Inlander 3/21/2013 by The Inlander

march 21-27, 2013 | Local, independent and free since 1993

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Leg Pain? Learn about arterial and vascular health and treatment Presenter: Stephen P. Murray, MD, Vascular Surgeon Providence Spokane Heart Institute

2 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

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inside

Thank Local you for voting us #local 2 Best Green Business gifts, food # & 3 Best Organic/Natural Foods! It s' a great time to join your local food co-op!

MARCH 21-27 2013 | Vol. 20, No. 23

COMMENT 5 NEWS 13 CULTURE 29 BEST OF 2013 32 FOOD 34 FILM 40

MUSIC 45 EVENTS 50 bulletin board 58 I SAW YOU 60 WELLNESS 61 LAST WORD 62

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ON THE COVER | Jeff drew Illustration

page 20

0 MILEESRE

FROM B

Why is gun-control legislation floundering around the country?

O-LI

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WHO

Spokane, thank you for drinking local!

Rock

Josh Ritter turns autobiographical in the wake of heartbreak page 45

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comment StAFF DIRectoRY PHONE: 509-325-0634 Ted S. McGregor Jr. (tedm@inlander.com)

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MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 5

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Black Hole No More? The Spokane core is losing a stalwart in Huppin’s, just as the Ridpath Hotel is poised for a second life

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he disappointing news that Huppin’s is about to close its downtown store makes me feel, I imagine, about the way the news the Dodgers were relocating to Los Angeles must have hit Brooklynites. This move not only signals the end of an era, but could threaten the future of the entire block, even extending across the street. But as we lament the loss of an institution, it is once again Wells and Company to the rescue of our downtown’s built environment and commercial vitality: They are about to restore the Ridpath Hotel. They own more than 60 percent of the building, and have the necessary financing to control most of the rest. Two eleventh-hour pretenders have emerged, carrying rods and reel — but Wells isn’t on a fishing expedition. What they plan to produce is as bold as it is timely. A few luxury condominiums on the top floor have been pre-sold; the floors below will be redesigned as upscale efficiency apartments, most in the 500-square-foot range, with a few double that. The smaller apartments will rent for the enticing rate of $370 per month. Even ground-floor and second-floor units will come with amenities, like a large commons area and a health club. Access to a restored swimming pool in the annex also will be provided, as will secure on-premises parking. Building plans are nearly complete for submission to the City of Spokane to secure permits. Application has been made to the National Register of Historic Places, and federal investment tax credits are in the offing.

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he target demographic? Ron Wells tells me they are aiming at “young professionals” (along with, he implied, professionals-in-training). Questions have been raised, given the very reasonable rent. It’s true that Wells sees this as a middle-class rental project; however, as with all their projects, rent has never been as important to them as comportment. As a result, no matter the rent they charge, every one of their projects — from those in Carnegie Square to Browne’s Addition back to the Davenport District — have added value not only to adjacent property but to the greater life of downtown. Wells’ analysis expects that young professionals are a growing demographic here — and they are betting that many of these prospective renters will want the amenities that one can only experience downtown. Consider: The Riverpoint Campus is expanding, and Gonzaga has more off-campus students who might love to live in an affordable new apartment downtown, within walking distance of school and lots of other attractions. In the end, when this restoration is complete,

a section of downtown that has been on the downturn ever since the Ridpath Hotel closed will be positioned for a comeback.

few years back, Salt Lake City confronted a similar problem. They had lost some retail downtown and were worried they might soon lose Nordstrom, their downtown anchor tenant, to the Gateway Mall a short distance west of downtown. Enter the LDS Church, which in recent years has taken a much more active interest in downtown revitalization. The church saw two needs: more retail downtown, and more people living downtown. Urbanist Donovan Rypkema addressed this latter need several years back when he was in Spokane for a symposium. He noted that people who live downtown spend upward of three times a year more in the neighborhood than do people who just work downtown. To address these interrelated challenges, the Church took 20 acres of its downtown property and converted it to an architecturally spendid, mixed-use open-air commercial facility — condominiums, apartments, office buildings. It is a mall, sort of. It is open air, has a recreated creek running through it and over two waterfalls. A mammoth undertaking which, according to its creators, has during this first year far exceeded all expectations. So much so that Salt Lake City ranks fourth nationally, behind only New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, in the increase in people living within two miles of city hall. Finally, to add even more on-street activity (as well as discretionary income), the Church built a downtown BYU campus just north of Temple Square, only a few blocks from City Creek and downtown proper. Professional programs and liberal arts courses are offered, bringing professionals-in-training into the mix. Well, Spokane doesn’t have the advantage of playing home to one of the wealthiest churches in America — an institution that can just up and make such decisions. But it does have a growing medical community, complete with expanding university offerings, an emerging technical development sector and a thriving Jesuit university. Also, it has Wells. What it soon will no longer have is Huppin’s, which means that the new denizens attracted to the Wells Ridpath project will no longer be able to walk around the block to buy their new television, camera or sound system. Alas. n

comment | publisher’s note

The Next 40 Years by ted s. mcGregor jr.

f you’re a critic long enough, somebody is bound to say, “OK, if you’re so smart, why don’t you fix it.” That’s what happened when Mayor David Condon asked me to work with the Park Board as chairman of the newly formed Riverfront Park Master Plan Advisory Committee. I’m in. We’ve been left an amazing gift — the team that brought Expo here nearly 40 years ago left a park unique in perhaps all the world. Mayor Condon and the Park Board are right to recognize that spot fixes aren’t enough; it falls to this generation to leave a legacy that will last at least until some kid born in 2014 becomes mayor. (Yes, Mayor Condon will turn 40 along with Expo.) Here are some thoughts I plan to work from during this process, which will culminate with a public vote in November of 2014. OUR STORY In 1974, we invited the world to tell their story here. Now we need to tell our story in the park — the story of the river, the tribes, the trains and, yes, Expo. We’re not good at articulating our local culture; the park is the place to do it. A SPARK King Cole once told me, “The world’s fair was not to have a party. It was to save downtown.” Updating Riverfront Park needs to create an economic spark for Spokane and the greater region. AN ACTIVE PARK During Expo, there were hundreds of thousands of people in the park, buying souvenirs and eating hot dogs. The park has plenty of passive space; we need to make it a place people have a reason to visit. LITTLE THINGS If you were a tourist, would you know where the Spokane Falls were? “Follow the roar” isn’t good enough. Lots of small improvements are needed, like better signage. THINK BIG We have a rare opportunity and need ideas to match. We have a placid waterfront on the south channel like they do in San Antonio. We have huge green spaces in the city as in Central Park. We have a river falls like, well, like nobody really. We have an iconic centerpiece, and while not quite a Space Needle, it’s pretty cool. The Looff Carrousel, the Red Wagon, the Garbage Goat — we’ve been dealt a great hand. When Jimmy Carter dedicated Riverfront Park in 1978, he said, “You’ve transformed an area that was declining, that was far short of its great potential, into one of the nation’s most innovative and refreshing urban settings.” Is that still true? I think we’re well short of our potential, but Carter’s marching orders still apply. Riverfront Park should be one of the nation’s most innovative and refreshing urban settings. n

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 7

comment | digest on our facebook

What do you think of the name Pope Francis?

Melissa Murphy Consistently ranked as a Top Ten producing agent since 2008

Readers responded to the announcement of the new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, last week. He later clarified his name choice honors St. Francis of Assisi.

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Ext: 126

Anthony Gill: Some early reports indicate that it’s in honor of St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, and not St. Francis of Assisi.

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Beware Land-Grabbers

The state motto for Utah is “Industry.” Hence, it is no surprise they want to bring a lawsuit against the federal government for control of some of America’s most scenic heritage. Utah covets 22 million acres of public wildlands located within the state. The oil and gas industries are salivating. Enter Idaho, whose state motto implies “Forever.” The Idaho Legislature wants to perpetuate the ravaging of our national forests and rangelands by drafting legislation that mimics Utah’s land Send comments to grab. Idaho wants 15 million acres of federally owned land editor@inlander.com. located within the state. The timber and ranching industries are drooling. Utah and Idaho are two peas in a pod. They have one hand out in front looking for federal handouts, while the other hand is behind their back giving the feds the finger. The return of the Sagebrush Rebellion is upon us. Indeed, America’s heritage and public wildlands are under threat from Western states and the corporations they serve.

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You Rock, Spokane!

Just want to say thanks for your tremendous support last Saturday [March 2]. We had some bad trips to Spokane 12 and 13 years back, but things have obviously changed for the better. We will certainly be spreading the word that your town can rally and show a band a good time. Please keep the faith and educate your friends. When enough people decide to care about and support underground music, the world becomes a better place. Go out on a weeknight, buy merch from the band and turn off corporate radio. And clearly, you should pay close attention to whatever Leah Sottile writes about in the Inlander. Cheers to all. We shall return. Nathan Carson Witch Mountain band member

Everybody Pitch In

Thank you for another positive column (“Role Models at Home,” 3/14/13). I cut out your “Fifteen for ’13” (1/10/13) and have it near my desk. The S-R recently profiled all the groups working in Spokane Public Schools to educate the children in our community. Many very small communities in Maine didn’t feel the impact of 2008 budget shortfalls on public services because they were heavily supported by volunteer positions. Wouldn’t that be great if communities throughout the Inland Northwest could make the same claim by 2014? Sherri Robinson Spokane Valley, Wash.

Messenger Trouble

George Nethercutt’s commentary about trust (“Role Models at Home,” 3/14/13) was a pile of hypocrisy. He must think we are stupid, gullible and have a short memory. He promised voters he would serve no more than three terms when he ran for Congress in 1994. He forgot his pledge and stayed in the House of Representatives for five terms and then lost a U.S. Senate race against Patty Murray. If George wants to know why voters have become judgmental and cynical, he should look in the mirror. Don Driscoll Deer Park, Wash.

Survival Instincts

As Americans, especially living in Spokane, we can only imagine the fear and pain Mr. Agwa Taka has experienced. (“Survivor,” 3/14/13.) I hope we as a community can be embracing and welcoming to those who have come here to escape the darkest of human indignity. I would hope, after hearing this, that we could find it within ourselves to be better champions of tolerance and love, so that we can make differences in the lives of those living in our small corner of the world. Brian Griffith Spokane, Wash.

Jane Provinsal: Whether it is for St. Francis of Assisi, a humble man for the people, or St. Francis Xavier, a great missionary/evangelist, it is a wonderful thing! Kristi Leitholt: I don’t care about the choice of name so much as I care about what he’s going to do in his tenure as Pope. That’s a big mess now on his shoulders. Rick Harkins: It will be good for many headlines... “Lighten up, Francis.” Kara Beach: I don’t care about the name. I care about his policies and what he is going to do in his “holy” office. Abraham Luna: I met and spoke with Bergoglio back in Buenos Aires, a very humble and compassionate person. Bill Turner: Considering this is supposed to be the last pope, I would’ve gone with something a little more catchy...like Pope Supercalifragalisticxpialadocious. John Tyler: Pope PeroniPizza? Vanessa D Hayden: I honestly love the name Francis for men and I like that he took his name after St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals! Askelon Keln: Francis? Brings to mind the mule in those old black and white movies, and some other movie memory with a kid’s whiny, whiny voice saying, “Fraaaaancis!” Naw. I’d prefer the ol’ Leo or how about Matthew? He was a saint. Pope Matt. Jason Voss: I prefer Jorge myself! Or Pistachio. n

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 9

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comment | satire

Sticking to the Story I by andy borowitz

n a somber ceremony attended by former members of the Bush administration, former Vice President Dick Cheney marked the 10th anniversary of making up a reason to invade Iraq. The ceremony, held on the grounds of the Halliburton Company headquarters, brought together former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, and other key members of the lying effort. Calling the officials “profiles in fabrication,” Cheney praised them for their decade of dedication to a totally fictitious rationale. “Making up a reason to invade a country is the easy part,” Cheney told them. “Sticking to a pretend story for 10 years — that is the stuff of valor.” Cheney added that their “steadfast charade had raised the

bar for all future administrations.” “When it is time to invade Iran or Venezuela, will the President have the will to make up an entirely fake reason to do it?” he asked. “That remains to be seen.” The ceremony ended on an emotional note, as Cheney placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown WMD. Elsewhere, the decision of Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to support same-sex marriage after learning that his son was gay has inspired hundreds of other Republican lawmakers to stop speaking to their children immediately, GOP leaders confirmed this week. n For more fake news from Andy Borowitz, visit borowitzreport.com.

comment | the budget

Forgetting Something by jim hightower

pparently, Rep. Paul Ryan missed the outcome of last November’s presidential election. Oh, wait — wasn’t he on the ballot in that election as Mitt Romney’s running mate? Well, yes, but less than five months later, Ryan seems to have forgotten that he and the Mittster were soundly rejected. Maybe the trauma of losing — including losing his own hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin — has his memory slipping. Whatever the cause, it’s embarrassing to see him now trotting out the very same Republican budget proposal that he wrote last year and put at the center of the Romney-Ryan national campaign — the same nauseating budget extremism that induced the great majority of Americans to upchuck. Ryan recently headlined a Washington media event for the rerelease of this bucket of right-wing hash. It includes turning Medicare into a “WeDon’tCare” privatized voucher scheme that would deliver seniors into the tender clutches of giant insurance corporations, forcing the elderly to pay more for less.

Also, in order to save the superrich from even the slightest tax increase, Ryan again serves up a mess of cuts to food stamps, Medicaid and other vital programs for the poor, while simultaneously jacking up the tax burden on both the poor and the middle class. Then, to make his package even more odious to the general public, he cluelessly reissues the far right’s cry to repeal Obamacare. Hello, Paul — reality calling: Obama thoroughly thumped you and Mitt on this issue last year. Remember? And since the election, Obamacare has grown in popularity, with several Republican governors now seeing the political light and embracing Obama’s signature health care reform. It’s time for family and friends to circle around Paul for a sanity intervention, trying to pull him out of the rabbit hole he’s stuck in. n For more from America’s populist, check out jimhightower.com.

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Councilman Steve Adams says he’s been inspired by libertarian Ron Paul. “They call him Doctor No,” Adams says.

idaho

War of Words Why the Coeur d’Alene city attorney called a councilman “ignorant” — among other things — and stands by his assessment By Daniel Walters

ust a little over an hour in, the Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting went off the rails. Councilman Steve Adams had gone to a judicial confirmation hearing a few days earlier and announced that he had “changed [his] mind” on the approval of a $33 million bond. The money would go to pay for a federally required wastewater treatment upgrades, but despite voting for it, Adams was now fighting it. City Attorney Mike Gridley concluded then that Adams was an “adverse party” and wouldn’t discuss any legal strategy over the facility with Adams in the room. Then, with the March 5 council meeting, it all boiled

over. Adams threatened to file an ethics complaint against Gridley, and another councilman made a motion to exclude Adams from legal discussions. The arguments grew heated. “Steve, I get to decide if I should accept a motion, and I did,” Mayor Sandi Bloem says. “There is a motion — ” “— you are out of line then, Madam Mayor,” Adams interrupts. With that, Bloem smacks her gavel down on the table. “Five minute break,” she says, standing up abruptly from her chair and leaving the dais. Twenty minutes later, Adams makes an announce-

Mike McCall photo

ment. “I would also like it read into the minutes, that at 7:18 pm during the break, when Mike and I were discussing this matter, he called me an ‘ignorant shit,’” Adams said. “Which is disrespectful, unprofessional, confrontational and flat-out rude, and will be part of my complaint I will file with the Idaho Bar Association.” Gridley stared straight ahead. “All right,” he says. “And I stand by my words.”

Field of Battle

Councilwoman Deanna Goodlander, sitting at a bakery just a few hundred feet away from McEuen Field, seems weary. “I’ve been on that council for 13 years,” Goodlander says. “I’ve never been in an environment like we have today.” Goodlander says a few councilmembers are more concerned with scoring political points than doing what’s best for the city. “I am saddened by the lack of respect. It’s not healthy for our city,” Goodlander says. “I think we all bear some of the burden of that.” Much of the division began with McEuen Field. Earlier this week, construction resumed on the overhaul of the lakeside park, which sparked protest and catalyzed a mayoral recall attempt. The outrage over McEuen ...continued on next page

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 13

news | idaho “war of Words,” continued...

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catapulted two members of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans — Steve Adams and Dan Gookin — to the City Council. They promised to fight for a public vote over the field plan. They didn’t just want to stop the changes to the field, they wanted to kill the urban redevelopment agency leading them. “It’s a scourge on the taxpayer. It subverts the will of the people by circumventing the Constitution,” Adams said of the Lake City Development Corporation during the election. “It’s bad law.” But despite sweeping the 2011 election, the opponents of the McEuen plan remained outnumbered, and the field’s progress continued unabated. And for one moment last summer, it looked like Adams was going to give up fighting against the field. “I’ve effectively conceded,” Adams said, voting to support a replacement for McEuen’s ball field. But his criticism of the field continued, and an underlying ideological rift remained.

ernment’s broke,” Adams says. “Why should we perpetuate the problem?” Paul relies on a strict, unconventional interpretation of the United States Constitution, while Adams has a strict, unconventional interpretation of the Idaho State Constitution. He repeatedly cites Article 8, Section 3 of Idaho’s Constitution. That section stops cities from going into debt without a two-thirds

“As soon as he starts disrespecting me and the body, it’s personal. I can say what I want to him.”

Apostle for Paul

“McEuen field isn’t the main issue. Not anymore,” Goodlander says. “It’s a philosophical difference.” Goodlander says she’s been a lifelong Republican, but Adams isn’t conventionally conservative. “There was a lot of stuff going on in Coeur d’Alene that was a microcosm of the federal government,” Adams says. “Just tax-andspend, liberal, Machiavellian, ends-justify-the-means governing.” Describing his political philosophy at Calypsos Coffee & Creamery, Adams cites his discovery of libertarian Ron Paul. “They call him Doctor No,” Adams says. “It was amazing. There were hundreds of votes where he was the only guy to vote no.” Adams has also repeatedly voted no. Any time there’s a tax increase or use of federal money, he votes no. “The federal gov-

public vote, unless they need to pay for “ordinary and necessary” expenses. It also allows voters to approve new facilities like water treatment plants with a simple majority vote. But it’s up to a judge to determine if a project is “ordinary and necessary.” At first, Adams thought the treatment plant upgrades, required to meet federal pollution standards, qualified. But a lastminute conversation with one of his advisors convinced Adams otherwise. In the judicial hearing, he gave the example of a judge refusing to issue Boise a bond for a new police station. But in that case, the major factor was that the police station was a new facility. Most bonds for upgrades and improvements, by contrast, have been approved. “It is a constitutional method — and has been used for years and years and years and years and years and years — to approve projects like sewer wastewater treatment plants,” Gridley said at the March council meeting. In fact, in 2007, a judge approved an earlier bond

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to upgrade Coeur d’Alene’s facility. Adams’ sudden opposition made him an “adverse party,” Gridley maintains. But Adams doesn’t buy it. He doesn’t think the judicial hearing counted as litigation and asked Gridley to write down his rationale. Gridley offered to explain in front of the entire council, but refused to give it to Adams in writing.

A Matter of Manners

Gridley sports a white mustache and speaks in a slow baritone. He analyzes each word of what he calls his “famous statement.” “‘Ignorant,’ because he’s not accepting my explanation of what an ‘adverse party’ is,” Gridley says. “He was behaving like a ‘shit’… disrupting the meeting, talking over the mayor, interrupting people.” Even Gookin, an ideological ally, says Adams should apologize for telling the mayor she was out of order. Gookin says he’s pushed the council to become a little more formal. “It’s a decorum thing,” Gookin says. “If you want to speak, you need to be recognized.” Gridley, who has come under fire for being disrespectful to Adams, says he’s tired of people who dish it out, but can’t take it. “As long as [Adams] is showing respect to me and the body, I owe him respect,” Gridley says. “As soon as he starts disrespecting me and the body, it’s personal. I can say what I want to him.” They’ve clashed before. In April of last year, Adams wrote a letter to Gridley asking him to stop correcting him in public. Despite attorney-client privilege, the letter was somehow leaked to a Spokesman-Review blog. “I was pissed,” Adams says. “I was furious.” Gridley and other critics of Adams will have to be patient. Adams, Gookin and veteran McEuen opponent Ron Edinger have three more years left on their terms. Their political rivals, however, are up for election this November. “I’m hoping there will be a change,” Adams says. “I’m hoping to have a mayor and three new councilmembers who are similarly minded to myself.” n danielw@inlander.com

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news | digest

need to know

The Big News of the Past Week

PHOTO EYE Shocking Fans

A gathering of Catholic cardinals chose a new pope last week, the first non-European in more than 1,200 years and the first of the Jesuit order. Called Pope Francis, he was installed this Tuesday.

Huppin’s TV, Audio, Cameras and More announced it plans to close its 104-year-old downtown store. The business will consolidate to its North Division location.

With a carnival and free birthday cake, Spokane Valley celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday. After multiple attempts, the city’s incorporation passed a public vote in May 2002 and was made official in March 2003.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board has selected Cambridge, Mass., drug policy think tank BOTEC Analysis Corporation as the lead consultants to help establish rules governing the state’s new recreational pot market.

From left: Arvell Nelson, Terrance Sanders and Kenny Spencer sign footballs for Julie Chase after practice at the Shock’s training facility on Saturday. The Shock kick off their season with three road games, beginning on March 24 in Cleveland.

James Nisbet photo

At least 20 bombs exploded in Baghdad on Tuesday, the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the American-led invasion there. The war has left more than 134,000 Iraqis and 4,800 coalition service members dead.

On inlander.com What’s Creating Buzz

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Percent of Washington students in eighth and 10 grade who’ve attempted suicide in the past year, according to a fall 2012 state Department of Health survey.

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BLOG: Robert Lee Yates, two-legged cats and songs about the Zags. Find way more Inlander on our blog. Age of former Washington Gov. Booth Gardner when he died last Friday after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Gardner led the campaign to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill in Washington.

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NEWS | EDUCATION

Educating Idaho’s Kids A voucher-like proposal emerges in Boise; plus, more fights over CdA’s IB program By DANIEL WALTERS

Not Quite Vouchers, But Close

As conservative as Idaho is, the state has never had a voucher system to help parents pay for their children to go to PRIVATE SCHOOLS. The reason goes all the way back to 1890, when Idaho’s Constitution was written. It specifically says that the government and other public agencies are barred from spending public money to “support or sustain any school” controlled by a religious denomination. But now, state Rep. Bob Nonini from Coeur d’Alene is floating a bill that may be able to get around that restriction. It would give tax credits for Idaho residents and corporations who donate to private-school scholarship funds. He believes it will ultimately save money, by causing thousands of Idaho students to transfer to private school, saving the state the cost of educating them. Post Falls’ Genesis Prep, a non-denominational Christian school, has been asking its families to “show the Legislature that Idahoans support this legislation.” Some legislators don’t believe the bill is constitutional. And the Idaho Education Association isn’t supportive.

IEA Executive Director Robin Nettinga worries it could mean another blow to public schools. If students leave empty seats, districts still have to pay fixed prices for costs like buildings and custodial work. “Rather than save money, school districts are going to have to make do with less,” Nettinga says.

board members, the new board voted to eliminate IB, citing high cost and low enrollments and test scores. The elimination of PYP soon followed. Now comes the backlash. A group has emerged, organized to, in their words, “take action against a decision they viewed as unethical, unfair, and an abuse of power.” After several months, they penned a 20-page grievance against the school board and sent it to everyone from the Idaho Human Rights Commission to the U.S. Department of Justice. For starters, the group accuses the school district of relying on personal bias, discriminating against religion, ignoring their own code of ethics and violating Coeur d’Alene’s open meeting laws. “We’re just trying to make things fair,” says Ashlie Unruh, one of the authors of the grievance. The board, Unruh says, should have let the district try to fix the

“Rather than save money, school districts are going to have to make do with less.”

Stages of Grievance

The INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE program, a global high-standards curriculum, and the Primary Years Programme, its grade school equivalent, continue to raise controversy in Coeur d’Alene schools months after being eliminated. In 2010, community members had packed school board meetings, with some arguing that IB was pushing a liberal agenda for the United Nations. After an election and a few appointments replaced most school

problems people had with the program, instead of just eliminating it. “We will discuss it and decide as a board how to proceed,” Board Chairman Tom Hamilton says. “I would imagine that once that is done, we will ask the district to release a statement regarding the board’s action on the matter.” Unruh says the group expects the board to respond to the open meetings complaint within 14 days, and the rest within 30 days. n

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Indecency Proposal Idaho lawmakers want the FCC to crack down on sex on TV BY HEIDI GROOVER

n most days, it seems the Idaho Legislature would be happiest if the federal government evaporated into thin air. But on occasion, the feds become a tool lawmakers in Boise aren’t afraid to use. Last month, it was a call for feds to crack down on marijuana after two nearby states legalized the drug for recreational use. (The measure didn’t pass in the end, but another did, saying Idaho intends never to legalize pot.) This week, some state representatives want the Federal Communications Commission to do something about how much sex kids are seeing on TV. “The Federal Communications Commission is encouraged to resume enforcement of traditional American standards of decency,” reads a non-binding resolution that is expected to reach the House floor for debate this week. The joint resolution from both chambers of the Legislature comes with no action, but calls on the FCC to prohibit talking about or showing sex on TV, especially if it’s outside of marriage. “References to premarital sex, characters lying in bed together and characters disrobing or undress-

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18 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

Get a room already, and get off TV, say some lawmakers. ing” are all too much for the children, according to legislators. Caldwell Republican Rep. Darrell Bolz says he introduced the resolution because a constituent came to him a few years ago concerned about the “general connotation” of modern TV shows. Since federal rules would override any Idaho law on the issue, he introduced this measure as “more a statement than anything else” about what the citizens of Idaho want on their televisions

between 6 am and 10 pm. “At some point we have to stand up for our morals,” Bolz says. The FCC, which regulates what’s allowed on TV and radio, already curbs what’s permissible between those hours, but Bolz doesn’t think they’re enforcing those rules well enough. Edgy (but not obscene) expressions are protected by the First Amendment, so the FCC can’t ban them altogether, but courts have allowed it to regulate what’s on at times when children are most likely to be watching. Shows that are indecent — anything that “depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities” — can’t air between 6 am and 10 pm. While there’s no mention of premarital sex in current FCC regulations, the definition of “contemporary community standards” is a highly subjective moving target. Not only do times change, but the people interpreting the rules do too. The current Democratic chairman has pursued fewer indecency complaints than his two Republican predecessors. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has refused to determine whether TV and radio regulations should continue as they are, and if new technologies, like cable TV and the Internet, should be controlled in the same way. Wayne Hoffman, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for individual rights and limited government, argues against Bolz’s resolution on the basis of that uncertainty. In a piece on the Idaho State Journal’s politics blog, Hoffman argues that when the government “assumes the role of morality police” and bureaucrats determine what’s allowed on TV, enforcement can be unpredictable. “[Idaho lawmakers are] offended by and frightened by the proliferation of what they presume to be undesirable content,” Hoffman writes. “But they should be more offended and frightened by a government that has the power to tell us what’s right and what’s wrong, to punish us when they find the latter and … can’t or won’t explain the difference.” n heidig@inlander.com

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NEWS | GUNS

“The effort here sort of showed us where we need to do some work.” In hindsight, Pedersen explains new gun control campaigns struggled to compete with the well-established outreach efforts of the National Rifle Association. The NRA continues to wield broad influence, he says, by endorsing candidates and maintaining an extensive email network to apply political pressure to targeted districts. But Pedersen says this year’s work helps set a foundation for future efforts. “You don’t go from zero to 60 [mph] in 30 days of a legislative session,” he says. Nationally, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee recently advanced a bill requiring federal background checks for private gun purchases. The bill faces a tough sell in the Republican-controlled House. Other gun control efforts in Congress, such as a national assault “It seemed like the [approach] that would have the weapons ban, have encountered sharp opposition. best chance,” Pedersen says, citing a recent poll showing Meanwhile in Idaho, lawmakers have sought to limit nearly 80 percent of state voters supporting the idea. any new gun restrictions with House representatives passWashington Gov. Jay Inslee and former U.S. Coning bills to protect Idaho-made guns as well as making it gresswoman Gabrielle Giffords soon joined the extraordiillegal for local police officers to assist federal agents with nary lobbying effort. With new public interest, Demoseizing any firearms. crats partnered with law enforcement representatives and Christian Sinderman, a spokesman for the newly community groups to build bipartisan support. established Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibil“We put a lot of energy into it,” Pedersen says. ity, says gun rights may always hold an intense place in Opponents argued running private sales through American politics. background checks would create a “de facto” Public opinion can shift dramatically gun registration that would pave the way for across state lines. While Washington has seen government-led confiscations. Send comments to its share of gun-related violence, he says, it While the bill survived a 7-6 vote to get out editor@inlander.com. has not endured the history of tragedy that a of committee, it later failed to receive enough state like Colorado has. support to go to a floor vote. And with that, “At the end of the day, this is a passionate issue for a the state Legislature’s most high-profile attempt at gun lot of people,” he says. reform in years fell short. Pedersen says the bill made it Sinderman says he sees the debate tipping toward further than many might have initially expected, but it new gun regulation in the coming years. Until significant also highlighted weaknesses. action is taken to prevent gun violence, he says the num“There was definitely progress,” Pedersen argues.

Firing Blanks

Disappointed gun control advocates see small gains in failed efforts to push reform through a divided Legislature BY JACOB JONES

espite unparalleled political momentum and public outrage in the wake of the Newtown school shooting, Washington gun control advocates have watched almost all of the newly proposed firearm safety bills fall short in the recent legislative session. Most prominently, House Bill 1588, which would have expanded background checks for certain private firearm sales, died last week when it failed to get a floor vote. Other bills proposing a state assault weapons ban, promoting firearm safety programs or mandating gun security measures have also disappeared in committee. While several states, including Colorado and New York, have imposed stringent new gun laws in recent weeks, gun control supporters in Washington and other states have failed to get traction on many new proposals. State Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, introduced the background checks bill knowing any proposed gun regulation would face fierce opposition, but he says he had hoped expanding background checks would serve as an important initial step toward keeping guns out of the wrong hands.

