Trending Northwest - Fall 2022 Volume 1 Issue 1

D i e t i t i a n a p p r o v e d s c i e n c e - b a c k e d m e a l s m a d e w i t h w h o l e f o o d i n g r e d i e n t s .

M a d e b y p r o f e s s i o n a l c h e f s , d e s i g n e d t o b e d e l i c i o u s .

p a n t r y f u e l w w w . p a n t r y f u e l . c o m

N e w s e a s o n a l m e n u s w e e k l y . D e l i v e r e d f r e s h e v e r y M o n d a y . O r d e r a t w w w . p a n t r y f u e l . c o m o r S h o p o u r k i o s k a t T h e B o h e m i a n

J U S T W H A T T H E D O C T O R O R D E R E D . . . L I T E R A L L Y .

From the Editor “I’msogladIliveina world where there are Octobers."

SWEATER WEATHER

With the changing of the seasons in the Northwest, we all get a touch sentimental. It reminds us of the passage of time, and especially in the fall, the fleeting nature of life. As the leaves descend from the branches of trees years and decades old alike, we stare up in wonder during the grand display and then feel a little colder, a little more alone, when all that greets us are bare branches and frost.

This month we share about all things cozy. From the fashion that protects us from the newfound chill in the air (while still keeping us looking snatched) to the foods that warm our bodies and our souls, and making your home ready for gathering with friends and family, we hope to usher in this new, beautiful season with you.

Most of all, we want to give you the gift of the excitement that we all feel about sweater weather here at the magazine.

We aren’t yet done being outdoors before the snow flies. Molly Lindquist teaches us about the science behind forest bathing, and Christine Burns spills the tea on all of the best places to enjoy fall around the Northwest in the form of our ultimate fall bucket list you will want to save and check off

one at a time. Another list you won’t want to miss is by our newest contributor (and Spokane Falls Community College intern extraordinaire) Shaye Hubbard - the most epic list of the best macaroni and cheese from around the Inland Northwest.

Inside your cozy abode we have some ideas that hope will make your shortened days a little more relaxing with nourishing comfort foods with Monika Jacobsen and Kim Lehr gives us her secret recipe that you’re going to want to make again and again through the colder months, and Madam Stina Rae has some great tips to share about how to practice self-reflection.

Another brand new contributor shares her gift with us this month, and it’s already one of our most popular articles amongst our staff writers. Lola Stardust shares spookily accurate horoscopes that will surprise and challenge you as we experience the full moon in full effect.

We hope you feel inspired to get reading, and enjoy all of the extra goodness tucked inside our latest issue.

Cheers to cozy season,

CONTRIBUTORS

ERIN PETERSON grew up in Post Falls, Idaho and became a professionally certified educator – earning the Provost’s Award for academic achievement and community service from Lewis-Clark State College. Now she is an award-winning local influencer, podcaster

and digital strategy educator with a passion for equity and inclusion. Erin has been published and featured in a wide variety of local publications including the Spokesman Review, The Inlander, and has served as an editor at Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine. If you want to learn more about how she is making an impact right here in the Northwest, give her a follow on Instagram at @trending.northwest or Trending Northwest on Facebook.

MELISSA BERRY has lived in the Pacific Northwest for eight years, primarily in Spokane, Washington. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Melissa also lived in Denver, Colorado for two years. A freelance travel writer and podcaster, Melissa co-hosts the popular and award-winning podcast, Trending Northwest. Melissa has been featured in Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine, Spokane Talks, and the Inlander. You can follow

L. M. MONTGOMERY, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

along with her adventures at @everydayspo kane on Instagram and on Facebook.

CHRISTINE BURNS earned her degree from Eastern Washington Univer sity with a major in Business Marketing, a minor in Visual Communication Design, and a professional certificate in User Experience Design. She brings 10+ of experience in social media marketing and marketing management to the team. After receiving her degree, Christine went on to market for the 4th largest jewelry company on Etsy. Afterward, Christine became the Content Director at the award-winning BLUE541, part of the Hagadone Corporation. Follow her on Instagram at @postedconsulting.

LIZ ROGNES (she/her) is a writer, musician, teacher, and mom. She is a songwriter, a composer, and an essayist, and she co-founded Girls Rock Lab, a youth music program that amplifies the voices of girls and queer kids. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Eastern Washington University, where she is now a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Philosophy.

ESTEBAN HEREVIA JR. (he/him/his) is the President and CEO of Spokane Pride - the organization that produces the Spokane Pride Parade and Festival. He co-founded Wonderfully Made Spokane, a non-profit entrusted with increasing inclusion and celebration of LGBTQ+ people in faith communities. Esteban is the Strategist for Health Justice and Belonging at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. And, he was recently recognized in the Spokane Coeur D’Alene Living 20 under 40 list for 2021.

MADAM STINA RAE is an advocate and mentor in both the queer and kink communities and co-owner

of Atomic Threads Boutique. She can help give insight on your sex and relationship needs and curiosities.This space is a judgement free zone where you are welcome to ask some of the most personal questions with total anonymity. Follow along with her at @ atomicthreadsboutique.

ALEXI SAGE is a traveling makeup artist, hair artist and beauty expert based in Spokane, Washington. She is recognized throughout the Spokane area and beyond for her ability to bring out a person’s most beautiful version of themself. From the movie set to everyday, she knows the secrets to make us look our best. Follow her on Instagram at @alexi.sage.

LAUREN TRIVISON

After graduating from Gonzaga in 2020, Lauren moved back to Olympia to start her own fashion page on Instagram. She also worked at her local Nordstrom where she learned to dress all sorts of women. While the west side was fun, Lauren dearly missed Spokane and recently moved back to reacquaint herself with the city. Now she shares daily outfit and lifestyle posts with her girls online!

SHAYE HUBBARD is an intern at Trending Northwest set to graduate SFCC with a degree in Digital Marketing and Social Media Specialty. She is a major foodie and loves everything involving art from painting, crocheting, cooking, drawing, and teaching. She has three very busy kiddos who keep her moving all day long and she still finds time to write captivating articles about top products and services in our region!

KIM LEHR is a bar/restau rant industry veteran who owns The Accompaniment Co. and is obsessed with all things pickled. Most importantly? She’s a wife and mom who wants to feed her family more

healthful, wholesome, flavorful, and creative meals. Join her to share some of those meals and her small batch, local products with your family’s table. Find her delicious meal ideas at @whatcheescooking on Instagram.

CARLIE LEE earned a Master’s in Biology from Washington State University. She grew a deep love for the Pacific Northwest and especially loves the local community and how supportive everyone is of one another. Locally, she enjoys sipping on creative cocktails and keeping up with the ever-expanding beer scene. Follow along at @spokane_drinks on Instagram.

HAILEY KELLER is a journalistic writer with an empathic soul, and likes to (loudly) speak the truth. She wants to make sure everyone has a seat at the proverbial table. When not fervently championing the success of all those around her, Hailey likes to visit the Gaiser Conservatory within Manito Park, spend hours on Etsy and consume sugary treats. Her time working at Eastern Washington University solidified her passion of advocating for those unable to advocate for themselves and establishing connections with people around the community interested in doing the same.

MOLLY LINDQUIST is a Spokane photographer who is also on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Manito. She loves supporting both Manito Park and local artists. She has been privileged to help establish Manito Park's first Art Festival.

BAILEY BOWERMANBailey is a self-proclaimed recovering attorney and late bloomer. She loves words, rest, and hyping entrepreneurs and creatives. She lives in Idaho with her husband and is decidedly and unapologeti cally NOT outdoorsy.

Fall Activities IN THE Pacific Northwest

BY Christine Burns

The nights are getting cooler and the sun is setting earlier and earlier. Fresh fruits and vegetables from the local harvest are making their way to the neighborhood markets. People are booking their hockey tickets and whispers of Halloween costumes can be heard here and there. It’s Fall in the Northwest!

Autumn in the Northwest is nothing short of magical with leaves that change color, fun activities, and laughter around every corner. Trending Northwest wants you to experience all of the magic and splendor our area has to offer.

While autumn doesn’t officially start until September 21st, many people began celebrating fall right after Labor Day weekend until Thanksgiving. During this time, you can find something for everyone - from family-friendly fun to 21+ events.

It was difficult to narrow down but here are our top 50 fall activities in the Northwest:

Go to the Spokane County Interstate Fair

The Spokane County Interstate Fair begins the Friday following Labor Day and features rides and attractions, locally-raised livestock, a rodeo, live music, exhibitors, and much more. Redeem a discount on admission when you bring a coat to support Coats 4 Kids!

Kootenai County Farmers Market

Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables at the Kootenai County Farmers Market every Wednesday and Saturday through October. Bring home farm-fresh produce, flowers, meats, cheeses, honey, jellies and jams, and even new plants.

Bike the Hiawatha Trail

Check out one of the most scenic bicycling trails in the Inland Northwest until September 18! This is one of the top activities to transition from summertime to fall in the region. This bicycling expedition will take you through fifteen miles of downhill terrain, through ten railway tunnels, and across seven jaw-dropping trestle bridges.

Washington State Fair

Take a drive to Puyallup, WA for the Washington State Fair. Featuring agricultural and horticultural displays from across Washington, drive-in movies, historical exhibits (including a dinosaur display!), an art gallery, live music, food, a rodeo, and more, you can’t go wrong with this family-friend event.

ACTIVITIES IN THE NORTHWEST

Campbell House Tours

The legendary Campbell House is one of Spokane’s most famous haunted houses. Fall in Spokane is the perfect time to see what ghosts and ghouls linger in the walls and listen to spooky stories. Check out the spooky tour on September 15th and October 20th.

Coeur d’Alene Fondo

If you love bicycling, race your way through Coeur d’Alene during the CDA Fondo. The different courses range from five miles to 120 miles and feature views of some of Coeur d’Alene’s most stunning landscapes. CdA Fondo takes place on September 17th, 2022.

BONUS TIP: Drop by Taphouse Unchained after Coeur d’Alene Fondo. This pedal-powered pub has all of your favorite craft beers, cocktails, and delicious tavern-style bites. Plus it has a bicycle that blends a margarita while you pedal!

Hike Mt. Rainier

We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful hikes in the Northwest. Hiking Mt. Rainier is a hike on everyone’s bucket list, featuring family-friendly trails such as the Naches Peak Loop and scenic trails like the Skyline Trail.

Celebrate Oktoberfest In Inland Northwest Style!

If there’s one thing besides coffee, technology, and agriculture that the Northwest is known for… It’s probably craft beer. Stouts, pilsners, IPAs - you name it, we have probably 100-locally made beers of that variety. The Northwest has tons of breweries and cities that celebrate

Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest

Say cheers at Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest on September 16th-17th in downtown Coeur d’Alene. From the delicious downtown restaurants to 20 different craft brew options, CDA Oktoberfest will be one for the books.

Oktoberfest Beer Cruise

Take a cruise with craft brews on Lake Coeur d’Alene. While you’re in the area for Coeur d’Alene Oktoberfest, come aboard Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises for the Oktoberfest Beer Cruise.

No-Li Oktoberfest

No-Li Brewery is hosting Oktoberfest on September 17th. Enjoy award-winning microbrews and giant soft pretzels with jalapeno beer cheese while celebrating Oktoberfest!

Fremont Oktoberfest

Seattlites can enjoy the Oktoberfest fun too at Fremont Oktoberfest. At Seattle’s Largest Beer Festival, you can sip and sample over 80 different craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and microbrews from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Fremont Oktoberfest runs September 16-18th.

Dogtoberfest

While technically part of Fremont Oktoberfest, Dogtoberfest is a celebration with its own beloved reputation. Dogtoberfest is held on the Sunday of Fremont Oktoberfest and is an opportunity to bring man’s best

Oktoberfest - starting in September and running through October.

friend out to enjoy the fun. Plus, City Dog Magazine will host a Cover Dog Photo Contest that you can enter your adorable dog into!

Leavenworth Oktoberfest

Leavenworth is known for one of the best Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States. This fun festival takes place three weekends in a row, September 30th- October 1st, October 7th-8th, and October 14th-15th.

Sip Wine and Stroll Through Sunflowers in Snohomish

At Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, WA, you can trek through sunflower fields at golden hour with a glass of wine in hand. This fun experience is perfect for a girls' trip and includes a hay ride and catered hors d’oeuvres. Wine your way through the sunflowers on September 17th.

Whiskey Barrel Weekend in Coeur d’Alene

Sip and savor the various flavors of whiskey at the annual Whiskey Barrel Weekend, hosted by The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Indulge in lakeside tastings of fine whiskeys and experience classes hosted by industry insiders. The 2-day whiskey extravaganza runs from September 30th-October 1st.

Fall Harvest Festival Greenbluff

Beck’s Harvest House in Greenbluff kicks off autumn with the Fall Harvest Festivalfeaturing world-famous pumpkin doughnuts, a corn maze, apple picking, pumpkins, and more.

Valleyfest in Spokane Valley WA

Valleyfest is Spokane Valley’s biggest celebration - with a dance competition, parade, car show, food, and much more. Check it out September 23rd-25th.

Silverwood becomes Scarywood

The Northwest’s largest amusement park becomes the largest haunted amusement park every autumn. From backward-facing rollercoaster rides to bone-chilling haunted houses, Scarywood Theme Park is the best way to kick off the spooky season.

