Annual Manual 2021-22 by The Inlander

THE INLANDER’S

THE INLANDER’S 2021-2022

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE INLAND NORTHWEST

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 supplement to the inlander

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WELCOME! WELL, FOLKS, our secret’s out. Many of us have known it for decades: The Inland Northwest is an incredible place to live, work and play. Since everybody else recently discovered this fact, largely thanks to the pandemic’s work-from-home shift the past two years, outsiders have been flocking to the area in droves to take advantage of the region’s many qualities. While this mass exodus from bigger, more expensive cities has caused plenty of growing pains — the least of which is an unprecedented housing shortage for rental properties and single-family homes (page 20) — along with headaches like more traffic (page 28), there are some good things in store, too. Businesses are moving here and investing in the region and providing good livable wages (page 29). Our universities, colleges and public schools are benefiting from this growth, too, becoming better equipped to hone future leaders in health care, technology, science and social services (page 38). More residents living here also means the hottest musicians, comedians and top Broadway shows will hopefully eye the Spokane area as a must stop for upcoming tours (page 50). It’s equally likely that many more top-tier chefs and restaurateurs will seriously consider expanding operations to our part of the Northwest. Several already have, including Seattle’s Tavolata and Tacoma’s Wooden City (page 68), among others. Besides these things, the Inland Northwest has another big thing going for it: Amazing outdoor landscapes. From lakes (page 170) to mountains (page 166) to beautifully renovated public parks (page 164), we also boast cycling, rock climbing and more. Not to mention a rea-

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Annual Manual Editor Chey Scott YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

son to root for any and all of the area’s sports teams, like Gonzaga’s NCAA basketball superstars and possibly a future Spokane-based professional soccer team (page 168). Not to brag (OK, yes, we’re bragging), but we also have some of the coolest craft breweries (page 92) — more than 60 total — plus cozy bars, swanky casinos and other dim-lit places to hang out all night (page 118) We’re also flush with unique, small businesses to shop, too, for stuff like awesome vintage treasures (page 124) and even legal cannabis (page 183)! Now that you see it all laid out plain and simple, is it really a surprise that other people want to live here and be Inlanders, too? We didn’t think so. — CHEY SCOTT Annual Manual Editor

ON THE COVER

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CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT

NIGHTLIFE

EDUCATION

SHOPPING

The nation’s real estate hot spot; downtown’s new sports structures; seven big ideas for the region PAGE 17

Six changes in education; EWU’s new president; breakthrough research from local universities PAGE 37

Live entertainment highlights; world’s best axe thrower has a suggestion; music venue survivors PAGE 111

The region’s best vintage shops; six local women transforming their homes; local shopping events PAGE 123

ARTS

RECREATION

FOOD & DRINK

GREEN ZONE

Best of Broadway makes up for a lost season; new work from local writers; Spokane’s vibrant murals PAGE 49

Six new restaurants; four immigrant chefs from around the world; a craft beer lover’s dream PAGE 67

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The Inland Northwest bike scene; new Ice Age Floods Playground; Gonzaga’s skyhigh expectations PAGE 159

Washington’s cannabis rules; find the edibles that are right for you; celebrity cannabis strains PAGE 183

THE UNIVERSITY FOR WASHINGTON The UW’s commitment to eastern Washington runs deep. For nearly 50 years we’ve been educating future doctors here, and our partnership with Gonzaga University continues the tradition. We’re proud to serve local students, communities and the state we all call home. uw.edu/spokane

LISA DEPLEDGE UW second-year medical student

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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Providing obstetrical and gynecological care for women of all ages.

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ANNUAL MANUAL EDITOR ART DIRECTOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Chey Scott Derek Ha rris on Young Kwa k

EDITORIAL

EDITOR

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CONTRIBUTORS

J a cob H. Fries Da n N a ilen Chris Fris ella E liss a B a ll S. Mic ha l Bennett Lea nn Bj erken Wils on Cris c ione N ic hola s Des ha is E ric k Doxey E .J. Ia nnelli Will Ma upin J ay Mc Gregor Lillia n Piel N ate S a nford Ca rrie Scozza ro Thea Skoka n Da niel Wa lters N atha n Weinbender Quinn Wels c h S a ma ntha Wohlfeil

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EVENT & PROMOTIONS ASSISTANT

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We specialize in family oriented pregnancy care and delivery, primarily at Holy Family Hospital whose recently remodeled Labor and Delivery Unit provides an at home birth experience.

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To submit story ideas, email editor@inlander.com. To request additional copies for recruiting or relocation packets, contact Frankd@inlander.com. For advertising information, contact Advertising@inlander.com. A L L CO NTE NTS O F THI S M AGA ZI NE A R E CO PYR I GHTE D @ I NLA ND P UBLI C AT I O N S , I N C . 2 02 1

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We’re Rooted. Spokane has been the headwaters of a cultural and economic watershed since well before the city’s founding in 1873. Our falls have been drawing people to share culture, community & commerce for thousands of years.

Our pre-war street grid, historic downtown and neighborhoods... Our dynamic core and neighborhood commercial zones... A railroad hub of a vast region of agriculture and natural resources, our close-in industrial zones have incredible history... The natural beauty of 76 lakes, rivers and the most dynamic urban waterfall in America draws people from all over the world... Our inspired, turn-of-the century Olmstead Brothers park plan anchors the city in nature... Our 8 universities and 3 colleges have trained generations of regional and national leaders...

We’re Growing. Fueled by passion, ambition and a commitment to our fellow Spokanites and the land around us, a new generation is building a vibrant, compassionate modern city.

rk spaces. ing and wo v li le ib d re s, and inc le weekend b the a lk a w , s space and mute d e m c o ri c p le ly b a ib e bik h access ...make for with enoug y jo n e to ts restauran shops and f o t are still ix m t n ra wn dream. s costs tha s e in s u b ...offer a vib ience to plant your o h orrow wit built-in aud stry of tom u d in h c e -t r the high eveloping fo rage. d re re a e rvation. e ...that w s for prese d n the US av n a la th r k e c a w b lo much ts, and buy tore habita s re t, c a p rically reduce im opy to histo r efforts to n u a o c s n e v a ri rb d u ...and ces and d green spa ssible and equitable. n te x e to s ore acce tion effort moderniza king the everything m s e ir p s in d ma ...an reas while sion, neglected a meday pas a g , e d ri p ommunity to inspire c nted workforce. e u n ti n o c , tale ...and ze a young and cataly

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ANNUAL REPORT HOT TOPIC The Inland Northwest finally becomes the nation’s real estate hot spot PAGE 18

THE BIG LEAGUES Spokane has invested millions of dollars into sports with two new structures downtown PAGE 25

BRIGHT IDEAS Seven ways to make the Inland Northwest an even better place to live PAGE 32

Music fans take in a show at the Spokane Pavilion. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ANNUAL REPORT

HOT RIGHT NOW SO

The Inland Northwest finally becomes the nation’s real estate hot spot BY DANIEL WALTERS

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CONSIDER THIS FIGURE FOR A MOMENT. According to Darin Watkins, government affairs director for the Spokane Association of Realtors, the median home price in Spokane in January was about $300,000. The median home price in August? $395,000. A nearly 32 percent increase in just eight months. It’s simultaneously an exciting figure — does this mean Spokane is finally cool? — and a massive housing crisis. “Most city workers can no longer afford to buy a house in Spokane,” Watkins says. Suddenly, Spokane isn’t just topping lists related to livability or the NCAA basketball tournament; it’s topping lists related to its insane housing market. In July, Redfin reported that Spokane had the highest percent of home listings — nearly

87 percent — turn into bidding wars, more than any of the other 50 metropolitan areas it ranked. Visit Spokane spokeswoman Kate Hudson suspects part of the flood of homebuyers is related to COVID-19. “The pandemic really changed the way people looked at how they were living,” Hudson says. “Everybody is working from home. It gives you a greater opportunity to look at living in a smaller city or a more affordable city.” In other words, you could have a highpaid job in Seattle, but live in Spokane. “It maybe lets you live the quieter life,” Hudson says. “The access to the outdoors in Spokane is a real bonus. People want space and want fresh air, and Spokane offers that opportunity.” In that sense, it’s a victory for groups like

Visit Spokane and Greater Spokane Incorporated, two Spokane boosters who’ve spent much of the pandemic touting Spokane as a place where nature — like the glorious Spokane Falls — melds seamlessly with a thriving urban core. “That fit really well with where people were at as a result of the pandemic,” says Alisha Benson, CEO of GSI. “We had the opportunity to capitalize on that.” But with housing prices skyrocketing, rents are climbing even faster. In July, Apartment List reported, Spokane had the second highest year-over-year rent increases in the nation, behind only Boise, Idaho. In a single year, rent had spiked by nearly 30 percent. “This is our new reality,” Watkins says. “There is virtually no indication this is a bubble.”

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ANNUAL REPORT HOUSING

SEEKING SHELTER Spokane’s low-income housing waiting list is three years long, but new strategies are emerging IF YOU BECOME HOMELESS in Spokane, here’s the good news: There are about 10 different local nonprofits that offer subsidized apartment units to get you housed. But here’s the really bad news: On average, there’s a three-year wait to get access to that shelter. In recent years, Spokane has built hundreds of additional housing units in complexes for homeless and formerly homeless people, as nonprofits like Catholic Charities and Volunteers of America have cut the ribbons on sites like Father Bach Haven, St. Michael’s Haven and The Marilee. But in the midst of the housing crisis, it’s not nearly enough, says Ben Stuckart, director of the Low-Income Housing Consortium and

Nonprofits like Catholic Charities, led by Rob McCann, have in recent years built hundreds of additional units for homeless and formerly homeless people. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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former Spokane City Council president. The demand for housing, the construction labor shortage and pandemic-battered supply chains have made building new low-income housing more expensive than ever. Federal subsidies, meanwhile, have gradually decreased in recent years. “One of our larger problems is there’s not enough land zoned multifamily to build low-income housing,” says Stuckart. But Stuckart does see bright spots. Last year, the City Council passed an ordinance to use a sales tax to generate money for more affordable housing. This year, Gonzaga University and Gonzaga Prep High School have joined Catholic Charities to open

Gonzaga Family Haven, which will house 73 formerly homeless families, using student volunteers to help provide support. And in the future, Stuckart says, the City Council plans to convert an old hotel on Sunset Boulevard into another affordable housing complex. “If we can make turning an unused hotel into low-income housing a success, it will be a really good model for the future,” Stuckart says. — DANIEL WALTERS

In today's market it's more important than ever to have an agent with experience and understanding of how to negotiate to get the best deals for the buyer and the seller.

SO HOT RIGHT NOW, CONTINUED... It’s a consequence of economics, brutal and simple: too much demand for places to live, not nearly enough supply. “We have among the lowest vacancy rates in the country,” Watkins says. The housing crisis, of course, is not just limited to Spokane or the Inland Northwest. It’s a national phenomenon, driven by scores of factors. Part of it goes back to our last big housing crisis, when a frenzy of irresponsible Wall Street betting on houses — and the notion that houses, no matter how lavish, were unlikely to go down in value — collapsed the housing market, taking down the entire economy. It scared people off building new housing developments and sent hundreds of thousands of experienced construction workers fleeing for other professions. It also deeply damaged the career prospects of an entire generation. It’s only now, a dozen years after they graduated into a Great Recession-era economy, that many millennials are trying to buy homes. But they’ve found that there aren’t nearly enough homes for sale to go around, and the construction shortage means it will take a long time to build new homes. And that’s even if they’re allowed to. The housing crisis is a political problem as much as an economic one: With existing homeowners willing to fight tooth-and-nail to oppose apartment complexes — or even duplexes — from being built in their neighborhood, anyone who wants to build more housing finds themselves wading through a thicket of zoning regulations, mandating everything from how many parking spaces have to be built to how large yards have to be.

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“It’s difficult to get companies to expand to Spokane when we have such a difficult housing market, when it’s really tough for their employees who need good solid affordable housing to find it.” “We’ve artificially restricted supply to such an extent that we have a massive shortage,” says Spokane City Councilman Michael Cathcart. And that, as a result, handicaps Spokane’s ability to take advantage of the enthusiasm for the city. “It’s difficult to get companies to expand to Spokane when we have such a difficult housing market, when it’s really tough for their employees who need good solid affordable housing to find it,” Cathcart says. Yet even Inland Northwest communities with looser regulations, and a hell of a lot more building, are struggling to keep up with demand. In April, the Coeur d’Alene metro area was named the hottest housing market by the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com. Housing is red-hot in Post Falls, too. Despite adding homes for nearly 12,000 new people in the last five years, that town near the Washington border has barely made a dent in the demand for housing, the Coeur d’Alene Press reported last April. 

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ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ANNUAL REPORT

The county with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Washington state, liberal San Juan County, actually had the lowest percentage of its kindergartners entering school with all of their required vaccinations in 2018-2019. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

HEALTH

SHOTS NEARLY BULLETPROOF Vaccinations have come slower than needed, including in the Inland Northwest WHEN THE MORE INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT of the coronavirus hit in the summer, it worried the vaccinated and the unvaccinated alike. After all, with reports of more breakthrough infections among vaccinated people, public health professionals started talking about the possibility of future booster shots. But that shouldn’t distract from this stark figure: As of Aug. 10, 97 percent of all hospitalizations at Kootenai Health since the delta wave began were from unvaccinated people. And that’s despite the fact that 79 percent of Idaho’s vulnerable 65-plus population had at least one vaccination shot — compared with less than half of Idaho’s younger eligible population. It’s simultaneously proof of just how effective the vaccines still are and a dire warning for those who have refused to get a shot. In August, hospitals across the nation returned to delaying and rescheduling surgeries because their hospitals were too crammed with COVID-19 patients. But vaccination levels could be radically different depending on where you live. In Seattle’s King County, the share of those over 12 with at least one dose was a staggering 80 percent. But compare that to Spo-

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kane County’s 56 percent, Kootenai County’s 43 percent and Stevens County’s dismal 33 percent. In the Pacific Northwest, it turns out, the color divide when it comes to vaccination isn’t black and white, but red and blue: The more a county turned out to vote for Trump, the lower their vaccination rate. The Inlander tried to find another correlation as strong: Age? Income? Education? Race? Population density? But nothing was quite as good at predicting vaccination as politics. In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee tried the carrot approach — enrolling vaccinated people in a series of lotteries with big cash prizes — and saw a decent bump in vaccination rates as a result. But in August, Inslee introduced the stick. He ordered state-government employees and private health care workers to get vaccinated by Oct. 18. A few weeks later, Inslee’s announced he was also requiring K-12 and higher ed employees to get vaccinated, including those who taught at private and religious schools. As of this writing in August 2021, however, Spokane’s mayor and county commissioners refused to follow suit for their own employees. — DANIEL WALTERS

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GAME ON Spokane has invested millions of dollars into sports with two new structures downtown IT TOOK YEARS of negotiating, a failed public advisory vote on the ballot and a bunch of angry emails to public officials, but now it’s really happening: There’s going to be a sports stadium in downtown Spokane. In May, the Spokane school board agreed to construct its new high school sports stadium downtown, instead of at the soon-demolished Joe Albi Stadium’s location in northwest Spokane.

The Podium represents a more than $50 million public investment. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ANNUAL REPORT GAME ON, CONTINUED... “I genuinely believe that when all is said and done, that this decision is a step in the right direction to bring Spokane to a better place,” says Jerrall Haynes, Spokane Public Schools school board president. The decision came after voters in 2018 approved $31 million for the stadium, but said in a nonbinding advisory vote that they preferred it be located outside downtown.

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A rendering of the new downtown stadium, which will also be home to a new United Soccer League team.

The Podium features a 200-meter banked hydraulic track, 16 basketball courts, nine volleyball courts and 21 wrestling mats, along with seating for up to 4,000 spectators.

The new downtown stadium will also be home to a new United Soccer League team, which promised to bring a team to Spokane only if the stadium was downtown. The school district will retain 100 percent ownership rights and was sold on the assurance that it would receive at least $22.5 million in cost savings through the terms of its contract with the Spokane Public Facilities District, which will handle stadium operations. The downtown stadium is part of an overall investment in sports, particularly downtown on the north bank of the Spokane River. That’s where the new sportsplex, The Podium, now resides as it finishes up the last of its construction. The Podium cost more than $50 million to build, with funding coming from several sources and without a public vote. It is also being operated by the PFD, with the idea that it should attract a variety of marquee sporting events to the heart of the city. And just in front of the podium are new basketball courts, a playground for the kids and a skate park. As Eric Sawyer, president of the Spokane Sports Commission, told the Inlander before the sportsplex was built, “it’s a game changer.” — WILSON CRISCIONE

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ANNUAL REPORT

INSIDER INSIGHT

E. SUSAN MEYER E. SUSAN MEYER HAS BEEN the CEO of Spokane Transit Authority since 2005. She’s also an Eastern Washington University alumna. We asked her to weigh in on the state of transit and transportation investments. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC

“The abrupt closure of many workplaces in response to COVID-19 mandates ushered in a new era of remote work. How many of those jobs will remain remote will inform our decisions over time about how to best structure our service. People are still going to work, to school, to the doctor and the grocery store, so clean, safe and convenient transit continues to play a key role in the region’s transportation system.”

FEDERAL INVESTMENTS AND LIGHT RAIL

“The potential for significant federal infrastructure funding and a new multiyear transportation bill presents an opportunity to think big. The Spokane region is well-positioned to leverage this funding because we’ve been diligent preparing

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for transformative investments. One example is our commitment to converting the STA fleet to zero-emission technology, and new federal funding could accelerate that transition. Light rail remains an option in our longer-term thinking as an effective way to move lots of people in densely populated areas. The designs of MLK Boulevard, the University District Gateway Bridge and the Kramer Overpass in Liberty Lake are examples of the intentional steps taken to ensure a light-rail option is preserved.”

WHEN TO EXPECT THE CITY LINE

“Everyone is excited about the new City Line rapid transit route from Browne’s Addition to Spokane Community College by way of downtown, the University District and Gonzaga University. You can feel the energy and enthusiasm as our drivers and mechanics train on the new, 60-foot battery electric buses and charging stations in the garage built on the Boone campus specifically for this new technology, and at SCC. In spite of the pandemic, our contractor Cameron-Reilly continues to make good progress on the 25-plus stations along the 6-mile route.” — SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

Spokane Transit ridership dropped from about 10 million rides per year to about 6 million from 2019 to 2020 due to the pandemic. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

EMPLOYMENT

REOPENED & REBOUNDING Even though labor shortages in some industries linger, jobs are up AFTER THE PLUMMETING EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS in 2020 that were largely due to massive closures of daily life, 2021 offered a far rosier picture, with record job opportunities posted in multiple months. In June 2021, the U.S. saw a record 10.1 million job openings posted, according to Labor Department data. But employers in some sectors still struggled to fill those open positions, as only 6.7 million jobs were filled that same month. In particular, the food and beverage industry appeared to have seen an exodus of workers, prompting conversations about wages and benefits, and lifestyle changes that could’ve been driven by the pandemic. Women were more likely to have left the workforce to care for children at home either due to virtual school-

claims for the week of Aug. 1-7, 2021, the state was still ing or lack of child care options. seeing about as many people in need of benefits as at While some employers tried to lure new hires the peak of the Great Recession. with signing bonuses, others reduced their business Pandemic-related employment issues remained hours or closed for good. somewhat uncertain as the delta variant of COVID-19 The region lost a nearly brand-new employer increased hospitalizations and illness around the when cross-laminated timber manufacturer Katerra country in August 2021. shuttered its U.S. operations in June 2021. But a couStill, some employers in the region benefited ple dozen jobs at the Spokane Valley plant could soon during the pandemic. Amazon was working to open be reinstated as the facility was sold in bankruptcy a second regional facility in Spokane Valley that could court to Mercer International, another wood product bring another 1,200 jobs to the area. According to a company. company-issued report, between the new By late summer 2021, Washingfacility and its West Plains building, the ton unemployment numbers were far company has generated more than $550 better than the worst point in 2020, Amazon plans to operate a million for the Inland Northwest economy. when there were more than 1.6 million second facility in Spokane — SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL active claims. But with 306,858 active Valley. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ANNUAL REPORT ENVIRONMENT

A NEW FOCUS ON WATER The Inland Northwest has hard work ahead to save fish and water resources EVEN THOUGH WE’VE KNOWN for close to 30 years that the Spokane River is contaminated with high levels of toxic PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), reducing that pollution is taking a long time. So much time, in fact, that environmental groups renewed a legal process in 2021 that they’d started a decade earlier. They asked that a federal court consider requiring specific pollution limits for the largest river polluters to speed up the cleanup process. The polluters who could be affected include Kaiser Aluminum, Inland Empire Paper Company, and the wastewater treatment plants for Spokane, Spokane County and Liberty Lake. In late 2020, the EPA completed a major cleanup at a former Kaiser site near Mead to remove thousands of pounds of PCBs in building materials left at the site. But environmentalists and concerned citizens still say there’s more to be done. Meanwhile, Spokane Environmental groups want specific pollution asked citizens to reduce their limits for the largest use of water throughout the Spokane River polluters. warmer months as a drought hit the region. While the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is immense, it’s not unlimited. Warmer, drier years allow less water to flow through the Earth and recharge that underground wellspring, so residents can help by reducing their landscaping that requires watering and conserving on household water use. This past year was also dire for salmon along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, as extremely hot weather made the reservoirs behind dams heat up even sooner than normal. Several reached the unlivable hot temperatures (for salmonids) of more than 70 degrees. Tribes and environmental groups held ceremonies mourning fish die-offs and fungal infections that started impacting returning salmon in July and August. It was expected that as many or more fish could die in 2021 as died in 2015, a record bad year. “What do I tell my grandchildren, how do you continue to give hope for the future?” Cathy Sampson-Kruse, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation and a Columbia Riverkeeper board member, said in a speech in August 2021. “We carry on the best we can, but we are now at a precipice.” — SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

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WHAT’S YOUR BIG IDEA? Seven ways to make the Inland Northwest an even better place to live

Rand Miller’s idea would involve making Riverfront Park part of a life-sized treasure hunt. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

AS WE BEGIN TO SEE THE LIGHT at the end of the pandemic, what could we do (or at least start) to make the Inland Northwest more fun, more livable, more just, more practical, more successful, more hopeful? That’s the unnecessarily wordy question we put to some of our favorite local thinkers. Their responses, lightly edited here for space, create an inspired wish list for our region and if we’re lucky (and work hard), more than a few of them could come true! — JACOB H. FRIES

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TURN ALL OF SPOKANE INTO A GIANT PUZZLE GAME

BY RAND MILLER, CYAN FOUNDER AND MYST CREATOR I’ve made my living right here in Spokane For example: What if there was a compass building imaginary worlds with rich stories direction and a number stamped onto the side and compelling puzzles. of the garbage-eating goat? Walking that direcBut I’ve always been fascinated with the tion for that many feet leads you to a wheel of idea of adding puzzles and narrative to the real the Big Red Wagon. Behind that wheel, under world — hiding story and clues in plain sight the wagon is a map of Riverfront Park, with in the everyday world. As a company, we once an X on the corner of the Clock Tower. Do procured a billboard in Carlsbad, New Mexia pencil-rubbing on a suspicious brick on that co, with a strange symbol and some GPS cocorner of the Clock Tower and come away ordinates, leading curious adventurers down a with a rough image of a phone number. Calltrail of clues that eventually brought them to ing the number plays a message that… you get a cast metal artifact in the middle of the Bisti the idea. Badlands. Suddenly every Inland Northwest landI’ve always wondered what it would be mark, large and small, becomes part of a larger like if a whole region embraced the idea, makmeta-game, leading you down paths to placing it part of their DNA, imbuing an entire city es you’ve never seen. It’s as if the entire city with tiny bits of information that add up to a becomes an “escape the room” game with an larger treasure-hunt quest. unfolding narrative hidden in plain sight.

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WHAT’S YOUR BIG IDEA?, CONTINUED...

UN-STEAL INDIGENOUS LAND

BANISH DOWNTOWN SURFACE PARKING LOTS

BY TARA “QALLAQ” RAMOS, INDIGENOUS CITIZEN AND ACTIVIST Indigenous citizens in Spokane are overrepresented in our homeless population, in police contact and police-related killings, in child welfare removals, and in the school-to-prison pipeline — all due to colonialism. Spokane and the rest of its citizens could make the world more just for their Indigenous brothers and sisters by giving their land back. Since tribal people have been inhabiting this land since time immemorial, it only fits that the city of Spokane and its beneficiaries return land as a way to make just what colonialism stole from Indigenous people. Such a gift to Indigenous people could be a place where we build small houses for our homeless, create a place to practice food sovereignty to address hunger in our community, and a place for cultural practices to address our mental, physical and spiritual health. Acknowledging the history of stolen land is nice. But actually giving the land back is true justice.

BY BEN STUCKART, FORMER SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT The valuable land downtown should be dedicated to the highest and best use of the property. A surface parking lot is the lowest and worst use. If Spokane wants a thriving urban core, we must fix this issue before anything else. If we do not deal with the 76 vacant parking lots, we will never have the number of people living downtown necessary to support the walkable environment, successful restaurants and dense retail needed to survive long term. The solution is easy. Every business owner downtown pays a business improvement district fee. Raise the prices on each surface parking lot spot so much that it becomes a disincentive. Use the street parking revenue to build a couple of covered parking lots. You get covered parking that businesses want, and you force lot owners to build up for a higher and better use.

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MAKE AIRPLANES IN SPOKANE

“My big dream is that we’re going to manufacture an airplane and fly it out of Spokane.” YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BY AL FRENCH, SPOKANE COUNTY COMMISSIONER Al French, in a phone interview, says he wants to bring an aerospace manufacturer to Spokane County. “My big dream is that we’re going to manufacture an airplane and fly it out of Spokane,” French says. French has been set on bringing an aerospace manufacturer for years, and he says “we’re closer today than we were three years ago.” S3R3 — a collaboration between county, city and Spokane International Airport leaders formerly called the West Plains Public Development Authority — helped attract the Amazon fulfillment center to Spokane, he says. Now, Amazon is opening a second one in Spokane Valley. French says that’s evidence that Spokane is primed for more job-creating development. “We now have the ability to deliver projects just like other communities in the state,” French says.