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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords helped to lobby for gun reform in Washington. ber of gun control groups and supporters will likely continue to grow. “I think we’ve seen a huge boost in support in just the last few years,” he says. “It’s a step forward if nothing else, and we like the direction we’re going.” Sinderman says the alliance plans to continue working on potential options in the current session with sights on a potential voter initiative on background checks in the future. But no final decisions have been made. In related matters, Pedersen says the Washington State House did advance a bill to require

individuals listed in domestic violence protection orders to surrender their firearms. Lawmakers have also strengthened some mental health standards on treatment and involuntary commitments. Looking ahead, Pedersen compared gun control efforts to the gay rights movement, which has advanced rapidly in the past decade. He says if gun control advocates can start a “cycle of winning,” they can potentially carry this year’s momentum into the 2014 session. “I think we could be looking at a different story next year,” he says. n

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NEWS | PHOTO ESSAY

Hidden Spokane A photographer sets out to capture the people and jobs we take for granted STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN WILSON

his photo essay started with one idea: Capture the invisible Spokane, the people hidden in plain sight, keeping things working, as we go about our business. What I found and followed was simply what interested me as I wandered the public spaces of Spokane. I pass a man loading cardboard boxes onto a truck. I wonder who he is, if he works with a company, how demanding his job is. I see window cleaners descending the Bank of America building and wonder how bloody long that must take. And so it went, resulting in a photo essay that includes an Earthworks Recycling driver, window cleaners, a Rosauerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overnight stock worker and public transit maintenance workers with the Spokane Transit Authority. Send your feedback to editor@inlander.com. ...continued on page 24

Christian Wilson spent three months in the fall at The Inlander as part of his journalism education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

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Looking out the fourth floor windows of the Inlander office one overcast afternoon, something catches my eye. Rappelling down the Bank of America building were people I always thought were like Spidermen, or some other sort of enigmatic superhero we could all see but never know: window cleaners. Eventually I was standing right under the workers, water drops from one soap bucket hitting me in the forehead. When Mark Rutkowsky (pictured below) finally reached the ground, he said he didn’t have much time to talk. He had to get back up and do it over again.

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letters

Send comments to editor@inlander.com.

...continued on next page

Bob is One Choice.

What’s yOur energy saving style? sign up for our home energy advisor by March 31, 2013. everyone wins by saving energy. But there are great prizes too. Avista will choose a winner participating in each of the four energy saving categories (One Choice, Family Saver, Weekend Warrior and Earth Saver) to receive a $500 aCe hardware gift card and a $200 avista housewarming certificate. Winners will also receive a free complimentary professional photo shoot holding your Home Energy Advisor shield to represent your category in a future Avista ad. That’s right—saving energy can make you a big star.

One Choice – For those looking for one little thing they can do to save.

Family Saver – Get the whole family involved with saving energy.

Weekend Warrior – DIY ideas you can tackle in a weekend.

Earth Saver – For many, saving energy is just the beginning.

to enter for a chance to win and view complete contest rules, visit avistautilities.com/energyadvisor

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 25

NEWS | PHOTO ESSAY

the night shift

Meet Ryan King, a dapper and well-spoken man who has worked with Rosauers for just over five years. He works two different shifts — nights during the week, and afternoons on the weekends — and somehow he doesn’t mind the hours. After all, it’s a job someone has to do and how would the majority of us survive without our groceries?

26 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

the wheels on the bus...

With dirty fingernails and oil-smudged shirts, these Spokane Transit Authority workers literally keep the wheels turning for one of Spokane’s most important public amenities. In maintenance, all workers start as cleaners and specialize as the years go on. Some become managers, most become electrical repair workers, painters, washers, welders and engine inspectors. n

Eric is a Weekend Warrior.

What’s your EnErgy saving stylE? sign up for our home Energy advisor by March 31, 2013. Everyone wins by saving energy. But there are great prizes too. Avista will choose a winner participating in each of the four energy saving categories (One Choice, Family Saver, Weekend Warrior and Earth Saver) to receive a $500 aCE hardware gift card and a $200 avista housewarming certificate. Winners will also receive a free complimentary professional photo shoot holding your Home Energy Advisor shield to represent your category in a future Avista ad. That’s right—saving energy can make you a big star.

One Choice – For those looking for one little thing they can do to save.

Family Saver – Get the whole family involved with saving energy.

Weekend Warrior – DIY ideas you can tackle in a weekend.

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MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 27

N O E V LI

! E G STA

April 11-14 INB Performing Arts Center | BestofBroadwaySpokane.com @WCEBroadway #WCEbob #FDSpo

/WestCoastEntertainmentSpokane

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28 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

On the set of Kid Cannabis

hollywood

Dreaming of Green How an Inlander story became a feature film By KEVIN TAYLOR

eed! Murder! Hellboy! These are the elements of the first Inlander story to be told on the big screen. Kid Cannabis, featuring the stars of Hellboy and Footloose and ripped from these very pages, should appear in theaters sometime late this summer, and let me tell you, it is quite the morality tale. No, not about the perils of competing drug smugglers in North Idaho, and the pitfall of one getting murdered by his own hired assassins, which were topics of the April 7, 2005, Inlander cover story “Dreaming in Green: How the Young Become Drug Lords.” No, this is a cautionary tale more along the lines of dreaming of green. Sure it’s exciting when you can tell

your friends Hollywood wants to make a movie out of one of your stories. Your friends immediately want to know two things: Are you rich? Who’s playing you in the movie? Answers: No. And mug-shot Nick Nolte. (Actually, the answer to both questions is ‘No,’ but I’d like to be prepared if they decide they need a journalist character.) The movie has an interesting cast, ranging from Kenny Wormald of Footloose as smuggler Topher Clark, and Hellboy (and Sons of Anarchy) star Ron Perlman as a fictional drug financier. Here’s the backstory of how an Inlander piece gets to Hollywood:

 I got fired for insubordination from a daily newspaper where, among other things, I had been covering the arrests and trials of young B.C. bud smugglers for a year or so.  I then turned to The Inlander to publish a crazy larger narrative about the denouement of young drug smugglers who gleefully amassed piles of cash until a Shakespearean murder began to unravel the whole scheme. This paid some bills, bought some groceries, eventually led to a full-time gig at The Inlander, but it did not set the world on fire. Or so it seemed.  However, the story was interesting enough to be poached by Rolling Stone, which did its own version half a year later, titled “Kid Cannabis: How a Chubby PizzaDelivery Boy from Idaho Became a Drug Kingpin,” and which caught the attention of HBO Films. As HBO was doing its homework to get a contract together to buy movie rights from the Rolling Stone writer, they found me. (Apparently, Hollywood does not consistently read The Inlander.) Which led, by the end of 2005, to a surprise call from HBO Films seeking to buy the rights to the story ...continued on next page

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 29

CULTURE | HOLLYWOOD “dreaming of green,” continued... (“exclusively, in perpetuity and throughout the universe,” in actual contract language), and a chat with director John Stockwell. I remember the first phone call with Stockwell, some seven years ago. He was at a playground somewhere around L.A. with his kids, pushing one of them on a swing. “Do you get to L.A. much?” he asked. I didn’t say this aloud, but “Dude,” I was thinking at the top of my lungs, “do you get to Rathdrum, Idaho, much?”

THANK YOU SPOKANE FOR VOTING THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY ONE OF THE BEST ARTS ORGANIZATIONS A Generous Donor has Extended a Matching Gift Challenge to the Community Help Us Complete the Matching Gift Campaign

Step Up and Support Your Symphony!

Dr. Elizabeth Welty, a longtime community benefactor, has stepped forward with a challenge to benefit the Spokane Symphony. She has pledged a generous matching gift, which will double your donation dollar for dollar. In her words, “This is the community’s orchestra and now is the time for the community to support them by donating to the Spokane Symphony Society.” How to Participate: • Go online to www.spokanesymphony.org and click on Donate, and select “12-13 Matching Gift” • Contact the Development Department for assistance at symphonydevelopment @spokanesymphony.org OR - Complete the form below and mail it along with your check to: Spokane Symphony, P.O. Box 365, Spokane, WA 99210

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YOUR COMMUNITY YOUR ORCHESTRA 30 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

tockwell and I spoke again by telephone in early December of 2012. He’s in Puerto Rico filming his next movie, In The Blood, with Cam Gigandet. He’s almost done with Kid Cannabis (shooting took place in August on Vancouver Island), he has his final edit and is now doing the sound and music editing. There’s no release date scheduled yet. “We’re going to start screening it for distributors at the beginning of the year and that’s when we’ll figure out what our release strategy is. Our producer wanted to do a 4/20 release. I don’t know if we can put that together or not, but that was a marketing aspiration.” All these years later, Stockwell offered a surprising — and entirely unsolicited — assessment of the Inlander story: “I’d obviously read the Rolling Stone article and that was useful, but I thought your reporting and your knowledge of the real players made a real difference. I love the idiosyncratic nature of it. What I mostly love are the details of the true story, which you chronicled so well.” The story was cinematic from the start, with personable young smugglers Nate Norman and Topher Clark describing comical scenes of tiptoeing past snoozing border agents in a game of what one Border Patrol supervisor admitted was “playing tag in the dark.” Another young smuggler, Brendan Butler, felt he was getting undercut by this new gang and hired some California muscle to take them out. Such hubris, it seemed to me, that this son of a wealthy, sheltered Hayden family would see himself as a ruthless drug lord. It all seemed an act, because Butler never really seemed to want to kill anybody and was always delaying. Impatient, the hired muscle eventually lured Butler to a remote forest road — scoping out a place to dump bodies was the nature of this outing, and they left Butler’s there, his throat slashed. But they forgot to take Butler’s phone,

Jonathan Daniel Brown as Nate Norman and the information on it, when his body was discovered by a woodcutter a month later, turning the murder investigation into a huge federal drug bust that took everybody down. Back in the giddy early days of the movie project, Stockwell may have gotten a budget as large as $15 million from HBO to shoot. Even my scrap of that as the writer of the base material would have been larger than my annual Inlander salary. Everything plummeted in the recession. People with millions of dollars to invest in movies became increasingly scarce. “Even to have made this movie for $15 million with no names and drug content and it not being based on a comic book or a Tolkien novel … that’s pretty difficult,” Stockwell says. “We made it for more in the $2.5 million range. I like the fact that it’s not slick and that it’s not homogenized and that it has a more raw, roughand-tumble feel.”

asked Stockwell why he stuck with Kid Cannabis all these years, after HBO and so many other backers and potential investors bailed. “I think the story has a crazy Shakespearean component, but it also has a sort of Superbad goofiness to it, which I really embrace,” he says. There are some changes to the story. “It’s not Lincoln, you know what I mean? It’s not history that’s been that well chronicled or burned into peoples’ memories,” says Stockwell. “But honestly, that being said, I think we stayed very close to the facts of the story. We shot at a real grow op. The fake weed we had, at least in the closeups, looked not great, so we used real. Some actors chose to smoke, others didn’t, so we adjusted according to need. Authenticity? Yeah, it made a big difference.” According to my writer friend, this has been an authentic Hollywood experience: Many different people are attached to the project, then they go away. Excitement rises, then ebbs. Years pass. In fact, this writer’s way-back advice about doing the anti-giddiness math was to be sure and divide any eventual payout by how long I’d waited for it. In this case it’s a half-what-was-promised-in-a-better-economy paycheck, and seven years. Not so giddy a sum. Still, I think it’s hilarious that I am in the IMDb database. And I can’t wait to dive into my next Hollywood project: Hair of the Dog: The Nick Nolte Story. n

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CULTURE | ncaa tournament

Know Your Zags Discovering the off-the-court goofiness of Gonzaga’s stars By Howie Stalwick

he Gonzaga Bulldogs cite great team chemistry as one of the keys to their outstanding men’s basketball season. Of course, great chemistry on the court often translates into great laughter at a teammate’s expense off the court. Four of the most prominent Bulldogs — seniors Elias Harris and Mike Hart and sophomores Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell, Jr. — let loose during a wide-ranging question-and-answer session.

Who’s the best dresser? HARRIS: Myself, obviously (smiles). PANGOS: Kells … Guy [Landry Edi] has that French whatever-it-is. His outfits are pretty on point. Drew has that clean-cut, prettyboy look. Elias probably thinks he’s the best.

INLANDER: Who’s the funniest guy on the team? HARRIS: Kelly [Olynyk], because he’s the biggest Which coach do you least want to anger? clown around. He actually films himself doing karaoke HARRIS: Coach Giacoletti [assistant on his own at home, just on his laptop, singing to differcoach Ray Giacoletti]. If I had to give him ent kinds of songs. Then he sends it to everybody. He’s a nickname, I would call him “Tense.” so proud. I mean, I like Coach Ray, don’t get me HART: Kyle [Dranginis], because he’s just a conwrong, but I don’t think he can actually stant goofball. Doing all sorts of voices, just screamin’, relax. It’s always like he’s on the edge of exploding at acting like a 5-year-old. any time. PANGOS: Kyle can make some PANGOS: Coach [Mark] Few. He’ll just of the most unique sound effects tell you how it is. He won’t beat around the that you can ever imagine. He can bush at all. Just tell you straightforward, make, like, bird noises. whether you like it or not. That’s his job. No. 1 seed Face Southern University Jaguars Who’s the worst dancer on the If you had a college-age sister, which teamin Salt Lake City on Thurs, March team? mate would you be most comfortable with 21 at 1:10 pm HARRIS: Sam [Dower] … and On TBS her dating? Drew [Barham] thinks he’s a good HARRIS: First of all, that would never, dancer, but he’s awful. We all say ever happen. I would not allow it. But if it was it. You know before the game, we a do-or-die situation, I would say Mike Hart, No. 12 seed do our little huddle, and somebody Face Iowa State University probably. He’s Mr. Nice Guy. Mike Hart, I gets in the middle? We all voted would trust him. But once again, I would not in Spokane on Sat, March 23 at that Drew’s never going to be back 1:15 pm. Tickets: Adults $22; youth like to see that, and it’s not going to happen. in the middle. He did that once, and (12 and under) $16; GU students HART: Drew. Clean, nice. He’s got it put it was embarrassing, so he’s out. together. $16. Also on ESPN2 PANGOS: Mike Hart. Everyone probably Who’s the worst dresser on the team? said that. Drew would be the other one. They’re just HARRIS: Kelly. Nothing matches. It’s like he jumps high-character guys. They’re guys that are well respectinto a closet, and whatever he’s got on is fine with him. ed, treat people the right way. All the guys on our team HART: Kelly, just because you don’t understand do, but especially those guys. They’re high-class. Don’t what he’s wearing. It’s unique every day. tell them that, don’t blow up their heads. n

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contents

SHOPPING............................................ 4 FOOD....................................................14 PEOPLE................................................26 BEST OF COVERS................................ 32

s we march along to our 20th birthday in October, there are a few milestones along the way. None is bigger than this, our 20th annual readers poll issue. It’s been a lot of fun to read through the first 19 Best Ofs, and we’ve shared some of what we found here in stories we’re calling, “Where Are They Now?” And don’t miss our “We’ve Got You Covered” spread (page 32) for a trip down memory lane. Looking back, you could say some things stay the same, as Dick’s, Auntie’s and Arbor Crest all won in 1994 and are still winning your

votes today. But times do change — nobody even knew what gluten-free was back then, and this year we had a hotly contested category all about gluten. And this year’s Best Athlete, Kelly “The Clinic” Olynyk, was just two years old back in ’94. (Speaking of KO from BC, be sure to clip out his commemorative poster from the People section, too.) Now that you’ve voted and read the results, make sure you get out there and thank all your favorite people and places for all they do to make the Inland Northwest a great place to live.

W.703 Sprague • 747-2324

NIGHTLIFE........................................... 38 RECREATION.......................................46 THE ARTS............................................ 52 FIND THE WINNERS..........................62

contributors Section Editor: Jacob H. Fries Art Director: Chris Bovey Dog art: Jeff Drew Layout Assistant: Alissia Blackwood Photographers: Mike McCall, James Nisbet, Stephen Schlange, Young Kwak Writers: Mike Bookey, Jon Brown, Kate Dinnison, Eli Francovich, Eric Gavelin, Heidi Groover, E.J. Iannelli, Jacob Jones, Ted S. McGregor Jr., Jo Miller, Sarah Munds, Chey Scott, Carrie Scozzaro, Leah Sottile, Lisa Waananen, Daniel Walters

Window Dressing The Inlander readers’ seal of approval can be found in finer windows all over town. Just look for this sticker, and you’re good to go!

Also online at inlander.com/bestof2013

THEY SAID, “It’s not a baby” THEY SAID, “I’d get my life back.” They SAID, “You’re too young to be a Mom.” THEY SAID, “I was doing the right thing.” “How would I feel after?” THEY DIDN’T SAY.

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 3

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Best Pet Groomer

hen miniature poodles Max and Zoey — one with a charcoal-colored coat and the other a lighter gray, both wearing colorful doggie-sized bandannas around their necks — noticed their human mom waiting at the front desk, the tension on their leashes immediately went tight and their little tails wagged in a blur. “Oh, you guys look so cute!” their owner exclaimed in the high-pitched voice people use when speaking to infants and animals, as the two freshly groomed pups stood up on their hind legs to lick her hands. This is a scene the staff at Julia’s Jungle, the popular Spokane Valley pet grooming salon, say they’re accustomed to seeing several times each day, as pet owners from across the Inland Northwest come to pick up their dogs and cats after a good scrub-down, blow-dry and sometimes a shave. Grooming dirty, matted and sometimes smelly dogs isn’t an easy job by any means, and it’s certainly not without some yucky parts (i.e., expressing anal glands). In the end, though, the sincere appreciation expressed by customers of Julia’s Jungle when they pick up a squeaky-clean pet is plenty reward for the not-so-cute parts of working with animals every day, groomers Meagan Glubrecht and Alicia Hauff say. “You have to have a lot of patience,” Hauff says of the job, as she takes advantage of the

only time she’s been able to sit down all day. The salon staff usually groom more than 10 dogs a day, even squeezing in time to spruce up additional disheveled animals from SCRAPS, the county animal shelter. Hauff and Glubrecht are so good at what they do, some owners see their dogs come out of the salon to be picked up and don’t even recognize them. “They say, ‘Oh, that’s a cute dog!’ and we say, ‘Ohhh, that’s your dog!’ ” Glubrecht says, laughing. “It is rewarding to see when the dogs do come in a complete and total disaster and we can send them out nice and cute and pretty with their little bows and bandannas, and to see their owners’ faces brighten up, too,” she adds. Adds Hauff: “Some of the dogs we groom, it’s a complete transformation. You see the dog go in, and other than knowing it’s the same breed, you wouldn’t know it’s the same dog.” Julia’s Jungle offers more than just pet baths and haircuts; it also has do-it-yourself dog wash stations, pet supplies, a cat and dog adoption center and pet boarding services. The business is also connected to Mountain Empire Veterinary Services, enabling clients to get all the needed services for their pets in one stop. — CHEY SCOTT 2nd PLACE: The Yuppy Puppy; 3rd PLACE: Pampurred Pet Boutique, Post Falls

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Owner Julia Leese, left, and employees Alicia Hauff, center, and Meagan Glubrecht. young kwak photo

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 5

Shopping Best Green Business

SUN PEOPLE DRY GOODS

It’s not just a store selling green and sustainable products, but they’re striving to be a resource center of sorts for the region, offering workshops and demonstrations. Says Inlander reader Casey Lawrence: “I love the great selection of green everyday items and original novelty gifts. I always feel good about my purchases and love knowing that I’m supporting our local economy while purchasing goods made from sustainable resources.” (JF) 2nd PLACE: Main Market Co-op; 3rd PLACE: Waste Management of Spokane County

Best Credit Union

STC U

Started in 1934, Spokane Teachers Credit Union, better known now by its initials, has become the Inland Northwest’s largest credit union, with 16 locations and more than 100,000 members. Inlander reader Joe Ferrante says, “I voted for STCU … because they are friendly and have cookies, coffee, candy, etc. Also they have the best interest rates.” (JF) 2nd PLACE: Numerica; 3rd PLACE: Global Credit Union

Best Organic/Natural Foods

HUCKLEBERRY’S

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Huckleberry’s was there before it was vogue, pushing organics on Spokanites, and Inlander readers have responded in kind, voting them into the Best Of Hall of Fame. North Spokane’s Robert Fairfax says: “They have an overall great variety. Cheese, produce, dairy and even wine! I love their deli selections and the fact they are locally owned.” (JF) 2nd PLACE: Trader Joe’s; 3rd PLACE: Main Market Co-op; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pilgrim’s Market, CdA

Best Jewelry

JEWELRY DESIGN CENTER

A good jeweler is worth their weight in … well, gold, we suppose, and Inlander readers love Jewelry Design Center for its selection, custom designs and their service. Says Spokane’s Richard Wickberg: “As a jewelry ignoramus, the sales reps have taken the time to instruct me of all my purchases and also value my wife’s engagement ring. … We get quality products, excellent customer service as well as great jewelry repair from one retailer.” (JF) 2nd PLACE: Pounders; 3rd PLACE: Finders Keepers; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cheryl Burchell Goldsmiths, CdA (See p. 7.)

Best Furniture Store

WALKER’S

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may 31 st! 6 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

509.238.2220 www.mtspokane.com

General Manager Gary Absalonson says Walker’s Furniture focuses on helping customers find the furniture to fit their needs, not high-pressure sales. With several locations in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas, Absalonson says his staff is pleased to receive so much local support. “It’s great, fantastic,” he says. “We’re very proud to get it. … We’re very thankful for our voters.” (JJ) 2nd PLACE: The Tin Roof; 3rd PLACE: Dania Indicates those who have won for 10 or more years, putting them in the Best Of Hall of Fame.

Cheryl Burchell mike mccall photo

E H L L C R G U O B L D L S Y M R E CH North Idaho’s Best Jewelry ITHS

eeply entwined in Coeur d’Alene history is the phrase “heart like an awl.” The French named the local tribe the Coeur d’Alene — “coeur,” meaning heart, and “alene,” meaning awl — because of the tribe’s shrewd skills as traders.

This slice of history was often forgotten or lost, but Cheryl Burchell, a goldsmith and jewelry maker for more than 30 years, decided to forge “The Heart like an Awl” pendant, a piece of jewelry the city could call its own.

“There was just this incredible niche that hadn’t been filled. If you go to Seattle … you get the Space Needle. If you travel to San Francisco, you get the bridge or a trolley,” Burchell says. “Every community needs a keepsake or, as we like to call it, a

premiere charm.” Shaped like an awl encompassed by a golden heart, the pendant is symmetric, simple and stunning. The jeweler, nestled in a shopping center off Northwest Boulevard, aims to carry all types of jewelry and gems, not just Coeur d’Alene keepsakes. Since 1999, Cheryl Burchell Goldsmiths has housed everything from amber to diamonds and engagement sets. “We have everything,” she laughs. “That’s the problem!” Currently, Burchell offers a diverse selection of jewelry, such as pieces from the German Breuning silver line, basic pearl necklaces, titanium rings and unique gems. But while Burchell sells alreadymade adornments, her passion lies in the design and creation of custom jewelry. “I take their gold, their gems, and turn it into something that is specifically made for the customer,” Burchell says. She works on between two and three custom pieces a week, combining precious metals and gems into original creations. Her work even features gems that aren’t typically shown in cases, specialty stones that customers can pick out. But why does she love it? “Well, I guess I’ve always been attracted to small, shiny things.” — SARAH MUNDS

Thank You! Sterling Bank would like to say thank you to those who voted us into the “Best Of” issue of the Inlander. Our favorite place in the world is right here.

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 7

Shopping Best Hair Salon

OASIS HAIR

With four locations through Spokane and the Valley, Oasis Hair is no stranger to The Inlander’s Best Hair Salon designation, earning a third place award last year. But in 2013, the walk-in friendly chain has taken top honors, thanks to their wide range of services — they’ll do everything from wax your eyebrows to trim your beard — and specials like the super-popular Wednesday Men’s Day, featuring $9.95 cuts for dudes. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Jaazz Salon (HOF); 3rd PLACE 14th and Grand Salon; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bombshell Salon, CdA

8 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

Best Florist

JUST ROSES PLUS

When Terri O’Connor opened Just Roses 21 years ago, “we really were just roses.” But as trends changed, she added “Plus” to her flower shop’s name — a way to signal that she was using carnations and petunias and lilies, in addition to roses, in her designs. O’Connor says people keep coming back to her shops because she is always researching what’s new with flowers — even down to how roses are genetically altered, these days, to last even longer than when she opened her business. (LS) 2nd PLACE: Liberty Park Florist; 3rd PLACE: Appleway Florist; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hansen’s Florist & Gifts, CdA and Hayden

Best New Car Dealership

APPLEWAY

For AppleWay, selling a car is all about service. Sam Smith, general manager of AppleWay Chevrolet in Spokane Valley, says they deal in quality cars and offer follow-up services to back up their vehicles. All cars go through a 125-point inspection before being sold. Many vehicles come with free roadside assistance. He believes that dedication to integrity and quality has helped them win local support. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Larry H. Miller Group; 3rd PLACE: Wendle Motors (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Dave Smith Motors

T e h r e A y e r N e o h w? W

P a s t W i nn ers 1994: Harry O’s (Best Grocery Store) 1995: The Mars Hotel 1996: Jaazz Salon

Best New Business

1997: Huckleberry’s 1998: Hotel Lusso 1999: The Mercury Cafe

his year’s readers poll marks the 20th time we’ve asked community members to tell us what they think are some of the greatest things about living in this little corner of the world. One big question we’ve asked over those two decades is what readers think is the best new business that opened its doors in the previous year. Because it’s such a wide-open category, winners from year to year have broadly varied from local restaurants to chain retailers and hotels. Sadly, a handful of past winners in this category have since shuttered, although more than half are still in business and thriving, including 1997 Best New Business winner Huckleberry’s Natural Market. While the organic food craze we’re hearing so much about now took some time to catch on widely, when Huckleberry’s opened, the all-natural market was unex-

pectedly well received, says store manager Monica Hampton. The more recent natural food trends have certainly given Huckleberry’s a boost, Hampton says, but she adds that one big component of its continued success lies in how it connects with customers. “Many [customers] have been shopping here since it opened, and we also have a good relationship with the local community,” she says. “We support local charities and have long-term relationships with local vendors and producers.” Fast-forward 10 years after Inlander readers voted Huckleberry’s the area’s Best New Business to 2007, when west downtown’s eclectic fine-dining restaurant Wild Sage was voted No. 1.

This month, Wild Sage celebrates its seventh anniversary, having fought through the economic recession that hit the year following its debut, along with the continued challenge of rising food and labor costs. Co-owner David Wells says despite all the pitfalls, Wild Sage has experienced slow but steady growth each year. “I think probably what has helped us more than anything is that the three of us [owners] have been in the industry for 30-plus years, and we went into this for the long haul,” Wells says. “We knew you had to buckle down and pay attention to things like food, liquor and labor costs.” Wells says he and his partners in the business also credit their success to having a sustainable business model, and realizing that in the restaurant industry there’s not really such a thing as an overnight success. — CHEY SCOTT

2000: Cost Plus World Market 2001: Restoration Hardware 2002: Old Navy 2003: The Davenport Hotel 2004: The Big Easy 2005: The Montvale Hotel 2006: Junebug Cafe 2007: Wild Sage Bistro 2008: Cabela’s 2009: WinCo Foods 2010: Main Market 2011: Sun People Dry Goods 2012: Trader Joe’s

Best Clothing Boutique

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 9

Best of the Best

Shopping Best Spa

LA RIVE

Located on Northern Quest’s spacious grounds and offering pretty much anything you’d need to look and feel good, La Rive offers a long list of different massage styles, nail services, hair cuts, a hot shave, waxing, facials, advanced skin care and more. So basically, you can walk in to La Rive, then head to your date at one of the resort’s restaurants as a whole new person. This is probably why two of our readers said that it’s the only spa they’ll ever even think of visiting. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Davenport Spa and Salon; 3rd PLACE: Spa Paradiso (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Highlands Day Spa, Post Falls

Best Men’s Clothes

NORDSTROM

When it comes to clothing, men aren’t afforded the sort of shopping choices available to women. Thankfully, downtown Spokane has been home to a Nordstrom store since the 1970s and that store has a men’s department that has been outfitting the region’s men ever since. While the ladies do love them some Nordy’s, the Seattle-based chain doesn’t ignore the dudes, replete with a full suit department staffed by guys who will help even the most style-challenged of us get looking classy. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Macy’s; 3rd PLACE: Anderson & Emami

Best Mall

NORTHTOWN

People take pride in their mall of choice here in the Inland Northwest. Some don’t wander too far from downtown’s River Park Square while others are partial to the Valley Mall’s campus-like enormousness. But this year, our readers pledged their loyalty to the tried-and-true NorthTown Mall, which is home to a collection of popular chain department stores, as well as local businesses that you can’t find anywhere else in town. There’s also a slate of restaurants and, of course, the Regal Northtown Mall 12 cinemas. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Spokane Valley Mall; 3rd PLACE: River Park Square; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Silver Lake Mall, Hayden

Best Women’s Boutique

DRY FLY

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SWANK BOUTIQUE “Swank is the No. 1, best place for my wardrobe,” says Jamie Hall of Spokane, just one of the many, many readers who voted this North Side women’s clothing store the best boutique for the second year in a row. Located near, but not in the NorthTown Mall, Swank offers a variety of women’s clothing, focusing on cutting-edge styles, shoes and accessories at affordable prices. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Lolo Boutique; 3rd PLACE: Coco Boutique; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Tiffany Blue; CdA

Best New Business Opened in 2012-13

METHOD JUICE CAFE

There’s always naysayers, and when Nick Murto and Tyler Lafferty opened Method Juice Cafe last summer, they heard from lots of people that their idea might not work. “So many people warned us that it wasn’t going to fly in Spokane,” Murto says. “They were worried that not enough people care about what they are putting in their bodies.” After less than a year of business, Method has proved them wrong. The organic juice bar and downtown stop for quick, healthy vegan food is almost always bustling. “It’s been such a positive experience. We’ve proved the naysayers wrong, there are plenty of people interested in this kind of a lifestyle here,” he says. (LS) 2nd PLACE: Total Wine and More; 3rd PLACE: H&M

Best Hotel

THE DAVENPORT

When developer Walt Worthy announced plans for a new 15-story headquarters hotel next to the Spokane Convention center, Spokane got excited for a reason. Worthy carries with him the success of the Davenport Hotel, one of Spokane’s great comeback stories. Vacant and crumbling for years, the Davenport was resurrected a decade ago, and it quickly became synonymous with swank and luxury. “I think anybody in the downtown community could count [the Davenport] as a key factor in the downtown Renaissance,” Marla Nunberg, vice president of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, told us last summer. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Northern Quest Resort & Casino (HOF); 3rd PLACE: The Montvale Hotel; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Coeur d’Alene Resort

Best Bank

WASHINGTON TRUST BANK

We didn’t have to seek out Inlander reader testimony on why Washington Trust Bank is the best bank in the area. The bank already posted a video on their website showcasing the praise of Italia Trattoria’s Bethe Bowman and Anna Vogel. Washington Trust Bank helped finance the launch of their Browne’s Addition restaurant in the middle of the recession. “Our relationship with Washington Trust Bank is great,” Bowman says. “I’ve already recommended people that have had some difficulties to go talk with the bank, because they just take care of you so well. … They’re top notch.” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Banner Bank; 3rd PLACE: Sterling Bank