Picking pumpkins at Greenbluff

ACTIVITIES IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST

Have your pick of the patch this fall at Greenbluff and find the perfect pumpkin for carving into a jack-o-lantern or decorating your cozy home. There are several u-pick pumpkin patches in Greenbluff that you can choose from with family-friendly activities.

Roast Pumpkin Seeds At Home

A beloved Inland Northwest snack is roasted pumpkin seeds. After you pick out a pumpkin and carve it, save the pumpkin seeds. Toss them with a little olive oil, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper, and you have a delicious healthy snack!

Spokane Zombie Pub Crawl

Dress up like zombies and wander from bar to bar in downtown Spokane in the Spokane Zombie Pub Crawl. Bloody Marys and haunted cocktails and shots await you on October 1st.

Kick Off Hockey Season with the Spokane Chiefs

The shouts of “Go, Chiefs, Go” can be heard from the freeway to Francis on opening night for the Spokane Chiefs hockey team. Hockey season kicks off on October 1st.

Check Out the Best of Pacific Northwest Art at Terrain

The greatest art night in our region is back after the pandemic. The local art group and small business hero, Terrain, hosts their namesake event on the first Friday of October - featuring paintings, drawings, sculptures, pottery, short movies, aerial acrobatics, live music, and much more.

Moscowberfest

As one of the coolest university towns in Idaho, Moscow knows how to throw quite the celebration. Their Oktoberfest celebration, aka - Moscowberfest, is no exception. Grab your dirndls and enjoy live music and some delicious craft beer on October 8th.

Beyond Pink Fashion Show

Beyond Pink has raised over 1.5 million dollars to help women receive a thermogram, a screening that can detect early signs of breast cancer. Support them and see exquisite local fashion on October 15th during their annual fashion show.

Golftoberfest

Tee-time just got even better with Golftoberfest at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Reserve a tee-time at the award-winning Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course to enjoy a selection of craft beer while you golf. Golftoberfest is October 22nd.

Visit Forks Washington

The beloved Twilight saga takes place in Forks, Washington. If you’re looking for a fun road trip to relive this blockbuster movie series, drive to Forks, WA, and check out the major movie landmarks!

Get Lost in a Corn Maze!

From Greenbluff to farms outside of Seattle, there are so many fun corn mazes to check out in our area.

Colville Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Find your way through a massive 12-acre corn maze in Colville, WA, and even bring home a pumpkin or two!

Bob’s Cornmaze

Bob’s Cornmaze in Snohomish Washington is an adventure that trumps most corn mazes. In this fun 12-acre corn maze, you can reserve a bonfire to enjoy smores with your loved ones after a difficult trek through the corn. Plus enjoy u-pick pumpkins, apple cider, and try their signature roasted corn.

Watch the Leaves Change Color in Spokane, WA

In Spokane, WA, we are blessed to have stunning parks such as Riverfront Park, Manito Park, and the Finch Arboretum - which has one of every kind of tree found in Washington State. Take a walk through these local parks to see the leaves changing colors.

Get a reading from Madame Lola Stardust

Curious about what your future holds? Get a special reading from Madame Lola Stardust for a spookily accurate description of your future. In the meantime, check out her horoscope column in our magazine.

Northwest Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours

The Pacific Northwest is full of creepy ghost stories, haunted buildings, and tales that have no scientific explanation. Find a haunted house in your city or go on a ghost tour. Besides the Campbell House tours we mentioned above, here are many other haunts to check out in the Northwest, including:

George Town Morgue

The George Town Morgue is one of the scariest places in Washington’s biggest city. With a gruesome history and a decrepit stench, the George Town Morgue is a terrifying place to tour in Seattle, especially around Halloween.

Nile Haunted House

For a heart-racing escape room, check out the Nile Haunted House in Mountain Lake Terrace, WA. Featuring three daring escape rooms, a beer garden, and food trucks, this is a bit less terrifying than a haunted house but still a ton of fun to do with a group of friends.

Haunted Zip Line Tour

While technically not a haunted house, Mica Moon’s Haunted Zipline Tours is your chance to see what creepy things are lurking in the forest. This spooky tour is available Fridays and Saturdays in October in Liberty Lake, WA.

Party in Portland’s Most Haunted Ballroom

The Crystal Ballroom has gained quite the reputation as Portland’s most haunted building, making it the perfect venue for a 90’s-themed Halloween party on October 28th.

Moonlit Monster Cruise

Set sail on a spooky Halloween cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene. This fun cruise hosted by Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises features a costume contest, top-shelf drinks, and a DJ on board.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

While this is a national event, we have so many great bookstores in the Northwest - including Page 42 Books, Auntie’s Books, Powell’s, and more who will be supporting local writers. Relax inside with your favorite notebook and begin writing out your dream story.

Cuddle Up With A Good Book

Name something more iconic than curling up with a book on a rainy day in the Northwest! We’ll wait. But if you want to get out and do something bookish with other readers check out the Portland Book Festival, formerly named ‘Wordstock’ on November 5th.

Snowlander

Skiiers, snowboarders, tubers, and those who love playing in the snow can’t miss the Inlander’s Winter Party on November 11 and 12th. Featuring a snowball toss tournament, live music, a smores roast, ski lift giveaways, and more, this is a fun event to help you transition from autumn to winter.

Sip at Spokane’s Finest Distillery

In the old Spokesman-Review building in downtown Spokane, you’ll find Dry Fly Distillery and its incredible tasting room. Sample a flight of local whiskey or try any of their cocktailsyou won’t be disappointed.

Bend Ale Trail Month

Bend Oregon is known for its Ale Trail. Grab a passport from the Visitor’s Center and explore up to 30 breweries during November - their Bend Ale Trail Month.

Make Smore Memories

Get cozy with some smores around the campfire surrounded by loved ones - just make sure to be safe and follow all fire restrictions. We also recommend 1927 Smore Company in downtown Portland for delicious, hand-toasted gourmet smores.

Try a Pumpkin Waffle with Cinnamon Butter at Boots Bakery

Warm up at one of the cutest bakeries in downtown Spokane. Featuring house-made pumpkin waffles and the most decadent cinnamon butter you’ve ever tasted, Boots Bakery is an autumn tradition.

Eat for a Good Cause at Epicurean Delights

Enjoy delicious food and drinks from the best restaurants in the region at the 40th Annual Epicurean Delight on November 18th. Benefiting Blood Center Foundation of the Inland Northwest and Vitalant, this gala is the perfect occasion to dress up and support a cause that helps so many people in our region.

Volunteer with Tom’s Turkey Drive

Food insecurity and poverty can be devastating around Thanksgiving. Tom’s Turkey Drive by Second Harvest is a way to help share the love in our community. Whether you donate a turkey and other Thanksgiving items or you volunteer at Second Harvest, you can do your part in our community.

Watch the Apple Cup

End fall by watching Washington State University take on the University of Washington in the famous Apple Cup. This is usually the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Light Up Coeur d’Alene

The Friday following Thanksgiving is magical in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Starting with a parade, The Coeur d’Alene Holiday Lighting ceremony ushers in the holiday season, followed by a beautiful fireworks display and lit holiday displays around Lake Coeur d’Alene.

There you have it - our list of the top 50 fall activities in the northwest. Make sure to keep an eye on trendingnorthwest.com for even more fall events, activities, and fun!

‘I WANT TO BE THE PERSON I WISH I HAD’

BY Liz Rognes

When I walk into Panoramic Dreams Studio, Devonte Pearson, Spokane hip-hop artist and audio engineer known in the music scene as T.S the Solution, is there, wearing a black hat with the word “Dreams” embroidered in cursive, gold thread.

a recording studio that recently opened at a new location in East Central Spokane. While Pearson has started taking clients, a grand opening is still forthcoming. The studio can cater to musicians across genres, but its main focus is on hip-hop and its sub-genres.

“What I noticed is, there wasn’t anything central, and we want to facilitate collaboration. We’re already doing it internally,” Pearson says, referring to his work in-studio with D.J. Spicy Ketchup, “and we’re hungry enough to bring in other people and say, ‘What do you have going on? We’d love to sit down and chat about your project and bring in new perspectives.’”

Pearson says he wants to feature local brands in the waiting area of his studio, and he hopes to bring in others. I’ve only been with Pearson for three minutes, and already I know he’s the kind of guy who wants to uplift the people around him.

This spirit is apparent in the way he talks about the studio and his own music.

Mentorship and bridging gaps for others are clear drivers of his purpose. “I want to be the person I wish I had when I was coming up in music,” he says. He wants to help other musicians navigate an industry that can be confusing and separated into pockets. “Making music a career is not a one-man band,” he says. “It takes teams upon teams.”

Founded by Pearson as an independent record label in 2015, Panoramic Dreams is now

There are a lot of creative people in Spokane, and Pearson sees his role as a kind of bridge that helps people connect in a positive and safe environment. He points to bars as places where people find connection, but he wants to offer an alternative, where people can collaborate without being around alcohol and the club scene.

We tour the building, which hosts a few other audio engineers, three studios, and a conference room with a large table set up in the middle. Pearson says this room is his favorite because it’s where he gets to hear about other people’s dreams.

Pearson is a man who is service-minded and dream-oriented. He’s always thinking about the other people in the room. He is encouraging and ready to help. He’s got the table, and he wants you to join him.

HE WELCOMES ME WITH A HANDSHAKE, THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNS MY ATTENTION TO A DISPLAY OF SHIRTS AND HATS IN THE LOBBY, FROM LOCAL APPAREL LINE ALPHA GRAND.

THE SOLUTION

T.S the Solution’s latest single, “Eternity”, released in late 2021 and produced by Trenton Latrell, articulates this sentiment. Over an easy tempo, with melodic background vocals supporting him through warm, wide-space reverb, T.S the Solution says:

“Got all my people at the table, I’m just here to cater / I’m serving game that you can savor / I play chef and waiter.”

At his table in the conference room, Pearson mentions that his twins, who are homeschooled, sometimes do their homework here. Pearson and his wife, Lydia Pearson, are both entrepreneurs who see parenthood as an invitation to build their dreams, rather than a stumbling block to being self-employed creatives. “My kids will be the reason I do accomplish something, not the reason I don’t,” he says.

The kids will be ten this October, and they are Pearson’s biggest inspiration. He describes himself as family-oriented, and the way he talks about his wife and kids demonstrates this. When I ask him when he moved to Spokane, he pauses and thinks. “The kids were…almost two,” he says, measuring time by fatherhood. He moved to Spokane in 2014, from the Westside, though he was born in Long Beach, California. He took a year to settle into the city and listen, and in 2016 he released Purple in Spokane, a four-track E.P. that established him as a Spokane artist. From its first track, “Visions”, to its last, “Comfort Zone”, T. S the Solution tells his story of moving out of his comfort zone and dreaming about the future he wants to create for himself and his family.

As a kid, Pearson remembers riding around in the car with his mom, sisters, and aunts, listening to 90s R & B. The soundtrack of his childhood was the music they were listening to: Mary J. Blige, Avant, Ginuwine, and Immature. He woke up in the morning to R & B playing in the house, he drove around to it, he played

video games while listening to it. He smiles when he talks about being raised by women.

“I got comfortable with a lot of emotions,” he says. And he says this comes out in his own songwriting—he is able to channel his own emotions through music and storytelling.

That’s a hallmark of T.S the Solution’s work. He writes about his own experiences and he builds rhymes that echo the themes he talks about—dreaming, unity, overcoming, inviting people to his table. As he got older, he listened to rappers like 50 Cent, Ludacris, and T.I., who were open to talking about their own real-life stories.

As a young musician, Pearson looked up to his cousin, who was a major male role model in his life. “He was a very smart dude,” Pearson says, “but he would run the streets.” Under the moniker T. Savage, Pearson began to follow his cousin’s path. “I thought that was the route, but the more I did it, I realized I’m either gonna be dead or in jail.” He says he turned away from the street lifestyle, but this left him moving in a different direction than his friends, and for a while, he felt alone. Shifting from the identity he had crafted as T. Savage, he went by the name Tey Solo before eventually adopting a name that encompassed all of his pasts: T.S the Solution.

Pearson took it upon himself to become a mentor for others. Representation matters to him, and he says that kids coming up now deserve to see people like themselves in the industry, onstage and behind the console. Pearson wants his studio to be a place where musicians like him—people who’ve experienced what he has, like moving away from the streets, people who are young parents, young Black men—can feel understood. He says that an important element in bringing a song to life is the level of trust between artists, producers, and engineers, and relatability can help build that trust.

`But Pearson also sees value in reaching out across genres and working with people with different musical and life experiences. “I’m not afraid to go outside the box. I’ll reach out to Water Monster or Vanna Oh!, or whatever the vibe is. I love collaborating across genres— that’s what hip hop started out as anyway, a blend of different genres, and that’s what makes it cool.”

These days, Pearson tells me, he is listening to introspective music and chillhop like Mick Jenkins, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar, but he also takes this moment to hype up the local scene. He points to local musicians Chuck Vibes, John MF Ward, Jinx, ExZac Change and Matisse, and Jango. He’s listening to Spokane.

As for his own music, Pearson is currently working on Purple in Spokane II. He says this will be his most musical project. He’ll produce beats and lyrics, but he’s also going to bring in more instrumentalists. He’s ready for more collaboration.