STICK A BIG URBAN MARKET IN THE CENTER OF SPOKANE BY MELISSA LUCK, KXLY EXECUTIVE NEWS DIRECTOR Spokane is on the verge of peak foodie-hipster glory. There’s just one thing missing: a onestop shop for all things food, beer, wine, art and community. For its next big idea, Spokane should look a couple of hours to the west. Spokane needs an urban market/gathering place like the Pybus Market in Wenatchee. Not just a farmer’s market, but a spot that also has small restaurants, wine bars, kiosks that sell locally made goods. The idea is already forming at the Wonder Building, but a larger spot in a more centrally located area could really be the spark Spokane needs. Make it a food destination. A mall food court on crack. Pike Place Market, but hip.

GIVE THE COURTHOUSE TOWER A CHANCE TO SHINE BY ROB CHASE, WASHINGTON STATE REPRESENTATIVE, R-LIBERTY LAKE Bring back the colored lights for the Spokane County Courthouse Tower. As I recall, the courthouse used to look like the Disney castle. My sister and I thought Rapunzel lived up there. If there is ever room in the budget, or a generous philanthropist appears, it would be nice to have a clock in the Courthouse Tower as was originally intended in the architect’s designs. An old-fashioned clock with hands, not digital. (You don’t want it stuck flashing the wrong time whenever the power goes out.)

MAKE URBAN RECREATION ON THE SPOKANE RIVER INCREDIBLE BY MARK RICHARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO DOWNTOWN SPOKANE PARTNERSHIP There has been great discussion in the past about more active use of our Spokane River, going back many years to what was known as the Spokane River Gorge Park concept: the formation of a whitewater park and more recreational use of the river. Infrastructure would be built to create more in-water rapids, provide more access for boats and attract outdoor water sports enthusiasts to the area. We could also entice private companies to provide more guided float tours and fly-fishing opportunities. This would provide first-class river experiences for local residents, and attract people to visit and live here. 

“If we do not deal with the 76 vacant parking lots, we will never have the number of people living downtown necessary to support the walkable environment, successful restaurants and dense retail needed to survive long term.”

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EDUCATION

EDUCATION EVOLUTION Six ways education is changing PAGE 38

INSIDER INSIGHT A conversation with EWU’s new president PAGE 41

SCHOLASTIC FANTASTIC Breakthrough research from our local universities PAGE 42

Eastern Washington University’s Cheney campus. EWU PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

EDUCATION

CLASS MOBILITY Six ways education is changing BY WILSON CRISCIONE EVER SINCE SCHOOLS WERE FORCED to go online during the pandemic, there’s been a rethinking of the way education is delivered — both across the country and right here in the Inland Northwest. It’s led to conversations discussing the best way to reach students, how to keep schools safe, and what we should be teaching them in the first place. And these debates have become entangled in the culture wars — are schools teaching critical race theory? Should police be allowed to arrest students in schools? The last year and a half has undoubtedly been a period of unrest for K-12 schools and higher education, and out of it have come ma-

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jor permanent changes to the system. Here are some of the biggest ones.

DROPPING STANDARDIZED TESTS

Before the pandemic, colleges had increasingly become “test optional” when it came to students needing to submit an SAT or ACT score for admission. Well, the pandemic forced colleges, at least temporarily, to nix the tests altogether. Now, going test optional — or not considering tests at all — has become the hot new thing in higher education. Don’t believe me? Maybe you’ll believe Elizabeth Chilton, the Washing-

ton State University provost who announced they would no longer consider SAT scores because “this is the trend.” Other local universities have all gone at least test optional as well. The reasons behind the trend, however, have stirred some debate. Many universities say standardized tests aren’t the best way to measure learning and only reinforce racial disparities in who has access to higher education. On the other side, some experts argue the tests can actually serve as a lifeline to disadvantaged students who otherwise wouldn’t have the grades to get into college. Still, at least for now, it appears SAT and ACT scores are losing favor in higher education.

A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF LEARNING

Somewhat related to the trend away from standardized tests is the ongoing debate over how to assess learning, if not for testing. And as fears over the long term impacts of temporary school shutdowns grow, some in the education world are challenging the idea of “learning loss,” at least in the way we traditionally understand it. “It’s a global and a national conversation,” says Spokane Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Heather Bybee. The argument is that even if students aren’t learning academics in the traditional way, they’re learning other life skills, like how to survive and thrive in adversity, Bybee says. “That is a life skill that will prepare them no matter what study they’re going into — to pivot, be flexible and advocate for yourself,” Bybee says. Those skills, however, don’t always translate well to, say, an end-of-the-semester academic test. Tests have been viewed as an important way to keep schools accountable, but school districts like Spokane have their eye on other ways to measure learning — through projects allowing students to express themselves differently, for example. “I’m hopeful that people are going to get more creative, and not just do memory recall to see what kids know and don’t know,” says Scott Kerwien, director of college and career readiness for Spokane Public Schools.

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FACING PAGE: Going test optional — or not considering tests at all — has become the hot new thing in higher education.

ARRIVE CURIOUS LEAVE INSPIRED

WSU students with a 3.5 GPA or above have an 80 percent six-year graduation rate at WSU, the university found. Students with an SAT score above 1,200 had a six-year graduation rate of less than 70 percent.

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COLLEGE ATHLETES CAN MAKE SOME MONEY

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June, NCAA athletes can now profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL). That means they can get some money from autograph sales, social media posts, streaming channels, training lessons and camps, and other endorsement deals. “I’m in favor of [athletes] profiting as much as they can,” Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee this year. “We are at a critical juncture in college athletics.” Indeed, questions remain around the implications of the change. States have different laws around NIL for college athletes, and there is no federal law providing more clarity. But already, some athletes are cashing in on their new ability to get paid for endorsement deals.

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ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

EDUCATION CLASS MOBILITY, CONTINUED...

A RACIAL RECKONING IN SCHOOLS

Following the murder of George Floyd last year, Spokane Public Schools passed an equity resolution listing off a series of goals meant to ensure students of color have the support they need. Part of the goal: No more student arrests, which had disproportionately affected students of color. As part of the national conversation, schools are also rethinking how they teach Black history. The Washington Legislature passed a bill to mandate training programs to eliminate “structural racism against all races.” On the flip side, in Idaho, legislators have tried to penalize universities that “continue to emphasize social justice education.” Some conservatives fear that critical race theory — the idea that racism is embedded in American legal systems and policies — will be taught both in K-12 schools and higher education.

In Central Valley School District, school board candidates have had entire debates on the topic without realizing what’s actually being taught. It’s why Central Valley this summer had to issue a clarification this summer that it “does not currently teach, nor does the district have any plans to teach Critical Race Theory in our schools.”

ENROLLMENT DROPS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Last year, with public schools starting online, enrollment dropped sharply — espe-

Meanwhile, parents looking for different options took their students to private schools, charter schools and for-profit online schools. We’ll see if that trend holds up again.

NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN SPOKANE

As Spokane Public Schools shifts the sixth grade to middle schools in the coming years, existing middle schools are being renovated and new ones are being erected. Shaw and Glover middle schools got their replacements finished this year, with Sacajawea coming two years later. Meanwhile, new Denny Yasuhara Middle School in the northeast and Pauline Flett Middle School in the northwest should be completed in August 2022. And Carla Peperzak Middle School on the South Hill will be finished a year after. This comes along with boundary changes, which proved controversial after some critics argued it perpetuated socioeconomic inequities within the local school system. 

In Idaho, legislators have tried to penalize universities that “continue to emphasize social justice education.” cially among younger grades. In October of last year, state public schools enrolled 31,000 fewer students compared to the year before — nearly a 3 percent decrease.

Spokane’s middle schools like Glover are being renovated and reimagined. COURTESY RENDERING

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INSIDER INSIGHT

DAVID MAY DAVID MAY HAS BEEN WORKING for Eastern Washington University for more than two decades, and was appointed interim president in August 2020, in the midst of a financially tumultuous year. We spoke with May about the challenges of the past year, including his recent recommendation that EWU athletics remain Division 1 as some faculty called for a reduction in the department’s size. The conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

THE FUTURE OF EWU ATHLETICS

“I have a group of people, very smart people, problem-solvers, who are asking that question right now. And the question, if I was gonna ask it in a very simple way, is how do we reimagine a sustainable, equitable, competitive Division 1 Big Sky athletics program in the future of Eastern Washington University? “It’s a very interrelated constellation of questions to get to what seems to be a very simple answer. It’s private dollars, and it’s fundraising, and it’s fan experience, and it’s facilities, and it’s recruitment, and it’s

athletic success, and it’s student engagement. There’s a whole lot of pieces that all have to come together simultaneously to make athletics as impactful as it can be.”

ABOVE: EWU and other universities across the country are bracing for a looming “demographic cliff” of low birth rates caused by the 2008 recession. Economists have estimated that the college-going population might drop by as much 15 percent between 2025 and 2029. EWU PHOTOS

CUTS TO ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

“I think that there’s this tendency to link those two things in ways which are not entirely accurate. It’s easy to say that we’re cutting academic programs to fund athletics; that’s not really an accurate statement. “Healthy institutions, whether they’re educational institutions or private businesses or any type of institution, should be looking at the products and services that they’re offering and determining if they’re still responsive to the needs of, in my case, both students and regional employers.”

ENROLLMENT AND RETENTION OUTLOOK

“I’m actually very hopeful. I think we’re going to see less of a rebound for this fall than we will for next fall

if I’m honest. I think people still have a ‘wait and see’ [mentality].”

IF YOU COULD GO BACK A YEAR...

“I’ve got a file cabinet full of those. You know, nothing we did was perfect; I wouldn’t claim that it was. I think that what we did, though, is get the big ones right. We were one of the first two or three institutions in the United States to say, for instance, we’re not going to be open in the fall … Should we have waited a week? Or should we have done it two days sooner? Those are the things that history will have to decide.” — NATE SANFORD ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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HIGHER LIFE FORMS What if dozens of planets offer even more ideal conditions for supporting life than Earth? OUT OF THOUSANDS OF PLANETS strewn across the universe, Earth got pretty lucky. It has a close, but not too close, sun. It has a protective atmosphere. It has water and oxygen and a variety of environments for developing and sustaining that elusive spark of existence — life. But recent research from geobiologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch, who specializes in astrobiology at Washington State University, suggests that dozens of planets may offer even more ideal conditions for supporting life than Earth. “There can be actually quite a bit of variation,” he says. “With that variation, you can come up with an even better planet than Earth.”

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Schulze-Makuch, with astronomers René Heller and Edward Guinan, recently published a peer-reviewed paper listing 24 potentially “superhabitable” planets based on their theoretical conditions such as solar radiation, temperature, atmosphere, water content or other life-supporting traits. The researchers compared more than 4,000 exoplanets to create their short list of promising planets for further study. Schulze-Makuch says he tried to imagine how various beneficial characteristics might add up to create the necessities for alien organisms. “Life is so adaptive,” he says. “How could life make a living? What kind of resources could you use? ... Life is very creative and inventive.”

The type of star, its orbit radius and its radiation output often served as the initial criteria for narrowing candidates. Schulze-Makuch notes that K dwarf stars can provide much longer periods of stable, habitable radiation than our own G star. Having longer stability allows more time for life to develop, which scientists estimate may take 5 billion to 8 billion years. Terrestrial planets about 50 percent larger than Earth would also provide more land mass for growing life while generating enough gravity to maintain a stable atmosphere, he says. Planets with extensive coastal areas and slightly warmer temperatures would also be poised to support more biodiversity than Earth. Schulze-Makuch emphasizes they have

CAT TALES What if massive saber-toothed cats roamed the Inland Northwest? WHEN IT COMES TO PALEONTOLOGY, the most exciting discoveries aren’t always made in the field. Sometimes, they’re made in a windowless museum basement lined with cabinets full of bones. That’s where John Orcutt was around 2008, pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Oregon and paying the bills with a job inventorying fossils at the university’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

JOHN ORCUTT

An artist’s concept depicts Kepler-186f, the first validated Earth-size planet to orbit a distant star in the habitable zone. NASA AMES/SETI INSTITUTE/JPL-CALTECH

NASA PHOTO

DIRK SCHULZE-MAKUCH only identified planets with potential for habitation. Due to the limits of technology, they cannot yet confirm many of the measurements or conditions that would confirm habitability. Some of the closest candidates are still more than 100 light years away, he says. Others are 3,000 light years away. And new planets are

discovered all the time. “We cannot say we’ve found a superhabitable planet,” he says. “This is just the first step.” Schulze-Makuch acknowledges many of their theories and priorities may also be limited by their Earthly understanding of how life develops and what it needs to survive. Extraterrestrial life may flourish in wildly different environments. Schulze-Makuch says such mysteries have inspired him since he was a child, looking up at the stars. “It addresses one of the most ancient philosophical questions: Are we alone?” he says. “I can add a minuscule contribution to that question, get closer to the answer.” — JACOB JONES

Orcutt, now an assistant professor of biology at Gonzaga University, was going through cabinets when he came across a lower arm bone labeled “felidae” — the scientific word for cat. The specimen was discovered in the 1950s and had been collecting dust in the basement cabinet for decades. “John saw it and was like, ‘No way. That’s way too big; that’s not right,’” says Jonathan Calede, Orcutt’s office mate at the time who would later co-author a research paper about the cat with Orcutt. Because of its size, Orcutt initially thought the bone might have belonged to a rhino or a bear. But upon closer inspection, Orcutt realized the bone might belong to a previously undiscovered species of saber-toothed cat. Over the next few years, Orcutt found more large cat bones at other universities that further cemented his hunch. In 2017, Orcutt and a team of three graduate students revisited the field site in Eastern Oregon where the bone in the museum collection had been discovered. In a stroke of luck, the first bone they found was an arm bone that belonged to the same large cat species. ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

EDUCATION

BETTER THAN A CLONE What if you could replicate the perfect goat and help feed the world? IMAGINE THE PERFECT GOAT. And

CAT TALES, CONTINUED... “I knew in a second exactly what it was,” Orcutt says. “It’s a dead ringer in almost every way.” Calede helped Orcutt run a quantitative analysis comparing the bones with other, previously discovered saber-toothed species. In May 2021, the pair published a paper outlining their findings and confirming Orcutt’s hunch from more than a decade ago: There’s a new cat in town, and it’s name is Machairodus lahayishipup. The first part of the name comes from the Greek word “dagger teeth” and identifies the genus that includes a half-dozen other saber-toothed cat species. For help coining the second part of the name, Orcutt turned to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation upon whose traditional lands some of the bones were found. “Lahayishipup” is a compound of the words “ancient” and “wildcat” in the Old Cayuse language. One of the most striking things about the cat is its size. The average M. lahayishipup weighed about 600 pounds. The largest bone analyzed by the pair belonged to a cat that was around 900 pounds, placing it among the largest cats in recorded history.

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Saber-toothed cats have been discovered before in North America, but the majority are from the last million or so years. The species documented by Orcutt and Calede is from 5 million to 9 million years ago. Saber-toothed cats earned their name and reputation from lengthy, dagger-like front teeth, but Orcutt says there’s debate in the scientific community about what those teeth were actually used for. Orcutt says saber-toothed cats may have used their beefy forearms to grapple with prey — sort of like how a modern house cat plays with a toy. Once the prey was restrained, the cat would have used the sabers to deliver the killing blow and slit the animal’s throat. Orcutt says that if he could travel back in time and see M. lahayishipup in person, he would be most interested in observing how the cat hunted. Did it roam in packs like the modern lion? Or was it more of a solo predator like a cougar? Calede takes a more pragmatic view: If he were able to observe the cat in the wild, he would be most interested in finding a place to hide and not get eaten. — NATE SANFORD

yes, let’s acknowledge that contemporary beauty standards for goats may vary depending on the culture. But generally, go with us here. A perfect goat grows up fast. A perfect goat resists disease. A perfect goat generates muscle mass efficiently. A perfect goat doesn’t take as much food, water or antibiotics to get ready to be slaughtered for food. Everyone wants to breed a perfect goat to breed almost-perfect kids. Just one great male goat can transform a whole herd. The problem is that there aren’t a lot of good goats to go around. But in Pullman, there are a few perfect — or at least pretty great — goats bleating in their JON OATLEY pens at the goat barn at Washington State University as researcher Jon Oatley explains the revolutionary innovations these goats have unlocked. What WSU did was to figure out a way to effectively snag a perfect goat’s genes, and hack the DNA of another male goat so that it too fathers another perfect kid. To be clear, it’s not a clone. Clones are expensive and riddled with the DNA problems that come from “all the crazy things you were exposed to in adulthood,” Oatley says. It’s better than a clone. Effectively, WSU extracts the genetic code from one elite goat and cuts and pastes it into a ton of other goats, forcing those goats to produce the offspring of the elite goat.

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BETTER THAN A CLONE, CONTINUED...

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“We go into his testicles and pull out the sperm-producing stem cells,” Oatley says. Then they transfer the stem cells of the elite goat and inject it into the testicles of another goat. And if that other goat is a normal goat, well, nothing happens; a normal goat already makes its own run-of-the-mill hoh-hum goat sperm. That’s where the really fancy science comes in. “We have to make these surrogate males that don’t make their own sperm,” Oatley says. WSU figured out the exact string of genetic code that allows a goat to produce sperm. By using a genetic editing tool called CRISPR, they’re able to knock out the section of code in the single cell of a goat embryo. That embryo grows into a goat that’s unable to produce sperm.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. DANIEL WALTERS PHOTO

“They have testicles, just like a normal animal,” Oatley says. “But they just lack the cells that make sperm.” Inject the elite goat sperm stem cells into the spermless goats, and the stem cells automatically graft into the missing space. By the time it matures, the goat starts pumping out sperm containing the elite goat’s DNA sperm. There’s another benefit: Knock out the sperm genes in both female chromosomes and just one male chromosome, and through the magic of genetics, start creating a unique line of goats. Some of the offspring are spermless surrogate goats, with the empty slot in their genetic code that can be filled by a better goat, while others are able to have kids, but some of their offspring don’t produce sperm. Not only is WSU a leader in this technique, nobody else is doing it. Oatley suspects that researchers in other labs haven’t figured out which part of the genes eliminates sperm production. There are many commercial opportunities: They could sell the surrogate goats that produce elite goat children directly. Or they could sell access to the goat breeding program, working with a rancher to create a custom elite goat breeding program. Oately acknowledges that messing with genetics this way can bring up some genuine ethical questions. But the impacts can be profound, he says. “We’re doing it because we’re trying to address food insecurity. Right? How can we get meat to people more effectively?” Oatley says. “How can we address malnourishment, lack of access to food, all these things?” — DANIEL WALTERS

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People

A Bi-Monthly • Available FREE onthroughout Inlander throughout the Inland Northwest A Bi-Monthly Magazine Magazine • Available FREE on Inlander stands thestands Inland Northwest

ENRICHMENT AREAS If your child could use a boost, Sylvan gets results. Our students typically see up to two times more growth in their math and reading scores than other students.

We offer certified teachers and academic curricula for all ages. Areas of instruction include,Reading, Writing, Math, Study Skills, Homework Support,College Prep Writing, ACT/SAT Prep and on-going communication with your child’s school.

Your child deserves the best. Call us today!

See the complete Sylvan Field Research Results at SylvanResearchInstitute.com. ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

AT THE MAC 2021-2022

Louis Comfort Tiffany Treasures from the Driehaus Collection

Continuous Lines

Selections from the Joe Feddersen Collection

Awakenings

Traditional Canoes and Calling the Salmon Home

Recent Acquisitions Selections from the Safeco Collection

American Impressionism Treasures from the Daywood Collection

2316 West 1st Avenue Spokane, Washington 99201 (509) 456-3931

ARTS BROADWAY IS BACK! Making up for a lost season with a monster lineup PAGE 50

READING LIST Our local writers continue to produce memorable works PAGE 60

WALL WORKS Spokane’s vibrant murals add life to the city PAGE 65

Daniel Lopez’s mural of Vincent van Gogh in the Garland Art Alley. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ARTS

THE

Spokane’s Best of Broadway series is making up for a lost season with a monster lineup

BIG DOOVER 50 | T H E I N L A N D E R A N N U A L M A N U A L 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

BY E.J. IANNELLI

“T

OCTOBER

HIS LAST YEARAND-A-HALF, I’VE WORKED HARDER THAN I EVER HAVE IN MY 30-YEAR CAREER, AND WE HAVEN’T DONE A SINGLE SHOW,”

Anastasia is scheduled to run Dec. 28-Jan. 2. JAVIER NAVAL PHOTO

says Justin Kobluk, president of WestCoast Entertainment, the promotional company behind the popular STCU-sponsored Best of Broadway series. “When the shows are here and onstage, that’s the culmination of months and months of work. Well, the months and months of work are still there, it’s just that the shows haven’t been here.” As a result of WestCoast Entertainment’s ongoing efforts to renegotiate and re-accommodate all the nationally touring productions that were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Best of Broadway’s 2021-22 season is a mix of big-ticket shows that audiences have been itching to see. The upside is that this makes for one of the series’ strongest seasons yet, starting with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s evergreen classic CATS (Oct. 19-24, 2021). Although it’s become almost synonymous with musical theater since its debut in 1981, this Cats is getting a fresh spin with all-new lighting, choreography, sound and direction from the legendary Trevor Nunn. Over the holiday period, a rescheduled ANASTASIA (Dec. 28, 2021 to Jan. 2, 2022) will finally take the stage at the First Interstate Performing Arts Center. Kobluk describes this award-winning tale of an orphan in search of her possibly royal past as an “incredible technological feat” with spectacular video effects.

As a result of COVID-19, 109 performances booked by WestCoast Entertainment were canceled or put on hold. Fortunately, 70 of them have been successfully rescheduled.

for programs

& events, visit:

spokanearts.org/artsmonth/ kick off Arts Month with us at the ARTS AWARDS on September 18th

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ARTS

The blockbuster show Hamilton is slated for May 3-22, 2022. JOAN MARCUS PHOTO

BEST OF BROADWAY 2021-22 SEASON CATS, Oct. 19-24, 2021 MEAN GIRLS, Nov. 23-28, 2021 ANASTASIA, Dec. 28, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022

THE BIG DO-OVER, CONTINUED... This season, JERSEY BOYS (Feb. 11-13, 2022) marks its return to the Best of Broadway lineup. The jukebox musical about the origins and topsy-turvy career of popular doo-wop band The Four Seasons last came through Spokane a decade ago, and its planned reprise in early 2020 was one of the first pandemic-related postponements. The songbook, which includes hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man” and “December 1963 (Oh What a Night),” has been a selling point for audiences of all ages. Another Broadway box-office blockbuster and global phenomenon is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON (May 3-22, 2022), a historical retelling of American founding father Alexander Hamilton’s life through a contemporary lens. At the height of the pandemic, a recorded performance of Hamilton became a streaming smash on Disney+, and now local audiences will have another crack at seeing it live. One show that Kobluk is especially excited to feature is season closer COME FROM AWAY (Aug. 9-14, 2022),

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the Irene Sankoff and David Hein musical based on the real-life events of Operation Yellow Ribbon, which saw 38 planes temporarily stranded in a small Canadian town in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The 7,000 international passengers were welcomed by local residents and given lodging and food. “I saw Come from Away in New York before Broadway went dark, and it became my new favorite. I absolutely loved it. My father was Canadian, so I have ties to Canada and loved that angle, too,” Kobluk says, laughing. Kobluk notes that, over the years, Best of Broadway has lived up to its name in securing some of the hottest and most in-demand nationally touring shows for a regional market. But the heavy hitters and household names that comprise this season promise to make it something extra special. “It’s kind of cool having such a solid set of shows,” he says. “It’s going to be a monster year of big, major entertainment.” 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Jan. 11-16, 2022 JERSEY BOYS, Feb. 11-13, 2022 HAMILTON, May 3-22, 2022 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, June 15, 2022 COME FROM AWAY, Aug. 9-14, 2022

E N A K O P S E R A E W and We’re Not what you expect Here’s the thing about Spokane. It has everything you expect a city in the Northwest to have. Killer restaurants and venues. A diverse nightlife. Breathtaking nature. And it’s all packed into a pre-war downtown where everything is within walking distance. Spokane has been a western boomtown, a vital railroad hub, the cultural center of a fascinating region, and the smallest city to ever host a world’s fair. Each phase of our growth left rich layers of history, culture and pride. Today’s Spokanites have used those as foundation for what’s next: a place where warmth, pride and kindness collide with ambition, creativity and community. People come to Spokane and it feels familiar, but they discover things they never expected to find, because we’re not quite like anywhere else.