Scarves Best Local Fashion Trend

pokane fashion trends range from hick to hipster — from the beard to the “brotank” and back to pajamas and plaid. Though the universal trends (scarves, boots, leggings) topped the charts this year, a few suggestions are uniquely Spokane. Let’s start with those that can be categorized as “casual hick”: “Sweatpants to church” as well as “Pajamas anytime anywhere” were offered. Pair one of those trends with “Mullets at the Northside Walmart” or “Tweety Bird tank tops and spandex” and you’ll strike redneck gold. Now don’t leave out the hipsters. They got nods to their holy trinity: glasses, jeans and flannel. Someone noticed the accidental hipsters too — “Old men who don’t realize they’re dressed like hipsters.” Spokanites are also known for being idealistic when it comes to dressing. Some bids point out the just darn impractical — “Not wearing a shirt when it gets above 40 degrees” and “Shorts in winter.” Devout sandal-wearers defy the chilling temperatures here, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. According to readers, “Socks and sandals” is our second biggest fashion trend. The ubiquitous “Bling Butt” or “Sparkle Jeans” is a trend that originated at malls and has spread, like wildfire, to the suburbs. Usually found on those flocking to Nickelback concerts, they transcend generations of girls, and now those girls are dressing their husbands and boyfriends in them, too. It’s a trend the whole family can love! — KATE DINNISON 2nd PLACE: (Tie) Socks and sandals; Boots; 3rd PLACE: Wearing shorts year-round

T HAN

BEST GIF

BEST PLAC BUY A KID E TO BIRTHDAY ’S GIFT from Boo Radley’s across the carousel

509.456.7479 - 232 N. Howard BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 11

Shopping Best Bookstore

AUNTIE’S BOOKSTORE

Auntie’s has called itself “Spokane’s Literary Landmark” and while that might sound boastful, they’re actually spot on. “It’s really the only bookstore that matters in Spokane,” writes Inlander reader Richard Bailey, who was one of the many who voted Auntie’s into yet another first place win in this category. While selling books is obviously the store’s first concern, they’re also known for bringing regional and national authors into the store for readings and book signings. So yeah, you could call it a landmark. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Barnes and Noble; 3rd PLACE: 2nd Look Books

Best Gifts

BOO RADLEY’S

Most businesses need to take themselves seriously to find success. Boo Radley’s, on the other hand, has done just about the opposite, with their store full of silly, strange but ultimately engaging items. Looking for a weird shower curtain for that one friend of yours? How about a T-shirt that welcomes people to “Spokanistan” for that friend who moved away? Or maybe just a novelty greeting card for your goof-ball aunt? Quit asking so many questions and just go to Boo Radley’s and see why our readers have voted them to the top. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Atticus; 3rd PLACE: Halpin’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Papillon Paper Emporium, CdA

Best Place to Buy a Kid’s Birthday Gift

Best Neighborhood Shopping District

Kids like toys. Duh, right? You knew that. But you don’t want to give a kid yet another piece of molded plastic that’s going to break on him or her right off the bat. That’s why Spokanites have voted this Skywalk-level downtown toy store No. 1 in this year’s reader’s poll — because, as the store’s motto goes, it provides “smart toys for smart kids.” The store’s management says that they carry more than 6,000 different items in stock, so there’s something for all the smart kids in your life. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Boo Radley’s; 3rd PLACE: Figpickels Toy Emporium

The thriving Garland District might actually rival downtown Spokane in terms of attitude. The throwback feel of the Garland has made it a popular shopping and entertainment area with a growing number of businesses. Still wondering what the Garland is all about? We’ll let the Garland Business District, the nonprofit that rallies for this mid-town neighborhood’s success take it from here: “Local art, vintage clothes, thrift store, fun clothes, pet grooming... Browse bookshelves or try out a guitar. Recharge at the coffee shop. Catch a movie or a comedy improv show. Get your nails done. Take a sewing lesson.” And they could keep going. (MB) 2nd PLACE: South Perry District; 3rd PLACE: The Sodo District; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Sherman Avenue, CdA

WHIZ KIDS

Best Vintage Boutique

FINDERS KEEPERS

Don’t let the term “vintage” in this category title fool you — there’s nothing dusty or drab about Finders Keepers. Its jewelry location on Second Avenue (there’s also a designer dress shop on Main Avenue) is full of refined accessories that range in time period from the present all the way back to before most of you reading this were born. Owned by Deena Caruso and her family, this shop has become a Spokane fashion staple in its decade and a half in business. (MB) 2nd PLACE: Carousel; 3rd PLACE: Fringe & Fray; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: My Favorite Things, Post Falls

THE GARLAND

Best Barber Shop

WELDON BARBER

The philosophy behind this chain of men-only barbershops, with three locations in Spokane and four in Seattle, is a mix of old school and new school. At least that’s what Katie Marshall, manager of the location on 29th Street, credits for their dedicated regulars and their latest Best Of win. “Once people come in, they’re kind of hooked,” she says. The shop offers old-fashioned straightrazor shaves and fresh, up-to-date haircuts, with plenty of pampering along the way. (HG) 2nd PLACE: The Man Shop; 3rd PLACE: Dan’s Barbershop; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Clean Cut, CdA

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Owner Adam Bogle and his English Bulldog Bondzo young kwak photo

Bulldog Bail Bonds Best Bail Bonds

n 2007 Adam Bogle went into the bail bonds business because he wanted to help people. Sure, he also wanted to make money, but the ex-teacher says his primary motivation was service. “You know ... my mission statement in this business is to treat people with dignity and respect regardless of their circumstances,” Bogle says. “I’m not sure [as a society] … that we always do that. And everybody deserves an opportunity.” This focus, he says, is why he thinks Inlander readers recognized his efforts. Bogle has long, dirty-blond hair and acts the part of a private eye, gun on his desk and everything. Leaning back in his chair, he explains nonchalantly how he made the transition from teaching special education and at-risk kids to bailing folks out of jail, and forcibly returning them if necessary. “I’m a good self-learner,” he says, before explaining that some of his most stressful moments occur when he has to go to people’s homes and arrest them. The whole industry of bail bondsmen is often misunderstood, he says. His job, as an

entrepreneur, is to make sure that people serve their court dates, while simultaneously giving them the chance to get out of jail, at least temporarily. He says it’s a lot like the insurance business and saves taxpayers money. “My job is to hold you accountable to the courts,” he says. “I bailed you out, so now I’m on the hook for the full amount of the money to make sure you show up to court.” Still, he’s always thinking about the justice part of it all. He says that bail bondsmen have a bad rap, and occasionally it’s deserved. However, in many cases he’s just giving someone who made a mistake a second chance. “This morning I bailed out a working man. A guy who made a mistake and he had to be back to work. We bailed him out and he’s back on the job site, and that’s huge to me,” Bogle says. “People make mistakes, and if you can get a guy back to work in this economy, that’s a good place for them to be. Not in jail, but working.” — ELI FRANCOVICH 2nd PLACE: Ace’s Bail Bonds; 3rd PLACE: Marci’s Bail Bonds; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Quick Release Bail Bonds, CdA

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Best Pizza

PIZZA RITA

In addition to being known for its legendary 5-pound pizza-eating challenge that’s undoubtedly caused more than a few contenders much more than a stomachache, Pizza Rita is a great local joint for non-extreme eaters, too. “I like the fact that they are locally owned,” says Best Of voter Carla Stevenson. “[They’re] very friendly, and they do fun marketing promotions which makes their customers and even Facebook fans feel like part of their family.” (CS) 2nd PLACE: The Flying Goat; 3rd PLACE (tie): Bennidito’s, South Perry Pizza; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fire Artisan Pizza, CdA

Best Mexican

AZTECA

With more than two dozen locations across Washington (and several more in Oregon and Florida), Azteca is many locals’ go-to place when they’re craving south-of-the-border cooking. This family-owned eatery has huge variety on its menu, ranging from burritos and enchiladas to fajitas and sopas. The warmly decorated, authentic hacienda atmosphere easily makes diners feel like they’re not even in the U.S. anymore. Azteca has “very friendly staff, and consistently excellent food with fantastic presentation,” says West Central resident Cheryl Steele. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Rancho Chico; 3rd PLACE: Casa De Oro

Best Sushi

SUSHI.COM

If you absolutely love sushi — or are a bit on the fence about ingesting raw, water-dwelling creatures — Sushi. com’s diverse menu has something for both the pickiest and most daring eaters, from vegetarian-friendly fare to traditional Japanese dishes. Of course, its sushi (both raw and cooked) is the menu’s main attraction. Inlander reader Kirsten Nolan had just finished lunch from Sushi.com when she told us its “quality is superb, the portions are generous, the prices are modest and the staff are charming. I feel like I’m getting the real deal and not paying for a sushi façade.” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Ginger Asian Bistro; 3rd PLACE: Sushi Maru; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Syringa, CdA

Best Hot Wings

FLAMIN’ JOE’S

With 26 house sauces, including flavors like orange ginger and mango habanero, there’s not really any way you could get tired of eating hot wings at Flamin’ Joe’s. Wing lovers and hot sauce lovers alike can basically set their mouths on fire at this place with the Code Red sauce,

nicknamed the “widow maker.” Inlander reader Russell Spellman says, “Flamin’ Joe’s has some great tasting hot wings at the best price!” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Hooters; 3rd PLACE: The Flying Goat; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Wing Stop, CdA

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant Best Burgers

RED ROBIN

Crayons, coloring pages and a good kids menu are all welcome sights for parents, and Red Robin has all of this and more, readers tell us. Longtime, now-retired north Spokane resident Pam Meyer says she’s enjoyed taking her children and grandkids to Red Robin, where staff “treat them as customers, and the kids are full when they leave and they have fun while they’re there.” When it comes to burgers, Red Robin has won this category 12 times now. Spokanite William Ailes: “I have never had a mediocre or bad meal there. Many other places either have bad French fries or bad hamburgers — not Red Robin.” (CS) Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant: 2nd PLACE: Chuck E. Cheese’s; 3rd PLACE: Tomato Street Best Burgers: 2nd PLACE: Five Guys; 3rd PLACE: D. Lish’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hudson’s, CdA

Best Asian Food

GORDY’S SICHUAN CAFE

Known for its freshly prepared dishes featuring complex, clean flavors, Gordy’s has the reputation of being one of Spokane’s best-kept food secrets. But since it’s won this category more than once, maybe it’s not so much of a secret anymore. Either way, it’s a place to definitely put on your local-restaurants-to-try list. Gonzaga Prep Spanish teacher Joelle Traynor says eating at Gordy’s is akin to dining at a close friend’s home. “I often go out for dinner on Thursday nights with a group of really fun women,” she says. “Gordy’s is one of our favorite takeout places. We all order different dishes from the menu, and I love every single one!” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Mustard Seed (HOF); 3rd PLACE: P.F. Chang’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bonsai Bistro, CdA

Best Breakfast

FRANK’S DINER

Inlander readers agree: The wait is well worth it for breakfast at Frank’s. “The service is always good, even though

it’s always crazy busy,” says South Hill resident Terra Haig. The hustle and bustle of this classic local diner is what gives it its charm, says Ana Horton of Greenacres. “It’s crowded, it’s loud; it’s bacon and hashbrowns; it’s delicious and it’s all fresh cooked and right in your face — I love it!” she says. The old train car converted into a cozy restaurant can’t be beat, says Kelli Hawkins. “Only the luckiest customers get the seat next to Frank the Conductor.” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Old European; 3rd PLACE: Chaps; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Michael D’s, CdA

Best Wine List Best Appetizers

TWIGS

Inlander reader Dave Jessel has been a regular Twigs customer since its north side location opened several years ago and appreciates the competent bar staff, well-educated in the restaurant’s varied wine offerings. Jessel says the staff can explain Twigs’ wine list in such detail that it’s “almost as if they were tasting with words.” When it comes to appetizers, Twigs offers variety of delicious ways to start a meal, from Butternut Squash Flatbread to Ahi Sashimi. Says north side resident Stephanie Bowman: “It’s usually our first pick if we are going out for a date night or dinner with friends.” (CS/LW) Best Wine List: 2nd PLACE: Scratch; 3rd PLACE: Luna Best Appetizers: 2nd PLACE: Zola; 3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bardenay, CdA

Best Local Winery

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS

In addition to having one of the most breathtaking vistas and grounds in the region, Arbor Crest’s winemakers do a more than decent job at crushing grapes and turning them into something tasty to imbibe. Liberty Lake resident Carla Stevenson voted for the winery as No. 1 in the area for more than a few reasons. “Their staff is very friendly and they have creative, fun events that benefit the community, and their wines are wonderful,” she says. “We are all fortunate to have them here!” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Barrister Winery; 3rd PLACE: Latah Creek Wine Cellars; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cellars

BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 15

Food

BEST CHEAP EATS

Owner Alison Collins stephen Schlange photo

Boots Bakery and Lounge Best Gluten-Free Menu Options

Best Cover Band

cronkites.com 16 INLANDER BEST OF the inland nw 2013

/cronkites

customer sits behind his laptop at one of the long wooden tables in back of the bakery/ bar as owner Alison Collins walks by. He stops her to say “Alison,” his fork pointing to the brownie on his plate, “That’s really good. That’s really good.” Hearing compliments that her baked goods pack a flavor punch, especially when someone says they can’t tell it’s vegan or gluten-free, is Collins’ favorite. Boots Bakery is entirely vegan and about 95 percent of the food is gluten-free, but when Collins opened Boots mid-June she didn’t set out to make it that way. It just sort of happened. As a vegan, Collins began crafting her own recipes because she thought vegans lacked baked goods options. It all tasted like granola to her — dry and terrible, she says. So she set to baking, but it took several months before she got her recipes dialed in. “I made a lot of hockey pucks in my time before I got it right,” she says. She admits it’s hard to find places that have the gluten-free/vegan “double whammy,” and it doesn’t always seem enticing. “It sounds limiting and one-track,” she says. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. So that’s what we try to do.”

Boots has both the sweet and the savory. Cupcakes, brownies, cookies, roasted vegetables, curried lentils, and macaroni and cheese are some of what fill the front case. The gluten-free macaroni and cheese, made with brown rice pasta, uses a “cheesy sauce” of silken tofu, garlic and onion and is tossed with greens and mushrooms. The array of cupcakes — almost all glutenfree — tempts anyone who even dares look at them. The spicy Mexican chocolate cupcake is a prime example of Collins’ tendency to make booze-infused baked goods, with another being her signature boozy brownie. But be warned: Boots doesn’t have a menu, or even a rotating menu. They just make whatever they want each day, Collins says. One reason is that their produce comes fresh from farmers; another is that it would drive her crazy not to. “It would be maddening to me to make the same things every day,” Collins says. But she’s not worried about her free-spiritedness being a deterrent. “People come here every day because it’s never the same,” she says. — JO MILLER 2nd PLACE: Wild Sage; 3rd PLACE: The Melting Pot

Best Sandwiches

DOMINI’S

When you’re craving a darn good deli-style sandwich — we’re talking one loaded with meat, veggies and whatever else you like — there’s one place in town that Inland Northwesterners agree tops the bill. “Domini’s has the best sandwiches in Spokane,” says longtime resident Pam Meyer. “The bread is fresh, the meat is piled so high, and they make it just they way I want it. The first bite is always a challenge.” Sally Poutiatine agrees, calling the shop a “Spokane institution” for having “the most awesome sandwiches in the universe. Service is always with a smile, and you’re treated like family.” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Jimmy John’s; 3rd PLACE: The High Nooner

Best Italian

TOMATO STREET

Pasta, pizza, parmigiana and Pallame are just a few mainstays on Tomato Street’s menu that should get your mouth watering. “Tomato Street is a perfect storm of ambiance, good food and fantastic service,” says north-side resident Jason Rubadue. Others agree, including Karen Robinson of the Shadle neighborhood, who says Tomato Street is an ideal place to meet friends and family for a fun and lively meal, as well as a nice dinner date. “The Tomato Street staff, in their eclectic hats, treat us like family and the garlic bread keeps us coming back over and over again,” she says. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Luigi’s (HOF); 3rd PLACE: Italian Kitchen

Best Burritos

NEATO BURRITO

Not to stereotype places or anything, but Spokane’s hip folk know that Neato Burrito, tucked off First Avenue across from The Davenport, is where it’s at, and by that we mean more than just seriously amazing burritos. “The food is fresh, hot, local, healthy, cheap and yummy,” says Kate Robbins, who works as a GED instructor. “So are the staff and ambiance,” Robbins adds. She also loves Neato for the variety of cool culture-y things happening there, from local art on the walls to poetry slams, pub science nights and regular live music. “It’s all fun, delicious and nutritious.” (CS) 2nd PLACE: Atilano’s; 3rd PLACE: Slick Rock

Best Cheap Eats

DICK’S HAMBURGERS

Unlike some of its fast-food chain counterparts, Dick’s doesn’t skimp on the quality of its food, even though you can eat there for mere pocket change. Sticking to its old-school roots, cash is all you can use to fill yourself up, so make sure you come prepared, or you’ll leave disappointed in yourself as the delicious aroma of frying oil wafts through the air. “When you stroll up to the window at Dick’s, you know you’re getting a hamburger, made the American way in glorious cheesebun-sauce-beef-pickle goodness,” says Spokane Valley resident Rick Lloyd. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Atilano’s; 3rd PLACE: Zip’s

Best Thai

THAI BAMBOO

Whether you’re the kind of person who always goes for the safe — yet still tasty — order of Phad Thai noodles, or consider yourself a more adventurous diner whose goal is to try everything on Thai Bamboo’s diverse and extremely varied menu, you’re bound to be satisfied and full when you leave. Joshua Richter, who lives in the Mead area, says he frequents Thai Bamboo for its great food, service, prices and portions. “The atmosphere of the restaurant is very inviting, and the staff are very courteous,” Richter says. (CS) 2nd PLACE: Linnie’s Thai Cuisine; 3rd PLACE: Bangkok Thai

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! We look forward to serving you again! Downtown Spokane NorthPointe Plaza W. 245 Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 9738 N. Newport Hwy, Spokane, WA 509.456.0350 509.465.9101

Spokane Valley Mall 14700 E. Indiana St., Spokane Valley, WA 509.228.9661

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BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 17

Food

Will Burris married into the business. young kwak photo

Red Dragon Best Takeout

welve years ago, Will Burris married into a Chinese dynasty. The roots of its power were in food rather than political rule: an extended family that had owned and operated dozens of Asian restaurants throughout Washington state since the 1930s. The Chinese Gardens? Peking North? Chan’s Dragon Inn? All of them (still) run by Burris’ in-laws.

Like any family business, it was only natural that Burris, a longtime cook, became part of it. “One day my mother-in-law said to me, ‘Tomorrow. Nine o’clock. You’re going to go with me and learn the menu.’ So I cooked with her for a couple years, and that’s how I got absorbed into the family,” says Burris, peering over tinted John Lennon-esque spectacles. “Then we

decided to expand.” The first Red Dragon Delivery to split from the downtown “mothership” was situated in a “dingy little strip mall” on Francis. Quick service and great food were its strengths, which soon led to a devoted customer base. Around 2009, Burris and his wife Namva spotted a longtime bar for sale in Hillyard. It needed some serious TLC, but at least they would own the premises outright instead of renting. “It was a pretty big project. Bigger than I thought it was going to be. We were a little bit worried” about losing clientele during the change of location, he says, “but we opened the doors, and in half an hour we were full.” The new Red Dragon is much more than delivery with an eat-in area. It’s a full-service restaurant with history stretching in every direction. The building itself has ghosts and Prohibition-era secrets. And the restaurant continues Red Dragon’s reliable delivery service as well as the culinary legacy of the Chan family. “This is Chinese-American food,” says Burris. “It’s almond chicken, sweet-and-sour pork. You can go nouveau, Food Network-type stuff, but I’m trying to stay true to the classic family Chinese restaurant.” He says he’s “channeling a ’50s Chinese restaurant vibe,” which is evident in the retro-modern décor that his wife has installed throughout. “It was totally deliberate. She’s got a good eye.” Even though he’s helping the Chan dynasty thrive in the 21st century, Burris knows that patrons might perceive him as laowai, or Western, and question Red Dragon’s cultural credentials. He smiles. “I just tell them I’m adopted.” — E.J. IANNELLI 2nd PLACE: Noodle Express; 3rd PLACE: Gordy’s Sichuan

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Best Local Brewery

NO-LI BREWING

THANK YOU SPOKANE!

The brewery previously known as Northern Lights has been gathering some big awards this past year, and distribution is expanding to Seattle, Colorado, the D.C. area and, most recently, Sweden. But the brewery isn’t forgetting its roots — all ingredients are still locally sourced, and the bottles are mini billboards of Spokane pride — and so far it doesn’t seem like the hometown crowd minds sharing, especially since we can drink straight from the source at the brewhouse. “I chose No-Li not only for their beer, but for their menu as well,” says voter Ginger Greaves. She recommends the savory portobello burger, especially for vegetarians: “It’s fantastic paired with their Stellar Stout.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Iron Goat Brewing; 3rd PLACE: Twelve String Brewing; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Laughing Dog, Sandpoint

Best Bakery

THE ROCKET

There are plenty of reasons The Rocket Bakery is so beloved — for LuAnne Swainson of Spokane Valley, it’s the “delicious aromas, scrumptious flavors, comfortable ambiance and the many convenient locations to meet up with friends.” Amy Brown says she stops by various Rocket locations on Saturday morning walks with her dad and sister. “Even though I always order a cheese bagel, which is delicious, I always dig into my sister’s cinnamon roll,” she says. The welcoming staff got the vote from Karla Kimberling of Spokane Valley: “I’ve gone in there after a hectic afternoon,” she says, “and left there with a smile and feeling much better because their staff is so friendly.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Rockwood Bakery; 3rd PLACE: Petit Chat Bakery; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bakery By The Lake, CdA

Best Cupcakes

SWEET FROSTINGS

Trying to choose just one type of cupcake from the colorful display at Sweet Frostings can be overwhelming. But Amy Frost from the South Hill says she voted for their cupcakes for one simple reason: the frosting. “I don’t know what they put in it, but there is something special,” she says. “Call it love, call it special downtown sugar, maybe a little cream cheese? It will leave you guessing and wanting more! I have been to weddings that sealed the deal with Sweet Frostings cupcakes, and there is no sweeter love than those.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Celebrations Sweet Boutique; 3rd PLACE: Frosted Cupcakes, CdA

Best Donuts

DONUT PARADE

The small shop near Gonzaga is a hallmark of Spokane, says Alyssa Agee of the Garland District. “It makes my entire office wildly happy every time I bring in a dozen donuts from the Donut Parade,” she says. Peter Troyer agrees, and he should know: “I have been in law enforcement since 1974, and therefore consider myself adequately qualified to judge the delicate nuances between good donuts and great donuts,” he says. “Airiness, texture, taste and aftertaste are all factors. The Parade knocks it out of the park in all categories, but it’s the cozy ambiance that sets it apart from all competitors.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Krispy Kreme; 3rd PLACE: Mike’s Donuts; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Donut House, Hayden

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777 YMCA (9622) • ymcaspokane.org BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 19 INLANDER BEST OF / 6 UNIT RUN DATE: 3/21

Food Best Frozen Yogurt

FROYO EARTH

Red velvet, mountain blackberry, cheesecake, pumpkin, Nutella, toasted marshmallow, Georgia peach, salted caramel, pistachio — is your mouth watering yet? Because that’s not even close to all the rotating flavors found at Froyo Earth’s four Spokane-area stores. Factor in the abundance of toppings and it’s clear why they have plenty of fans, including Meredith Coleman of Kendall Yards: “I like Froyo Earth because of their convenient downtown location, variety of flavors and awesome toppings,” she says. “Plus, they always have low-fat cake batter on hand!” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Blu Berry; 3rd PLACE: Didier’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Jamms, CdA

BURGERS

Best Steaks

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CHURCHILL’S STEAKHOUSE

When it comes to what sets Churchill’s Steakhouse apart, physician Kelly Jones of Five Mile says it comes down to one word: perfection: “It’s not just about the most amazing steak in Spokane but the whole dining experience. Great location, wonderful ambiance, professional waitstaff and superb food equals perfection every time. The best steak in Spokane by far.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Spencer’s; 3rd PLACE: Wolf Lodge Inn, CdA

Best Local Drive-Thru Espresso

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Best Of 2nd Place Spokane Celebrity Watch for the Novel

Beautiful Ruins

Released in Paperback

April 2nd

Amy Hatvany

March 28th

Patrick F. McManus April 4th

DUTCH BROS.

A stop by one of the Dutch Bros. coffee shops is just part of the morning routine for plenty of folks, but it’s not one they take for granted. The baristas do a great job every time, says Sierra Ramos of West Central: “Their prices are great, the Americanos are superb, and best of all the baristas are wonderful. They listen with a smile on their faces when you blab about the half-marathon you just ran while you’re dripping in sweat and dying for a quick pick-me-up.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Wake Up Call; 3rd PLACE: Jacob’s Java

Best Outdoor Dining

THE ELK PUBLIC HOUSE

It started feeling genuinely like spring in Spokane when The Elk Public House in Browne’s Addition started setting up the gates that transform winter sidewalk into summertime patio. It’s a great place to hang out after work, says voter Jeff Bruebaker. “They have great food and they are always great hosts,” he says. Heidi Piccirello of Millwood says she’s been a patron of The Elk (and its brethren, Moontime and Two Seven) for more than 15 years. “The owners are down-to-earth and it resonates through their staff,” she says. “The Elk has a great atmosphere and even better food.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Mizuna (HOF); 3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Bardenay, CdA

Best Local Coffee Shop Best Coffee Roaster

THOMAS HAMMER

Thomas Hammer voters aren’t just loyal to the brand, but to their particular shop. Jeffery Jackson of Post Falls says it’s a convenient stop when he’s driving to Coeur d’Alene: “They are very friendly and make a great mint mocha latte for me,” he says. Nicole Wittwer frequents the downtown shop in the Chase Building, where she works. “I like supporting our local coffee roasting companies,” she says. Conrad Kovash of Spokane says Thomas Hammer is the No. 1 roaster in his book for three reasons: “Commitment to his product, commitment to his customers and commitment to his staff,” he says. “Does not get much better than that.” (LW) Best Local Coffee/Espresso Shop 2nd PLACE: Atticus; 3rd PLACE: The Rocket (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Kootenai Coffee, CdA Best Coffee Roaster 2nd PLACE: Cravens Coffee; 3rd PLACE: Cafe Doma

David Sedaris

May 22nd Best Bookstore

Julia Sweeney May 24th

Best Secluded Regional Resort

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20 INLANDER BEST OF the inland nw 2013

Open Daily Starting May 18th Lakeview Dining • Cabins • 18 hole golf course Open Mother’s Day Dinner reservations requested

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“We don’t care about your silly little award. But thank you nonetheless” Arthur, King of the Britain

Owners Patricia and Laurent Zirotti James Nisbet photo

Fleur De Sel North Idaho’s Best Fining Dining

f fine dining equals expensive, then Fleur de Sel owners Patricia and Laurent Zirotti marvel at winning the “fine dining” category for North Idaho. “My family was very blue-collar,” explains Laurent, “but my mother always made it better than it was. Not fancy food, but she made it so well.” Sure, there are linen napkins, sleek table settings, an admirable wine list, and reservations are generally required, but the Zirottis see their food as pretty rustic. “Classic food with a twist,” says chef Laurent. That doesn’t mean things don’t sound expensive (or exotic). Snails in puff pastry, chicken and truffles, creme brulee, pommes frites. Ok, so it’s a little atypical of semi-rural North Idaho (although we’d argue that “rocky mountain oysters” are way more, uh, exotic than snails), but most entrées fit in the $10-$20 range. Because they don’t advertise and only maintain a minimal web presence, the win confirms that word of mouth is very important, and not just regarding food. “Food is childhood, is people,” says Laurent.

“It’s their memories.” That means excellent service and creating a welcoming environment are essential. “The restaurant is our second home, so when customers arrive, we greet them like they were coming to our house,” says Patricia, whose effervescent smile is typically accompanied by a quick cheek-to-cheek kiss in the French tradition. “And our employees know to do that as well, because they are part of that family.” They take good care of their servers, many of whom have been with the restaurant since it opened in 2008 — they provide health insurance, for example, even though they’re family-run — and feel that this translates to the overall positive experience for their customers. Estimating that roughly 70 percent of their clientele come from the Spokane area — with easy access from the freeway — the Zirottis are also very appreciative of both their local and their Washington client base. To do well in the hospitality business, she says, “love what you do, and never, ever take things for granted.” — CARRIE SCOZZARO

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Big Sister Linda & Little Sister Adora of the Inland Northwest

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www.nwbigs.org BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 21

Food

Dick’s Hamburgers Best Guilty Pleasure

hat would Spokane be without Dick’s Hamburgers? Our city would be lost, with only chain hamburger places remaining for fast-food junkies, off-the-wagon vegetarians and the bar crowds. But, thankfully, Dick’s low prices, as well as their

comforting food, have kept people coming back to this drive-in since 1965. When you drive up, it feels like the movie Grease, if not for the juxtaposition of extra-wide trucks and upscale sports cars. Dick’s is something most of Spokane can

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22 INLANDER BEST OF the inland nw 2013

2nd PLACE: Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop; 3rd PLACE: Pig Out in the Park

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agree upon — and afford, too “It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an institution,” Dick’s manager Jackie Nelson says. “We get people coming through from all over the country. They each want something different — some want our shakes, fries, or our famous hamburger, the Whammy (double meat, double cheese). But everyone wants our tartar sauce.” The menu is varied, but the items are simple. You won’t find anything too complicated on the hamburger — no bacon or ham, just condiments, pickles and cheese if you ask for it. For now, Dick’s will keep dishing out Spokane’s guilty pleasure by the bagful, sticking with their oldschool, cash-only approach. “We are going to have to take more than cash eventually. Otherwise, we’re pretty stuck with what we got,” says Nelson. Spokane shouldn’t feel too guilty for its pleasures, though. All of the most popular pleasures in this year’s polls (including Dick’s Hamburgers, Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop, Pig Out in the Park and marijuana) are now legal activities, and most are local, so give yourself a pat on the back. There are a few more questionable yet undeniable suggestions from readers. We all found out recently that Spokane does love its Asian massage parlors and strip clubs, especially the showgirls at Stateline. And apparently the Inland Northwest also shares a love for things like “Sliding down the big red wagon as an adult” and “Coming back to Spokane after living in Seattle.” — KATE DINNISON

For more information:

Thank you, Spokane. You’re the BEST! NOW SERVING:

*Estimated number of customers served at Pig Out in the Park over the last 33 years

an evening With coaches vs. cancer, Featuring

DanaCarvey

august 2013

8pm

(Doors open at 7pm)

the martin WoLDson theater at the Fox Join mark & marcy Few, espn celebrities and Zags for a brief program, a paddle raise to help fund cancer research, and a performance by Dana carvey.