Purple in Spokane II will act like another kind of bridge, an album that takes us from T.S the Solution’s first years in Spokane to now. And, really, so much of Pearson’s work is about bridging—creating paths between sub-com munities, using his own life experience to build positive community connections, and extending opportunities to others through mentorship.

“I’m all about dreams,” Pearson tells me. He’s looking toward possibilities, and even his name is a kind of hopeful extension.

If dreams are another way of finding a way forward, of taking what’s already here and imagining new ways to connect and build, that is clearly what Pearson is all about.

“T.S IS WHO I AM,” HE SAYS. “THE SOLUTION IS WHO I WANT TO BE.”

TOP PARTY THE PACIFIC

PLANNERS IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST

BY Christine Burns

The Spokane events calendar is booked with neighborhood celebrations, street fairs and night markets, conventions, company parties, culinary expos, grand openings, launch parties, music festivals, Broadway shows, film premieres, and fashion shows. From family-friendly events to 21+ parties, there are always things to do in Spokane.

With a season ahead of us that’s sure to be full of back-to-school events, parties and gatherings, autumn weddings, charity galas, and holiday celebrations, I decided to narrow down a list of the best northwest party vendors and research some fun party trends to keep an eye out for this season.

And who better to ask than the rockstars who capture a thousand words of fun into a photograph? Electric Photoland is the Inland Northwest’s top photo booth company, offering photo booths that are hard to find elsewhere.

I managed to snag a spot on their calendar to get their thoughts on the Northwest’s best

party trends and learn a bit about what’s in store for the local party scene.

Keep reading for the inside scoop on Spokane’s best events.

So who is Electric Photoland?

Long live rock and roll, Electric Photoland’s crew can usually be found everywhere from the VIP list to your fun friend’s Instagram story. Named after the iconic Jimi Hendrix album, “Electric LadyLand”, Electric Photoland encapsulates the best of the ’60s and ’70s, like great music, groovy vibes, and film photography. And then they take it up a notch using cutting-edge technology operated by people who are the life of the party.

Electric Photoland’s calendar is a mix of weddings, charity galas, star-studded events, birthday parties, fashion shows, concerts, and other interesting events. They collaborate with local artists and even traveled to California to host a booth at Coachella earlier this year.

is a great small business scene. The community here is so supportive and collaborative,” gushes Ashley Cone in their bright studio surrounded by neon signs and exposed brick. “It’s different from bigger cities where things tend to be a little more reserved and corporate when it comes to business relations.”

Started in October of 2019 by Ashley Cone and Dylan Cone, Electric Photoland immediately made a local splash. Since their opening, Electric Photoland has grown to 17 photobooths with 15 employees. Ashley and Dylan Cone say they owe the success of their company to a great community, great employees, and high-quality product.

THERE IS A FACT THAT WE ALL KNOW TO BE TRUE EVEN IF WE DON’T ALWAYS SAY IT OUT LOUD… AND IT'S THAT SPOKANE KNOWS HOW TO PARTY.

THREE PARTY TRENDS FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON

Now that much of the COVID-19 pandemic is in our rearview mirror, we anticipate a season of celebrations but it’s clear that parties and events will be different from before. Here are some of the top party trends in our region that we’ll see moving forward.

Unique Experiences in the Inland Northwest

As we transition to being able to gather and celebrate, people are going to want experiences they couldn’t find before or during the pandemic.

“Likely, we’ll see more focus high-quality, branded and designed photobooth expe riences,” explains Cone. “There’s no limit to what you can do with photo booths. There will still be a need for the more silly photobooths with props and backdrops but the best parties will elevate that experience and take it to a higher level - with video activations that represent the event and brand.”

Each photo booth by Electric Photoland comes complete with a professionally custom-designed photo template and high-quality camera. Electric Photoland has seventeen booths they rent out for northwest events, including:

THE MADONNA: a digital photo booth delivered and dropped off by Electric Photoland for easy unlimited use at events.

THE BOWIE: a glam, celebrity-style black and white photo booth that comes complete with a flattering beauty filter - all at an affordable rate.

THE HENDRIX: As the most popular photo booth, the Hendrix was handcrafted with solid oak in London and comes with an attendant and pro lights.

THE ZEPPELIN: A premium booth with lots of options, a glam filter, and stop motion capabilities - creating a shareable video.

THE SPINS: This 360 booth is a platform with a rotating arm that creates a fun shareable video.

THE TRIP: Using eight DSLR cameras, the Trip takes images from different angles and creates a 3D image and video.

TO BE ANNOUNCED: Electric Photoland is gearing up to launch a new photo booth experience that looks straight out of Hollywood… Stay tuned!

Physical Memories & Favors to Take Home

With so much of our lives being automated, digitized, and posted online, physical copies of images feel even more special than before. While some events are cutting costs by foregoing party favors, great events are embracing physical photographs as mementos to give to guests… A tangible memory if you will.

FOMO Will Drive Ticket Sales

After being shut in for so long, people yearn to get out and do more. They want excitement, laughter, and fun.

To find it, many people look for events that have been hyped up by friends, family, and people they follow online. Building hype is a difficult but common goal for business owners and event planners. For Electric Photoland, building hype for events is a critical part of their business model.

“When people share photos and videos of an event they went to on social media, it builds hype and sparks FOMO,” Ashley Cone explains. “At Hoopfest we did a 360 booth for one day and the next day, people constantly came over to ask about the 360 booths because they saw it on Snapchat and Instagram and wanted to check it out. All day long.”

Local businesses can build brand recogni tion and lasting memories with party favors like photographs.

“It’s great marketing because if you have your business logo on the photo/video and event attendees share it online, that’s countless people who saw your logo,” remarks Cone. “Especially if it’s something unique that stands out.”

To party with Electric Photoland, visit their website or follow them on social at @ electricphotoland.photobooth.

“Spokane is a great small business scene. The community here is so supportive and collaborative.”

Believe in Yourself

THE BEST OF TODAY

BY Esteban Herevia Jr.

If I’m not careful, I can bubble into la la land where everything is rainbows and sunshine. On a good day, joy gives me the motivation to show up fully present and ready for what the day holds. On the bad days, joy

helps me transform my depression, despair, anxiety, and abandonment into opportunities for grace with myself and gratitude for my present.

I find that joy helps me unlock areas where anger or fear are present. This gives me a chance to acknowledge I am feeling something big and

It took us six years to come back together.

We reflect on this period in our lives often, trying to make sense of what happened. My parents recognized I was making sense of a reality they believed to have no benefit for me. I believed I was doing quite the opposite. It wasn’t until they began to see who I was becoming and the ways I believed in myself and others, that they began to transform their understanding of my fullness.

I need to make sense of how it got big. When I’m able to identify the issue, gratitude swoops in and offers the chance for mediation; seeing the best in me and the best in the situation. I don’t always get it right, but it gives me the chance to believe I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got. Beyond ourselves, gratitude and joy can also give us keys to seeing the best in others and give us the opportunity to see the best in who we are as people.

I will fully signal here: this shit is hard. Believing in anything is hard these days. Believing in others may be a piece of cake. But believing in yourself? It can be long and difficult. There might be history and time and who-knows-what-else to confront. If I know one thing for sure, believing in yourself is worth it.

At the start of this series, I shared how my parents had a difficult time reconciling my coming out. I felt completely abandoned by them after their reaction. I felt like I had to get as far away from them to give myself the chance to make it. At the time, I had no choice but to believe I had everything I needed with or without a family.

Here’s what I’m getting at: we must believe in ourselves–not for others, but for ourselves. We must believe that the fullness we so greatly desire starts with us first. Plenty of people will not understand and may leave along the way. Their faith or flight is not a part of your assignment. The belief in yourself is.

Why? Because your dreams, desires, and things you want to accom plish are worth it. Your mental health is worth it. Your love life is worth it. Your action is worth it. Your feelings and emotions are worth it. Your body is worth it. Your motivation and drive are worth it. Your sense of safety and security are worth it. Everything you are is worth it.

My parents are now my greatest champions. They mean more to me than I could have ever imagined and I know it’s reciprocated.

The best for today is believing in yourself so you can make it. I have. I promise you can, too.

JOY IS A PRETTY NATURAL EXPRESSION FOR ME. Sickening, I know.

BELIEVING IN ANYTHING IS HARD THESE DAYS. BELIEVING IN OTHERS MAY BE A PIECE OF CAKE. BUT BELIEVING IN YOURSELF?

IT CAN BE LONG AND DIFFICULT.

Self Care REFLECTION AND ACTION

BY Madam Stina Rae

SELF REFLECTION

Self care is a topic that has been talked about for quite some time, but the importance of it really hit home hard for so many when the COVID-19 quarantine began.

Sometimes it’s crazy to think about how much COVID-19 has changed our lives, the way we are still experiencing it and accepting that many things will never be the same.

One thing’s for sure though, COVID hasn’t stopped the majority of us living busy lives, which inevitably leads to burnout, and then sometimes crashing into a pit of depression.

That run-ragged lifestyle, paired with COVID’s forced isolations, caused people’s anxiety to skyrocket for many reasons – no wonder self-care has become such a big topic, unique to each person.

I reflected upon what kind of work I had put into my own well-being, and it suddenly became clear that I’d been neglecting my needs in many ways.

With a life as a mother, wife and multi-faceted business owner, it creates a schedule that’s ever-changing; controlled chaos at best.

I knew something needed to change – I

started by reflecting on what no longer serves me, which led to realizing exactly where I’ve been struggling. I wrote down the changes I would like to see to help solidify the idea of change in my life.

THERE WAS NO BETTER TIME

TO START THAN NOW

Through a trial-and-error process, and keeping my various moods, needs, energy outputs and time constraints in mind, I’ve found that I need to use a variety of self-care tools to be successful.

I recently began working with The Sacred Self-Care Oracle deck that we just started carrying at my store, Atomic Threads Boutique.

I complete three-card pulls from the deck, which then inspire creative ways to apply that card’s self-care topic, such as “Energy Work” or “Flow Like Water.” Having this tangible tool has helped me in such a big way, enabling me to discover how not to fight my natural brain path, but instead embrace the process. 23

This realization has led me to follow the Seven Pillars of Self-Care: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, Environmental, Recreational and Spiritual.

SELF-CARE RECIPE COLLECTION

From this work, I have created a Self-Care Recipe Collection for myself, but which I can lend to others as well. I can add to it at any time and toss out those activities that don’t work for me.

The skill of self-reflection is not something that comes naturally to many and the act of giving self-care can be pushed off as selfish, frivolous or unnecessary, but when used together it can really help make your life run a little smoother and help reduce your stress level so it’s a little more manageable. I've shared some of the items in my Self-Care Recipe Collection. Please be aware of the Energy Levels I’ve assigned to each:

ENERGY LEVELS ( L ) = Low ( M ) = Medium ( A ) = Ambitious AF

MENTAL

Therapy and Shadow Work ( L + A )

Regulate Sleep Schedule ( L )

Artistic Expressions ( L + A )

Connecting with Nature ( L + A )

SPIRITUAL

Syncing with the Moon ( L + A )

Connecting with Crystals ( L )

Tarot and Oracle Practice ( L + A )

Energy work ( L + M )

PROFESSIONAL

Time Blocking ( A )

Asking for Help ( L )

Delegating Tasks Where I Can ( L )

Financial Planning ( M )

In both my personal and professional life, I’ve been in phases of change and transition. Sometimes it feels like I have nothing grounding me and I begin spiraling – But then I remind myself that I have tools to help me; I just have to use them.

EMOTIONAL

Tarot Journaling ( L )

Sacred Bath Ritual ( M ) Music Exploration ( L ) Work on Communication Skills ( L + A )

ENVIRONMENTAL

Clean House and Workspaces ( L + A )

Purge and Donate ( A )

Connecting with Nature ( L + A )

RECREATIONAL

Night Drives ( L )

Explore New Hobbies and Cooking ( L + A )

Family Game & Adventure Time ( L + A )

Adult Play Time ( L + A )

PHYSICAL

Pole Skills ( A )

Dance / Movement ( M )

Hydration & Protein Intake ( L )

Whether it’s bubble baths and quiet time, listening to your favorite song and having a personal dance party, or getting that overdue health checkup, saying no to taking on more than you should or delegating the work load as needed, going for a run or trying something new – whatever self-care looks like to you, instead of stewing in your own stress, do something for yourself!

Looking over the Self-Care Recipe Collection, which item(s) will you choose to participate in? Reach out and let us know!

Be kind to yourself and find your joy because you deserve it!

The Art of The Beauty Ritual

BY Alexi Sage

We know that the act of caring for anything in life helps it grow, whether that’s watering our plants, loving and raising our babies or investing in our relationships. Why, then, do we tend to neglect taking care of ourselves?

Between keeping up with jobs and families, social media posts and social calendars, sometimes we need to do a little more for ourselves at the end of a stressful day. Self-care comes in many forms, but my favorite form is the beauty ritual. Here are a few of my top tips for showing yourself a little more love.

1RELAX IN A BATH

Lighting a candle, grabbing a glass of chamomile tea and sinking into a hot bath is my favorite way to unwind. Want to get the ultimate relaxation? Add a CBD bath bomb to your tub in a calming aromatherapy fragrance, like Green Roads CBD Bath Bombs in Lavender and Unwind.