VISITSPOKANE.CO M

BROADWAY IS BACK! Uplifting, entertaining, and inspiring — the magic of Broadway is returning to the Inland Northwest. Get ready for songs that will lift your spirit, stories that will make you smile, and spectacular live performances that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Reserve your seats now, before shows sell out! BroadwaySpokane.com

OCTOBER 19-24, 2021

NOVEMBER 12-13, 2021

JANUARY 11-16, 2022

FEBRUARY 11-13, 2022

Share an unforgettable experience Tickets and Show Information:

BroadwaySpokane.com 800.438.9705

NOVEMBER 23-28, 2021

DECEMBER 28, 2021 – JANUARY 2, 2022

THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY

MAY 3-22, 2022 TICKETS ON SALE IN EARLY 2022

AUGUST 9-14, 2022

ARTS

MAKE ART HAPPEN A guide to some of the stellar arts events happening the next year

STAYING HOME: INTERIOR VIEWS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE JUNDT ART MUSEUM

At a time when many of us have had enough of looking at our own four walls, the Jundt is inviting us to see others’ spaces through their eyes. This exhibition brings together more than 20 prints, photos and paintings from the museum’s permanent collection, each of which relates to the theme of domestic space — even if they happen to be inside looking out, like Emily Trueblood’s linocut print Barrow Street (1975). WHEN: Through Dec. 31, 2021 WHERE: Jundt Art Museum, 200 E. Desmet Ave., Spokane

MIRROR, MIRROR: THE PRINTS OF ALISON SAAR

LA-based artist Alison Saar is perhaps best known as a sculptor who draws inspiration from ancient European, African and American folk art but is resolutely contemporary in her approach. Mirror, Mirror showcases five of Saar’s sculptures as well as about 50 of her prints, which maintain consistency of theme and technique despite an eclectic use of media. That mix can include anything from discarded chair backs and ceiling tin to collages of rags and handkerchiefs. WHEN: Sept. 7-March 12, 2022 WHERE: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 N.E. Wilson Rd., Pullman

LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY: TREASURES FROM THE DRIEHAUS COLLECTION

Tiffany lamps, synonymous with ornate colors and delicate designs, take their name from Louis Comfort Tiffany, the artist and designer whose studio first introduced and popularized them in the 1890s. But Tiffany was active in several media besides stained glass, including blown glass, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry and painting. His craftsmanship and impeccable eye are on display in this unique exhibition, which features over 60 masterworks from his long career. WHEN & WHERE: Oct. 2-Feb. 13, 2022 WHERE: Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. 1st Ave., Spokane

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Alison Saar’s work will be on display at WSU beginning in September.

INDIE FOLK: NEW ART AND MUSIC FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The Pacific Northwest’s folk-art scene is unique and thriving, and this exhibition is proof. Representing artists from around the region, it will present a variety of artisanal, handcrafted items that repurpose found materials and dream up new forms for familiar objects. Expect works by established as well as up-and-coming artists like Marita Dingus, Blair Saxon-Hill, Whiting Tennis and Cappy Thompson — all to the tune of an indie folk playlist curated by Portland’s Mississippi Records. WHEN: Jan. 18-May 21, 2022 WHERE: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE. Wilson Rd., Pullman

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC

For this one-night show, five world-class illusionists will take the stage to dazzle audiences with feats of mind reading, escape artistry and legerdemain. Among this talented quintet, sleight-of-hand artist Kayla Drescher was singled out by none other than David Copperfield as “The Next Great Magician.” And young Fernando Velasco performs the kinds of death-defying escape stunts that would make Houdini blush. WHEN: Feb. 27, 2022 WHERE: Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights

DISNEY PRINCESS: THE CONCERT

The Disney songbook has produced more than a few earworms that are now part of our common culture. Disney Princess celebrates that music while also moving the Broadway actors behind those fictional royal figures into the spotlight. Susan Egan (Beauty and the Beast), Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin), Syndee Winters (The Lion King) and Anneliese van der Pol (of multiple Disney TV and stage shows) will sing audience favorites while sharing personal, behind-the-scenes stories. WHEN & WHERE: March 5, 2022 WHERE: First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane

THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

More than eight decades after its founding, and nearly as long since its titular bandleader vanished somewhere over the English Channel, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is still going strong. Fans of traditional jazz and swing won’t be able to help but tap their feet as a big-band ensemble of around 20 musicians and singers performs the hit parade of yesteryear, including “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000” and “Tuxedo Junction.” WHEN: March 30, 2022 WHERE: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE STARS IN CONVERSATION

Catch up with the stars of Napoleon Dynamite on April 16 at the Fox.

If you have time between hunting wolverines in Alaska and researching ligers at the local zoo, it might be worth checking out this fan-oriented screening of the 2004 misfit comedy Napoleon Dynamite, which will be followed by a moderated chat with stars Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico). For bonus points, be sure to wear your “Vote for Pedro” T-shirt. WHEN: April 16, 2022 WHERE: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane  ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ARTS

WELCOME RETURN The Spokane Symphony is back in action; here are five highlights of the 2021-22 season AFTER PUBLIC HEALTH PRECAUTIONS forced the Spokane Symphony last year to adapt its milestone 75th season to an on-demand streaming format, the symphony is resuming in-person performances with a 2021-22 season program that’s scaled back in number but not in ambition. Music Director James Lowe is especially looking forward to the first of this season’s seven Masterworks concerts, fittingly titled THE RETURN OF THE SYMPHONY (Sept. 18 and 19, 2021). Celebrated violinist

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Bella Hristova will be the guest soloist. “This return is a combination of reflection and celebration,” he says. “We open up with this wonderful fanfare from Adolphus Hailstork on the tune of Amazing Grace, and then we go more introverted with Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, which is this incredibly stormy and passionate piece. And then we have Brahms’ Second Symphony. It ends in real joy, but there are places where it feels almost like remembered happiness, tinged with bittersweetness.” As for the Pops series, Lowe — much like

the rest of Spokane — has a soft spot for the genre-mixing PINK MARTINI (Jan. 29, 2022), whose music “really lends itself to this fantastically huge, colorful palette when you put them together with an orchestra.” CARMINA BURANA (March 19, 2022), a cantata based on ribald and amusing medieval poems, is another highlight of the 76th season. “We wanted to do something that really showcased the chorale, and this piece is as good as it gets,” he says. “The opening few

WE ARE YOUR

OPERA

FACING PAGE: The genremixing Pink Martini is scheduled for Jan. 29. FIND OUR FULL SEASON SCHEDULE AT INLANDNWOPERA.COM

LEFT: Celebrated violinist Bella Hristova

PROUD MEMBER ORGANIZATION

ve community

Be part of the creati

bars is one of the most famous pieces of music ever written, but the whole piece is a journey through this medieval landscape with drunken monks and roasted swans.” Toward the end of the season, Lowe is eagerly anticipating the two rescheduled nights of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT (May 7 and 8, 2022), even if it means he’ll be passing the baton to Resident Conductor Morihiko Nakahara. “It’s something that is hugely popular, and we’ve had a lot of people continue to ask us when it’s coming back. The Fox was originally a movie theater, and so it seems apt that we as a symphony would put on such a spectacular film with such fantastic music. John Williams is pretty much the best film composer who ever lived, and this is some of his best work.” — E.J. IANNELLI

Enjoy the Coeur d’Alene art scene and be inspired year-round! • ARTWALK • ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR • RIVERSTONE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

The symphony’s last performance for a live audience was on March 7, 2020. Over 18 months will have passed between that concert and the orchestra’s official return.

• KIDS DRAW ARCHITECTURE • ART FROM THE HEART • YART SALE For more information, visit artsandculturecda.org

artsandculturecda.org |

cda.artsalliance ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ARTS

SPOKANE SYMPHONY

SpokaneSymphony.org

2021 2022

SEVEN MASTERWORKS

CONDUCTED BY JAMES LOWE

THE NUTCRACKER

12/02 - 12/05

POPS 1 HOLIDAY POPS

WITH THE SWEEPLINGS

12/18/21 -12/19/21

POPS 2 PINK MARTINI 1/29/22

STAR WARS

BOOK IT The Inland Northwest’s literary community continues to produce memorable works

THE LITERARY SCENE in the Inland Northwest is just one of the many benefits of living here. There’s something so cool about having local authors and poets constantly putting out new work, in a broad array of genres. Here are a few noteworthy works released since our last Annual Manual:

KATE LEBO

THE BOOK OF DIFFICULT FRUIT: ARGUMENTS FOR THE TART, TENDER AND UNRULY (WITH RECIPES) Don’t let the title fool you, Lebo’s sweet tome is an unlikely blend of food writing, memoir, natural history and cultural anthropology, and earned plaudits from the likes of the New York Times.

A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT

4/7/22

CARMINA BURANA 3/19/22

POPS 3

HAVANA NIGHTS, THE MAMBO KINGS & CAMILLE ZAMORA 5/21/22

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The New York Times heaped praise on Kate Lebo’s latest.

ÅSA MARIA BRADLEY A WOLF’S HUNGER

The best-selling Spokane-based romance writer continues balancing vivid action and steamy, um, action in her sixth novel, the start of a new trilogy.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

TRENT REEDY ENDURING FREEDOM

Reedy and Afghan co-author Jawad Arash together wrote a fictionalized account of the very real conflict that took Reedy to Arash’s home country as a member of the U.S. military.

JOSHUA POWELL

THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: A VISUAL COMPENDIUM Powell delivers all the things you expect from a nature book, but his sense of humor and background in graphic design make this book unusually fun, even if you never hike yourself.

KATHRYN SMITH SELF-PORTRAIT WITH CEPHALOPOD

Smith’s poems veer from intense and disturbing to laugh-out-loud funny as she explores the natural world, celebrity culture and personal loss across 88 pages.

THEATER ARTS TRAINING

• classes and camps •

Developing character and creativity in kids of all ages through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together.

Elf the Musical

EMMA NOYES

BABY SPEAKS SALISH: A LANGUAGE MANUAL INSPIRED BY ONE FAMILY’S EFFORT TO RAISE A SALISH SPEAKER A wondrous collection of words and illustrations that is both an introduction to one of the region’s Indigenous languages and a stirring look at the trauma associated with language for so many Indigenous people. — DAN NAILEN

November 5th-14th

Bing Crosby Theater

for more details, visit

www.cytspokane.org ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

ARTS

INSIDER INSIGHT

JOSEPHINE KEEFE JOSEPHINE KEEFE IS A LOCAL THEATER ARTIST who recently co-founded the Spokane Ensemble Theatre, along with Rio Alberto and Chelsea DuVall. She is highly involved in the Inland Northwest’s theater scene, both on stage and behind the scenes, including with the Spokane Theatre Arts Council’s efforts to bring underrepresented groups into the local theater community. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

THE LOCAL THEATER SCENE

“I would describe the theater arts community in the Inland Northwest as vibrant, and ready. I think that it’s in a place of growth and reflection after this past year. A lot of people in positions of leadership within our community are listening more to the growing and increasing request for positive change, to ways in which we can only strengthen and build an even stronger, more inclusive community than what currently exists.”

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PROGRESS OF THE PAST YEAR

“I think that what has come out of this year has been a question about accessibility. We’ve found that we create greater accessibility with the invitation of more virtual programming, and I do hope that our theaters will continue to explore what that is. Another component of this is diversity and equity, both within the plays that are selected and the makeup of the production team. I would hope that we take that desire for diverse stories, diverse lenses, and we continue to apply that to our own future growth as a theater community.”

THE SPOKANE ENSEMBLE THEATRE

“We want to create an opportunity for professional training and growth for actors in the community to help strengthen their craft. This is a theater company that wants to play with form; this is a theater company that wants to challenge audiences, and a company

ABOVE: Rehearsal at the Spokane Ensemble Theatre. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

LEFT: Josephine Keefe got involved with theater as a kid, but she was also an equestrian hunterjumper, meaning: “I used to compete in equestrian horse riding competitions, and I used to do stadium jumping.”

that wants to engage with local partners as well as be an example of the kind of professional theater company we’d like to see manifest in Spokane.”

FAVORITE VENUES

“I love the close relationship in a black box space, so I will always be a fan of the studio space at the Civic and Stage Left. I think that there’s wonderful opportunity as well in the area for found and created spaces. You don’t need a theater space to create theater; all you need is an actor and an audience member, and poof! You have a performance.” — LILLIAN PIEL

BEST OF

LOCAL FAVES

Inlander readers’ top picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue BEST LOCAL BAND

INDIAN GOAT

When the duo of Garrett Zanol and Travis Tveit formed five or so years ago, they almost immediately struck a chord with Spokane audiences: Their pre-pandemic live shows were usually raucous, sweaty, beer-soaked affairs, with rooms crammed full of people rocking out in unison. Since the restrictions were lifted, Zanol and Tveit were among the first back out in front of local audiences, barreling through their set lists of ’70s-inspired, hook-heavy rock, typically with an American flag stretched out behind them. It was at the Inlander’s Volume Music Festival in 2018 that they first really knew their sound was connecting with people, drawing a late-night audience that filled the Red Room Lounge and spilled out onto the sidewalk. “[Now], we could play multiple gigs in a month, and a lot of the same people would be at every single one,” Tveit says. It’s a long way from jamming together in their basement during high school. “What we agreed on was we just wanna do it to have fun, and just write super-energetic music,” adds Zanol. “And that’s a key thing. It doesn’t have to be simplistic, but that makes it a whole lot easier to not have to concentrate on gnarly time signatures and scales and keep it at the fundamental roots of rock ’n’ roll. It’s that chemistry of not trying to force something.” Indian Goat dropped a new single (“Rolling Winds”) and a cool video mid-pandemic (“Be Your Seer”), and they’re also at work on a new record — their third — that will be released on their label, Corporat Records. — NATHAN WEINBENDER 2ND PLACE: Blake Braley Band, Super Sparkle (tie); 3RD PLACE: The Cronkites, Allen Stone (tie)

Travis Tveit, left, and Garrett Zanol. ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

BEST AUTHOR Jess Walter 2nd Place: Sharma Shields 3rd Place: Sherman Alexie BEST BOOKSTORE Auntie’s 2nd Place: Giant Nerd Books 3rd Place: Wishing Tree Books North Idaho’s Best: The Well-Read Moose

TEACHING SPOKANE SINCE 1998 Our non-profit teaching studio shares knowledge of the ceramic arts through quarterly classes

spOkanepOttersguild.Org

BEST VISUAL ARTIST Ben Joyce 2nd Place: Daniel Lopez 3rd Place: Chris Bovey BEST RECORD STORE 4,000 Holes 2nd Place: Resurrection Records 3rd Place: Total Trash Records and Sound North Idaho’s Best: The Long Ear To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

jOin us!

509.532.8225

DELIVERED TO YO U R IN BOX

A special Inlander preview, a day early EVERY WEDNESDAY

ARTS

Nicholas Sironka, right, instructs student Lynn Lovato on applying wax to fabric, during a Batik workshop. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BE THE ARTIST Don’t just look, create your own art with help from these spots “YOU CAN’T USE UP CREATIVITY,” Maya Angelou reputedly said. “The more you use the more you have.” Thankfully, the Inland Northwest has plenty of outlets to help you tap into your creative side, whether by offering classes or the tools to work on your own at home. Here are a few of our favorites.

SPOKANE ART SUPPLY

EMERGE

After opening swank new digs in 2021, this buzzing spot in Coeur d’Alene is part gallery, part art school, with options for all skill levels. 119 N. 2nd St., Coeur d’Alene, emergecda.com, 208-818-3342

POLKA DOT POTTERY

They’ve been the go-to art supply depot since 1954. Discover a range of painting and drawing media and benefit from their expert advice, including recommendations for gift ideas for all the other budding artists you know. 1303 N. Monroe St., spokaneartsupply.com, 509-3276628

Reserve a table where you can glaze your own pre-made clay items, create a to-go kit to do at home, or choose a pre-made kit. Once you’re there, you’ll probably want to see what else you can try. 2716 W. Northwest Blvd., 327-5437; 808 W. Main Ave #225, 624-2264; 118 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, 924-2292; 14700 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley, 596-8076; polkadotpottery.com

ART SALVAGE

PINOT’S PALETTE

SPOKANE PRINT & PUBLISHING CENTER

PAINTING WITH A TWIST

NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE

BOARD & BRUSH

The region’s first retail outlet for repurposed, recycled, and related arts and craft materials is geared toward any level of maker. Check out one of their many craft kits like the DIY Wine Cork Board kit. 1925 N. Ash St., artsalvagespokane.com 509-598-8983

This innovative space offers hands-on workshops in all manner of printing. Consider a class such as learning to use the letterpress or creating your own screenprint. 1921 N. Ash St., spokaneprint.org, 509-443-3399

There’s an array of classes, like batik classes with artist Nicholas Sironka, offered through everyone’s favorite museum. Keep an eye on their calendar. 2316 W. First Ave., northwestmuseum.org, 456-3931

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They started as the perfect pairing, adult beverages and art, but the plethora of paint-and-sip venues have become a fun entrée into making art, with or without the wine. 319 W. Sprague Ave., pinotspalette. com/spokane, 290-5098

Stay tuned to their website, which is teeming with events, including in-studio painting sessions so you and your friends can make a date out of it. 11703 E. Sprague Ave., #B3, Spokane Valley, paintingwithatwist.com, 413-9892

Similar to paint-and-sip locations, Board & Brush offers in-person workshops to help you paint, letter and craft ordinary wood into ornaments, signs and other home décor. 1314 S. Grand Blvd., #3, boardandbrush.com/spokane, 821-0105 

Since 1981, the city of Spokane has mandated that 1 percent of certain capital projects be dedicated to buying artwork to enhance public buildings and spaces, according to spokanearts.org.

WALL WORKS Spokane’s vibrant murals add life to the city SPOKANE IS A CITY OF MURALS. Drive around for more than five minutes, and you’re bound to see at least one wall of color dominating the side of a building. Spokane Arts lists a dozen on an interactive map on their website, but there are many more hidden across the city.

NORTH BANK OF RIVERFRONT PARK BASKETBALL COURT One of the most recent additions to Spokane’s mural scene isn’t on a wall — it’s on a court. The new Hooptown USA Basketball Court on the North Bank of Riverfront Park is home to a new mural that covers the length of the court and depicts two hands holding a basketball in a vibrant mix FROM TOP: Joshua of red, orange, yellow and blue. The Martel paints his mural basketball court, painted by artist on the Hooptown USA Joshua Martel, was unveiled at a basketball court. ceremony in June. The Black Lives Matter mural on the Seven2 building.

A mural by Kris “New” Williams in the Garland Art Alley.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

This powerful, 140-foot mural features the words “Black Lives MatYOUNG KWAK PHOTOS ter” stretched across the length of the Seven2 building on West Main Avenue. The mural was started during the height of protests over George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Sixteen different artists were hired to fill in each letter with their own design. The mural was defaced by vandals just two weeks after completion, but quickly restored by community members.

GARLAND ART ALLEY Located in the heart of the Garland business district, this collection of murals stretches for two blocks and features the work of more than 30 artists. Take a walk down the alley, and you’ll be greeted with the massive faces of Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Marilyn Monroe and other cultural icons.

HOFFMAN MUSIC Located on the corner of Maxwell and Monroe, this striking red and black mural stretches across the entire Hoffman Music storefront and features the faces of music legends like Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Rich. If you look closely, you’ll find some very cute dogs as well. — NATE SANFORD ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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FOOD & DRINK NOTABLE NEWBIES Six new, local restaurants that opened in the past year to add to your “must-try” list PAGE 68

WORLDLY FEAST Meet four immigrant chefs from around the world now sharing their culture with Spokane PAGE 74

CHEERS TO GOOD BEER Yes, the Inland Northwest is a craft beer lover’s dream PAGE 92

Kristie Slattengren at Brick West Brewing’s patio area at Fireman’s Park in Spokane. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

G N I N DI UTS B E D BESIDES THE RED-HOT real estate mar-

ket, another major sign the Inland Northwest is the place to live, work and play is its thriving restaurant scene. Even as COVID-19 restrictions saw dozens of eateries with no option but permanent closure, the region also added a notable amount of new spots, including these six making waves in the local food scene.

TAVOLÀTA Pasta lovers rejoiced when Ethan Stowell Restaurants finally expanded east of the Cascades to launch its first location outside Seat-

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Six new, local restaurants that opened in the past year to add to your “must-try” list BY CHEY SCOTT & CARRIE SCOZZARO

Tavolàta’s pork chop, rigatoni, tle, in the heart of downtown Spohour in town. We are consistentburrata, grilled octopus and kane. Opening in early May 2021 ly rated the best happy hour in bruschetta. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO in a prime spot across the street Seattle, and we want that. It gets from Riverfront Park, Tavolàta people there early and gets the has already become popular for its affordable party — the vibe of a restaurant — going early happy hour menu (4-6 pm daily), family-style on. portions and celebratory vibe. “The other thing is that we’re great for As for its pasta, that’s all made fresh in groups and sharing,” he continues. “You come house daily, like the rigatoni topped with spicy here, and the portions are a decent size, and it sausage ragu, pillowy gnocchi and more. never breaks the bank. We want people to feel “We have a few key things to Tavolàta,” like it’s a great value for handcrafted food.” says founding chef Ethan Stowell. “We want 221 N. Wall St., Spokane, ethanstowellrestauto have a cool, good bar with the best happy rants.com, 509-606-5600

VIEUX CARRE NOLA KITCHEN An authentic taste of the Big Easy arrived to the Inland Northwest via one of the buzziest openings of the past year. Vieux Carre NOLA Kitchen co-owner Korri McElfresh recruited chef Logan Maus to come to Spokane and craft a complete menu of New Orleans-style Cajun and Creole classics. Maus’ menu masterwork includes a traditional crawfish boil — the crawfish served at the restaurant are locally caught in the Snake River — and perhaps the best hushpuppies this side of the Mississippi. Plus, there are bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits, crawfish hand pies, jambalaya, beignets, fried chicken, gumbo, po’ boy sandwiches — the list goes on. Vieux Carre, which in French means “old square” and is pronounced “voo cah-ray,” is a nod to NOLA’s historic French Quarter, which also shares the name. McElfresh traveled there several times while planning her vision for the restaurant’s menu and decor, resulting in an authentically refined homage to the cultural melting pot of the South. 1403 W. Broadway Ave., Spokane. vieuxcarrespokane.com, 509-495-1400

Vieux Carre, in French, means “old square” and is pronounced “voo cah-ray.”

LITTLE NOODLE What was originally planned to be a seasonal-only affair serving up fresh, steaming bowls of pho, ramen and other Asian-style fare in the Garland District is, to the delight of its quickly established customer base, now set to be a permanent fixture. Chef Kadra Evans and business partner Ryan Stretch launched Little Noodle in midfall 2020, but only operated for about six months before having to vacate the building that during the other half of the year was home to Honey Pig Barbecue. After a change in plans for Honey Pig’s owner, however, Little Noodle gets to move back this fall and stay for good. Little Noodle’s centerpiece dish may be Evans’ time-honed recipe for pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup, but other standouts include Japanese ramen, a weekly special of Cantonese dim sum, plus rice bowls, bao buns, a “pho-ritto,” steamed sake clams, spring rolls and more. All of the prime meats — pork belly, tri-tip and shrimp, plus tofu — served in Little Noodle’s dishes are also smoked on site. The cozy noodle shop is expected to reopen its doors in early fall 2021. 713 W. Garland Ave., Spokane, littlenoodlespokane.com, 509-994-5157

post & riverside downtown spokane happy hour 3-5:30 taco tuesday 3-close cochinitotaqueria.com 509.474.9618 ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER | 69

FOOD & DRINK

DINING DEBUTS, CONTINUED...

BABA What Spokane’s Kendall Yards neighborhood lost with the late-2020 closure of chef and restaurateur Adam Hegsted’s former flagship eatery the Wandering Table, it gained twofold with his re-envisioned Mediterranean concept that replaced it. Baba debuted in late February 2021 with Hegsted’s signature mashing up of classic, American comfort food with the culinary techniques and flavors of cuisines around the world. “All of our restaurants are comfort foodbased,” Hegested says, adding that at Baba, his team is “taking techniques and ingredients and ideas from the Mediterranean Sea region of North Africa, Greece and Middle Eastern countries all around there, and making it our own. “It’s not really authentic in a traditional sense — some technique-wise is extremely authentic, but it might have Northwest ingredients but with our own traditional spin,” he adds. Baba’s lamb shank Take the Turkish mac tagine and pita. and cheese, for example — YOUNG KWAK PHOTO a very American dish, but at Baba made with a labneh-based, or Greek yogurt, sauce. Diners will also find plenty of classic Mediterranean fare, from hummus to falafel and baba ghanoush to shakshuka. Besides the menu, which in its former iteration showcased Northwest-centric dishes like a popular crispy Washington steelhead entree, the other big change Hegsted made at Baba was to extend operating hours from dinner-only to all-day service, with a brunch menu available daily from 9 am-3 pm. 1242 W. Summit Pwky., Spokane, babaspokane. com, 509-433-4410

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Come Taste the Best of the Inland Northwest. Discover award-winning restaurants at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort for all dining occasions and unique cravings. Start your day off at Jackpot Java where you can choose from locally roasted coffee, provided by Cravens. and espressos. Catch your favorite game on one of our many large-screen TV’s while enjoying hearty pub fare at Red Tail Bar and Grill. For a quick bite-onthe-go, our Huckleberry Deli offers a wide selection of hot and cold sandwiches, soups, pizzas and snacks. Located inside the Circling Raven Pro Shop, Twisted Earth offers casual dining with a spectacular view. Looking for something more upscale? Treat yourself to our newly reimagined Chinook Crafted by Adam Hegsted and savor the delectable taste of local products, including salmon, Northwest beef and other chef-selected ingredients. Hungry yet? Visit cdacasino.com/dining to view all of our extensive menus and find out more information.

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FOOD & DRINK

DINING DEBUTS, CONTINUED...

WOODEN CITY While this downtown spot had a rough start, to say the least, opening in late summer right between two phases of lockdowns on in-person dining, a year later staff were finally able to celebrate seeing its gorgeous dining room at full capacity.

