Essential Guide Spokane, WA; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Walla Walla, WA

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RIC GENDRON Ric Gendron was born in Coulee Dam, Washington. He spent his childhood exploring the coulees and sage-covered expanse of the Columbia Plateau in the central part of the state. After high school Gendron immersed himself in the Southern California music scene where he honed his skills as a professional musician and developed a deep appreciation for an eclectic mix of music genres ranging from rock, rhythm & blues, and blue grass to urban soul. Returning to the Pacific Northwest Gendron pursued a fine arts education with the same determination and intensity he had devoted to his music.

ARTIST In 2010 one of the lithographs in this series titled “A Quiltsen Song” was awarded the first place ribbon in printmaking and the best-of-division award for two-dimensional graphic arts at the Santa Fe Indian Market, which for over 80 years has ranked as the world’s largest and most acclaimed Native American art shows.

An exhibit of Gendron’s work titled ington, where he paints in his stu- Ric Gendron: Rattlebone is scheddio every day. When asked about uled at the following locations: his work, he responds “I paint beMissoula Art Museum cause that is what I do and who I Missoula, Montana am. I am driven equally by my November 2012 - January 2013 angels and my demons. In my work I endeavor to capture what Gendron has been a full-time pro- I am feeling at the moment - love Tamástlikt Cultural Institute, Confessional artist for more than three and loss; joy and pain; awareness federated Tribes of the Umatilla decades. His painting style com- and anxiety; light and darkness.” Indians bines the pop-culture iconography Pendelton, Oregon of contemporary America with In 2005 Gendron was a Visiting June - August 2013 symbols from his Native Ameri- Artist in Printmaking at Whitworth Museum of Northwest Art can heritage. Gendron is a mem- University. During this residency La Conner, Washington ber of the Confederated Tribes of the university’s Koehler Gallery October - December 2013 the Colville Reservation. His im- featured an exhibit of Gendron’s ages express the tension of living in work titled A Perfect World. Gencontemporary America while at the dron has been an Artist-in-Res- A book titled Ric Gendron: Rattlesame time being fully engaged in idence at the Crow’s Shadow bone, will be published in Noveman ancient cultural tradition. Institute of the Arts in Pendel- ber, 2012, by the Missoula Art ton, Oregon, where he created Museum under the imprint of the Gendron lives in Spokane, Wash- a series of monotype lithographs. University of Washington Press. 2

“House of the Rising Sun”

Acrylic on Canvas

RIC GENDRON ART PROJECT P.O. Box 31233, Spokane, Washington 99223

30”x40”

ricgendron.com (509) 474-9551 3


the essential guide

italiatrattoriaspokane.com

spokane • coeur d’alene • walla walla please let them know These advertisers and contributors, in collaboration with The Essential Guide, present this publication for your pleasure and information. As you explore, visit and shop, please tell our advertisers that you learned about them in The Essential Guide.

visit our website If you would like additional information from any advertiser, designer or contributor in this guide, please visit The Essential Guide website at www.essentialguide.com

Bethe Bowman GM & Co-owner Anna Vogel, Chef & Co-owner

publishers Patricia & Chip Byrd The Essential Guide: Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Walla Walla Spokane, Washington 505 989-9465 • info@essentialguide.com

creative director • graphic design Alex Hanna • Invisible City Designs www.invisiblecitydesigns.com

contributors Project Manager: Lorraine Edge Castillo Editor and Contributing Writer: Janet Elder, Ph.D. Writers: Laurie Ross, Chris O’Harra, Don Kardong, Lorraine Edge Castillo, Trish Byrd, William “Bill” Stimson, Ph.D, Rebecca Bishop, and Ed Platte

for advertising info & distribution To have books distrubuted in your area or at your place of business OR if you are interested in advertising and would like a media kit, please contact The Essential Guide office at 505989-9465 or info@essentialguide.com OR contact Ms. Ruthie H. Dearing at 509-795-4959.

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front cover Anthony Abbate “Doctor Doctor” from the Juicy Fruit Series Ink on Rag • 29” x 24” Framed Abbate-Art.com • 505.820.6868 See page 41 in this guide Abbate’s work is also featured at Italia Trattoria (right)

144 South Cannon, Spokane, WA 99201 email: italiatrattoria@qwestoffice.net I (509) 459-6000 5


Contents essential features

featuring the bronzes of Dinah Carlson Open Tuesday – Saturday

10–5

1001 W. Augusta - Spokane, WA 99205 ( 509 ) 329-1005 - www.lillianconn.com 6

Lillian Conn

Art - Antiques - Interior Design

Essential Events 19-21 Art Walks and More 30- 33 MAC Art Auction 37 Celebrating Glass! 40-44 Design Matters 48-55 Coeur d’Alene Resort Remodel 56-57 Kirtland Cutter The Man Who Designed Spokane 58-59 Here’s What’s Cooking 62-69 The Race Is On 70 Wine Sensational 72-79 Walla Walla Wonderful 80 Artisans at the Dahmen Barn 81 Dayton, Delightful and Delicious 84-86 Shopping Small Unique Boutiques 90-97 Here Comes the Bride 99-103 The Perfect Ring 103 SCAN - Essential Non-profit 104 Plant a Garden in Your Pocket 105

maps Regional Map 11 Spokane Map 12 Coeur d’Alene Map 14 Dayton & Walla Walla Map 17

essential excursions + wineries + events Bloomsday Run 70 Essential Events 19-21 Dahmen Barn 81-83 Dayton 84-87 Mace Mead Works 86 Monteillet Fromagerie 87 Northstar Winery 74 Spring Valley Vineyard 76 Studio 107 78 Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman 79 Walla Walla 80

essential art + galleries + museums The Art Spirit Gallery 25, 27 Anthony Abbate Art Front Cover, 4, 41 Artisans at the Dahmen Barn 81-83 Avenue West Gallery 13 Leslie Cain Inside Back Cover, 120 Couer D’Alene Studio Artists 15 Shirley Erlandsen 18 Irene Dahl 18 Dayton Historic Depot 85 Dayton Historic Courthouse 85 Dodson Fine Jewelers 102 E.L. Stewart Studio 22, 114 Eric Rau 32 Four Spokane Artists 18 Rhea Giffin 15 Terry Lee 15 Cheryl Metcalf 15 Jill Ingram 28, 108 Kay O’Rourke 25 Lillian Conn Art & Antiques & Interior Design 6 Nano Arts & Nano Lopez Studios 10 North West Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) 37, 38, 39, 119 Patti Reiko Osebold 18 Riverpath Studios & Artworks, Inc 35, 110 Ric Gendron 2-3 Sherry Orchard Art 34, 115 Melissa Cole-Sirena Graphics 43 Christina Rothe 18 Steve Henderson Fine Art Gallery 36 Steven A. Scroggins Fine Art 33 Stobie Fine Arts 29, 109 Studio 107 78 Waldman Originals 44 Wenaha Gallery 16 Wendy Zuplin Bailey 45

essential dining 315 @ the Greenbriar 68, 118 Atrium Café and Deli 71 The Copa 64 Country Cupboard 87 Davenport Hotel 60, 113 The Dinner Party 65 Italia Tratorria 5 KingFisher 66 Mace Mead Works 86 Manila Bay 87 The Marc 73, 106 Masselow’s 67 Monteillet Fromagerie 87 Palm Court Grill 60 Patit Creek 87 Peacock Lounge 60 Post Street Ale House 60 Ripples Riverside Grille 71 Safari Fresh Grill & Bar 60 Studio 107 78 The Vineyard Lounge 73, 106 Weinhard Café 87 Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman 79

For more information on all of our features and advertisers visit www.essentialguide.com and follow us on

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Contents essential style + fashion + jewelry

essential architecture + design + decor

the essential guide silver anniversary

Audrey’s Boutique 95 Cheryl Burchell Goldsmith 98, 117 Cues 91 Dodson’s Fine Jewelers 102-103, 112 Jigsaw 96, 116 Katze Boutique 93 Kizuri 97 Laurie Haluska Design Studio 88 Lolo Boutique 94 Riverpath Studios & Artworks 35, 110 Studio 107 78

Concept :: Home 50 The Dinner Party 65 Interiors by Robin 55 Kizuri 97 Lillian Conn Art & Antiques & Interior Design 6 Madison Home 49 1900 46 Revival Lighting 53 Roost 54 Studio 107 78 Tin Roof 50 Von Nash Interiors Inside Front Cover, 1, 111 Wild Wall Walla Wine Woman 79

Marcus Whitman Hotel 106 Jill Ingram 108 Monica Stobie 109 River Path Studio & Artworks 110 Von Nash Interiors 111 Dodson Fine Jewelers 112 The Davenport Hotel 113 E. L. Stewart 114 Sherry Orchard 115 Jigsaw 116 Cheryl Burchell Goldsmith 117 Greenbriar Inn 118 North West Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) 119 Leslie Cain 120

essential shopping + services Auntie’s Bookstore 105 BlueSail 36 The Dinner Party 65 First Friday Downtown Spokane 31 Monteillet Fromagerie 87 Studio 107 78 Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman 79

essential weddings + spas Cheryl Burchell Goldsmith 98, 117 Davenport Hotel 60 Dodson Fine Jewelers 102-103, 112 Greenbriar Inn 68, 118 LaRive 9 Laurie Haluska Design Studio 88 Marcus Whitman Hotel 106 Northern Quest Resort and Casino Back Cover, 9, 67 Red Lion Hotel at the Park 71 Red Lion River Run Hotel 71 Sleeping Lady Resort 66 Spa Paradiso 60 Solstice Spa 66

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essential lodging + real estate Cabina Retreat 69 Davenport Hotel 60, 113 Greenbrier Inn 68, 118 Marcus Whitman Hotel 73 Northern Quest Resort and Casino Back Cover, 9, 67 Red Lion Hotel at the Park 71 Red Lion River Run Hotel 71 Sleeping Lady Resort 66 Weinhard Hotel 87

The Essential Guide is printed on 20% recycled (10% post-consumer waste) paper using only soy-based inks. Our printer meets or exceeds all Federal Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Standards and is a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council.

The Essential Guide & ABODE are registered service marks of Byrdnest Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without permission. Copyright 2012 The Essential Guide: Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Walla Walla

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Kettle Falls

Newport

to sandpoint

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Center

Hayden Lake

Hayden 95

Coeur D’Alene

Post Falls Leavenworth

Coeur D’Alene National Forest

231

Spokane 90

195

90

90

95

90 Moses Lake

82

385

Colfax 95

Pullman 195 12

12

Lewiston

82

Richlands

Uniontown

Dayton

Kennewick

Walla Walla

82

12

Regional Map Wallowa National Forest

84 84

Nezperce National Forest

Pendleton

10

11


ATLANTIC

NORMANDIE

CALISPEL

GARDNER

ADDISON

POST

Spokane

ASTOR

SHARP BOONE

LIDGERWOOD

SINTO

PEARL

CALISPEL

POST

MAXWELL

CATALDO RU BY

MALLON

Keiko Von Holt

ADAMS

CEDAR

WALNUT

MAPLE

JEFFERSON

BROADWAY

N RIVER

DRIVE

COLLEGE

Sandy Mooney

Judy Foust

BRIDGE IDE WHITE PARK

GLOVER FIELD

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

OLIVE

SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER

SPOKANE FALLS BLVD

MAIN MAIN RIVERSIDE

IDE ERS RIV SPRAGUE

RAILROAD

Cheryl Halverson Marsha Marcuson

SHERMAN

COWLEY

COWLEY PARK

CHANDLER

5TH

6TH

HARTSON

7TH

8TH

LN CO LIN

COWLEY

4TH 5TH

to spokane airport

PINE

DIVISION

BROWNE

BERNARD

McCLELLAN

WASHINGTON

STEVENS

HOWARD

WALL

POST

3RD

LINCOLN

2ND

MONROE

MADISON

JEFFERSON

ADAMS

CEDAR

WALNUT

MAPLE

90

PACIFIC

Charlotte Yocom

SHERMAN

GRANT

1ST

ST

CORBIN & MOORE-TURNER HERITAGE GARDENS

Nadine Kay

Olivia Waterman 122 S. Monroe • Spokane, WA 99201 • (509) 838-4999 • AvenueWestGallery.org

12

13


Coeur d’Alene Studio Artists

53

to sandpoint

41 95

Coeur d’Alene

Grandma’s House Oil 24” x 30”

Hayden Lake Hayden

W Hayden Ave

95

N Government Way

Ross Point Rd

W Prena Ave

214 Coeur d’Alene Avenue Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 www.TerryLeeArt.com 208.659.4182

Essence of Serenity Bronze 18 ½ ” x 4 ½ ” x 4 ½ ”

Dalton Gardens

41

90

Golf Course

ltice Way st we rth No

Coeur D’Alene

d Blv

95 to walla walla and dayton

Cougar Bay

N 15th St

N 4th St

E Se

14

Stretch of the Imagination Mixed 34” x 13¼” x 33”

E Dalton

to spokane

E Harrison Fernan Lake Sherman Ave

90

Rhea Giffin www.RheaArt.com 208.664.1691

Cheryl Metcalf www.AllAboutSculpture.com/blog 208.641.8380 15


Pa tit Rd

Walla Walla & Dayton to spokane 

Wenaha Gallery

12

S 5th St

Ralph Trethewey & C.A. Grende

Mustard Hol low Rd Cemete ry Hil lR d

Touchet Valley Golf Course

C

Alan Bean

S 6th St

am

James C. Christensen

S 4th St

to spokane & pullman

St on er

N Front St N Willow St N 1st St

127

S 5th St S 3rd St S 4th St

S 1st St

12

124

Kennewick

to seattle

Walla Walla

82

Sh

aw Rd

Rd 12

Heritage Rd

84

Martin Field

Walla Walla Country Club

Walla Wall East

Powerline Rd

to boise, la grande & baker

ay w gh Hi ld O

S Howard St

Mian Situ

Walla Walla Regional

e E Isaacs Av

S 9th Ave

William S. Phillips

ur y

12 Gose St

All artwork shown © 2012 respective artists of The Greenwich Workshop®, Inc.

Veterans Memorial Park and Golf Course

Melrose St db

Su

Howard Terpning

 to portland

Walla Walla

th Ave

11

N 13

84

16

Lower Waitsburg Rd

ey

12

219 E Main Street, Dayton, WA 99328 Monday thru Saturday from 9am-6pm www.wenaha.com – art@wenaha.com – (800) 755-2124

d

Ha rv

rg R

seattle  to&&wakima yakima

Dayton

Wai tsb u

82

to coeur d’alene

Dayton

dle

Stephen Lyman

12

Mid

Doug Terry & Anne Bullock

Dayton

Cassandra Barney

S 2nd St

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Four Spokane Artists Irene Dahl “Still Life”

Shirley Erlandsen “Hanging Out in Venice”

Essential Events Spokane

photo: Karen Contos

FIRST FRIDAYS (May 4, 2012, and first Friday of every successive month) Take an art walk in downtown Spokane and enjoy live entertainment and exceptional shopping and dining. www.downtownspokane.org

LILAC BLOOMSDAY RUN (May 6, 2012) The 36th Lilac Bloomsday Run promises to break records for the size of its field—upwards of 50,000 people are expected to participate. This popular 12K timed road race is open to runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchairs, assisted wheelchairs and strollers. www.bloomsdayrun.org

30” x 50” Mixed media on copper www.irenedahlart.com Christina Rothe “Play on Forms/Conception”

SPRING BARREL TASTING (May 11-13, 2012) Spokane wineries share their newly made wines, as well as current vintages, with friends from near and far. www.spokanewineries.net

15” x 10.5” Transparent watercolor www.theartistsplace.com Patti Reiko Osebold “Koki the Fisherman”

JR. LILAC PARADE (May 12, 2012) This event is a treasured, long-standing tradition in Spokane celebrating the community’s children. The 61st annual parade includes bands, drill teams, youth organizations and dance groups. www.spokanejrlilacparade.com

WINDERMERE MARATHON & HALF MARATHON (May 19, 2012) The fourth running of this marathon begins in Post Falls, Idaho, and ends in downtown Spokane. The event’s featured charity is the Windermere Foundation, supporting assistance programs for low-income and homeless families. www.windermeremarathon.com

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12” x 12” Threads on Wood www.christinarothe.com

12” x 12” x 9” Paper and clay www.pattiosebold.com

LILAC FESTIVAL PARADE (May 19, 2012) The Spokane Lilac Festival hosts the 74th Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, honoring the military,

recognizing youth and celebrating the region. Approximately 200 units take part in the nation’s largest such event, including bands, floats, equestrian groups and military marchers. www.spokanelilacfestival.org

ARTFEST (June 1-3, 2012) One of the Northwest’s most respected and dynamic art fairs, this annual event features juried artists, live music, food vendors and festive beer and wine gardens in Spokane’s Coeur d’Alene Park. www.northwestmuseum.org

NATIONAL SQUARE DANCE CONVENTION (June 27-30, 2012) Square dancers from around the world descend on Spokane for the 61st national convention. In addition to the dance competitions at the Spokane Convention Center, there are seminars, a fashion show, the Showcase of Rounds and vendors. www.61nsdc.com

HOOPFEST (June 30-July 1, 2012) Hoopfest is the world’s biggest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. With 7,000 teams, 250,000 players and fans, 3,000 volunteers and 458 courts spanning 42 downtown city blocks, it is an outdoor festival like no other. www.hoopfest.org

Youth playing 3-on-3 streetball during Spokane’s Hoopfest

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RIVERFRONT PARK’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION (July 4, 2012) This community event celebrates Independence Day with family activities, music, food, arts and crafts and fireworks. www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com

INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING FAIR (July 10-14, 2012) The 47th annual gathering of fly fishing enthusiasts at the Spokane Convention Center and Gonzaga University features fly tying and fly casting demonstrations, special workshops and programs, an exhibit hall and raffles.