MOVE YOUR BODY

While laying on the couch mindlessly scrolling on tv may sound like the most appealing option when you’re stressed, being intentional about moving your body can be one of the best forms of self-care. Want to get out of the house? Book a yoga class at your local studio. Looking to get out some nervous energy? Pop in your headphones and take a walk around your neighborhood while listening to your favorite podcast. I promise that you’ll feel better, even if it’s just a 15-minute workout!

FACIAL

I love a good skin care treatment, but I don’t always have time to plan a trip to the spa during my busy workweek. When you’re between esthetician visits, give your skin a little TLC by giving yourself an at-home facial! Start by double-cleansing, exfoliating, adding a facial massage (see Gua Sha, next) and applying your favorite mask targeted to your skincare concerns. Finish up with a serum, moisturizer and facial oils for the ultimate in hydration. Not sure what skincare products to use? Send me a message and get a complimentary custom skincare routine recommendation!

4GUA SHA

Have you heard about gua sha? This ancient Chinese technique of performing massage involves using a beauty tool specifically made for reducing inflammation and improving circulation. My top pick is Anfisa Skin’s Moon White Jade Gua Sha.

5POP-ON A MANICURE

One of my favorite things about this year is the return of the pop-on manicure. These aren’t your old school 90s press-onsnow faux nails come in a multitude of shapes and prints and last for up to 2 weeks. Give yourself the perfect manicure by filling nails, pushing back and trimming your cuticles and hydrating your hands with a hydrating mask treatment, like Red Aspen’s ManiPrep Mask. Apply your favorite press-on nails, like these perfectly nude Marciamellow Nail Dashes by Red Aspen, while you binge your favorite Netflix show - and don’t forget to give your feet some love, too!

WRITE IN A JOURNAL

While outside beauty is amazing, self-care for your beauty on the inside is the most important. Set aside some time to turn off the tv, silence your phone and spend 20-30 minutes journaling. How has your week been going? What is weighing heavy on your mind? You might be surprised at what you end up writing when you turn off all of the distractions and give yourself permission to reflect.

10 FALL FASHION TRENDS IN THE PNW

BY Lauren Trivison

It’s officially autumn in the PNW which means fall fashion is here and in full swing!

Now, it can be difficult to decide what to wear each day that feels trendy yet true to your personal style.

Fortunately for you, we gathered the top 10 trends for fall 2022 in the Pacific Northwest and provided examples for how to incor porate them into your daily life. These fall trends are perfect for a fun fall event in the Northwest, or for Oktoberfest events in the Pacific Northwest - but really, you can wear them all season long!

MAXI IS IN!

Let those hemlines hit the floor! Maxi dresses and skirts are definitely in for nights out or fall weddings.

For a casual take on the trend, style them with combat boots or sneakers. If you want to elevate the look, opt for a pair of heels that barely peep out the bottom. This will help to elongate you overall and avoid becoming swallowed up by fabric!

SEEK STATEMENT SLEEVES

Sleeves are the statement, whether you are layering a fitted bodysuit under a tee for a coffee run or opting for something voluminous like a puff sleeve sweater. This trend also works well for the office, just look for big sleeves on your blouses.

Another great take on this trend are adornments on the sleeves of tops or jackets. Think ties or small jewels!

STYLISH CORSETS

Corsets are not for historical paintings! Bring this trend into the 21st century with boning in or out and experiment with fun colors. Whether you wear your corsets over tops or style them on their own under blazers, they are a great way to add texture to any outfit.

Pro tip: to edge corsets up, try to wear them with leather. Delicate lace will always look great with hard or soft leather which creates the perfect amount of contrast in an outfit.

THE 80S ARE BACK!

Find a blazer with a strong shoulder, as the 80s have officially come back. To make the look more modern, opt for personalized tailoring or go for something fully oversized.

This looks great with a fitted knit dress for the cooler months or you can style it with a bodysuit and baggy dress pants. Either way you wear it, just remember to put your hair up so the shoulders can do all the talking.

LUXE KNITWEAR

Want to update your knitwear? Try wearing a color like orange, teal or pink. For the maximalists, wear a monochromatic look like a pink sweater and pink knit skirt. If you want a hint of color, try an orange sweater with a dark brown trouser or skirt.

Just be sure to wear one loose item with one fitted piece. That balance will make you look more put together and of the 2020s.

STRAIGHT TO THE WILD, WILD WEST

Pssst… the northwest is IN! Well, the wild west, but we may as well represent. For this trend, think Wrangler jeans with cowboy boots tucked in and crisp button downs.

To take the trend into nighttime, style your boots with silky button down dresses or add a chiffon top to bootcut blue denim and heels. Cowboy hats suggested but not

necessary to complete the look. GLITZ AND GLAM!

Sequins are everywhere, even on your underwear! This trend is great for holiday parties on a blazer or pair of pants. To fully embrace the trend, try a sequin dress or jumpsuit.

For even more sparkle, add a metallic heel. If you want an easier way to wear the trend, try a sequin accessory. They still add some shine without committing to an entire garment that you may wear once or twice.

FRINGE, FRINGE BABY

In a similar vein to the western trend, fringe is also back but in unique colors and textures! Think colorful suede, sparkles, and even sequins.

The easiest way to incorporate fringe is on a jacket, but you can get it on handbags or even dresses. If you want to go full on western, try a fringe button down with flare jeans and cowboy boots. For a more polished take, try a fringe denim jacket with a dress and lug boots.

TANKS OF ALL TYPES

Tanks are taking off. Think fitted tanks, sleeveless sweaters or fitted mock neck tanks. The latter is a great layering hack, it will look like you are wearing a turtleneck under your favorite sweatshirts or sweaters but you don’t have the added bulk.

Now, if this isn’t your jam, you can always wear them under your favorite jackets or shackets. They will always be a great way to layer up as temperatures dip.

BORROW GRANDMA’S PEARLS!

Pearls are not just for an older crowd! Whether you wear a pearl headband or a simple pearl hair tie, this is the it-gem of the season. For fall, stick to smaller pearls on your accessories or outfits. Also, for a feminine take on streetwear, consider pearls on things like denim jackets.

If you try any of these trends, be sure to tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #trendingnorthwest! We cannot wait to see how to adapt fall fashion for your particular style.

If this post overwhelmed you, remember trends are supposed to be a fun way to change up your style. The best thing to do is wear what you feel comfortable in and let today's popular fashions add to what you already wear.

Mac& Cheese

TOP 10 BEST IN SPOKANE

BY Shaye Hubbard

Looking for the best mac and cheese spots in Spokane? Don’t worry, I got you covered! I went all over the Spokane area – from downtown, to the valley, to the north side, tasting my way through some of the best places around to try to find that one spectacularly good mac.

I guess I’m what you’d call a cheese enthusiast, lover, fighter for all cheeses. When I was told to go on the hunt for the best mac and cheese in Spokane, I could barely stay in my seat. I was so delighted! Cheese is my love language, and I want to show everyone that love.

So first and foremost, what makes a GOOD mac and cheese? I think that depends on the person. Some people prefer the white, savory, rich cream sauce, mixed with the rich buttery

flavors of breadcrumbs. While others prefer the gooey, cheesy, golden mess with a side of Texas Toast.

But to me, what truly makes a good mac and cheese dish is the time, effort, and care that goes into the process of making each dish so perfect.

Part of determining which places had the best mac and cheese also went into the vibe

and feel of the restaurants. I began my research by looking online at different social media to see what the public was saying about mac and cheese. Spokane is known for its foodies and food lovers from all around, and I knew they would have plenty of opinions and input on this topic. After spending some time reading all the buzz, I wrote my own list of places to go check out, and then began eating my way through town.

My goal with this search was to find some local, hidden gem spots that showed me the most unique and tasty mac and cheese options available. Honestly, I’m blown away with what I found.

From ooey gooey goodness, to sweet and savory, to one-of-a-kind, here’s my top 10 best mac and cheese dishes (listed in ascending order) in Spokane:

CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE

MAC & CHEESE $14, CURRY MAC $13 6314 N ASH ST, SPOKANE, WA 99208

When I went to check out Cascadia, I had no idea they had TWO kinds of mac and cheese to try. The first is their regular mac with a mixture of Fontina, Parmesan, and Gouda cheeses, and topped with herb breadcrumbs. It had an incredible flavor that just overpowers your tastebuds. You can easily taste the garlic and pepper right off the bat. It’s a very savory cheese sauce that is rich and thick. The breadcrumbs just make the whole thing come together perfectly.

The second kind of mac is called the Curry Mac. I have never had anything quite like this before: its coconut herb sauce was a sweet and tangy flavor with a rich combination of breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices. This was more of a yellow sauce, and less “cheesy” but makes up for it with the creamy coconut sauce. If you’re a big curry fan, you’ll love this! Both dishes came with warm baguette slices and were well worth it.

9 O’DONNELL’S IRISH PUB

IRISH WHISKEY MAC $16.99 719 N MONROE ST, SPOKANE, WA 99201

I have a secret love for Irish foods, and I hate feeling like I have to wait until March to jump into all the cool, trendy foods to fit the St. Paddy’s Day theme. However, at O’Connell’s you’re free to enjoy all their unique and wonderful dishes any day of the week! This Irish dish is a far drift from traditional mac and cheese, made with an Irish whiskey cream sauce, white Cheddar cheese, corned beef, and roasted red onion. It was a rollercoaster of flavor! The rich flavor of bourbon in the sauce mixes so well with the corned beef brisket and white cheddar cheese. The red onion gives a touch of sweet in each bite, making you want to dive in for more. This was a really fun twist on your regular everyday mac and cheese.

BBQ MAC $13.95

8125 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212

Recently, the Bearded Ginger has exploded with popularity and is mostly known for their mozzarella sticks and smoked brisket. But I wanted to expand my horizons and try their BBQ mac and cheese. This mac dish kicks it up a few notches by adding pulled pork and smoked savory brisket over top with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. This blew the flavor out of the water and was so rich and filling, I couldn’t even finish it. Cheese lovers unite!

8 THE ONION

EPICUREAN MAC $16.50

302 W RIVERSIDE AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99201

If you’re obsessed with a gooey cheesy mess of a dish here is another one for you on our list. The Onion’s Epicurean Mac is for you. Epicurean means luxury or indulgence – this dish is definitely both! It is mac and cheese fit for a king. The overload of sauce made from Gouda and Cheddar cheeses with savory bread crumbs is the perfect combination.

To top it all off, it’s also served with warm slices of garlic toast. The perfect late-night dinner or snack!

6

MANITO TAP HOUSE

GREEN CHILI MAC $13.95

3011 S GRAND BLVD, SPOKANE, WA 99203

Another business taking a different approach to the meaning of mac and cheese. Manito Tap House is widely known for their green chili mac, and … holy smokes do I see why now! This unique mac has a crispy top layer of pepperjack and Cotija cheese, a very flavorful green chili sauce that gives a zesty kick, and some chicken and bacon that adds a nice smokey flavor to it all; it has a very Tex-Mex feel.

THE BLACK DIAMOND

SMOKED MAC $13

9614 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206

The Black Diamond is known for their unique style of foods and themes, especially their smoked dishes. When I heard they serve a smoked mac and cheese dish, I had to give it a try!

They bring the plate out to you covered, and once served they lift the lid to release all the smokiness inside, right at your table! It hit my tastebuds perfectly, the thick creamy sauce matched perfectly with the Cavatappi pasta, and there were hints of onion and garlic hidden inside as well. This dish was the messiest, cheesiest, gooiest of them all. The cheese stretch went beyond my wildest dreams, and the flavor was just all cheese, a cheese heaven if you will.

4

DOWNRIVER GRILL

PORK BELLY MAC $20.50

3315 W NORTHWEST BLVD, SPOKANE, WA 99205

Downriver Grill does it right by adding a twist to traditional mac and cheese. Layers of pork belly in a maple glaze, a Gouda cream sauce, and topped with Parmesan panko breadcrumbs, this sweet and savory combination is what dreams are made of. The maple glaze adds a hint of a sweet BBQ, yet smokey flavor, while the pork belly is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. The portion size is huge, and while it’s on the pricier side, it is well worth every penny!

3 RÜT

TRUFFLE MAC $15

901 W 14TH AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99204

Just when I was about to give up hope on finding a decent vegan mac, I stumbled across this place, and when I tell you I fell in love, I mean it.

Their Truffle Mac is absolutely incredible! This dish is full of flavor, starting with a creamy coconut sauce with grilled broccolini, spices, and roasted coconut “bacon” bits. The Aleppo flakes give a nice hint of spice to the dish, and you are left wondering how this mac and cheese is this good?! Don’t walk, run to Rüt and try it for yourself.

ZOLA

ZOLA MAC $13

22 W MAIN AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99201

This stuff is a total game changer. If you’re looking for a melty, delicious, cheese bomb of flavor, you have to go to Zola. The combination of Gouda and Cheddar cheeses mixed with the crunch of the bacon bits and crispy fried shallots adds an incredible mouth feel and makes you want to go back for more. Also, the cheese stretch on this dish will blow you away and that’s what makes it a winner in my book.