Wooden City’s pepperoni Green brings experience from outdoor setting to complement its pizza. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO cooking at restaurants across the colorful Latin American-inspired U.S. and internationally, including menu. stints at Michelin-starred spots the French Terraza’s executive chef Bjorn Thompson Laundry in Napa Valley and Gramercy Tavcame to the helm by way of stints at fine dinern in New York City. ing restaurants in Las Vegas and New Orleans, “The menu has a lot of things you’re familand brings two decades of cooking experience. iar with, like housemade pasta His menu is a panoply of ingredients from and pizza and burgers and steak throughout Latin America, an incredibly rich frites, but it’s done with a high and diverse region of more than 600 million attention to detail,” Green says. people that includes Mexico, the Caribbean, “So we make a Caesar salad, but and all of Central and South America. The we fry the croutons to order.” chicken en mole features plantains, for examA Wooden City specialty ple, while Terraza’s hamburger — the Hamis Green’s blistered Hungarian burguesa — is a festive world celebration with wax peppers. A pair of the meOaxacan cheese-stuffed poblano pepper, a Japdium-heat peppers are stuffed with sweet sauanese matcha tea-infused aioli and tomatoes sage and aged cheddar and served with chive soaked in beer. oil and toasted ciabatta. The recipe comes Terraza also offers a full bar that’s equally from Green’s family and is often part of their as elevated as its food menu. Try a signature holiday celebrations. margarita like the Mango Shrubrita with re821 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, woodencityspoposado tequila, orange liqueur, housemade kane.com, 509-822-7194 sour and mango shrub soda. Additional Latin-inspired libations, craft beers on tap and by the bottle, as well as wine from Chile, Argentina, Portugal and Spain, can carry you from With a stunning patio overlooking the Spokane cocktail hour through fine dining. River as it flows out of Lake Coeur d’Alene, 1950 Bellerive Ln, Suite 106, Coeur d’Alene, Terraza Waterfront Cafe offers a beautiful terrazacda.com, 208-758-0111 

The Hungarian wax pepper recipe comes from Green’s family and is often part of their holiday celebrations... Wooden City was founded by a trio of owners who opened the first version of the eatery in Tacoma three years ago. Its menu features mostly casual American eats like burgers, wood-fired pizza and housemade pasta, with a high attention to detail and technique, and some French and Italian influences, says co-owner and chef Jon Green. Located in the historic, restored Genesee building on Riverside Avenue, Wooden City boasts an expansive dining room with mezzanine seating around one half, and an open-layout kitchen beyond the bar.

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TERRAZA WATERFRONT CAFE

INSIDER INSIGHT

TARAWYN WATERS

OWNED BY JIM SCHROCK of Earthworks Recycling and managed by Tarawyn Waters, Vinegar Flats Farm has been supplying healthy greens, vegetables, fruits, herbs and more to residents of the Spokane area for more than a decade. The 20-acre farm is located in the historic Vinegar Flats neighborhood, just three miles from downtown Spokane. Although not paper certified, yet working as intentional stewards of the land, the farm has implemented organic practices from day one, and never uses pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. In 2021, Vinegar Flats Farm transitioned to become a no-till farm to allow the soil to develop and enrich on its own.

WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT

“It’s really important to respect the land, but I also love that we’re creating community. People who can’t afford a CSA [Community Support Agriculture] share can trade four hours a week of labor for a full share. I really like our open-door policy and being able to keep people eating healthy foods.”

Vinegar Flats Farm transitioned to become a no-till farm in 2021. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

THE CHALLENGES IN PARADISE

“The year of COVID was really challenging, but we just worked the entire time. I like how clean the air was. No one was driving, and people were riding bikes or walking to the farm stand to buy our produce. We had tons of volunteers, because they weren’t doing anything else. It was weirdly a kind of paradise, a protected little oasis pocket. This year, the heat, plus the marmots, plus the deer wiped out a lot of our crops. I went out to the field and just cried! But the community has really stepped up, and our loyal restaurant people keep coming back and stand up for us.”

THE FUTURE OF FOOD

“The food cycle means so much! We’re offering an opportunity for people to get back to their roots with their vegetables. I hope that the next generation supports their local farms through CSAs, volunteering and workshares. I hope they understand that their bodies are precious, take responsibility for their health, and say yes to healthy farm foods!” — S. MICHAL BENNETT ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

A WORLDLY FEAST Meet four immigrant chefs from around the world who now share their culture and cuisine with the Spokane community THE IDEA IS SO BRILLIANT, you wonder why others haven’t done the same thing: Find people passionate about cooking and help them hone their skills while also offering a unique dining experience. That’s Feast World Kitchen, which debuted in fall 2019 with a handful of would-be chefs and an ambitious plan: create community through shared culture and food from Spokane’s international communities, including its diverse immigrant and former refugee populations. Feast’s chef list has since expanded to 50 members and is still growing. The nonprofit recently also added walk-up patio dining and catering to its original online takeout process. Meet four of Feast’s enterprising chefs, who arrived in Spokane by way of Syria, Pakistan, Venezuela and Rwanda.

ABDULKAREEM MAHMOUD, SYRIA Like his father before him, Abdulkareem Mahmoud loves to cook and, also like his father, has watched his own son’s love of cooking blossom into a new career. The father of three came to Spokane in 2015 from Daraa, in southwestern Syria,

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where he once had his own restaurant. It’s a dream he hopes to resurrect soon and plans to name Shiblak, his family name. One of Feast’s foundational chefs who joined in 2020, Mahmoud has gone from cooking once a month to twice a month, as well as catering, with his recipe for shawarma appearing as a frequent special. Common to many Arabic-speaking peoples, shawarma is meat — lamb, typically, but also beef, chicken and other meats — slowly grilled on a spit, then shaved off in thin slices and served with such sides as bread or salad. Lamb figures prominently in two other dishes that represent his culture, says Mahmoud: mansaf and ouzi (also spelled quzi and qoozi). Feast chef and director of the nonprofit’s chef program Maisa Abudyha smiles as she translates Mahmoud’s favorite dishes. “Those are Jordanian, too,” she says, noting her own country of origin, and adding that many dishes reflect several cultures.

with India, its southeast neighbor. Thus, Roohi creates many dishes which are also common in Indian cuisine like korma, tikka, roti and meals made in the tandoori oven. The distinction, Roohi says, is that Pakistani food is much more likely to contain meat, so it has more savory notes, as well as stronger, deeper spice profiles. Roohi started cooking at a young age and has spent nearly 25 years perfecting recipes and trying new dishes. If she had to choose a signature Pakistani dish, it would be biryani, a long-grain rice dish with meat that she often features at Feast. When she visits home, however, she always asks for halwa puri, fried flatbread and halwa, which is a type of pudding. When she makes it for Feast diners, she serves sweet halwa, made with semolina flour, sugar, nuts and raisins, alongside chana, or chickpeas with tomatoes and spices.

ZUBIA ROOHI, PAKISTAN

PATRICIA CASTANEDA, VENEZUELA

There is some crossover between cultures in Zubia Roohi’s cooking as well. Roohi hails from the province of Karachi, Pakistan, which has a long and complex historical relationship

Patricia Castaneda’s signature dish is the Venezuelan version of cornmeal cake, called arepa. The unleavened bread is made with cornmeal that’s been cooked, then dehydrated and

ABOVE: Abdulkareem Mahmoud, Zubia Roohi, Patricia Castaneda and Omy Karorero. COURTESY FEAST WORLD KITCHEN

FACING PAGE: Sajieh, basmati rice and spiced pita bread from Feast. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Feast World Kitchen, launched as a nonprofit in 2019 with the mission to help refugee chefs connect with their new community, now has more than 50 rotating chefs on its roster.

used like flour. The little grilled cakes can be stuffed with goodies, like cheese or black beans, or piled high with toppings. A native of Margarita Island, Venezuela, Castaneda was formerly a travel agent and can attest to the beauty of her country’s landscapes, as well as its diversity of culinary influences. “We’re more about spices than spiciness,” she says of Venezuelan food, which has been influenced by Spain and other European countries, as well as West Africa and indigenous cultures. Since moving to Spokane in August 2019, Castaneda joined World Relief as a community outreach associate and has cooked at Feast about 10 times so far. “The beauty about Feast World Kitchen is that I’ll cook here something I would feed my family,” says Castaneda.

OMY KARORERO, RWANDA Family is often on Omy Karorero’s mind when he cooks. Although he’s partial to curried dishes and a corn-based, doughy dumpling called fufu, other dishes remind him of home and family long gone.

A Rwandan dish of slow-cooked cassava leaves called sombe, for example, always reminds Karorero of his mother. He learned a bit about cooking by watching her as a young boy, at least until a particularly horrific time in 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War known as the genocide. After finding himself alone and on the streets as a teenager, Karorero turned to music for solace. He also envisioned helping others through music, forming the basis of a nonprofit he created after emigrating to Spokane. Initially, his nonprofit called Impanda focused on at-risk youth in Rwanda. Now Impanda is taking on a new mission to help atrisk youth in Karorero’s adopted community. Impanda Studios is in the works as a music studio and gathering place in East Central Spokane to “transform pain into purpose.” Cooking also brings him a sense of purpose and healing, he says. “You eat to feel,” says Karorero, indicating that when you eat with your hands, you are literally connected to your food, much like walking barefoot on the earth. “The only thing that can connect us all is music, art and food.” — CARRIE SCOZZARO ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

FLYING HIGH Dry Fly Distilling outgrew its old spot, now it’s making its award-winning spirits in the heart of downtown Spokane

THE YEAR 2021 is shaping up to be a big one for Dry Fly Distilling, and not only because locals once again bestowed upon it the title of “Best Local Distillery,” marking its seventh consecutive win since we first asked the question in our annual Best Of Readers Poll.

Dry Fly’s Terry Nichols, Don Poffenroth and Patrick Donovan in the distillery’s new downtown Spokane facility. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

7.5” wide by 2.37” high

818 W. Sprague Ave • 476-0650 | 9602 N. Newport Hwy • 467-0292 | NudoRamen.com

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Open Daily | Full Bar

Perhaps the biggest reason Dry Fly, its owners and staff are celebrating lately, however, is because the distillery finally opened the doors of its new, state-of-the-art downtown Spokane digs on the corner of Lincoln and Riverside in summer 2021. The move from its old East Trent headquarters was years in the making, and was made largely because of Dry Fly’s tremendous growth in recent years, says co-owner Terry Nichols. “We’re in our 14th year, working on 15, and you know, the last couple of years the growth has just been exponential,” Nichols says. “A lot of that has to do with our introduction of canned cocktails and distribution into about 40 states total. That is what pushed the need for more production capacity.” Dry Fly’s new location inside the former Spokesman-Review press building, at 1021 W. Riverside Ave., boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street, offering unobstructed views of its massive still and many huge holding tanks for fermentation, mixing and proofing. The new space is more than double the square-footage of Dry Fly’s old digs in the Riverwalk building, and was furnished with all new equipment, Nichols says, including a spirits still imported from Germany. While onlookers on the street can peek at Dry Fly’s process to make its award-winning gin, vodka and whiskey, the best views are inside, both in the new main-level tasting room and a second floor private event space. The distillery also has its own onsite kitchen, and offers a full food menu alongside its spirits and cocktails, as well as beer and wine. A separate, connected retail space lets visitors buy bottles (one new addition to this lineup is Dry Fly’s huckleberry vodka), merch and canned cocktails on site. While the COVID-19 pandemic was fraught with difficulties for many in the hospitality sector, Dry Fly was fortunate to retain

all 13 of its staff, Nichols says. For a lengthy period in 2020, the distillery wasn’t making liquor, but rather alcohol-based hand sanitizer in response to global shortages that made the disinfectant impossible to find during the initial peak of the pandemic. All told, Nichols estimates Dry Fly produced about 50,000 gallons of its “Spokanitizer,” giving away half to first responders, nonprofits and the public. “Anyone who called that needed it, they were taken care of,” he says. Since the worst moments of the pandem-

ic have passed, Dry Fly has been back doing what it does best, making award-winning spirits and cocktails, and the future outlook from its new home is looking mighty bright. “I think that with the expanded capacity and efficiencies that we have in this facility, our current growth trends will continue on, and we will continue to add people and add states and countries to our distribution footprint,” Nichols reflects. “Spokane has been very kind to Dry Fly, and so the success we’re having here is because of them.” — CHEY SCOTT

7.5” wide by 2.37” high OPEN DAILY FOR

LUNCH & DINNER

KENDALL YARDS ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

GOING HARD Local breweries are embracing the national hard seltzer boom by making their own HARD SELTZER IS HERE TO STAY. Just ask Alex Rausch, owner and brewer at Four-Eyed Guys Brewing Co. “At first it looked like a short trend, but now I don’t think it’s going anywhere,” Rausch says. “I can see it being around forever.” The rise of the clear and bubbly alcoholic beverage may seem like it came out of nowhere, but its popularity has been brewing for decades. It’s really just the latest evolution of similar malt beverages — consider the success of wine coolers and Coors’ Zima in the ’90s. White Claw, one of the first major hard seltzer brands to hit shelves five years ago, dominates the market today and is owned by Mark Anthony Brands International — notably the makers of Mike’s Hard Lemonade. The country’s major commercial breweries have also jumped on the seltzer hype train. From Michelob Ultra to PBR, seemingly every

major alcohol company has added seltzer in one form or another to its lineup. Truly, the second-biggest brand in hard seltzer, is owned by the Boston Beer Company. In Spokane, Rausch says if there’s something to learn from big beer, it’s that they know when something is just a fad versus a genuine shift in the drinking culture. Seltzer, he says, is the latter. The past couple years show that many craft brewers agree with Rausch. Turns out, much like big beer, craft breweries can’t ignore the success of hard seltzer. It’s no surprise given that the process is somewhat similar to brewing beer. It’s considered by many a healthier alternative to beer. And, it’s popularity is growing. When Rausch and his wife, Hillary, opened Four-Eyed Guys in November 2020, they knew they wanted to have seltzer options on tap. They both enjoy seltzer themselves, but they also know not everyone wants to just drink beer in 2021. “It’s just a good, clean drink. It finishes easy,” he explains. “It’s lower in calories than beer. It’s a drink that doesn’t make you feel as full as beer. For me, it’s like eating sushi versus a hamburger.”

DEREK HARRISON PHOTOS

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Adding seltzer to his brewing repertoire wasn’t an easy task for Rausch. He says the first batch came out completely wrong: “I think it ended up being 11 percent [alcohol by volume] somehow, and it just tasted terrible.” It wasn’t a total failure, though. He took it as a valuable lesson learned. “It’s definitely a learning curve,” he adds. Today, after a lot of research and some experience, Rausch has gotten a pretty good hang of crafting the fermented sugar water. Seltzer takes up five of his brewery’s 13 current taps — alongside beers such as pilsner, hazy IPA and a tropical banana sour.

LOCAL HARD SELTZER MAKERS *Call ahead to make sure the brewery currently has seltzer available Brick West Brewing Co., Spokane Four-Eyed Guys Brewing Co., Spokane

He’s also used the time to explore unique flavor combinations. His recent seltzer offerings include raspberry ginger, orange, lemon lavender, coconut and orange lime. At 6 percent alcohol by volume, they’re all a lot lighter than his first attempt. Four-Eyed Guys isn’t the only Spokane brewery wanting to dip their toes into seltzer. “People want to drink them, and people want to make them,” Rausch says. “I’ve had breweries come ask me about the process.” They’re also not the first. No-Li Brewhouse, by far the Inland Northwest’s largest commercial brewery, was the first in the region to become dedicated to seltzer. It launched the Day Fade line of hard seltzers early in 2019. The brand began with a huckleberry flavor, and has since expanded to four varieties, adding black cherry, mango and huckleberry lemonade. Available at select grocery stores throughout the area, each drink clocks in at 5 percent alcohol by volume, two carbs and 100 calories. Genus Brewing in Spokane Valley started making seltzers in 2020. Rausch actually credits owner Peter McArthur for helping Four-Eyed Guys get into the seltzer game. On top of that, the brewery and supply shop also posted a video to its popular YouTube channel explaining the seltzer-making process. — DEREK HARRISON

EAT. DRINK. REPEAT.

Garland Brew Werks, Spokane Genus Brewing, Spokane Valley Humble Abode Brewing, Spokane Hunga Dunga Brewing Company, Moscow Millwood Brewing Company, Spokane Valley No-Li Brewhouse, Spokane

RESTAURANT WEEK Presented By

Paragon Brewing, Coeur d’Alene Post Falls Brewing Company, Post Falls River City Brewing, Spokane

February 24 — March 5 10 DAYS | 3 Course MEALS In Support of:

iNLANDERRESTAURANTWEEK.COM ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

LOCAL GOODS Five locally made products to boost your home cooking, party hosting, cocktail making and more

SIDE HUSTLE SYRUPS

What began as a collaboration with Dry Fly Distilling, creating the syrups that flavor its line of canned craft cocktails, quickly turned into a full-fledged business for Dillon Hauser. Side Hustle Syrups are more than just flavored cocktail syrups, though, and can be used in anything from mocktails to tea. Many local restaurants and bars sell and serve Side Hustle’s line, including flavors like orange vanilla and elderflower. $13+ at sidehustlesyrups.com

WILDBEARY HUCKLEBERRY JAM

Huckleberries in the Pacific Northwest are worth their weight in gold, and cherished for their sweet-tart flavor. That magical Northwest essence can be captured

in a bottle, or jar, if you’re a commercial producer like Shaver Farms in Hayden, which produces the Wildbeary line of fruit jams, jellies and other products. Find a limited quantity of its huckleberry goods at some area grocers or shaverfarms.com. $7.50+ at My Fresh Basket, 1030 W. Summit Pkwy., Spokane

DARE DESIGNS CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Class up your hosting game (or wine night in) with a natural-grain wood charcuterie board from local woodmaker Bart Templeton of Dare Designs. Nearly all the wood used for his heirloom-quality pieces, from tables to doors, are sourced locally, reclaimed from decommissioned train cars that once traveled the rails of the Inland Northwest. $90+ at From Here, 808 W. Main Ave., Spokane

SPICEOLOGY LADY BIRD FLAKY SALT COLLECTION

Local chefs and restaurant owners are truly spoiled when it comes to accessing the huge variety of high-quality spices, blends and other seasonings from Spokane’s own nationally recognized Spiceology. This three-pack of flavor-boosting finishing salts was crafted by Spiceology chef Matt Broussard and comes with two salts harvested from

the Pacific Ocean — a classic flake and the gold turmeric infused — plus the “millennial pink” Himalayan flake salt harvested from the famous Khewra mines in Pakistan. $23 at spiceology.com

BOMBSHELL SWEETS COTTON CANDY

Satisfy your sweet tooth with an old-fashioned treat: cotton candy. Made from all-natural cane sugar, Bombshell Sweets’ growing list of fluffy, flavored, spun sugar is all crafted using a proprietary method to give its cotton candy a mega flavor boost. The Hayden-based candymaker offers dozens of flavors, like peach, chai tea, huckleberry, melon, ghost pepper, champagne, root beer and many more. $5 each at bombshellsweets.com — CHEY SCOTT

Live music every Saturday from 6-9pm!

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FLIGHTS of FANCY Food and beverage flights are trending on local menus, from margaritas to pizza and tacos to coffee MOVE OVER, beer and wine tasting flights. There’s a new bunch in town bringing new meaning to what’s traditionally been considered a “flight” in the food world, those sample-size portions of a variety of beverages or bites. A new trend has lately caught on at coffee shops: flights of miniature lattes, espresso and other specialty drinks. But it goes beyond that, and it appears that creative food and drink flights are turning up on menus all over. Mimosas make for an obvious flight-friendly option, and there’s plenty such on brunch menus around the Inland Northwest, offering customers any combination of flavors for the bubbly, champagne-based cocktail. Flights aren’t limited to liquid form. One downtown Spokane restaurant introduced a pizza flight to its menu, giving diners the choice of any three miniature pies. The list goes on: sliders, margaritas, wings, tacos, hard seltzer and surely even more options just waiting to be introduced or discovered. The best part about this hopefully-not-fleeting flight trend? It’s the perfect solution to all indecisive restaurant customers’ problems, as well as those who want to sample as much from the menu as possible. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most creative food and drink flights introduced of late.

TOM SAWYER COUNTRY COFFEE

A coffee flight at Tom Sawyer. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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608 N. Maple St., Spokane, tomsawyercountrycoffee.com Coffee flight, $13.50 New owners Amanda and Jeff LaShaw took over this small coffee roastery in Kendall Yards at the start of 2021, and while much of Tom Sawyer’s offerings haven’t changed, the couple did make one exceedingly popular addition: coffee flights. On a sunny afternoon, Tom Sawyer’s cafe seating is full, and nearly every table is sampling its seasonal coffee flight. Served on a wooden board, each flight of four 10-ounce servings can be customized to include any beverage on its menu. “People love the idea of being able to try different drinks,” says Amanda LaShaw. “We also have a lot of people who prefer to share their flights. It’s a lot of fun. They’re all very unique flavors, and it’s a fun alternative to when you go to a coffee shop and only pick one drink, or you order something and maybe it’s not what you expected or wanted.”

SLIGHTLY CHARRED WOOD FIRED PIZZA 816 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, spokanepizzas.com Pizza flight, $16 Lots of dishes (sliders, wings and pastries, to name a few) are primed to be made in miniature, yet food-based flights are not quite as common as their liquid counterparts. Among the bite-sized snacks available locally, however, is a flight of mini pizzas at Slightly Charred Wood Fired Pizza in downtown Spokane. Located in the former location of Fire Artisan Pizza, Slightly Charred launched in February 2021, specializing in thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas. Owner Sonja Halverson says she introduced the pizza flight — three, four-inch pizzas in any combination from the menu, or with totally customized toppings — about a month after opening. Since then, the flights quickly became a bestseller. During happy hour (Tuesday through Friday from 3-5 pm) the flight is $12. “It blew up, and people went crazy,” Halverson says. “People ask for them all the time.” All of Slightly Charred’s pizzas have music-inspired names. Among customers’ favorites are “I Think I Love You” with prosciutto, pears and a balsamic reduction, and the “Mosh Pit,” a version of classic supreme pizza.

DE LEON’S TACO & BAR 1801 N. Hamilton St., 2718 E. 57th Ave. and 10208 N. Division St., Spokane, deleonstacoandbar.com Margarita and taco flight, $20-$29 Taco Tuesday got a major upgrade when De Leon’s Taco & Bar introduced margarita and taco flights to its menu, which are also available any day of the week and at all three locations, says co-owner Sergio De Leon. “We have some of the best margaritas in Spokane, and a lot of people want to try all the different flavors,” he says.

Taco and magarita flight from De Leon’s.

MORE FLIGHTS TO SAMPLE 1898 Public House: mimosas Bark, A Rescue Pub: mimosas Bruncheonette: mimosas Downriver Grill: mimosas, mules The Garden Coffee & Local Eats: cold brew coffee Hogwash Whiskey Den: wings Lion’s Lair: margaritas Old European / Little Euro: mimosas Nectar Wine & Beer: bellinis Vault Coffee: coffee Yards Bruncheon: mimosas

Margarita flights ($20) of four can include any combination of De Leon’s nine featured flavors: the traditional house blend, huckleberry, mango, peach, prickly pear, raspberry, strawberry and watermelon. Each flight-sized serving is about 8 ounces. To make it a full meal, De Leon’s also offers two of its bestselling tacos — the housemade chorizo with panela cheese and the favorite “Holy Taco” with skirt steak — for the full taco and marg flight ($29), which comes with two of each of those tacos.

FOUR EYED GUYS BREWING CO. 910 W. Indiana Ave., facebook.com/foureyedguys Seltzer flight, $2.50/pour Nobody in town is (so far) making as many flavors of hard seltzer than north-central Spokane craft brewery Four Eyed Guys. At any given time, there’s usually between four and six flavors of hard seltzer crafted by the brewery on tap, says co-owner Alex Rausch. Flavors in the ever-changing, rotating (also seasonal) lineup so far have included combos like raspberry apricot, cucumber mojito, coconut banana, orange lime, lemon lavender, guava lemonade and more. With so many flavors to choose from, Four Eyed Guys offers flights of both its seltzer and beer, giving customers the freedom to choose how many sample-size pours in total they’d like to try. “Our seltzers have a very clean taste,” Rausch says. “We don’t have preservatives in them like Truly and White Claw, so it’s a really clean flavor.” One of the most popular so far has been Four Eyed Guys’ coconut seltzer, but Rausch says he’s always adding to his list of new flavors and flavor combos he hopes to introduce next. — CHEY SCOTT ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

PICTURESQUE PATIOS

NOV 19 + 20

SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER

ICKOFF K N O S A E S W O SN

E V I L TICKET USIC

FREE LIFT

DAY

RD A O B W O N S & I SK

00 PEOPLE EACH FOR THE FIRST 1,5

E L A S A G E M RY REPS DEALS

FACTO TS R O S E R L A N O I REG REC RETAILERS TOP WINTER

G E K R E D W O P DER BREW FESTIVAL INLAN

ONLY

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Dine al fresco across the Inland Northwest at these incredible patios, from alley nooks to lakeside decks THE YEAR 2020 gave us a greater appreciation of outdoor dining, and although dining rooms have since reopened, patio dining remains a regularly indulged pastime in the Inland Northwest. Undoubtedly, there are a wealth of excellent eating establishments with outdoor dining spaces worthy of mention here. Unfortunately, we can only mention a few — a difficult decision, indeed! So, here are a couple tried-and-true patio spots, a couple new spots, and a few places you may not even know.

TERRAZA WATERFRONT CAFÉ

1950 Bellerive Ln., Suite 106, Coeur d’Alene New on the Coeur d’Alene culinary scene, Terraza is making waves with its South American-inspired cuisine, craft margaritas and an impeccable view of the Spokane River from a table on the terrace. The kitchen and bar staff are dedicated to making everything from scratch, including their tortillas and guacamole, which is mashed to order at your table. The result? A passionate, lively atmosphere offering colorful, multifaceted flavors.

TWIGS BISTRO AND MARTINI BAR

401 E. Farwell Rd. and 4320 S. Regal St., Spokane Voted 2021’s Best Patio by Inlander readers for the umpteenth time, Twigs’ North Spokane and South Spokane locations both feature expansive patios with accompanying views to enjoy a cocktail with friends, relish an intimate dinner or gather the family over creamy pasta and juicy burgers. At Twigs North, you can also enjoy the patio views in air-conditioned comfort by snagging a “view table” next to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

LATITUDES AT THE LODGE AT CARLIN BAY

33917 S. Highway 97, Harrison Another Best Of winner, this time for Best Outdoor Dining in North Idaho, Latitudes has ditched the food truck life and jumped into bringing impeccable dining and catering to the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene at The Lodge at Carlin Bay. There’s a little something for everyone with fine dining, small bites, cozy pastries, elevated North Idaho fare, and quenching beers, wines and cocktails. Overlooking the dock, Latitudes offers easy access from the road and the water, as well as live music on Thursday and Saturday.