COEUR D’ALENE MARATHON & HALF MARATHON (May 27, 2012) These races are run on a refreshing mix of city streets and scenic trails, through the beautiful resort city and along Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. www.cdamarathon.com

www.fedflyfishers.org

CAR D’LANE CLASSIC CAR SHOW (June 15-16, 2012) This is a weekend for classic car lovers! Featuring 1975 or pre-1975 cars and trucks, the 2012 Car d’Lane show includes a new Friday Garage Tour and Saturday demonstration. www.cdadowntown.com

SPOKANE FALLS NORTHWEST INDIAN ENCAMPMENT AND POWWOW (Aug 24-26, 2012) Inland Northwest tribes gather along the banks of the Spokane River to celebrate their heritage with dancing, drumming and handicrafts. The event in Riverfront Park includes Grand Entry on both Friday and Saturday, as well as special dancing and drumming competitions. www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com

IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE (June 24, 2012) This famous triathlon, one of the toughest events in the world of sports, is on one of the country’s most beautiful courses. It includes a 2.4-mile swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 112-mile bike ride on a new course, and a 26.2-mile run through downtown. More than 2,500 athletes from around the world are expected to participate. www.ironmancda.com

PIG OUT IN THE PARK (Aug 29-Sept 3, 2012) Pig Out is Spokane’s largest cultural event and is now in its 33rd year. Labor Day at Spokane’s annual restaurant and music festival in Riverfront Park. www.spokanepigout.com

ART ON THE GREEN (Aug 3-5, 2012) The 44th annual Art on the Green is a marketplace, performance space and gathering point for more than 135 artists and 50,000 visitors. Held on the old Fort Sherman grounds on the North Idaho College campus, it’s a great place to buy handcrafted works directly from the artists. www.artonthegreen.org

SPOKANE OKTOBER FEST (Sept 21-22, 2012) At this third annual beer tasting festival in Riverfront Park, more than 70 different Washington craft beers are available for sampling. www.washingtonbeer.com/oktoberfest

CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE (Nov 26-Dec 7, 2012) You can win an elaboratelydecorated Christmas tree or exciting prize in what is regarded as Spokane’s premier holiday event. Eighteen dazzling, themed trees can be viewed at the historic Davenport Hotel and at River Park Square. Raffle tickets for the trees and prizes benefit the Spokane Symphony. www.spokanesymphonyassoc.org 20

Coeur d’Alene

COEUR D’ALENE TRIATHLON AND DUATHLON (Aug 11, 2012) The 29th annual triathlon is one of the most scenic races in the Northwest. It includes a 1.5K swim in pristine Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 40K bike ride along its shores and a 10K run north along Northwest Boulevard and the Spokane River. www.cdatriathlon.com WOODEN BOAT SHOW (Aug 20-21, 2012) Among Coeur d’Alene’s most popular summer events, the 26th annual boat show features a remarkable collection of vessels. All are on view along the Coeur d’Alene Resort Boardwalk—the world’s longest—on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The event includes food vendors and entertainment and is free to the public. www.cdachamber.com

HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW (Nov 23, 2012-Jan 2, 2013) Each evening, more than 1.5 million lights around the resort, the boardwalk and Casco Bay sparkle across Lake Coeur d’Alene’s water. The show features lake cruises to view the lights an the lighting of the world’s tallest living Christmas tree— more than twice as high as the Rockefeller Center tree. www.coeurdalene.org

Walla Walla SPRING RELEASE WEEKEND (May 4-6, 2012) Walla Walla wineries release their latest vintages. www.wallawallawine.com BALLOON STAMPEDE (May 11-13) Experience splendor in the sky at the 38th annual Balloon Stampede! The festival features daily balloon launches at 6:30 a.m., as well as a Night Glow. Other events include a Friday night champagne reception and Saturday night dance party, all at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. www.wwvchamber.com SWEET ONION FESTIVAL (July 14-15) The 28th annual event proudly showcases Washington’s vegetable—“the onion so sweet you can eat it like an apple.” Held in downtown Walla Walla, the festival includes French onion soup and salsa competitions. www.sweetonions.org

Dayton DAYTON DAYS (May 25-28, 2012) An annual Memorial Day weekend event, Dayton Days features pari-mutuel horseracing, rodeos, dances, a parade on Main Street and the Touchet River Fun Run. www.daytonwa.com ALL WHEELS WEEKEND (June 15-17, 2012) Southeastern Washington’s most popular car show, All Wheels offers a classic car show with Friday night cruise, a live stage show and demolition derby in downtown Dayton. Don’t miss the outlaw lawn drag races and Men’s “Drag” Races! www.allwheelsweekend.com

MULE MANIA (July 19-22, 2012) One of the first of its type in the Pacific Northwest, this event seeks to educate the public about the great qualities and versatility of the mule and donkey. It features classes, a parade and the American Chuck Wagon Cook-off. It is open to the public, with free admission, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. www.mulemaniadayton.com

A balloon hovers over a Walla Walla vineyard during Balloon Stampede.

WALLA WALLA VALLEY QUILT FESTIVAL (Sept 14-16, 2012) The 13th annual festival includes a vintage quilt show, workshops, demonstrations, an auction and vendor mall at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds. www.wallawallaquiltfestival.org

FALL RELEASE WEEKEND (Nov 2-4, 2012) Walla Walla wineries celebrate the new vintage with special events. www.wallawallawine.com 21


E.L. Stewart

Versatile Contemporary Abstract Expressionist

Baby’s First Impression of a Jack-in-the-Box acrylic on canvas, 40” x 30”

essential art + galleries

Anywhere You Want To Go acrylic on canvas, 20” x 20”

Woman Washing Up acrylic on canvas, 36” x 36”

painter@elstewart.com I 509.327.2456 Studio visits welcome, please call ahead

SpokAnE 22

23


Discovering Art in Unlikely Places

S

by Laurie L. Ross

pokane and Coeur d’Alene have rich, vibrant, diverse art scenes. Much of this art graces the pages of The Essential Guide, but art also abounds in places you might not expect it. The most obvious, which we talk about in other stories, are the many beautiful wine-tasting rooms at vineyards throughout the state. If you want to treat yourself to the joy of discovering some lessthan-obvious art venues, check out the following. In the basement of the historic Illuminaria building on South Madison is the art studio of Ben Joyce. This talented artist creates semi-abstract compositions inspired by the wondrous geography of Google Earth. It is landscape art that connects people and place. Joyce’s works are part of noteworthy private collections around the world, including the collection at Google Earth headquarters in California. Joyce’s studio is open for events, on the First Friday Art Walk, and by appointment. Food is the edible art at restaurants, but some also offer a feast for the eyes. At Scratch Restaurant & Lounge you can indulge in Chef Jason Rex’s cuisine while taking in the works of notable regional artists, which are displayed on the rustic exposed brick walls. Scratch is in downtown Spokane near the historic Fox Theater, and it has is a second location in Coeur d’Alene. Regional art also adorns the walls of Taste Café & Gourmet24

To-Go in downtown. Made-from-scratch baked goods by pastry chef and co-owner Hannah Heber may be the initial draw, but patrons are equally delighted to discover that corner café is rich with art that is rotated on a monthly basis. Finally, don’t miss Italia’s housemade pasta and desserts: co-owners Chef Anna and Bethe are known for their support of the community and the arts. It’s hard to keep great food a secret, especially when there is a helping of art on the side. An unlikely place to find art is what abstract expressionist Edward Gilmore envisioned when he transformed an old storage space into Studio 66. His original art hangs throughout this new gallery, interspersed with the works of other local artists with a modern edge. Tucked away, off the beaten path, the gritty warehouse gives little hint of the brilliance inside. Dodson’s Jewelers is a family business that spans four generations. Besides being Spokane’s premier jewelry store, this sparkly downtown business has added a significant fine art gallery. Expect to experience unique regional artists. Monthly artist receptions and showings are the newest family tradition at this rich-inheritage business. The Heart of Spokane showcases all that is unique, and is a gathering place for artisans, antiques and products of all types. Notable Spokane artist Cecile Charles is the energy behind this new gallery and

Previous page: A detail from “Old Friends,” a pastel by Leslie Cain; Above: A detail of “Apricot River” by Anthony Abbate at Italia Trattoria

Kay O’Rourke

left: Spin of Joy, oil, 48” x 36” above: Lollypop Nation, charcoal & pastel, 60” x 50”

415 Sherman Avenue Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 (208) 765-6006 • www.theartspiritgallery.com Contact Kay O’Rourke by e-mail: wakerobin@comcast.net

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antique shop in North Spokane. It’s an artists’ co-op featuring works by two dozen regional artists and artisans. This art gallery is tucked in the Monroe Street antique district. Spokane International Airport’s “gallery” is in the concourses. The airport is the gateway to the region, with more than three million passengers coming and going annually. The featured regional artists have diverse styles and use a variety of mediums. T.C. Quinn painted the expansive mural on the wall in Concourse C. It presents an aerial view of Spokane’s first airport (circa 1929) and the refueling of the first airplane to make a nonstop transcontinental round-trip flight. Ken Yuhasz created a super-sized appliance: his flying Aer-O-Toaster is installed adjacent to the baggage claim area and escalator in Concourse C. Louise Kodis contributed the three-dimensional floating shapes suspended under the ceiling rotunda. Her mixed-media work is entitled “Conversations between Clouds.” Steven Vallentyne Adams drew inspiration from the local landscape and waterways for his kiln-cast glass panels in the A/B Concourse baggage claim area. Next time you’re in the Spokane International Airport, look

around and take in the art. There’s an art gallery in the bookstore—or maybe there’s a bookstore in the art gallery. Either way, the Tinman Art Gallery in the historic Garland District in North Spokane is a must-see. In addition to showcasing regional artists, the gallery is an independent bookstore featuring a broad range of contemporary novels and art books, some of which were penned by local authors. The gallery connects artists and art collectors in the region and mounts new art exhibits monthly. Clearstory Gallery is a new fine art gallery on the Life Center Campus near Spokane Falls Community College. The gallery’s mission is to connect people to God through visual art. The works include some of the region’s most highly acclaimed artists. Clearstory Gallery debuts an artist’s soul-stirring work during the First Friday Art Walk, complete with appetizers and live music. The gallery is located on the mezzanine of the Life Center Church and is open to the public. In addition to the gallery, there is art throughout the building, including entire-room murals in the nurseries and youth rooms. These awe-inspiring original works took artist Ruby Smith more than three years to complete. 

Monthly shows of original fine art by top regional/national artists: Harold Balazs, Frank Boyden, Victoria Brace, George Carlson, Beth Cavener Stichter, Morse Clary, Peter Cox, Mary Farrell, Del Gish, Elaine Green, Robert Grimes, Michael Horswill, Tyree Kearns, Jerri Lisk, Mel McCuddin, Kay O’Rourke, Kyle Paliotto, Brad Rude, Cary Weigand…and more!

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The winetasting room at Long Shadows vintners showcasing art pieces by Dale Chihuly

in downtown Coeur d’Alene • 208.765.6006 • www.TheArtSpiritGallery .com 27


Dayton, WA

Monica Stobie www.monicastobie.com

Jill Ingram

Cowbird bronze sculpture

Portrait watercolor

Haystack Rock pastel on bark paper

Waking Aspens watercolor

Elk Rock CafĂŠ pastel on bark paper

Gallery at the Weinhard

www.jillingram.com 28

Gallery at the Weinhard

Dayton, WA

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Friday Night Art Walks & More be a part of art

by Laurie L. Ross Spokane - First Fridays First Friday was formally launched in 1990 when the Spokane Arts Commission merged two existing events: Live after 5, a celebration of live music, and the Visual Arts Tour, which focused primarily on galleries. The impact of the collaboration was immediate, but in 2004, with the promotional backing of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), First Friday truly became downtown’s monthly celebration of all things art. This highly anticipated night continues to build momentum. First Friday caters to the after-work crowd, officially taking place from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Twice a year (February and October) the festivities last all weekend with First Friday included in the Visual Arts Tour. In most cases, 30

the featured artist is on site, mingling with interested art seekers. Art walkers can expect to discover a variety of art in a range of mediums and enjoy live music, as well as partake of regional cuisine and wine. Today, First Friday is no longer limited to galleries, but also includes wineries, boutiques, eateries and other downtown businesses getting in on Spokane’s night out. Most downtown wineries and tasting rooms participate, using the monthly celebration to debut new releases or feature special tastings. Barrister Winery is an established destination for art, with upwards of 700 visitors throughout the evening. The winery’s tall, exposed brick walls can accommodate large works, and the artwork often shows exceptionally well in contrast with the rustic ambiance of this former

Above left: Raising a glass to art during Spokane’s First Fridays.; Above right: An active 2nd Friday at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene

warehouse. Add Barrister’s award-winning wine, locally catered cuisine and cool live blues, and you quickly understand what makes Barrister such a popular stop. On First Fridays there is no cost to meander in and out of participating businesses and take in the art. Even the prestigious Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), located just west of downtown in historic Browne’s Addition (Spokane’s oldest neighborhood), is open late. For a donation visitors can peruse its galleries on this ultimate night of all things art. From established galleries such as the Chase Gallery in City Hall, to locally owned restaurants such as Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie, First Friday offers a wonderful opportunity to explore Spokane’s emerging and diverse art scene. For Spokane’s First Friday venues, visit downtownspokane.net Coeur d’Alene - Second Fridays The Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance invites you to take part in the city’s cultural scene. The Art Walk is the second Friday of the month from April through December. Stroll through beautiful downtown and take in the art. From 5:00 - 8:00 pm enjoy the works of local and nationally acclaimed artists in an array of galleries and shops. Visit restaurants and other participating businesses. Many artists are on premise, with some creating art during this free, family-friendly event. Enjoy an evening of live music and fine dining in beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene. During Music Walk evenings—the 4th Friday of January, February and March—music fills the city’s downtown core. The music officially runs from 5:00 - 9:00 pm, but many music venues stay open later. Stroll in and out of businesses turned concert venues and sample the musical variety that North Idaho has to offer. Whether you like jazz or rock, classical or pop, they’re playing your song.

Not your

average Friday

Art Walk

Galleries

Live Performances

DowntownSpokane.net

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Walla Walla - First Fridays The Walla Walla Valley art community exhibits a wealth of artistic works by local, national and international artists during its First Friday Art Walks. More than 15 museums, galleries, artists’ studios and other art venues extend their hours to 8 pm on the first Friday of the month from May through December. Participating Art Walk locations and local businesses in Historic Downtown Walla Walla provide brochures with a map for a selfguided tour of local arts spaces and downtown public sculpture. As you stroll, be sure to stop by one of Walla Walla’s wonderful dining choices, such as T. Maccarone’s or Olives. The Whitman College campus is home to many dramatic outdoor sculptures. On display in Whitman’s Sheehan Gallery, Maxey Museum, Reid Campus Center, and Penrose Library are many beautiful paintings and mixed-media works. Walla Walla College’s Clyde & Mary Harris Gallery in College Place and Walla Walla Community College’s Fine Arts Gallery are also showplaces of fine art throughout the year, but

especially during Walla Walla’s Friday Night Art Walks. Dayton - October 6, 2012 Dayton’s quality art and architecture are showcased during Dayton’s Community Art Walk each fall. On October 6, 2012, you can see many of Dayton’s finest galleries, studios and private homes. The Depot takes a central role in the community Art Walk: Columbia County art is on display upstairs in the Depot Gallery. An Oktoberfest in the courtyard features local foods and beverages, and there is an artists’ reception. The Depot also serves as the starting point for a tour of public buildings and private historic homes. Homeowners and docents greet visitors and explain about the structures’ history and features The art walk on Main Street runs 10:00 am 4:00 pm. It includes several studios and galleries, such as Wenaha Gallery, Jill Ingram Gallery, Steven Henderson Fine Art Gallery, and the Keith McMaster’s Studio. Tickets and maps are available in the Dayton Historic District, the starting place. 

Steven A. Scroggins

Fine Art

Contemporary - Modern - Abstract

Last Migration • 27x33 • oil on canvas

www.GreenDreamsSpokane.com E r i c R a u r u n n i n h o t m a n @ g m a i l . c o m 509.863.4568 32

The “Tic Tac Toe” sculpture by Richard Beyer on the Whitman College Campus

The Historic Rail Depot, Dayton

110 N. 4th Downtown Coeur d’Alene, ID 208.659.8332 www.stevenascroggins.com

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Sherry Orchard Feather Artist

Wildlife and Landscapes Created on Feathers Walla Walla, Washington

509-525-1745

Email: sherry.orchard@gmail.com Website: www.sherryorchardart.com Commissions Accepted

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www.SteveHendersonFineArt.com

Steve Henderson Fine Art

gallery

Original fine art paintings and archival quality prints

Studio visits by appointment 509.382.9775 or carolyn@stevehendersonfineart.com 102 Deer Pond Lane, Dayton, WA 99328

blue sail

Let us tell your story 509.954.0173 www.bluesailstories.com 36

marketing

web development

design

T

MAC art auction

he largest art auction in the Inland Northwest, the MAC Art Auction Spokane, was held on April 21, 2012. Nearly 300 guests gathered at the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane to celebrate and support the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC). The MAC is a regional and cultural hub located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. It features engaging visual art, history, and American Indian culture exhibits, and programs for families, adults and school children. The MAC began as the Eastern Washington Historical Society in 1916. At the MAC Art Auction 2012, guests had the opportunity to acquire two- and threedimensional master artworks in various media and with many subjects. The event provided essential financial support for the MAC’s arts mission: to foster appreciation for the arts, the aesthetic development of its visitors, and a vibrant cultural community for the Inland Northwest. MAC exhibitions feature the works of important regional artists–both historic and contemporary–and works from a collection of traditional and contemporary American Indian art, Inland Northwest masters, Northwest Modernism and contemporary art, and the famous WPA-era Spokane Art Center. The setting for the auction, the historic Davenport Hotel, was as magnificent as the works of the region’s

by Rebecca Bishop

artists. With architectural features from Spain, France, Italy, England and Russia, the Davenport was designed by noted architect Kirtland Cutter to “bring the world to Spokane.” Opened in 1914, the hotel was the region’s business, civic and social meeting place. Restored to its original grandeur and re-opened in 2002, it remains an essential Spokane experience: a place to imagine the gritty days when mines, timber and the railroads promised adventure and fortune. The evening of the auction opened with Quick Finish art demonstrations, along with handpicked silent auction items. This was followed by a rousing live auction called by Spokane auctioneer Jeff Owens, who has supported the MAC’s art auctions for nearly two decades. Guests enjoyed an elegant, lively celebration of artists and their art, and a fine Davenport Hotel dinner with jazz accompaniment. The auction attracted artists and collectors from nine western states. This year, a full-color catalog was produced illustrating all of the auction items. It contains 128 pages of beautiful work by regional artists. The catalog is available through the Museum Store (509-456-3931) for $40.  For more information, visit macartauctionspokane.org.

