An 8-minute loop through Riverfront Park and downtown Spokane.

Sat-Sun from noon-5 pm through Dec. 24. Free. downtownspokane.org WINTER WINDOW MURAL Make a window mural for the 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. 23, 1:302:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org WINTER WONDERLAND MARKET Local vendors sell gifts, crafts, food and more.

Seasonal movies play on screens across the venue. Sat from 10 am-2 pm through

Dec. 23. Free. The Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St. wondermarketspokane.com HOME AWAY FROM HOME COOKIE PARTY If you can’t be home for the holidays, head to Lunarium for a free cookie and $1 cups of tea. This event is geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community, but anyone is welcome. Dec. 25, 11 am-6 pm.

Free. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St. instagram.com/lunarium.spokane NOON YEARS EVE PARTY Celebrate the new year a little early with activities and learning. This program is intended for families of all ages. Children under 8 should be accompanied by a caregiver.

Dec. 30, 11 am-noon. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org

THE BURGERS YOUR MOMMA WARNED YOU ABOUT Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon Burger

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. 21, 4-6 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127) ELF Buddy the Elf ventures to New York on a quest to find his family. Benefiting the LC High School Senior All Nighter.

Dec. 21, 7-9:30 pm. $10-$12. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland. garlandtheater.com IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Dec. 21, 7 pm, Dec. 22-23, 3 & 7 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge. Dec. 21, 6-7:30 pm.

Included with admission. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) LORD OF THE RINGS WEEK A week of screenings of The Lord of the Rings beginning with The Fellowship of the Ring on Dec. 26 continuing through the trilogy, ending with The Return of the King on Dec. 29. The full trilogy is marathoned on Dec. 28. Dec. 26-27, 1 & 6 pm, Dec. 28, 9 am, 1:30 & 6:30 pm and Dec. 29, 1 pm. $15. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

OPEN NOW!

SULLIVAN & BROADWAY HAYDEN

95 & Prairie in the prairie shopping center

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. $75. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdaresort.com (208-292-5678) SEASON’S SWEETS: HOLIDAY CROQUEMBOUCHE CLASS Learn the art of crafting a tower made of French pâte à choux, marzipan, buttercream, ganache and imported chocolates. Dec. 21, 6-8 pm. $60. Beverly’s, 115 S. Second St. beverlyscda.com (208-292-5678) 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. Through Jan. 7. bit.ly/AleTrail2023 YULE LOG COOKING CLASS Toni Flavor, pastry chef at Bowery, teaches how to make the iconic holiday dessert. Dec. 23, 1 pm. $75. Wanderlust Delicato, 421 W. Main Ave., Suite 103. wanderlustdelicato. com (509-822-7087)

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 55

EVENTS | CALENDAR TACO TUESDAYS AT BULL HEAD Two dollar tacos being served all day along with drink specials. 21+. Tues., 12-8:30 pm. $2. The Bull Head, 10211 S. Electric Ave. bullheadsaloon.com SPARKLING SOIREE WINE DINNER Guests are invited to sip and savor their way through the evenings six-course menu of chef-curated cuisine. Also includes a toast to the new year. Dec. 28, 6-9 pm. $120. Beverly’s, 115 S. Second St. beverlyscda.com (208-292-5678)

MUSIC

CANDLELIGHT: HOLIDAY SPECIAL A string quartet performs holiday selections surrounded by candles. Dec. 21, 6:30 & 9:30 pm. $31-$57. Riverside Place, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. feverup.com THOMAS PLETSCHER Jazz Pianist Tom Pletscher performs jazzy holiday tunes and other selections. Dec. 25, 12-3 pm.

Free. Historic Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. davenporthotelcollection.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

DJ NIGHT ON THE ICE Skate around the Numerica Skate Ribbon with tunes provided by DJ A1. Fridays from 6-9 pm through Jan. 26. $6.95-$9.95. Numerica Skate Ribbon, 720 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600) 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) WARREN MILLER’S ALL TIME This film dives into the birth of ski towns like Sun Valley and Aspen and features icons and innovators in the snow sports world. Dec. 23, 6:30 pm. $10. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com SNOWSHOE MOONLIGHT TOUR Explore the meadows and woods around Mount Spokane guided by an experienced instructor. Registration required. Ages 16+.