REPUBLIC KITCHEN + TAPHOUSE

120 E. Fourth Ave., Post Falls A local favorite, this converted historic house sits just off a main strip by the river and offers people-watching without the crowds. A project of the Eat Good Group, this modest taphouse features as much local food and as many local brews as they can get their hands on. Its menu adds a delicious twist to traditional pub fare and offers creative vegetarian options that might even make a carnivore rethink their diet choices. And you must try the frozen peanut butter pie. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy tucked into a corner of the deck accompanied by a huckleberry mule.

Happy Hour

1/2 All Alcohol Monday-Friday 3-5pm

Wine, Whiskey & Scotch Wednesdays • 1/2 off all day! Breakfast 8am-Noon Saturday & Sunday Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas $4 from 8am-12pm

SOUTH: 5620 S. Regal | 509-368-9760 NORTH: 12310 N. Ruby Rd. | 509-413-1834

www.PoolesPublicHouse.com

Terraza offers an impeccable view of the Spokane River.

THE PORCH PUBLIC HOUSE

1658 E. Miles Ave., Hayden Lake Nestled at the edge of one of the Hayden Lake Country Club golf greens, this Inland Northwest staple is a must-visit. The atmosphere is bustling but tranquil, and the menu includes well-loved items, like the lamb burger and roasted corn pasta salad, as well as rotating specials. Unlike its Coeur d’Alene sister Moon Time, the Porch offers craft cocktails to enjoy overlooking the golf course in addition to microbrews on tap, plus wine and more. Since the porch at the Porch is already partially enclosed, staff can shut the windows to provide porch seating year-round.

RADIO BREWING COMPANY

319 Main St., Kellogg From the front, Radio Brewing looks like a quality pub with traditional bar and dining seating. Step out the back door, however, and you’ll be surprised by the quaint alley patio space, complete with vintage movie theater seating, classic dart boards and a comfy local vibe. In addition to tasty beer brewed on-site, the menu offers an eclectic selection of delectable pub fare that will appeal to any palate. Munch on a peanut butter and jelly burger, slurp a cold brew, then fill a growler to enjoy later on your own porch.

ATED

& OPER LOCALLY OWNED

a neighborhood pub bringing together traditional Irish and American fare, draft beers and good times. lity & delicious food Come in and enjoy our Irish Hospita ~ ~ 45-seat meeting room available

719 N MONROE ST. • SPOKANE •

509

326-7251

BEET AND BASIL AT THE CREEK

105 S. First Ave., Sandpoint With two newly remodeled patios, one in the cooling shadow of stone walls just off the street, and the other overlooking the creek, Beet and Basil is bringing globally inspired, elevated street food to Sandpoint — with a view. Now back open for lunch seating in addition to dinner, this fresh restaurant has some of the best naan, curry, banh mi sandwiches, vindaloo and street tacos you’ll experience in the North Idaho Panhandle. Beet and Basil strives to source local and regional ingredients as well as Northwest brews, wines and other drinks. Try the naan with dips and a pint of Tieton cider accompanied by the Pend Oreille views. — S. MICHAL BENNETT

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FOOD & DRINK

BIG NOOD MOOD These five local ramen houses offer some of the best Japanese-style noodle bowls in the Inland Northwest ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS like the epitome of bad manners at the dinner table, it’s totally acceptable — encouraged, actually — to noisily slurp up those long, starchy noodles from a steaming bowl of ramen. Moreover, it’s also OK to pick up the entire soup bowl to tip that savory, slow-cooked broth right into your mouth. For confirmation we’re not making this all up, ask any chef familiar with Japanese cuisine, or consult the distinguished Michelin Guide. Another gesture of courtesy to ramen chefs is not lingering over your bowl, as the longer those toothy, al dente noodles sit in the broth, the more liquid is absorbed, which alters the entire dish’s flavor and texture. With origins as a street food, ramen was designed to nourish diners on the go, and many ramen stalls in Japan feature quick-service bar counters where diners are otherwise silent save for the sound of slurping. While there are many more nuances of ramen culture, such as regional differences in ingredients and preparation across Japan, those of us stateside can get away with these three basics: slurp, sip and speed. Let the ramen eating commence.

MONARCH RAMEN 1401 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, 208-966-4230 What we got: Monarch ramen Steamy windows always remind of that hide-away restaurant tucked into an urban side street, with pungent aromas hitting as you enter — the promise of something warm and hearty on the plate. At Midtown Monarch, that something is in a bowl, and having tried nearly all five of their standard ramen noodle soup offerings since the place opened in October 2019, it’s tough to choose a fave. The signature Monarch ramen hits all the right notes with a spicy pork broth, savory and very tender braised pork, crunchy vegetable toppings like bean sprouts and bamboo, and the creaminess of a fried egg. The pickled mustard greens on top of the soup cuts through the richness and balances the other flavors, making you wonder why pickled goodies aren’t part of every soup offering. Even better, you can build your own ramen ($13), which allows you to explore the various broths, noodles (try kale noodles), proteins and toppings to create the perfect bowl. (CARRIE SCOZZARO)

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KOKORO RAMEN

MORE TASTY RAMEN

509 N. Sullivan Rd. E, Spokane Valley, 509-309-2992 What we got: Tonkotsu ramen You might be skeptical about how well ramen can travel, but Kokoro Ramen and Boba Tea Time gives you a user-friendly setup if you order take-out, like so many of us did over the past year-plus. You’ll find all those tasty noodles, a sheet of nori, sliced pork, green onion, red ginger, bamboo shoots, a soft-boiled egg and other veggies, depending on your ramen choice, perfectly arranged in a travel bowl with a lid. The unctuous, fatty broth is in another container ready to be poured right into the bowl. Many Kokoro fans swear by the black garlic ramen, but their tonkotsu — made with their unique recipe for pork bone broth — is perfectly delicious, too. Hitting all the savory notes you can only get from slow-boiled broth, this dish warms you from the inside out, perfect for winter time and that classic ramen craving. For 50 cents more, you can make it spicy. The servings are hefty — you might even get two meals out of it like I did. Plus, if you want some sweet with that savory, Kokoro offers extensive boba tea options (seriously, almost 40 tea options, and that’s not even counting the smoothies) with add-ons like tapioca boba, popping passion fruit boba, lychee jelly and more. (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

Beet and Basil, Sandpoint

LITTLE NOODLE

Fusion Korean, Airway Heights

713 W. Garland Ave., 509-598-8635 What we got: Miso ramen with smoked pork belly Little Noodle in the Garland District was initially intended to be seasonal-only when it debuted in October 2020, but it’s thankfully now going to sling “noods” year round starting this fall. A project of local chef Kadra Evans and her brother-in-law Ryan Stretch, Little Noodle was born of creative necessity after both were laid off from previous jobs during the pandemic, and to spotlight Evans’ carefully perfected pho recipe. The shop’s take on ramen is just as worthy of your taste buds. Evans and Stretch’s ramen features an ultra unctuous miso-based broth that’s well seasoned with traditional Japanese togarashi spices (red chili pepper, hemp seed, roasted orange peel, sesame, ginger, nori and poppy seed) for rich, warm flavors. All the protein options for both pho and ramen are smoked prime meats (plus tofu), including tri tip, pork and pork belly (our favorite), as well as shrimp. Bonus: The kitchen doesn’t skimp (unlike many ramen houses, which only serve a single slice of pork) on these savory, smoky, salty meats. Joining the hearty protein portion are a few usual suspects: baby corn, a soft egg, green onion and dried seaweed. (CHEY SCOTT)

FACING PAGE: Tonkotsu ramen from Monarch. RIGHT: King of Ramen’s spicy minced pork ramen. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

Kaiju Sushi & Spirits, Coeur d’Alene Kinja, Spokane MadLo’s Ramen House, Nine Mile Falls O-Ramen, Pullman Red Bento, Moscow and Pullman

KING OF RAMEN 1601 N. Division St., 509-321-7050 What we got: Spicy minced pork ramen I was an early advocate of King of Ramen when Nick Weng and Terry Pan opened the unassuming spot in a Division Street strip mall in 2016. The broths used in steaming bowls of tonkotsu ramen or their Spicy King ramen were so heavenly it took me several visits before trying the spicy minced pork ramen. Ever since I did, I rarely let my attention

travel to other parts of King of Ramen’s menu except for the occasional gyoza or spring roll appetizer. Resisting the broths of the traditional house ramens isn’t easy, but this dish is worth it. Visually, it almost resembles an Italian pasta dish. The minced pork, piled high and topped with a jolt of electric-pink ginger, delivers incredible flavor through its spices that leave your tongue tingling, and the meaty mixture sits on a bed of ramen noodles that help you sop up every last bit of piggy, peppery goodness. If spicy or pork-based dishes aren’t your thing, King of Ramen has plenty of options, from those dreamy traditional ramens to a couple of curry and teriyaki dishes. (DAN NAILEN)

NUDO RAMEN HOUSE 9602 N. Newport Hwy., 509-467-0292; 818 W. Sprague Ave., 509-290-5763 What we got: Tantanmen With its eye-catching pop-art aesthetic and unorthodox menu options — ramen burgers, anyone? — Nudo Ramen House has become a go-to spot for getting your ramen on, and both their downtown Spokane and Newport Highway locations are as bright and inviting as the food they serve up. As far as I’m concerned, any combination of savory broth and chewy noodles is likely to be a slam dunk, especially on a drab January evening. But this time around, I opted for the tantanmen, a dish that was new to me and might now be a future favorite. It’s a Japanese variation on a popular sichuan noodle meal, with chicken, veggies and peanuts swimming in a sesame paste broth. Nudo’s menu specifies that the dish is spicy, which often gives me pause (you never know just how volcanic it’s going to be). But it turned out to have just the right level of heat for my tastes, and that extra kick meshes nicely with the earthiness of the sauce, the tenderness of the chicken and the crunch of the carrots and peanuts. (NATHAN WEINBENDER)  ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

REASONS WHY Locally-owned businesses are good for our economy They create more local jobs They add character to our community They use fresh, quality ingredients Local tastes delicious

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DRINK LOCAL Now available in your local stores!

112 N SPOKANE ST, POST FALLS, ID • POSTFALLSBREWING.COM • (208) 773-7301

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• elegant expressive winemaking • rural farmstead vibe • south hill tasting room winescapewines.com ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

FOR EVERY SEASON There’s a bounty of regional produce in the Inland Northwest throughout the seasons

SPRING

Buy a “share” in a local farm through its community-supported agriculture, or CSA, program, and do good things for yourself and for them. An added bonus: Be the first to get farm-fresh produce like spicy, crunchy RADISHES as early as March or April with Courage to Grow Farms in Spokane Valley, which operates both a farmstand and a CSA, with delivery to Eastern Washington and North Idaho. You can’t get much more local than something that grows wild in the region (moist lowlands in Eastern Washington especially), but for ASPARAGUS in abundance, you’ll want to visit your local grocer, like Huckleberry’s Natural Market. Asparagus is high in nutrients like vitamin K and folate, low in calories, and easy to cook via a quick steam on the stove or in the microwave.

SUMMER

Does anything convey the full blush of summer like a firm, juicy PEACH? Enjoy it in both sweet and savory applications, like in pie or roasted on the grill. Pick some peaches yourself at Green Bluff, which boasts more than 60 locally operated farms and orchards. Most are growers like Roenings on Green Bluff, a family-owned orchard that also specializes in CHERRIES, midsummer’s other darling. Did you know that most GARLIC you eat in the summer was plant-

ed the prior fall? This kitchen staple winters over at places like Allicins Ranch out of Boundary County, which is pretty far north in North Idaho, but you only have to travel as far as Sandpoint during its Saturday Farmers Market to find this grower’s garlic.

FALL

Mushrooms offer protein, vitamins and antioxidants, but zero fat. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

What will farming look like in the future? WSU’s Eggert Family Organic Farm is part of the answer to that conundrum. Look for it online, visit the farmstand in person and pick some perfect Pullman PUMPKINS during the farm’s annual fall festival. From the Greek word for “large melon,” pumpkin is a versatile food item that can be boiled, roasted, grilled and steamed. And, of course, they can also be painted and carved. Head to your local grocer and you’ll likely find MUSHROOMS in the produce section, even though as fungi, they’re unlike any fruit or vegetable. A key ingredient in meat substitution for their umami flavor profile, mushrooms offer protein, vitamins and antioxidants, but zero fat. Forage for chanterelles in the fall by joining a local mycology or mushroom club for guidance, or see what Happy Mountain Mushrooms has cultivated for their Spokane-area shop, which can be found at farmers markets and online. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

7.5” wide by 2.37” high

Where to go. What to do.

Search our extensive calendar of events by date, category and neighborhood.

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#1 BEST WINE TASTING ROOM #3 BEST LOCAL WINERY #3 BEST TASTING ROOM PATIO

FOOD & DRINK

MORE LOCAL BEER SPOKANE 5 North Brewing Co. Bellwether Brewing Co. Bennidito’s Brewpub Big Barn Brewing Co. Black Label Brewing Co. Bottle Bay Brewing Co. Common Language Brewing Co. * Four-Eyed Guys Brewing For the Love of God Brewing The Golden Handle Project

CHEERS TO LOCAL BEER

Brewer Adam Boyd at Garland Brew Werks. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

brewery capacity in the Inland Northwest, yet another opens and proves there’s no limit on how much one region can enjoy its locally brewed bevs. In addition to a comprehensive list of every brewery in the greater Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area, we’re highlighting six standouts, including several recent newcomers, to check out.

GARLAND BREW WERKS One of the newest craft breweries to debut in Spokane is also the first and only neighborhood brewery for the Garland Business District and North Hill neighborhood. Owned by TJ and Sarah Wallin, formerly of Community Pint beer bar (which they sold to focus on their new venture), Garland Brew Werks recruited longtime brewer Adam Boyd to head up its system. Boyd brings 10-plus years of experience, and plans an ever-rotating lineup of hazy IPAs, sours, lagers and more. Housemade brats and flatbreads complement the beer, and a large taproom and adjacent patio are both family-friendly. 603 W. Garland Ave., 509-863-9419

BRICK WEST BREWING CO. Also a newer brewery, debuting in early 2020, Brick West anchors downtown Spokane’s west end, and

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Humble Abode Brewing Iron Goat Brewing Lumberbeard Brewing Co. Mountain Lakes Brewing No-Li Brewhouse Paramour Brewing Co. Perry Street Brewing

The Inland Northwest is a craft beer lover’s dream; here’s a roundup of every single brewery in the area JUST WHEN IT SEEMS like we’ve reached max

Hidden Mother Brewing

Project Craft Brewing River City Brewing quickly established itself as a go-to hangout for not just its 13 beer taps, but loads of community events from live music to outdoor yoga classes on the large public plaza next door, plus an evening, summertime farmers market. Inside, the tasting room is a popular spot for weekly events like trivia, bingo and catching sports broadcasts. You can also peep the brewing ops through a glass wall behind the bar. Brick West’s beer lineup includes a range of lagers and hoppy IPAs, which also make the rounds on tap handles around town. 1318 W. First Ave., brickwestbrewingco.com, 509-279-2982

THE GRAIN SHED The Grain Shed is a brewery built for one reason: To highlight grain. And 100 percent of the grain that goes into its brews comes from local farms, as well as for all the bread baked in the space the brewery shares its taproom with. The Grain Shed’s small-scale brewing system is crucial for its model, since it’s doing things so differently from other brewers. Instead of following traditional beer styles, the Grain Shed focuses on making recipes that highlight the flavors of the grains used, like its signature Purple Egyptian ale made using a variety of black barley originally farmed in ancient Egypt. 1026 E. Newark Ave., thegrainshed.coop

Steam Plant Brewing Co. * Uprise Brewing Co. *

SPOKANE VALLEY + LIBERTY LAKE Badass Backyard Brewing Bardic Brewing & Cider Emrys Fermentations * Genus Brewing Millwood Brewing Co. Natural 20 Brewing Co. No Drought Brewing Co. Snow Eater Brewing Co. Square Wheel Brewing Co. TT’s Old Iron Brewery V-Twin Brewing Co. YaYa Brewing Company * Brewery is temporarily closed or opening soon

FOOD & DRINK NORTH IDAHO: COEUR D’ALENE, POST FALLS, SANDPOINT, WALLACE Bent Tree Brewing, Athol Bombastic Brewing, Hayden Daft Badger Brewing, Coeur d’Alene Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay Mad Bomber Brewing, Hayden Matchwood Brewing Co., Sandpoint MickDuff’s Brewing Co., Sandpoint North Idaho Mountain Brew, Wallace Paragon Brewing, Coeur d’Alene Radio Brewing Co., Kellogg

CHEERS TO LOCAL BEER, CONTINUED...

WHISTLE PUNK BREWING What launched as a small production-only brewery in Newman Lake has evolved into an ever-expanding taproom in the heart of downtown Spokane. Owned by father-son duo Matt and Craig Hanson, Whistle Punk Brewing is a go-to spot in town for hop-forward ales and extraordinary lagers. It’s the Hansons’ attention to

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Whistle Punk Brewing is a go-to spot for hop-forward ales and extraordinary lagers. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

small details that make Whistle Punk stand out — for example, each beer is paired with its own proper glassware designed to highlight its unique style. Plus, the cozy bar located within Railroad Alley is always staffed with the raddest people. 122 S. Monroe St., whistlepunkbrewing.com

Selkirk Abbey Brewing Co., Post Falls Tricksters Brewing Co., Coeur d’Alene Utara Brewing Co., Sandpoint Wallace Brewing Co., Wallace Westwood Brewing Co., Rathdrum

VET E RA N OW N E D

wmwinkler.com

Pictured from left to right

KIM PLESE OWNER

PLESE PRINTING & MARKETING

CHRIS WINKLER P.E. ENGINEERING AND SAFETY Wm. Winkler Co.

BRIAN WINKLER PRESIDENT

Wm. Winkler Co.

Affiliated Wm. Winkler Co. Companies

pro-recycle llc

Conserving our planet one ton at a time...

DESIGN . PRINT . DIRECT MAIL . SOCIAL MEDIA

4201 E. TRENT AVE, SPOKANE, WA 99202 | 509.534.2355 | PLESEPRINT.COM ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

FOOD & DRINK

Jeff and Candace Clark of Precious Things Fermentation Project. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

CHEERS TO LOCAL BEER, CONTINUED...

PRECIOUS THINGS FERMENTATION PROJECT

POST FALLS BREWING COMPANY

Jeff and Candace Clark started their brewing journey by sharing homebrew creations with their friends and neighbors out of their garage converted into a bar. Then in 2019, the couple bought a house in a rurally zoned area of northeast Spokane and transformed their new barn-shaped garage into Precious Things Fermentation Project. The commercial brewery and taproom is one of the smallest in the region with their still-in-use 10-gallon homebrew system. Inspired by breweries in Europe, Jeff says they wanted the brewery to be “farmhouse style,” in which they make and sell the beer on their property. In the same vein, they’re making seasonal beer and using local ingredients whenever possible. 8403 N. Bruce Rd., @preciousthingsbeer

Since its start in 2016, Post Falls Brewing Company has become no stranger to being dubbed “North Idaho’s Best” by Inlander readers — they’ve now secured the title four years in a row. The brewery and taproom, located across the street from the Post Falls water tower, has become a meeting spot for locals and a destination for visitors to the area. Co-owner Dan Stokes says he always wanted a “community vibe” for the brewery, and appreciates everyone who backs that idea. Larger than most regional breweries, the 15-barrel brewhouse produces a wide range of styles and is constantly experimenting with new ones. 112 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, postfallsbrewing.com — CHEY SCOTT & DEREK HARRISON

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RURAL EASTERN WASHINGTON Fired Up Brewing, Colville Inland Ale Works Brewing Co., Cheney Northern Ales, Kettle Falls Quartzite Brewing Co., Chewelah Republic Brewing Co., Republic

PALOUSE Hunga Dunga Brewing Co., Moscow Moscow Brewing Co., Moscow Paradise Creek Brewery, Pullman Rants and Raves Brewery, Moscow

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FOOD & DRINK

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars’ husbandand-wife owners Kristina and Jim van Loben Sels. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

MORE REGIONAL WINE FAVORITES SPOKANE Bridge Press Cellars Cougar Crest Estate Winery Helix Wines Overbluff Cellars Renegade by Monte Scarlatto

WINE WONDERLAND Sip and savor the region’s viticultural bounty at local wineries and tasting rooms from the Palouse to downtown WITH TASTING ROOMS CLOSED throughout most of 2020, many wineries pivoted to online and pickup orders. But since businesses across the state have reopened, the Inland Northwest is once again blossoming into a wine lover’s wonderland. Whether you’re new to wine tasting, or eager to get back out there and sample the latest from your favorites, read on for some local and regional suggestions.

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS Arbor Crest is perched on a restored, historic, Spokane Valley estate with sweeping views of the Spokane River valley, featuring several gardens for visitors to enjoy. The winery specializes in Bordeaux wines, so if you’re a fan, check out the sauvignon blanc, cabernet or Arbor Crest’s signature Dionysus. 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley. Tasting room hours: Thu-Sun from 12-5 pm and Fri-Sat from 12-8 pm. arborcrest.com

BARILI CELLARS Barili offers visitors the unique experience of sampling wine directly from the barrel as they watch winemakers hone their craft in a cozy basement tasting room. Barili

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makes both red and white wines, with bold, fruit-forward flavors. Try a glass of the Double Barrel Red, or the sauvignon blanc. 608 W. Second Ave., Spokane. Tasting room hours: First Fridays from 4-9 pm and second Saturdays from 12-5 pm or by appointment. barilicellars.com

BARRISTER WINERY Tucked into a historic building alongside the railroad tracks on the west side of downtown Spokane, Barrister Winery is best known for producing quality red wines. Customer favorite Rough Justice, a blend of several varietals, comes highly recommended. 1213 W. Railroad Ave., Spokane. Tasting room hours: Sun-Thu from 12-7 pm and Fri-Sat from 12-9 pm. barristerwinery.com

COEUR D’ALENE CELLARS An oasis for wine and art lovers, Coeur d’Alene Cellars makes small batches of both white and red wines. Try a sip of the Mourve’dre (aka the “Mo”) while admiring artwork created by watercolorist and winery co-owner Sara Gates. 3890 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene. Tasting room hours: Sun-Thu from 12-5 pm and Fri-Sat from 12-7 pm. cdacellars.com

Regal Road Winery Robert Karl Cellars Tempus Cellars Terra Blanca V du V Wines

LIBERTY LAKE Liberty Lake Wine Cellars

COEUR D’ALENE + NORTH IDAHO Castaway Cellars Pend d’Oreille Winery

PALOUSE Colter’s Creek Winery Merry Cellars Winery

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The art is in the details at this Kendall Yards’ winery, which specializes in wines made “old-world style,” or by hand. Stop by Craftsman’s tasting room if you enjoy carefully crafted red wines, aged to perfection in new French oak barrels. 1194 W. Summit Pkwy., Spokane. Tasting room hours: Wed-Thu from 3-7 pm, Fri-Sat from 2-8 pm, Sun from 1-5 pm. craftsmanwinery.com

LATAH CREEK WINE CELLARS Established in 1982, Latah Creek was a pioneer in Washington state’s then-emerging wine scene, and continues to produce new varieties each season along with an acclaimed lineup of established wines. Though it’s best known for its award-winning merlot, Latah offers a full range of both reds and whites. 13030 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Tasting room hours: Daily from 9 am-5 pm. latahcreek.com

MARYHILL WINERY Goldendale-based Maryhill Winery established its first satellite tasting room in Spokane’s Kendall Yards neighborhood four years ago with great success. Choose from a multitude of approachable wines, sourced from more than 20 vineyards in the Columbia Valley. Order an entree from the winery’s in-house food menu and kick back on a spacious riverside patio. 1303 W. Summit Pkwy., Spokane. Tasting room hours: Mon-Thu from 12-8 pm Fri from 12-9 pm, Sat from 11 am-9 pm, Sun from 11 am-7 pm. maryhillwinery.com

SHANNON FAYE WINERY

1018 W Francis, Spokane, WA (509) 326-6794 theswingingdoors.com

With limited seasonal tasting room hours, this boutique winery is probably one of Spokane’s best-kept secrets. Husband-and-wife team Jim and Shannon Hergert create big, bold red wines, served to visitors by the winemakers themselves. Stop in for a complimentary tasting as you bask in the glow of neighboring fields of sunflowers. 215 W. Fender Rd., Colbert. Tasting room hours: Sat from 2-6 pm. shannonfayewinery.com

THOMAS CLARE CELLARS This north Spokane startup winery creates red Bordeaux wines made with Walla Walla grapes. In fall 2021, Thomas Clare plans to open a new tasting room at Siemer’s Farm on Green Bluff, so wine lovers can enjoy a glass of their favorite at either location. 3915 E. Francis Ave. Suite A1, Spokane. Tasting room hours: Thu-Fri from 3:30-9 pm, Sat from 12-4 pm. thomasclarecellars.com

TOWNSHEND CELLARS Wind down from a day at Green Bluff with a glass of wine from Townshend Cellars. This family-owned winery offers distinctive Washington wines ranging from reds and whites to sparkling and dessert styles. 8022 E. Greenbluff Rd., Colbert. Tasting room hours: FriSun from 12-6 pm. townshendcellar.com

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WINESCAPE WINERY Nestled in the hills of the rural Glenrose area on Spokane’s South Hill, Winescape Winery offers a taste of the country just a short drive from downtown. Family-owned and operated by Phillip and Patricia Butterfield, this winery offers red and white wines that capture the diverse flavors of several of Washington state’s finest vineyards. 6011 E. 32nd Ave., Spokane. Tasting room hours: Thu-Fri from 3-7 pm, Sat-Sun from 2-6 pm. winescapewines.com — LEANN BJERKEN

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MickDuff’s in Sandpoint.