1SARANAC PUBLIC HOUSE

MAC AND CHEESE $16

21 W MAIN AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99201

Saranac’s take on mac and cheese is a delicious and decadent blend of white cheeses and cream tossed together with parmesan and bread crumbs on top. What makes this mac and cheese stand out from others is the creamy and rich flavors, with breadcrumbs that give a wonderful nutty and buttery flavor to it, similar to a Ritz cracker. It’s a wonderful comforting food that will make you miss home. Hopefully this top ten list made you hungry, I know I am. Whether you’re a cheese fanatic like me, or just looking to expand your taste buds and try something new, every day is a good day to go try out some of these creative over-the-top mac and cheese dishes!

Whatcheescooking

A VERY VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING

BY Kim Leur

Happy holiday season, friends! Welcome back to a very special edition of Whatcheescooking, the culinary klatch where I share my favorite recipes, tips and products to get creative, seasonal, restau rant-style meals to your family’s table.

This month, I’m sharing my favorite vegetari an-friendly Thanksgiving recipes to help inspire you to confidently approach vegetarian requests for holiday table guests WITHOUT sacrificing creativity and, most importantly, flavor.

Let me preface this article by saying this: I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS. I love the weather, the get-togethers, family time and decorating the house.

Beyond all that, I also LOVE the food. I tend to be a fairly traditional holiday cook – roasted or smoked turkey, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, green bean casserole (with bacon, obviously), dressing (not stuffing, also with bacon), sweet potato casserole, etc.

I stuck with this traditional holiday cooking until my baby sister started spending Thanksgiving with us. She used to be a strict vegetarian in those days, so I wanted to make sure to dazzle her with my version of vegetarian foods on the holiday table.

Using fresh and seasonal ingredients, the right pantry staples, a whole lot of love and a little creativ ity, I was able to make her holiday meal dreams come true. Vegetarians need love, too!

** Thank your local farmer for their hard work by sourcing locally from your area…they keep food on our tables! **

Here are a few of our favorite vegetarian recipes to add to your holiday meal plan (whether you’re vegetarian or not!).

Whatcheescooking Roasted Stuffed Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash “canoes” stuffed

Ingredients:

1 medium to large butternut squash, rinsed,halved lengthwise and deseeded

2 cloves garlic, smashed to paste

1 medium shallot, diced finely

1 medium apple, cored and chopped with skin on

¾ cup toasted pecans or almonds, chopped

1 ½ cups farro, prepared to package instructions

1 ½ cups kale, rinsed and chopped

½ cup feta cheese

1 ⁄3 cup balsamic vinegar extra-virgin olive oil salt and pepper to taste butcher’s twine (optional)

apple, kale, pecans, farro and feta cheese.

Instructions:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Using a spoon, core out the neck of the butternut squash. Think about it as if you were carving out a canoe from a log. You want to create a space to place our stuffing. Pat dry, and set aside.

STEP 2: Over medium-low heat, sauté onion and garlic until the onion is transparent. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, combine the farro with the balsamic vinegar and a good glug of olive oil, then stir. Taste and season as needed for your preference. Add sautéed garlic and onions, and stir.

STEP 3: Add in the remainder of your ingredients to the farro mixture, combining well. Fill the butternut squash “canoes” with the prepared stuffing. Press into halves to ensure it won’t come out when you flip them together.

HOT TIP: I like to use a loaf pan, placing one half of the squash into the bottom, then placing the other on top to roast, so that the halves containing filling press together, like a sandwich.

Alternatively, you can truss it up together with butcher's twine like you would a stuffed roast. Either way works just fine!

STEP 4: Place into your preheated oven and roast, covered, for 90 minutes or until a toothpick goes into the squash easily cool slightly. Allow to rest as you would a roast, then remove gently from the loaf pan, slice it up, and enjoy!

You

Whatcheescooking Anything-But-Basic Side Salad

WITH CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Shaved Brussels, ale, and romaine lettuce are the PERFECT blend of greens for this beautifully simple and delicious fall salad. I like to include some smoky, chopped bacon on the side for my guests who don’t adhere to a vegetarian diet.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups each,rinsed and shredded –brussels sprouts, kale and romaine lettuce

1 large shallot, sliced thinly

¾ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

¾ cup dried cranberries (I prefer nonsweetened,but to each their own)

1 anjou pear, diced

¾ cup gorgonzola or blue cheese of choice

1 cup croutons of choice

½ cup feta cheese

½ cup cranberry vinaigrette (recipe included below)

CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE

¾ cup cranberry sauce of choice

1 orange, juiced

1 small shallot,peeled and ends removed

1 heaping tablespoon of stone-ground mustard

2 Tbs honey

½ cup (good quality) olive oil

⁄3 cup red wine vinegar salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

STEP 1: Add ALL of your goodies into a large bowl and toss well to distribute ingredients together

STEP 2: Add cranberry vinaigrette to salad. Use tongs, salad utensils or your very clean hands to toss well.

If ½ cup of the delicious vinaigrette isn’t enough dressing for your taste, add more and toss again. Easy Peasy!

CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE

STEP 1: Are you guys ready for this? You put all of your prepared dressing ingredients into your blender and blend it up! The blender emulsifies and breaks down everything into a GORGEOUS, velvety vinaigrette. Make sure to taste your dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Whether you make your own cranberry sauce or you buy it from your local store, this vinaigrette is a game changer and so easy to make!

Whatcheescooking Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

3 lbs green beans, rinsed,ends trimmed, and cut into 1½ inch sections

1 large shallot, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced finely

8 oz mushrooms of choice (I used cremini), cleaned and diced

2 Tbs fresh thyme

1 ½ cups crispy, fried onions (save an additional 1 cup for the topping)

3 Tbs butter OR avocado oil

3 Tbs flour salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Salt generously and bring 4 quarts of water to boil. Quickly blanch the green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Immediately drain and chill them in a bowl of cold or iced water; Once cooled, drain and set aside.

STEP 2: Over medium heat, add a small amount of oil of choice to the pan. Sauté shallot and garlic until shallot becomes transparent. Add mushrooms and thyme. Continue to sauté until mushrooms are slightly softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

STEP 3: Add 3 tablespoons of your butter or oil to the mushroom mixture; followed by the flour. Stir to evenly distribute flour and remove any clumps. You’re looking for everything to be evenly coated in your pan.

STEP 4: Continue stirring to cook down the rawness of the flour. This should take about 5-10 minutes. Once flour is cooked, whisk in the cream or oat milk, and continue stirring over medium heat until mixture comes to a hard simmer and begins to thicken.

STEP 5: In a large bowl, mix together mushroom gravy, blanched and cooled green beans and crispy fried onions. Once mixed thoroughly, TASTE YOUR FOOD, and adjust seasoning as needed. Spoon into the baking vessel of choice. Cook in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

STEP 6: After 40 minutes in the oven, remove casserole from oven. Top with 1 cup of extra crispy fried onions you had set aside. Put back into the oven for 10 minutes, or until the topping is slightly browned. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Cocktail Lounges Innovative Drinks

IN DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

BY Carlie Lee

EMMA RUE’S

Rejoice! Spokane now has late night cocktails AND desserts all in one place. Emma Rue’s is a spot that opens early and closes late. You can come here to enjoy a mimosa and/or coffee starting at 8am every day of the week. Tuesday through Saturday they’re open until midnight. Happy hour runs from 3-6pm daily and you’ll find deals like a $7 Cosmo or, my personal favorite, their Rum Old Fashioned. For this classic cocktail, rum is used instead of bourbon and provides a lighter spirit profile that is delightful to sip. The owners have truly put a ton of thought into the ambience of their space; it’s chic, inviting, and cozy all at the same time. Truly, their cushy swivel chairs (conveniently located alongside their floor-to-ceiling windows-- perfect for peoplewatching), are pieces I’d want to put into my own home.

INLAND PACIFIC KITCHEN

Perfect for date night, Inland Pacific Kitchen is not only cooking up delicious food but also shaking up fancy (and pretty!) cocktails. Whether you prefer something more spirit forward or fruit forward (pictured are one of each), IPK has great options! How cute is the little clothespin holding the sage leaf? It’s all in the details here, Since Inland Pacific Kitchen is located within the Washington Cracker Building, there’s a free, small parking lot and also plenty of metered parking along the side streets. Come check them out for yourself, Wednesday through Saturday from 4pm to 9pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Happy hour runs from 4pm until 5:30pm and they add new things to the HH menu weekly so there’s always something new to try!

SAPPHIRE LOUNGE

Located below the Ruby Hotel, Sapphire Lounge is one of several locations managed by Ruby Hospitality. The staff here are like one big family and it’s evident the bartenders love what they do. We tried several cocktails during our visit; each with its own unique flavor profile. Pictured are the 1st Ave Old Fashioned, Huckleberry Mai Tai Moment, and The Greatest Trend. Dare I say The Greatest Trend is the greatest drink in all of downtown right now? Made with mezcal, lime, Amaro, agave, and egg white, the drink is slightly smoky from the mezcal, equal parts sweet and tart, and absolutely delicious overall.

HOGWASH

If you’re here for a girls’ night or just unwinding solo after a long day of work, no need to worry about walking back to your car in the dark. Employees at Sapphire Lounge genuinely care about your safety and are happy to escort patrons to their car. You can use metered parking along the street or if you’re dining at their sister restaurant, The Steam Plant, before or after, feel free to use their parking lot and not only will your parking fee be taken off your restaurant bill, but you will also get a deal on your drink at Sapphire Lounge! Hours are from 4pm to 10pm Tuesday through Thursday and until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm to 6pm and again on weekends from 10pm until close. Double happy hour for the win!

Whether you’re looking to cozy up in a booth or spread across a table with friends, Hogwash is your spot. Located on the basement level of the Washington Cracker Building, parking is typically a breeze via metered street parking along W. Pacific Ave, South Bernard St, or in the shared parking lot. One of the many things I enjoy about ordering a drink here is, even if nothing on their cocktail list quite strikes your fancy, just let them know what you like; the bartenders are happy to whip something up. Speaking of the cocktail list, it’s quite a fun read. You’ll find names like Hagrid’s Hippogrif, For All Intents and Porpoises, and Beets, Bears; Battlestar Galactica. My very favorite drink at Hogwash is a classic Penicillin-- blended scotch, honey, lemon, ginger, and Islay single malt. Try it!

Do not miss their elevated food options whether you’re just feeling snacky or want a full on meal, and also keep an eye out for their fresh sheets! They share a kitchen space with Inland Pacific Kitchen, so you know it’s going to be good. Stop by anytime from 4pm to 10:30pm Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Enjoy daily happy hour (with the exception of Sundays) from 4-5:30pm.

CEASE AND DESIST BOOK CLUB

Looking for an intimate night cap? With a speakeasy vibe, Cease and Desist Book Club provides booths where you can get nice and cozy in their ambient, dimly lit space (...if you can find it*). The bartenders are well-educated on spirits and the craft of mixing cocktails. Their drink menu reads like a beautiful book. If bourbon is your liquor of choice, you’re in for a treat. There are always several houseinfused bourbons to choose from-- flavors like fig, banana, and chile. I love ordering an infused bourbon neat to ensure you’re really tasting the unique flavor. They’re also thoroughly enjoyed as part of a classic Old Fashioned (pictured). Cease and Desist is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm until 2am as well as Sundays and Mondays from 6pm until 12am. There are several paid parking lots and also metered street parking available within the vicinity. Ask for John!

*Cease and Desist is only accessible if you know which bookcase leads to their door!

The Best Chocolate Made in the PNW

BY Chrstine Burns

The Northwest takes flavor to a whole new level; and that’s flavor with a capital ‘C.’ I know what you’re thinking. Flavor doesn’t start with a ‘C’. But you see, the Northwest is known for so many amazing treats that start with the letter ‘C’:

COFFEE is a big one, especially with the original Starbucks situated in Seattle.

CANNABIS is another one, as Washington was one of the first states to legalize recreational weed.

CRAFT BEER is a fun commodity, as cities like Portland and Spokane seem to have more breweries per square mile than even coffee shops.

Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t add chocolate to this list. The best chocolate in the Pacific Northwest is a combination of PNW vibes: bold, unique, and adventurous. If you’re looking for some excellent holiday gifts or just want to treat yourself, shop local with these delicious Pacific Northwest-made chocolates.

Who wouldn’t want to get these chocolates as a gift?!

I was recently chatting with a friend who lives out of state, who noted that the quality of chocolate on the east coast where he recently moved doesn’t taste the same as the artisan-level chocolate we know and love in the Northwest.

Why is this? Perhaps it’s because of our region’s strong agriculture and access to locally-made goods.

Maybe it’s because our region specializes in making small batches of things, and then labeling them “craft.”

Either way, my friend was curious when I would

be willing to send some good chocolates in their direction and I am happy to oblige.

So, I, Christine with a capital ‘C,’ have endeavored to find the best chocolates in the Northwest. I ordered and sampled chocolate from chocolat iers around the region, specifically focusing on small family businesses.

While this isn’t an actual competition, I am definitely and unofficially assigning awards to each of these incredible businesses.

From Spokane to Portland, here are the best chocolates in the Northwest:

BEST CHOCOLATE IN SPOKANE

Spokane had two chocolatiers that stood out above the rest.

I have fond childhood memories of going Christmas shopping with my dad and stopping at these places to pick out chocolates for my mom's and sisters’ stockings. It had been years since I had tasted chocolates from either of these shops and it made them so much sweeter when testing their chocolate for these articles.