A detail of Kyle Paliotto’s “Morning Rose,” a painting acutioned to raise funds for the MAC.

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LASTING HERITAGE

Exhibits

Lasting Heritage From the MAC’s American Indian collection Historic Campbell House and Campbell House Activity Center On-going tours and interactive exhibit Dig It! The Secrets of Soil Through Sept. 22, 2012 Smithsonian traveling exhibition. 2 to Tango: Artist and Viewer Invites you to muse upon artworks spanning four centuries. Uncommon Gifts May - August 2012 Features outstanding northwest artists of the last two generations.

On view now at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Spokane, WA This culturally rich exhibit highlights the tribes of the Columbia Plateau and Great Basin and is based on guest curator Miles R. Miller’s (Yakama) essay, Indian Nations of North America, published by National Geographic in 2010. Lasting Heritage uses personal stories and human-made objects to articulate the spiritual and visceral links between ancient people, modern tribal people and their lands.

Opening Fall 2012

David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work Explore the Northwest of the 1820s and 30s through Douglas’ travels.

Historic cultural objects, modern works by contemporary American Indian artists, and historic photographs fill two galleries in this long term exhibit highlighting the riches of the MAC’s American Indian Collection. It is the MAC’s largest American Indian installation to-date.

Buffalo Bill’s: Wild West Warriors Exclusive engagement of rare photographs from the Smithsonian Institution.

Special Annual Events

Hundreds of objects including baskets, flat-twined bags, beaded bags, clothing, moccasins, and horse gear express the similarities and differences among Plateau and Great Basin people.

January – Open January 1 to celebrate First Day February – Museum Month in Spokane April – MAC Art Auction Spokane May – Mother’s Day Tour June – ArtFest, 3-day outdoor art & music festival October – Family Art Day ( I <3 Art) December – Campbell House Holidays BeGin! Party at the MAC. 6-8 pm Second Friday of every month.

The exhibition is specially designed around Washington State Department of Education Classroom Based Assessments and is augmented by a companion website called Living Legacy that provides curriculum-based information and inquirybased resources.

Admission for general exhibits

2316 W First Avenue, Spokane

$7 Adults - $5 Seniors (60/up) and Students with ID 5 and under Free Open Wed–Sat 10am–5pm MAC annual memberships are available. 38

Butch Nomee (Coeur d’Alene Tribe)

Lead Sponsors: Robert & Jean Kendall, Pacific Steel and Recycling

(509) 456-3931

www.northwestmuseum.org

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Juicy Fruit

Celebrating the Art of Glass!

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Joe Feddersen’s “Rugged Trail 2,” blown glass, 19” x 18.5” x 18.5”, Northwest Museum of Art & Culture

Ink on Rag Framed Floating on Resin

States, and the movement quickly spread to other countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the movement’s founding, a cause for a major celebration. Those interested in glass will want to take advantage of the 42nd annual Glass Art Society Conference. Slated for June 13-16, 2012, in Toledo, Ohio, this year’s conference has the theme of “Idea–Impact– Innovation.” It celebrates this unique art form and looks at where the future of glass art is headed. (www.glassart. org/2012_Toledo_OH.html) Another resource is the Corning Museum of Glass, which commemorated its 60th year in 2011. Located in New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country region, the museum is featuring special exhibitions on Littleton and Labino to honor the 50th anniversary of the birth of the American Studio Glass Movement. The museum presents an annual Seminar on Glass, as well as the many other presentations throughout the year by renowned glass artists, scholars, curators, and glass experts. (www.cmog.org) Littleton’s students included Marvin Lipofsky and Dale Chihuly, who became major pioneers in the glass art world. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they helped promote the movement’s expansion across the country. Today, these influential working artists are regarded as luminaries, and justifiably so. Chihuly, born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1941, has always believed in working as part of a team. He says

39” x 32”

lass is the only material that actually transmits light. In one form or another, it has been used by artists since 250 B.C. to express cultural beliefs, ideas and, sometimes, just pure imagination. From Murano, Italy, the birthplace of glass, to the colder shores of Washington State, glass artists have coaxed beautiful forms from fire, using nothing more than their breath and a few simple tools. The world of contemporary glass art is flourishing, and the medium is now being recognized as a fine art. The term “glass art” typically is used to describe large, modern, one-of-akind artworks made mainly or wholly of glass. In contrast, “art glass” and “studio glass” refer to smaller pieces, many created in editions of multiples. Even so, there is not agreement on the precise definition of either. Because of the need for intense heat, early glass artists were often forced to go to commercial factories to do their work. That changed in 1962 when Harvey K. Littleton, a Cranbrooktrained ceramist and teaching ceramist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Dominick Labino, a glass research scientist, made the glassmaking more accessible. Littleton discovered glass could be melted at a temperature low enough for artists to use small home-studio furnaces. The Studio Glass movement founded by Littleton and Labino led to the creation of art glass studios, workshops and schools in the United

Planetary Cherry 36” x 29” Framed Ink on Rag

Tangerine Scene 29” x 24” Framed Ink on Rag

Plum Pearing

G

by Lorraine Edge Castillo

Peachy Keen 24” x 29” Framed Ink on Rag

Kiwi Lagoon 39” x 32” Framed Ink on Rag

Anthony Abbate 505.820.6868 • aabbate@comcast.net Abbate-Art.com

Also featured at Italia Trattoria in Spokane ~ www.italiatrattoriaspokane.com

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one reason is that glass blowing is not easy to do alone. Also, his father was a union organizer who worked with a team; Chihuly speculates that perhaps his knack for teamwork came from him. Chihuly especially enjoys working in teams when the team is comprised of artists who specialize in different mediums. While attending Littleton’s glass program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chihuly’s best friends were graduate students from the painting department. He described himself and his friends as a kind of “art team,” with each helping the others with their art works. Chihuly, a Fulbright Fellow, eventually founded the Pilchuck Glass School in 1971 in Stanwood, Washington, in the Cascade Mountain foothills. He has always encouraged his students to push the envelope and to use glass in ways that are considered unorthodox. (www.chihuly. com) A spectacular example of Chihuly’s own “envelopepushing” and love of integrating architecture, landscape, and massive glass sculptures is his 12’ x 9’ x 6’ “Icicle Creek Chandelier” at Sleeping Lady Resort. Set in the magnificent Cascade foothills, just outside Leavenworth, the resort is the perfect environment to inspire artists, and the owner’s love of art is reflected in the resort’s extraordinary collection of petroglyphs, woodcarvings, and Native American blankets, as well. The “Chandelier” was constructed by Chihuly and his team in 1996, and was Chihuly’s first permanent outdoor installation. With glass “icicles” exploding outward in every direction, the tip of this stunning sculpture is embedded 42

in a mammoth boulder in the Sleeping Lady wilderness. The installation required a team of engineers, welders, geologists, and others. The sculpture’s 1,200 glass “icicles” are designed to withstand the region’s fluctuating temperatures. During the years since the installation, only a few dozen of the original components have broken. (www.sleepinglady.com) Sleeping Lady Resort owner Harriet Bullitt says, “Seeing how the ‘Icicle Creek Chandelier’ was made only heightens the sense of wonder one feels at viewing this startling piece. It’s a permanent reminder of how a human-made creation can be framed in nature and find harmony within.” A very different type of glass art adorns the Exhibit Hall of the Spokane Convention Center. “Riverdance,” created by artist Melissa Cole, is a 24’ x 21’-high mural made up of panels of textured acrylic paint, hammered copper, and a mosaic of recycled glass, tile, fused glass and jewels (see ad on page 43). The mural’s images of fish, herons, and ducks depict the Spokane River ecosystem. It was installed and unveiled in March 2011. Cole was born in Oregon, but raised in London, Hong Kong, and India. At Oregon State University, she earned a degree in zoology. She is the author of 30 natural history books for children, and is married to wildlife photographer, Brandon Cole. Drawn by the dimension, shimmer and texture of glass, she works with fused glass, stained glass, mirror and glass bubbles. During the last two years, she has begun working more with glass mosaics and mosaiced concrete sculptures since that medium that can be used for exterior situations and public art.

Dale Chihuly’s “Icicles,” a glass installation at Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth

The Northwest is blessed with a wealth of master glass artists and artisans. Each artist has a unique style, but all exhibit the highest degrees of workmanship. A group of 50 of these artists, including Melissa Cole, will show their work at the fourth annual Art and Glass Fest, held at Spokane’s Arbor Crest Winery on August 22-23, 2012. Another exciting annual glass art event for the region is Glass on the Grass. This outdoor exhibition and sale is held on the lawn in front of the Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University in Spokane. (The University’s own excellent glass collection of glass, which includes Chihuly’s “Red Chandelier,” is on display.) The exhibits are designed to present glass works that range from traditional to progressive, and applications encompass blown glass, cast glass, fused glass, painted glass, glass mosaic, leaded and foiled glass, and torchworked beads. Event organizer Conrad Bagley is a local glass artist himself, as well as a behavioral therapist who practices art therapy. For details of the 2012 Glass in the Grass, see www. spokanearts.org. Long Shadows Winery, Walla Walla, is the perfect place if you like to partake of a little wine while enjoying your art. The founder, Allen Shoup, is as passionate about art as he is about wine, and the 1,075-square-foot Chihuly Room is the latest manifestation of Allen’s on-going commitment to both. An art collector himself, Allen began a friendship with Chihuly in the mid-1980s. It eventually led to the Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series and later the prestigious Stanislav Libensky award, both established while Allen was president of Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards. The Libensky Award, given in honor of the renowned Czech glass artist and teacher, is awarded annually to a Czech art glass student. The art on display in Long Shadows’ Chihuly Room is part of the winery’s permanent exhibit, although interested collectors may purchase select pieces, which Chihuly then replaces. This

Melissa Cole studios

riverdance 22’ x 24’ mixed media on wood and canvas spokane convention center

greedy raven 18” x 24” glass mosaic, concrete sculpture on mirror

private commissions & public installations mixed media paintings, mosaic & concrete sculpture

sirenagraphics@hotmail.com i 509.535.3489

w w w. m e l i ss a c o l e . c o m

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is Allen’s way of keeping the exhibit fresh, while at the same time supporting the artist. Chihuly receives 100% of the proceeds from the sale, but frequently donates them to charity. On display are “Sunburst on Grapes,” a custom chandelier and “Macchias,” two sets of three designs (six in total) that create the impression of a field of wildflowers. “Blue Ridge Tall Grass,” a custom-designed installation inspired by green wheat fields and the Blue Ridge Mountains, provides a backdrop for the art. To top it all, there is a painting, a gift from Chihuly. Chihuly presented it to Allen on his first visit to the winery. To the surprise of both men, the painting’s palette matched the winery’s colors perfectly. Those bitten by the glass bug who feel the urge to craft can explore the workshops at Northwest Glass Society (glassartists.org). For artists, collectors, art historians, and art lovers, the Inland Northwest offers much see, learn and discover about this medium, and ample reasons to celebrate glass art’s remarkable evolution during the past half century. 

Whimsical Sculptural Puppetry

Wendy Zupan Bailey

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Chihuly glass “Macchias” at the Long Shadows Winery

Playful Art Just for Fun!

www.wendyzupanbailey.com dolls@wendyzupanbailey.com 2704 S Stone Street, Spokane, WA 509-953-9831 Studio open by appointment

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essential architecture + design

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Design Matters Everything Old Is New Again by Laurie L. Ross Whether a client’s space needs a complete revamping or just freshening up, Spokane interior designers and stylists stand ready to lend their expertise. They can masterfully mix traditional and modern elements to create memorable residential and commercial designs. Today’s consumers are more conscious about the environment, and restyling and refurbishing are more popular than ever. Incorporating some elements of current trends adds personality; incorporating retro, vintage or antique elements adds a sense of history and brings depth to the design. Spokane is fortunate to have the following businesses that help keep Spokane spaces beautiful. Gestalt Studio likes to integrate vintage pieces into its projects. Owner Debra Howard says that whether it’s a modern loft or rustic retreat, vintage items bring character, warmth and a sense of history to the space. Gestalt Studio, a commercial and residential interior design firm, is housed in a turn-of-the-century warehouse in downtown Spokane. The space is shared with 1900, Howard’s retail store that showcases distinct home furnishing and accessories in a rustically elegant environment. It features a mix of select home accessories and 48

Live Beautifully

2826 N. Ruby St. Spokane, WA 99207 www.madisonhomenw.com info@madisonhomenw.com T. (509) 325-1815

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tinroof the

Interior Design Services Avaliable 1727 E Sprague www.tinrooffurniture.com Monday-Saturday 10-6 | Sunday 11-4 | (509) 535-1111

So much more than just Spokane’s favorite furniture stores!

& Design 401 W First Ave 50

concepthomefurniture.com

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm

509.413.1185

unique furnishings. The timeless style at 1900 often turns their retail customers into design clients. Howard specializes in historic preservation and sustainable design. She recommends integrating salvaged and reclaimed materials into the design whenever possible, whether it’s a remodeling project or new construction. For instance, using reclaimed barn wood to panel a ceiling, as support beams, or milled to use as flooring adds a measure of character and texture. Howard appreciates the contrast of crisp, clean modern against older, weathered character pieces. She suggests looking at old or vintage pieces with a fresh eye to repurpose or reuse them in new, interesting, creative ways. Asked about a particularly memorable project, Howard cites one from early in her career: the Jefferson Auto Lofts in downtown’s historic Davenport District. She worked closely with the architect to create singular, imaginative spaces in eight urban lofts. The stylish Von Nash, of Von Nash Interiors, reminds us that good design never goes out of date. Her eponymous Coeur d’Alene showroom blends carefully chosen consignment pieces with new furnishings. Nash is convinced that an antique placed in a contemporary setting can be stunning. She has designed hundreds of homes both regionally and in Texas without any of the designs being alike. Nash accomplishes this by taking clients’ existing possessions and weaving them in with other pieces they like in order to create a look that’s uniquely theirs. Nash recalled an over-the-top project she undertook in Texas. The challenge was that the owners had large collections of items from extensive world travel, and they wanted them displayed

throughout their home. Nash was able to display all of their treasured collections, which included 50 Chinese porcelain pillows and 70 Saudi Arabian puppets, without the home appearing cluttered. She feels that function is paramount in any size space. With so many fond design memories, Nash dreams of publishing a book featuring the homes she’s had the privilege of designing and furnishing. As its name suggests, Revival Lighting is all about making what’s old new again. Lighting restorations and reproductions are done with skill and attention to detail, and the lighting boutique itself is as original as the merchandise it offers. Customers frequent the downtown Spokane lighting gallery in search of the artistic craftsmanship of vintage lights. Owners John Hahn, Jamie Vaughn and David Farmer revel in mixing artistic styles and designs to meet their customers’ contemporary lighting needs. The owners know that lighting is not just a utilitarian matter; rather, it sets the style and mood of any space. Signature projects include their involvement with restorations of two of Spokane’s grandest, most historic buildings: the Davenport Hotel and the Fox Theater. The careful restorations of these landmarks demanded highly skilled craftsmanship and historical accuracy. The period lighting was carefully chosen to be true to the style and era of these treasured buildings. Additional dream projects this niche business would like include participation in the preservation of historic buildings in Washington, D.C. The talented Heather Hanley is the owner and creative director of three home furnishing stores with

Page 47: Master bedroom designed by Lillian Conn; Above: Von Nash Interiors gives an old chair new life.