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Is it a) a brewery that serves food, b) a restaurant that brews its own beer, c) a package goods vendor for great local beer, or d) a live event venue that allows you to bring your own food and listen to awesome music when they have it or just generally chill on their patio? When the subject is MickDuff’s Brewing, the answer is e) all of the above. Since December 2020, they’re back up to two downtown Sandpoint locations: the Beer Hall, which is mostly brews and live music, and the new, larger brewing company and restaurant inside the historic 1928 Federal Building. Locals are flocking to the newly renovated classic for its casual vibes and great beer. Try the cubano sandwich, or the cedar plank salmon, with a Lake Paddler Pale Ale or a Knot Tree Porter. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

BEST CUPCAKES Temptations Cupcakes, Hayden BEST MEXICAN FOOD Nadine’s Mexican Kitchen, Rathdrum BEST APPETIZERS White House Grill, Post Falls THE PALOUSE’S BEST PIZZA Maialina, Moscow To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

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TEA TIME Boba tea is booming in the Inland Northwest with several new local shops and vendors recently opening

WITH ITS SUPER FAT STRAWS and black tapioca pearls bobbing at the bottom, boba tea — also known as bubble tea, pearl milk tea or just milk tea — is by nature an eye-catching drink. And it’s popularity is quickly catching on in the Inland Northwest. Boba tea isn’t new; it’s been around for several decades after being introduced in Taiwan in the late 1980s and quickly gaining popularity around Asia and the world. But you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise based on the recent spurt of new boba tea shops opening around the region in the past year or two. One of those newcomers is BocoPop, a Liberty Lake bubble tea and coffee shop that launched in late 2020. BocoPop owner Steven Kelly thinks the main reason bubble tea suddenly seems to be springing up everywhere here is the drink’s virtually unlimited variations. “It’s a specialty drink that can be extremely customized beyond tapioca and milk,” Kelly says. At BocoPop, for example, house-crafted concoctions range from the customer favorite Tiger Milk, a creamy, caramel-colored brown sugar milk blend with tapioca pearls, to the vivid pink-and-orange Dragon Eye Tea made

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Boba milk and fruit teas at by combining lychee jasmine politan areas, like Seattle, VancouBocoPop. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO green tea and dragon fruit puree. ver, British Columbia, and the San “It’s definitely eye-catching Francisco Bay area. Until recently, and cool looking,” Kelly says. “People eat and transplants from those areas had found the redrink with their eyes, and we take a lot of gion lacking in bubble tea options. pride in the aesthetics of the boba.” Sisters Cynthia and Mindy Bach, who in Beyond the most traditional combination 2019 started their mobile boba business Tea’s of tea, milk and tapioca pearls, boba drinks Company as a farmers market pop-up, say goinclude smoothies and refreshing, fruity teas. ing out with friends or family to get bubble Tapioca pearls, made from the starchy tea was common in their Bay Area community white flesh of the cassava tuber, also come in growing up. different flavors, colors and shapes beyond “I think it’s interesting when people refer the standard black. Popping boba are colorful to boba as a trend, because I guess as an Asian pearls filled with fruit juice that explode in the American person, it was really normal for us mouth when chewed. Lychee jellies and other to have,” says Mindy Bach. chewy, fruit-flavored chunks can also take the Recent changes in the boba market have place of tapioca. also boosted the beverage, she notes. And then there’s cheese foam. “It’s like reinventing the old boba, using “Cheese foam is not like cheddar or Kraft real milk and actual fruit purees [instead of singles,” Kelly explains. “It’s like a cheesecake, powders]. Some shops are even making their and it works with tea the same way creamer own boba instead of shipping it in dried,” Bach works with coffee. It makes a rich creaminess, says. not quite the same consistency as a milkshake, At Tea’s Company, ordering boba drinks that accentuates all the flavor.” is a simplified process. This makes for both a newbie-friendly and an ultra-customizable exANOTHER FACTOR CONTRIBUTING to perience for boba lovers. bubble tea’s resurgence in the Inland NorthFirst customers choose a base, either milk west is how easy it is to find in bigger metrotea or fruit tea. Two non-tea drinks, strawber-

ry and taro milk, are also offered. Then pick how much sweetener you want in the drink, and any add-ons: boba, jellies and sea salt cream, as well as nondairy milk substitutions. While Tea’s Company took a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, throughout 2021’s market season the truck rotated between the Fairwood, Kendall Yards, South Perry and Spokane Valley farmers markets. Eventually, the Bach sisters hope to open a permanent tea shop. Other local boba shop owners have also gone into the business so as to share a familiar beverage with the community. Zane Huang, who came to the area by way of China and then Las Vegas, started his popular Black Straw Tea Bar inside Kobe Hibachi Sushi and Bar in 2019. He moved to a space in Spokane Valley in mid-2020 and added a full pan-Asian food menu. “The reason why bubble tea is popular in Spokane is that many people have moved to Spokane from different places in recent years,” Huang says. “Many [of those] people know bubble tea.” Co-owners of the Tea Boba Bar in Kendall Yards, which debuted in spring 2021, Tong Yan Liu and Colleen Wilbur had also caught on to how popular boba tea has become in bigger cities. When Paper & Cup coffee shop closed in 2020, the duo saw an opportunity to open a walk-up boba tea shop in the space, and quickly began researching the specialty drink. The Tea’s owners also work in management at Umi Sushi Bar & Kitchen just down the block. “We thought, ‘Why not?’ We were just doing to-go at the time because of the lockdown, and so we took on the new project because we thought it would be really good for the Kendall Yards neighborhood because of how much pedestrian traffic we have,” Wilbur says. The Tea’s drink menu is formatted to encourage customization, and ranges from milk tea to smoothies and even Red Bull Italian sodas. By customer request, Thai iced tea has also been added to the menu, and when it gets cold, Wilbur says they’ll introduce hot drinks. Boba at the Tea (and most other local shops) is made fresh several times daily. “There is a growing market for bubble tea, and a growing understanding and kind of knowing of its existence,” Wilbur says. “But also, I think part of it is the changes we’ve seen due to coronavirus, and as well as some new development with the population growth. Business owners are looking for concepts, and knowing people are so fond of bubble tea, it’s just a good fit right now.” — CHEY SCOTT

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NUMBERS As the region’s coffee culture continues to multiply and diversify, so do the roasters lending new math to an ancient drink WHETHER YOU’RE OLD ENOUGH to remember when “instant” coffee was a less-desirable sub for the real thing or you’ve just discovered its use in Korean-style whipped coffee, or dalgona, you’re part of coffee culture. From percolators to pour-overs and from Mr. Coffee to micro-lots, the coffee industry continues to grow, generating $80 billion in annual revenue across the U.S., and double that worldwide. The industry also continues to diversify, from barista expertise to the numbers and types of coffee roasters. In the Inland Northwest, for example, coffee roasteries have expanded more than 800 percent since the earliest days when there were only three major players. Four Seasons kicked off the coffee roaster craze in 1976, while Craven’s Coffee and Thomas Hammer both arrived in 1993. Fast forward to 2021, and the region now lays claim to more than two dozen commercial coffee roasters… and growing. Why the Inland Northwest? Proximity to Seattle, says Deborah Di Bernardo, who founded Spokane-based Roast House in 2010. Indeed, during the late ’60s and early ’70s, Seattle was nearly synonymous with coffee,

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from coffeehouses to coffee roasters. Seattle still has nearly two-thirds more the amount of java joints than the next two largest metropolitan areas (Manhattan and San Francisco) at roughly 15,000 coffee venues. “Before Starbucks really moved into our market right here in Spokane, we had the highest concentration of drive-throughs in the nation,” says Di Bernardo, suggesting the region was primed to participate in coffee culture. Those early “waves,” as some experts describe the evolution of the coffee industry, included a rise in coffee roasters, including Roast House, which makes sustainability the touchstone of its business model. For Roast House, that originally meant sourcing coffee that was shade-grown and without chemicals, knowing their growers and supporting like-minded producers. It’s what Di Bernardo describes as “business as a vehicle for change and doing good.” Variations of that model appear throughout the so-called third wave of coffee — roughly starting in 2002 — that in the greater Spokane metropolitan area includes DOMA (Post Falls, founded in 2001), Bumper Crop (doing busi-

ness as Swell Coffee, Spokane Valley, founded in 2006), Indaba (Spokane, founded in 2009) and Evans Brothers (Sandpoint, founded in 2009).

IS THERE A FOURTH WAVE to the industry? Perhaps. And perhaps it has to do with a different perspective on sustainability, one that addresses both the international community of growers, farms, exporters and the like, but also the local community. How that manifests varies, such as featuring local artists’ work on the coffee label and partnering with nonprofits on events. For North Idaho’s Union Roasters (founded in 2017) and Spokane-based Ladder Coffee (also founded in 2017), it’s emphasizing fellowship and the way coffee — and coffeehouses — bring people together. Spokane-based MuTu Coffee (founded in 2017) is one of the region’s only certified “B Corporation” roasting companies, defined as meeting B Lab’s “highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.”

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IN RECORD NUMBERS, CONTINUED... For Roast House, that’s distributing 10,000 cups of free coffee annually. It’s also building the type of business where staff feel valued and are valued, especially with better-than-living wages, says Di Bernardo, who left a law career for Thomas Hammer Coffee before eventually opening Roast House.

SUSTAINABILITY AT ONE of the region’s newest roasters includes establishing relationships with growers and importers, but also with customers, says Jason Kilmer, who founded Tubbs Coffee Roasters in 2021. Like Di Bernardo, Kilmer believes Seattle has had a huge influence on the growth of coffee culture in the Inland Northwest, yet he also cites the city’s influence over him personally in launching the Hayden, Idaho-based Tubbs. Kilmer remembers visiting family in his youth and being wowed at Seattle’s food culture, a reverence reinforced by family. His grandfather, says Kilmer, “was a foodie before there were ‘foodies,’” and that mentality got passed onto his father and then to him, yet the allure of coffee eluded him. Then, as a 22-year-old working at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency hotel, Kilmer experienced his first cup of really good coffee, which immediately changed his perspective on the beverage. “It was just one of those wow moments,” says Kilmer, who spent 16 years in the food and beverage industry and a decade in marketing for the wine industry before being laid off in March 2020. His pandemic pivot was returning home to create Tubbs, named after Coeur d’Alene’s popular lakeside landmark. Kilmer’s goal is to enhance the customer experience, particularly through hourlong cupping sessions. Cupping, explains Kilmer, is a specific process of steeping coffee grounds for at least 10 minutes, which allows for the development of aroma and flavor, but also conversations, like the ones he enjoys having with customers. Kilmer has four single-origin and four blended coffees available, and assesses the flavor with each batch (through cupping), using at least eight criteria: aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body uniformity, balance, clean cup and sweetness. Similar to wine tasting, Kilmer might guide his guests on some or all of these criteria, ideally helping them develop their palate. “We are looking for ‘aha’ moments with new guests on how and why brewed coffee has certain aromatics, flavor and mouthfeel relative to the origin, processing method and roast profiles,” he says. — CARRIE SCOZZARO

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The Inland Northwest is home to more than two dozen independently owned, local coffee roasters, and the number continues to increase.

LOCAL FAVES Inlander readers’ top picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue BEST TACOS

COCHINITO TAQUERIA

“Cochinito was always the project I wanted to do,” says chef Travis Dickinson. “Taking a cuisine I love, applying fine dining sourcing and technique, but doing it in an approachable and affordable way.” Dickinson got his start in the restaurant industry washing dishes at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, later attending the Western Culinary Institute in Portland and working for several restaurants there over a 15-year span. Now, after a stint at Clover, he and his friend from Post Falls High School, Justin Curtis, have started Cochinito Taqueria, and the concept has been a hit. The menu is inspired by Dickinson’s reverence for the culinary traditions of Mexico. “My trips to Mexico… have been huge for what I am doing now,” he says. “I tend to eat to a point of ‘uncomfortable’ every night we are there — trying to find the perfect version of every taco in the city.” — CARRIE SCOZARRO 2nd PLACE: De Leon’s; 3rd PLACE: Atilano’s; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Taco Works Food Trucks

Cochinito Taqueria chef and co-owner Travis Dickinson. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST PIZZA The Flying Goat 2nd Place: Versalia Pizza 3rd Place: Republic Pi North Idaho’s Best: Fire Pizza BEST SUSHI Umi Kitchen and Sushi Bar 2nd Place: Sushi.com 3rd Place: Izumi Sushi Bar North Idaho’s Best: Kaiju Sushi & Spirits BEST BURGER Wisconsinburger 2nd Place: Incrediburger and Eggs 3rd Place: D’Lish’s North Idaho’s Best: Hudson’s Hamburgers BEST BAKERY Rocket Bakery 2nd Place: Boots Bakery 3rd Place: Chaps North Idaho’s Best: Bakery by the Lake To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

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8AM to Close • 509.328.1950 804 W Garland Ave ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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FOOD & DRINK

TO MARKET Where to find the best of the region’s locally grown produce, meat, baked goods, artisan wares and more ATHOL FARMERS MARKET Fridays from 2-6 pm; midMay through late September. At 30355 Third St., Athol, Idaho. Facebook: AtholFarmersMarket CHEWELAH FARMERS MARKET Fridays from 11 am3:30 pm, mid-May through mid-October. At Chewelah City Park. Chewelahfarmersmarket. com CLAYTON FARMERS MARKET Sundays from 11-4 pm, early June through late September (except during the county fair). At the Clayton Fairgrounds, 4616 Wallbridge Rd. Facebook: Clayton Farmers Market and Small Farm Animals EMERSON-GARFIELD FARMERS MARKET Fridays from 3-7 pm, early June through late September. At the IEL Adult Education Center, 2310 N. Monroe St., Spokane. Market.emersongarfield.org FAIRWOOD FARMERS MARKET Tuesdays from 3-7 pm, mid-May through mid-October. At the Fairwood Shopping Center, 319 W. Hastings Rd., Spokane. Fairwoodfarmersmarket.org GARLAND SUMMER MARKET Tuesdays from 4-8 pm, mid-May through mid-September. At Garland Ave. and Post St. (parking lot), Spokane. Facebook: Garland Summer Market HILLYARD FARMERS MARKET Mondays from 3-7 pm, early June through mid-October. At 5102 N. Market St., Spokane. Facebook: HillyardFarmersMarket

The Kendall Yards Night Market. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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KENDALL YARDS NIGHT MARKET Wednesdays from 5-8 pm, mid-May through late September. On West Summit Parkway between Cedar St. and Adams Alley, downtown Spokane. KendallNightMarket.org KOOTENAI FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 9 am1:30 pm, early May through late October (Highway 95 and Prairie, Hayden) and Wednesdays from 4-7 pm, early May through late September (Fifth and Sherman, downtown Coeur d’Alene). KootenaiFarmersMarkets.org LIBERTY LAKE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, mid-May through early October. At Town Square Park, 1421 N. Meadowwood Ln. Llfarmersmarket.com MILLWOOD FARMERS MARKET Wednesdays from 3-7 pm, late May through late September. At Millwood Park, 9103 E. Frederick Ave. FarmersMarket.MillwoodNow.org MOSCOW FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm, early May through late October. At Friendship Square, Fourth Ave. and Main St. Ci.moscow. id.us N.E.W. FARMERS MARKET Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, early May through late October. At 121 E. Astor St., Colville. NewFarmersMarket. org NEWPORT FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, early May through late October. At 236 S. Union Ave. Facebook: NewportFarmersMarket PULLMAN FARMERS MARKET Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30 pm, late May through mid-October. At Brelsford WSU Visitors Center, 150 E. Spring St. facebook.com/pullmanfarmersmarket SANDPOINT FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm and Wednesdays from 3-5:30 pm, early May through mid-October. At 231 N. Third Ave. SandpointFarmersMarket.com

SOUTH PERRY THURSDAY MARKET Thursdays from 3-7 pm, early May through late October. At Perry St. and Tenth Ave., Spokane. ThursdayMarket.org SPIRIT LAKE FARMERS & FLEA MARKET Thursdays from 3-6 pm, mid-May through mid-September. At 82 Industrial Park (Spirit Valley Christian Fellowship). Facebook: Spirit Lake Farmers and Flea Market ST. MARIES FARMERS MARKET Fridays from 4-7 pm, early June through late September. At Mullan Trail Park (across from the cemetery). Facebook. com/stmariesfarmersmarkets SPOKANE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm, early May through late October; Wednesdays from 8 am-1 pm, early June through late October. At 20 W. Fifth Ave. SpokaneFarmersMarket.org SPOKANE VALLEY FARMERS MARKET Fridays from 4-8 pm, early June through mid-September. At CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. SpokaneValleyFarmersMarket.org TUESDAY COMMUNITY MARKET Tuesdays from 4-7 pm, mid-June through early October. At the Latah County Fairgrounds, 1021 Harold St., Moscow. uidaho.edu/extension/county/latah/horticulture WONDER SATURDAY MARKET Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, mid-May through late October. At the Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St., Spokane. WonderSaturdayMarket.com THE WEST END MARKET Mondays from 5-9 pm, May through October. At Brick West Brewing, 1318 W. First Ave., Spokane. facebook.com/ SpokaneWestEndMarket 

FOODIE FEASTS & FESTS Three local food and drink events you won’t want to miss, year after year

INLANDER RESTAURANT WEEK

Some local foodies anticipate this 10-day event so fervently, they liken it to a major annual holiday, and we’re not making that up just to toot our own horn. After all, we don’t do Inlander Restaurant Week for us; we do it for you and, of course, the region’s incredibly talented kitchen professionals and restaurateurs. The region’s culinary talent is always deserving of a spotlight! While 2020’s IRW happened just before the pandemic’s onset, the 2021 version had to be moved to late summer. But in 2022, the 10-day culinary celebration featuring 100-plus participating restaurants, all serving special fixed-price, three-course menus, is back to its normal late winter run. Put it on your calendar, start a savings jar, and get ready to eat, drink, repeat. WHEN: Feb. 24-March 5, 2022 DETAILS: InlanderRestaurantWeek.com

CRAVE! NORTHWEST

Each summer when regionally grown fruits, veggies and grains are at the peak of freshness, more than a dozen of the area’s top local chefs convene for a day of outdoor cooking with these prime ingredients and more. Crave! Northwest, created by celebrated chef and restaurateur Adam Hegsted, has seen some variations since its inception in 2017, ranging from a multiday event to a single-day grand tasting, but what hasn’t changed is that it’s still one of the best ways to sample an incredible diverse array of sample-size portions — both food and drink — in an outdoor, summertime setting on the cool lawn at Spokane Valley’s CenterPlace event center. WHEN: Midsummer DETAILS: CraveNW.com

INLAND NORTHWEST CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Crave! cranks out beautiful sample-sized dishes. DOYLE WHEELER/ CRAVE NORTHWEST PHOTO

The biggest selection of seasonal fall beers can all be found in one place every September, when the Oktoberfest-style Inland Northwest Craft Beer Festival takes over the outfield of Avista Stadium as one of the region’s biggest beer events. Hosted by the Washington Beer Commission, the celebration features around 40 craft breweries from across Washington state. Familiar brewing all-stars from our neck of the woods are pouring right alongside West Side and Central Washington breweries. It really is a showcase of Washington’s best: More than 100 beers are on taps for guests’ (21+) tasting pleasure. The participating brewery list for 2021 (after a 2020 event postponement) is already up on the commissions’ website. WHEN: Sept. 24-25, 2021 DETAILS: WashingtonBeer.com  ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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1 Libby Kamrowski//Visit Spokane

ALL AROUND BAR

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NIGHTLIFE SAVE THE DATES Here are some of the live entertainment highlights headed our way over the next year PAGE 112

JUST PICK UP AN AXE If you’re looking for a new adult game, the world’s best axe thrower has a suggestion PAGE 117

TURN IT UP TO 11 The survivors among the region’s music venues are ready to turn up the volume PAGE 120

Local band Bad Motivator performs at Mootsy’s. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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GET OUT THERE Here are some of the live entertainment highlights headed our way over the next year BY LILLIAN PIEL

TANYA TUCKER Tanya Tucker had her first hit song, “Delta Dawn,” at the ripe age of 13 years old, and she has been performing serious country music ever since, racking up more hits and successful albums. Tucker sings outlaw country, with a little rock popping up, and her “Bring My Flowers Now” tour will also feature country singer Aubrie Sellers. Visit bingcrosbytheater.com for tickets and more info, tickets start at $47.50. WHEN: Oct. 6, 2021, at 8 pm WHERE: The Bing Crosby Theater; 901 W. Sprague Ave.; 509-413-2915

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JULIA SWEENEY Head on down to the Fox Theater to be an audience member in the live taping of Julia Sweeney’s comedy special of her show, Older and Wider (left). The show features observational humor and stories from Sweeney’s life. She’s both an actress and comedienne, and her Spokane roots feature prominently in the Saturday Night Live veteran’s comedy. Tickets are $25, visit foxtheaterspokane.org for more info. WHEN: Oct. 23 at 7:30 pm and Oct. 24 at 4 pm WHERE: Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox; 1001 W Sprague Ave.; 509-624-1200

TLC TLC (right) is best known for their hit singles “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs,” and the ’90s girl group is bringing their signature R&B and pop sound to the Coeur d’Alene Casino in October. Spend an evening at the casino with friends and enjoy a trip back to when these ladies blended hop-hop, soul and R&B like few of their peers. Ticket prices start at $55, and guests must be 18 or older to attend concerts at the casino. Visit cdacasino.com for more info. WHEN: Oct. 28 at 7 pm WHERE: Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel; 37914 S Nukwalqw Rd, Worley, Idaho; 1-800-5232464

HASAN MINHAJ Hasan Minhaj (left), comedian and host and creator of the weekly comedy show Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, is coming to Spokane for an evening of laughter at the First Interstate Center for the Arts with his new one-man show, The King’s Jester. Minhaj’s show explored the modern political and cultural landscape, and his standup gets a little more personal, as seen on several comedy specials on Netflix. He was also a correspondent on The Daily Show. The show will be a phone-free experience, and tickets range from $39.50-$84.50; visit firstinterstatecenter.org for more info. WHEN: Nov. 16 at 8 pm WHERE: First Interstate Center for the Arts; 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd; 509-279-7000

DINOSAUR JR. After their newest album, Sweep It Into Space, was delayed due to the pandemic, Dinosaur Jr. (right) is back and will be performing at the Knitting Factory in February. J. Mascis and company were highly influential in the alt-rock movement of the ’90s, and they’re still going strong, so maybe they’ll influence yet another generation of guitar-rock bands. Tickets are $27.50, visit sp.knittingfactory.com for more info. WHEN: Feb. 7 at 8 pm WHERE: The Knitting Factory; 19 W Sprague Ave.; 509-244-3279 ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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NIGHTLIFE GET OUT THERE, CONTINUED...

BEST OF

THE WEEKND Experience The Weeknd in concert at Spokane Arena, complete with LED lights and videos for a made-for-the-arena experience. You might know The Weeknd from his hugely popular song, “Blinding Lights,” which was the most-streamed song on Spotify in 2020 thanks to his savvy blend of pop and R&B. Ticket prices start at $29.75, for more information visit spokanearena.com. WHEN: April 30 at 7 pm WHERE: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena; 720 W. Mallon; 509-279-7000

Order the Aviation at Durkin’s. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

LOCAL FAVES Inlander readers’ top picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue BEST ALL-AROUND BAR

DURKIN’S LIQUOR BAR

BARENAKED LADIES The Barenaked Ladies are coming to Spokane, along with special guests Gin Blossoms and Toad and the Wet Sprocket. The Barenaked Ladies are a Grammy-nominated band hailing from Canada, and in addition to multiple hit songs, they also perform the theme song for the TV show The Big Bang Theory. The band also has its own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, called “If I Had 1,000,000 Flavors,” named after their song “If I Had a $1,000,000.” Visit northernquest.com for more info, ticket prices range from $49 to $99. WHEN: June 18 at 7 pm WHERE: BECU Live Outdoor Concert Venue; Northern Quest Resort and Casino; 100 N. Hayford, Airway Heights; 509-481-2800 

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The competition is always fierce for the Inland Northwest’s favorite spot to stop for a pop, and even though so many of our favorites had to navigate forced closures and ever-changing restrictions when they could open over the past year, Inlander readers were certainly ready to belly up as soon as they could. Durkin’s Liquor Bar not only has an awesome long bar upstairs where you can sip something delicious while you wait for one of the best burgers in town or a late-night fried bologna sandwich; it also has the killer basement bar boasting a speakeasy vibe and intimate setting for softer conversations. Great food, a beautiful space and killer cocktails — that’s how you win Best All-Around Bar. — DAN NAILEN 2nd PLACE: The Viking; 3rd PLACE: Hogwash Whiskey Den, Zola (tie); North Idaho’s Best: Capone’s

BEST CASINO Northern Quest Resort & Casino 2nd Place: Coeur d’Alene Casino 3rd Place: Spokane Tribe Casino BEST SPORTS BAR The Swinging Doors 2nd Place: 24 Taps Burgers & Brews 3rd Place: Epic at Northern Quest North Idaho’s Best: Capone’s BEST HAPPY HOUR Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar 2nd Place: The Safari Room 3rd Place: Max at Mirabeau North Idaho’s Best: The Oval Office BEST BAR FOR BEER The Viking 2nd Place: Community Pint 3rd Place: Manito Tap House North Idaho’s Best: Crafted Taphouse To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

NIGHTLIFE

INSIDER INSIGHT

NINA KINDEM IT WAS A Dutch idea at first. The Fietscafe: A rolling cafe powered by human legs that could move between city streets. A decade later, this contraption made its way to the United States. In the Inland Northwest you know it as the Spokane Party Trolley. Over the years, the Spokane Party Trolley has become a sort of rolling fixture in the downtown scene. Passengers chug by en route to different bars, often while chugging their own beer or wine at the same time (it’s BYOB). Beginning in 2012, owner Nina Kindem wasn’t sure if the business would last more than a couple of years. But while she’s seen other downtown businesses come and go, the Party Trolley remains.

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

“Everybody that shows up for a Party Trolley ride shows up with the intention of having a blast. Without a vibrant downtown and a really excellent resource of local places, I really wouldn’t have what I have. So it’s a symbiotic relationship.”