I am happy to say that these are the best chocolate shops in Spokane, Wash.

SPOKANDY -

BEST CHOCOLATE MINTS AND BEST TRUFFLE VARIETY

When it comes to the fusion of flavors with chocolate, mint is definitely one of the most popular ideations, and, in my opinion, is also one of the more delicate flavor combinations.

At one point in my life, I set out to master mint chocolate fudge and was continually disappointed at my inability to add the optimal amount of mint extract. Too little and you couldn’t taste it; Too much and it tastes like ineffective toothpaste.

So believe me when I tell you: I shed a small tear when I placed a Spokandy chocolate mint on my tongue. I really did.

Perhaps the emotion was joy, or maybe it was envy that someone had figured it out. But I believe it was pure satisfaction that Spokandy had won the battle of achieving the perfect balance of mint and chocolate. Congratulations!

Spokandy also has phenomenal truffles. With decadent flavors and amazing variety, Spokandy is at the top of my list for when I buy truffles as a gift. Some of their exciting truffle flavors include birthday cake, carrot cake, chai, huckleberry lemon, eggnog and so many others.

HALLETTS CHOCOLATES -

BEST TURTLES & NUTS

Halletts’ collection of chocolates are, in a word, smooth. But, if I had to choose another word, it would be comforting, as their chocolate tastes like a hug after a long day. Hallett’s turtles have fresh, Southern pecans with silky-smooth chocolate coating them.

Just like the Hallett family, I, too, am an entrepreneur, so upon learning the backstory of how Halletts Chocolates came to be, my heart is just happy!

Joel and Tom Hallett had a family farm with seasonal fruits such as raspberries and strawberries in Otis Orchards. Out of a need to support their farm year-round, they took on making chocolates and candies.

While they eventually sold the business, they carefully taught the new owners the craft of chocolate making and passed their delicious recipes on.

BEST CHOCOLATE IN LEAVENWORTH

Is it just me, or does everything taste better in Leavenworth? The beautiful Bavarian village has incredible pretzels, sausage, beer, cheese – It’s all delicious.

So, it should be no surprise, then that we found a chocolatier who also made the Leavenworth delightful list!

SCHOCOLATBEST COMBINATION OF FRUITS AND NUTS

Blink and you’ll walk right past this small but mighty chocolate shop.

I had been to Leavenworth nearly a dozen times before I saw it. Now, trips to Leavenworth feel unfinished without a quick stop by Schocolat.

Schocolat’s claim to fame (in my opinion at least) is their fruit and nut discs. These

delightful treats have enough nuts and fruit stuffed in them to trick my brain into thinking I’m eating something healthy … but the fine chocolate is so decadent I never feel bad about indulging!

BEST CHOCOLATE IN SEATTLE

Driving from Spokane to Seattle means traversing the sometimes precarious Snoqualmie Pass.

Yet, it doesn’t seem as difficult when some of the best chocolate in the northwest, if not the west coast, is waiting just on the other side.

SEATTLE CHOCOLATEBEST BRANDING, BEST WOMANOWNED BUSINESS, MOST DEDICATED TO ETHICAL PRACTICES

Don’t get me wrong, Seattle Chocolate also deserves awards for flavors, variety and craft.

Their layered chocolate truffle bars are especially incredible. They have a hard outside, a center that melts in your mouth, and depending on the truffle bar, it may have a variety of nuts, fruits, toffee and other additions. Don’t even get me started on moon rocks - seriously, try it!

One of the most endearing parts of the Seattle Chocolate Company is their fierce dedication to ethically sourcing all of their ingredients – They endeavor to prioritize ethically-sourced ingredients, even if, at times, it might cost more financially.

Seattle Chocolate’s website says: “We’re passionate about cacao and the people who grow it - and bet you are, too.

We work hard to ensure our ethical sourcing practices address issues like gender equality, child labor, sustainable farming methods, higher profits and more; sourcing our cacao beans from two cacao regions of the world, Peru and West Africa.”

Owner and CEO, Jean Thompson, even did a

Tedx Talk about the importance of ethically sourcing ingredients. This woman-owned company is shattering the glass ceiling in many ways, but especially tastefully.

Now, as an advertising expert, I often feel bored with advertisements and marketing strategies. However, I was immediately excited by Seattle Chocolate’s brand in a way that I can best express with a “You go girl!”

Having their packaging designed by Pacific Northwest artists, and the names of chocolate inspired by local landmarks, definitely won them extra points in this category as well.

PRO-TIP: Have a stop at Sea-Tac, Seattle’s airport? You can find Seattle Chocolate there, too! You can also try some of their caramels (for free!) and get some delicious chocolate gifts for friends/family… or for yourself! We won’t tell!

BEST CHOCOLATE IN PORTLAND

Now, I consider myself a foodie. Every trip to Portland is an adventure for the taste buds, as each restaurant seems to strive for fresh ingredients, quality practices and primo flavors. So when it came to their chocolate

and finest chocolatiers, we expected nothing less than delicious perfection.

CREO CHOCOLATEBEST MOUTH-FEEL, BEST PROCESS AND BEST FLAVOR

We ordered a box of Creo Chocolate to be delivered straight to the “Trending Northwest” magazine office to taste-test.

Seeing the beautiful brown box arrive with a beautiful foil logo made this chocolate a contender for best branding as well … but we can’t give them every unofficial award, right?

When researching chocolate shops, I was immediately impressed by how transparent Creo Chocolate was with its process.

They have a brilliant way of educating customers on the cacao-harvesting and chocolate-making process in a way that emboldens customers to raise their standards of what makes good chocolate.

When it comes to food and drinks, texture is so important; We use the term “mouthfeel” to describe the texture of a food or beverage.

Creo Chocolate’s mouthfeel is smoother than most chocolate we’ve tasted. After researching their extremely detailed process, I truly believe they’ve experimented over

and over to get it to that point. The flavor is decadent and rich, but not too much.

Lovely, delectable, and rave-worthy, all in an inch-by-inch square. Mmmm.

TRY THE BEST CHOCOLATES IN THE NORTHWEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

After such a difficult few years with the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m reaching for all things calming, comfortable & craveworthy – More of those delicious C’s.

Luckily for me, the Northwest is full of the best chocolate made by small businesses.

This holiday season, give your loved ones the gift of chocolate, made by those whose love for their craft is the only thing sweeter than the treat itself.

Thrifting Your Way To

BY Hailey Keller

Vintage is a term that is trending H-O-T right now. But, unlike that trendy pop-up boutique, Global Neighborhood Thrift (GNT) isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The GNT employees are staking their claim on all-things vintage and hustlin’ to create a space you’ll want to stop at first when looking for anything fabulous to wear or outfit your home with.

Established in 2011, Global Neighborhood Thrift’s mission is to “Offer pathways to employment for our neighbors who came to Spokane as refugees,” their website states.

So, how does vintage play a role in this? Well, in May 2020, GNT, like every other business in Spokane, was forced to close its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brent Hendricks, the founder and executive director of Global Neighborhood Thrift wanted to keep at least some of his employees employed.

“Our whole mission is employment, so he did it!” Julie Kimball-Bryant, GNT Store Manager, exclaimed.

To keep paychecks rolling out, Hendricks initiated GNT’s Instagram Story Sales. These would include daily or weekly multi-story posts highlighting articles of clothing, home goods or furniture for sale.

Kimball-Bryant said these story sales “Were the joy of pandemic for me.”

According to Kimball-Bryant, from the story sales, the GNT team realized what people were scooping up, particularly resellers: Vintage. And so, the thrift’s store shifted their focus to how they could make that work for them and their mission.

To begin any new endeavor, especially one on a scale the GNT’s vision was for, they needed someone who knew their stuff – enter KimballBryant’s foray into vintage. She was knowledgeable about vintage and fashion in general, but quickly realized she couldn’t do it alone, so a second savant was hired: Indigo Knox.

In July 2021, GNT’s in-store vintage area opened, displacing the furniture space that once occupied the area – The pandemic was the start of the thrift’s journey into vintage and since then, Global

Neighborhood Thrift has been a force to reckon with in the area’s vintage options.

For a non-profit whose focus is offering pathways to employment for refugees in Spokane, vintage is an entirely new concept to the majority of those employees at GNT.

Kimball-Bryant said vintage is “not a thing in other countries,” as many of them have a stigma about second-hand items and hand-outs of any kind.

“But we’re like, ‘No, no, no,” Knox said, “It’s super awesome!”

“For a lot of our staff at Global Neighborhood Thrift,” Kimball-Bryant said, “this is how they are learning about America and the history of nuance in America.”

For example, during this interview, a cardboard cutout of Austin Powers dressed in his iconic, purple crushed-velvet suit, sat behind this writer’s

chair. Kimball-Bryant said when Home Goods team member, Bietlehem, came across it while sorting, she “brought this it up to me and said, ‘What is this?!’”

As all their thrift and vintage items are donated, GNT never quite knows what to expect.

Lately, however, the team has been “hoarding wedding dresses,” Kimball-Bryant said. In February, right before Spokane’s gorgeous springtime arrives and brides begin planning their fanciful weddings,

GNT will be hosting a “Say Yes to the Dress” event with a huge variety of vintage wedding dresses (Mark yo’ calendars!).

Just how do the employees at Global Neighborhood Thrift determine what is vintage-fab and what is just drab? Thankfully, Kimball-Bryant said, GNT has a “really knowledgeable, nerdy and passionate grading team. These are the kind of people that love digging and they really know their stuff; we all come in with our niche.”

Knox’s specialty is denim, “I love denim,” Knox said, “That’s my thing. Give me all the denim from the 60s, please!”

Chris Alvarez-Larsen’s niche are vintage tees, which, according to, well, everyone, are extremely popular right now.

In fact, vintage tees are so insanely popular, they will be getting their very own area in GNT’s newest expansion space. Kimball-Bryant estimated that this dedicated tee-wing could hold up to 1,350 vintage tees (upon hearing that number, this writer’s jaw hit the floor, y’all!).

In May 2022, Global Neighborhood Thrift took over the other half of the building they currently occupy. With the expansion, they’ll have around 45,000 square feet of retail, storage and working space (writer currently squealing with delight)! That grand-opening will occur mid-to-late September (Follow @globalneighborhood on social media for all the updates).

Right now, the vintage clothing and home goods section has a four-week turnover to make sure that customers can come again and again and easily find new treasures. When the new space opens, that will transition to a six-week rotation schedule.

To those bibliophiles, you may be the most excited about the expansion’s new book department, which, Kimball-Bryant estimates, may house up to 25,000 books. YES, you read that right: 25,000.

In preparation to display and sell that many books, Executive Director Hendrick’s father, Marlin (who is the master of master craftsmen, Kimball-Bryant boasted), handcrafted 75 bookshelves for the cause. Marlin thankfully had help for this massive undertaking from GNT employees Malang, Noor and Mohammad.

The success of Global Neighborhood Thrift’s current vintage section has been palpable, and with the massive amount of new square-footage that’s about to be filled with even more amazingness, Knox and the entire vintage crew at GNT are taking their role as, what Kimball-Bryant has coined “Costuming Humanity” very seriously.

GNT has a “really knowledgeable, nerdy and passionate grading team. These are the kind of people that love digging and they really know their stuff; we all come in with our niche.”

4848 Hours In Tacoma

BY Christine Burns

As Washington's third largest city, Tacoma offers a fun-filled adventure, no matter your interests. Cars, blown-glass art, and a special nature experience are just a few of the attractions awaiting you during 48 hours in Tacoma.

Tacoma is a beautiful city that offers a unique glimpse into Washington’s history and culture.

Tacoma was originally called “The City of Destiny'' due to its ties to railroads back in the day. It’s home to major Washington cultural landmarks, such as the American Car Museum, the Museum of Glass, and the Tacoma Dome.

Ready to plan the best 48 hours in Tacoma?

Are you looking for a great Tacoma visitor’s guide? Keep reading to see our favorite itinerary.

Where to Visit

LeMay-America’s Car Museum

The LeMay-America’s Car Museum celebrates a century of automobile history. The museum – with its grill-designed front entrance –features more than 300 cars displayed by era or theme. Most of the museum's vehicles are part of a collection exceeding 3,000 that once belonged to Harold LeMay, who, at the time of his death in 2000, had amassed the largest private collection of cars in the world!

Other vehicles on display are on loan from other collections. From Model-Ts to solar-powered cars, the LeMay museum provides a fun experience over four stories.

Museum of Glass

Watch artists create blown-glass art as part of your visit to the Museum of Glass. As the hometown to internationally-recognized artist Dale Chihuly, Tacoma's glass museum greets visitors with a reflection pool, whose white glass art installation illuminates at night, creating an amazing view of the downtown attraction. Inside, tour the facility, with special exhibits highlighting the talents of other glassblowing artists. Afterward, check out other blown-glass art on the pedestrian bridge next to the museum.

Dune Peninsula Park

An 11-acre park, named in honor of “Dune” author and Tacoma native Frank Herbert, Dune Peninsula Park offers a majestic view of Mt. Rainier as part of its trail loop. Built at the former site of a lead and copper smelter plant, with prairie grass and flowers growing along the trail, the park is considered a major accomplishment for the area's environment. With mounds for children to play and tables for picnics, Dune Peninsula is a great spot for family time. As you walk along the trail, look for harbor seals lounging and frolicking on the rocks in Puget Sound. An art installation features sandworms, as depicted in the novel. Other artwork highlights the area's industrial past.