Dec. 24, 6-9:30 pm. $41. spokanerec.org SILVER MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS DINNER Celebrate the holidays with a dinner of honey-glazed ham, roasted turkey and other sides. Dec. 25, 3-9 pm. $16-$38/4 and under free. Noah’s Canteen, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com (208-783-2440) MT. SPOKANE NIGHT SKIING Ski after the sun sets under the lights. Dec. 27-March 16, Wed-Fri from 3-9 pm. $40$80. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com (509-238-2220) SPOKANE CHIEFS VS. WENATCHEE WILD Promotions include TicketsWest Player Magnet Giveaway. Dec. 27, 7:05 pm. $13-$32. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanechiefs.com SNOWSHOE MOUNT SPOKANE WITH TRANSPORTATION Take a tour of majestic Mount Spokane by snowshoeing through snow-covered trails. Dec. 30, 9 am-1 pm. $41. spokanerec.org SPOKANE CHIEFS VS. TRI-CITY AMERICANS Promotions include Sturm Heating Family Feast Night. Dec. 30, 6:05 pm.

$13-$32. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanechiefs.com (509-279-7000)

THEATER & DANCE

NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS A Radio City Music Hall-style show that includes choreographed tap numbers by a kick line, a salute to the USO show, international customs and more. Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 3 pm through Dec. 21. $24$37. Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. needalittlechristmas.com CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE This holiday show showcases the magic of the season with a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. Dec. 21, 7:30 pm. $51-$101. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls. firstinterstatecenter.org THURSDAY EVENING SWING Drop-in beginner (Lindy Hop) and progressive (Collegiate Shag) lessons and social dancing to follow. Dec. 21 and 28 from 6:30-9 pm. $5-$10. Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth. syncopationfoundation.org/spokane ADULT BEGINNING DANCE Learn the basics of swing and ballroom dancing.

Every Fri from 6-7 pm through Dec. 29. $10-$35. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St. createarts.org (447-9277) MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together to celebrate the holidays. Follow along with the gang’s usual antics as we journey through a story of Christmas past,

present and future. Dec. 23, 3 & 8 pm. $54-$92. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. broadwayspokane.com (509-279-7000)

VISUAL ARTS

10TH ANNUAL CUP OF JOY A holiday exhibit of over 150 ceramic cups made by local, regional and national artists. WedFri from 11 am-5 pm through Jan. 13. Free.

Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net (509-863-9904) ANNUAL ORNAMENT & SMALL WORK SHOW This annual holiday show features over 30 participating artists showcasing ornaments and small works. MonFri 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) 27TH ANNUAL SMALL WORKS INVITATIONAL A small works show and sale that features over 100 artists. Thu-Sun from 11 am-6 pm through Dec. 24. Free.

The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave. theartspiritgallery.com (208-765-6006) 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 THE GALLERY AT ENTROPY 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 DRAWING FUNDAMENTALS Artist Marlene Laurich leads students in line, shape, form and space drawing techniques. Every Friday from 3-4:30 pm. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org (509-447-9277) EWU FACULTY ART EXHIBITION The exhibition includes a diverse array of artistic styles in a wide variety of media including, but not limited to painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, video, digital art and augmented reality.

Mon-Fri from 9 am-6pm through Jan. 18.

Free. EWU Gallery of Art, 140 Art Building. ewu.edu/cahss (509-359-2494) FICTION, FANTASY & FOLKLORE A show featuring art dolls created by various local artists along with other works.

Wed-Sat from 11 am-5 pm through Dec. 30. Free. New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague Ave. manicmoonandmore.com 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 Ave. hamiltonstudio. com (509-327-9501) FIVE CRITICAL DECADES OF ART: THE STEPHENS COLLECTION Selections collected by Spokane residents Les and Carolyn Stephens include 60s pop art, sculpture, environmental art, video art, abstraction, photorealism and more.

Mon-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through Jan. 6. Free. Jundt Art Museum, 200 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga.edu/jundt

Happy Holidays!

From your friends at the Inlander

56 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

FRANK S. MATSURA: NATIVE AMERICAN PORTRAITS FROM A NORTHWEST BORDERLAND This show features images from the studio archive of Washington-based Japanese photographer Frank Sakae Matsura which explore Indigenous representation through an artistic lens.

Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through June 9. $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) GINGER OAKES Pottery Place Plus’s guest artist for December, Oakes creates sculptures that tell stories and reflect personal life experiences. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through Dec. 31. Free. Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus.com (509-327-6920) GORDON WILSON: EMERITUS A selection of works created over the last 50 years by Whitworth Professor Emeritus of Art & Design Gordon Wilson. Mon-Fri from 10 am-4:30 pm, Sat from 10 am-2 pm through Jan. 24. Free. Bryan Oliver Gallery, Whitworth, 300 W. Hawthorne Ave. whitworth.edu (509-777-3258) HANDMADE HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS Celebrate the holidays by making ornaments with provided supplies. Dec. 21, 4-5 pm. Free. Cheney Library, 610 First St. scld.org (509-893-8280) HERE IN A HOMEMADE FOREST: COMMON READING CONNECTIONS EXHIBITION Inspired by Washington State University’s 2023-24 Common Reading Book, Braiding Sweetgrass, this exhibition highlights crucial themes through the lens of art, inviting visitors into a conversation about prioritizing a reciprocal relationship with the land, with each other and with other living beings. Tue-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through March 2. Free.

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson Rd. museum.wsu.edu

CASE: CITY ART SHOW & EXHIBITION An art show featuring city and county employees. Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm through Dec. 29. Free. Chase Gallery, City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. spokanearts.org (509-321-9614) JEFFREY GIBSON: THEY TEACH LOVE This exhibition combines various art mediums such as sculpture, painting and video with the artist’s American Indian cultural background by adorning objects with beadwork, jingles, fringe and sinew.

Tue-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through March 9. Free. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson. museum.wsu.edu 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. Free. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus. com (509-768-1268) 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 LYNN HANLEY: RHYTHMIC ABSTRACTS Hanley’s colorful, semi-abstract oil paintings aim to evoke the rhythm of music.

Tue-Fri from 10 am-6 pm through Dec. 23. Free. William Grant Gallery & Framing, 1188 W. Summit Pkwy. williamgrantgf.com (509-484-3535) MARCUS JACKSON: LOVE’S AUSTERE AND LONELY OFFICES Jackson

is a widely published photographer and writer who holds a MFA from New York University. All photographs were made in Columbus, Ohio, or NYC in 2020 and 2021. Tue-Fri from 12-5 pm and Sat from 10 am-3 pm through Dec. 30. Free. Moscow Contemporary, 414 S. Main St. moscowcontemporary.org (208-301-5092) MEET YOUR MAKER Meet the artists behind all of the items in From Here.

Daily from 11 am-6 pm. See website for schedule. Daily from 11 am-6 pm. Free.

From Here, 808 W. Main Ave. fromherespokane.com (509-808-2943) NANCY ROTHWELL: FREEDOM AND JOY IN THE PALOUSE This exhibit showcases how the artist’s color palette and content shifted after moving from western Washington to eastern Washington.

Mon-Sat from 10 am-6 pm through Jan. 31. Free. The Center, 104 S. Main St. whitcolib.org (509-397-4366) NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE FACULTY EXHIBITION NIC faculty members display recent works. Mon-Thu from 10 am-4 pm, Fri from 10 am-2:30 pm through Jan. 26.

Free. Boswell Corner Gallery at NIC, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Building 22. nic.edu/cornergallery (208-769-3276) THAT, THROUGH WHICH WE SEE...DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW A group show consisting of seven local artists including Kay O’Rourke, Alex Biggs, Dan McCann, Larry Ellingson, Wendy Franklund Miller, Roger Ralston and MB, showing paintings, collages, assemblages, boxes and clay. Fri-Sat from 11 am-3 pm through Jan. 10. Free. Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. kolva.comcastbiz.net 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 INMOD SEW DAY The Inland Northwest Modern Quilt Guild works on their sewing projects or group projects. First meeting is free, must join to continue attending meetings. Third Saturdays from 10 am-4 pm. Free. Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. inmodquiltguild.com/ sew-day (509-327-1584) CHILDREN’S PAINTING LESSONS An introductory painting class for children.

Bring your own supplies. Ages 10+. Every Sunday from 3-4:30 pm. $10. Spokane Art Supply, 1303 N. Monroe St. spokaneartsupply.com (509-435-8210) DROP IN & DRAW Join a creative community for this weekly free-form drawing program. Explore different artistic mediums, develop skills and ideas and cultivate imaginative thinking through art. All skill levels are welcome. Supplies and projects provided. Wednesdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org THE HIVE OPEN STUDIO Stop by The Hive to see what the featured artists-inresidence are up to and tour the building.

Wednedays from 4-7 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org SPINNERS WORKSHOP Bring your spinning wheel or current projects to work on. Wednesdays from 10 am-12 pm. 10 am-noon. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org (509447-9277) TOTS MESSY ART A messy art class meant for children ages 7 and under.