Learn more at cvcspokane.com

CVC:12Cancer: 0 in a year of milestones—the first #1 ranking and #1 tournament seed for Zags basketball—you’ve also voted coaches vs. cancer the #1 charity event yet again. in this, our 12th year, we thank you once again for your continued support. in our minds, you’re #1.

aLL proceeDs BeneFit the american cancer societY a n D o t h e r L o c a L c a n c e r F i g h t i n g o r g a n i Z at i o n s.

BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 23

Food Best Seafood

ANTHONY’S AT SPOKANE FALLS

Fresh seafood is the top priority for Anthony’s — the restaurant company works directly with fishermen and shellfish suppliers to make sure every last salmon, swordfish and oyster meets a high standard. But diners don’t need to know the details to appreciate the fine-dining atmosphere, daily specials, happy hour offerings and — perhaps most impressive — the postcard view of the falls. (LW) 2nd PLACE: Milford’s; 3rd PLACE: Red Lobster; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fisherman’s Market, CdA

Best Fine Dining

CLINKERDAGGER

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With excellent food, service and view of the river, Clinkerdagger sets the standard for reliable fine dining in Spokane. “When I was younger, it was my parents’ anniversary dinner destination for many years,” says Marjorie Smith of Elk, Wash., “but now that they are older and don’t go out as much, my fiancé and I go there for our celebrations.” Val Workman of north Spokane says it’s a perfect choice for business, family and friends because it never disappoints. “A stroll through Riverfront Park — weather permitting — helps justify the required crème brûlée,” she says. (LW) 2nd PLACE: Wild Sage; 3rd PLACE: Masselow’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fleur de Sel, Post Falls (See p. 21.)

Best New Restaurant

CASPER FRY

It was an impressive field of nominees this year, but there’s something special about Casper Fry. The aesthetic is totally different from any other place in Spokane, says Veronica Van Patten. “Their Southern-style food is local and doesn’t try to be something that it isn’t,” she says. “I feel that the service is congruent with that as well.” Cassie Lillard says Casper Fry reminds her of family dinners: “From the warm rustic interiors and furnishings of the restaurant, to the well-thought-out take on classic Southern cuisine and cocktails, you can’t help but want to come back for more,” she says. Jesse Aldulaimi agrees: “Casper Fry is, undoubtedly, the most composed restaurant in Spokane.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Central Food; 3rd PLACE: Clover; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fu-Ki, Post Falls

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24 INLANDER BEST OF the inland nw 2013

Thank You! For Voting Us #1 Vintage Boutique!

Catacombs, Best New Restaurant of 2003

Where Are They Now?

Best New Restaurant

ate this spring, Downriver Grill is set to celebrate 10 years of serving creative Northwest cuisine in the heart of the Audubon Park neighborhood. The restaurant, started by two brothers with the help of other family members, quickly became a Spokane favorite, which is why our readers named it the Best New Restaurant in the 2003 edition of Best of the Inland Northwest. Today, the restaurant is still going strong, says Aaron Sweatt, who owns Downriver Grill with his brother, Jonathan, and their most recent partner, Juli Norris. Relying heavily on locally sourced fare — whether that be their cooking ingredients or the wine list — Downriver has thrived in a part of town not known as a dining destination, keeping a steady course, for the most part, over the past decade. “We’ve done some tweaks along the road. But all along, it’s been a great, consistent product,” says Aaron. “For me, the success is due to our service and the friendships that we make with our customers. They continually support us.” When the Sweatt brothers first launched Downriver Grill, they had their worries. The location had been home to a number of other restaurants before they took over and they knew that the food service industry was an inherently risky one. “Food and wine and drink was a passion of my brother and I, and we knew there was risk involved,” says Aaron. Thankfully, Downriver’s approach was per-

fect for the current dining trends. “The casual fine dining restaurant was coming into style at that time,” he says. Other restaurants that took home the Best New Restaurant designation haven’t shared Downriver’s success. The 2005 award went to Moxie in downtown Spokane, but that eatery closed last year when the chef and owner fell ill. Others didn’t last nearly as long. In 2011, Savory Restaurant and Lounge, a spacious and casual South Hill dining spot and bar, earned the honor, but it abruptly closed last month. Savory owner Michael Schneider told The Inlander that his restaurant simply didn’t have enough patronage to justify remaining open. Bayou Brewing (1998), Sawtooth Grill (2001), Sam’s on Regal (2002) and Blue Fish (2006) also won this award but no longer are business. This award has hardly been a harbinger of closure. Other past winners, like Catacombs Pub (2003), Scratch (2008) and South Perry Pizza (2010), remain not just in business, but consistently packed with diners. Sweatt never cheers when another restaurant closes, seeing it as a reminder that this isn’t an easy business. “It’s a very tough industry that pulls you in a lot of different directions,” he says. “But getting a great kitchen crew, and staying consistent on a daily basis, and finding employees that are passionate about people and the industry and what they do goes a long way.” — MIKE BOOKEY

P a s t Wi nn ers 1998: Bayou Brewing Co. 1999: Moxie (Liberty Lake) 2000: Chevy’s 2001: Sawtooth Grill 2002: Sam’s on Regal

2003: Catacombs Pub 2004: Downriver Grill 2005: Moxie (downtown) 2006: Bluefish 2007: P.F. Chang’s 2008: Scratch

2009: The Melting Pot; Mackenzie River Pizza (IDaho) 2010: South Perry Pizza 2011: Savory 2012: Manito Tap House; Grill from Ipanema (idaho)

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BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 25

" lways a bridesmaid, Some say A . never a bride ". We say..

BEST TER THEA MOVIE

YE AR S

Best Local Celebrity

JOHN STOCKTON

John Stockton made plenty of headlines in his long career, but it’s his shunning of the spotlight these days that earned votes from readers like John Helwich of Hayden. Helwich grew up in Salt Lake City watching Stockton play for the Utah Jazz and trying to model his own game after Stockton’s. He calls the legend “a man who earned respect without resorting to chestthumping, clownish theatrics or whining.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Jess Walter; 3rd PLACE: Mark Rypien; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Patty Duke

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Voters gave lots of reasons why they chose Spokane Mayor David Condon: his efforts to improve public safety, his work for small business, even his good vocabulary. Joe Lobb, who lives outside the city limits but owns businesses in town, says he was a fan of Condon’s 100-Day Action Plan, which “puts emphasis on streamlining services.” Says Lobb: “I want a mayor who will respect our public employees and spend the taxpayers’ money wisely.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Kevin Parker; 3rd PLACE: Ben Stuckart; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Ben Wolfinger

Best TV Anchorperson

STEPHANIE VIGIL, KHQ

More than 6,000 people “like” KHQ’s Stephanie Vigil on her Facebook page and it’s easy to see why. She loves funny videos and tearjerking stories; plus she lets people submit their “rants and raves” for her to read on the air that night. Spokane Valley’s Tom Jacoby says he appreciates that personal connection she has with viewers. “She has a sense of humor but you know she really cares about the story and the people it touches,” he says. “Plus my wife always wants to see what outfit she has on.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Nadine Woodward, KXLY; 3rd PLACE: Shelly Monahan, KHQ

Best TV Weathercaster

TOM SHERRY, KREM

Sure, every station in town has its weatherperson, but there’s only one who’s nearing his 20th “Best Of” win. Tom Sherry has been giving you the weather for more than two decades, hosting charity events and racking up awards along the way. “There is nobody in the Inland Northwest who is as excited about the weather as Tom Sherry,” says Carol Byrnes from the Emerson-Garfield neighborhood. “He also gives back, donating his time to special events and charities in the area. And who doesn’t love a guy who’d name his dog Doppler?” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Kris Crocker, KXLY; 3rd PLACE: Leslie Lowe, KHQ

Indicates those who have won for 10 or more years, putting them in the Best Of Hall of Fame.

Cobra Polo Classic

Thank you

DAVID CONDON

for voting our event one of the best charity events in the region!

Best Elected Official

bene�iting �ona�� c�ona�� ouse �harities of ��o�ane

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Sunday, September 8th 2013 rmhcspokane.org/events BEST OF the inland nw 2013 INLANDER 27

People

Where Are They Now? Best Athlete

N OV E M B E R 1 8 - 24 , 20 0 4 F R E E

espite Best Of voters’ choices over the years, there’s no debating who really is the Best Athlete on this list — JOHN STOCKTON. He’s an Olympic champion (twice), he played an Ironman-like 19 NBA seasons (resulting in tons of records and a Hall of Fame membership) and always showed a work ethic every kid should emulate. Our voters

FROM MARTINIQUE TO PARIS TO SPOKANE: RONNY TURIAF’S AMAZING JOURNEY

COLLEGE HOOPS PREVIEW 16

Ronny Turiaf made the Inlander cover back on Nov. 18, 2004. have loved him, too, from that very first 1994 ballot. This year, he was voted Best Celebrity. What Stockton doesn’t have yet is a local statue in his honor. Now of course he would never want one — he’s low-key that way — but this is civic malpractice, people! And back in 2000, we asked: Best Local Subject for a New Statue in Spokane. Resounding answer: John Stockton. C’mon, Mayor Condon, Salt Lake City has one. Make it happen! Of course Stockton brought his family back home from Utah after he retired; you can see him watching his son David play in the Kennel or coaching his daughters.

Best Public Official

Back in the day, Stockton, Mark Rypien and Ryne Sandberg so dominated this line of questioning that in 1999 we finally asked you to name the Best Local Athlete Not Named Stockton, Rypien or Sandberg. You gave us JAN-MICHAEL GAMBILL, the former tennis pro and Mead grad who made the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2000. Gambill is retired from the pro circuit and now lives in Hawaii, does a little coaching and plays some exhibition tennis for charity. It’s great to have fellow Mead grad ADAM MORRISON back on the scene. He had a best-ever three-year run as Best Athlete. Morrison is back in the ’Kan and worked out with current Zags over the summer; he’s been spotted back in the Kennel, too. But you’ve got to say the basketball gods are smiling on 2005 winner RONNY TURIAF. It didn’t look good at first: Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers that spring, the team discovered he had a major heart problem. One successful openheart surgery later, and Turiaf was off to a busy NBA career. (He’s already played for six teams.) Last year, he won an NBA ring playing alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for Miami. This year he’s setting screens for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers. One of the most loved Zags ever, Turiaf takes life easy, but he’s for real — he’s played in the Olympics for France, speaks, like, five languages and even founded the Ronny Turiaf Heart to Heart Foundation. They say that good things happen to good people. — TED S. McGREGOR JR.

ack when The Inlander first started asking your opinion about elected officials, it was all about TOM FOLEY. It makes sense: As Speaker of the House, he had risen higher than any Washington state politician ever. The readers liked him so much, they even chose him Best the year after he was sent packing. Now 84, Foley still lives in the D.C. area; he was recently featured on a TV ad for Gonzaga University, where he went to college and taught in the School of Law. The first really big controversy of the Inlander era was the River Park Square public financing battle, and STEVE EUGSTER was the lightning rod for it all, good and bad. In 1996, readers voted him Best Activist; in 2000, once he was a city councilman, he was voted both Best Person to Be Immortalized on a Pez Dispenser and Best Candidate for Strong Mayor. Now 69, Eugster says he had to slow down: “I do not want to be in the public eye anymore, I’m just a lawyer.” But as the author of the city’s strong mayor form of government, he still follows local politics. “I like the way David Condon is using the strong mayor office in a positive way — he’s taking control, making decisions. That’s the way it should be.” Eugster has been back in private practice since 2010, and also manages some downtown property he owns with his brothers. In recent years, this category has become more of a “Who’s-the-mayorthis-year?” kind of thing, which is odd as we like to fire them first chance we get. And that thought brought

P a st Wi nne rs

us back to the first strong mayor, JOHN POWERS, who won three Best Ofs in a row between 2001-03. We caught up with Powers at his new job as executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance in Bremerton. “Whenever I tell someone what I do, I say ‘I’m an economic developer, and I caught the bug while I was

Steve Eugster brought out the Best — and worst — in readers over the years. serving as mayor of Spokane,’ ” says Powers, who was hired as CEO of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County just after losing his re-election campaign. “One thing I am still proud of,” Powers adds, “is that on that same primary ballot was a measure to repeal the strong mayor system; unions wanted to get rid of it. But the people of Spokane stayed the course with strong mayor — that was really the most important election that year. “Losing was bittersweet,” adds Powers. “It was a turning point, but it’s been a natural progression that Bonnie and I have been thankful for.” — TED S. McGREGOR JR.

Past W in n e r s

1994: John Stockton

2003-04: John Stockton

2010: Matt Bouldin

1994-95: Tom Foley

2001-03: John Powers

2008, 2010: Mary Verner

1998: Ryan Leaf

2005: Ronny Turiaf

2011: Courtney Vandersloot

1997: John Roskelley

1999: Jan-Michael Gambill

2006-08: Adam Morrison

2012: Kevin Pangos

1998-99: George Nethercutt

2003-05: Dirk Kempthorne (North Idaho winner)

2011: Best Democrat: Mary Verner

2001: Casey Calvary

2009: John Stockton

2004-05: Jim West

2011: Best Republican: Cathy McMorris Rodgers

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2000: Roberta Greene

2007: Dennis Hession

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People Best TV Sportscaster

DENNIS PATCHIN, KXLY

With experience covering everything from the Mariners and Zags to Bloomsday and Hoopfest, Dennis Patchin has only gained fans on his road from TV to radio and back again. Mary Farley from the Valley liked Patchin’s “Are You Kidding Me?” series, which ran on KXLY until this January. “Dennis makes you feel like you are visiting with your neighbor about the local sports scene,” Farley says. “He has a great announcer’s voice, also.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Sam Adams, KHQ; 3rd PLACE: Darnay Tripp, KREM

Best Entrepreneur

WALT WORTHY

Walt Worthy’s projects are hard to miss in Spokane, and locals like it that way. Carol DeMuth from the South Hill says she came to appreciate Worthy after a Davenport documentary screened on KSPS. “I worked downtown for a number of years and was sad to see the changes that seemed to take away its character,” she says. “Walt seems to be able to maintain that balance with restoration and new structures that don’t take away from what we have, and in doing so is helping to revive our downtown economy.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Thomas Hammer; 3rd PLACE: Ron Wells; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Duane Hagadone

Best Athlete

KELLY OLYNYK 

Spokane’s Finest For 41 Years!

With Gonzaga’s massive success this season, maybe this one shouldn’t come as a surprise, even if it initially shocked some fans to see a player who sat out all of last year return as an NBA prospect. But readers say there’s plenty to like about Olynyk besides just the fact that he’s a Bulldog. They praised his willingness to help his teammates, his hooting and, of course, the hair. Teresa Lukens from the Indian Trail Neighborhood had one sentence to sum up her vote: “He looks like Jesus and plays like Jabbar.” (HG) 2nd PLACE: Kevin Pangos; 3rd PLACE: Elias Harris

Best High School Coach

DAVE McKENNA, G-PREP FOOTBALL

Dave McKenna knows what it takes to make a winning football team that fits the Gonzaga tradition — and as a G-Prep and Gonzaga alum, he should. South Hill resident Sean Bailey says he voted for McKenna because he’s a family man who knows the right balance between work and play: He’s tough, but still fosters an environment of fun among his players. “He’s doing what he loves and it shows,” Bailey says. (HG) 2nd PLACE: Matty McIntyre, G-Prep Basketball; 3rd PLACE: Jon Knight, North Central Cross Country

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Best Letter Carrier

MARK WARD

Letter carrier Mark Ward can credit his victory to supporters of Jason’s Barbershop, where he stops on his regular north-side route. Ward always has a story to tell when he comes by, says shop owner Jason McDonnell. “He’s a kick in the pants,” he says. “He’s a heck of a nice guy.” (LW) 2nd PLACE: Jimmy Barker; 3rd PLACE: Mick Anderson

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We’ve Got You Covered April 6, 1994

BY TED S. McGREGOR JR.

April 5, 1995

Our first Best Of came in at a whopping 12 pages … Tom Sherry came in second (!?) to weathercaster Steve Mumm … Blast from the past: Best Singles Bar was Swackhammer’s. Cover design: Rebecca King.

We asked the Best Actor to Play Steve (remember him?) Hasson in the Madefor-TV Movie; you said Jim Carrey … Best Funky Jewelry: Rings ’n Things. Cover art: Rebecca King.

April 3, 1996

For Year Three, we went all art deco … Still pouring: Best Bartender was Steve Hill of Hills’ Restaurant … The Mars Hotel was noted for having the Best Public Restroom. Cover design: Rebecca King.

March 26, 1997

Note the 3-D computer illustration — it was pretty cool back in ’97 … Best Next Storm (after Icestorm): Potholestorm! … Best Local Microbrew: Birkebeiner. Cover art: Ashley Nathan Feniello.

March 25, 1998

Remember KREM’s Charles Rowe? Readers awarded him Best TV Hair … Neighborhood with Best Potential was the Garland District (Nailed it!) … Yes, we did ask: Best Place for a Quickie was Al’s Motel. Cover art: Joanne Scribner.

March 31, 1999

Gone but not forgotten: Best Martini went to Cavallino Lounge … Best Local Ad Slogan: Spokane Pump’s “We Fix Things That Suck” … Section page count: 48. Cover art: Mike Cressy.

March 23, 2000

Still working on it: Best Unfinished Recreation Business was (and still is) the Centennial Trail … Best North Idaho Author: Mark Fuhrman. Cover art: Joanne Scribner.

March 29, 2001

Best Art Gallery: Lorinda Knight Gallery … Amazing prediction: Best Kids’ Attraction the Inland NW Needs was a Science Center … Amazing prediction II: Best Store the Inland NW Needs was Old Navy. Cover art: Roy Tompkins.

March 28, 2002

The voters called it: Best New Business was Old Navy … Best Mascot if There Was a Spokane State University: Mighty Marmots … Best Spokane Street Name: Funk Avenue. Cover art: Wendy Wahman.

32 INLANDER BEST OF the inlander nw 2013

March 27, 2003

Davenport savers: Best Philanthropists were Walt and Karen Worthy … Blast from the past: Best Live Music Club was the B-Side … Best Unsung Hero: The late, great astronaut Michael Anderson of Cheney. Cover art: Roy Tompkins.

Best Beer Bar

March 25, 2004

Some things never change: Our Spy vs. Spy cover skewered partisan politics … Best Airport Food: The Skyway Café, Felts Field … Best Place to Pick Up a Teletubby and Ammo: White Elephant. Cover art: Gabe Strine.

March 24, 2005

We didn’t know: Best Elected Official was Jim West … We didn’t know II: Best Bank was Washington Mutual … Best Arts Venue to Save: The Fox Theater. Cover art: Chad Crowe.

March 23, 2006

Best Place to Pretend You’re In Italy: Cassano’s … Best Place to Skateboard: Hillyard Skate Park … Best Nun With a Blowtorch: Sister Paula Turnbull, creator of the Garbage Goat. Cover photo: Steve Walker.

Best bar menu

March 22, 2007

First Best Of in full color … We debuted the Hall of Fame to recognize 10-time Best Of winners … Best Athlete: Adam Morrison during his three-year run on top of this category. Cover art: Chad Krueger.

March 20, 2008

Best Local Artist: The late, great George Flett … Best Ass-Kickers on Wheels: The Lilac City Roller Girls … Best New Business That Fits North Idaho Perfectly: Cabela’s. Cover art: Karli Fairbanks.

March 19, 2009

Yep, those are our readers: Best Person to Get a Federal Bailout was “Me!” … We love the new events: Best Bike Event was the brand-new Spokefest … Best Place to Meet Singles: Church. Cover photo: Young Kwak.

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March 18, 2010

Best Community Volunteer: The late, great Dan Fitzgerald … Best Shop the Inland NW Needs: Trader Joe’s … The readers love it: Priest Lake wins yet another category, this time Best Place to Camp. Cover art: Mary Eberle.

March 24, 2011

Local power: Sun People beat the Apple Store in Best New Business … Women power: Best Athlete was Courtney Vandersloot, not Robert Sacre … Best Author: Jess Walter (finally!). Cover art: Jeff Drew.

March 22, 2012

The voters called it II: Best New Business was Trader Joe’s … It keeps growing: We published 64 pages of Best Of … For the first time, we asked Best Food Truck; Mommy G’s won. Cover photo: Young Kwak.

So for 20 years now, we’ve kept on asking and you’ve kept on voting. Here’s one question we’ve never asked since we already know the answer: Best Readers. (You guys!)

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Move

Best Strategy for Democrats in Idaho to Survive

ong a Republican stronghold, the Gem State just doesn’t have much patience for those organic tofu-munching, free-sexing, treehugging, freedom-hating progressives. This is Idaho: Love it or leave it. Out of hundreds of suggestions for how Democrats might try to survive within the conservative state, all three of the most popular recommendations focused on the alternative. “Move,” bluntly suggested readers. “Move to Washington,” came in second. With a touch of urgency, the third most popular suggestion was “leave,” ranging from a polite “leave please” to “make like a tree.” Basically, go pretty much anywhere else. Many voters offered more specific suggestions like Spokane or Seattle. Others recommended going farther, maybe Portland, or California. “Get the hell out of there.” If you can’t load up your Prius and vamoose, at least have the common decency to pretend you’re a Republican. Wear some flannel and a baseball cap. Buy yourself a gun — better yet,

an assault rifle. Hunker down in a “gluten-free bunker.” “Camo up. Shoot something. Use a picture of you and the fresh kill as your avatar.” A few optimistic souls called for Democrats to hang in there and stick to their beliefs. Stay strong, they urged. Be patient and work toward compromise. Others listed plenty of Demo-don’ts: Don’t make eye contact, don’t talk, don’t piss off the rednecks, don’t mess with the Second Amendment. At least the booze is still cheap, they note. Maybe struggling Democrats should work toward a sort of libertarian cause like legalizing marijuana. Or just get back to nature. “Smoke pot and enjoy a long hike.” And if all else fails? “Parkour.” — JACOB JONES 2nd PLACE: Move to Washington; 3rd PLACE: Leave

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nything I’ve ever done is because someone told me ‘You can’t do this,’ ” says Andrea Poplawski. And as she recounts the events that brought her from rural Pennsylvania to Spokane, it becomes clear that refusal is the surest way to stoke her fire. “You tell me no, and I can figure out a way to make that a yes.” Poplawski, 44, has a sparkling vivacity. Opposing lawyers might call it feistiness. Whatever term you use, it’s an energy that has sustained her personally and professionally. She became a single mother at the age of 22, and in her small hometown (pop. 2,700), women held to traditional standards. Choosing to remain unmarried, attending college with her toddler in her arms, or moving across America to enter law school at Gonzaga weren’t considered viable options. The experience helped shape her worldview. “I’ve always felt like I’m the underdog,” she says with breathless, rapid-fire delivery. “So I always want people to get a break. I always cheer for the sports team that’s not supposed to win.” Poplawski, who specializes in employment and family law, makes no secret of her antipathy toward retrograde attitudes or complacency inside and outside the courtroom. In her smart

black outfit and leopard-print heels, she presents a distinct persona — chic, businesslike, but with a provocative flair. Her clients can tell at a glance that’s she’s not unused to challenges, and she won’t hesitate to rise to them. In 2009, Poplawski met one daunting challenge head-on and took it to the Washington State Supreme Court. A protracted custody battle had returned a young Spokane woman’s son to his former foster parents in Montana. That decision had been reached despite the fact that his natural mother had been deemed fit. Adding insult to injury, she was forced to pay child support to the foster parents. Poplawski worked diligently to overturn the ruling, ultimately reuniting mother and son in a verdict that had wider implications. High-profile cases as well as many smaller ones have earned Poplawski a reputation as a principled fighter. She sees it as life coming full circle. “I’ve always been a worker, [but] I’ve had help from people along the way. They’ve been able to push me to do what I needed to do. So why wouldn’t I help someone else?” — E.J. IANNELLI 2nd PLACE: Priscilla Vaagen; 3rd PLACE: Breean Beggs

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Firefighters Best Unsung Heroes

irefighters have one very obvious job. They put out fires. The reality is that they do quite a bit more, both on and off the job. In recognition of that fact, Inlander readers voted firefighters the Best Unsung Heroes of 2013. Don Waller, president of Spokane’s firefighters union, says that for him and others the job is all about supporting the community, whether it’s on or off the clock. “We realize that we are a part of the community. And we need to make the whole community stronger,” he says. “We practice and preach trying to shop local, spend your money locally, support local business. We just try to be a part of the community in every way that we can besides just when we’re working.” The access that firefighters are given to citizens’ homes and personal lives is a responsibility that they take seriously, he says. That’s why many firefighters are compelled to help, even

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when they aren’t working. Waller says that many members of the force have, on their own time, organized fundraisers and other charity events. This is all done out of a sense of civic pride and responsibility. “We just feel like what we do is our job,” he says. “We don’t do anything special. So we’ve never been really good about tooting our own horn or making a big deal.” Still, the recognition is nice. Knowing that they’re appreciated is an honor, he says. “I don’t think a lot of people realize not only what we do on a day-to-day basis on our job, but how involved we are in the community, and how important we feel community is to us,” Waller says. — ELI FRANCOVICH 2nd PLACE: Teachers; 3rd PLACE: U.S. Military

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Best Cocktails Best Bar Menu

TWIGS

With drink names like the Hula Dancer and Jalapeño Ciantro Margatini, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar offers plenty of cleverly delicious drinking. Alexandra Hedin of Browne’s Addition says Twigs is the perfect place for a girls’ night out. “The drinks always remind me of my best friend,” she says. “It’s our favorite place to catch up.” Pick one of 36 different martinis to set just the right tone for your evening. More than just fancy drinking, Twigs also cooks up a spread of tasty appetizers, salads, flatbreads and desserts. Cindi McCann of Colbert says “the Moroccan Beef is my favorite appetizer — I think you could dip dog food in that gorgonzola sauce and it would be yummy.” Five locations in the Spokane area. (JJ) Best Cocktails 2nd PLACE: Bon Bon; 3rd PLACE: Bistango; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Iron Horse, CdA (See p. 42.)

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Best Bar Menu 2nd PLACE: Zola; 3rd PLACE: Manito Tap House; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s, Post Falls

Best Wine Bar

LEFTBANK

Housed in the historic American Legion building on Washington Street, LeftBank Wine Bar serves more than 60 varieties of wine. Spokane resident Travis Griffith also admires the classic European atmosphere. “LeftBank feels majestic,” he says. “It has a certain international feel, almost like old England or Ireland.” Elaine LaRue of the South Hill enjoys pairing LeftBank’s regional wines with delicious cheese, salad and pizza. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Nectar; 3rd PLACE: Twigs; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cellars

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Best Beer Bar

MANITO TAP HOUSE

For beer nerds, hop-heads and brew connoisseurs, the Manito Tap House rotates dozens of regional or hard-tofind beers on tap. For the uninitiated, the staff will walk you through a wonderland of ales, porters, pilsners and ciders. “The servers there know their beer and know exactly how to find you one that fits your tastes,” says Shane Collins of Spokane. “Having knowledge of over 50 rotating beers is no easy task! Plus, the happy hour specials are incredible.” (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Viking Tavern (HOF); 3rd PLACE: The Hop Shop; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s, Post Falls

Best Sports Bar (tie)

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Of course Best Sports Bar would end in a tie. In one corner, we have reigning champ Swinging Doors with a record of four previous wins. In the other corner, up-andcoming The Q at Northern Quest Resort & Casino. “The Q is an absolutely great place to come for a great time,” says Courtney Crevier of West Spokane. “The food tastes wonderful, it is big and spacious and I love the big flatscreen TVs, pictures and the different supporting team representations on the walls.” Meanwhile, Swinging Doors can hit back with an army of TVs, a welcoming atmosphere and a formidable beer list. This match will have to go into overtime. You be the judge. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: The Ref; 3rd PLACE: Jack and Dan’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s, Post Falls

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Locally renowned bartender Patty Tully — one part tough, two parts generous — shows that keeping a bar takes more than a steady pour. Occasional barfly Taylor Weech of Spokane says Tully can shut down even the most obnoxious drunk with a smile. “She is friendly in a real, down-to-earth way,” Weech says. “She also pours a delicious and stiff drink, and she’s never shredded my credit card, even when I’ve accidentally left it there for two days.” Bonus: Tully has been known to hand out dollar bills for the bar’s well-curated jukebox. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Curtis Day, Casper Fry; 3rd PLACE: Luke Byrnes, Manito Tap House; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Chris Ursich, The Iron Horse, CdA (See p. 42.)

Best Casino

NO R THE R N QUEST RESORT & CASINO

With multiple restaurants, big-name entertainment and a luxurious spa, Northern Quest Resort & Casino recreates the entire Vegas experience. “It’s so unexpected out in Airway Heights,” says Terra Widman of Spokane. “It’s like something you’d see in Vegas — very fancy, clean, great food. I have yet to try the spa, though.” Another happy customer, Maynard Ross Jr., says the casino serves as a place to both celebrate and unwind: “I am always treated well by the casino staff. They know how to provide great customer service.” (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Coeur d’Alene Casino; 3rd PLACE: Hugo’s on the Hill

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Best Bowling Center

s Tami Borja, a manager at Hugo’s, explains, “when you walk in, you’ll quickly find that the word ‘alley’ doesn’t apply.” She’s right. If you manage to pull your eyes away from the giant TVs which line the back wall, playing music videos by request from any decade, you’ll notice that the place is decked out in classy leather furniture and glitzy lighting, creating a top-shelf ambiance more in tune with a Las Vegas boutique bowling lounge than the dingy lanes of old. Once you’ve absorbed the décor, you’ll need to make some decisions. Should you hit the casino floor, the bar, grab some gourmet grub or play the lanes first? There may be no right answer. When asked what separates Hugo’s from the competition, Borja failed to mention the glamour or the great food — which includes their signature root-beer pulled pork, ahi sushi, halibut fish tacos — and the 20 different beers on tap. Her take on their success: “The people who work here. We want to make it so when people leave they say, ‘Wow, we had a good time and got a great bang for the buck.’ ”

They’re not lying, either: The staff is great. When I went in to bowl a few frames, I hardly had my bowling shoes laced before a server was taking orders for beer and appetizers. Borja explains that the service starts at the top. The management treats its staff well, which translates to the treatment of the customer. “It’s very much a family here. We have staff who’ve been with us for 10-15 years. Kitchen, servers and bartenders. That’s abnormal in this industry.” Not only does Hugo’s provide a unique bowling experience, it also gives back to the community. Every year it supports the Shawn Higgins Memorial Fund, founded after a member of the owner’s family died due to complications from diabetes. The group puts on fundraisers at Hugo’s to raise money for diabetes and sponsors a family retreat for more than 100 families living with diabetes. — ERIC GAVELIN 2nd PLACE: Lilac Lanes; 3rd PLACE: North Bowl; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Sunset Bowl, CdA

Best Happy Hour

Best Wine Bar

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 41

We’re The BEST New Nightspot Thanks Spokane Swi Dancinng Lesson g s

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Chris Ursich: “I ... work with my best friends.” Mike McCall photo

Iron Horse &

Chris Ursich North Idaho’s Best Cocktails & Bartender

Thank You for Your Votes!