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distinct personalities. The Tin Roof literally took over Hanley’s family-owned, second-generation appliance store, which was housed in a sustainable building just east of downtown Spokane. This flagship store carries reclaimed and resourced products that add texture and character to the showroom’s carefully selected home furniture lines. Hanley searched hard to find an historic building for the live/work space she envisioned. Then she discovered the former Comet Press building. On the street level is Concept Home, which is filled with retro looks, such as mid-century modern pieces that add a contemporary look to residential and commercial spaces. The modern feel of the furnishings provides a stunning contrast to the reclaimed building, which also displays Hanley’s signature style in seven luxury condos. The third and newest store, reSkued is nestled behind The Tin Roof. It accepts old furniture in trade. Many of those vintage pieces are restyled and given new life in an effort to find them a home. As a designer, Hanley uses heirlooms and antiques to give a reference point and sense of history to her projects. With eight designers of varying backgrounds and styles, and access to the inventory of all three stores, no project is out of reach. The ultimate project for this accomplished designer and businesswoman would be to design and decorate an HGTV Dream Home. Hanley and her businesses are continuously involved with community causes that make a significant difference in the lives of others. Robin Hoffman, of Interiors by Robin, Inc., designs spaces that address commercial and residential customers’ needs and desires. At her showroom in the 52

quaint Garland District in North Spokane, she offers everything from space planning to color design, and everything in between. To her, ideal projects are those in which she can plan, design and use her contractor license! Hoffman often uses existing furnishings in novel ways or combines them with newer pieces to enhance and complete a design. She believes small efforts to reuse add up to a bigger impact, but notes that larger items, such as carpets, can be reused as well. Hoffman cites the words of American artist Maya Lin, who is best known as the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (“The Wall”): “I try to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings. That’s art to me.” Hoffman says that people often become so comfortable with their surroundings that they fail to see other uses or ways to arrange their space. Hoffman’s objective is to present clients with fresh ideas and options for the use of their space and furnishings. Lam Le knows that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and his welledited Madison Home showroom reflects this philosophy. The pieces are familiar, but updated to today’s lifestyle and aesthetics. A signature project that Madison Home is particularly proud of is the re-opening of Churchill’s Steakhouse in downtown Spokane. The popular establishment was devastated by fire, and Madison Home designers furnished the rebuilt main dining room and lounge/cigar room. They selected classic pieces that evoke the past in an updated way. Those classic yet modern designs resonate with clients. Madison Home’s fabric and finishes have classic lines, profiles and silhouettes. Le’s dream job is to renovate

Vintage and new finds at 1900

Where the Old & New Hangout

Revival Lighting

Vintage thru Modern Lighting

Antique Furniture

Shades

Accessories

Restoration

14 West Main Avenue in Downtown Spokane Monday - Saturday 9-5

(509) 747-4552

www.revivallighting.com

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his parent’s lake house: its architecture makes it an intriguing undertaking. He says he also knows how rewarding it would be to do such a meaningful project for them. Celeste Shaw is a longtime collector of farm-style antiques and salvaged goods. Her junking passion is represented in her uniquely and delightfully decorated restaurant Chaps in Latah Valley. Shaw’s barn was bursting with inventory. Friends Lana Neumann, Erica Parish and Chris Lynch were in similar situations. The result was that the four became partners and opened Pink. This one-of-a-kind home décor store is in the space formerly occupied by Luminaria, a downtown building that is listed on the Spokane Registry of Historic Buildings. Pink is filled with fabulous orphaned and repurposed home furnishing and accessories. The inventory includes traditional and sundry items such as restyled furniture, historic lighting fixtures, vintage signs and the occasional library card catalog curio. Reclaimed and shabby-chic finds that are rich in

character, some with unknown histories, mingle with new items. Frequent visits are recommended since the merchandise is rotated regularly. Roost, in downtown Spokane, is 5,000 feet of recycled, repainted, shabby, distressed, flea market finds combined with a dash of the new. The everchanging inventory includes home accessories, jewelry, clothing, and even old, carefully preserved love letters. Owners Joy Arch and Dena Keiffer are passionate about their “upcycled” boutique. This treasure trove is one of the hippest “thrift stores” in which artists and collectors can display and sell their wares. There are beautifully painted furniture pieces, antiques and vintage items. Roost is the perfect mix of salvage industrial and vintage farm style. Arch and Keiffer are thrilled to rescue soon-to-be-discarded furniture and either refinish it or take it apart to create something new. Since they work on the restorations themselves (and occasionally recruit their husbands to help), they can personally attest to the quality.

An ecclectic mixture of antiques, vintage flair, industrial, mid century and more... Not your typical antique store!

R O O S T VINTAGE HOME

We turn old into new 54

Recycled, Repurposed, Re-Done Goods

7 West Main Ave. Spokane, WA 99201 • (509)456-2552 Monday-Saturady 10-6 • Sunday 11-4

by Robin

creative

elegance

Using a complete showroom, Robin Hoffman creates interior spaces that reflect the personal needs and desires of the client using design elements to craft a functional space. 817 W. Garland Avenue Spokane, Washington 509-327-9291 Fax 509-327-4392 www.interiorsbyrobinspokane.com

Lillian Conn Art & Antiques features home furnishing designs that never go out of style. Every inch of the North Spokane historic home turned showroom is focused on distinctive, one-of-a-kind quality items. The boutique is at once an antique, artifact and an art experience. Co-owner Suzette Nordstrom says that when looking for design materials for clients or the boutique, they gravitate toward superior handmade items that have been around for years. The owners and designers at Lillian Conn think “recycle, reuse and repurpose” daily. The art gallery features fine art and sculptures from notable artists with local ties. On the design side of the business, Nordstrom, an interior decorator, and her talented design team are most proud of a 1910 Coeur d’Alene lakefront home restoration project that they worked on for almost three years. The owners had impeccable taste, and though it was a long project, it was rewarding, and the results were magazine worthy.  A majestic armoire from Lillian Conn

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Coeur d’Alene Resort Remodel

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ince its opening in 1986 The Coeur d’Alene Resort has won the highest accolades from the world’s top travel press, including Condé Nast Traveler. It has earned both the AAA Four Diamond Award and Mobil Four Star annually since it opened. It has been lavished with resort, golf and dining awards. Even so, The Resort just keeps getting better! This iconic travel destination has just undergone a stunning threephase, multi-million dollar remodel. Phase One was the construction of the 11,000-square-foot Hagadone Event Center. The center includes a luxury pool and sun deck overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene. Instantly a popular choice for weddings, banquets, and other events, it has bookings into 2015. The 4,400-square-foot deck on The Resort’s second floor was formerly occupied by a swimming pool. Today it is an inviting outdoor dining area. With a paver surface, glass railing, two fireplaces, and half of the dining deck covered for all-weather use, it is perfect for receptions, banquets and weddings. Breathtaking views come at no additional charge! The Resort’s main entertainment venue moved from the Shore Lounge to the new Splash nightclub on Sherman Avenue. Phase Two of the remodel entailed a redo of The 56

MORE “Old is New Again!”

Above: The stunning koi tank at the Coeur d’Alene Resort; Right: The resort’s Whispers Bar

Resort’s iconic copper roofs, a new group-event deck on the hotel’s second level, and a new elevator. In the extensive Phase Three, the hotel’s first floor was completely gutted and redone. The dramatic floor-toceiling renovation included a fresh new lobby design, new Dockside Restaurant, Shore Room meeting space (formerly the Shore Lounge), a greatly expanded Whispers cocktail lounge with an outdoor deck, and a vastly enhanced fitness center. Many guest rooms also underwent major upgrades. Making the remodel a reality were architect Cory Trapp, general contractor T.W. Clark, and designer Guy Dreier. First, the lobby: a spectacular 32-foot-long, 2,200-gallon aquarium greets guests. Of the 22 koi fish who now call this home, 18—the ones with larger fins—were imported from a special koi breeder in Japan. In addition, the lobby boasts thousands of square feet of new hard surface area that includes 3,000 square feet of Brazilian waterfall green granite. The remodel brought comfortable new furnishings and a contemporary makeover of the lobby’s iconic fireplace. There is state-of-the-art technology throughout the lobby, and a Starbucks coffee bar. The lobby-level Dockside Restaurant, with its “Come anytime, order anything” philosophy, is perfect for casual, family dining. Warning: not everyone makes it past the new Gooey’s dessert station, near the entrance! Think sundaes, milkshakes, cake, cheesecake, cobbler, pies, and luscious crème brulé, and even some gluten-free and sugar-free options. For more disciplined and health conscious patrons, there is an all-new 18-foot long salad bar, in addition to the array of menu items. The warm, inviting interior, with all new booths, tables, and chairs, provides diners with a view of the open kitchen and its sparkling, state-of-the-art equipment. A glance out the window brings views of the Boardwalk and the marina. Whispers, the cocktail lounge, was completely redesigned and tripled in size. It features a magnificent waterfall. Doors open to an outdoor deck. At night the deck’s five blazing cauldrons provide dramatic light and warmth, and six-foot high glass panels block cool

breezes off the lake. The serene Resort Spa has long garnered accolades, including ones for “most romantic.” The fitness center, however, needed help—and did it ever receive it! Its dramatic revision tripled its size. Moreover, it now has sports court flooring, Star Trac aerobic fitness equipment, and strength training equipment. Guests can choose the TRX isometric training station, elliptical trainers, stationary spin bikes, or treadmills. And the pool and hot tubs are close by. All guest rooms, other than the “Traditional” ones, feature an array of amenities. The range of The Resort offers lakefront and lake view rooms and suites, designed from the ground up with guest comfort in mind. The rooms’ upscale residential atmosphere have superior sound proofing, individual ventilation units, elevated beds, sofas, spacious bathrooms, widescreen LCD flat-panel television displays, CD players, highspeed internet access and reading chairs. Each of these exquisite rooms takes advantage of the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. At The Coeur d’Alene Resort, what’s old is new again, and what was already wonderful is even better. 

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Kirtland Cutter

Th e Man Wh o Desig ne d Spok ane by William Stimson

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irtland Cutter did not set out to be an architect and never went to architectural school. He thought of himself as an artist. The Ohioan attended art schools in New York City and in his early 20’s, threw sketchbooks, pens and brushes into a knapsack and set out on a two-year tromp through Europe. He studied British and European 1880’s landscapes. He sketched palaces, piazzas, and country homes, trying to capture not so much their dimensions as the feelings they stirred. This is the key to Kirtland Cutter’s appeal: he designed from the heart. Once home from Europe, Cutter was invited to Spokane Falls, Washington Territory, by his uncle, who was a bank partner there. Cutter took a train west. While doing menial work at the bank, Cutter drew sketches for houses based upon what he had seen in Europe. As the drawings passed from hand to hand, he began to get attention in a boomtown that needed lots of new buildings. His uncle gave “Kirt”—as he was known to friends—his first commission in 1887. The next house Cutter built was a large, showplace chalet for himself. It had cozy fireplaces for the cold winters. Its broad summer porches on two levels could accommodate 100 guests. His first major commission came from James Glover, the city’s founder. Cutter designed a bold Tudor manse and placed it among the rocks, pine trees and

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foliage. From the start, the house looked as if it had been lived in for generations. Next Cutter built a New England country house for his father-in-law (now the Corbin House in Corbin Park), and then a few blocks away (815 W. Seventh), he built his brother-in-law a grand Southern colonial. Soon it seemed every newly made millionaire of Spokane’s boom era needed a Cutter mansion. In Browne’s Addition there is the Tudorstye Campbell House, and a short walk away, the neoclassical Finch Mansion. Between them is the Mission Revival-style Wakefield House, and on Second Avenue is the Patsy Clark Mansion, which reflects Moorish and North African influences on Spanish architecture. Cutter’s masterpiece, the culmination of two decades of experiments, is the Davenport Hotel, which opened in 1914. In 1904 he had designed the Hall of the Doges for Louis Davenport’s original restaurant, which is now part of the new hotel’s convention suite. Cutter continued the chronological exploration of Europe in the hotel lobby. It evokes a Spanish Renaissance courtyard enlivened by a splashing fountain and beams inlaid with greens, reds and golds. The Elizabethan Room, with its oak-paneled walls, suggests English dukes and knights’ no-nonsense values. In contrast is the bright, elegant Marie Antoinette room, celebrating the rise of neoclassic ideals against the

vulgar Elizabethans across the lobby. Personally, Cutter was viewed as sociable but a bit stiff, guarded in statement, and perhaps something of a dandy. His dress was fastidious, and he wore a neat but unconvincing toupee. In 1892 he married Mary Corbin, the spoiled daughter of a local railroad and mining magnate. During an 1895 family vacation to Europe, she announced their young son would not be returning to America. At her insistence, Kirtland hardly saw his son until Corbin was an adult, and then father and son managed to meet surreptitiously. Cutter remarried in 1906, this time perfectly, to Katherine Williams, also a divorcee. Her ex-husband enlivened the city’s conversation when he spotted Cutter on a trolley and threw him off the moving car and into the street. It is only a slight stretch to say that Cutter designed Spokane. There were many good architects, but Cutter came early, stayed a long time, and in everything he did set a standard by which the city would judge other work. No matter where visitors walk in Spokane, they will see something built or influenced by Cutter. For example, not far from the Davenport Hotel, they’ll spot the Spokane Club and the imposing, gothic Chronicle Building. The Monroe Street Bridge bears rails and archways designed by Cutter. Toward the falls there is an enormous industrial structure, the Washington Water Power Company Substation. Designed by Cutter, the gigantic, functional building is so beautiful that half a century later, during Spokane’s World Exposition of 1974, a distinguished San Francisco architect suggested Spokane clear out the pumps and

pipes and make it the center of the city’s civic life. When Architect and Engineer devoted an issue to Spokane in 1921, it featured ten outstanding buildings. Six were designed by Cutter. Ironically, even as he was receiving this recognition, Cutter was struggling financially. The silver mining boom was over, and Spokane’s economy subsided into its more normal state. Grand buildings were no longer in demand. Never a cautious spender, Cutter, at age 62, was broke. His chalet was seized by the courts for an unpaid mortgage. Friends and admirers around the West exchanged letters about ways to rescue him. He finally found good work designing homes and schools in a new, gated community in Long Beach, California. He started in a new style and quickly made a reputation for himself for strikingly innovative houses in the Spanish style (including two for the movie director Victor Fleming, already a famous director and soon to be the director of both 1939 classics, Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz). Katherine died in 1933, leaving Kirtland a lonely figure in their small house, still working every day on architectural jobs. He died on September 26, 1939, at the age of 79. Cutter’s buildings are showplaces in five states, but he is still known as “Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter” because of the overwhelming contributions he made to the look of the city.  William Stimson is director of the Journalism Program at Eastern Washington University. He’s author of Spokane: A View of the Falls, a history of the city.

Left: An undated Kirtland Cutter photo, courtesy of the MAC; Above: The Davenport’s private dining apartment, designed by Cutter

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HERE’S WHAT’S COOKING! The Spokane area is blessed with talented chefs and wonderful restaurants. We looked at three of them: Italia Trattoria, the Davenport Hotel restaurants, and Masselow’s Restaurant at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. Anna Vogel, Italia Trattoria Chef/owner Anna Vogel, who has been in the culinary field for 25 years, opened Italia Trattoria a year and half ago. She cites “the creativity, variety, and the thrill of it all” as what she likes best about her profession. “Ernest Hemmingway’s food writings and my French mother and Swiss father’s passion for food,” she says are what has most influenced her cooking. In light of this, it is not surprising that her fantasy “dream dinner” would be “with Ernest Hemmingway in the Basque countryside, dining on the fresh, local seafood brought in daily by the fishermen.” The dish she most enjoys preparing is pan-roasted duck breast with roasted chestnut honey, hand-cut fries, and a leg confit and cranberry salad. The reason she likes this dish so much? “It was both a fun and delicious evolving process to come up with it for our restaurant menu.” When we asked what prompted her to become a chef, Vogel told us, “I always wanted to be a traveling photographer. Through my many journeys, especially a two-year trip to Australia, I was exposed to many cuisines that inspired me to be a chef.” She adds that today, if she were not a chef, she would like to have Anthony Bourdain’s job! Vogel dislikes that many traditional dishes have been altered or simplified, resulting in mediocre dishes. She exhorts chefs and cooks, “Leave the shortcuts out!” Along these same lines, she offers this tip for home chefs: “Prepare all the ingredients ahead of time before executing the dish or meal. In the kitchen this is referred to as mise en place, French for ‘everything in place.’” And home chefs should take consolation in this anecdote Vogel shared. “The funniest things can almost be a tragedy in the kitchen, like a prep cook straining 62

stock down the drain and saving the bones.” Gregory Werry, Davenport Hotel Gregory Werry provides the culinary leadership for all of the Davenport Hotel restaurants: Palm Court Grill, Peacock Lounge, Safari Fresh Grill & Bar, Post Street Ale House. A more-than-25-year veteran of the culinary world, he has held his current position for a little more than a year. From an early age, he aspired to be a chef. He told us, “When I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, my mother gave me a framed picture from my childhood: I was cooking at the family range and wearing a paper bag on my head as a chef’s toque.” Happily, he now wears a real chef’s toque. He does acknowledge, though, that had he not become a chef, he would have become an architect. Werry has lived in many parts of the country, and finds that each offers a “unique bounty,” which has led to his appreciation of regional offerings. His favorite dishes to prepare are slow-smoked BBQ ribs and Guinness braised short rib. The Davenport’s signature Crab Louis Salad recipe appears on page 66. When queried about his dream dinner and dining companions, he told us, “I could dream of a large dinner served family style with food and beverage icons of the past. My dining companions would be Escoffier, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Mondavi, James Beard, Julia Child and, of course, Louise Davenport. The location: the Isabella Ballroom.” In his view, “food is about enjoying the company your with, the flavors of the dish and the conversation that brings people together.” This comports with what he considers the best part of his work: entertaining guests. And it is no wonder that pretentious snobs are what he would most like to see leave the dining scene. Werry proffers this encouraging advice to home chefs: “Relax. Find a recipe and use it as a guide, but feel free to experiment with your own personal likes and dislikes... and always have a great glass of wine by your side.”

Top: Anna Vogel of Italia Trattoria and her delectable lamb ragu Bottom: The Davenport Hotel’s signature Crab Louis Salad prepared by chef Gregory Werry.

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Bob Rogers, Masselow’s Restaurant At Masselow’s, a fine dining restaurant, Chef Bob Roberts (below) and his team serve up Northwest contemporary cuisine that features tribally inspired dishes. The Kalispel tribe owns and operates the resort and casino. It was only natural that tribal culture and history infuse the restaurant: it is reflected in the décor, service and experience guests enjoy. Of their cuisine, Rogers says, “Our menu leans towards the simplistic, allowing the natural beauty, flavor and quality to shine through.” The chef, known for his perfection in the kitchen, adds, “Every day I come to work I enjoy watching my team grow, while at the same time learning so much from all of them.” Both the resort and Masselow’s have received the AAA Four Diamond Award. Not only is Masselow’s the only restaurant in Eastern Washington to receive this prestigious award, it received it in its first year of operation. Rogers points to wonderful ingredients and a passion for doing things right as the keys to their success. Rogers’ signature Carnaroli Seared Scallops with Lemon Roasted Cauliflower Sauce appears on page 69. 