Washington State History Muse um

Take a stroll through the state's history with interactive exhibits at the Washington State History Museum. From its earliest days, including Native American life through European arrival and settlement, the museum's displays include dioramas and special exhibits. The Washington State History Museum also features a look at the state's

diverse landscape, from mountains to prairies.

Point Defiance Park

It's easy to spend a full day at Point Defiance Park and still feel like you could use more time. With attractions including a large rose and flower garden, beach, zoo, historic trading post, and a five-mile drive, Point Defiance Park is a beautiful area in Tacoma.

Start your visit with a walk through the park's gardens. With nine gardens, you'll enjoy the beauty and fragrance of roses, dahlias, fuchsias, and iris flowers, as well as rhododen drons. The herb and native Pacific Northwest gardens offer additional looks at botanicals. The Japanese Garden features lanterns, as well as a small tea house, footbridge, and pine trees. It's a picturesque area for relaxing and creating a little zen.

Owen Beach is an excellent spot for sunbathing, walking along the rocky shore, and people-watching. Children, and some adults, enjoy wading into the water for a short swim or a little splashing about. Bring a kayak and enjoy some water sports.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is home to a group of red wolves, once close to extinct. The zoo has worked over the past few decades to repopulate the wolves, so you'll see a few of them, including young ones, if you're lucky, as well as placards explaining the wolves' history and what is being done to save them. The zoo also has a fun otter exhibit, as well as others showcasing elephants, penguins, and a number of additional animals. The zoo's aquarium includes a look at marine life native to the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Ocean.

Five Mile Drive includes a drive along the park's woods, including pull-offs with impres sive views of the Puget Sound. Hiking trails are abundant in the woods, in case you feel like hoofing it for a while. You'll also see raccoons asking for food on the side of the road.

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum takes

you back to the early 1800s, when the Hudson Bay Company established the post for trade among Indigenous tribes, as well as European fur trappers. With actors portraying residents of the fort, you'll see them doing work typical of the era, such as blacksmithing. Tour the buildings inside the fort for a realistic look at life during that time.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

With almost 725 acres, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park takes you on an adventure, offering up-close looks at animals native to the Pacific Northwest, including bobcats, black bears, moose, and even badgers. A paved walking path leads visitors along a route with great views of animals and forests. For an even more personal experience, reserve a spot on a wildlife tour that takes your personal vehicle along a paved road inside the park's free roaming area, where you'll see elk and bison herds, as well as mountain goats. Or, for true close-ups of the animals, hop aboard a Jeep and take an off-road ride on a 90-minute Keeper's Adventure Tour.

Tacoma Art Museum

Focusing on Pacific Northwest art, the Tacoma Art Museum’s collection includes more than 5,300 pieces, ranging from Dale Chihuly and Japanese woodblock prints to studio art jewelry. The museum is also home to the Haub Family collection of western art, consisting of more than 300 pieces covering two centuries. Opened in 1935, the TAM moved to its current location in 2003. The art museum is part of the city’s Museum District, which also includes the Museum of Glass, State History Museum, Children’s Museum, and Historic Union Station.

Other Attractions

Tacoma is home to great parks, such as Wright Park, which began as a 20-acre donation to help grow trees in the city’s early days. The park is now around 30 acres and has hundreds of trees along with statues, and a pond among its attractions. The W.W.

Seymour Conservatory includes a greenhouse that’s home to flower and plant exhibits at Wright Park.

The Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park along the waterfront invites visitors into the interactive exhibit recognizing the Chinese people who were forced out of the city in 1885 during a period of anti-Chinese hate. The day after forcing people out, Chinese-owned businesses were destroyed. The park was established in the early 1990s during a period of reconciliation, and takes visitors along a historical path of the period’s events, ending with reconciliation.

Places to Eat Around Tacoma

Tacoma, Washington is full of delicious restaurants and bars. Some of the best restaurants are in downtown Tacoma and near the waterfront. Here’s our picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tacoma:

Breakfast: Waffle Stop

You’ll find something for everyone in the family at Waffle Stop. This cute breakfast restaurant emanates classic diner vibes and serves up all your favorite breakfast items. Their Bacon Cookie Butter Waffle is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, with a Pearl Sugar Waffle, cookie butter, whipped cream, and crumbles of maple-glazed bacon.

And if you like mimosas, definitely check out their Elderflower Mimosa.

Find the Waffle Shop at 2710 N. Proctor St Tacoma, WA.

Lunch: Moshi Moshi Tacoma

Moshi Moshi is one of the coolest ramen restaurants we’ve seen in a long time.

With many of the traditional ramen dishes and twists on the classics, Moshi Moshi is one of the best ramen bars in Tacoma. We recommend stopping by for lunch and choosing your food and cocktails from their massive menu.

Their Impossi-Bau is a great option for vegans. We also recommend their Coconut Green Curry and Toasted Miso Scallion. Moshi Moshi Tacoma also offers gluten-free ramen noodles on request.

Finding Moshi Moshi can be a little difficult because there’s no sign out front. Find them at 110 Suite B N Tacoma Ave.

Dinner: Lobster Shop Tacoma

The Lobster Shop in Tacoma is an award-winning restaurant. The patio deck has views stretching across the horizon of Commencement Bay. This premier location means abundant fresh lobsters for customers. Their menu includes more than lobster - but you definitely don’t want to miss trying their decadent lobster dishes. Some of the other delicious items on their menu include Sweet Chili Prawns and Seared Ahi.

With great views and incredible food, Lobster Shop is one of the best Tacoma waterfront restaurants. Try them out at 4015 Ruston Way.

Wine & Libations: Stink & El Tufo

Fun fact: El Tufo means “stink” in Spanish. Stink & El Tufo are a cheese shop and wine restaurant in Tacoma. They lovingly call Stink the “aroma of Tacoma” and offer family-friend ly dining with small, flavorful portions. The extensive wine list at El Tufo feels like you’re exploring Europe.

Smell the aroma at 628 St. Helens Ave.

Where to Stay

Tacoma has several great hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses to stay in. Here are our favorite hotels in Tacoma, including budget-friendly places, the best chain hotels, and luxury hotels in Tacoma.

On A Budget:La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma-Washington

Looking for a budget-friendly place to rest your head, take a shower, and get back out into the beautiful evergreens? There are many cheap hotels in Tacoma where you can get some rest for the night. The La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham is a great option for the budget-conscious traveler who wants clean and modern accommodations. The La Quinta Inn & Suites in Tacoma also offers a complimentary breakfast.

The La Quinta Inn is family friendly and close enough to major streets that it makes traveling to all Tacoma has to offer a breeze. Stay in the La Quinta at 1425 E 27th St.

Mid-Tier Location: Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tacoma

If you’re visiting Tacoma, you may want to spend the night in one of the many reliable chain hotels in the area. Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tacoma is a great choice.

This modern contemporary hotel is in the middle of the financial and theater districts, making this a perfect home base for travelers that want to see a show while they explore the city. The Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Tacoma is close to many tourist attractions, including the Tacoma Convention Center and museums. It’s also close to the Tacoma light rail for easy and inexpensive travel.

Each of the rooms are upscale with a contemporary style and have large windows that give you a beautiful view of the Tacoma skyline. Find the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tacoma at 1515 Commerce Street.

Luxury Hotel:

The Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston Waterfront

There aren’t many luxury hotels in Tacoma, but this one is one of our favorites! The Silver Cloud Inn Tacoma is the ideal home base for the traveler that wants to experience the best of Tacoma while enjoying pristine views of the waterfront. The Silver Cloud Hotel is close to staple Tacoma attractions, including the Museum of Glass.

At The Silver Cloud Hotel, you’ll find 4-star accommodations with modern amenities, beautiful views, and premier rooms. Plus it’s one of the most gorgeous hotels on the Tacoma waterfront.

The Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston Waterfront is also close to many Tacoma waterfront restaurants. Check into the Silver Cloud Hotel at 2317 North Ruston Way.

Plan Your Visit to Tacoma Today!

Tacoma has a lot to offer, so try to pack in as much as you can within your two-day visit. While the idea is to explore the city in 48 hours, perhaps you’ll want to add another day to your trip. Or, better yet, plan your next visit.

Forest Bathing

Sometimes it’s the simple things that contribute greatly to our mental and physical health. When we think of the term “self-care” oftentimes images of bubble baths, wine or massages come to the front of our minds. But what if there was something free and easily accessible to you right now? What if it was as simple as a walk in the park?

BY Molly Lindquist

The idea that getting outdoors is good for us is pretty pervasive in our culture, yet many people simply don’t incorporate it into their day to day. Perhaps we think of expensive road trips to scenic national parks or grueling uphill climbs to make it to the view to end all views. But what if you could reduce stress, increase immunity, lower blood pressure and ease depression by simply walking in nature?

The term Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1982. It was an official recognition of something rather intuitive and ancient. In fact, Buddhist and Shinto beliefs have emphasized a need for this for thousands of years. Nowhere is the interconnectivity of beings more apparent than in nature. One can observe how light, water and earth nurture the trees and without these elements, the trees would cease to exist. For most of our history as humans here on earth, we’ve spent time in nature. It’s a recent phenomenon that humans have separated from nature and are spending increasing time indoors and in urban environments. This is largely thanks to the industrial revolution. Currently, 52% of humans live within a city’s limits and that number is expected to increase as time goes on.

So when you pair this fact with the immense amount of

screen time modern humans are subject to - whether through work or otherwise - you might see how divided we are from nature through the structure of modern society. You might start to appreciate the need for making time to do something as simple as sitting quietly in nature. “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” ~ John Muir, 1901.

While going to the mountains is absolutely ideal, I believe we can obtain many of the same benefits by utilizing our city or regional parks. The goal of Shinrin-Yoku is to mindfully meander through nature, to utilize our 5 senses to fully engage with our environment. Start by noticing the visual details of your environment; what is the light looking like among the tree leaves? Are there birds in the canopy and if so, what are they doing? Can you hear the birdsong or the sound of the wind rushing through the trees? If it’s a warm day can you smell the pine needles? What does the texture of the tree bark feel like? What does the path beneath your feet feel like? Admittedly the 5th sense of taste is tricky but in late summer you might

find blackberries or huckleberries to pick from the vine. Or bring along a snack from the grocery store. Be sure to turn off your phone during this time so that you aren’t distracted.

The more time that you can spend outdoors the greater the benefits that you will receive from this practice, but if you’re quite busy don’t let that stop you. A minimum of 20 minutes a day will reap benefits, which could be as simple as taking your work lunch in a park or on a bench beneath a tree. In Spokane, Washington roughly 80% of our population lives within walking distance to a park. We are fortunate that early on, our city planners recognized that access to greenspaces is important for mental and physical health. The Northwest region has ample opportunity to get out into nature, whether it’s through our state, regional, city or national parks.

Many of us know that it feels good to be in nature but studies have proven without a doubt that there are enormous benefits to this free activity. A 2010 study from 24 forests in Japan determined that “Forest environments

promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments.” Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. - 2010. A running theory is that phytoncides - aromatic compounds of plants - increase natural killer cells and therefore boost immunity, fight infection and decrease inflammation. So really focusing on deep breathing while Forest Bathing could help you to avoid many diseases and ailments.

So what about winter in areas that freeze? When most of the plant life is dormant and blanketed by snow, there are some options to get similar benefits indoors. Diffusing cedar essential oil is a great way to immerse the senses. Watching hiking videos on YouTube is completely free and there are 4K very high quality videos available. They often are accompanied with the sounds of the forest, but you can find nature sounds readily available on Spotify or places like mynoise.net. A bit more of a commitment but indoor plants are ideal for bringing nature into the home. And for the brave among us, winter Forest Bathing yields many benefits. Even a short walk in nature will help, granted you need to have the appropriate winter gear if it gets below freezing in your area.

I think many of us in the Pacific Northwest are fans of nature but I believe Shinrin-Yoku offers a different approach to how we interact with our environment. Challenging hikes and long runs outdoors are fantastic for health, but so is slowing down to mindfully connect with nature. It’s worth it to carve out time to Forest Bathe and just experience being instead of constantly doing.

FULL CITATION OF RESEARCH STUDY

Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Kagawa T, Miyazaki YThe physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 Jan;15(1):18-26. doi: 10.1007/s12199-0090086-9. PMID: 19568835; PMCID: PMC2793346.

Merry Meet!

My name is Lady Lola Stardust and I am a third-degree High Priestess of a Wiccan coven in Spokane, Wa called Children of the Crossroads. I've been doing tarot for about 30 years. I am very in tune with the phases of the moon and how that energy effects each sign. I am here every month to give you a quick rundown of your sign's energy during the Full Moon and New Moon of each month, and which tarot card best represents this energy for you. I cannot wait to guide you through your starlit journey!

Full Moon Readings

For the month of October, the Full Moon will be in Aries on 10/9/22 and the New Moon will be in Scorpio on 10/25/22. Let's take a look at how these 2 moons will affect each sign for this month, and what tarot card best represents those energies.