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www.laughingdogbrewing.com Laughing Dog Brewing 1109 Fontaine Drive Ponderay Idaho

42 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

f having a good time is on your bucket list, then Iron Horse Bar and Grill’s Chris Ursich is your ambassador to fun. In 30 seconds or less, he’ll whip up the bar’s famous (or is it infamous?) 48-ounce Derailer: three kinds of rum, two kinds of soda, orange and pineapple juice, sour mix and as many straws as you need to share with friends. “They’re not just for breakfast anymore,” he quips, figuring he’s made around 20,000 Derailers since joining the Iron Horse family 17 years ago. Besides Derailers, this longtime Sherman Avenue bar serves up a few smaller “bucket” drinks like the 24-ounce Catalina and top-shelf Margarita, and they do double martinis, from the classics — Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, vodka neat — to the combinations that sound more like dessert than a drink. Vodka Ripples (an alcohol-fueled energy drink) are pretty popular these days, says Ursich, but if red beer is more your style, he’s got you covered. “What keeps me in this business?” he asks. “Thick skin,” he jokes. He admits the bar is his stage and he likes to make people laugh. He pauses, takes a sip of his beer. Although not yet warm enough to open the bar’s roll-up

garage doors or haul out the patio seating, it’s a springlike day in downtown Coeur d’Alene and the streets are full of people, many of whom Ursich waves to through the glass. “I serve all my friends and work with my best friends,” he says finally. That includes fellow barkeep Ben Reeve, whom Ursich has known since junior high and jokingly “blames” for introducing him to Coeur d’Alene. Consistency and paying attention to detail is also key, says Ursich, who credits the father-and-son team Tom and Aaron Robb for Iron Horse’s success since 1972. “They trust us to take care of people,” he says, including serving good food — the prime rib is amazing, he says — and making sure patrons feel safe. “I bring my mother here,” says the 40-yearold, who runs Whitening Fast teeth-whitening with wife Lisa when he’s not bartending or hitting the slopes. Although he’s still stunned at being named “Best Bartender,” Ursich isn’t surprised a bit at Iron Horse’s popularity with Inlander readers. “One thing I appreciate about the Iron Horse is it’s THE local spot” in Coeur d’Alene. “It’s where the bartenders and restaurant people come when they get off work.” — CARRIE SCOZZARO

Best Happy Hour

ZOLA

Quirky and casual, Zola mixes good food, cold drinks and cheap prices into one mean happy hour. Zola partner Jeff Short says the downtown bar holds its happy hour to high standards. “It’s not just our prices,” he says. “Everything we do is made from scratch. We make sure everything is a 9 or 10.” Stop by after work to wind down with their $5.50 food menu. Nothing calms workplace rage like listening to live music from a tilt-owhirl booth. Order a $3.50 cocktail and relax. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Twigs; 3rd PLACE: Safari Room, Davenport Tower; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Whitehouse Grill, Post Falls

Best New NightSpot

THE ROADHOUSE

For the cowboy in all of us, The Roadhouse celebrates all things honky-tonk. Nicole Downhour of Spokane Valley says the recently renovated bar offers both granite countertops and a mechanical bull named Yo Mama. “This bar takes pride and embraces their Western style with servers and staff dressed in matching cowboy hats, flannel tops and daisy dukes. The staff is experienced, quick and very friendly, from the bouncers [to] cooks to waitress crew. This bar offers more than just dancing and having a good time. On many nights they offer swing dance lessons, live bands or DJ, and great drinks specials to boot.” (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Big City Saloon; 3rd PLACE: Revolver

Best Hotel and Entrepreneur Davenport Hotel Walt Worthy

Best Live Music Venue Best All-Ages Venue

KNITTING FACTORY By bringing big names to an intimate space, the Knitting Factory downtown concert hall has won a loyal regional following. “The Knitting Factory’s size and setup gives the concertgoers a very up-close and personal experience with the band,” says Miranda Houchens of Spokane. Amid the constant flux of the Spokane all-ages scene, the Knitting Factory has consistently worked to welcome young music lovers. Amanda Zodrow of Spokane says she enjoys how the Knitting Factory brings together great sound, service and style. “The staff has always been awesome, good food and drinks, and an overall great feel.” (JJ) Best Live Music Venue 2nd PLACE: Zola; 3rd PLACE: Northern Quest Resort & Casino (HOF)

Thank you Voter s! We’re #1 AGAIN!!

Best All-Ages Venue 2nd PLACE: The Hop!; 3rd PLACE: Bing Crosby Theater

Thank you for supporting our local, family owned restaurant

Best Dance Club

MARQUEE

Looking for VIP treatment? Jason Martinez, general manager of the MarQuee Lounge, says this downtown hot spot specializes in class, quality and consistency. “We’re very proud,” he says. With high ceilings and five VIP sections, MarQuee mixes exclusivity with good, old-fashioned fun. Keep an eye out for their monthly themed parties. (JJ) 2nd PLACE: Impulse Lounge; 3rd PLACE: Irv’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Big Al’s, Post Falls

Best Spa Davenport Spa and Salon

Gordy’s Sichuan Cafe

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Best Happy Hour Safari Room Fresh Grill and Bar

Thank you readers of the Inlander. BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 INLANDER 43

Nightlife

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44 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

Best Name for a Microbrew to Capture the Spirit of the Inland Northwest

iteral-minded voters gave top recognition to excellent existing beers: No-Li’s Born & Raised IPA, Iron Goat’s Head Butt IPA and Budge Brothers’ Spokamber. (Iron Goat also got some votes for its Garbage Pale Ale, which should take top honors for requiring Spokane knowledge to sound appealing.) But many other voters took this category into the more fanciful theoretical realm: Pothole Porter got quite a few nods — “a spirited bumpy brew” as one voter elaborated — but apparently the Inland Northwest doesn’t have a monopoly on potholes, because a couple of breweries elsewhere have already claimed it. Same goes for Red Wagon Ale, though no one’s yet created a Big Red Wagon Ale. Seattle’s Elysian Brewing Company has made a Silver Marmot pale ale, but there’s no reason the Inland Northwest shouldn’t have its own Marmot Dew.

The suggested Angry Driver and Bad Driver IPA have a nice ring, but it’s probably not a good idea to mix driving and booze in any way. And though the vote for an Inferiority Complex ESB is quite clever, the most resounding support was for an earnestly appropriate name that acknowledges the region’s excellent hops and piney landscape, like “Evergreen Fresh Hop IPA.” There also were a number of punny suggestions regarding the fact that Spokane’s second syllable sounds like the thing beer comes in, but let’s not get into that, unless we’re going for a microbrew name that makes you really need another round. — LISA WAANANEN 2nd PLACE: Head Butt IPA (Iron Goat Brewing); 3rd PLACE: Spokamber (Budge Brothers)

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BEST NEW FITNESS TREND

BEST HEALTH CLUB

BEST SNOWBOARD SHOP

A step up from the synthesizer-and-legwarmers aerobics classes of yore, Zumba draws from Latin beats, salsa music and meringue tunes. The point of Zumba was to be more of a dance party. It isn’t exactly new — it started in 2001 — but has continued to make an impact. “I picked Zumba because it’s so much fun, but it’s also a way to bond and spend quality time with my friends,” Spokane resident Amanda Zodrow says. “Not to mention getting in shape.” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Crossfit; 3rd PLACE: Barre

When we talk about the YMCA — whether the sprawling north side facility or the packed downtown YMCA — we’re not just talking about a weight room and a few treadmills. Whole lives happen here, from preschool day care to adolescent martial arts classes to elderly swimming groups. “We love that the YMCA is so family focused,” says ESL instructor Erin Welch. “I joined when I was pregnant, and the pools and fitness classes undoubtedly contributed to my healthy pregnancy, birth and child. Now our little family loves swimming and playing together at the YMCA.” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Oz Fitness (HOF); 3rd PLACE: Snap Fitness

Locally owned since 1976, Spokane’s Alpine Haus concentrates not just on selling gear, but tuning, customizing and specializing it. That means everything from skateboards, snowboards, and water skis. “I live a long way away up north, but when I do go there I am welcomed, warmly,” writes former House candidate Bart Haggin. “For minor ‘tweaks’ they just send you out the door. It is a laid-back, friendly outfit with staff that does the same things that they sell to the people!” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Wintersport; 3rd PLACE: Mountain Gear; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Ski Shack, Hayden

ZUMBA

BEST PLAYGROUND

MANITO PARK

Manito Park winning in this category may be a bit unfair — the park’s so sprawling that it features two entirely separate playgrounds, one with swings, slides and a jungle gym, and another with two climbing structures and a sand pit. But considering the role Manito plays on the South Hill, we’ll allow it. “Both the upper and lower playgrounds are on my running route so I get a chance to see them in action all year long,” writes former Museum of Arts and Culture board of trustees member Chris Schnug. “They’re also hands down favorites of our grandkids. Why? They’re both tucked into grassy areas close to hills perfect for rolling down, the duck pond with all of its turtles and fish, and footpaths begging to be explored!” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Riverfront Park; 3rd PLACE: Discovery Playground at Mirabeau; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Fort Sherman Playground, CdA

YMCA SPOKANE

BEST PLACE TO SKI BEST PLACE TO SNOWBOARD

MT. SPOKANE

Never underestimate the power of proximity. Mt. Spokane is the people’s snow hill, close enough for the average resident to drive to on a whim and affordable enough to not break the bank. “Besides having great snow for me and a fun terrain park for my little brother, it only takes us half an hour to get there,” Gonzaga Prep student Julia Brown writes. “We can night ski and still have time to finish our homework. Mt. Spokane is by far my favorite local ski hill.” It’s no surprise that Mt. Spokane took home the best snowboarding locale prize as well. (DW) BEST PLACE TO SKI 2nd PLACE: Schweitzer (HOF); 3rd PLACE: 49° North BEST PLACE TO SNOWBOARD 2nd PLACE: Schweitzer (HOF); 3rd PLACE: 49° North

ALPINE HAUS

BEST SECLUDED REGIONAL RESORT

HILL’S RESORT, PRIEST LAKE

When it comes to seclusion, Priest Lake still dominates the polls. And Hill’s Resort, with its comfortable-butrustic cabins and lakeside dining, can makes the ideal getaway for the dreary winter and harried summer months. Hill’s promises to put all of life’s hubbub on pause — if only for a weekend. “Hill’s is easily accessible, family-friendly and not pretentious,” says Spokane stay-athome mom Heidi Meany. “The perfect truly authentic Northwest destination getaway!” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Elkin’s Resort, Priest Lake; 3rd PLACE: Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, Montana

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Recreation BEST OUTDOOR REC SUPPLIES

REI

In a place as outdoor-minded as the Inland Northwest, the competition to be the best Outdoor Rec Supplier can be fierce. There’s a reason REI continues to hold the crown, says Best Of voter Erik Johnson. “REI’s sales staff have often tried or own most of the equipment they sell, and the return policy means that if something doesn’t work out, I can always return it. My wife bought the wrong-sized bike, and we returned it — a year later,” Johnson writes. “I don’t mind making expensive purchases at REI because the sales team’s competence and the return policy’s safety net means I have nothing to worry about.” (DW) 2nd PLACE: Mountain Gear; 3rd PLACE: Cabela’s

BEST BIKE CLUB

FBC

The B stands for Bike. The C stands for Club. We’ll leave you to speculate about what the F stands for. We turned to local art teacher Bernadette Vielbig to analyze what makes the FBC bike club so great. “The FBC is the best bike club because on a full moon night you could be on your porch drinking a glass of wine and suddenly hundreds of cyclists in prom attire ride by ringing their bike bells for you,” Vielbig says. (DW) 2nd PLACE: Spokane Bicycle Club; 3rd PLACE: Baddlands Bicycle Club

BEST BIKE SHOP

WHEELSPORT

When you buy a bike at Wheelsport, it’s not like buying it at a department store. Wheelsport, a Spokane shop since 1972, comes with a lifetime guarantee: Bring in the bike you purchased from the store and get infinite free brake or gear adjustments. On top of that, your first tune-up from a purchased bike is free. “You know, there are shops that focus on one niche or another. Wheelsport tries to cover all the bases,” says Wheelsport South Hill manager Mic Woodruff. “We’re doing the best we can day in and day out to provide the best customer service with what we’ve got.” (DW) 2nd PLACE: 2 Wheel Transit; 3rd PLACE: Bike Hub; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vertical Earth, CdA

Owner Paul Jones, left, and Manager Preston Batson YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Let It Ride Best Skateboard Shop

ike most skate shops, when you walk into Let It Ride, you’ll see decks on the wall and some cool gear. But what makes this shop unique is the upbeat greeting you’ll get, the kind that can only come from people who are stoked to be doing what they’re doing. That’s exactly the case with Paul and Kristie Jones, coowners of the combination snowboard, wakeboard and skateboard shop. Paul Jones worked in skate shops throughout his teens and up until he was 21, when he decided he wanted his own store. In September 2010, 20 years later, his dream came true. It’s the classic story of an underdog starting a business from the ground up. They now have a total of three employees (including the owners) and an intern who happens to have been their first customer. “Small but mighty” is how Jones describes the skate shop. To manage with such a small team, products in the store also appear on their detailed website. The seamless integration of the store’s catalog with online sales allows them to stay on top of their merchandise while selling to a broader populace: “We’re small but give off an

impression of a much bigger operation.” While talking with Jones, it’s easy to see that he’s excited about the sport — it oozes out of him. The same goes for the other employees, and having a store full of people who actually participate in the sport helps in building an experience for the customer. When people buy something “we want them to get the right piece of equipment,” Jones says. “This keeps people in the sport. When you walk out of here, we want you to have the right stuff.” Another interesting thing about Let It Ride is their apparel design contest. Every year they host a contest open to local artists interested in designing a logo for the next season’s clothing. Customers vote via Facebook, creating a loop of feedback from customers back to the store. Jones expresses that “we love art. We love to build and promote.” So the contest works in two ways, keeping them in touch with their customers while providing a unique way to advertise. — ERIC GAVELIN 2nd PLACE: Pistole; 3rd PLACE: Mountain Goat Outfitters; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pyramid, CdA

Near Nature, Near Perfect Best Description of Spokane for People Who Live Far Away and Have Never Been Here

uick, let’s do a word-association exercise — Best Of style. So if we say “Spokane,” you would say… “Amazing.” Or, to grab from the nearly 1,000 different answers offered on this question, “Chill,” “Odd,” “Mellow,” “Podunk” and “OMG.”

But most readers went beyond the one-word answers; some offered slogans that just might work, while others took the opportunity to let off a little anti-Spokane steam — as in, “Don’t bother,” “Spokan’t,” “Time warp.” But we liked it when you at least gave some thought to your

kiss-off, as in “Spokane: Not as stabby as you might have heard,” “Leave It To Beaver neighborhoods with crack houses just down the street,” or “Come for the beauty, but beware the reality.” One not-too-helpful reader just put down “Socks and sandals guy.” Many of you damned us with faint praise — but at least you were funny about it. “Best place you’ve never heard of,” “Chicks dig hicks,” “Gritty with amenities,” “It’s where every Tom Waits song could take place,” and “The kind of place where people clean their guns at Taco Bell while across town people get all crazy if there’s gluten in their tacos.” (I’m pretty sure that last one is, in fact, a Tom Waits song.) A select few were good enough to perhaps one day land on the front of a Boo Radley’s T-shirt: “Yes, we put tartar sauce on our fries,” “Twin Peaks Meets The Wonder Years,” “Spokane: You Can Wear Pajamas Anywhere,” and “Mullets, Marmots ‘n’ Meth” are all strong candidates. I had a few personal favorites that balanced the selfdeprecation with that inbred knowledge that, yeah, it is kind of different here. “It grows on you” kind of sums that feeling up, but so does “You might hate it when you’re here, but you’ll miss it like crazy when you’re gone.” But of course the winner this year is a slogan that’s been with us for years now — Near Nature, Near Perfect. Obviously it’s sticking — but that doesn’t mean our smart-aleck readers didn’t have some fun with it, as in “Near nature near poverty,” “Near nature, kinda sketchy,” “Near nature, near potholes,” and finally, and maybe just quite right, “Spokane: West of nature, East of perfect.” — TED S. McGREGOR JR.

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ylan Benefield doesn’t know exactly how It also means letting on-air personalities be permany listeners tune into KPND, but he knows sonalities, like Glenn LeFay, whose raspy chuckles there are more now than when his parents and love of music enliven the morning spot. Kim and Helen first launched the Sandpoint“We’re an independent station,” says LeFay, based station in 1980. And although he could so that means there’s not only more freedom to subscribe to Arbitron or a similar ratings service, play a wider variety of music — they’re billed as a he’s more interested in the kind of data that comes progressive rock station — but DJs can also respond from being in touch with your listeners, your to listener requests. community. “I love hanging out with listeners,” he “Radio is about relationships,” says says. Benefield, general manager of Blue LeFay and Benefield also like the conSky Broadcasting, which owns KPND nection between the radio station and the along with a handful of other local staNorthwest music scene. The Homegrown tions, including KTPO-The Point and program, says LeFay, features regional wi d ld car KRFY-Panhandle Community Radio. musicians which in turn gets people out to Having won voters’ approval previvenues — as close by as Panida Theater in ously in 2012, Benefield appreciates the Sandpoint or the Knitting Factory in Spokane — recent affirmation, especially when so many media to listen to those same musicians. outlets are struggling or have migrated to prereNo longer limited to Sandpoint, KPND can corded programs: “From our standpoint, live, local be heard — thanks to a series of well-placed signal and community-minded” is essential. boosters over the past 33 years — into eastern That means broadcasting to, actively seeking Montana, pretty far up the Panhandle and across input from and being part of the community, like portions of Eastern Washington. And with live when KPND teams up with local faves like Laughstreaming on the horizon, that’s a lot of love up for ing Dog Brewing for Ski & Board parties or jumps grabs on the airwaves. in to support a local charity. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

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ublic art is at its best when it is interactive. Art museums generally have very strict rules that prohibit one from touching or otherwise despoiling the precious works that inhabit them. Our own Riverfront Park, however, features several pieces that positively encourage physical interaction. The Garbage Goat, the Spirit of Running, the Rotary Fountain and this year’s first-place winner, the Big Red Wagon. Officially titled The Childhood Express (nobody calls it by that name), the wagon almost didn’t happen at all. Faced with a deadline to come up with a design for the $30,000 commission from Spokane’s Junior League, artist Ken Spiering found himself at a loss. “What was in my head was nothing,” says Spiering. “I spent five weeks trying to come up with an idea based around the bronze sculptures I was working in at the time, and I was coming up against a blank wall.” It was an experience watching his then 16-year-old son improvising fun with an old, red

wagon that inspired him. “I was ready to give up and move on,” says Spiering. “Once I had unburdened myself of the expectations, the light bulb came on in my head. I watched him, at 16, figuring out a way to have fun with that wagon and I suddenly realized it was the perfect symbol of childhood.” From there it was simply an exercise in scale. Spiering drew up his plans and submitted them to the Junior League committee. A short while after that, Spiering accompanied the committee to the meadow in the park where the wagon now stands. As they surveyed the site they were treated to a particularly happy accident. “A kid and his mom walked by and he was towing a Radio Flyer wagon,” says Spiering. “It was too perfect. One of the women on the committee turned around and asked, ‘How much did you pay them to do that?’” — JON BROWN 2nd place: The Garbage Goat, 3rd Place: The Spirit of Running; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mudgy the Moose

Best Local Play/Musical of 2012-13

Best Concert of 2012-13

The Spokane Civic Theatre cleaned house in the Best Play category this year, taking first, second and third place. But its rendition of the classic Bing Crosby holiday story White Christmas was the favorite among Inlander readers. South Hill resident Sam Cozza says attending the Civic play has become an annual tradition for him and his wife. “It helps us get into the spirit of the season,” he says. “Since I have watched the Bing Crosby movie version annually since childhood, it is interesting to watch a different interpretation of the story and appreciate some of the nuances in presentation.” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Annie, The Civic; 3rd PLACE: The Producers, The Civic; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Spamalot, CdA Summer Theatre

The Northern Quest lawn was rocking all last summer with classic rock artists like John Fogerty, Ringo Starr and Heart. But it was the epic lineup of Journey, Pat Benatar and Loverboy that won Inlander readers’ hearts last year. West Spokane’s Courtney Crevier says Journey is one of her favorite bands of all time, and so she was eager to hear them sing their classic “Don’t Stop Believin’.” It was her favorite song of the night. “They really put on a great show,” she says, “and one I will never forget!” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Rascal Flatts at Spokane Arena; 3rd PLACE: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at the Knitting Factory

WHITE CHRISTMAS AT THE CIVIC

JOURNEY, PAT BENATAR, LOVERBOY

Best Touring Musical of 2012-13

JERSEY BOYS

For north-side resident Jenny ThreeStars, one of the best parts of Jersey Boys, the story of 1960s rock group The Four Seasons, was watching her mom’s face during the musical. “I grew up with my mom loving the song ‘Sherry’ because that is her name, so it was fun hearing that song being sung and seeing her reaction,” she says. After hearing from friends who’d seen the play on Broadway that Jersey Boys was a “must see,” ThreeStars immediately bought tickets — and was bowled over by what she saw. “You had to keep reminding yourself this was their real life story; that was amazing!” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Rock of Ages; 3rd PLACE: Mary Poppins

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56 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

eah, most people who voted for “Thrift Shop” probably just had the catchy hit song stuck in their heads. But when was the last time any No. 1 hit song had any connection to the Inland Northwest? And there are other reasons it’s a good fit — voter Marya Hammer says “Thrift Shop” is like a triple whammy: “Whammy one: Seattle may have a Starbucks on every corner, but we’ve got a thrift shop on every block. Whammy two: Local boy Ryan Lewis making it big with what could be considered an ode to his hometown definitely makes this an Inland Northwest theme song contender. Whammy three: Man, that song is catchy.” Other anthem votes went to a whole slew of different songs with more specific connections to the Inland Northwest, some with personal connections — Sammy Eubanks’ “Dancing Like a White Guy,” Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” Terrible Buttons’ “Weed and Whiskey” — and some with more lyrical

connections, like Tom T. Hall’s 1973 “Spokane Motel Blues” and “Coeur d’Alene” by The Head and The Heart. There’s still a lot of love out there for Nirvana, and Journey. (And one very enthusiastic vote for Chumbawumba’s “Tubthumping,” better known as “I Get Knocked Down.”) The votes for “Louie, Louie” show that some folks haven’t forgotten the actual Washington state legislature proposal in the ’80s to make it the state’s official song. (The state stuck officially with “Washington, My Home,” which is admittedly way less catchy.) Ties to the Inland Northwest are a little weak, but do yourself a favor and look up the groundbreaking 1961 “Louie, Louie” recording from The Fabulous Wailers of Tacoma. “Thrift Shop” can hope it sounds so good in half a century. — LISA WAANANEN 2nd PLACE: “Louie, Louie;” 3rd PLACE: Sammy Eubanks’ “Dancing Like a White Guy”

THANK YOU, SPOKANE. You really are the best.

RIVERFRONT PARK

New York City has Central Park. Portland’s got Waterfront Park. And Spokane has the spacious, centrally located Riverfront Park. “You don’t have to have kids to know the park is special — all you have to do is visit and you know!” says Peggy Masella from Liberty Lake. “Kids love it, adults love it.” She points to everything from the giant Red Wagon to the historic carousel “and, of course the wonderful garbage-eating goat! [It is] all so unique, but so is Spokane!” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Mobius; 3rd PLACE: Manito Park (HOF); NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Lake Coeur d’Alene City Park

Best Kids Event/ Festival

FIRST NIGHT SPOKANE

Helping Spokane ring in the New Year since 2001, First Night Spokane — the massive extravaganza that takes over downtown — holds a special place in the heart of Inlander readers. Voter Clayton Colliton says he attended the event for the first time this year, and it made him proud to live

in Spokane. “I saw another example of why Spokane is so special: its commitment to community events that are family-focused and friendly,” he says. “I have traveled all over the United States and have visited many communities our size or bigger that in no way have the community spirit alive and well in Spokane.” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Valleyfest; 3rd PLACE: Kids Day at Riverfront Park

Best Charity Event

COACHES VS. CANCER SPOKANE

Since 2002, Gonzaga hoops coach Mark Few and his wife Marcy have raised more than $6 million for the American Cancer Society. It’s no small task — and that’s certainly recognized by Inlander readers. Reader Susan Havey, a cancer survivor, says “the response of the Spokane community to this charity is indicative of the quality of life and caring support from Spokane citizens.” Myles Bane also voted for CvC — and that’s because it raises money for children who need it most. “It’s nice to see people in the limelight, like Mark, taking the time to help worthy causes,” he says. (LS) 2nd PLACE: Komen Race for the Cure; 3rd PLACE: Ronald McDonald House Polo Classic

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Best Outdoor Music Festival

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Best Arts Festival

ARTFEST

Wandermere resident Jocelyn Whitfield-Babcock says the annual ArtFest has become a three-generation tradition for her family. “My grandmother is an artist, and she took me to the very first ArtFest, must be over 30 years now, and it poured down rain,” she says. Each year since, though, she says they’ve perused paintings and had their faces painted on bright, early summer sunny days. It’s a time she looks forward to: catching up with old friends, watching her children discover art. She says her grandmother hasn’t felt up to attending the past two years, and that “it is just not the same without her.” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Art on the Green; 3rd PLACE: Terrain

Every summer, Browne’s Addition becomes even cooler. And that’s because of Elkfest — the weekendlong festival that has people literally dancing in the streets. Samara Hanks, who lives on the South Hill, says she’s made Elkfest a summer staple for the past three years. “You get the chance to hear some really great bands right here in Spokane,” she says. Last year was her favorite Elkfest: the best lineup she’d heard and the one when she discovered the beauty of popping into Italia Trattoria for huckleberry lemonade between sets. (LS) 2nd PLACE: Pig Out in the Park; 3rd PLACE: Sasquatch Festival; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Festival at Sandpoint

Best Radio Station

Best Arts Organization

It’s not the first time 92.9 FM has won this category, and it probably won’t be the last. KZZU’s mix of pop tracks and modern dance hits are a win with Inlander readers because there’s a little something for everyone. But Tricia Cheevers, one reader who voted for ZZU, says it’s the morning program with Dave, Ken and Molly that makes her tune in on her way to work. She says it cheers her up first thing in the morning, every day: “It’s a party in the car every morning!” (LS) 2nd PLACE: KYRS-FM; 3rd PLACE: Coyote Country 99.9; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: KPND (See p. 53.)