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Davenport Hotel’s Crab Louis Salad Thanks to Davenport Hotel Food and Beverage Director Gregory Werry for sharing the recipe for their signature Crab Louis Salad. It originated at the historic hotel in 1915 when a new chef, Edward F. Mathieu, created it to impress his boss, Louis Davenport: hence the “Louis” in the name of the salad. Serves 4 Photo by kicksparkcreative.com

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Ingredients: ¾ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup chili sauce 1½ tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 tablespoons sliced green onions 2 heads butter lettuce 4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced 12 tomato wedges 1 pound fresh Dungeness crabmeat, drained and flaked ½ cup diced red and yellow bell pepper lemon wedges for garnish Directions: Combine the mayonnaise chili sauce, lemon juice, cream, and green onions in a blender and process until smooth, or combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Cut the lettuce heads into halves. Arrange ½ head on each of four plates. Top with eggs and tomato wedges. Spoon 4 ounces crab meat into the center of the lettuce. Sprinkle with bell pepper and drizzle with the dressing. Garnish each plate with a lemon wedge. Note: This salad tastes best when made with the freshest crabmeat possible. 67


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Carnoroli Seared Scallops

with Lemon Roasted Cauliflower Sauce

Our thanks to Chef Bob Rogers of Masselow’s Restaurant at Northern Quest Restaurant & Casino for sharing this recipe. It is featured in a local cookbook that presents restaurants’ signature dishes. Serves 4 as appetizer

All Photos: Studio Fontana Maria

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Ingredients Sauce: 3 one-head cauliflower, outside leaves removed ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2½ cups heavy cream (heated) • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Scallops: ¼ cup Carnoroli rice (or substitute Arborio) 2 tablespoons clarified butter • salt and pepper 1-2 tablespoons scallion oil 12 extra-large sweet scallops

Directions for Sauce: 1. Mix olive oil and lemon juice together and rub the cauliflower generously with mixture. Pour remaining liquid in bottom of roasting pan and add a small amount of water (½ inch). 2. Allow cauliflower to cool slightly, and then break apart into blender or food processor. Process while adding cream and lemon juice until it is a very thick, but smooth purée. Season to taste. Sauce can be done ahead and cooled until ready to use. This makes more sauce than you need, but you will want to use it for something else! Directions for Scallops: 1. Place rice in food processor and process until you have rice flour. 2. Dust scallops in rice flour and sear in hot clarified butter until a very light, crispy surface is achieved. (You can also find rice flour in some markets and health food stores) 3. Serve scallops with hot cauliflower sauce and a few drops of scallion oil. 4. Garnish with fresh, crisp celery leaves.

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AND THE RACE IS ON SPOKANE’S BLOOMSDAY RUN

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by Don Kardong

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all-time high of 61,298. During years of explosive growth, volunteers helped devise systems to deal with bottlenecks throughout the process. Those improvements allowed Bloomsday to size to increase without compromising the experience. Bloomsday volunteers pride themselves on producing a safe, exciting and enjoyable experience for all. That goal led to major changes in 2006 when the finish line was moved and a new timing system allowed all participants to be recorded based on “net” time from start to finish. During its history, the Lilac Bloomsday Run has added prize money for top runners (1982) and wheelchair racers, and the event consistently attracts the world’s top competitors. It is a member of the ARRA and PRRO Circuits of major U.S. running events, and in 1996 hosted the first PRRO World Road Running Championships. The race has been featured in Runner’s World and The Runner, as well as on ESPN, Fox Sports Northwest, and the Outdoor Life Network. Bloomsday also impacts area youngsters by encouraging fitness among more than 5,000 participating elementary students each year. After more than three decades, Bloomsday has worked its way into the fabric of Inland Northwest life. For most residents, it’s impossible to imagine spring in Spokane without Bloomsday. 

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he Lilac Bloomsday Run was born during the national running boom of the late 1970’s. Local runner Don Kardong, who moved to Spokane in 1974, competed in national class road races, and in the 1976 Olympic Marathon. In fall 1976 he suggested to a local reporter that Spokane should have its own downtown run. The suggestion made its way into the newspaper’s headlines. Spokane downtown area was enjoying renewed interest after hosting the 1974 World’s Fair (Expo ‘74), and a fun run seemed a natural fit. The mayor encouraged Kardong to pursue the idea. Local Jaycees adopted it as a project. As the event’s major sponsor, Medical Service Corporation (now Premera) supplied financial support and organizational expertise. On May 1, 1977, more than a thousand runners participated in the inaugural Bloomsday Run. It was billed as a “Run with the Stars”: indeed, Olympian Frank Shorter crossed the line first, followed by Herm Atkins of Seattle and founder Kardong. The success of that race led to an even greater turnout in 1978: more than 5,000 runners. By its second year, Bloomsday was enormous by any standard, and a victory by Boston’s Bill Rodgers furthered the event’s reputation nationally. The Bloomsday field continued to grow, reaching 57,300 in 1988 before leveling off for two years. In 1991, Bloomsday jumped to 60,104, and in 1996 reached its

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Wine Walla Walla Wonderful AND Spokane Sensational! by Laurie L. Ross Walla Walla In the mid-90s, when oenophiles started to buzz about the region’s Bordeaux-style wines, there were just 10 wineries in Walla Walla, Washington. Today, there are more than 100, mostly accessible from Highway 12. In addition to the wineries, there are more than 1,800 acres of vineyards that make up the agricultural landscape in the Walla Walla Valley. Experiencing such wine explosion, the Walla Walla Community College now has a Center for Enology and Viticulture, providing students with hands-on experience in winemaking, viticulture practices and wine sales. The renowned vineyards and small-town attitude have attracted not only winemakers, but also restaurateurs who are altering the characteristic of this rural town. Whether new or established, the members of the Valley’s winemakers and growers openly support each other, maintaining strong family values. The region’s unique terroir sits at 46 degrees latitude, which is the same parallel that runs between Bordeaux and Burgundy in wine-drenched France. The quality of the fruit produced in the Walla Walla Valley has secured this river-laced, college town a place on the world’s wine map. Once best known for onions, this farming community is now respectfully referred to as the 72

“Promised Land” of Washington wine. The wine scene began humbly more than 30 years ago when wine pioneer Gary Figgins, now of legendary Leonetti Cellars, made Cabernet in his farmhouse basement. Figgins and his son Chris, the closest thing to Washington wine royalty, set the standard for handcrafted wines which have demanded premium prices. Though the wineries are plentiful in Walla Walla, most of them have found their niche. As a prime example, Northstar Winery is a Merlot specialist. Founded in 1994 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Northstar produces worldclass Merlots from the Walla Walla and Columbia Valleys. A Washington Merlot is bigger but more complex than that of other regions, and this winery showcases that difference brilliantly. Northstar’s singular sensation on this noble grape variety is due to winemaker David “Merf” Merfeld, who artfully blends Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc into the Merlot. Winemakers from all over the world have discovered and moved to Walla Walla, but there are also many farming families whose heritage runs deep in the Valley’s soil. For more than 100 years, five generations of the Corkrum family have worked the

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SPOKANE While Spokane’s wine scene hasn’t experienced the explosive growth of Walla Walla, the region has flourished at a steady pace. With 18 wineries and counting, wine aficionados are taking notice of Spokane wine, and the region’s winemakers are finally getting some well-deserved attention for their awardwinning products. Each Spokane area winery has a unique story that is reflected not only in the characteristic of their wines, but also in the personality of the various tasting rooms. What these diverse wineries have in common is a passion for the labor-intensive craft of making fine wine and a creative camaraderie, with the collective goal of establishing Spokane as a wine destination. Spokane has a personal approach to wine, where wine is an everyday indulgence that is not only meant be enjoyed, but shared. In Spokane, if the winemaker isn’t the one pouring the wine in the tasting room, he or she is usually close by and more than happy to partake in the tasting and discussion of the wine. Spokane’s renowned wineries produce remarkable reds, crisp whites, blissful blends, precise ports and even a bit of the bubbly. As with many Washington wineries, the grapes come from the perfect grapegrowing sun and soil of the appellations of Walla Walla, Yakima and Columbia Valley. With a vineyard on the shores of Lake Roosevelt, Whitestone Winery is Spokane’s only true estate winery. When it opened in 1980, Worden Winery was the sole area winery, with now-legendary winemaker Mike Scott at the helm. Scott, who later went on to Lone Canary Winery, significantly contributed to Spokane’s www.truelightphotography.net

1736 JB George Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362 (86 6) 486 -7828 or (50 9) 525- 610 0 northstarwinery.com

land that is now known as Spring Valley Vineyard. In 1993, Shari Corkrum Derby and her husband, Dean Derby, planted the first grapes to diversify from the family’s wheat growing livelihood. The first vintage of estate grown and bottled Spring Valley Vineyard wines were produced with the 1999 vintage. Being true to the generations of farmers before them, Spring Valley wines are named after family members who lived and worked the land prior to its being repurposed for wine. Original winemaker and son Devin Derby realized that making wine in small lots by hand would distinguish Spring Valley, allowing it to make a name for itself by banking on quality. Derby crafted the wine until his untimely death in 2004. Devin’s assistant and friend Serge Laville took over as winemaker and continues the legacy of sustainable practices at Spring Valley Vineyard. Another family-owned artisan winery is L’Ecole N° 41. This second-generation winery is located in the historic Frenchtown School depicted on their label. Founded in 1983, they are the third oldest winery in the Walla Walla Valley. Marty Clubb is Managing Winemaker and co-owner of L’Ecole N° 41 with his wife, Megan. The winery was founded by Megan’s parents, Jean and Baker Ferguson. The Clubbs’ children represent the third generation working at the winery and will no doubt continue the tradition of excellence. L’Ecole is known for reliable wines that stem from the owners being engaged in growing and making 100 percent of their own wines. The focus is on terroirdriven, distinctive and expressive wines that reflect the Walla Walla Valley.

The dramatic Arbor Crest Cliff House at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars in Spokane

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wine scene by recruiting Mike Conway to the area. Conway, a trained microbiologist whose wine resume included Gallo and Parducci, opened the popular Latah Creek Wine Cellars in 1982. Conway and his wife, Ellena, arrived from California on May 18, 1980, the day Mount St. Helens blew and Spokane was dusted in volcanic ash. Happily for local wine drinkers, that didn’t scare the Conways away. Mike and Ellena announced in 2005 that their daughter Natalie would be joining the family business as the assistant winemaker. Celebrating 30 years of making fine wine, Latah Creek Wine Cellars is still exploring new territory as a cornerstone to the Spokane wine scene. Latah Creek is heralded for being one of the state’s leading Merlot producers and, despite getting attention for their new Monarch Red series, 60 percent of their wine is comprised of Riesling and Huckleberry d’Latah. Their Tuscan-style tasting room has indisputably the best winery gift shop anywhere. The winery is conveniently located off 1-90 in the Spokane Valley, and is one of the most welcoming tasting rooms in the area, with visitors regularly treated to Ellena’s cooking, and always treated like family. About the same time Latah Creek was established, another winery came on the scene: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. At Arbor Crest, winemaking is also a family tradition. Born into a family that had farmed in Washington State for more than a century, brothers Harold and David Mielke discovered in the late 70s that their land had enormous potential to grow grapes for fine wines. Their dream became a reality in 1982 when they, along with Harold’s wife, Marcia, established Arbor 76

Crest Wine Cellars. Two years later, in 1984, the Mielke family purchased the Riblet Estate and relocated the winery to the estate’s Cliff House, perched high atop cliffs overlooking the Spokane River 450 feet below and providing outstanding views. The Cliff House, a National Historic Landmark, was built in the Florentinestyle in 1924 and is a picturesque winery, complete with awe-inspiring views. Arbor Crest boasts one of the most spectacular settings of any winery in the Washington State and for this reason alone is worth visiting. Arbor Crest’s winemaker, Kristina Mielke-van Löbel Sels, is a second-generation winemaker. Daughter of Harold and Marcia, she is a fermentation science graduate of the University of California Davis. Mielke-van Löbel Sels spent seven years in California honing her winemaking skills before she and her viticulturist husband, Jim, joined the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars staff. Arbor Crest hosts a popular summer concert series that welcomes thousands of guests to the grounds to picnic, listen to live music, and sip wine. A second tasting room is located in downtown’s River Park Square. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and its red blend, “Dionysus.” Continuing their family tradition, Kristina and Jim celebrate the recent re-introduction of the van Löbel Sels label, which originated in California. Mountain Dome, yet another family-owned and operated winery, opened in the 1980’s, making a total of three local wineries in Spokane. The Manz family built their geodesic dome and 8,500- square-foot winery themselves. Located on an 85-acre forest in the foothills of Mount Spokane, Mountain Dome focuses

Grape varietals growing in Walla Walla

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exclusively on sparkling wines made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, which is sparkling wine made in the true French method of Champagne. Michael and Patricia Manz started Mountain Dome in 1984 with help from their children and Michael’s brother, John Mueller. For the first two years, the grapes were pressed in the kitchen of the family’s geodesic dome home. In the years since, Mountain Dome has grown to be a stateof-the-art winemaking facility. Combining Old World techniques with New World refinements, they focus on crafting world-class sparkling wines from Washington State grapes. After spending a few years developing the desired style of sparkling wine, the family decided the 1988 vintage would be the first commercial release. A friend suggested that the winery, built on a snowy, tree covered mountaintop, reminded him of a gnome village and created the gnome label for Mountain Dome’s NonVintage. The labels of some Mountain Dome’s sparkling 78

Barrel tastings of Monarch Reserve reds at Letah Creek Cellars

The w5 . . . wines feature a whimsical drawing of gnomes who look a lot like the winery’s founding family. The line-up at Mountain Dome includes the nonvintage “gnome” label, non-vintage dry sparkling rose, vintage sparkling and an elegant Cuvee Forte. Michael Manz passed away in 2006, shortly after his son Eric took over as head winemaker. Spokane’s wine scene was barely beginning with Worden, Latah Creek and Mountain Dome. To put things in perspective, there were fewer than 50 wineries statewide in the 1980s. Today, Washington State is home to more than 700 wineries. The next wave in Spokane winemaking history included the openings of Whitestone Winery (1992), Caterina Winery (1993), Grande Ronde Cellars (1997), Townshend Cellar (1998), Knipprath Cellars (1999), Robert Karl Cellars (1999), Barrister Winery (2001) and Lone Canary (2003). Lone Canary, Caterina and Mountain Dome are now owned and operated by Don Townshend of Townshend Cellar. Each of these wonderful wineries has developed its own wine style, offering not only a vast selection in varieties, but also diverse wine experiences in the personalities of their tasting rooms which are all, with the exception of Townshend Cellar (Greenbluff), located in downtown Spokane. The latest additions are almost exclusively boutique producers. They include Nodland Cellars (2006), Vintage Hill Cellars (2007), Liberty Lake Cellars (2008), Trezzi Farms (2009), Barili Cellars (2009), and Overbluff Cellars (2010). Finally, Grande Ronde Cellars mentored two of the area’s newest boutique wineries—Bridge Press Cellars and EMVY Cellars—who share a tasting room. This stellar cellar line-up of 18 local winemakers participates in open house traditions, such as Holiday Wine Fest and Spring Barrel Tasting. 

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Walla Walla: Wonderful!

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he Walla Walla Valley is one of the country’s premiere wine destinations, boasting awardwinning wines, nearly 100 tasting rooms and gorgeous wine estates. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Walla Walla provides wonderful outdoor experience and activities as well, along with an historic downtown, bustling with retail and culinary activity. The area is also steeped in tradition, and myriad museums provide an unparalleled historical experience. From the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center to quaint guest homes and to bed & breakfast inns, a wide range of quality lodging opportunities awaits you in Walla Walla, Honored by Sunset magazine as the top Western Wine Destination in 2005, Walla Walla is a wine lover’s paradise. Tasting rooms are found at every corner. Several major wine events fill the calendar, along with numerous special events from the wineries themselves that include a host of winemaker dinners. The combination of superb grapes and talented winemakers has resulted in internationally award-winning wines. Whether sampling in a tasting room downtown or at a breathtaking wine estate in the vineyards, you’re in for a treat. Complementing the thriving wine scene is Walla Walla’s award-winning historic downtown. Named the “Top Main Street Destination in the West” by Sunset

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magazine in 2002, Walla Walla’s downtown corridor is lined with beautifully restored historic buildings. They house quaint boutiques and retail stores, offering a full shopping experience. There are also 32 tasting rooms, cozy coffee shops and critically acclaimed fine dining establishments. Founded in 1859, Walla Walla is “The Cradle of Northwest History.” The region is home to the state’s first bank. It was the first capital of Washington, and it boasts of numerous historic sites and attractions. They include the Fort Walla Walla Museum, the Whitman Mission, the Kirkman House Museum and the Dayton Historic Train Depot—in short, something for everyone! Outdoor enthusiasts find Walla Walla a perfect destination. The area offers several scenic day hikes, superb fishing, and a variety of water sports and downhill skiing at Ski Bluewood. During the summer, baseball is in full swing: the Walla Walla Sweets play a full home schedule at scenic Borleske stadium. It’s a perfect family outing. With its gorgeous, soft rolling hills of grapes and wheat, Walla Walla is an essential destination for bicyclists. Spend a weekend gliding through the breathtaking countryside on well-crafted routes, all displayed in a new biking map. For more information, visit www.wallawalla.org or call 509-525-8799. 