Guardian must be present for the entire class. Every Wed from 11 am-1 pm. 11 am-1 pm. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St., Newport. createarts.org (447-9277)

WORDS

DROP IN & WRITE Aspiring writers are invited to be a part of a supportive writers’ community. Bring works in progress to share, get inspired with creative prompts and spend some focused time writing. Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free.

Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299) FINDING YOUR VOICE: A TEEN WRITING WORKSHOP WITH AMMI MIDSTOKKE This workshop is catered to young writers in 6th grade through high school who are learning to bring the wonder of the individual self to their work. Dec. 28, 10 am-noon. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org MONSTER STORIES WITH SHARMA SHIELDS Local novelist and Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields presents a generative writing workshop where kids, teens, and adults alike can craft their own original monster stories. Dec. 30, 2-3 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org BARTON ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES One-on-one English language tutoring and conversation groups. Mon, Wed, Fri from 9-11:30 am. Free. First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, 318 S. Cedar St. spokanefpc.org/barton (509-747-1058) SCRIBBLER’S SOCIETY WRITING CLUB Join fellow writers for brainstorming, critiquing and inspiration. Every second and fourth Monday from 2-3 pm. All ages.

Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org 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

Thank you! every time you purchase no-li, proceeds go back into our community.

donated to 25 local non-profits DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 57

CRIME

Wild West of Weed Another burglary shows regulators still don’t care enough about cannabis retailers in Washington

BY WILL MAUPIN

58 INLANDER DECEMBER 21, 2023

L

ast week, a west side cannabis business was targeted by thieves looking for an easy out. On Thursday, Dec. 14, a Bothell dispensary was burgled after-hours, using a method that has been used on numerous dispensaries around the state — a stolen car rammed its way into this Bothell dispensary, allowing the thieves an easy way in and out.

Locally, the same thing happened to Apex Cannabis in Otis Orchards in July.

And in September, a KIRO-TV report was headlined, “Thieves drive stolen vehicle into Redmond pot shop; At least 30 armed pot shop robberies in 2023.”

That’s “at least 30” robberies reported months before last week’s Bothell burglary.

Why do all the robberies and burglaries keep happening?

The answer is that the people regulating this trade are failing. Our legislators and regulators — both elected and appointed, at both the state and federal levels — have not taken action despite this being a problem that is far from new.

What happened last week in Bothell has been happening for months, years even. Cannabis shops have been

legal in Washington since 2014, but in the now-nearlydecade that they have been as legal as any other retailer in the state, they have not been treated the same.

On one hand it is understandable. Cannabis remains illegal federally. As far as the U.S. government is concerned, it is illegal to sell what they sell. On the other hand, the U.S. government has turned a blind eye, allowing it since 2014.

Furthermore, for nearly a decade the state has not only allowed these stores to operate, but has profited from them — Washington state made nearly half a billion dollars in tax revenue from retail cannabis in fiscal 2023, not to mention all the years prior.

So, where is the state of Washington when it comes to taking care of these businesses, which it licenses, allows and profits from?

When was the last time you heard of a similar business like a liquor store or pharmacy, or any other sort of retailer, being the victim of this kind of not drive-thru but drive-into thievery in Washington? Not just once, but regularly?

It happens far too often to retail cannabis businesses.

But what is being done to stop it? n

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 59

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10. White House staffer 11. Admission of defeat 12. 555, on a cornerstone 13. Michelle Obama, ____ Robinson

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Available at more than 1,000 locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

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14. Hockey great Bobby 21. High schooler, usually 24. Quinceañera feature 26. Prerequisite for trig. or calc.

28. ____ apso 29. First responder on a battlefield

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30. Zaire’s Mobutu ___ Seko 32. Variety show bit 33. HBO competitor 35. Account 36. From the top 39. J.D. Salinger title girl who says

“BANDS”

“I prefer stories about squalor” 40. Attorney General under LBJ 43. Name once given to people of central Africa that lent itself to a ‘60s fad dance 44. Like a perfectlyplayed miniature golf hole 45. “____ mia” (“Aida” aria) 46. Spreading gossip 49. Faux ____ 50. “____-wee’s Big Adventure” 51. Headquartered (in) 52. Squeezing (out) 53. Tennis great Sharapova

54. Fuming 55. Air freshener targets 56. Inconsequential occurrence 57. Frog genus that’s Spanish for “frog” 58. “SportsCenter” airer 59. Big event for Cinderella

DECEMBER 21, 2023 INLANDER 63

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