WHO HOPS ABOARD

“Most of my clientele are local and most of them are not downtown people. They live around the area and are somewhat intimidated by downtown, or not interested in it, or have a preconceived idea of what it is. They are people who want to go downtown and have a good time. The trolley allows people to go with a safe group downtown and experience places they never would have known about.”

A WISH LIST FOR DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

The Party Trolley rolls through town. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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“A continuation of the outdoor spaces, like the sort of outdoor dining [under COVID lockdowns]. I think the extension to the outdoors is really beneficial to any place that can do that. You know, developing more outdoor spaces that are a fun way to celebrate where we live. “I also think that if there was some sort of free downtown bus service, getting around, it would give more people a reason to [go downtown]. “I would love to see more middle-class homes. When you bring the middle class downtown, you bring in bike lanes and you bring people walking with their friends and stuff like that.” — QUINN WELSCH

Live Music Covered Patio Taco Tuesday Sports Bar Bucket Drinks Breakfast Daily

Heber Hatchets Axe Throwing in Spokane. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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HITTING THE MARK

YOUR NIGHT JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT TASTIER!

If you’re looking for a new adult game, the world’s best axe thrower has a suggestion WE MAY BE getting older, but for some of us, the competitive desire to completely dominate another adult in a game never goes away. Or maybe, you’re less competitive and just looking for a shared activity you and your friends can take part in. Either way, JUMPING JACKALOPE AXE THROWING has you covered. “Axe throwing is a cathartic sport, and at the same time it unites people and makes people friends,” says owner Miguel Tamburini. “All that matters is that you can throw a hatchet from 12 feet. That’s it.” But make no mistake, Tamburini is serious about axe throwing. He’s the top axe thrower in the world, holds world records and is a champion of the World Axe Throwing League. “My ultimate goal is to make Jumping Jackalope a place of training for world-class axe throwing,” he says. So Jumping Jackalope has something for everybody — you can go for a date night, a team-building event or join a competitive league. Tamburini likens it to bowling, only more fun. It can be taught to throwers of all ages, and people can take it as seriously as they want. Tamburini says he’s invested everything he has into the place. Coming from Oklahoma, he says he was surprised that axe throwing hasn’t caught on in the Pacific Northwest like it has on the East Coast. In his estimation, it’s a sport that’s ready to take off. “I care about the sport of axe throwing because I think it’s the single most inclusive sport out there,” he says. “Throwing is a stress-relieving activity. It gives you a feeling of empowerment.” Jumping Jackalope, at 226 W. Riverside, isn’t the only axe-throwing place in town, mind you. There’s also HANK’S HATCHETS AXE THROWING, near Division and Garland in North Spokane and also in Coeur d’Alene on 2506 N. Fourth St., and HEBER HATCHETS, at 2015 N. Division St. in Spokane. And if throwing hatchets just isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other ways to get some games going with friends. Here are a few other spots if you’re in the mood: JEDI ALLIANCE, 5908 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley GAMERS ARCADE BAR, 321 W. Sprague RAGE XSCAPE, 122 S. Division FLATSTICK PUB, 618 W. Main — WILSON CRISCIONE

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NIGHTLIFE

NORTHERN QUEST RESORT AND CASINO This Airway Heights operation of the Kalispel Tribe is the standard-setter for the region’s casinos, and it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. Besides being a first-class resort and spa, host to a winning concert series, golf course, and RV resort, Northern Quest has all manner of family fun available on the premises, from an arcade to a movie theater. And things never stop evolving, either; they’re building a new 190-room hotel that will connect to the existing one, and revamping their restaurant scene, too.

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO

BEYOND GAMING

The Coeur d’Alene Casino

The Inland Northwest’s casinos offer all the gaming fun you want, and so much more

Worley, Idaho’s location within an hour of both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene makes the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s casino, resort and hotel a welcome option for gamblers. But the spot has upped its game in other areas, too, including a revamp of a concert space that welcomes acts like TLC and Cedric the Entertainer, a reimagining of its dining outlets led by noted chef Adam Hegsted, and the always excellent Circling Raven Golf Club, ranked the best course in the entire state by Golfweek magazine.

SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO

RESIDENTS AND VISITORS to the region know all about the good times to be had at our area’s three major tribal casinos. All of them have seen dramatic growth through the years, and even though the pandemic hit them as it did most businesses, they managed to navigate the challenges and continue serving their respective tribal communities as well as their customers. Here’s where to find some serious fun with potential financial rewards to boot.

The new kid on the region’s casino block isn’t exactly new anymore, but it’s still a fresh addition to the local gambling scene. Located in Airway Heights, the Spokane Tribe’s spot offers all the slots and table games you’d expect, some excellent dining and drinking deals at Three Peaks Kitchen & Bar, and a killer patio to take advantage of good-weather days with some live music or the occasional cornhole tournament. — DAN NAILEN

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NIGHTLIFE

BaLonely performs at the Big Dipper. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

ALIVE AGAIN The survivors among the region’s music venues are ready to turn up the volume

THE PANDEMIC PUT the region’s live music venues through the ringer. Unless they had a way to pivot their business away from concerts, they were basically left waiting along with music fans for the community spread to subside and for restrictions on gatherings to be lifted. Not every venue made it through (R.I.P. The Pin! in Spokane), but the region’s music hot spots have come back to roaring life in 2021. Here are the ones to watch when you need that live music fix.

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE The main stage holds a couple hundred fans and offers a blend of rising regional talent, national touring acts, old-school indie rock and local favorites, while the smaller basement brings DJ-driven dance parties most weekends. 1801 W. Sunset Blvd., 509-474-0511 luckyyoulounge.com

KNITTING FACTORY This downtown Spokane spot can hold up to 1,500 revelers for its array of touring acts, ranging from metal to reggae, electronic to new country. They even throw in a standup comedy show here and there. 919 W. Sprague, 509-244-3279 sp.knittingfactory.com

BIG DIPPER Alive as a music hot spot (off and on) for more than 30 years, the diminutive Big Dipper never met a genre that didn’t find it a

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comfortable fit. On any given night you might find hardcore punk, alt-country or classic rock, and a blend of touring acts and locals. 171 S. Washington St., 509-863-8098 bigdipperevents.com

NEATO BURRITO Attached to the beloved Baby Bar and serving up delicious burritos, of course, Neato is also a go-to spot for live performances, including a nice mix of local bands and touring talent. 827 W. 1st Ave., 509-847-1234 facebook.com: Neato Burrito

ZOLA One of the coolest environments in downtown Spokane also offers live music almost every night of the week, from killer cover bands to seriously talented songwriters. 22 W. Main, 509-624-2416 zolainspokane.com

BERSERK This sprawling room plays host to local bands, occasional touring artists and regular vinyl throwdowns to help get you dancing between games of pinball. 125 S. Stevens, 509-315-5101 facebook.com/berserkbarspokane

NASHVILLE NORTH Local talent and touring country acts make regular appearances at this North Idaho staple, where boot-scootin’ is highly

encouraged. 6361 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID 208-457-9128, thenashvillenorth.com

NYNE While best known for dancing the night away and excellent drag shows, nYne Bar & Bistro also hosts the occasional live band. 232 W. Sprague, 509-474-1621 nynebar.com

RED ROOM LOUNGE From jam bands to hip-hop to rock, the Red Room Lounge features a lively stage and a beautiful bar. 521 W. Sprague, 509-838-7613 facebook.com/redroomloungespokane

BRIDGE PRESS CELLARS Touring artists leaning toward the blues mix with local singer/songwriters and cover bands on this tasting room’s packed music calendar. 39 W. Pacific Ave., 509-838-7815 bridgepresscellars.com

FOX THEATER The home of the Spokane Symphony occasionally sees touring headliners join the local orchestra on stage, and also turns over the keys to the Fox for shows by a range of national artists. 1001 W. Sprague, 509-624-1200 foxtheaterspokane.org — DAN NAILEN

More than 4,200 individual donations during the pandemic to Keep Music Live Washington allowed the nonprofit to provide businesssaving grants to 77 small, independent venues in the state.

THE INLAND NORTHWEST’S PREMIER SHOPPING CENTER River Park Square Shopping Center unites world class brands and local favorites in the heart of Spokane. There’s always something new to be discovered, just steps away from Riverfront Park, Centennial Trail, hotel accomodations and all downtown has to offer. NORDSTROM • APPLE • LUSH • AMC 20 THEATRES WITH IMA X • POTTERY BARN • WILLIAMS-SONOMA • WHIZ KIDS PENDLETON • URBAN OUTFITTERS • SEPHORA • THE NORTH FACE • FREE PEOPLE • NIKE • ANTHROPOLOGIE

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(Don’t forget: convenient covered parking for all your adventures.)

SHOPPING VINTAGE REVIVAL Head to these local shops for the region’s best vintage furniture, clothing and much more PAGE 124

INSTANT INSPIRATION Meet six local women transforming their homes and sharing how to do it yourself PAGE 138

SHOPPING SPREE These local shopping events are perennial favorites of locals and visitors both PAGE 154

The Spokaloo both at Terrain’s Bazaar. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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SHOPPING

VINTAGE VITALS Head to these local shops for the region’s best vintage furniture, clothing and much more BY CHEY SCOTT SHOPPERS’ DESIRE FOR VINTAGE EVERYTHING has reached unprecedented heights as millennials and zoomers catch on to both the hipness and sustainability of the trend. While it’s gotten harder to find cool old stuff at the average thrift store, these local vendors and shops have vintage seekers covered with curated inventories that speak to any style. As the Inlander’s resident vintage lover, I’ve been to every location on this list, and can attest that they all, quite literally, have so much in store.

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Lucky Vintage offers a carefully curated mix of old and new items. ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

TELEPORT VINTAGE One of the newest multi-vendor shops in the area, Teleport Vintage is just north of the downtown Spokane core and mainly specializes in vintage clothing for all, kids included. You’ll also find some killer midcentury furniture from a handful of vendors who specialize in the era. Don’t miss the shop’s latest inventory drops, from home wares to crazy-cool vintage fashion, and give Teleport a follow on social media. 917 W. Broadway Ave., Spokane, facebook.com/teleportvintageandco, Instagram @teleportvintageandco, 509-290-6545

BOULEVARD MERCANTILE

Voted the best vintage and best antique shop by Inlander readers in our 2021 Best Of poll, Boulevard Mercantile is a true treasure trove of unique Boulevard Mercantile was finds. It’s nigh impossible to voted the best vintage go there without making a purand best antique shop by chase, trust me. A mix of large Inlander readers in our and small regional vendors — 2021 Best Of poll. plus the shop’s trio of owners — have booths, including Red Leaf Vintage, Vagabond Soundtrack, Unexpected Necessities, Junebug Furniture and Design, Luna & Soleil Collective, Evening Star Vintage and more. 1012 N. Washington St., facebook.com/BoulevardMercantile, Instagram @boulevardmercantile, 509-327-7547

GAS AND GRAIN Another recent arrival to the local scene is Gas and Grain, a downtown Coeur d’Alene shop that features casual and workwear type pieces — think perfectly worn-in crewnecks sweatshirts and T-shirts, broken-in denim, aged leather goods with a one-of-a-kind patina and more. The shop also frequently hosts pop-up sidewalk sales with rolling bins overflowing with vintage threads. 504 E. Lakeside Ave., Suite 8, Coeur d’Alene. facebook.com/gasandgrainvintage, Instagram @gasandgrain

CHOSEN VINTAGE LUCKY VINTAGE & PRETTY THINGS Chaps Diner and Bakery owner Celeste Shaw is a vintage and retro farm-style queen (Chaps’ decor is all her; enough said), so it makes total sense that she expanded her small business purview with this adorable vintage and vintage-inspired boutique not too far from the restaurant. Located in a former auto garage, Lucky Vintage offers all the charm you’d expect from Shaw, and a carefully curated mix of old and new items, from clothing to coffee mugs and throw pillows to pottery. 1406 S. Inland Empire Way, Spokane. facebook.com/luckyvintagespokane, Instagram @luckyvintageandprettythings, 509-321-7230

Take to heart the message often posted on Chosen Vintage’s sidewalk sandwich board: “Nothing haunts you like the vintage you didn’t buy.” This downtown vintage mall, with an often rotating and long roster of local vendors, offering everything from clothing to home goods, is definitely a spot you’ll be glad to set aside at least an hour to browse. Once you start perusing Chosen’s booths, which seem to just keep going deeper into its 6,000-square-foot building, you’ll easily lose track of time on your lunch break, or forget to re-plug the parking meter. 7 W. Main Ave., Spokane. Facebook: Chosen Vintage, 509-443-3602

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Check out Two Women Vintage Goods for rustic, farmhouse styles. ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO

VINTAGE VITALS, CONTINUED...

BLUE CAT VINTAGE

VEDA LUX

Spokane’s neighborhood business districts have recently become excellent vintage-hunting meccas, from North Monroe to Hillyard and now, East Sprague, also known as the Sprague Union District. That’s where you’ll find Blue Cat Vintage, among several other shops. This store has a large, showroom-style layout and offers mostly furniture and home decor, from true antiques to high-quality repros and pieces from more recent decades. A large portion of its inventory is also sold on consignment. 1919 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane. bluecatvintage.com, Instagram @bluecatvintagespokane, 509-655-1611

If you love vintage fashion, you’re probably no wallflower and that’s the whole point for the clientele of this dollhouse-sized boutique in the South Perry District. Owner Summer Hightower frequently travels around the western U.S. on buying trips to stock her racks with the freshest finds. She’s also the creator of a line of handmade statement jewelry that pair perfectly with the shop’s vibrant approach to vintage dressing. Vintage bargain hunters shouldn’t miss Veda Lux’s regular end-of-season clearance sales, during which you can stuff a bag with all the markdowns that’ll fit inside for just $25. 1106 S. Perry St., Spokane. vedalux.com, Instagram @ veda_lux, 509-475-1674

TWO WOMEN VINTAGE GOODS If the rustic, farmhouse style is your jam, get yourself down to this shop, which is one of the area’s longest-running vintage purveyors, operated by a mother-daughter duo since 2008. Originally located in downtown Spokane, the shop expanded a couple years back by moving eastward into a historic, two-story building that’s jam-packed with vintage and antique home decor, along with vintage-inspired, new gift items. Two Women also hosts seasonal open house-style parties each year, plus a Christmastime vintage and craft fair hosted at the Moran Prairie Grange. 2012 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane. twowomenvintagegoods.com, Instagram @twowomenvintagegoods, 509-624-4322

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BULLY FOR YOU VINTAGE This adorable shop down on the Palouse is well worth a mini road trip. It recently expanded from a small storefront into both floors of a historic, 1893-built building on Main Street. In addition to loads of vintage furnishings and decor, Bully For You also offers a wide selection of excess new furniture stock from major retailers like World Market, Target and Wayfair. Shoppers can also find handmade goods from local vendors, plus brand new, overstock clothing from top brands (Madewell, J.Crew, Anthropologie and more!) at 70 percent retail — it’s a sustainable shopper’s dream! 220 N. Main St., Colfax. facebook.com/bullyforyoucolfax, Instagram @bullyforyoucolfax

FURNISHINGS + RUGS + LIGHTING + ART + DECOR + INTERIOR ST YLING SERVICE

509-535-1111

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SHOPPING

Don’t miss Hurd Mercantile in the tiny town of Rockford.

VINTAGE VITALS, CONTINUED...

HURD MERCANTILE & CO. While you’re on the Palouse, be sure to stop in the tiny town of Rockford, home to this shop featuring an array of vintage and antique goods, plus new home decor and gift items, and even an espresso counter. Hurd Mercantile, operating for two decades and counting, is located in an 8,000-square-feet historic general store building that served Rockford for decades, and is constantly updating its inventory to reflect the seasons. A great time to visit is for the shop’s annual Christmas preview weekend in early November. You can stock up on pieces to make your own home feel festive while also crossing names off your gift-buying list. 30 S. First St., Rockford. facebook. com/hurdmercantileandcompany, Instagram @hurdmercantileandcompany, 509-291-4077

GREENACRES VENDOR MALL Dubbed “Spokane Valley’s place to flea,” this massive vendor mall covering 14,000 square feet boasts more than 200 independent, local vendors offering pretty much anything and everything you can imagine. While most of those vendors specialize in various niches of vintage and antiques like furniture, clothing, collectibles, toys, books and housewares, some of the more unusual finds include non-vintage items like rocks and minerals, and even hand-dipped incense. You really can’t predict what you’ll walk out the door with after a trip to GreenAcres. 16814 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. theplacetoflea.com, 509-309-3236

TOSSED & FOUND Over the last decade, Spokane’s North Monroe Business District evolved into one of the city’s hottest places to shop vintage and antiques. Tossed & Found is one of several stores to open in that time, and is home to vendors offering the typical vintage treasures: furniture, clothing, art, collectibles, accessories and decor. If visits on a regular basis aren’t feasible when you’re seeking out something specific, Tossed & Found is great at regularly showcasing new inventory on its social media accounts and answering customers’ questions. And if you see something you love, put it on hold to come check it out in person before making a final buying decision. 2607 N. Monroe St., facebook.com/tossedandfoundspokane, Instagram @tossedfound 509-325-2607

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EVEN MORE VINTAGE Antiquarian, 12 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, 509-459-4249 The Bohemian, 12019 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, thebohemianspokane.com Blossom’s Antiques, 2415 N. Monroe St., Spokane, facebook.com/blossomsantiques Era Vintage Home, 1802 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane, 509-828-0828 Farm Salvation, 106 S. Lefevre St., Medical Lake, facebook.com/farmsalvation Marilyn’s on Monroe, 3111 N. Monroe St., Spokane, facebook.com/MarilynsOnMonroeAntiqueEmporium Market Street Antiques, 4912 N. Market St., Spokane, marketstreetantique.com Metro Eclectic, 604 N. Monroe St., Spokane, metroeclectic.com Midtown Home & Vintage Market, 1003 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, facebook.com/midtownmarketcda Rare & Retro Vintage, 27 W. Indiana Ave., Spokane, facebook.com/rareandretrovintage Rebel Junk, 15409 N. Newport Hwy., Spokane; 4102 S. Bowdish Rd., Spokane Valley; 2424 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, rebeljunk.com Rejuvenate, 3221 N. Monroe, Spokane, facebook.com/inspokaneonmonroe

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VINTAGE VITALS, CONTINUED...

1889 SALVAGE CO. This shop is another must-stop on any North Monroe vintage outing. While it’s far too easy to lose track of time while browsing each vendor’s booth on the main floor, don’t miss the funky basement level, where several vendors have created eye-catching displays of their wares, from midcentury barware to collectible books and so much more. Vintage fashion purveyor Horde Vintage also exclusively sells at 1889 Salvage, and from April to early fall you can grab a beer in the parking lot from the tiny new pop-up bar Camp Taps. 2824 N. Monroe St., Spokane. facebook.com/1889SalvageCo., Instagram @1889SalvageCo, 509-315-4485

PAINT IN MY HAIR If you love to upcycle vintage furniture, but would rather buy it from someone with more experience and time on their hands, head to Paint in My Hair. While not everything in this local shop has been repurposed or repainted, shoppers are guaranteed to find high-quality vintage furniture (they really don’t make things like they used to) that’s been refinished or repainted. Case in point: Most bedroom furniture from the ’80s and ’90s is absolutely hideous, but with a fresh coat of paint can be worthy of an HGTV feature. Paint In My Hair also sells the Annie Sloan chalk paint line if you’re planning a DIY at home. 3036 N. Monroe St., Spokane, facebook.com/paintinmyhair, Instagram @ paintinmyhairinc, 509-326-6999

CHIC & SHAB

Open 7 days a week for Classes and Private Instruction www.corepilatesandwellness.net Kendall Yards Community | 1174 W Summit Parkway, Spokane, WA

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When this shop opened in 2018 it occupied less than half of the first floor of its building. Since then, it’s expanded not once, but twice, a fact that speaks to the wildly high interest the vintage market is seeing. Owned by Jenny Cashion, Chic + Shab is also home base for several established vintage sellers and upcyclers, including those with an eye for repainted furniture, midcentury decor, painted wooden signs and much more. And, if you have a piece of furniture sitting around at home that could use a refresh, contact the shop for details about its custom refinishing services. 2321 N. Monroe St., Spokane. chicandshab. com, Instagram @chicandshab, 509-381-5168 

SPA SSAKWA’Q’N CALL 1 855-232-2772 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Spa Ssakwa’q’n offers premier spa services, 7 days a week. We feature prominent professional skin care lines such as BABOR, Blue Beautifly, Naturopathica and FarmHouse Fresh. We offer a variety of immediate impact facials, massages, body treatments and nail services all packaged to serve your relaxation needs. Our one-of-akind Vichy shower body treatment stimulates circulation and melts away stress. Our trained and experienced staff are here to help you reduce stress, relax your mind and feel fully pampered. Visit cdacasino.com to view our complete list of our services or to book your treatment.

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SHOPPING

“People still want to get married in good times and in bad.” YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

INLANDER INSIGHT

ELLIE AARO WHEN ELLIE AARO, CEO of Beacon Hill Catering and Events, answers the phone on a summer day, the sounds of a bustling work environment around her pour through the receiver. Aaro apologizes for the noise and explains that Beacon Hill is just so busy right now fulfilling orders and working with vendors. The apology isn’t one of exasperation, but of genuine happiness, as she recalls how the last year and a half saw the cancellation of over 200 events. Now with restrictions lifted, the company started by Aaro’s father, Pete Rayner, back in the 1990s is returning to form, hosting lots of weddings, milestone celebrations and other special events.

CANCELLATIONS AND PANDEMIC POSTPONEMENTS

“My dad and I have always said weddings are recession-proof. But, [we learned] they’re not pandemic-proof,” Aaro says. When the world slowed to a halt in early 2020, effects were immediate at Beacon Hill. Chefs preparing for upcoming events stopped cooking mid-dish while events were canceled one after the other. Crisis ensued as Aaro and her team navigated through uncertainty and postponements, but what came out of it all was a mastery of the art of pivoting. Beacon Hill pivoted away from its typical in-person event set-up and toward Beacon At Home, its family meal delivery service. “That brought our chefs back into the building, kept people employed and kept us connected with purpose.”

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THE GOOD AND THE BAD

The transition back to in-person events has been healing for the team at Beacon Hill. Aaro says nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment she now feels after completing a wedding that was postponed two, or even three, times. “People still want to get married in good times and in bad,” she says, and there’s something about Beacon Hill that’s kept people coming back, even in the worst of times. “The natural beauty of our setting is huge, and there is such a passion for what we do and for serving others. That has remained our core mission even as we’ve expanded to destinations beyond our venue. We really try to cultivate that in every event we do.”

20 YEARS OF CELEBRATIONS

It’s been nearly 20 years since Aaro started working for her father at Beacon Hill. She studied cooking in Paris and has since worn every hat at the company from accountant to janitor, but it’s clear her love and passion haven’t wavered one bit. “It remains the same all these years,” she says. “It’s making people happy, getting to be a part of someone’s life and their most joyous and meaningful celebrations.” — THEA SKOKAN

A POSITIVE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

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GOOD GIFTS Where to find the most unique options for any special occasion FROM FLOWERS AND sweet treats to books, mugs, and dish towels with those funny sayings on them, the Inland Northwest has some incredible locally owned shops stocked with gift options for any occasion, from birthdays to holidays; baby showers to graduation.