Walkable downtown Walla Walla

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn

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ituated at the south entry to the Palouse Scenic Byway and nestled in the rolling hills of the world’s richest dry land farming are the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn. Built in 1935, the historic barn and its iconic iron-wheel fence were donated to the Uniontown community by Steve and Junette Dahmen in 2004. In tribute to the artist donors, the structure was renovated into a stateof-the-art, fully accessible artisan center that opened in 2006. Its large gallery features a new art exhibit each month. ARTISTS Resident artists—popular local artisans and awardwinning national fine artists—enjoy chatting about their creative process and materials. Visitors can watch artists at work in ten studios, learn about their artistic process, and purchase directly from them or commission pieces. Works include oil and pastel portraits, weaving with beads, ceramics, watercolor and acrylic landscapes and portraits, collage, fiber arts, screen printing, fine embroidery, pen-and-ink illustration, and much more. GIFT SHOP This main-floor gift boutique features art and fine craft from more than 100 regional artists and artisans. They include fine art glass, jewelry, custom-dyed silk garments, woodwork and pottery, and hand-woven

wool products. Original artwork and giclée prints, fine art photography, local and regional history books, books by local authors, and local flour, honey, spice blends, and chocolate round out the offerings. CREATIVITY WORKSHOPS Resident and visiting artists offer weekend workshops for children and adults. Past topics have included sculpture, wood turning, weaving with beads, encaustics, basket weaving, and painting. In summer, the Barn offers 12 creative experiences for children aged 7 to 14. PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS Each month brings numerous performances that feature local talent and visiting artists. Past events have included jazz, folk, bluegrass, blues, swing and Creole music, cowboy poetry, and improvisational theater performances. Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is open Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm, with closure in January and February at 4 pm. All three levels of the facility are fully accessible, and there is no admission fee. For more information visit www.artisanbarn.org or call 509-229-3414. 

The historic Dahmen Barn

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23”x29” Watercolor

Detail From Original Oil

Paula Lahti Working the Rail

Donna Baker Portrait Artist

Katherine Clancy Wheels in Time

Jennifer Whitted Forest Beauty

Carole Galloway - Barnyard Bliss

Bill Voxman - Winter Wheels billvoxman.com

12”x24” B/W Photography

22”x29” - Fiber Art uniquelyjenquiltcreations.artfire.com

9”x12” - Whimsical clay on barn wood

rosecreekgraphics.com

12”x17” steampunk assemblage

9”x15” - Watercolor

Rebecca Thorgaard - Thunderhead

In Uniontown WA midway between Spokane and Walla Walla along the Palouse Scenic Byway on highway 195

Cultivating Creativity in the beautiful Palouse region since 2006

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Open Thursday through Sunday www.artisanbarn.org – 509-229-3414 83


Discover:

Dayton: Delightful, Delicious

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f you like great food, friendly people, antiques, art and unique shopping, then put historic Dayton on your must-visit list. As home to Washington’s oldest surviving passenger train station and oldest operating courthouse, Dayton does have a claim to fame. However, spending more than a day in Dayton allows you to experience some exceptionally fine dining, delightful main street shopping, an elegant Victorian lodging, a wonderfully restored theater, and many of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful historic homes, along with some exceptional artists and galleries. Wenaha Gallery and Steven Henderson Fine Art Gallery are two worth visiting. Start by visiting the train depot, built by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company in 1881. Designed in the Stick-Eastlake style, it has been restored to its original grandeur. In 1975 the Union Pacific Railroad donated this charming structure to the Dayton Historical Society. The Columbia County Courthouse, completed in 1887 at a cost of $38,069, features lovely Italianate architecture. Between 1991 and 1993, the courthouse underwent a major renovation to restore the exterior ornamental detail. Dayton is in the Palouse, an area in southeast Washington State made up of vast areas of steep, 84

RIVER ADVENTURES

and ever so slightly decadent rolling hills that sits at the base of the Blue Mountains. On their return trip from the Pacific Ocean in 1806, Lewis and Clark camped near Dayton on Patit Creek and wrote about the open, undulating landscape. This picturesque scenery brought many European settlers to Dayton in the mid-1800s. The late-1800s were a prosperous time in the area, and many spectacular Victorian homes were built then. Approximately 90 of them are on the National Historic Register of Historic Places, and Dayton has a walking tour of the houses. Or stay in one of the best examples of the Victorian era, the restored Weinhard Hotel, tucked in the heart of historic Dayton. The lobby has cozy seating nooks, the reservation desk, a grand piano and the great staircase, all in keeping with the 1890s building. Jacob Weinhard came to Dayton in 1880 after an apprenticeship with his uncle, Henry Weinhard at the Weinhard Brewery in Portland. Establishing the Jacob Weinhard Brewery in Dayton, he bought a partnership in a small existing brewery. By 1883 he was the sole owner and began building his local empire. During the next decade he expanded the existing brewery and built a malt house with an outdoor German beer garden. In 1890, he built the Weinhard Hotel building to house the Weinhard Saloon and the Weinhard Lodge.

Downtown Dayton – a perfect place to stroll, shop, and dine

Boating, skiing & fishing.

HISTORIC DAYTON Courthouse & Depot are the oldest in WA.

SKI BLUEWOOD Famous for tree skiing.

Learn More PALOUSE FALLS 18’ higher than Niagara Falls

When the saloon opened, the newspaper called it “perhaps the finest in the State of Washington, and we doubt if there is anything of the kind to surpass it on the Pacific Coast.” Over the years many changes came to the Weinhard building. The Weinhard Lodge remained, but its use was discontinued in 1963. When the Weinhard Hotel was created in 1994, the elements of the lodge hall— wainscoting, doors, moldings and hardware— were recycled and used throughout, thus preserving the building’s architectural heritage. Great care has been taken so that guests enjoy 21st-century comforts while experiencing the flavor of the past. 
 The Weinhard Café, on the first floor of the Weinhard Hotel, is a comfortable, eclectic restaurant that opened in the late 90’s. In 2004, it moved to a larger, charming, historic building across the street. The café offers American fare with a worldwide influences, or perhaps worldwide fare with American influences!

www.HistoricDayton.com

It prides itself on supporting local purveyors and featuring fresh, high quality ingredients. The creative, tasty cuisine is seasonally inspired and changes often. Vegetarian options are always available, and there is always a large selection of house-made desserts and local wines. Look for the café’s yellow striped awning. Many people drive hundreds of miles to enjoy the gourmet fare at Patit Creek, a restaurant would be a hit anywhere. Come hungry: unique steak presentations are a specialty, and don’t skip dessert. This Southeastern Washington restaurant is considered by many to be the finest in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll experience world-class continental cuisine in a friendly, intimate atmosphere. Enjoy seasonal specialties, a selection of local wines and fabulous desserts. Reservations are strongly suggested. For the unexpected in this small town, try Manila Bay Café, which bills its fare as “world eclectic cuisine. According to its fans, it offers Asian food at its finest. 85


The salads are works of art, and the dressings are out of this world. The entrées are beautiful as they are delicious. Some reviews call the cuisine “Iron Chef quality.” If you want to create your own dining experience, choose from the goodies at the Country Cupboard. This full-service bakery offers sandwiches on homemade bread, salads, dips, deli meats, cheeses, as well as other specialty food items and freshly made pastries. And don’t miss Mace Mead Works, across the street from the Weinhard Hotel. Mead is an alcoholic beverage made with honey rather than grapes, the reason it is sometimes called honey wine. It may be flavored with spices, fruit, or hops; still, carbonated, or sparkling; dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. Whether you’re a mead expert or just a beginner, don’t miss Mace Mead Works. Save room for cheese! Joan and Pierre-Louis Monteillet own Monteillet Fromagerie, just outside Dayton. The first artisan-farmstead cheese makers in the lush wine country of Walla Walla Valley, they have been producing traditional, hand-ladled chevres (goat’s milk cheese) and brebis (sheep’s milk cheese) since 2002. Their farm store offers a wide variety of local, healthy farm products. Depending on the season, they include a variety of cheeses, farm fresh eggs, and sheep and goat’s milk. There are also fresh vegetables and hard-to-find specialty veggies, along with herbs, flowers and cut lavender. In addition, there is USDA inspected pork, grass-fed beef, lamb, goat, and free-range broiler hens. The all-natural meat comes from whey-fed, free-range, antibiotic-free animals. Fresh pastas and cheese-filled raviolis, and gelato made with seasonal local fruits and honey from the farm’s bee garden, round out the selections. From its delightful historical sites to its decadently restored Victorian edifices to its delicious dining and culinary opportunities, experience Dayton in “3-D”!  86

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Exquisite Gowns for Extraordinary Women

photo: Julian Goble “The Crown Ballroom�

essential style fashion + jewelry weddings

Custom ordered designs are created individually for each bride and shipped all over the world

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By Appointment Only - (509) 301-4167 - haluskadesign.com

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Shopping Small: Unique Boutiques A Passion for Fashion? Discover These Unique Boutiques!

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by Laurie L. Ross

pokane is dotted with independently owned designer boutiques, which makes buying local easier than ever. There was a time when downtown Spokane’s elaborate skywalk system kept shoppers inside and off the street, but a bevy of trendy shops and eateries have now put people back at street level and added vibrancy to the city. Here are some unique boutiques that provide great retail therapy with top-notch service. Trendsetter Susan Carmody made a fashion statement in 2001 by opening Jigsaw in downtown Spokane. The boutique caters to women who want individuality in their wardrobes. This keep-it-special concept differs from large retailers that stock multiple items in each size and reorder more of any style that sells out. Personal service is the hallmark of a Jigsaw shopping experience. Carmody, who studied fine arts, says the joy of color mixing keeps her enchanted, and she loves it when a customer gets excited about something she brings to the dressing room that the client would never pick out on her own. In 2006, a dream became reality when Meghan Brown and Trish Thoen decided to pursue what they loved most: fashion. With more than 27 years of combined retail experience, they opened Cues and added a fresh note to downtown Spokane. Designer duds, fashionable frocks and a little something different await savvy shoppers at Cues. With 60 styles from more than 25 designers, Cues’ extensive, ever-changing array of the newest jeans can help complete any urban wardrobe. Thoen and Brown take what they like from trends and incorporate them in a way that is “real” to

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Previous Page: A stunning engagement ring from Dodson’s; Right: The latest look for fall from Lolo

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A Graham + Spencer spring look from Cues

own custom earrings and necklaces. Owner and designer Deena Caruso launched the D. Caruso line in which she transforms vintage pieces of jewelry into lovely flower hairpieces, charming bobby pins and elegant headbands. These accessories have caught the attention of Hollywood stylists, celebrities and fashion magazines. At Finders Keepers II—Designer Dress Boutique, girly-girls can indulge in party dresses, special occasion hats and distinctive accessories. This Main Street store is the place for prom and wedding party attire, as well as for every major Spokane soiree. (Caruso keeps an event register so clients don’t find themselves in “who’s-wearing-it-best” situations.) Caruso is a leading advocate for Buy Local, supporting other local businesses, and she regularly contributes to numerous community causes. aNeMonE was created in 2002 after Mary Eberle’s passion for art culminated in more than 600 beautiful, handmade paper flowers for her autumn wedding. When the flowers received rave reviews from family and friends, she knew she was onto something, and her business was born. In the years since, Eberle has transformed vintage paper-flower making into a singular modern art form. As a result, Spokane has a full-scale paper florist, offering custom arrangements, wedding flowers, prom boutonnieres and corsages, rental services, and even do-it-yourself classes. It also carries paper and gifts. Don’t miss this one-of-akind shop. Artemis, in the North Monroe Business District, is an ever-changing treasure chest of domestic and international finds that reflects the refined taste of owner/dreamer Kris Mack. Recently she added Shabby Apple, a fun line of up-cycled clothing, charming hats and estate jewelry. At Artemis, shoppers discover what they didn’t know they had to have. Classical, whimsical and unique merchandise includes well-selected antiques, home accessories, and estate finds. This

Romper by Carter Smith Designs

life. A Chanel-style jacket with a slim tee and jeans, that’s what Cues is about. Their inventory centers on fashionable pieces that are timelessly chic, cool and effortless. Lolo Boutique, located in SoDo (South Downtown business district), is a trendy home, garden and clothing shop that occupies the former Cyrus O’Leary’s Pies factory. This stylish boutique features up-and-coming designers and rare finds. Lolo offers an urban escape for discriminating shoppers, complete with the side alley displaying garden items. Opening its doors in July 2006, Lolo was instant hit. Owners Beth Hitch and her daughter, Nicole Floyd, had a vision: to offer a creative mix of contemporary clothing and accessories in a cozy atmosphere. Hitch found her passion with Lolo and loves making women feel confident and pretty in what they wear. Since 1988 Katze Boutique, also located in downtown Spokane, has offered artistry in clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Expect a great selection of creative, funky and professional apparel that gives customers looks not found elsewhere in the city. This one-of-a-kind boutique offers unique wearable art. Moreover, much of the clothing and jewelry is handmade. Owner Barbara Katze, who has an eye for something a little different, favors clothing made from natural fibers: linen, cotton, silk and hemp. In addition to the carefully chosen clothing lines, the eponymous shop carries clothing and jewelry that Katze designs herself. Two sister stores make a shopper happy she’s a girl. With the stores just blocks apart, shoppers double their fun by discovering must-have finds at both locations. At the 2nd Avenue Finders Keepers—Jewelry Galore, you’ll find all the baubles and bling imaginable. The knowledgeable staff is passionate about jewelry, and they will help you explore their vast collection of vintage and custom pieces. The array of jewelry includes 1930’s diamond engagement rings, 1950’s Bakelite pieces, designer rhinestones, Victorian era pendants, modern sterling silver rings, along with their

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One of a Kind Unusual Styles & Fabrics Wearable Art Stunning Hand-made Originals Unique & Comfortable Natural Fabric Clothing

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720 West Riverside Ave Spokane, WA 99201 509.838.5724

KatzeBoutique.com

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lolo

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home

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319 west second avenue - spokane monday-saturday 10-5:30pm - 509.747.2867 - loloboutique.net

is a not-to-miss retail adventure. A re-sale boutique, Fringe & Fray is located just west of Spokane’s downtown core. With a discerning eye, owners Grace and Ryan Johnson scour estate sales, flea markets and garage sales in search of the most worthy clothing, shoes and accessories. Everything is in pristine condition at attractive prices. They offer both men and women’s clothing. Sundry home furnishings, such as a reupholstered wingback chair and a vintage dresser, are also for sale. Basically, the Johnsons do all the work and shoppers reap the rewards. COCO Boutique relocated to South Hill, directly south of downtown. This chic shop may have a new location, but shoppers can still expect the same great ready-to-wear. It carries designer labels in limited quantities and carefully selected accessories to complete any look. For casual clothing or great “date apparel,” head to COCO Boutique. Fringe Boutique & Salon, also located in South 94

Hill, is owned by three pretty sisters who have one rule for their buying trips: they only select items they all absolutely love. In addition to fashion forward dresses, terrific tops and a fabulous denim lineup, shoppers are impressed with the multitude of affordable accessories and select home decor items. Two of the sisters are hair stylists, and since all three adore fashion, they created a business that brings together fashion, beauty, and home decor. Their adjoining full-service salon makes it possible to update your hair and wardrobe in one trip. With a diverse line of designers, downtown’s Tangerine is a dream closet of the latest looks. Owner Patricia Sampson, a local real estate agent, saw a need and filled it. Her boutique carries fashions that are easily incorporated into any wardrobe. With one glance, you know you’ll be adding new favorites to your closet. For funky jewelry, colorful handbags and clothing that ranges from stylish office attire to weekend wear, your destination is Tangerine.

Sparrow Boutique & Jewelry Bar is North Spokane’s newest boutique. It has a trendy vibe that is reflected in their everyday wear. Owner/designer DeLori Furulie is known for her embellished wearable art belt buckles. Her boutique not only has well selected designer apparel, but also an array of fashion accessories, loads of jewelry and footwear. Audrey’s a Boutique, just north of downtown, is a stylish surprise. Here, you can find resort wear to formal wear to foundation wear. Cindy Green is the owner. Stylist Victoria Ferro can always help clients answer the question, “What to wear?” Ferro suggests clothes a client may not have chosen, but then discovers she can’t leave without. If you need a personal shopper or whole new look, this is the place to go. The boutique can dress clients of all sizes and shapes, and it specializes in serving the post-mastectomy woman. Audrey’s apparel makes customers look better and feel great: the added sense of confidence comes at no additional charge. A shopping excursion to Carousel, an exclusively vintage boutique, will transport you to eras past. Whether a client wants a stylish Jackie O. look or a traditional June Cleaver one, she can be achieve it at Carousel. Owner and finder Jenny Stabile started her collection with a few vintage dresses. With the addition of several hundred vintage garments and with no room left in her closet, she knew the logical next step was to open a shop—and that’s exactly what she did. In 2010 she opened Carousel on Carnegie Square, just west of downtown Spokane. Stabile is in her element reselling vintage clothes to modern women who yearn for one-of-a-kind looks. Whether you’re seeking a timeless look that’s garden party casual or cocktail party fancy, plan to spend some delightful time browsing through the packed, but organized racks. What’s more, you can complete the look with just right accessories from the same time period.

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always have to travel to Spokane to shop, and Spokanites are now going to North Idaho for more than the lake. Tiffany Blue, in downtown Coeur d’Alene, has jeans—lots and lots of jeans—and other pieces to pair with them. Popular labels and chunky accessories give a distinctive style that has tourists and residents upping the vacation look of North Idaho. The boutique has new owners and new lines, and this house of style is packed with premium denim and namedropper labels. Smitten Clothing Boutique, located downtown in the Coeur d’Alene Resort Shops, offers both men’s and women’s fashions. The “rock chic” inspired boutique is owned by best friends Melissa and Laura, who share a passion for fashion. With their “LA style” contemporary clothing and affordable prices, the owners promise customers can go from daytime chic to nighttime rock star.” 

featuring collections from… Nicole Miller Yoana Baraschi Curator Michael Stars Nanette Lepore Komarov Sport Nougat Laundry People like Frank Joseph Ribkoff Cynthia Steffe Johnny Was For Love and Liberty Laurie B Weston Wear

Downtown Spokane 835.3517 www.jigsawboutique.com 96

Swank in North Spokane is a boutique with an edge. This stylish shop is owned by Jody Jones, a former police officer turned fashionista. Although Swank is an independent, locally owned boutique, it’s nestled amid nationally owned chain shores in Northtown Square. Consequently, first-time customers often ask where the other Swank stores are located. But Swank is a Spokane original. It’s filled with designer and popular brands, and you can expect to find attitude, swagger and every trend worth wearing in this flirty boutique. Jones obviously believes in being well accessorized: Swank has a serious commitment to jewelry, handbags, shoes and other adornments to put any outfit over the top. Look around at Swank and you’ll find gifts items and even some swanky home decor accessories mixed in with the hip clothing and accessories.