In the past year, the MAC has exhibited everything from the art of impressionists to a hands-on exhibition devoted to soil. And that’s what makes reader Jovanka McKee, who lives in the South Perry district, love the Browne’s Addition museum so much. “It really is set up with something for everyone,” she says. McKee points to the current SPOMa and David Douglas exhibits: “Two totally different exhibits in one neat little local package.” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Spokane Symphony; 3rd PLACE: Terrain; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance

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Terrible Buttons Best Local Band, Originals

pokane’s Terrible Buttons have been around for about three years now, playing locally and touring, and they recently wrapped up tracking on their new full-length studio album, Runt, which comes out later this year. Coordinating the activities of a seven-piece band is no easy feat, and all that toil has propelled Terrible Buttons into the top spot after being last year’s runner-up. “We were all pretty excited to win this year,” says Kent Euland, one of the band’s founding

members and principal vocalists. “We came in second to Sammy Eubanks last year, and we couldn’t really argue because he’s so incredible.” Supplanting a local legend like Eubanks takes commitment, and Terrible Buttons mean business when it comes to their craft. Not content with being a strictly local entity, this is a band with some ambition, and they hope to take the next step as a national act with their new record. “We definitely want more than just playing Mootsy’s once a month,” says Euland. “Spokane

is home, and it’s a great base, but we want to travel and make a bigger impact than just here.” That starts with the soft release of Runt that will coincide with a three-week tour of Alaska, something the band did last year that translated into a unique success for them. They’re now booked by the Monolith Agency, an Anchorage-based boutique booking agency that was featured in October’s issue of Spin magazine. “The people in Alaska are just amazing,” says Euland. “The guarantees are great and the shows are always packed. Everyone up there has just been super supportive and it’s really beautiful.” Terrible Buttons haven’t crossed the Mississippi River, but the band is thinking big and plans are in the works for a national tour in July and August. “We are relieved the record is on its way to being done and now we’re just going to lay low for a bit,” says Euland. “No club shows until the album is officially released. After that, who knows?” — JON BROWN 2nd PLACE: Sammy Eubanks; 3rd PLACE: The Camaros

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People aren’t just Dave, Ken and Molly listeners — they’re devotees. Johnny Quinn, one voter and DKM fan, says he’s 30 now, and has been tuning in to hear Dave, Ken and Molly since grade school. “I wake up to them everyday and listen while I get ready in the morning and on my commute to work,” he says. “They are a hilarious group of people and I couldn’t imagine doing my mornings without them.” Jennifer Smith says her mornings are also spent laughing along with the radio team. “I’ve never met them in ‘real life’ but I feel like they are my friends.” (LS) 2nd PLACE: Jay and Kevin, Coyote Country; 3rd PLACE: Radio Men, KKZX;

Best Local Band, Mostly Covers

THE CRONKITES

The Cronkites have been rocking the Spokane area with their covers of bands like the Doobie Brothers, Pat Benatar and Huey Lewis since 1995 — and that’s won them more than just a few casual fans. Like Georgianne Poteet: She’s from southern Louisiana, and she wrote us to tell us she had the band down to Louisiana to play a party she throws for Mardi Gras. “I love everything they do! And I love all four band members,” she says. “They are talented, funny, entertaining, and all-around nice guys!” Poteet says she already has a trip planned back to Spokane to catch them again in July. (LS) 2nd PLACE: The Rub; 3rd PLACE: Cruxie

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60 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

FLAVORS ve r of Self-Se

Frozen Yogurt

Black Happy, circa 1994

Where Are They Now? Best Band

rying to keep track of bands in Spokane is a little like herding cats. Bands split, grow side projects, take on new members and new names — but over the 20 years we’ve been hosting our readers poll, Inlander readers seem to have an acute sense for picking acts who are in it for the long run. Looking down the list of bands who’ve taken the Best Band title, there are a lot who are still rocking in the Spokane area just as hard as they were years ago: Kelly Hughes Band, Civilized Animal, Jim Boyd, Sammy Eubanks and 6 Foot Swing. Others have moved on: 10 Minutes Down fizzled out, Mon Cheri split, bluesman Paul Brasch supposedly became a cop. But a couple of these acts have moved on from Spokane to make giant music careers — like Tim Langford, the force behind Too Slim and the Taildraggers, who won Best Band in 1998, 2001 and 2004. Langford and his band left Spokane a decade ago, and have put out three fulllength albums. “My last three albums all charted in the Top 10 in the Billboard top blues album charts,” he says over the phone. “I’ve charted about 21 times in the Top 10 with my last three albums.” And he also found himself alongside blues giants like George Thorogood when the Taildraggers’ album Shiver was nominated for a

1994: Rock: Black Happy 1995: Acoustic Musician: Paul Brasch 1996: Rock: Shoveljerk 1997: Kelly Hughes Band 1998: Too Slim and the Taildraggers 1999: Band Name: The Carcinogens

BMA Award last year — a competition that’s like the Grammys for blues artists. Langford recently moved to Nashville “for love.” Strangely, he’s not the only ex-Best Band winner who’s moved to Nashville. Kaylee Cole, a singer/songwriter who took Best Singer/Songwriter in 2008, says she also recently moved to Music City — also for love. Since her win, Cole’s career has skyrocketed. She’s played at Sasquatch! twice with the Seattle Rock Orchestra, sang backup vocals on Pickwick’s new album, collaborated with The Head and the Heart and the Portland Cello Project (among many other indie bands) and continues to write and record with TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek. Cole says that she would never have the career she would today without Spokane. “So many people think Spokane is my hometown: it’s not (the Skagit Valley is), but I really believe the musician part of me was born here,” she says. “I would not be the performer or person I am today if it wasn’t for my time in Spokane. “The intense amount of love and support I got in those early days in Spokane gave me the courage to commit myself to music,” she continues. “And for that I am eternally grateful.” — LEAH SOTTILE

P a s t Wi nners

2000: Civilized Animal 2001: Too Slim 2002: 10 Minutes Down 2003: Kidd Sister 2004: Too Slim 2005: 10 Minutes Down 2006: Singer/Songwriter: Jim Boyd

Band: Coretta Scott 2007: Musician: Sammy Eubanks 2008-09: Singer/Songwriter: Kaylee Cole 2008-10: Band: 6’ Swing 2011: Mon Cheri 2012: Sammy Eubanks, 6’ Swing

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R e a c h T h e Wi n n e r s BEST LOCAL COFFEE shop BEST COFFEE ROASTER Thomas Hammer HQ: 210 W. Pacific • 535-4806 Northtown Mall • 487-1720 Spokane Valley Mall • 926-5055 601 W. Main Ave. • 624-4521 Sacred Heart • 474-4809 GU Jepson Center • 313-3608 EWU Pence Union • 235-4014 3904 E. Mullan Ave. (Post Falls) • 208-457-9531 8160 N. Cornerstone (Hayden) • 208-772-9597 400 E. Main St. (Pullman) • 509-334-2326

FOOD and DRINK BEST FINE DINING Clinkerdagger 621 W. Mallon Ave. • 328-5965

BEST THAI FOOD Thai Bamboo 5406 N. Division St. • 777-8424 2926 E. 29th Ave. • 232-8424 12722 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 444-8424 2010 N. Fourth St., CdA • 208-667-5300 BEST SEAFOOD Anthony’s at Spokane Falls 510 N. Lincoln St. • 328-9009 BEST STEAKS Churchill’s Steakhouse 165 S. Post St. • 535-8972 BEST WINE LIST BEST APPETIZERS BEST BAR MENU BEST COCKTAILS Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar 808 W. Main Ave. • 232-3376 401 E. Farwell Rd. • 465-8794 4320 S. Regal St. • 443-8000 9820 N. Nevada St. • 468-9822 14728 E. Indiana Ave. • 290-5636 BEST FROZEN YOGURT Froyo Earth 172 S. Division St. • 455-8000 12519 N. Division St. • 315-4910 325 S. Sullivan Rd. • 368-9618 829 E. Boone Ave. • 315-5034 BEST BAKERY Rocket Bakery 1325 W. First Ave. • 747-1834 903 W. Garland Ave. • 325-8909 157 S. Howard St. • 838-3887 319 W. Hastings Rd. • 466-1500 1301 W. 14th Ave. • 456-3534 3315 N. Argonne Rd. • 462-2345 726 E. 43rd Ave. • 343-2253

BEST LOCAL DRIVE-THRU ESPRESSO Dutch Bros. Coffee 402 W. Second Ave. • 747-6322 1306 N. Division St. • 326-0115 1010 W. Francis Ave. • 327-7711 402 S. Freya St. • 863-9707 8701 N. Division St. • 868-0288 118 W. Hanley Ave., CdA 1680 Northwest Blvd., CdA BEST SUSHI Sushi.com 430 W. Main Ave. • 838-0630 BEST ASIAN FOOD Gordy’s Sichuan Cafe 501 E. 30th Ave. • 747-1170 BEST MEXICAN FOOD Azteca 245 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • 456-0350 9738 N. Newport Hwy. • 465-9101 Spokane Valley Mall • 228-9661 2462 N. Old Mill Loop, CdA • 208-676-0200 BEST ITALIAN Tomato Street 6220 N. Division St. • 484-4500 221 W. Appleway Ave., CdA • 208-667-5000 BEST BREAKFAST Frank’s Diner 1516 W. Second Ave. • 747-8798 10929 N. Newport Hwy • 465-2464 BEST SANDWICHES Domini’s 703 W. Sprague Ave. • 747-2324 BEST PIZZA Pizza Rita 502 W. Indiana Ave. • 325-3284 5511 N. Wall St. • 323-2300 201 N. Pines Rd. • 926-2932 STA Plaza • 838-5100

Also online at inlander.com/bestof2013 62 INLANDER BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013

BEST BURGERS BEST KID-FRIENDLY Red Robin 725 W. Main Ave. • 838-5260 9904 N. Newport Hwy • 467-3382 14736 E. Indiana Ave. • 921-1634 1501 W. Riverstone Dr., CdA • 208-765-2421 BEST HOT WINGS Flamin’ Joe’s 7015 N. Division St. • 465-5052 2620 E. 29th Ave. • 241-3843 11618 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 922-5052 BEST BURRITOS Neato Burrito 827 W. First Ave. • 847-1234 BEST LOCAL WINERY Arbor Crest Cliff House Estate, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd. • 927-9463 River Park Square, Third Floor • 747-3903 BEST LOCAL BREWERY No-Li Brewing Company 1003 E. Trent Ave. • 242-2739 BEST NEW RESTAURANT Casper Fry 928 S. Perry St. • 535-0536 BEST CHEAP EATS Dick’s Hamburgers 10 E. Third Ave. • 747-2481 BEST CUPCAKES Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop 15 S. Washington St. • 242-3845 BEST DONUTS Donut Parade 2152 N. Hamilton St. • 487-9003 BEST GLUTEN-FREE MENU Boots Bakery & Lounge 24 W. Main Ave. • 703-7223 BEST OUTDOOR DINING The Elk Public House 1931 W. Pacific Ave. • 363-1973 BEST TAKEOUT The Red Dragon 1406 W. Third Ave. • 838-6688 3011 E. Diamond Ave. • 483-6700 Valley (delivery only) • 459-6929

RECREATION

BEST PLACE TO SKI BEST PLACE TO SNOWBOARD Mt. Spokane 29500 N. Mount Spokane Park Dr. • 238-2220 BEST SNOWBOARD SHOP Spokane Alpine Haus 2925 S. Regal St. • 534-4554

BEST OUTDOOR REC SUPPLIES REI 1125 N. Monroe St. • 328-9900 BEST BIKE SHOP Wheel Sport 1711 N. Division St. • 326-3977 2820 E. 29th Ave. • 747-4187 606 N. Sullivan Rd. • 921-7729 BEST BIKE CLUB The FBC fbcspokane.blogspot.com BEST HEALTH CLUB YMCA 930 N. Monroe St. • 720-5630 10727 N. Newport Hwy • 777-9622 2421 N. Discovery Place • 777-9622 BEST PLAYGROUND Manito Park 1702 S. Grand Blvd. • 625-6200 BEST SECLUDED REGIONAL RESORT Hill’s Resort 4777 W. Lakeshore Rd., Priest Lake • 208-443-2551 BEST SKATEBOARD SHOP Let It Ride 426 E. Hastings Rd. • 315-4618

SHOPPING

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE Swank Boutique 4727 N. Division St • 468-1839 BEST VINTAGE BOUTIQUE Finders Keepers 309 W. Second Ave. • 838-4590 18 W. Main Ave. • 624-1251 BEST PET GROOMER Julia’s Jungle 12619 W. Sprague • 922-6197 BEST FURNITURE Walker’s 15 E. Boone Ave. • 326-1600 2611 N. Woodruff Rd. • 535-1995 14214 E. Sprague • 928-2485 7224 N. Government Way, CdA • 208-762-7200 BEST GIFTS Boo Radley’s 232 N. Howard St. • 456-7479 BEST BANK Washington Trust Bank 717 W. Sprague Ave. • 353-4202 (multiple Inland NW locations) BEST CREDIT UNION STCU 707 W. Main Ave. • 326-1954 (multiple Inland NW locations)

BEST SPA La Rive at Northern Quest 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 481-6108 BEST HOTEL Davenport Hotel & Tower 10 S. Post St. • 899-1482 BEST PLACE TO BUY A KID’S BIRTHDAY GIFT Whiz Kids River Park Square • 456-8697 BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP Appleway Spokane Valley • 590-4294 BEST HAIR SALON Oasis Hair 829 E. Indiana Ave. • 216-2747 2909 S. Southeast Blvd. • 536-1735 13127 E. Sprague • 927-8400 9227 E. Montgomery • 928-0335 BEST BOOKSTORE Auntie’s Bookstore 402 W. Main Ave. • 838-0206 River Park Square • 456-4775

BEST BARBER SHOP Weldon Barber 2021 E. 29th Ave. • 456-8998 6320 N. Ash St. • 456-8992 9119 E. Broadway • 456-8001 BEST MEN’S CLOTHES Nordstrom 838 W. Main Ave. • 455-6111 BEST BAILBONDS Bulldog Bail Bonds • 150 S. Maple St. • 838-3733

NIGHTLIFE

BEST MOVIE THEATER AMC 20 River Park Square 800 W. Main • 888-262-4386 BEST CASINO Northern Quest Resort & Casino Airway Heights • 242-7000 BEST BOWLING CENTER Hugo’s on the Hill 3023 E. 28th Ave. • 535-2961 BEST WINE BAR LeftBank Wine Bar 108 N. Washington St. • 315-8623

BEST JEWELRY Jewelry Design Center 821 N. Division St. • 487-5905

BEST SPORTS BAR (tie) The Swinging Doors 1018 W. Francis Ave. • 326-6794

BEST FLORIST Just Roses Plus 2010 N. Ruby St. • 326-7673 1119 N. Pines Rd. • 921-7673

The Q at Northern Quest 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 242-7000

BEST ORGANIC/NATURAL FOODS Huckleberry’s 926 S. Monroe St. • 624-1349 BEST MALL NorthTown Mall 4750 N. Division St. • 482-0209 BEST NEW BUSINESS Method Juice Cafe 718 W. Riverside Ave. • 473-9579 BEST GREEN BUSINESS Sun People Dry Goods Co. 32 W. Second Ave. • 368-9378

BEST HAPPY HOUR Zola 22 W. Main Ave. • 624-2416 BEST ALL-AGES MUSIC VENUE BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE Knitting Factory 919 W. Sprague Ave. • 244-3279 BEST DANCE CLUB The MarQuee Lounge 522 W. Riverside Ave. • 838-3332 BEST BEER BAR Manito Tap House 3011 S. Grand Blvd. • 279-2671 BEST NEW NIGHTSPOT The Roadhouse 20 N. Raymond Rd., Spokane Valley • 413-1894

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BEST OF THE INLAND NW 2013 NLANDER 63

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VIDEOGAME ALIENS V

ideogames based on movie franchises rarely stand out as shining gems, but I decided to give Aliens: Colonial Marines a try because I was feeling exactly $37.79 too rich and had a few hours of my life to needlessly massacre on the altar of gaming. What I found on that altar, though, was little more than a shiny homage to the Alien series. When I broke the plastic seal on the game, I felt thousands bow at the feet of Ridley Scott in reverence for his extraterrestrial empire. I felt Sigourney Weaver’s confidence wash over me as I pressed start. But the game presented itself like a two-hour-old, lukewarm vanilla latte instead of Michelangelo’s David of gaming. This “scary” shooter plays like the illegitimate child of Call of Duty and Halo with a nice Alien-themed skin plastered on top. In order for this game to be anything special, it needed to present me with something new. Instead, I experienced a

whole bunch of stuff I’ve already seen, this time Alien-style. Did I have fun? Well… yes. But that’s because I adore Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator and Prometheus more than life itself. I had a blast because I was able to set aside my picky gamer standards for the sake of actually being in the Alien world for a bit. I allowed myself to get wrapped up in something that might not be the best — like when you want a chocolate milkshake, but get vanilla instead, and just try to enjoy it. Unfortunately, everyone seems to hate this game. More prevalent than game play-bashing, though, is the incensed screaming of butt-hurt fanboys over story consistency errors and faithfulness to the tenants of the Alien franchise. “Why do the ships have this?” “Why are the guns like that?” “The anatomy of the alien species technically would not allow that range of motion or that style of crawling.” Overall, though, I say shut up and enjoy it. If you’re playing Aliens: Colonial Marines, you’re certainly not playing it for the stunning graphics. You’re playing it because you’re a nerd, you collect Alien figurines in their original packaging, and you always wished that you were born in the Alien world instead of our crappy one. — SARAH MUNDS Available on PS3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows

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Beatles Tribute Band | April 5, 2013 | 6:30pm Book | Emma Donoghue’s previous critically acclaimed novel Room took place almost entirely within the four walls of a shed where a woman and her young son are held captive. This time, in ASTRAY, characters cross oceans and continents, leaving friends and sometimes finding reunions. Each chapter is a brief portrait based on real people and events — footnotes in history — and at times the concept feels like a tired assignment from a writers’ workshop. But with Donoghue’s sure and versatile prose, the haunting bites of historical fiction become a satisfying meal.

TV | What with DVDs and the Internet, I can’t remember the last time I watched a show while it was actually on the air, so I’m indebted to Inlander television expert Daniel Walters for tipping me off to BOB’S BURGERS. Each episode about a family-run burger restaurant is consistently hilarious and zany — recent plots involve a talking toilet lost in the woods and revenge in the form of a middle school science fair project about Thomas Edison. But what keeps Bob’s Burgers from being another Family Guy or King of the Hill is its sweetness — it’s funny without being abrasive, and the characters’ frequent mishaps are never mean-spirited.

FONT | You know Wingdings, the font that’s little symbols instead of the alphabet? Imagine Wingdings for the 50 states, and that’s STATEFACE, a font created by journalism organization ProPublica. It got lots of buzz among web designers and news nerds last fall when election coverage required lots of state-bystate results, and last week it won a Malofiej award, which is kind of like the international Pulitzers for news graphics. It’s available for free for anyone to download and use like any other font on your computer.

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MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 33

Backyard Pantry

Coeur d’Alene Casino Head Chef Adam Hegsted. don hamilton photo

Prepare to eat moose, nettles and pine needles at Coeur d’Alene Casino By Annemarie C. Frohnhoefer

n a few ways, Worley, Idaho is a little like Las Vegas, Nevada. Both are in the middle of nowhere and have had to establish themselves as destination resorts — using fine dining and other amenities to attract nongambling guests and families. The differences are fairly obvious. Las Vegas is a symbol for all that is decadent, superficial and transitory. Worley is … well, Worley. In 1993, the same year that Las Vegans lined The Strip to watch the Dunes implode, the Coeur d’Alene tribe opened a 30,000-square-foot, steel-structure bingo hall in the middle of a wheat field along South Nukwalqw Road in Worley. There were no lavish buffets. No chocolate fountains. Guests were served sandwiches and chili. Five years later, bingo games were accompanied by

34 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

a sports book that featured, among other events, horse and mule racing. Guests began to stay longer and get hungrier, prompting the tribe to hire food and beverage director Kent Gomer, who started a sit-down dining establishment that was quickly abandoned for the more cost-effective buffet-style dining. Food choices were limited. Cooks only had access to hard water, with propane tanks serving as the lone fuel for stoves and burners. A deli was added and gamblers consumed sandwiches, hot dogs and other quick snacks. In 2003, the state of Idaho capped the number of machines at 1,800 (still the number of machines on the premises today) and Coeur d’Alene Casino management had to get creative and adaptable.

Casino CEO David Matheson is said to joke that real estate agents like to emphasize location, location, location. He pauses for the punch line: we don’t have one. So they made one. After seven extensions, including the Circling Raven Golf Course and the new 98-room Spa Towers, employees joke that the wheat field on South Nukwalqw Road has become the world’s most hospitable construction site. The site may seem to be in the middle of nowhere, but a closer look at old maps, trails and oral histories reveal that the Schitsu’umsh (now known as the Coeur d’Alene) homeland extended for 5 million acres across the Idaho panhandle, east into Montana and west into Washington. The French gave the Schitsu’umsh the

nickname Coeur d’Alene, meaning “heart of the awl,” due to their shrewd trading skills. Their lands held abundant foodstuffs and resources suited for healthy trade. Much has changed since then. The land has been whittled to 345,000 acres, but the resources and heart for trade remain. The evidence of this can be found on any of the plates on any of the tables at any of the Coeur d’Alene Casino’s six dining establishments. And not just on the plates, but in the glasses too. Spokane’s Arbor Crest winery developed a signature red wine for the casino’s Chinook Steak, Pasta and Spirits restaurant. Sandpoint’s Laughing Dog Brewery created Uprooted Amber, a slightly hoppy full-textured brew, for the casino’s Red Tail Bar & Grill. At the Red Tail, servers prepare huckleberry soda at your table, mixing the fizzing soda water with fresh syrup. And thick, crisp chunks of warm fry bread are available for slathering with honey and butter. The Chinook serves elk stew — the main ingredient arriving from Montana, and slow-braised with root vegetables and herbs.

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Sous Chef Molly Patrick prepares tableside ice cream. don hamilton photo Other locally sourced dishes include Idaho trout served with Washington apples and pine nut butter — a sweet and savory entrée, and one that can only be found fresh in the panhandle. Adam Hegsted, who became executive chef of the Coeur d’Alene Casino in 2008, says he “didn’t have set parameters or vision of what casino food should be,” but he knew the intent was to create a world-class destination. He gathers the ingredients for that destination on-site, frequently foraging the area for nettles, pine, mushrooms and other native flora which find their way into dishes that surprise the tongue. The nettle olive oil, made from blanched and crushed nettles and parsley, is brighter than any pesto sauce and smells like a springtime field. When combined with wild mushroom ravioli it is difficult to imagine why anyone would settle for pesto’s more sedate tones. The problematic propane tanks have been replaced with wood ovens fueled by either mesquite charcoal or dry applewood. Applewood grilled clams are served with a spray of pine needles, brown butter vinaigrette and pinot gris butter. If you look at a map of Las Vegas you’ll notice that the center of town is the airport. Practically everything is imported. Fish, vegetables, meat, even the diners themselves, are all flown in and flown out. Hegsted’s goal, aside from creating a world-class destination, is to create a menu that, he says, “keeps food honest.” And that honest food is local food. n

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FOOD | Rotisserie

Southern and Stuffed Mama Doree’s serves up big portions and a helping hand By Jo Miller

e’s chained to a white fence, pinkskinned and wearing only black boxer shorts. When you walk past him to go into Mama Doree’s Rotisserie, he’ll give you a fair lookin’ at with his extraterrestrial bugged-out eyes and pursed lips. He’s there to remind everyone that “they come from everywhere to eat at Mama’s.” His name is Axiom the Alien. “He came from far, far away,” says owner Ralph Hunter, a forever-grinning man who can fling jokes faster than frog legs leap out of a steaming pot. (Sorry, they don’t serve frog legs at this Southern-style joint.) Hunter used to work as a technical writer for a company that makes electronic equipment enclosures. He also has two fiction books on Amazon, writes songs and draws. But when he turned 62, he says he realized he was too old to be hired anywhere. “I’m a workaholic. What am I supposed to do? Go into retirement or something? I’m not dead yet,” he says. So he opened a restaurant and named it Mama Doree’s after a character from a story he wrote and read his children when they were little. Mama Doree took in an orphan boy in Louisiana and always smelled of butter and cinnamon. Hunter says he is trying to represent the whole South on the menu. Entrees such as rotisserie chicken and ham, meat loaf, and stuffed bell peppers are combined with hot and cold sides such as baked beans, fried okra, macaroni salad and cabbage slaw. You can get a plate with an entrée, two sides, bread, dessert and a drink for $11. But Hunter is not just serving the food his grandmother and great-grandmother used to cook in Tennessee; he’s also in the business of giving people a chance. He wanted to create a place where people could work, and where it would be the last job they have to look for. “We’re trying to make a difference and doing the best we can,” he says.

Beef pot pie and peach cobbler are two favorites at Mama Doree’s on Sprague Avenue. James Nisbet photo Hunter makes it a point to hire veterans, people with special needs, older folks like him, and the ones who just plain can’t find a job. George Hawkins, a veteran, says Hunter didn’t waste any time hiring him. “He has a good dream. He’s not like most business people. He’s a real person’s person,” Hawkins says. Hunter is also willing to help you burn off the extra calories after eating one of his enormous pot pies or something from the overflowing dessert menu. “One guy said he can’t eat too many carbs, so I offered to chase him down the street to work it off,” Hunter says, smirking. n Mama Doree’s Rotisserie • 14720 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • Open Tue-Sat, 11 am-8 pm; Sun, 11 am-4 pm • mamadorees.com • 850-3993

FOOD | RESTAURANTS

Open and Shut Recent comings and goings of Spokane eateries By Jo Miller

ver the past few months the soup-andsandwich crowd lost a spot to chow down, while pizza lovers lost a couple. But thankfully, both have gained a few options, too.

OPENING

Four Sal’s Bistro: After Revive Coffee shut its doors in December, a new eatery moved into the spot on Nevada Street, just north of Lyons Avenue. Four Sal’s shifted the coffee-shop feel to a homey bistro theme, serving an array of sandwiches, salads, house-made pastries and breakfast eats. Fire Artisan Pizza: The wood-fired pizza restaurant in Coeur d’Alene brought a location to Spokane. Fire Artisan, located on Sprague Avenue across from the Davenport Hotel, has a fairly imaginative menu with items such as a Thai pizza and the off-the-menu Honey Badger topped with chili flakes, salami and honey. Rosa’s Pizza: This takeout and delivery pizza place from Cheney and Airway Heights will open its first Spokane location this week. Rosa’s, on North Division Street just south of Garland Av-

enue, is known for its cheese bread, which comes in five varieties.

CLOSING

Pizza Oven: The Gonzaga neighborhood lost a place to fill up on pizza and beer as Pizza Oven closed its doors a couple weeks ago after less than a year of business. Owner Matt Rai expressed frustration about having to close due to a conflict with the building’s contractor. The original Pizza Oven location in the River Park Square food court will remain open. Bennidito’s Pizza: The pizza-and-more place on Indian Trail Road closed at the end of January, but with the intention of relocating. Owner Chris Bennett says the lease was up, so instead of renewing it he is looking to reopen closer to midtown. Meanwhile, the Bennidito’s location on the South Hill is still open and running. Metro Cafe: Downtown lost a lunch option at the end of February. The cafe in the skywalk on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Stevens Street had been serving breakfast and lunch to Spokanites for more than 20 years. n

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FOOD | UPDATE

The Menu is the Inland Northwest’s guide for where to eat, drink and celebrate! Featuring some of the best Inland Northwest restaurant menus, organized by cuisine & neighborhood to help you plan your next meal out.

on stands

April 23

Rusty Moose’s Signature Burger

RUSTY MOOSE

photo courtesy of rusty moose

9105 W. Highway 2 747-5579

t’s the Rusty Moose’s five-year anniversary, and to celebrate they’ve opened a swank log cabin lounge, complete with giant wood fireplace. The lounge specializes in exotic alcohol, with high-end scotches and whiskeys. Jesse Witkoe, vice president and general manager, gives the lounge’s staff top marks: “Our mixologists are friendly and educated on the differences between fine whiskeys.”

Along with booze, the Rusty Moose offers a wide selection — dishes like blackened wild salmon and specialty steaks. Their Black Magic 16 oz. ribeye is flamebroiled and served with a gorgonzola cream sauce. Rusty Moose also serve up a huge country-fried steak, joyously seasoned with bacon. — ERIC GAVELIN

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FOOD | sampler

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CAFE CHAIRS COFFEE 113 W. Indiana Ave. | 340-8787 Owners Chris Nichols and Mitch Moczulski have built Chairs into an all-around social spot, combining food, drinks and events, like openmic nights on Mondays and live music on Tuesdays, both hosted by Spokane singer/songwriters. Come in for a coffee date — the cozy mismatched chairs welcome you — or play one of the many board games laying around. Located in the former Coffee Social spot, Chairs offers a full menu of sandwiches and serves Roast House coffee, including French press and white coffee.

GREEN FROG CAFE 100 E. Main St., Palouse | 878-1490 The Green Frog Cafe’s tagline is “It’s All Good.” Seems to be the case. This cafe is all about sustainability and community involvement. Co-owners Tiana Gregg and Paula Echanove use regional barley, lentils and hummus as staples, and support community art and music. Every Thursday they have live music and Friday is openmic night. The menu is straightforward: All salads $7. All sandwiches $6.75, made with bread from Wheatberries Bake Shop in Moscow. And now they’re offering mini-pizzas for $8. It really is all good.

REVEL 77 3223 E. 57th Ave. | 280-0518 It’s new, it’s cool and it’s on the South Hill. Revel 77 serves coffee from roasters DOMA, Victrola and Water Avenue, with a homemade syrup like cardamom orange or vanilla ginger, if you wish. Enjoy simple, good quality, no-nonsense coffee in an artistic atmosphere.

MAIN MARKET CO-OP 44 W. Main Ave. | 458-2667 If you don’t want to cook dinner or if you need a new quick lunch place, Main Market’s deli counter offers local, organic products already prepared. At lunch, they make sandwiches and pressed sammies to order, and all day long, they offer vegetable salads, daily soups, meats,

side dishes, and amazing vegan and gluten-free cakes. And they brew coffee from local roasters — a good sidekick to a fresh pastry (or two). TASTE CAFE 180 S. Howard St. | 468-2929 Sweet, savory or both? With the multitude of options Taste Cafe offers, it’s difficult not to order the lot. Taste slam-dunks comfort food with their grilled sandwiches, mac ’n’ cheese, pot pies and fresh-from-theoven cookies, oozing with chocolate. Pair with a cup of red pepper gouda soup or a cup of coffee from DOMA Roasters. The salad sampler lets you try three different salads from the case — consider the chicken tabbouleh, caprese pasta salad or about a dozen more. n

restaurant finder

Easter Brunch 10:00am - 3:00pm

Fresh Omelette Station, Baron of Beef, Glazed Baked Ham, Smoked Salmon and lots more! Adults $21.95 Senior (55 yrs+) $17.95 Under 12 $10.95 Under 5 FREE Special Easter Dinner Menu available after 4:30pm

Looking for a new place to eat? Visit Inlander.com/places to search the region’s most comprehensive bar and restaurant guide.

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MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 39

Now throw your hands in the air, and wave ’em like you just don’t care.