Full Moon in Aries:

ARIES : Your passions and moti vations will be on high alert during this Full Moon in your sign. Take advantage of the bolt of energy you will have and get things done. Your Tarot Card for this Full Moon is 8 of Wands-Mastery, Action, Motivation and Willpower.

TAURUS : Stand up for yourself. You know what you need to do to get your point across. If people aren't listening, ask them to please hear you out. Your opinions matter. Your Tarot card for this Full Moon is The Strength card- Have confidence in your strength of character. Flex your muscles!

GEMINI : Use your words and communicate what you want. Express any concerns you may have in a group project. Be clear, concise, and professional Your tarot card for this full moon is 3 of Wands- working with groups and achieving success.

CANCER : Your need to clean house (physically and metaphor ically) is strong. You will want to make your home your palace and focus on keeping your abode calm, serene, and collective. Any disruption will throw you off your game, so your focus will be on your sacred space. Your tarot card for this full moon is 9 of Cups- Contentment, satisfaction and gratitude.

LEO : You will feel a pull to be heard and seen. A fire will be lit in your soul and body. Use whatever platforms you may need to use to announce important issues that you feel will benefit your world and others. Your tarot card for this full

moon is The Sun- Be the light that others will gravitate towards.

VIRGO : Organization is key this full moon for you. Things might start to feel a bit chaotic and out of control, which is not one of your favorite feelings to have, so start small in organizing the things immediately within your control. Make lists, check things off. Doesn't that feel good? Your tarot card for this full moon is 4 of Wands- Structure in your projects and organization.

LIBRA : Your sense of what is fair and right will be challenged. Make sure you take a step back before voicing your concerns. With this Full moon in Aries energy, and the Sun being in your sign during this time period as well, the Aries fire will make you want to fight for your rights, but it could come across as aggressive and preachy so dial it down a notch. Your tarot card for this full moon is the Hierophant- Tradition and Convention, deliver messages in a thought out, critical thinking way.

SCORPIO : Don't let your anger get the best of you. Use your skills in self-reflection and observation to assess the situation. You will feel the need to focus on people's faults, but you also have a skill in choosing your words wisely, so practice that on yourself first. Your tarot card for this full moon is 7 of Cups- Be aware of your perceived images of those around you. Things may not be how they appear.

SAGITTARIUS : Your need to take on too many projects will be in full gear. Burn out is real. Don't

overwhelm yourself and burn out. It's okay to say "no" and set boundaries. Your keen intelligence will also be heightened so lean into that. Your tarot card for this Full Moon is 2 of Wands- Balance in your projects and balance in your fiery energy is needed.

CAPRICORN : Don't let the boss or whomever you "report" to in life piss you off when they ask you to do things that you feel others need to step up and do. Your capability speaks miles to those around you and people know you can handle a full workload, whether that be at your job or at home. Take it as a complement. Your tarot card for this full moon is the King of Wands- natural leader, confidence.

AQUARIUS : You will find yourself with ideas to help community and the greater good this full moon. Your need to live in a fair society is strong right now and your decisions will be based on this energy. Make sure you are not only thinking of others, but hone in on these ideas for yourself as well. Charity starts at home. Your tarot card for this full moon is 6 of coins- charity, generosity, sharing the abundance.

PISCES : Your need to get things done will conflict with your need to self-reflect and emotionally dive into your feelings.You can combine your heart and fire during this full moon. Get the things done that also make your heart swell with joy. Try not to over analyze why you may not get all your projects done. They will be there in the morning. Your tarot card for this full moon is The Magician- Inspired action!

New Moon in Scorpio

ARIES : Be aware of your temper. It may take you to a darker place than expected. Make sure you take a breather from projects so you don't burn out. Keep your emotions in check before you decide to have any important chats with people. Your Tarot Card for this New Moon is 7 of Cups-Reflection, Assessing Emotions, Shadow work.

TAURUS : Its Self Care Time! Your need for sensual and indulging in pleasure is a perfect energy for this New Moon. Envelop your senses in luxurious baths, rich foods, and good drink. Celebrate you and your desires. Your tarot card for this New Moon is 10 of Cups- Feel all the feels, take yourself out on a date and enjoy the romantic energy within.

GEMINI : Take a break from filling the silence with conversa tion. Be in the moment of that stillness and listen to what the Universe is trying to tell you. A huge part of good communica tion is being a good listener so Listen to others, to yourself, and the New Moon's energy. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is Temperance-Balance, Modera tion, Patience, and Purpose.

CANCER : You will feel the pull to stay home and hide for this New Moon. Don't feel guilty about not wanting to go out with friends and be social. Your little crab body sometimes needs to rejuvenate and heal in its shell, so take advantage of this time and relax. It's okay to stay in your pajamas all day and eat ice

cream right out of the carton, just don't get TOO comfortable doing this. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The Hermit-soul searching, being alone, inner guidance.

LEO : The first part of the month, you were a shining star. Now it is time to go inward and think why you feel the need for all that attention. Is it a childhood thing? Did you not get the love and affection you deserved from your parental units? Or is it a deep rooted insecurity that manifests in social confidence and charisma? Whatever it may be, its healthy to think what drives your star quality. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The Moon-Listen to your subcon scious intuition.

VIRGO : Your perfectionist ways can sometimes inhibit you from joy. Seek out those mistakes you have made and list the lessons and blessings you have received from them. Do you get as many lessons from your perfectionism? Or has your need for being perfect brought on a burn out, in which there was a deep lesson you were actually learning. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The Fooltake chances, make mistakes and laugh at them!

LIBRA : What makes you feel balanced? Meditation? Hot baths? A walk in nature? Find the things that bring your soul back into alignment that are peaceful and understated. This is the time to assess your chakras and work on aligning them. Your tarot card for this New Moon

energy is 2 of cups- emotional balance and harmony.

SCORPIO : With the New Moon in your sign, you will want to dive deep into some dark places just to test those murky waters and see how much you can take. It’s a little temperature gauge for you that you like to be aware of. But, be aware that you might get sucked into those dark places for a lengthy time frame and de pression may take over. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The Devil reversed- Releasing limiting beliefs, detaching yourself from dark thoughts.

SAGITTARIUS : Your need to make plans and have adventures will be muted during this New Moon energy. Try to be more me thodical about your plans. Don't jump head first into projects. Take the time to research more, investigate other approaches to things, and maybe take this time to meditate and marinate on ideas. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The Hanged Man- be still, in the moment, take pause and look at things from a new perspective.

CAPRICORN : Your status in your social groups is important during this time. Take the time to be the spectator and not always the planner. Rely on your social circle's ability to provide good times and introduce you to new and exciting things. Let loose and let your hair down! Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is Page of Wands- free spirit and limitless potential.

AQUARIUS : Working on your home will be important. You will feel the need to purge some things to create a clean, streamlined space. Be mindful when doing this because this is also a good way to purge the "junk" that has built up in your head. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is Ace of Swords-Breakthroughs, clear thoughts and clarity.

PISCES : Your emotional need to self-analyze and hyper focus on every feeling you have will be strong during this energy. Try to remember it's not all about you and not to take things so personally. Your awareness of your emotional needs is always strong, but can lead you to some dark rabbit holes that don't always need to be explored. Your tarot card for this New Moon energy is The High Priestess- use your intuition when needed, balance and have the confi dence in your self-reflection when needed as well.

PHOTOS BY RACHEL FRENCH OF RACHEL FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHY

A Woman of Influence

BY Bailey Bowerman

I was honored to sit down recently with the queenly Aly Korchemniy of Anfisa Skin. We talked all things community, routine, spirituality, and self-care! As always, Aly was endearingly humble, transparent, and generous in sharing her wisdom. In the age of influencers, filters, and general smoke and mirrors, Korchemniy is a true woman of influence. She sticks out as a gracious female leader bringing virtue and value to the greater marketplace with her skincare company Anfisa Skin and serving as a beautiful asset to our community. I am beyond excited to share our conversation with you.

BACKGROUND

As she sipped her signature matcha, looking effortless postyoga, in bright green leggings and an oversized leather jacket, her makeup-free skin actually glowed. It was hard to imagine her strug

gling with skin or confidence, but Korchemniy explained that Anfisa was born out of her own need. She shared that she grew up with troubled skin and “especially as a female, that plays into how you see yourself.” She started working at a medspa at the age of 18 and benefitted from the professionals there, quickly ascertaining that there was something missing in the industry. She set out to make a balm just for herself. After she read her first motivational book (Awaken the Giant by Tony Robbins), she decided to go for it and share her creation with the world. The timeline from concept to launch in January of 2018 was 2 years, and the rest is history. She really thought it would just be a side hustle and give her a little extra fun money, but things did not go that way. The day she launched, Vogue reached out and ran a story on Anfisa. Korchemniy, in her endearingly humble way,

explains that she thought it was a scam at first! She then attended a beauty expo in New York and got her balm into Anthropology. “Looking back,” says Korchemniy, “this has all been God. It could have all been a flop.”

Today, she has launched two products (the Lilou Radiant Hydra-Balm and the new An-Dew Serum) with cult-like followings that are sold by over 350 retailers worldwide.

ROUTINE/MENTAL HEALTH

Whenever I am in the presence of an accomplished individual, I cannot resist asking about daily routine. Here, Korchemniy surprised me when she laughed and recalled a funny quote she read recently about some people being early birds, some being night owls, and some just being tired pigeons. “I’m just a tired pigeon,” but “I focus on a

morning routine, because I have so much to do each week.” She stays grounded by “working out, connecting with God, and taking some time for prayer and med itation.” Her days begin at 5:45, and she hits the gym 4-5 times a week. Korchemniy explains that “the physical aspect is secondary for me.” Her focus is the mental health benefits of movement first thing in the morning. Her other morning staple is prayer and meditation time. She devotes at least 20 minutes to reading the Bible and another book before she writes in her 5 minute journal, fuels with some breakfast, and heads to work.

Because the life of an entre preneur requires wearing so many hats, each day is different for Korchemniy. Along with her morning routine, she keeps herself focused by using time blocking and by taking meetings only 1-2 days each week.

BALANCE

When asked how she balances it all, Korchmeniy explained that true balance requires a lot of self awareness and constant reflection. She reminded me that “balance doesn’t mean equal parts, and your balance doesn’t look the same as my balance.”

For Korchemniy, it’s all about determining which balls can be dropped periodically and which are non-negotiable. For Korchemniy, the non-negotiables include her relationships with her spouse and close friends and her health. Work is important, but she reminds herself that it can stand to be dropped here and there. She reiterated that fun and work won’t always be 50/50; this looks different for everyone.

One way she prioritizes her close relationships is that she keeps a list of her close friends–the kind she could call in the middle of the night if she needed something. She keeps this list so that she stays connected with them regularly. She aims for one coffee or lunch date each week. If she’s able to take a workout class with a friend, that combines two goals! She also explained that she isn’t able to be as social as she once was but she prioritizes special events (grand openings, baby/wedding showers, birthdays, etc.) Instead of an overwhelming annual

overhaul each January, Korchem niy likes to assess her schedule, routine, and productivity weekly to make changes regularly.

COMMUNITY

I asked Korchemniy how she deals with the pressure of holding influence in our community.

She blushed and said, with the true humility I’ve grown to expect from her, “if I do influence someone, I’m so honored.”

She then praised the Spokane business community for being so welcoming and willing to help when she first started Anfisa.

For example, when she first met Bobby, the owner of Indaba, he offered help and advice. She said that she was “so taken aback by people’s willingness to help and support and connect us.” She made it clear that she doesn’t view herself as an influencer, but that she’s simply “trying to be what others were for me.”

SPOKANE FOREVER

With the widespread success of Anfisa, we’re all so proud to

claim it as our neighbor. I asked her about her experience running a business in Spokane and if there is any temptation to move to a bigger city center. Without pausing, she stated that “I love Spokane because it’s such a supportive community. I grew up in Portland. It’s harder to connect there.” She elaborated, explaining that “what I love about Spokane is that “everyone, especially the business community, is so encouraging and uplifting.” It seems that we’ll get to boast of this gem for quite a while.

LIFE LATELY

I closed our time together by focusing on Korchemniy’s life lately. It’s clear that her life, like her skin, is beautiful. When asked to share something she’s learned about herself recently, Korchem niy stated that, through both age and experience, she developed a tougher skin in her thirties. “When we first launched I’d take negativity so personally,” but she now knows that “you can’t be a jar of nutella to everyone”

and “hurt people hurt people. . . . Recently, I got negative feedback and thought ‘that’s ok.’ Three years ago, it would have really upset me.”

Korchemniy is thoroughly enjoying a stable, settled stage of life. She had her husband have a fur baby (Bear Korchemniy) and recently moved out of downtown Spokane into a home with a yard. “No one talks about how hard your twenties are. . . . It’s so messy because you’re trying to figure out so much. In your thirties, you’re wiser than you are in your twenties. You’re more centered, and you know who you are as an individual. The other surprising part is how tired you are. I’m definitely more of a tired pigeon.” (she laughed as she added this part.)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

With the recent success of her new serum, rich relationships, and that dewey skin any twenty-something would die for, Aly Korchemniy is someone I am proud to call a neighbor, a friend, and a woman of true influence.

You can find Anfisa at @anfisaskin

You can find Aly at @alykorchemniy

You can find an Aly-approved Matcha at @ indabacoffee

xoxo Bailey, your favorite Late Bloomer