Unique Gifts | La Chamba Cookware Tropical Salvage Furniture Goods from Nepal | Natural Fiber Clothing 35 w. main spokane kim@kizurispokane.com | 509.464.7677 hours: mon-sat 10am-5:30pm

The opening of beautiful boutiques in Coeur d’Alene means those in North Idaho don’t “Opera coat” from Carter Smith at Katze Boutique

Fair Trade | Earth Friendly | Local

A 1950’s vintage white embroidered gown from Carousel

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Here Comes the Bride…

If you take one thIng home, make sure It’s

for Some Expert Help!

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rom the perfect dress, to the venue to the wedding rings, couples planning weddings in the Inland Northwest, Coeur d’Alene, and Walla Walla area have topnotch resources at their fingertips. For many brides, the wedding gown is the starting point. Everything else keys off of it: the bridesmaids’ dresses, the event’s theme or mood (modern, classic, formal, or informal, for example), and a venue that is in keeping with the dress and the feel of the wedding. “Adorn the body to express the heart” is what Walla Walla designer Laurie Haluska believes a wedding gown must do. Her inspiration for going into custom bridal design stemmed from her own experience: as a bride, she wanted a gown that expressed her heart and soul. Haluska also draws on decades of wide-ranging experience in professional costume design: costumes for Shakespearean plays, Hollywood films (Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi, for example), made-for-TV movies (such as Lonesome Dove), competitive ballroom dancing, debutant balls, and the country music phenoms, the Dixie Chicks. When working with a bride, Haluska meets with her to get a sense of her style or energy. Based on that consultation, she then goes to work creating a design that captures photo: Julian Goble

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and expresses the bride’s essence. She creates a design packet of sketches, fabric swatches, laces and trims. Once the bride-to-be has made her choices, the handcrafting of the custom designed gown begins. When the bride comes to Walla Walla for a fitting, she and Haluska confer further. At that time, the design is still fluid enough that it can evolve and be refined to the bride’s exact specifications and wishes. Haluska points out that while brides are in town for fittings, many of them take the opportunity to visit restaurants, spas, photographers, hotels, inns, bakeries, and florists. She sees it as a wonderful way to design an entire wedding in a relaxing manner while enjoying the area’s natural beauty. If the bride is a wine enthusiast, Haluska notes, she might schedule her fitting around one of the area’s many wine weekends, such as the spring or fall release, or barrel tasting in early December. With the dress under way, what about the wedding venue and ones for related events? Megan Kasper, Catering Sales Manager at Spokane’s iconic Davenport Hotel, reports that they have a large percentage of brides from out of town, “from Seattle to California to New York.” For some brides, of course, Spokane is home, and they have always loved the hotel. The

A custom wedding dress by Laurie Haluska Design

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Davenport can accommodate up to 500 guests at a function, and the hotel’s wedding team takes care of setting up everything: tables, chairs, and linens are all part of the package. Moreover, Kasper has a list of preferred vendors whose services she knows will be in keeping with the hotel’s own high standards. The hotel’s wedding team can accommodate special requests that personalize weddings: for instance, one couple used the “Star Wars” music for the processional; another made their grand entrance behind bagpipers. Kasper advises couples on a budget to allot the money to the things that mean the most to them—a formal dinner, special musicians, the cake or the decorations, perhaps— and to invite fewer guests. In her words, “The rule ‘Quality over quantity’ always applies in this case.” Edie Paden, Director of Events at Walla Walla’s venerable and luxurious refurbished Marcus Whitman Hotel, also helps couples tailor wedding events to their needs. It may be something as small as a children’s table at a dinner or personal butler service for the couple, or requests that are more elaborate. Paden also advises couples who are on a budget to think carefully about their guest list. She sees making sure guests feel comfortable and know what is going on throughout the evening as paramount considerations. In downtown Coeur d’Alene, the historic and charming Greenbriar Inn is known not only for lodging, but also for its outstanding food and catering. Now a B&B, this 1908 gem is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Antique and replica furnishing provide elegant simplicity and comfort, and the 150-foot wrap around deck that looks to over the garden and gazebo make 100

it a popular and lovely venue for summer weddings and receptions. Greenbriar Gourmet Catering is the largest independent caterer in North Idaho. For a small wedding, or creative catering for a wedding dinner or a reception, the Greenbriar can be the perfect solution. Idyllic Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort is two hours from Seattle. Tucked in the Cascade Mountains near the quintessential Bavarian town of Leavenworth, it offers couples the opportunity to craft a truly unique wedding. The ceremony might be inside. Or weather permitting, it might be along crystal clear Icicle Creek, with breathtaking vistas as the backdrop. Sleeping Lady can handle functions for up to 175 guests. Their cuisine draws upon the freshest Northwest ingredients, including those from its own certified organic two-acre garden. The resort has a spa, and to make the planning as worry-free as possible for the couple, the resort provides a list of “Suggested Partners” that encompasses florists, hair stylists, photographers, music, cakes, rentals—even an officiant! One of Spokane’s Red Lion Hotels will be just right for many wedding couples. Located on the bank of the Spokane River, the downtown Red Lion Hotel at the Park is truly an “urban retreat.” It boasts an array of amenities, and it is situated near everything—perfect for wedding guests at times they are not participating in wedding-related events. Red Lion offers catering, event planning and a range of event spaces that include one of the city’s largest, most elegant ballrooms— perfect for those planning a sizable wedding. The Red Lion River Inn, also located on the riverbank, offers spectacular views and a lushly landscaped area that is

Sleeping Lady Resort, a dramatic setting for an outdoor wedding

picture-perfect for weddings. Northern Quest Casino and Resort will be the right choice for couples wanting a destination that offers nonstop activities for guests during wedding weekend downtime, spa services for the bride and bridal party, catering and an array of dining and nightlife choices, and event spaces of every size. NQRC’s shuttle picks up guests at the Spokane Airport. Because NQCR is both a full-service casino and resort, it is an especially good choice for destination weddings and those with lots of out-of-town guests. There is so much to do and enjoy that guests can come and stay the weekend, without worrying about needing a car. The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s splendid new Hagadone Events Center offers unique wedding amenities. The 11,000square-foot facility can accommodate both indoor and outdoor weddings with ease. There are private dressing suites with bathrooms for the bride and groom. Each has its own sound system, and the groom’s boasts a flat screen TV—in case there’s big game on that day. Private processional passages assure the bride and groom will not encounter each other until the ceremony. Imagine a bridal party proceeding from the bridal suite to the magnificent floating bride in the center of the reflecting pool with an infinity edge. A wedding stage that spans nearly 60 feet and accommodates a wedding party of up to 20, floats over the pool. A spacious grassy area overlooking the lake and protected by privacy berms can accommodate up to 500 guests. Indoor banquet spaces can handle 400, and another 200 if the exterior decks are used. Depending on the circumstances

the 200-plus square feet of sliding glass walls can be pocketed out of sight. The vista is an expanse of colorful flowers and lovely Lake Coeur d’Alene. The center’s state-of-the-art outdoor sound system is deftly tucked into the landscape. The interior sound system is equally fine, and the lighting includes nearly five-dozen spotlights that can be directed wherever they are needed. For winter weddings, exterior snow lights add to the ambiance. The Coeur d’Alene Resort is destined to make dream weddings come true. The wedding dress, the venue, and of course, the rings. These special tokens are lasting reminders of a seminal event in the couple’s life and the vows they took. Coeur d’Alene goldsmith and jewelry designer Cheryl Burchell brings 35 years of experience to her craft. She specializes in finding precisely the right diamond for a ring. In addition, she can design and make custom wedding jewelry to the couple’s specifications. She takes deep pride in helping each couple find the right diamond, design, and price that work for them. Customers know they can rely on her to take care of their jewelry and their jewelry needs for all the years to come. Any wedding entails myriad decisions and details. Top wedding planners offered these suggestions for a successful, memorable wedding:  The day before the wedding, have a spa day for the bride and wedding party and an outing for the groom and groomsmen (golf or some other outdoor activity).  If your budget is limited, save on floral centerpieces. They are beautiful, but can be very expensive. There are

A beautiful reception setting in the Marie Antoinette Ballroom at the Davenport Hotel

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many options that are budget conscious. (A thoughtful recommendation: If you choose to use floral centerpieces, donate them to a hospital or nursing home afterward.)  For a destination wedding, incorporate local cuisine; add hors d’oeuvres that are a specialty from the groom’s hometown, or are the bride’s favorite late night snack.  For guests, create gift bags filled with local favors, maps, or a bottle of wine and snacks.  The day after the wedding, host a farewell brunch for out of town guests; it’s a nice way to see your guests again and thank them for coming.  The bride should avoid taking on too many tasks. A bride who is trying to make the centerpieces, decorate the venue, or put on chair covers and ties may be too exhausted and frazzled to enjoy her own wedding.  Have family members assist in calling about unanswered invitations. Guests who do not respond but show up and those who respond but then do not show up can be budget breakers.  Make a plan and stay focused.  Incorporate your love story into the event, and its emotional resonance will spread to your guests.  Think creatively and outside of the box. A small budget, combined with a grand imagination, can do wonders. Creativity goes a long way, and a wedding with a limited budget can still be among the most elegant and beautiful. Part of the pleasure of a wedding is the planning. It represents the opportunity for the couple to make the event unique and personal to them. The wedding gown, wedding theme, color scheme, venue, flowers, music, related events and other personal touches, such as writing the vows—all of these offer possibilities for couples to make the special day memorable and their own. They just need to remember to enjoy the process and to call on the many outstanding professionals who can help make the occasion perfect.  102

The Perfect Ring Dodson Jewelry, a 125-year-old Spokane business, advises couples that with regard to carat, clarity, color and cut (the 4C’s of diamond buying), cut is the most important factor in the gem’s beauty. Regardless of a diamond’s shape, if it is cut to ideal proportions, it will sparkle with brilliance and fire. In addition to helping clients evaluate the 4 Cs of diamonds, Dodson’s emphasizes a fifth C: confidence. Most couples do not know jewelry, which makes it more important than ever to know the jeweler. Store founder George R. Dodson used to say, “If you don’t know jewelry, then know your jeweler.” His great grandson, Penn Fix, runs the store today. He recommends asking about the business’s longevity and the staff’s gemological credentials, along with evaluating how well the jeweler listens, the store’s environment, return policy, and service. A well-qualified jeweler can help a client find a setting that fits the finger well, set the diamond securely, and guarantee the ring against any problems. Equally important, a good jeweler can monitor the wear and tear of a ring over the years, can facilitate a trade-in for a larger diamond, and handle anything else that comes up. Fix points out that custom-designed rings can provide both style and value. What does he tell couples about determining the perfect ring? He encourages them to define for the jeweler the style they have in mind: antique, timeless or contemporary. If relevant, they should mention their occupations or leisure activities, such as landscaping or rock climbing. Another factor is how price affects their final choice. The bottom line, he says, is “Ultimately find a jeweler who is a good listener and has the expertise to find your perfect ring. Then trust your instincts.”  103


Ess ential N o n p ro fit

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Support Care And Networking (SCAN)

here are countless nonprofits in the region The Essential Guide serves. With the ever-growing needs of so many deserving organizations, it is hard to single out only a few for recognition. For this reason, we acknowledge both past and current honorees on our website. The Essential Guide supports these deserving organizations with a financial contribution and by bringing them to our readers’ attention. We encourage our readers, if so moved, to make a donation as well. We hope that with our help and that of our readers, these organizations will survive and even thrive in these challenging economic times. This year we have chosen to honor Support Care And Networking (SCAN) as our nonprofit. Since 1973, SCAN has been dedicated to strengthening families in an effort to prevent and combat child abuse and neglect through education, training, and mentoring. Currently SCAN serves more than 250 families each month by providing individual and group counseling, parenting education, monitored visitation and reunification of parents with their children, and fatherhood support and training programs. SCAN’s

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Nurturing Fathers program is unique in that it focuses on involving dads in the parenting process, teaching them parenting skills, and helping them understand the positive impact their commitment to changing their parenting style can have on their families, and ultimately on themselves. During the last decade, hundreds of graduating dads have written moving testimonials to the changes they have made toward fatherhood and to their commitment to being a nurturing role model for their children. One father’s graduation commitment statement shows the powerful, beneficial impact: “I promise to love you unconditionally, protect you, and know your likes and dislikes. Whatever path you choose, I will help you achieve success. I am proud of you... Please accept my apology and let us repair our relationship and our family.” For additional information about SCAN, to make a donation, or to volunteer, please call 509-458-7445 or visit www.scancenter.org. 

Step Into Our World Of Books Featuring: Books, Books & More Books Greeting Cards Unique Gifts Calendars Journals Author Events Workshops

402 W Main Spokane, WA 99201 (Corner of Main & Washington) 509-838-0206 1-888-802-6657 auntiesbooks.com

Auntie’s Bookstore: Plant a Garden in Your Pocket Thomas Jefferson once said, “I cannot live without books.” That certainly sums up the feeling of those who work the aisles at Auntie’s Bookstore. With more 30 years of collective bookstore experience, the staff is proud to work in a literary landmark in the Inland Northwest and an oasis for booklovers. For new and used books, special occasion cards, an audio book for that trip to New Orleans, or a creative gift for Uncle George’s birthday, Auntie’s is the place. Want to learn how to crochet? Put together a container garden? Download an eBook? Auntie’s presents free workshops on a variety of subjects. And every Saturday there are events to entertain and enlighten kids: story time for the younger set, as well as craft projects for older children, such as making pirate

hats while listening to pirate stories. Throughout the year Auntie’s hosts readings and book signings. These have featured nationally know writers such as James Patterson, Sue Grafton and David Sedaris, as well as popular regional authors, such as Jess Walter, Ann Rule, and Sherman Alexie. One goal of the store is to encourage first-time authors, and it actively promotes readings by new writers. Perhaps the ancient Chinese proverb says it best: “A book is a garden carried in the pocket.” Auntie’s Bookstore wants everyone to have a “garden in the pocket.”  Chris O’Harra is the owner of Auntie’s Bookstore 105


Marcus Whitman Hotel

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The Marcus Whitman Hotel has been around since 1928. When Kyle and Brenda Mussman bought it in 1999, it had 90 apartments and was not operating. More than $30 million was spent to restore, renovate and expand it. Today, it boasts 127 guests rooms, more than 10,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, The Vineyard Lounge, and a fine dining restaurant called The Marc. The Mussmans cite tremendous growth in the local wine industry and Walla Walla tourism, along with the sale of one business, as the impetuses for their venture. During the 20 months of construction, the Mussmans hosted a luncheon for lifeestate tenants who moved into the building when it was still a condominium and for the community. The purpose was to update them on the progress and share their vision for the building—and to apologize for the noise, dust, and disruption. To their

delight, a 70-something tenant who had lived there for 15 years announced that she had “never seen the previous owner so much as pull a weed.” She viewed the dust and noise as great progress in returning the hotel to its original historic state and glory years. The Mussmans say, “We continue to focus on our guest service and listening to our guests to make changes. Our vision is, and always has been, exceptional guest experiences for every guest.” As of January 1, 2012, the hotel had 97 employeeowners through a stock program. “With ownership,” report the Mussmans, “comes a higher level of pride and commitment from our entire staff. This is something we are very proud of. We know our employee owners are working even harder to take care of our guests and our bottom line.”

The Marcus Whitman Hotel dominates the skyline of Walla Walla 106

25 the essential guide silver anniversary 1988 – 2013 In 2013 The Essential Guide: Santa Fe & Taos will turn 25 years old! To celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary, we are doing two things: expanding our award-winning EG brand and publications into new markets, such as Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Walla Walla, and recognizing and honoring clients who, like us, have been in business for a quarter century or more. In this edition and the next, we take pleasure in shining the spotlight on others who over the decades have persevered, prospered and contributed to their communities. Here's to their next 25 years and ours! 107


Jill Ingram

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Jill Ingram grew up on a wheat farm in southeastern Washington State. A childhood spent outdoors afforded her an affinity with nature and the opportunity to observe the ever-changing patterns of light and shadow. Those early memories of the natural world still inspire her today. Twenty-six years ago, following a serious horse accident, Ingram came to see painting and drawing as more than an occupation. She describes it this way: “My belief in a loving God gave me the faith that this event would bring good into my life. He said art would be a catharsis for me. When I looked up the word ‘catharsis,’ I was amazed to find that it meant ‘a purging of the soul through art.’” Ingram began painting in watercolor because she believed it would be relatively easy to learn. She says she quickly found out just how difficult it could be.

It took years to learn the craft of fresh, free, flowing work. “Learning to paint with watercolor has been like trying to master a foreign tongue,” she reports. The acclaimed painter now jokes that “English is her second language.” Ingram has exhibited her watercolors throughout the country and received many national awards. They include first place in Colorado’s WCWS (Western Colorado Watercolor Society) juried competition in 1999 and Washington’s NWWS (Northwest Watercolor Society) 2006 juried exhibition. Her paintings have been purchased nationally and internationally. Currently they can be seen at her gallery in Dayton, Washington, and at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds, Washington. Ingram’s work can also be viewed at her website, www.jillingram.com.