A Better Way to Die Hard

suspense beyond the action at key moments, particularly when Banning attempts to smuggle the President’s young son (Finley Jacobsen) to safety. This is how action movies become more than just cascades of bullets and showy explosions: pacing, editing and a sense of something being at stake. Of course, this one does have Gerard Butler as its central figure which is … a problem. I’m on record as not remotely getting why Butler continues to happen, whether as a romantic lead or an action hero, though admittedly he’s less vexing as the latter than the former. The physicality he brings to Olympus Has Fallen certainly makes Olympus Has Fallen grasps all of the major components him a threat to the villains, but it also makes him seem that make a Die Hard-type thriller appealing. Contained like less of an everyday guy working his way through an space? You got it — and it certainly makes things more extraordinary situation — the key factor in Bruce Willis’ interesting that the space is iconic. Hopelessly outperformance as McClane that bumped the original Die manned protagonist, slowly evening the odds through Hard into the category of modern classic. a combination of brute force and good to the point, Butler continues to old-fashioned American ingenuity? Well, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN More be about as uninteresting a leading man maybe the balance is considerably shifted Rated R as we have in mainstream cinema, a guy here toward the “brute force” part of Directed by Antoine Fuqua who often seems to be thinking so hard that equation, but sure. A suitably nasty Starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, about the accent he’s trying to pull off villain with a clearly defined objective? Rick Yune that he can’t give the words any meaning. Decidedly well-played on that count. And yet Olympus Has Fallen clicks on But perhaps underappreciated in most of the levels where you need genre moviemakticking off the “How to Make a Die Hard’ list is being ing to click. It’s propulsively forward-moving in a way smart about how and where to build your big action set that minimizes your innate “wait, that’s stupid” reflex; pieces. The initial attack on the White House makes for it serves up a few memorable one-liners, even opting to a compelling combination of chaos and clear indication put them in places where they make sense; it even cares of the tactical planning involved; in order to grasp what about us enough for the final climactic showdown to inthe good guy is up against, the audience needs a keen clude a big red digital countdown-to-armageddon” clock. understanding for how competent and well-equipped the This should have been the kind of movie we get for John bad guys are. Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) gives McClane, maybe even the kind of movie we should get the violence a sense of real-world brutality, with civilians for any decent action hero. The fact that we so rarely do caught in the crossfire, and the combat feeling is earthy continues to be Hollywood’s fly in our ointment. n rather than aestheticized. And there’s a solid level of

Olympus Has Fallen shows what that other action franchise is missing By Scott Renshaw

ure, I may be a film critic — but I’m also an American. I’ve got my pride in our nation’s accomplishments, and I don’t like seeing its institutions in peril. Which is why Olympus Has Fallen — about an assault by North Korean terrorists on the White House — had me muttering angrily to myself: “Why couldn’t this have been the latest Die Hard movie?” Superficially, there’s a different kind of narrative at work in this action thriller. Our hero, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), is a Secret Service agent — and, of course, totally badass ex-Special Forces — shipped from Presidential protection detail to a desk job after tragically failing to save the life of the First Lady. Eighteen months later, as tensions escalate in the DMZ, those nasty North Koreans — led by the ruthless Kang (Rick Yune) — storm 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, ultimately taking the President (Aaron Eckhart) and several other top U.S. government officials hostage. Can Banning save the day when he becomes the lone surviving fly-in-the-ointment left inside the White House, even as the country faces potentially apocalyptic consequences? There are more disaster-movie elements at play, and a personal quest for redemption that was never really part of the John McClane dynamic. Yet fundamentally,

40 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

film | shorts

opening films ADMISSION

Funny folks Tina Fey and Paul Rudd have teamed up to bring us this comedy about getting into college — but this film is less from the prospective students’ standpoint and more from the people who say “yes” or “no” to the hopeful applicants. Expect a bit more sentiment than you normally would in a comedy flick with Fey and Rudd. Fey’s character, a Princeton admissions officer, learns that one applicant — a kid from an alternative school who doesn’t have much of a transcript — might have a closer connection to her than she first realized. (CS) Rated PG-13

A PLACE AT THE TABLE

One out of every two children in the U.S. will rely on a government food assistance program at some point in their life. The average daily benefit of food stamps is only $3. What does that mean? People who rely on food assistance programs are going to spend it on the cheapest food they can get. It’s what A Place at the Table — a new documentary by the people who put together Food Inc. and featuring actor Jeff Bridges — wants viewers to take think about. (CS) Rated PG. Magic Lantern only

THE CROODS

We kinda have a feeling that The Croods, DreamWorks’ latest animated flick, which chronicles the adventures of a prehistoric cave-people family, will draw attention from all demographics. The plot is simple: a family (did they really have families then?) is forced to leave the only home they’ve known when it’s destroyed during a big natural disaster — the end of the world, maybe? Their journey to a safer place is basically the first road trip of all time, and as you can guess there are lots of unexpected twists and some semi-forced family bonding moments along the way. (CS) Rated PG

INAPPROPRIATE COMEDY

Perhaps you haven’t been offended enough lately. Buy yourself a ticket to see Vince Offer’s InAPPropriate Comedy, then feel your jaw drop. This is a film about an app (like, on an iPad) that creates social mayhem. Yes, you are right: It very well may be the stupidest premise for a movie ever. But with a cast of Rob Schneider, Adrian Brody and Lindsay Lohan, it very well could be the next Idiocracy. No, probably not. (LS) Rated R

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

Olympus Has Fallen — about an assault by North Korean terrorists on the White House — had me muttering to myself:

“Why couldn’t this have been the latest Die Hard movie?” Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is a Secret Service agent shipped from a presidential protection detail to a desk job after tragically failing to save the life of the First Lady. Eighteen months later, as tensions escalate in the DMZ, those nasty North Koreans — led by the ruthless Kang (Rick Yune) — storm 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, ultimately taking the president (Aaron Eckhart) hostage. Can Banning save the day? (SR) Rated R

SPRING BREAKERS

The premise seems simple: A quartet of hot college girls desperately want to head to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Selena Gomez and Rachel Korine realize that their collected financial resources aren’t enough to get them to Florida. And that’s when director Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo) makes his mark: The girls rob a restaurant, get involved with a drug dealer (James Franco) and do anything they need to in order to live a little closer to their fantasy of having spring break last forever. (SR) Rated R

STOKER

If you’re going to get creeped out by a movie, it might as well be pretty to look at, right? And Park Chan-wook’s latest, Stoker, looks to be pretty and substantial — we’re hoping, at least. This time around, Chan-wook — director of the lauded Vengeance Trilogy — follows India (Mia Wasikowska) after the sudden death of her father. When her creepy uncle (Matthew Goode) comes to her mother’s side (Nicole Kidman), India becomes suspicious of his motives. And that’s when things get weird: She gets more intrigued by him instead of more afraid of him. (LS) Rated R

WEST OF MEMPHIS

In black clothes and Metallica tshirts, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were just a little too different for their tiny Arkansas town. So when three young boys turned up brutally murdered in 1993, folks pointed the fingers at Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley. They will forever be known as the West Memphis Three: a trio who served 18 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit, and who proved from behind bars that the justice system can — and does — fail. With the help of Peter Jackson (The Hobbit), Echols tells the story of their wrongful conviction until the day they were released from prison. (LS) Rated R

now playing THE CALL

Girls getting thrown into trunks. Girls kidnapped and killed in their homes. Every time, they call 911. Every time, that 911 call costs them their lives. “It’s already done,” an enraged serial killer whispers as he finished off his next victim. Unfortunately, this particular serial killer underestimates how much of a badass Halle Berry, the 911 dispatcher who takes these calls, turns out to be. (SM) Rated R.

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Ski & Ride Powder Pack Offers 49 Degrees North | $10 off a Regular Monday ticket, must use same day.

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DEAD MAN DOWN

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This offer cannot be comined with any other discount offered at 49° North, Mt. Spokane, Red Mountain, Schweitzer or Silver Mountain. This ticket must be used the same day as purchased, has no cash value and cannot be used to resell. Stamped gas receipt must accompany voucher. *49° North, Mt. Spokane, Red Mountain, Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, participating Conoco/76 stations, member, affiliate, subsidiary companies and their retailers/wholesales and the employees, officer and agents of each entity are not, liable for any claims, demands, actions or causes of action on account of any injury to participating participant in this promotion. 76 Logo and Tagline

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film | shorts

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1-800-720-6008 www.SpokanePillar.com

42 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

THE CROODS IN REAL D 3D (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1100 130) 420 700 940 ADMISSION (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(1205 240) 515 750 1025 THE CROODS (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1200 230 340) 500 620 730 900 1010 OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN (R) Fri. - Sun.(1120 205) 450 740 1030 SPRING BREAKERS (R) Fri. - Sun.(1150 220) 440 720 945 THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(1110 150) 430 710 950 THE CALL (R) Fri. - Sun.(1230 300) 530 800 1020 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL IN REAL D 3D (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1240 320 350) 630 705 1000 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (PG) Fri. - Sun.(1140 AM) 930 PM JACK THE GIANT SLAYER (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(1130 AM) 935 PM JACK THE GIANT SLAYER IN REAL D 3D (PG-13) ★ Fri. - Sun.(310 PM) 650 PM IDENTITY THIEF (R) Fri.(1250 330) 640 915 Sat.640 PM 915 PM Sun.(1250 330) 640 915 WARM BODIES (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(100 PM)

two hours of seduction and explosions, see how this whole kitten caboodle of blackmailing and crime gets resolved in Girl With the Dragon Tattoo director Niels Arden Oplev’s first English-language movie. (SM) Rated R.

THE CROODS [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1230 130 330) 420 700 945 THE CROODS IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(100 345) 715 1000 MURPH: THE PROTECTOR (NR) Fri. - Sun.(1230 315) 630 915 OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN [CC,DV] (R) Fri. - Sun.(115) 410 730 1030 ADMISSION (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(1250 350) 740 1020 THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(120) 400 645 925 THE CALL [CC,DV] (R) Fri. - Sun.(125 355) 635 920 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1215 1245 340) 705 720 1010 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL [CC,DV] (PG) Fri. - Sun.415 PM 1025 PM JACK THE GIANT SLAYER IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG-13) ★ Fri. - Sun.(1220 PM) 640 PM JACK THE GIANT SLAYER [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.(320 PM) 930 PM IDENTITY THIEF [CC,DV] (R) Fri. - Sun.(110) 430 735 1015 SAFE HAVEN [CC] (PG-13) Fri. - Sun.655 PM 940 PM

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

Adv. Tix on Sale GI JOE: RETALIATION THE CROODS IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri.(140) 420 655 940 Sat. - Sun.(100) 420 655 940 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri.(130 PM) 440 PM 800 PM Sat.(1245 355) 700 1005 Sun.(1245 PM) 440 PM 800 PM JACK THE GIANT SLAYER IN REAL D 3D [CC,DV] (PG-13) ★ Fri.(355 PM) 645 PM Sat. - Sun.(340 PM) 645 PM Big Screen: OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN [CC,DV] (R) Fri.(110) 430 720 1010 Sat.(125) 430 720 1010 Sun.(125 PM) 430 PM 805 PM Big Screen: THE CROODS [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Fri.(120) 400 640 920 Sat. - Sun.(1230) 400 640 920 OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN [CC,DV] (R) Fri. - Sat.400 PM 705 PM 955 PM Sun.400 PM 650 PM 940 PM THE CROODS [CC,DV] (PG) ★ Sat. - Sun.(225 PM) ADMISSION (PG-13) Fri.(130) 415 700 1015 Sat.(115) 415 710 1015 Sun.(115) 415 710 955 SPRING BREAKERS (R) Fri.(155) 450 735 1005 Sat.(1200 230) 450 735 1005 Sun.(1200 230) 450 715 950 THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri.(145) 425 715 1000 Sat.(1255) 425 715 1000 Sun.(1255) 425 700 935 THE CALL [CC,DV] (R) Fri.(200) 455 740 1020 Sat.(1200) 455 740 1020 Sun.(1200) 455 720 950 OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL [CC,DV] (PG) Fri.(100) 410 710 950 Sat.(1215 330) 630 950 Sun.(1215 330) 630 930 JACK THE GIANT SLAYER [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri.(105 PM) 935 PM Sat. - Sun.(1210 PM) 935 PM IDENTITY THIEF [CC,DV] (R) Fri.(150) 445 730 1020 Sat.(110) 445 730 1020 Sun.(110 PM) 445 PM 810 PM SNITCH [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri.(105 350) 635 925 Sat. - Sun.(1235 350) 635 925 SAFE HAVEN [CC] (PG-13) Fri.(115) 405 650 945 Sat. - Sun.(1220) 405 650 945 WARM BODIES [CC,DV] (PG-13) Fri.(125 PM) Sat. - Sun.(120 PM) Times For 03/22 - 03/24

EMPEROR

Emperor, set in post-WWII Japan, tells the story of General Douglas MacArthur (Tommy Lee Jones) and his investigation of Emperor Shōwa. In charge of making the decision of whether or not the leader should be hanged is General Bonner Fellers (Matthew Fox), who is involved in an affair with a Japanese exchange student (Eriko Hatsune). You may tell your bros that you liked this movie because it was an intense war flick, but deep down, you know it was the love story that stole your heart. (KS) Rated PG-13 The last G.I. Joe movie meant different things to different people. For some, it was a revitalization of childhood heroes. For others, it was a two-hour-long Channing Tatum fest. Now, the G.I. Joes are it again. They have to fight the Cobra. They have to save their paychecks from a President who has attempted to disband them. They have to fly through the air. They have to impart subliminal messages of patriotism and a pro-military agenda. But this time, we have Dwain Johnson, aka the Rock, and Bruce Willis, the Die Hard, to make the movie that much cooler. (SM) Rated PG-13

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

Bill Murray plays FDR, Olivia Williams is his kind of estranged wife Eleanor, and Laura Linney is his distant cousin Daisy, who becomes his new social secretary and latest in a line of secret flings. Apparently, a wheelchair never held this guy back, when it came to the ladies. But the film isn’t as light as its preview trailers suggest. It’s 1939, the eve of WWII, and the king and queen of England are visiting FDR. Aside from a strong Murray performance and a nice way with words in the script, the film is lightweight. It’s a pleasant visit with these folks, but not much more. At Magic Lantern (ES) Rated R

IDENTITY THIEF

You never suspect the quiet ones. So when Sandy (Jason Bateman) discovers his identity has been stolen, the seemingly harmless Diana (Melissa McCarthy) is a surprising suspect. But Sandy’s trip to Miami to confront the criminal takes a twist when he discovers that Diana isn’t as innocent as she appears. The loud, annoying woman will do anything she can to avoid losing the luxurious lifestyle she has accrued at Sandy’s expense. Through many a car chase, fistfight and argument, Sandy must pull his identity and credit score out of the gutter. (SM) Rated R

THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE

It’s a sweet and funny all ages movie... with an edge. Both the title character (Steve Carell), and his similarly nom de plumed pal Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) were loners as kids, but were fascinated by magic. A proposed partnership in the craft has led to them be-

ing huge old-style stars in Vegas, where after a couple of decades, they’re kinda tired of each other. The edge enters with outrageous Criss Angel-like Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) coming to town and stealing away their crowds. The film features an amazing one-take shot of an illusion called “The Hangman,” designed by David Copperfield. (ES) Rated PG-13

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

Director Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns, The Usual Suspects) this time goes the family-friendly fairy tale route in a story that uses most of the ingredients from Jack and the Beanstalk and adds a few choice new ones. Nicholas Hoult is the poor farm boy who ascends that stalk, trying to rescue a wild child princess (Eleanor Tomlinson), and meets up with a gaggle of terrifically realized giants. Lots of adventure, some good chuckles, a bit of distant violence, some villainous scenery chewing from dastardly Stanley Tucci and giant Bill Nighy. (ES) Rated PG-13

MURPH: The Protector

Deep in the mountains of Afghanistan, Lieutenant Michael Murphy and his fourman team of Navy SEALS were tasked with finding key anti-coalition militia commander. But when they were tipped off to the Taliban, Murphy sacrificed himself in order to save him team. Follow Murphy’s life of bravery and heroism, as told by his friends and family, in this documentary. (SM) Rated PG

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Despite being a CGI-heavy affair, Sam Raimi’s Oz feels incredibly alive. Fueled by the same gleeful energy that drove Raimi’s earliest work, it not only serves as a worthy tribute to the wonderland conceived by L. Frank Baum but also a celebration of moviemaking itself. This prequel to the 1939 classic fittingly opens with a circus sideshow circa 1905 where the ramshackle wooden structures instantly recall Evil Dead’s shoddy sets. This black-and-white chapter introduces Oscar “Oz” Diggs (James Franco), a lowrung magician/first-rate Lothario, who ends up in a tornado that lands him in a familiar Technicolor landscape where he

encounters Theodora (Mila Kunis) and a couple of witches, played by Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz. (CW) Rated PG.

QUARTET

Centered around four musically inclined retirees and starring everybody’s favorite Downton Abbey actress Maggie Smith, this movie melds together our love for music and old people. The drama that ensues at this retirement center threatens the success of the annual gala concert, leaving the audience with one question: will the show go on? (KS) Rated PG-13

SAFE HAVEN

Prepare yourself for the classic love story by Nicholas Sparks. Katie has daddy issues, or a fear of commitment, or a history of abuse or something. Alex’s is a widower, can bench press 250 pounds, and is good with kids. They’re both pretty attractive. They run on the beach through the rain and conquer deep-seated emotional issues together. But when our heroine has to get out of town quickly, for some vague and slightly terrifying reason, their true love is tested. Or something emotional and gut-wrenching like that. (SM) Rated PG-13

SIDE EFFECTS

The newest collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns (Contagion, The Informant!) is their best. It’s a twisty-turny mystery-thriller about money, sex, (prescription) drugs, sleepwalking, and lots more. Great writing and direction, every actor is spot-on. At Magic Lantern (ES) Rated R

SNITCH

Dwayne Wolfgang Rockefeller Johnson, aka “The Rock,” stars as a dad struggling with parenting issues — namely the fact that his son got locked up after being framed in a drug deal. So The Rock has an idea: he’ll become an informant in place of his son to help get him off. Being a truck driver, he has access to the required transportation to ship copious amounts of dope, so he recruits two actual criminals (played by Shane from The Walking Dead and Omar from The Wire) to help him get connected with some big time drug dealers. (MB) Rated PG-13 n

CRITICS’ SCORECARD THE NEW YORK INLANDER TIMES

VARIETY

(LOS ANGELES)

METACRITIC.COM (OUT OF 100)

Django Unchained

Side Eﬀects

Spring Breakers

Hyde Park on Hudson

Oz The Great...

Jack the Giant Slayer

Burt Wonderstone

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WORTH $10

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film | review

THE MAGIC LANTERN March 22nd - March 28th

REEL SPOKANE Sat/Sun: 7:00, 9:00

7 for both shows

A PLACE AT THE TABLE (90 min) Fri: 2:30, 6:30, Sat/Sun: 1:00, 2:45 Mon-Thurs: 6:15

SIDE EFFECTS (109 min)

Fri: 4:30, 8:30, Sat/Sun: 4:30, Mon-Thurs: 6:30

AMOUR (127 min)

Fri/Sat: 3:45, Sun: 12:45

DJANGO UNCHAINED (167 min) Fri/Sat: 8:15, Sun: 5:00

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (94 min) Fri/Sat: 6:15, Sun: 3:00 25 W Main Ave • 509-209-2383 • All Shows $7 www.magiclanternspokane.com

WEEK OF MARCH 22nd THRU MARCH 28th

WEDNESDAYS

$ 50 BOTTOMLESS POPCORN!

ALL SHOWS ALL TIMES

ADMISSION

Spring Breakers: perpetuating the stereotype that hot girls are crazy.

Party All the Time

PG-13 Daily (4:10) 6:40 9:20 Sat-Sun (11:10) (1:30)

THE CROODS

Sat-Sun 12:00

a thought in his head beside goosing his audience — might lead to reading Spring Breakers in all the wrong ways. Indeed, his opening sequence — a slow-motion parade of young bodies on the beach, flashing bare skin while dancing, beer-bonging and simulating plenty of illegal-in-multiple-states sex acts — feels like a brazen dare. That impression continues with the casting of his four lead actresses as a quartet of college friends who desperately want to head to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. Troublemaking ringleaders Candy and Brit are played by High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens and Pretty Little Liars’ Ashley Benson, respectively; Disney Channel ingenue Selena Gomez plays the

circles the scene of the crime in the getaway car — we realize that they are playing the kind of badasses they’ve seen in media. They use the conventions of one kind of fantasy world to enable them to get to another one. The problem with that fantasy world, as Spring Breakers unfolds, isn’t so much that it exists, but that those who dive in want it to exist without limits. As they revel in their party nights, the girls start to talk about never wanting to leave, about abandoning the tedious life they left behind to live together in paradise. “Spring break forever” becomes a kind of mantra, a desire for a perpetual life of consequence-free pleasures — living 24/7 in that opening montage of sun, sex and flaming youth. n

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN THE CALL

R Fri-Sun (3:10) (5:20) 7:30 9:40 Sat-Sun (11:00) (1:10) Mon-Thu (3:10) (5:10) 7:10 9:10

THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE

PG-13 Fri-Sun (2:45) (5:00) 7:20 9:30 Sat-Sun (12:30) Mon-Thu (4:45) 6:50 9:00

Fri-Thurs 3:00

rovocateur: It’s such a loaded, even lazy, Bible-studying Faith. Korine casts his own wife, term. It might seem to apply to Spring Rachel, as Cotty, the final member of the four. Breakers writer/director Harmony Korine Ah, what a marketing tease: Come on in and see more than most filmmakers. After all, he’s the your innocent pop-culture dream girls lose their guy whose career launched as a teenager with innocence. the script for Larry Clark’s incendiary teensBut Spring Breakers isn’t about losing innoin-trouble opus Kids, and whose output has cence — it’s about losing a grip on reality. Early included a movie about pranksters roaming the on, as the girls realize that their collected financial streets humping trash cans (fittingly titled Trash resources aren’t enough to get them to Florida, Humpers). Even in his short films, he does stuff Candy, Brit and Cotty decide to rob a restaulike making his “protagonists” wheelchair-bound rant with squirt guns to make up the difference. South Africans in footie paja“Pretend like it’s a videogame,” mas on a shooting spree. Candy recommends before they SPRING BREAKERS The presumption of empty go, “like you’re in a movie.” Rated R provocation surrounding KoAnd when we eventurine’s work — the idea that he’s Directed by Harmony Korine ally see the way the heist went Starring James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens, down — Korine initially shoots basically daring you to keep Selena Gomez, and Ashley Benson watching, and doesn’t have it from a distance, as Cotty

PG Daily (2:25) (4:40) 6:50 Sat-Sun (12:15) In 2D Daily (2:45) 9:10 Sat-Sun (12:45) R Daily (4:15) 6:45 7:20 9:15 9:45 Sat-Sun (11:15) (1:45)

Spring Breakers assaults the quest for the eternal vacation from reality By Scott Renshaw

Airway Heights 10117 W State Rt 2 • 509-232-0444

OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

PG Fri-Tue 6:30 Fri-Wed (1:10) (3:50) Sat-Sun (10:45) In 2D Daily (4:45) 9:15

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

PG-13 Daily (4:00) 6:40 9:00 Sat-Sun (11:00) (1:30)

SNITCH

PG-13 Daily (2:10) (4:30) 6:50 9:20 Sat-Sun (11:40)

IDENTITY THIEF

Fri-Thurs 6:15

R Fri-Sun (2:00) (4:30) 7:00 9:30 Sat-Sun (11:30) Mon-Thu (3:45) 6:20 8:45

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

S t a r t s W e d n e s d a y, M a r c h 2 7 t h PG-13 Wed 7:00 9:15 Thu (4:45) 7:00 In 2D Wed 7:15 9:30 Thu (2:30) 9:15

Wandermere

12622 N Division • 509-232-7727

Fri-Thurs 9:15

ADMISSION

PG-13 Daily (1:30) (4:10) 6:40 9:20 Fri-Sun (11:10)

THE CROODS

PG Daily (1:45) (4:00) (4:40) 6:15 8:30 9:10 Fri-Sun (11:30) In 2D Daily (12:15) (2:25) 6:50

924 W. GARLAND • 509.327.1050 WWW.GARLANDTHEATER.COM

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

R Daily (2:10) (4:50) 7:20 9:45 Fri-Sun (11:40)

THE CALL

R Daily (1:10) (3:10) (5:20) 7:30 9:40 Fri-Sun (11:00)

THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE

SHOWING MAR 21 - MAR 24

PG-13 Daily (12:30) (2:45) (5:00) 7:20 9:30

OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

PG Daily (1:10) (3:50) (4:20) 6:30 7:00 9:15 Fri-Sun (10:45) (11:00) In 2D Daily (1:40) 9:45

21 AND OVER

5 story high screen!

Rocky Mountain Express Thur 11:30, 12:40, 3:00 Fri-Sun 11:30, 12:40, 3:00, 5:30

Air Racers

Thurs-Sun 1:50, 4:10 CLOSED MON-WED

*(all shows & times are subject to change)

spokaneriverfrontpark.com

R Daily 9:10

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

PG-13 Daily (1:40) 9:45 In 2D Daily (4:20) 7:00 Fri-Sun (11:00)

SNITCH

PG-13 Daily (2:10) (4:20) 6:50 9:20 Fri-Sun (11:40)

SAFE HAVEN

PG-13 Daily (12:00) (2:15) (4:30) 6:50

IDENTITY THIEF

R Daily (2:00) (4:30) 7:00 9:30 Fri-Sun (11:30)

QUARTET

PG-13 Daily (12:30) (2:45) (5:00) 7:10 9:25

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

R Daily (2:15) (4:45) 7:20 9:45 Fri-Sun (11:45)

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

S t a r t s W e d n e s d a y, M a r c h 2 7 t h PG-13 Wed 7:00 9:15 Thu (2:30) (4:45) 7:00 In 2D Wed 7:15 9:30 Thu (12:15) 9:15 Showtimes in ( ) are at bargain price. Special Attraction — No Passes Showtimes Effective 3/22/13-3/28/13

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 43

Look for businesses with...

...and find The 44 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

inside.

Based on a True Story

Josh Ritter turns autobiographical in the wake of heartbreak By Lisa Waananen

t his most recent performance in Spokane in November 2010, Josh Ritter opened with the haunting ode to his home state, “Idaho.” The Moscow native beamed out from the Knitting Factory stage with his signature grin and the crowd screamed back, welcoming him home. Four days earlier, on tour in Canada, his marriage had ended. “It was a cold, blustery morning in Calgary, Alberta, and I was on tour,” Ritter writes in the notes for

his new album, The Beast In Its Tracks. “I hung up the phone and looked around me. … That night, and for the next three weeks, I went on stage as usual, smiled, and kept away from bridges.” Plenty of good has happened in the two years since: Ritter published a novel, started another one, found new love and became a father. But his new album, released March 5, comes from those dark days in the aftermath of his divorce. The songs were recorded over the course of a year

with longtime producer Sam Kassirer, at the farmhouse setting of the Great North Sound Society studio in Maine, and the resulting album is a spare and disciplined departure from the sweeping sound and ambition of 2010’s So Runs the World Away. Ritter compares these new songs to rocks in the shoe — “hard little nuggets of whatever they were, be it spite, remorse, or happiness.” There are no expansive instrumental segments and no literary narratives. There are no names, ...continued on next page

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 45

FRIDAY MARCH 29

SUNDAY MARCH 31

The English Beat

Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers

THE CENTER OF SPOKANE

(New Wave Ska)

(Americana Rock)

SATURDAY APRIL 20

An Evening with

Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin (Singer Songwriters)

BING CROSBY THEATRE

WEDNESDAY OCT 2

SUNDAY APRIL 21

Andy McKee

Don Williams

(Instrumental Acoustic Guitar)

(Classic Country)

CAPITOL THEATRE YAKIMA

BING CROSBY THEATRE

TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.SBLENTERTAINMENT.COM

FOR SHOWS AT BING, ORDER BY PHONE 800-325-SEAT

SPECIAL FESTIVAL FINALE EVENT

Sunday, March 24 at 3:00pm Bailey and Bach! Northwest Bach Festival Artistic Director Designate

MUSIC | rock “based on a true story,” continued... real or fictional. There are no female backup vocals. “When it is a big story, you want big,” he told a Toronto magazine. “With these songs, they were just smaller, and I had no emotional energy to give to trying to make them anything else.” Since the breakout album Golden Age of Radio put him on the national scene a decade ago, Ritter’s clever lyrics have earned him the necessary comparisons to Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. But Ritter is most distinct among young singer-songwriters as a storyteller, and his best-known songs unfurl imaginative tales — love in a nuclear fallout shelter, a mummy’s new life in New York City, an explorer’s polar adventures aboard the Annabelle Lee. The one story he’s always expressly avoided is the autobiographical. “I always thought it was way cooler to write about, you know, mummies and archaeologists and whatever — to have the freedom to write whatever came into your head and not write about what you know,” he told NPR earlier this month. “That was always so much fun. Then when something really real and big happened in my life … that was so big that I couldn’t escape it. It was like there was a mountain flying over my head the whole time. I had to write about it.” So he wrote songs about nightmares, loss and the ghosts of past relationships — narratives and emotions that may seem all too familiar. “In the end, I hope talking about heartbreak — whether it’s divorce or any other type — that if you can write about it well enough, that hopefully a personal thing can be more universal.”

n stage, Ritter is buoyant. At 36, he’s getting some gray in his whiskers, but his charm is still boyish when he smiles into the lights. That sunniness oozes into his new album, with entire songs hanging on words like “happy” and “joy.” There’s bitterness, too, but much more about forgiveness and healing. “I’m coming out of the dark clouds,” he sings in the chorus of “Hopeful.” “The Beast In Its Tracks began in heartbreak, but (for me!) it has come to stand for everything that happened after,” Ritter writes in a note on his site. In Austin last week for SXSW, Ritter was joined by his new love, novelist Haley Tanner, and their baby daughter, Beatrix, from their home in Brooklyn. The baby, born in November, gets toted around backstage wearing tiny, pink hearing-protection earmuffs around her chubby face. Ritter has been writing new songs and working on a novel he’s described as big, fun and “dirty-mouthed.” When he’s back on stage in Spokane again this weekend, the songs may have come from dark days, but it’s hard to imagine the smiles won’t be true to life, too. n lisaw@inlander.com Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band • Sun, March 24, at 8 pm • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • $23 • All-ages • ticketweb.com • 244-3279

Zuill Bailey presents The Complete Bach Cello Suites One unfOrgettable perfOrmance! Be there for a transformative experience and to celebrate a new era of Zuill Bailey’s leadership of the Festival. Tickets: $50

(limited number of student tickets $25)

St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Avenue at Grand Boulevard in Spokane

Tickets at: TicketsWest outlets, 800-325-SEAT, or www.ticketswest.com

46 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

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225 E. 3rd Ave., Spokane, WA

clayconnection.net 714 E. Sprague Spokane • 509-747-6171

Pony Time: Luke Beetham and Stacy Peck

We Are Who We Are You’d have to try pretty hard to not enjoy Pony Time By Leah Sottile

here are a lot of things you could say about Pony Time that wouldn’t be quite on target: that they’re genius in the way that they evoke a bygone 1960s garage rock sound. That they’re revivalists of the best era of rock music — conduits to a simpler time when music was more about dancing and less about art. Or you could compare them to that other male-female two-piece that no rock duo will ever escape comparison to again: the White Stripes. You could say those things — but you’d be dramatically overselling Pony Time. In fact, even Stacy Peck, Pony Time’s drummer, doesn’t make an effort to class up the band’s backstory. “We’re just a couple of grown adults playing punk rock music. We’ve been doing this for three years and are still having a good time, so it seems to be going pretty well,” she says on a break from South by Southwest. “We didn’t set out to do anything in particular. We were roommates and had our instruments, and this is just kind of what happened.” Today, the band still evokes that “this is just kind of what happened” sound: cymbals clang like tin, the snare drum rattles and shakes. On the microphone, the singer is snotty and self-assured — on some songs it’s like you can actually hear the sneer spread across his face as he shouts and croons. But there is a stroke of genius in what this

Seattle two-piece outfit does: they make music that doesn’t concern itself with all of the effects and complications that anchor so many other bands these days. Without anything to weigh them down, they hammer out a sound that drips with attitude, and that transcends genre confines. Anybody can like Pony Time. And they do: their no-frills, straightforward rock ‘n’ roll is converting audiences across the country, from the crowds of South by Southwest to the writers at VICE, who’ve written up the band more than once in the past year. Peck, a cook by day, found a perfect musical partner in bass player Luke Beetham, an electrician. She says there wasn’t a sound that they were going for — nothing was pre-planned, in fact. “Trying to make music sound ‘radio friendly’ or whatever usually just makes things sound like shit to me,” she says. Pony Time isn’t trying to be anything other than who they already are: a girl with her hair in her face as she drums, a guy who wears his bass guitar up high like a Beatle. That’s something that can speak to everybody. n leahs@inlander.com Pony Time with Stickers, BBBBandits and 66beat • Fri, March 22, at 9 pm • Mootsy’s • $5 • 21+ • 838-1570