A portrait of “Iola” by Jill Ingram 108

Monica Stobie

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Painter and sculptor Monica Stobie is celebrating 25 years as a professional artist. Her images of animal forms and primitive rock art messages reflect a unique perception of both past and present. Sometimes reflective and other times a bit quirky, her art continues to intrigue collectors. Stobie’s interest in symbols and animal imagery comes quite naturally. Raised on a farm near the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington State, she attended school with the Yakamas. Her “home away from home” was a small cabin in the nearby Cascade Mountains, which Stobie used as an art studio. She now lives in Washington State’s Blue Mountains, and her environment continues to play a major role in her work. Following 15 years teaching and lecturing about art, Stobie retired from education to pursue art full time. Since discovering rock art several years ago at a site near the Snake River, she has extensively researched petroglyphs in the US, Mexico and the British Isles. She

has also worked with research teams documenting newly discovered rock art sites in the southwest US. Studying these sites heightened her interest in ancient symbols and imagery, and has provided endless inspiration for her work. Early in her career, Stobie discovered the unique combination of painting with soft pastels on bark cloth. It is made from indigenous tree bark found in Mexico and is still processed with ancient methods. The result is a richly textured, primitive backdrop that glows with vivid color. At the encouragement of her galleries, Stobie cast her first bronze sculpture in 2007. Working in this medium was a delightful success in creating three-dimensional art and a steppingstone for exploring other media as well. Now, in addition to pastels and sculpture, Stobie creates mixed-media constructions, collages, and paintings on canvas. No matter the medium, her creative journey continues to explore the planet’s gifts.

Artist Monica Stobie 109


RiverPath Studio & ArtWorks

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In 1984 Kathleen Hubbard, a self-taught artist, began designing jewelry to supplement her income. At the time she was a single parent with two small children. She took a shoebox filled with samples of earrings she had designed, went into a few boutiques in Redondo Beach, and sold them all. Thus was born her original business, Despina. Hubbard reflects, “19841986 was the era of big shoulders, big hair and big statement jewelry. Some of my original earrings were 3” across, huge by today’s standards. But a few of those original designs, shrunk to about half their original size, are still selling well today.” As the times changed, so did her designs and strategy. She added employees, sales representatives, and began producing on a large scale for catalog and department store chains. In the 28 years she has been producing jewelry, she

has designed for celebrities and has had her designs appear in music videos and on television series. She has appeared as a featured jewelry artist on QVC and participated in numerous juried venues, as well as in local and hometown shows. Hubbard says, “In 2008 I redesigned my line, my outlook and my expectations for the future. RiverPath Studio & ArtWorks is the current name I design and operate under. Our jewelry is more handcrafted and intricate than in past years. I say ‘our,’ as it is now a mother-and-son venture. My youngest son, Wesley, joined RiverPath Studio in 2010 and has been an integral part in the reinvention of my business.” Hubbard muses, “For 28 years I’ve been fortunate to have worked in a job and in an industry I love, and I look forward with great excitement to the next 28. Cheers!”

Kathleen Hubbard, founder and artist-owner of RiverPath Studio & Artworks 110

Von Nash Interiors

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For more than 40 years, Von Nash has been in the design business, but she has actually been an entrepreneur since she was 14. For the owner of Von Nash Interiors, design was the perfect choice: Nash loves making a house a home, and she loves people. “It is exciting for me,” she says, “to be invited to help clients make their home highlight their own personalities.” In addition to doing “design and decoration,” Nash has always owned a shop/showroom of antiques, quality older pieces, accessories, florals, and other items. What important lesson has she learned over the years? Nash writes, “I had just finished the furnishings, window treatments and bedding in a large home for a retired doctor and his wife, but we had yet not done the accessories. I was going out of town on another job, so I asked the client to go to my 10,000- square-foot showroom to choose

items she might like for her home. When I returned from my trip, I asked my staff if she had come in to browse. They said she had come in and stayed about two hours. When I inquired about her selections, they reported that she had been unable to find anything she liked. I spent the next day accessorizing her home with objects she loved. At the end of the day, she asked where I had found them. I told her they from my shop /showroom. She was thrilled with the results, and the lesson I learned was, “Don’t count on customers to know what they like until it’s in place.” Nash’s aspiration is “to be the best designer and most well known for quality in my four-state area.” Her lifetime motto has been and is, “Have the vision to see, the faith to believe, and the courage to do.” For more than 40 years, she seems to have done all three wonderfully well.

A classic and restful master bedroom designed by Von Nash Interiors 111


Dodson Jewelers

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How does a fourth-generation jeweler thrive over the course of its 125 years in business? For Dodson Jewelers, it means remaining consistent and focused on the foundations of the business: “service, fine quality jewelry and gifts, and honest values. And at the same time remaining flexible and open to change. We are a relationship-based company. Our customers are essential to making us the oldest continuous single familyowned jewelry store in the Northwest.” Dodson’s current owners are Penn Fix and his wife, Debra Schultz. Fix is the great-grandson of the founder, George R. Dodson. He is fully accredited with gemological degrees, and with a master’s degree in American cultural history, he is uniquely qualified to assess, buy, and sell vintage and antique jewelry. Schultz is passionate about contemporary jewelry designers. Her favorite is Marco Bicego because “this Italian designer combines unique design elements with

wearability.” This is perfect for the Northwest, where customers want something different, yet want to wear it in multiple settings. “Casual elegance” is how she describes Marco Bicego jewelry. What sets Dodson’s apart is its eclectic selection of fine quality jewelry and gifts. These include beautiful, hand chosen color stones set in custommade jewelry, ideal cut diamonds representing four generations of knowledge, one-of-kind estate and antique jewelry, and cutglass gifts from Ireland, and France. About two years ago, they decided to add fine art. This choice was easy since the owners collect art themselves. They focus on regional artists, and in particular, on fine landscape painters. When asked about the addition of fine art, they replied, “We have a 1892 photo of George R. Dodson standing in front of his jewelry counter with a wall full of paintings behind him. We like to think we are returning to our roots!”

Dodson’s well-recognized logo updated to reflect its 125 years. 112

The Davenport Hotel

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The stately, elegant Davenport Hotel is 98 years old. In 2002, Walt and Karen Worthy purchased the landmark, and after a major renovation, re-opened it in 2002. Listed on the Historic Register, the iconic hotel will celebrate its 100th anniversary on September 14, 2014. The Worthys’ reasons for purchasing the Davenport were threefold: to save an historic community icon, to return the hotel to a high level of quality and service, and to create jobs. They have succeeded admirably. Today it is a Four-Diamond rated hotel that employs more than 500 staff members. Moreover, the hotel earned LEED Gold certification from the Green Building Council in D.C., one of only 33 hotels worldwide to achieve this. Louis Davenport, the original owner and general manager, proclaimed in 1914 that the hotel’s mission, which is still in effect, was “To so well please our guests that they will be glad they came, sorry to leave, and eager to return.” To achieve this, he designed the

hotel to bring the world to Spokane: each public room represents the finest décor of another country—for England, the Elizabethan Ballroom; for France, the Marie Antoinette Ballroom, and so forth. That tradition has been restored. Davenport is also credited with creating the famed Crab Louis Salad, which remains on the hotel’s menus today. The Worthys continue to honor the traditions of this grand historic hotel. They are focused on their guests, the level of service and the accommodations. Under their aegis, the hotel has grown to five restaurants, launched a candy company in the hotel (Davenport Confections) that produces the hotel’s signature candies, created a signature bed and store (Davenport Home), and continues operating Spokane’s oldest flower shop, which is in the lobby. The Davenport Spa opens in November. It seems that what’s old is new again—and splendidly so.

Downtown Spokane’s iconic Davenport Hotel, early 1900’s 113


E. L. Stewart

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“I enjoy great fantasy and freedom of expression, with a heavy dose of reality on the side, with a chaser,” says artist Elsie L. Stewart. Originally from a rural area north of Chicago, Stewart has called Spokane home for the past 30 years. Prior to coming here, she attended a private design school, focusing on illustration, graphic design and advertising. Later she studied photography and for a brief period of time worked taking photographs. “E.L.” is known primarily for her provocative and intriguing figure artwork. She generally works with acrylic paint on canvas, using the figure as subject and metaphor. The brushwork is lush and fluid, immersing the viewer in sensual waves and causing the intangible to seem within the viewer’s grasp. Stewart also draws and paints in a literal manner— anatomy is a life-long study—but her artistic vision goes far beyond the literal.

In recent years, Stewart has been exploring even more deeply changing attitudes and personal fantasy, and she has produced some exceptional abstract paintings. She continues to believe there are emotions and passions that cannot be accurately expressed through the simple depiction of a subject, but can only be conveyed through the spirit within the work. Spokane’s Gonzaga University owns a Stewart painting. Her work can also be found in private collections in Seattle, Portland, Dallas, and Chicago, as well as other parts of the United States and Canada. Stewart is constantly pushing herself to greater artistic achievements by challenging herself to create paintings that viewers can identify with on a personal, even intimate level. She sums herself up as “a versatile, contemporary, and abstract expressionist,” who paints with candor and sensitivity and focuses on the issues that define us all.

Versatile artist E.L. Stewart 114

Sherry Orchard

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Sherry Orchard arrived at her unusual art form by happenstance. She tells it this way: “Art has always been a part of my life. I began painting more than 30 years ago. My paintings had always been done on the usual canvas, but I wanted to do something unusual. That ‘something’ happened about five years ago when a friend wondered if I had ever tried to paint on one of the feathers that the wild turkeys leave all over our property. That same day I went out, picked up a feather and painted a deer on it. Born and raised in Walla Walla, Orchard is self-taught artist who is inspired by the wildlife and scenery of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Her work has been displayed in local businesses, galleries, and in juried shows. “Painting on feathers instantly gave me the style and ‘canvas’ that I had been looking for. The word-ofmouth orders I received led me to open a booth at the

local farmers market. I gradually expanded to more regional art shows and festivals, and sales continued to grow. At the time I was also working full time as a middle school secretary. I decided to follow my heart and devote all of my energy to painting! It’s exciting to be able to do what you love and make a living doing it.” You can hear the smile in her voice when she discloses, “Starting out was a real learning experience. I entered some events that were nightmares at the time, but are laughable now. At one show the booth next door was live reptiles, and another booth had leather bikinis and whips! I do a lot more research now and only enter shows that are art specific.” Orchard’s enthusiasm is infectious. “I’m excited about the possibilities for my style of art. I’m expanding into the print market and am exploring different options for licensing my images on products around the world.”

“Perfect Timing,” one of Sherry Orchard’s unique feather paintings 115


Jigsaw

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In the heart of downtown Spokane on Main Street, Jigsaw’s 18 windows are hard to miss. Facing a welltraversed byway, they showcase a formidable array of beautifully clad mannequins. Jigsaw is the vision of owners Susan and Michael Carmody, whose 30-year history of successful retail apparel stores includes previous ones in Olympia and Ocean Shores. After logging dozens of visits with a son who was attending Gonzaga University, they moved to Spokane and entered a new chapter of their lives. “Downtown Spokane intrigued us,” Susan reports. “We loved the commitment the community made to the historical core of the city, and we believed Spokanites understood the value of supporting local brick-andmortar establishments.” Susan majored in fine arts, and she finds the apparel business affirms for her an intimate connection to color, texture and design. “This keeps it fresh and fun,” she continues. “We canvas

markets every 10 weeks to deliver a diverse a selection not represented in main stream stores. In our inventory you won’t see an abundance of any one style. We prefer instead to keep things evolving week to week.” The possibilities are lavish: they include, for example, Nougat, Goldhawk, Nanette Lepore, Johnny Was, Love and Liberty, Laundry, Byron Lars, Laurie B, People Like Frank, Biya, Eva Varro, Cynthia Steffe, Nicole Miller, CJ Johnson and Weston Wear. Jigsaw’s inventory also features a huge selection of belts and jewelry. “Our mix is choreographed to appeal to customers 17-70 and to a multitude of budgets,” says Susan. “It’s much less about age, and more about attitude. Our excellent team is inspired to find something each client will love. Whether it’s apparel for an elegant evening, a resort escape, or a casual weekend, Jigsaw has it all.”

Jigsaw’s familiar sign on Main Street in downtown Spokane 116

Cheryl Burchell Goldsmiths

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Cheryl Burchell has been in the jewelry business for more than 35 years. Her first store, Jewelry Arts, was located in San Luis Obispo, California. After many years, she relocated to Santa Barbara, where she continued to grow and and develop CAL Arts wholesale and retail. After reaching Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, and starting Coeur d’ Alene Design, she moved the business into Cheryl Burchell Goldsmiths. Bruchell says that her inspiration for her jewelry retailing comes from her customers. Burchell also does custom design for her clientele. She writes, “We deal with the most beautiful materials in the world. I get to play with gold, pearls, diamonds, and color stones every day, and then to top it off, design for very trusting people.” Burchell is the designer of what is perhaps the premier souvenir of Coeur d’Alene, her “Heart Like an Awl” pendant. The pendant is a tangible expression of the phrase “coeur d’alene,”

French for “heart of the awl.” (Coeur is heart; alene is awl, a sharp tool for punching holes in leather so it can be sewn.) The name Coeur d’Alene dates from the early fur trading days, although its exact origin is not known. An active supporter of the Couer d’Alene community’s arts, education, Burchell has donated outstanding pieces for their fundraisers. She has also contributed fine pieces to medically-related organizations and the local library foundation. Burchell describes her jewelry-designing enterprise as “making wearable art for a living.” She sees her future residing in her ability to create jewelry that will stand the test of time. She adds, “We have a lot of beautiful designs waiting to get free from my brain and into our display cases. We also want to launch our Cheri B line for our younger clients. That’s our future: jewelry forever!”

Renowned jewelry designer and artist Cheryl Burchell 117


Greenbriar Inn

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A trip to England and Scotland that included ten wonderful days at bed and breakfasts inspired the McIlvennas to purchase a building that was reminiscent of ones in the British Isles. That was 1984; Kris McIlvenna was expecting their second child and wanted to change to a home-based business. The 1908 structure had had many owners. When the MclIvennas bought it, it had only two working baths and four bedrooms. Subsequently they added five baths, two commercial kitchens, a patio, a 1200-square-foot dining room, martini bar, and wine bar. They complemented the improvements with a garden with a gazebo for weddings, a second-floor deck with a hot tub and umbrella tables for overnight guests, and a wraparound deck on both floors. The B&B’s 315 Restaurant, named for the inn’s street address, offers causal fine dining, and is also known for its martinis and tapas. About a year ago Kris McIlvenna heard from the

builder’s great-granddaughter, who was searching for information about him. Kris writes, “We developed a long distance relationship as I helped her by providing her with information about her great-great grandfather.” In summer 2012 ten of his relatives— great-grandsons, greatgranddaughters, nieces and nephews—will visit Couer d’Alene and stay at Greenbriar Inn. The McIlvennas’ daughter and her six children will also be coming from Atlanta to visit with these people. “It’s like a big family that is just getting to know one another through some connection in the past.” Kris says, “We will continue to improve our amenities for our catering, dining, and lodging facilities. There are some fun things we’d like to add, but basically, the bones are very, very good now. And our staff is just great! We always aim to raise the bar in every aspect of our service.”

Artist’s rendering of the Greenbriar Inn 118

MAC

96 The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) is a regional and cultural hub located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The MAC features engaging visual art, regional history and American Indian culture exhibits. It offers programs for families, adults, and school children. Founded in 1916 as the Eastern Washington State Historical Society (EWSHS), the MAC now houses the state’s largest collection of art, history and American Indian cultural materials east of the Cascades. The fiveacre campus includes the historic Campbell House, five underground galleries, and a Center for Plateau Cultural Studies. In addition, there are a library and archives, a café, a store, an auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater. The Campbell House complex is the most popular historic attraction. It operates as a house museum, interpreting life at the

turn of the 20th century. Visitors discover “changing times” brought on by the automobile and learn household employees’ stories. Successful ventures in Idaho’s silver mines financed this English Revival Tudor house. It was designed by renowned Spokane architect Kirtland K. Cutter for Amasa and Grace Campbell and their daughter, Helen. The MAC was accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1972 and became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in 2001. The mission of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society/ Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture is “to actively engage all people in the appreciation of arts and culture through collections stewardship, exhibits, and programs that educate and entertain.” The MAC succeeds admirably! For more information, visit www.northwestmuseum.org.

The historic Kirtland Cutter-designed Campbell House on the MAC campus 119


Leslie Cain

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Landscape artist Leslie Williams Cain has been drawing all her life. A farmer’s daughter, she was drawing horses at age 4. She says, “In horse parlance, I’m ‘schooled but not papered’—studying art in college (Whitman, ’73; University of of Washington, ’76) where I rediscovered my connection to the land, road-trips, and landscape painting.” A gallery exhibit of her cabinetmaker’s furniture and paintings refocused her from working full time as a finisher to painting seriously. Gallery representation followed shortly thereafter. Today she paints full time for exhibitions and commissions, and teaches workshops. She describes the Walla Walla Valley as “a place of so much movement: flowing asphalt lines of roadways by the neighboring farms, down streams and ditches that irrigate the crops, along wind currents that bring the next county’s top-soil our way.” Cain writes, “Whenever a farmer buys or commissions a piece, I know I’ve connected on a

fundamental level to someone who understands this place. We both work with the same elements: wind, water, dust, and light. We walk the same progression of cycles, forging that deep connection to the land.” She continues, “My first love has always been drawing, my primary medium pastel (colored dust: go figure). My approach and execution are that of a painter building the image with line, working the pastel into the surface with rags, erasing out detail, working and re-working until we ‘fall into’ the place.” Looking to the future, Cain reports that she wants to “pursue more artist residencies and teach workshops in different locations to see what comes through into the painting. We are all connected—to each other and this wondrous place we inhabit. My pastels are doorways to those places of connection where, stepping through, we can remember who we are, why we’re here.”

“Couse Creek,” a pastel on paper by Leslie Cain 120


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