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 47

music | sound advice

AMERICANA MISS SHEVAUGHN & YUMA WRAY

o you like banjo? Mariachi guitars? Psychedelic walls of sound? Yes? No? Well, either way, you will continue to love/learn to love all of those things when you hear Erin Frisby and Chris Stelloh — known as Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray — play them this week. The married couple combines forces of classical music training and years in the DC punk/hardcore scene to bring you the most unique brand of Americana that’s rolled through Spokane in recent years. They bring an onslaught with their live show, one that will have you rocking out and looking for a partner to twirl on the dance floor all on the same night. — LEAH SOTTILE Miss Shevaughn & Yuma Wray with Ian Miles and Casey Rogers • Tues, March 26, at 9 pm • Mootsy’s • $5 • 21+ • 838-1570

J = the inlander RECOMMENDs this show J = All Ages Show

Thursday, 3/21

Big City Saloon (474-0579), DJ Fusion Bigfoot, DJ Dave Bluz at the Bend, Sammy Eubanks J Boots Bakery & Lounge, Marshall McLean, Cedar & Boyer, Holly McGarry J Bucer’s, Open Jazz Jam with Erik Bowen Buckhorn (244-3991), Texas Twister Carr’s Corner, Koshir, Kurt Kain, Young Gully, Cordell Drake, Misat Snipe, Krown Royal, Luni Bin Records, Slette, Mutiny Inc. The Cellar, Kosh Coeur d’Alene Casino, PJ Destiny Gibliano Brothers, Dueling Pianos J THE Hop!, It Gets Worse, Knuckle Deep, Evergreen Ambition, TopSoil John’s Alley, Left Coast Country J Laguna Café, Just Plain Darin LeftBank Wine Bar, Nick Grow J Luxe Coffehouse, Dirk Lind Marquee, MCSQUARED Moon Time, Truck Mills O’Shay’s, Open mic Swamp, DJ Aphrodisiac Zola, Cruxie

Friday, 3/22

315 Restaurant, Cris Lucas Beverly’s (208-765-4000), Robert Vaughn Big City Saloon (474-0579), DJ Fusion Bigfoot Pub, Phoenix Bluz at the Bend, Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips Bolo’s (891-8995), Protocol Boomer’s (368-9847), Patrick and the Stoners J Bucer’s, Eric E. Carr’s Corner, La Muerte Viva,

48 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

PUNK NAOMI PUNK

aybe it’s been awhile since you loved a band because you think they “don’t make them like they used to.” I feel you. But if you were a kid who bought Beat Happening tapes and dinked around in a punk band for awhile, you’re probably going to love Olympia’s Naomi Punk. Slightly similar to their Olympia cohorts Broken Water, Naomi Punk plays with gumption: driving guitars riding easily over the top of breezy ooh-ahh vocals. On NP’s debut The Feeling, the band strays into arty droning and psychedelic explorations. They’re surprising and refreshing, and might be your new favorite band. — LEAH SOTTILE Naomi Punk with Rice Queen, Garlands and Normal Babies • Mon, March 25, at 8 pm • The Checkerboard • 1716 E. Sprague Ave. • $3 • 21+ • 535-4007

They’re Watching, Dumpster Juice The Cellar, Brad Perry, The Fir Traders Checkerboard, Nick and Cody Coeur d’Alene Casino, The Cronkites, Echo Elysium Coldwater Creek Wine Bar (208-263-6971), Mike and Shana Thompson Curley’s (208-773-5816), Shiner Daley’s Cheap Shots, Jesse Weston Blues Trio J Empire Theatre (509-2842000), Horse Crazy Fedora Pub, Kosh Fizzie Mulligans, Nova Fredneck’s (291-3880), Garrett Bartley Band Gibliano Brothers, Dueling Pianos J the Hop!, Benefit for Angela Marie feat. Freedom Zone Hot Rods (534-4061), DJ Dave The Iron Horse, Bad Monkey

Irv’s (624-4450), DJ Prophesy J John’s Alley, Fareed Haque and Mathgames J Knitting Factory, Locals Night feat. 5 Times Over, ETM, Push, Evolved Library Lounge, Baboon Moon J Luxe Coffehouse, The Devil and Dan Black Marquee, Likes Girls, MCSQUARED Max at Mirabeau (922-6252), NativeSun Mezzo Pazzo Wine Bar, Ron Criscione J Mootsy’s, Pony Time (see story on page 47), Stickers, BBBBandits, 66beat J nYne, Rough Congress, DJ Mayhem Pend d’Oreille Winery (208-2658545), Ray Allen Red Lion River Inn (328-9526), Chris Rieser and The Nerve

Red Room Lounge, Vox Mod, DJ Daethstar Ringo’s (924-2055), Chris Ellenberger The Roadhouse, Last Chance Band The Rock Bar (443-3796), Scorpius Seasons of Coeur d’Alene (208664-8008), Truck Mills Sergio’s, Ryan Larsen Band The Shop, DJ Wax808 Splash (208-765-4000), YESTERDAYSCAKE Spokane Eagles North (4893030), Texas Twister Ugly Bettie’s, Flying Spiders, Real Life Rockaz Zola, The Fat Tones

Saturday, 3/23

315 Restaurant, Jazz Guys Baby Bar, Gentleman Surfer Beverly’s (208-765-4000), Robert Vaughn

Big City Saloon (474-0579), DJ Fusion Bigfoot Pub, Phoenix Blue Spark, DJ Darkside Som Bluz at the Bend, Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips Bolo’s (891-8995), Protocol Boomer’s (368-9847), Patrick and the Stoners Bucer’s, Greg Hodapp Carr’s Corner, Raze the City Release Party The Cellar, The Fir Traders J Chaps (624-4182), Just Plain Darin Checkerboard, Lust for Glory Coeur d’Alene Casino, The Cronkites, Echo Elysium Coldwater Creek Wine Bar (208263-6971), Ray Allen Curley’s (208-773-5816), Shiner Dahmen Barn (229-3655), Hog Heaven Band

Daley’s Cheap Shots, Jesse Weston Blues Trio Fedora Pub, Kosh Fizzie Mulligans, Nova Gibliano Brothers, Dueling Pianos The Grail (208-277-6442), House of HipStep feat. DJs Contrast, MC Sake 1, S-Doobie, NiTrace, Snuggs, Funk, Azon and Ahem Greyhound Event Center (800828-4880), Tuxedo Junction Big Band J THE Hop!, MudHelmet, Structural

get listed!

Get your event listed in the paper and online by emailing getlisted@inlander. com. We need the details one week prior to our publication date. Damnage, Vultra The Iron Horse, Bad Monkey Irv’s (624-4450), DJ Prophesy John’s Alley, Fareed Haque and Mathgames J Knitting Factory, Volbeat, Danko Jones, Spoken La Rosa Club (208-255-2100), Open mic The Lariat (466-9918), Bobby Bremer Band Library Lounge, Baboon Moon Marquee, Likes Girls, MCSQUARED Max at Mirabeau (922-6252), NativeSun J Mootsy’s, Music for Arlea & Hutch feat. Belt of Vapor, DJ Parafyn, MC Locke, and Bad Penmanship nYne, DJ Hype Red Lion River Inn (328-9526), Chris Rieser and The Nerve Republic Brewing Co. (775-2700), Ranger and the Re-Arrangers Ringo’s (924-2055), Chris Ellenberger The Roadhouse, Last Chance Band Sergio’s, Ryan Larsen Band Splash (208-765-4000), YESTERDAYSCAKE Spokane Eagles North (4893030), Texas Twister The Shop, Maxie Ray Mills Zola, The Fat Tones

Sunday, 3/24

The Cellar, Steve Ridler Daley’s Cheap Shots, Open mic

J Geno’s (487-9541), Eddie Haskell Jazz Trio J Knitting Factory, Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band (see story on page 45), Lake Street Drive Marquee, Likes Girls, DJ D3vin3 J Northern Quest Casino, Boz Scaggs Ugly Bettie’s, DJ Dave J WSU Pullman (335-8275), Battle of the Bands Zola, The Bucket List

Monday, 3/25

Blue Spark, Open mic Bon Bon (413-1745), DJ Darkside Som J Checkerboard, Naomi Punk (see story on facing page), Rice Queen, Garlands, Normal Babies Eichardt’s, Truck Mills Red Room Lounge, Bakin’ Phat Rico’s (332-6566), Open mic Soulful Soups & Spirits, DJ Fusion Whiskey Dick’s (474-9387), DJ Dave Zola, Nate Ostrander

Tuesday, 3/26

315 Restaurant, Kosh J Chairs Coffee (340-8787), Open mic Chateau Rive (795-2030), Chateau Guitar Masters series feat. Claude Bourbon Hot Rods (534-4061), DJ Dave J Luxe Coffehouse, Trickster Fox J Mootsy’s, Ian Miles with Chris Sceaga, Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (see story on facing page), Casey Rogers J Moscow Food Co-op (208-8828537), Joan Alexander Zola, Dan Conrad, Haley Young and the Urban Achievers

Wednesday, 3/27

Big City Saloon (474-0579), DJ Fusion Bigfoot, DJ Dave Blue Spark, DJ Darkside Som Carr’s Corner, Project Born, A.L.J. The Reason, Kagah, On One, Maximus Rhyme, Mutiny Inc., Enfeeble Ataxia, Twitch MC, BIGDOG Checkerboard, Tommy G and Friends Eichardt’s, Charley Packard Fedora Pub, Kosh

J Geno’s (487-9541), Open mic J the Hop!, Marshall Poole, Ian Miles, The Damn Near Departed Irv’s (624-4450), DJ Prophesy La Rosa Club (208-255-2100), Melefluent J Luxe Coffehouse, Naughty Andy Rumsey Marquee, Likes Girls, DJ D3vin3 Mezzo Pazzo Wine Bar, Lee Lester J Ripples (326-5577), Dru Heller Trio Roadhouse, Steve Starkey Soulful Soups & Spirits, Open mic hosted by Son of Brad Sundown Saloon (208-765-6585), Sam Platts and the Kootenai Three The Cellar, Robbie French J WSU Pullman (335-8275), Rebelution, J Boog, Hot Rain Zola, Island Soul

Coming Up…

Knitting Factory, Ginuwine, John Hart on March 28 Baby Bar, Dept. of Martyrs, Event Staph, Duck Duck Suckerpunch on March 29 Bing Crosby Theater, A Concert for Gabby feat. Tommy G and The Nug Jug Band, Raze the City, WayWard 2 on March 29 Carr’s Corner, Dark Time Sunshine, Void Pedal, Moodie Black, Warn Away, MJ the Inhuman Beatbox, Nobe, Item 9 on March 29 Mootsy’s, Helms Alee, Hooves, Aranya, Mercy Brown on March 29 Mootsy’s, Locke, Garlands, Tyler

Aker on March 30 Prichard Art Gallery (208-3101231), Aranya, Mercy Brown on March 30 THE Center, Roger Clyne and The Peace Makers, Buffalo Jones on March 31 THE Center, The English Beat on April 2 Knitting Factory, Clutch, Orange Goblin, Lionize, Scorpion Child on April 2 Carr’s Corner, The Fail Safe Project, Amadon, Evolved on April 5 The Porch (326-2385), Halftone feat. Matt Mitchell, BBBBandits, Bias, Octo on April 5 Northern Quest Casino, REO Speedwagon on April 7 nYne, Elkfest Launch Party feat. The Real Life Rockaz on April 11 Zola, Eric Tollefson on April 11 Knitting Factory, Ghostface Killah, Adrian Younges Venice Dawn on April 12 Mikey’s Gyros (208-882-0780), Maps & Atlases, Young Man on April 19 Carr’s Corner, A God or An Other, SubRosa, Eight Bells on April 21 Bing Crosby Theater, Cowboy Junkies on April 28 THE Center, That 1 Guy on May 1 Carr’s Corner, Ivan & Alyosha, Jay Nash, Cursive Wires on May 5 Knitting Factory, Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt on May 8 Knitting Factory, MGMT, Kuroma on May 14

STUDIO WAREHOUSE SHOWING

Edward W. Gilmore Abstract Expressionist

ALSO INTRODUCING THE WORK OF

SPOKANE ARTIST SUSAN BURNS

-31 Beers on Tap -Growlers -Beer Samplers

Join us for Micro Monday $3 Pints of 24 Different Beers 9614 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206 509-891-8357 www.blackdiamondspokane.com

PRIVATE SHOW Friday, March 22nd • 5 - 9pm 811 E. Sprague

To request an invitation to this event, please call (509) 939-0153

ArtistTouchStudio.com

music | venues 315 Martini bar & tapas • 315 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-9660 baby bar • 827 W. First Ave. • 847-1234 the belltower • 125 SE Spring St., Pullman • 509-334-4195 bing Crosby theater • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 227-7638 big Foot • 9115 N. Division • 467-9638 blue sparK • 15 S. Howard St. • 838-5787 bluz at the benD • 2721 N. Market • 483-7300 BUCER’S • 201 S. Main St., Moscow, Idaho • (208) 882-5216 Carr’s Corner • 230 S. Washington • 474-1731 the Cellar • 317 E. Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-9463 the Center • 6425 N. Lidgerwood St. • 742-7879 the CheCKerboarD • 1716 E. Sprague Ave • 535-4007 Coeur D’alene Casino • 37914 South Nukwalqw Rd., Worley • 800-523-2467 Daley’s Cheap shots • 6412 E. Trent • 535-9309 eiCharDt’s • 212 Cedar St. Sandpoint • 208-263-4005 FeDora pub • 1726 W. Kathleen, Coeur d’Alene • 208-765-8888 Fizzie Mulligan’s • 331 W. Hastings Rd. • 466-5354 Fox theater • 1001 W. Sprague • 624-1200 gibliano brothers • 718 W. Riverside Ave. • 315-8765 the hop! • 706 N. Monroe St. • 368-4077 iChiban • 202 W. Third Ave. • 747-8877 iron horse • 407 Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-7314 John’s alley • 114 E. 6th, Moscow • 208883-7662 Jones raDiator • 120 E. Sprague Ave. • 747-6005 Knitting FaCtory • 911 W. Sprague Ave. • 244-3279 laguna CaFÉ • 4302 S. Regal St. • 4480887 library lounge • 110 E. Fourth Ave • 747-3371 LUXE COFFEEHOUSE • 1017 W. First Ave. • 642-5514 Marquee • 522 W. Riverside Ave • 838-3332 Mezzo pazzo wine bar • 2718 E. 57th Ave. • 863-9313 Moon tiMe • 1602 Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-2331 Mootsy’s • 406 W. Sprague • 838-1570 northern quest Casino • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 242-7000 nyne • 232 W. Sprague • 474-1621 o’shay’s • 313 Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-4666 THE PHAT HOUSE • 417 S. Browne St. • 443-4103 roaDhouse Country roCK bar • 20 N. Raymond Rd., Spokane Valley • 413-1894 seasons oF Coeur D’alene • 209 Lakeside Ave. • 208-664-8008 sergio’s • 825 W. Riverside Ave. • 7472085 the shop • 924 S. Perry St. • 534-1647 soulFul soups & spirits • 117 N. Howard St. • 459-1190 the swaMp • 1904 W 5th Ave • 458-2337 ugly bettie’s • 211 N. Division • 747-8940 zola • 22 W. Main • 624-2416

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 49

Billy Ray (Jaeden Ives-Crow), left, sneaks a cookie in front of Ethel Thayer (Marianne McLaughlin) in the Civic Theater’s production of On Golden Pond.

james nisbet photo

THEATER WATER MUSINGS

Some of the greatest art has, oddly, been inspired by ponds. Yes, ponds — those tiny bodies of water with lily pads and ducks. Henry David Thoreau wrote his Walden along the shores of Walden Pond. And Ernest Thompson’s Tony Awardnominated play On Golden Pond tracks an aging couple as they vacation at their summer home on the shores of a pond. It’s a play about the late years of a marriage, increasingly tense family relationships and the people we lean on through our lives. — LEAH SOTTILE On Golden Pond • Performances from March 22-April 14 • Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm • Spokane Civic Theatre • Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre • 1020 N. Howard St. • $21 • spokanecivictheatre.com • 325-2507

get listed!

Email getlisted@inlander.com to get your event listed in the paper and online. We need the details one week prior to our publication date.

50 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

FILM CELEBRATION DAY

In 2007, when Led Zeppelin announced it would reunite for its first show since 1980, 20 million people tried to buy tickets. Literally. With demand like that, I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that it was the most anticipated concert in history. The band united with Jason Bonham, son of late, great drummer John Bonham, to fill in behind the kit. Together, they played 16 of their legendary songs — tracks like “Rock and Roll,” “The Song Remains the Same,” and “Misty Mountain Hop.” And someone smart thought to film the reunion show, which became Celebration Day. — LEAH SOTTILE Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day • Fri, March 22, at 5:30 pm, 8 pm and midnight • Bing Crosby Theater • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • $5 • All-ages • ticketswest.com • (800) 325-SEAT

THEATER DICKENS DEBUT

Who doesn’t love orphans? Annie, Charlie Bucket — they are superstars to the masses. Pip from Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations is no exception. Initially a beloved literature character, this parentless chap made his first appearance on the London stage back in February. Although most of us are without a time machine, our chance to see the acclaimed story-turned-play has not passed: The Bing Crosby Theater will screen the stage debut of Great Expectations for Spokanites this weekend. — KARA STERMER Great Expectations • Sat, March 23 at 2 pm and 8 pm • Bing Crosby Theater • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • $5-$10 • bingcrosbytheater.com • 227-7638

festival PASSING THE TORCH

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the 2013 Northwest Bach Festival, and for good reason. This year marks the last time Gunther Schuller, a classical music prodigy and the event’s artistic director for two decades, will flick and wave his baton with passion and purpose as the orchestra plays in harmony beneath him. Hopefully you didn’t miss the two chances earlier this month to see the 87-year-old Schuller in action, because this weekend’s final concert won’t be under his direction. Instead, attendees will be introduced to incoming artistic director and renowned cellist Zuill Bailey, who will perform selections from Bach’s Complete Suites for Solo Cello. — CHEY SCOTT Northwest Bach Festival Closing Concert featuring Zuill Bailey • Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm • $50 • St. John’s Cathedral • 127 E. 12th Ave. • nwbachfest.com • 326-4942

A New Evening Accounting Program at Whitworth Downtown classical SMOOTH STRINGS

Greetings from Beethoven! Or rather, greetings from the Spokane String Quartet, a local musical group comprised of two violins, a viola and a cello. It may sound like pomp and circumstance, but the string quartet is much cooler than that. This tradition of elevated taste takes listeners back to the era in which classical music was born. Hear Beethoven’s 2nd, 8th and 12th string quartets played by a musical group that formed more than 30 years ago. Since 1979, the Spokane String Quartet has had music halls hoppin’ with a classical groove so faithful to the original scores that not even the composer himself would have been able to tell them apart in his later years. — SARAH MUNDS Spokane String Quartet “Greetings from Beethoven” • Sun, March 24 at 3 pm • $10-$18 • Bing Crosby Theater • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanestringquartet.org • 227-7404

• B.A. in Management and Accounting, or CPA prep for those with a bachelor’s degree. • Evening format to work with your daytime schedule • Classes offered downtown in the U-District • Forbes ranks accounting as one of its top three fields for growth and demand.

Enroll Now whitworth.edu/accounting 509.777.3222

MARCH 21, 2013 INLANDER 51

events | trivia

events | calendar

Comedy

Where to test your knowledge

Wednesday

Applebee’s, 12217 E. Mission Ave., Spokane Valley Flamin’ Joe’s, 7015 N. Division St. Flamin’ Joe’s, 2620 E. 29th Ave. Flamin’ Joe’s, 11618 E. Sprague Ave. Morty’s, 5517 S. Regal St. Valhalla, 1000 N.E. Colorado St., Pullman

Thursday

Applebee’s, 9634 N. Newport Hwy. Applebee’s, 2007 E. 29th Ave. nYne, 232 W. Sprague Ave. JJ’s Grill and Brewhouse, 8801 N. Indian Trail Rd. Picnic Pines, 9212 S. Silver Lake Rd., Medical Lake Scout, 1001 W. First Ave. Soulful Soups, 117 N. Howard St. Valhalla, 1000 N.E. Colorado St., Pullman

Friday

Eagle’s Pub, 414 First St., Cheney Sidebar & Grill, 1101 W. Broadway Ave. Valhalla, 1000 N.E. Colorado St., Pullman

Saturday

Picnic Pines, 9212 S. Silver Lake Rd., Medical Lake Stella’s Café, 917 W. Broadway Ave. Valhalla, 1000 N.E. Colorado St., Pullman

Sunday

The Shop, 924 S. Perry St. Valhalla, 1000 N.E. Colorado St., Pullman Visit Inlander.com/events for complete listings of venues hosting karaoke, trivia, bar games and open mics.

Living Room Improvised live comedy based on audience suggestions. Fridays through March 29 at 8 pm. $7-$9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (747-7045) Jay Wendle Walker Live comedy show. March 22-23 at 8 pm. $12. Uncle D’s Comedy Underground, 2721 N. Market St. (483-7300) Safari Short-form improv games based on audience suggestions. Saturdays through March 30 at 9 pm. $7. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (747-7045) Tracy Morgan “Excuse my French” live comedy show by the star of “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live.” March 29 at 7:30 pm. $45-$55. Mature audiences. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. (624-1200) Tom McTigue Live comedy show. March 29-30 at 8 pm. $12. Uncle D’s Comedy Underground, 2721 N. Market St.

Community

Feed the Neighborhood Free meals provided every Thursday from 4-6 pm. Free. (Volunteers also needed to cook meals) 7th and Catherine Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. (208-661-5166) Free Tax Assistance If you worked in 2012 and have a low to moderate income you may qualify to get your taxes done free at one of the Spokane County Tax Sites. Through April 15. Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Ave. Appointments and walk-ins accepted. (358-3526)

Host Families Needed Volunteer host families needed for Face the World’s fall 2013 semester home-stay programs for international high school students from more than 15 countries. Deadline is June 15. facetheworld.org (888-389-1006) Family Dance and Potluck Potluck with dancing to follow including circle, line and novelty dances taught by instructors from Silver Spurs Youth Folk Dancers. All ages/abilities welcome. March 22. Potluck at 6:30 pm; dance starts at 7 pm. Free. St. John’s Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave. (533-9966) Family Night “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”themed event on the principles of flight and how to create a kite with household itesm. March 22 from 6-8 pm. $2-$6. Mobius Science Center, 811 W. Main Ave. mobiusspokane.org (443-5669) Mead Marching Madness 5K fundraiser run benefiting the Mead High School music program. March 23 at 10 am. Register by March 1 to guarantee a race T-shirt. $12-$18. Mead High School, 302 W. Hastings Rd. meadmarchingmadness.com Dishman Hills Conservancy Dinner The organization’s annual dinner will include an update on the Dream Trail. March 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm. $25/members, $40/non-members. All Saints Lutheran Church, 314 S. Spruce St. dishmanhills.org Community Dance Learn to dance the cha-cha in an hour-long lesson followed by general dancing. March 23 from 8-10 pm; lesson begins at 7 pm. $5-$9. Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave. (208-699-0421) Walking Rally Community members

are invited to protest an all-cuts budget for education, health care and other basic needs expected by the Washington state Senate. March 23 from noon-1 pm. Walk at noon, sign-waving at 12:30 pm and rally at 1 pm. Meet at Hawthorne and Division St.; rally at Mead HS. (8387870) Doggy Easter Egg Hunt Inaugural event featuring activities to do with your dog including photos with the Easter Bunny as a benefit for the SpokAnimal dog park. March 23 at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. $10/dog. Dog Park at High Bridge Park, Riverside Ave. and A St. spokanimal.org (534-8133) Gun Violence Rally “Idaho Stands Up Against Gun Violence” rally hosted by the Palouse Peace Coalitition, to support a ban on the sale of military-style assault rifles and 10-round ammunition magazines. March 23 at 11 am. Friendship Square, downtown Moscow. (8723025) Mobius Open House Check out the 65 hands-on science exhibits and other live demonstrations at Mobius. March 25 from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. Free admission. Mobius Science Center, 811 W. Main St. (443-5669) Love Our Lake Event to promote pollution-fighting efforts in Lake Coeur d’Alene, featuring prizes, music, and more. March 25 from 5-7 pm. Free admission. Bardenay Restaurant, 1713 W. Riverstone Dr. idahoconservation.org (208-265-9565) Girl Scout Luncheon Annual Girl Scout Spokane Community Leadership Luncheon event featuring keynote speaker retired NASA astronaut Bon-

Great Cities Plan For The Future. Let’s Continue to Be One of Them. You’re invited to open houses to learn more about the opportunities for High Performance Transit (HPT) in this region.

Save the Date:

HIGH PERFORMANCE TRANSIT (HPT) ALL-CORRIDOR OPEN HOUSE April 10, 2013 • 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Lincoln Center 1316 N. Lincoln St., Spokane, WA 99201 DOWNTOWN TO LIBERTY LAKE VIA SPOKANE VALLEY Wednesday, March 27, 2013 • 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Spokane Valley Mall (Next to the Food Court), Spokane Valley, WA

COMPLETED OPEN HOUSES: CHENEY TO DOWNTOWN SPOKANE CORRIDOR DIVISION STREET CORRIDOR NORTH MONROE TO SOUTH REGAL CORRIDOR

Visit

stamovingforward .com for details

52 INLANDER MARCH 21, 2013

nie Dunbar. March 26 from noon-1:15 pm. No cost, but donations will be requested for the fundraiser event. Reservation-only event. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. gsewni.org (991-9151) Date Night Reconnect with a loved one during a date night while The Kroc Center provides programming and entertainment for your kids, ages 3 months to 11 years. March 30 from 6-9 pm. $8-$12. Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. Coeur d’Alene. (208-6671865) Easter Egg Hunt Area children ages 0-12 are invited to scout for eggs, with some containing prizes. March 30 at 11 am. U of Idaho Administration Building lawn, 851 Campus Dr., Moscow. Uidaho.edu (208-885-7521) Canines on the Catwalk Fashion show fundraiser featuring local models, clothing designs and adoptable pets to benefit SpokAnimal animal shelter. March 30 at 6 pm. $20-$50. The Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln St. the5ifththelement.com (534-8133) Treasure Hunt Walking treasure hunt/tour of participating downtown Spokane businesses as part of the Civic’s upcoming production “Treasure Island,” (April 5-21) with chances to win prizes and more. Free. Downtown Spokane. (668-7960) Spring Fling Easter egg hunt, face paintings, snacks, bouncy castle and more open to area children. March 30 from 10 am-noon. Free. First Church of the Nazarene, 9004 Country Homes Blvd. sfnaz.org (467-8986)

Crafts

Spring Craft & Garden Show Work by local artists and artisan vendors from the Northwest, food, entertainment and more. March 23 from 9 am-4 pm. $1 admission. Lake City High School, 6101 N. Ramsey Rd., CdA. (208-215-4880) Fused Glass Jewelry Make 3-4 pendants and earrings. March 23 from 1-3 pm. $35-$40. Registration required. The Art Coop, 4225 N. G St. theartcoop.net (327-3726) Bird Nesting Ball Fill a wicker ball with items a bird could use to build its spring nest. March 27 from 6-8 pm. $25, registration required. The Art Coop, 4225 N. G St. (327-3726)

Etc.

A Course in Miracles Theological study group. Thursdays at 7 pm. Love Your Life Center, 1111 E. Sherman Ave. Coeur d’Alene. (208-777-1996) Country Swing Lessons Learn country-style swing dancing with The Swinging Boots. Thursdays from 7-9 pm. $5. The Roadhouse Country Rock Bar, 20 N. Raymond Rd. (413-1894) Argentine Tango Lessons Lessons for newcomers are free on Monday and Thursdays at 6 pm. Club Corazon, 2117 E. 37th Ave. spokanetango.com (688-4587) Genetically Engineered Labeling Community forum and discussion on genetically engineered foods and an upcoming ballot initiative to require GE foods to be labeled as such. March

21 from 6:30-8 pm. Free. Gonzaga University, Jepson Center, 205 E. Boone Ave. (301-448-0837) Associated Garden Club Meeting featuring presentation by Marilyn Lloyd on organic gardening and a lunch. March 22 at noon. Manito Park Meeting Room, 1702 S. Grand Blvd. The Bodhisattva Way Five-week series on cultivating love and compassion for all beings in the universe, so as to make one’s life more meaningful. March 22-April 19. Fridays from 6:30-8 pm. Life Center Therapies for Well Being, 1319 N. Government Way, CdA. Tree Planting Workshop Workshop to introduce participants on the key elements of successfully planting forest trees. March 22 from 1-5 pm at U of Idaho Extension Office (CdA), 1808 N. Third St. and March 23 from 1-5 pm at U of Idaho Extension (Bonners Ferry), 4205 N. Boyer St. $10. (208446-1406) Spelling Bee Ninth annual North Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, featuring 52 student competitors in 4th-8th grade. March 23 at 9 am. NIC Boswell Hall, 1000 W. Garden Ave., CdA. Radiant You Facial party. March 23 from 11 am-1 pm. Free; pre-registration required. Sun People Dry Goods Co., 32 W. Second Ave. sunpeopledrygoods.com (368-9378) Tomatoes from Seeds Learn how to successfully start tomato seeds for the upcoming growing season. March 23 from 3-5 pm. Free, pre-registration required. Sun People Dry Goods Co., 32 W. Second Ave. sunpeopledrygoods. com (368-9378)

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DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

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Nobody works harder for you. * Stated rate is up to an 80% LTV. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Rate based on the Prime Rate listed in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal plus margin. This plan has a 10-year draw period and 20-year repayment period. This is a variable rate plan with a minimum rate of 3.49% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) and maximum of 18.00%. As of 3/1/2013, the rate on our Home Equity Lines of Credit is Prime + 0.24% to Prime + 3.99% APR (3.49% APR - 7.24% APR). Different rates and terms available. After 12 months, a maintenance fee of $75.00 is assessed annually. No setup fee, no closing costs. This offer is available only on owner-occupied residential property and is subject to higher credit qualifications. Offer reflects a 0.50% discount for payments automatically deducted from a Sterling personal checking account. APR subject to increase if automatic payments are discontinued. Property insurance is required. Please consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility of interest. If you pay off and close your line within the first three years, an early closing fee of $500 applies. Rates vary by Combined Loan to Value (LTV) and credit score. All loans and rates subject to credit approval. Offer for new lines only. Offer subject to change without notice. Sterling Savings Bank is a Washington state-chartered bank that operates under the following trade names: Sterling Bank, Sonoma Bank and Borrego Springs Bank. Sterling Savings Bank does not operate under the STERLING brand in the State of California, but instead operates as “Sonoma Bank” or “Borrego Springs Bank.” Sterling Savings Bank, Sterling Bank, Sonoma Bank and now Borrego Springs Bank are the same FDIC-insured institution. Deposits held under Sterling Savings Bank or any of its trade names are not separately insured by the FDIC, but are combined to determine whether a depositor has exceeded the federal deposit insurance limit.

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3/18/13 1:53 PM