BOO RADLEY’S Remember how Boo Radley, the character in To Kill a Mockingbird, collected little knickknacks and hid them in a tree? Boo Radley’s in downtown Spokane is kind of like that. Walk in to discover a selection of toys and quirky gifts for the young and young at heart right in the heart of downtown. 232 N. Howard St., facebook.com/BooRads, 509-456-7479

ATTICUS COFFEE AND GIFTS Right next door to Boo Radley’s is another Mockingbird-monikered store: Atticus Coffee & Gifts. Find teas, unique candles, soaps, art prints, books, novelty mugs and more. Then, take a break from all the shopping while enjoying a pastry and hot drink from the cafe. 222 N. Howard St., facebook.com/AtticusCoffee, 509747-0336

MARKETPLACE GIFTS Here in the Northwest, there’s one special,

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highly coveted ingredient that only grows on area mountainsides: huckleberries. Its legendary status makes it an ideal gift both for locals, and especially loved ones out of town. Find huckleberry jams, candies, baking mixes, sauces and more at this shop in the heart of Coeur d’Alene, plus much more. 210 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. 208-667-2962

FROM HERE A store full of art and gifts made by local artists, year-round? Yes, please. From Here gives you the chance to buy prints, mugs, cards, jewelry and many other one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting Spokane-area artists at the first retail store run by the local arts nonprofit Terrain. Find it inside River Park Square, on the second level. 808 W. Main Ave., Suite 251, terrainspokane.com/fromhere, 509-808-2943

SIMPLY NORTHWEST Whether you want to pop into the store to pick out some gifts on your own, or go on-

Find unique gifts and novelties at Atticus. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

line to buy a beautiful gift basket put together by staff, Simply Northwest offers a variety of options for your gift-giving needs. Many local gift baskets are available featuring everything from Washington wine and huckleberries to novelty mugs and sweets. You can even pay to have your gift delivered to some local addresses. 11806 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, simplynorthwest.com, 509-927-8206

THE GREAT PNW With an extensive online presence, the Great PNW is perfect for those shoppers who want to support a local Spokane business while shopping remotely, and from anywhere. The brand’s apparel features hip designs for those in love with the Pacific Northwest. Many designs are inspired by popular PNW outdoor passions, from hiking in the beautiful mountains and forests to fishing and road trips. thegreatpnw.com, info@thegreatpnw.com

RITTERS GARDEN AND GIFTS With indoor and outdoor garden options yearround, this local Spokane store can meet your green thumb needs. Apart from plant and garden supplies and a beautiful selection of plants, the shop in North Spokane also offers gift baskets, a selection of home decor, and tasty spreads, dips, and treats. 10120 N. Division St., 4ritter.com, 509-467-5258 

Romance but no time? Try Pop-Up Picnic. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

PROCEED TO PARTY These four local businesses cater to all your celebratory needs WHETHER YOU’VE SPENT the last year desperately waiting to gather with friends or enjoying the introverted side of yourself, now that the fog has lifted there’s no denying: We all have reasons to celebrate. Here are four local companies that understand exactly how to take your event to the next level.

with close friends, and says she’s grateful Pop-Up Picnic was able to maintain its booking schedule throughout the pandemic. It’s the perfect way to spice up your favorite local take-out meal and explore the most beautiful parts of Spokane. MORE: PopUpPicnicSpokane.com

POP-UP PICNIC SPOKANE

CARD MY YARD

This local business is for the romantics at heart who just don’t have the tools to fulfill their grand-gesture vision. Started in June 2019 by Rachel Killpack, Pop-Up Picnic Spokane provides everything but the meal for a spectacular picnic. After seeing friends run a similar business in Queensland, Australia, Killpack saw a gap in the Spokane market she was sure she could fill. Her packages range from a traditional picnic on the grass for $50, all the way up to a 30-person outdoor setup at $450, which Killpack says is usually for wedding parties or family reunions. The most basic picnic is the perfect way to surprise a loved one and includes a rug, cushions, a picnic basket complete with plates, glasses and cutlery, fresh flowers, and a tray to eat on. “Being able to surprise people and see their excitement is just lovely,” Killpack says. “It’s something special and out of the ordinary, and people just light up when they see it.” Killpack has seen a number of proposals and special get-togethers

You’ve probably seen those large, glittery messages posted in yards across Spokane and North Idaho, and while Card My Yard has existed since 2014, there’s been no better time for outdoor congratulatory messages than during a global pandemic. With hundreds of franchises across the U.S., Card My Yard has put down roots locally with three franchisees now operating in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Each franchise is run by a local family or person; for some, right from their garage. To find out which franchise is right for your area, simply use the zip code search on cardmyyard.com. “Happy Birthday” signs start at $100 with additional letters and icons available to spruce up the message. From $110, customers can choose the “Say Anything” category and get a message that is completely customizable. No matter the category you choose, fonts, colors and anything fun can be browsed on each franchisee’s ordering page. MORE: CardMyYard.com ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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SHOPPING PROCEED TO PARTY, CONTINUED... SUPPORT LOCAL SHOP AUNTIE’S

Spokane’s biggest and best Comic, Game, Magic the Gathering and more store

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ON THE CORNER OF MAIN & WASHINGTON, ACROSS FROM THE GRAND HOTEL

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These aren’t your typical dollar-store balloons. Hayley Lydig started Pop! Balloon Bar during the pandemic with hopes of bringing a little more joy to all the events forced to move outside. Her company’s large-scale balloon installations have done just that over the past year and a half, offering customers more than 100 different shapes, sizes and colors of high-quality latex balloons to choose from. Having spent over 10 years in the industry as a party planner, Lydig knows the value a spectacular balloon display can add to an event. For one of Pop!’s balloon mosaics, custom shapes and designs are available and prices are determined per letter or number, a three-foot-tall letter starts at $100, and a five-foot-tall letter tops out at $200. Balloon garlands, which can adorn walls or elevate any event display, are $15 per foot with additional add-ons available. Smaller orders are available as well, including gender reveal kits for $60 and celebration bouquets for $35. Regardless of the event type, Pop! Balloon Bar can help make your celebration extra special. If there’s something extra creative you have in mind, custom orders and fresh ideas are always welcome. More: PopBalloonBar.com

MODERN DREAMERS SLUMBER CO. wallﬂowers1981@gmail.com Let us help you.

WallflowerDesigns.com Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm | E. 2820 30th Ave., Spokane | 509.534.5064 Financing Available - We accept all major credit cards.

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There are absolutely no monsters under the beds at a Modern Dreamers Co. party, that you can be sure of. Instead, partygoers might find individual air mattresses, whimsical canopies and twinkle lights to complete the perfect sleepover. Business partners Lili Klein and Njal Lundberg started Modern Dreamers Co. during the pandemic to try and bring some normalcy and fun back into the world of children’s birthday parties. “We decided it would be a fun way to use both of our unique skill sets,” Klein says. The duo started with four themes: Gonzaga basketball for a local focus, a girly theme, unicorns, and a camping setup to appeal to any kid’s interests. Since then, they’ve expanded their theme inventory based on customer requests and feedback. The most affordable option is the “Bestie Package,” which includes two tents for $200. A standard package of four tents is $300 with an additional $50 for each additional tent. The beauty of each sleepover package is that all the hassle of setup and cleanup is completely eliminated for party-host parents. Modern Dreamers’ team arrives the day of the party, sets everything up and returns the next morning to take it all away — no fuss. It’s the perfect way to ensure an unforgettable sleepover with no meltdowns! More: ModernDreamersCo.com — THEA SKOKAN

Shop Vintage

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1012 N WASHINGTON • SPOKANE

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INSTANT INSPIRATION Meet six local women transforming their homes and sharing how to do it yourself FORGET PINTEREST. Instagram is the go-to for home and lifestyle inspiration when it comes to everything from budget-friendly, do-it-yourself renovations to the most high-end interior design. No matter your personal decor tastes, budget or era of your

home, the following six DIY-savvy women of the Inland Northwest (who’ve collectively amassed tens of thousands of followers) are bound to spark inspiration to change at least something in your home. Follow them for local recommendations and more, and start making your own home just as Instagram worthy.

DANIELLE LOFT @THEMINDFULHAVEN From teaching herself to lay tile or transforming a thrifted table with scrap wood, Danielle Loft isn’t daunted when the next DIY project calls. The creative wife and mom has been in the process of transforming her family’s 1980s-era home in North Spokane for three years. When they moved in, she says, “it looked the same as the day it was built — blue carpet, wallpaper on every wall with pink, blue and brass all over.” When did you start sharing on Instagram? Loft: I found with the craziness of life and being a mom I needed a creative outlet that would help balance the chaos while staying at home with my kids. I’ve always loved decorating, but it wasn’t until three years ago I started using tools. I was instantly hooked. Biggest DIY success? Our kitchen. It challenged me much more than other room makeovers because it involved projects I had no prior experience with (framing and tiling). I taught myself how to tile a backsplash, build floating shelves and spray paint our cabinet doors. Easy project for a new DIYer? Anything involving paint is a great place to start because it can always be easily fixed. Color blocked walls are trending, and are an easy, impactful look to achieve with just paint and tape. Favorite local resources? There isn’t much of our home that isn’t thrifted, or a DIY, but when I do shop local I really love Abode Spokane and Spokane Hardware Supply, which was fantastic to work with for our kitchen hardware.

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S E R I E S October – February

GIANNA CAPUTO @INDIE.BOHO.NEST The before and after photos Gianna Caputo occasionally shares of her family’s midcentury rancher in Spokane’s Shadle area never cease to astound her 119,000 followers. Since moving in almost three years ago, the wife and mom of two has completely transformed their home from drab, dark and outdated to crisp, modern and full of light. Recently, she and husband Mark tackled the installation of peel-and-stick floor tiles in their sunroom, one of Gianna’s favorite transformations to date.

ERYN WHALEN @ERYN_WHALEN_ONLINE The Whalen family calls the foothills of Green Bluff home, where they enjoy an urban farmstead lifestyle alongside a St. Bernard, three cats and 12 chickens. The family’s 1991-built home had never been updated when they moved in three years ago and is a fulfilling work-in-progress for Whalen and her husband. Biggest DIY success? Whalen: I’d have to say my favorite project will always be our upstairs hallway. It reminded me of something out of a ’90s horror film. We picked a pretty gray patterned wallpaper, installed crisp white faux wainscoting (super budget-friendly), trimmed the doors, painted them all white and replaced a light. It was a night-and-day difference. Next on your project list? We really want to tackle the kitchen this year. I’m thinking tile to the ceiling and open shelving. What’s your decor style? I know farmhouse is overplayed, so I’ll just say “cozy.” I want my home to be inviting, warm, bright and happy. Maybe that’s not a style, per say, but I’m going for more of a feel than a look. Advice for fellow DIYers? Don’t overthink it. Try something and if you don’t like it, try something else! Favorite local DIY resources? There are so many amazing shops in the Sprague Union District: The Tin Roof, Two Women Vintage Goods and Blue Cat Vintage!

When did you start sharing DIYs on Instagram? Caputo: Right about the time we moved in, so just about three years ago. I wanted to have a place where I shared all the renovations we were doing, and that’s what started the whole thing. Easy project for a new DIYer? Start with something like painting, or simple furniture projects like sanding something down to reveal the true wood tones, and maybe changing out hardware. Even upholstery; if it’s a simple piece, you can easily put something new on with a staple gun. What’s your decor style? My style is definitely still boho, but it’s becoming a little more traditional and a little bit more rustic farmhouse, so I’m just starting to incorporate those themes. Advice for fellow DIYers? Expect it to be way more time consuming than it’s supposed to be, expect to make mistakes, and expect to get very frustrated. But in the end, it’s so worth it and you learn so much each time.

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SHANNON MORSCHECK @LIVINGWITHLADY Over the six and a half years they’ve lived in their 2000-constructed Five Mile home, the Morscheck family has completely transformed the space. While Shannon and her husband have done most of the work themselves — including building a large back deck, custom built-in shelving and more — the family of five recently celebrated the completion of a full kitchen remodel done by a local contractor, as it involved removing load-bearing walls. When did you start sharing your DIYs on Instagram? I switched from a personal to more of a business account about two years ago. I really love sharing the improvements and projects of our home, as well as random shenanigans to help bring a smile, and somehow it has become a dream job. Biggest DIY success? While we did hire a big portion of our kitchen renovation out, designing it was something I poured my heart into. Turning our main level into a space that serves our family better has been an absolute dream come true. Advice to fellow DIYers? You can always get the look for less. Whether that’s making it yourself or finding a dupe; you can still achieve the look you’re after without emptying your pockets.

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CHELSEY NILSON @CURRENTLYMOD

KELLI BATEMAN @MYHOUSEOF8

The Nilson family’s residence is the second midcentury era home they’ve owned; this one was built in 1964 and is in southwest Spokane Valley. Chelsey Nilson, her husband and their three children have lived there just over two years. Their DIY projects aim to maintain the original architectural style, with cohesive, modern updates. A custom backyard treehouse built for the kids was recently featured on the design website Domino. When did you start sharing your DIYs on Instagram? Nilson: I started sharing after our kitchen renovation. I had so many fun pictures of the kids being involved in the process, and I wanted to document these memories, paired with a creative outlet for myself. What’s next on your project list? We’re adding some fun and functional aspects to our very bland basement bonus room: wood paneling, terrazzo tile, paint, furniture and decor, and I’d love to replace the old acoustic ceiling tiles with tongue-and-groove boards. Advice to fellow DIYers? It’s totally OK to fail, especially if you’re experimenting on your own home. I’m still learning this myself.

If Kelli Bateman, a wife and mother of six, can find the time to DIY her family’s entire central Coeur d’Alene, craftsman-style home, the rest of us have zero excuses. Bateman’s Instagram feed showcases truly magazine-worthy images of each room and nook of the family home, from her kids’ uniquely personalized bedrooms to the magical results of peeland-stick tile, painted cabinets and custom hand-painted “wallpaper.” Biggest DIY success? Our kitchen renovation is probably one of my favorite projects so far! We had a boxed-in kitchen that felt really cramped and small. We decided to knock down the walls which were blocking it in from the surrounding living areas. It instantly opened up the space and made it feel huge. Easy project for a new DIYer? Start with paint. Paint an accent wall in your bedroom or living room to give it a little pop. Or create a funky wall using a sponge and paint. There are so many fun patterns and designs you can create. Advice to fellow DIYers? Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Go for it! If you’ve been thinking about it, today’s the day! If you’re not sure how, YouTube can pretty much teach us anything these days. — CHEY SCOTT

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In the photo to the left, Spokane designer Barb Safranek is on the right COURTESY PHOTOS

FASHION STATEMENT Wearable art by Spokane designer Barb Safranek speaks volumes

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EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE at least one special item in their wardrobe that says something about their personality. A luxurious cape, an outrageous pair of boots, an impeccably detailed jacket, an outfit that seamlessly marries improbable influences, like boho and punk. And if you’d like to put an exclamation point at the end of your fashion statement, Francy King is your label. “The overarching features of Francy King pieces are boldness and uniqueness, for any age or any occasion,” says Spokane designer Barb Safranek, who started the company in 2020 and named it for her mother, Frances “Francy” King. “I love putting Francy King labels in each of my creations,” Safranek continues. “It reminds me of [my mother’s] gifts, her beauty and of her last years with Alzheimer’s, when I put labels in her clothing for her caregivers at Rockwood.”

Although she’s made pants, skirts, peplum tops and men’s blazers, her favorite items to make are dresses and coats. Safranek also sometimes combines more than one commercial pattern to create an item. “One of the most-used patterns I’ve made over and over is a coat with princess seams in the back for a semi-fitted shape and a wrap front with a big collar that can stand up or lay flat,” she says. “It can be wrapped tight or loose, fastened with a button or a tie. Very versatile.” The result is a custom look, without the challenges of doing custom work, which she says isn’t her strong suit. “There are really good dressmakers out there for that, and what I love the most is planning the fabric combinations and print placement to create a work of wearable art,” Safranek says.

SAFRANEK APPROACHES FASHION Safranek’s tools include the scissors her mother had as a youth while in 4-H — they still bear the yellow tape with Frances’ name — a 40-year-old Pfaff sewing machine and a few newer machines for more complex items like buttonholes. She figures she’s made nearly five dozen garments to date, each of them unique, the common thread being the choice of fabrics. Safranek repurposes fabrics like velvet, lace and wool, which she pairs with vibrantly patterned fabrics known as Dutch wax or African wax prints. Dutch wax prints evolved from the Javanese artform batik, which involves repetitive applications and removals of wax and fabric dye to create distinct designs. Although the or-

igin of the printing style is neither exclusively Dutch nor African, the symbolism and color palette are deeply ingrained in particularly West African culture. “The prints speak to me at a subconscious aesthetic level — I have no African cultural heritage,” says Safranek. “I am so grateful for the contribution African prints make to the world of design and have enjoyed pondering the meanings that have been ascribed to many of the classic African prints.” The open-palmed hand with coins is a favorite of hers. It symbolizes “an admonishment to women not to enter marriage without a livelihood of their own,” says Safranek, who builds every piece around whatever print she’s working with.

design with the same blend of thoughtfulness and zest with which she has pursued her other creative venture: landscape design. “Both landscapes and garments are about people — their perspectives, their memories and their potential,” says Safranek, who long ago wanted to study interior architecture in college but couldn’t get in the program. Instead, she studied business at San Jose State and worked as a certified professional accountant for many years before returning to the University of California for landscape architecture. The daughter of a pastor who moved frequently, Safranek returned to Spokane 16 years ago with fond memories of having lived here as a youngster: hydrangeas in her mother’s garden, the smell of pine trees in the summer, Manito Park. ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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LOCAL GOODS From fashion to housewares, holiday decor and more, these local makers will make you and your living spaces shine

VANESSA SWENSON BOTANICAL PRINTS

From her tiny home in rural north Spokane County, artist Vanessa Swenson connects with nature every day. It’s the driving inspiration behind her botanical-themed artwork, featured on prints, clothing and several murals around town. Using a palette of golds, blues, greens and soft neutrals, Swenson’s landscapes, florals and more abstract organic shapes are soothing and suited to so many decor styles. $28+ at vanessaswenson.com and From Here, 808 W. Main Ave., Spokane

ROVING GODDESS FIBER-WRAPPED EARRINGS

Local fiber artist Laurie Ann Greenberg is a maker at heart, whether it’s macrame, knitting, stamp making or even launching a tiny pop-up beer bar (Camp Taps at 1889 Salvage Co.) with her husband, fellow artist Blaise Barshaw. Among Greenberg’s many creative outputs are these fiber-wrapped wooden hoop earrings, which pair with any style or mood. $24+ at etsy.com/shop/RovingGoddess and Boutique Bleu, 1184 W. Summit Pkwy, Spokane

NINA PAUL DESIGN CERAMIC VESSELS

The breathtaking ceramics from this local artist duo based in the Mead area truly astounded me. Nina Paul Designs is without question giving popular homeware brands (ahem, Pottery Barn, ahem, Anthropologie) some major competition. From beautiful, smooth-finished vases and pitchers to their bumpy textured, milk glass-inspired pearl finish, Nina Paul’s ceramics are heirloom quality statement pieces to display — and use — proudly. $12-$110 at ninapauldesigns.com and the Wonder Saturday Market (May through October, Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm), 835 N. Post St.

OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Vanessa Swenson Botantical Prints, Old World Christmas Ornaments, a Nina Paul ceramic bowl and Roving Goddess earrings.

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If you love Christmas and love shopping local, well, you likely already know about Spokane’s glass-blown, heirloom ornament maker Old World Christmas. Based here for more than 40 years, the company’s collectible baubles are sold around the U.S. for two to three times what locals will pay at its factory outlet. Open for “Christmas in July” and again from October up to Christmas, the outlet store offers a massive selection of retired and overstock ornaments, from food and animals to hobby-related designs, traditional holiday symbols and so much more. $6 each at Old World Christmas Factory Outlet, 4005 E. Main Ave., Spokane — CHEY SCOTT

FASHION STATEMENT, CONTINUED... Now Safranek creates spaces where her clients can also make memories, including residential and commercial landscapes. For example, she designed a woodland garden for a couple who had devoted themselves to a modern house renovation, resulting in a juxtaposition Safranek found quite wonderful. And for area diners who had the good fortune to eat there before it closed early this year, Safranek incorporated edible plants into several areas of Clover restaurant’s magical outdoor dining space. Safranek sees a connection between landscape design, which she does from spring through fall, and fashion design and creation, which she mostly does in the winter. “I love the many botanical designs [of the Dutch wax prints] and the earthy, primitive feeling of the prints,” she says. “The tiein to my work designing landscapes feels completely natural in the subject matter, but mostly just the love of making things with color and texture and joyful functionality.”

“I love the many botanical designs [of the Dutch wax prints] and the earthy, primitive feeling of the prints.” In addition to the Dutch wax print elements, Safranek also incorporates repurposed fabrics in mostly somber colors to balance the vibrant prints. Unable to secure enough 100 percent wool in the navy, gray, olive and darker colors she wanted, she turned to thrift stores for a treasure chest of good quality, barely worn wool via men’s classic suits. She also adds things like lace as a textural layer and lines pieces with satin crepe to help them move and flow. Safranek’s Instagram page includes images from a photo shoot she did with local photographer Ifong Chen, as well as things that inspire her, like the myriad colorful plants in her garden. She also posts photos of herself wearing her own designs, which are “ageless and suitable for all kinds of figures and you can style them with [Converse] Chucks and rolled-up jeans for a summer party, or stilettos for a tango milonga,” says Safranek. She knows that her designs are likely to be attention-getting, and describes the first time she wore one of her coats — the print had orange and blue circles — to the Spokane Symphony. Not only did three people she’d never met approach her with questions, someone recognized her six months later as “the woman with the coat.” Although she was at first a little leery of the attention, she eventually realized the upside. “I discovered that the conversations that a bold garment starts are a pathway to meeting people, to becoming more connected in the community and most of all, to learning to loosen up and be more free and generous with yourself,” she says.

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Find Marmalade on Coeur d’Alene’s main drag.

Inlander readers’ top North Idaho picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue NORTH IDAHO’S BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

MARMALADE

Whenever Marie Widmyer and her daughters, Kaity and Kasey, were traveling, they often found themselves treasure hunting at vintage and thrift shops. And their customers benefit from their years of experience. Marmalade, on Coeur d’Alene’s main drag, carries perhaps the most diverse inventory of all the area’s local boutiques — new apparel you won’t find at homogenous big-box stores. Your boho best friend can shop here for her floaty, floral kimonos. Your always chic sister will find her new favorite jumpsuit here, and even your pulled-together mom can find her lane in this densely packed boutique. Downstairs, in Marmalade Underground, complete your outfit with a reworked vintage jean jacket or an ’80s blouse that’s oh-so current. Marmalade’s inventory spans from ’60s sheath dresses to those floral ’90s dresses. A smattering of designer pieces by the likes of Prada and Chanel are sometimes sprinkled in. 

BEST VINTAGE SHOP Rebel Junk BEST ORGANIC/ NATURAL FOODS Pilgrim’s Market BEST HOME DECOR Mix It Up SANDPOINT’S BEST OUTDOOR SUPPLIES Alpine Shop To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

— CARRIE SCOZZARO ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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POTS & PANS

Local shops to find the best equipment — and ingredients — for home chefs and bakers THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC and even as life opened back up in 2021, one of the biggest challenges for local retailers like THE KITCHEN ENGINE has just been keeping everything in stock. Some of that was due to massive backorders, but also because some manufacturers cut back their capacity due to challenges of operating during the pandemic. But a lot of that’s demand. “Housewares in general are up 50 to 70 percent,” says Kitchen Engine owner Eric Frickle. “The demand went from normal to extreme. We saw the same thing in 2008 and 2009, when the whole Recession hit.” When people eat out less, whether because of finances or pandemic-related restrictions, they eat in more. And so when you sell tools to make home cooking easier and tastier, it’s a great business to be in. Everything is selling better, but Frickle has been particularly surprised by the sales in baking supplies. “For so long we have been in this weird phase of ‘no carbs.’ Now everybody is like, ‘Screw it, we’re baking,’” Frickle says. “We’ve sold more bakeware in the last three months than we have in the last year and a half.” The bakeware he sells — everything from square cake pans and round cake pans to bread pans and springform pans — are from FAT DADDIO’S, another local company. These aren’t the cheap pans that wear out quickly, he notes; this is quality, professional-grade equipment. Other popular items

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include the Instant Pot-style all-in-one-cooking gadgets like the Zavor Multicooker — a device Cook’s Illustrated named one of the best on the market a few years ago — and the Breville convection toaster oven, which also doubles as an air fryer and slow cooker. And if you ever cook meat and don’t have a Thermapen-style digital thermometer, you’re recklessly risking turning quality steak into shoe leather. If you’re particularly into dessert baking, check out CAROLYN’S CAKE AND CANDY SUPPLIES. While there may have, at times, been fewer weddings, graduations and birthday parties, owner Char Silva says other areas have been popular, like decorating sugar cookies. “They’re really neat cookies,” says Silva. A tart pan from “You can do a lot with the decoration.” Fat Daddio’s. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO Carolyn’s sells practically every shape of cookie cutter. Better yet, sculpt with chocolate. Carolyn’s sells everything from conventional caramel or bonbon molds, but also molds in the shape of letters, sporting equipment, even animals. “We have dolphins, fish, farm animals,” Silva says. “We have teddy bears, llamas, moose and zoo animals.”

OF COURSE, GREAT cooking tools are useless without great ingredients. That’s where some of the region’s incredible grocery stores come in handy. Looking to make one of those 26-ingredient moles? Head to DE LEON FOODS for your pick of quality Mexican ingredients. Pick up some cactus paddles while you’re there to make some nopalitos. And don’t overlook the seasonal manzana peppers — a yellow chili with a slightly fruity heat that builds in intensity as you savor it. Perfect for salsa. And if you’re making Asian food? Head up to BEST ASIAN MARKET — this beloved Sprague Avenue staple closed down during the pandemic but when it opened back up sported a new remodel. Look up a specific dish — like a sundubu jjigae Korean soup, one of the few acceptable uses of soft tofu — but prepare to be inspired and surprised. You could pick up king oyster mushrooms for grilled skewers, Thai bird chiles for spring roll wraps, duck eggs for a duck egg omelet, and gochujang chili paste for Korean stir fry paste. And always, always bring home a few cans of Thai curry paste and coconut milk. There are few cooking tasks as simple as improvising a curry — and few dishes as tasty. And speaking of spicy dishes, the region also features some premier spice companies. There’s MICHLITCH SPOKANE SPICE COMPANY, which has been around for 72 years, selling blends like “Cajun Red Eye,” “Chili Chipotle Lime” and “Hickory Steak Rub.” And then there’s SPICEOLOGY: Whip up a fast sauce for a quick shrimp po’boy sandwich? Mix some of Spiceology’s Black Magic Cajun Rub and some sauce in with some mayonnaise. And if you’re not quite sure what flavor profile you want your meat or veggies to have, you can pretty much never go wrong with Spiceology’s Smoky Honey Habanero Spice Rub, a blend that somehow hits a sweet-smoky-spicy trifecta. 

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All of the cats at Kitty Cantina are available for adoption through SpokAnimal. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

PAMPERED PETS Where to find all you need to treat your furry family members right THROUGHOUT THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic, one positive outcome among the lockdowns, terrifying data and increased stress for all has been a record uptick in pet adoptions. Whether you’re one of those folks who recently added a new fourlegged member to the family, or you’re simply lovin’ on the pets you already had at home, of course all those best buds need the best care. So here’s where to find some of the region’s top trainers, groomers, pet suppliers and more. While yes, technically you can shop at big box stores or online for food, toys, treats, cozy bedding and more, you’ll also find everything those places have to offer, and then some, in locally owned businesses like PRAIRIE DOG PET MERCANTILE, which offers everything from food to toys and treats at two locations, on Spokane’s South Hill and downtown in Kendall Yards. Likewise, URBAN CANINE has two outlets to serve pet owners, on the South Hill and in North Spokane, and they carry an impressive array of food, treats, toys and clothes for your dogs and cats. THE YUPPY PUPPY has plenty of supplies, too, at its downtown Spokane and North Spokane locations, and also offers professional grooming, plus do-it-yourself washing stations at both spots where you can clean your dog with their supplies (and keep your own house dry!). The northside outlet also offers a very popular doggie daycare service. NORTHWEST SEED & PET has been helping owners of animals large and small in the Inland Northwest for 76 years and counting. Whether you have a dog or cat, or something a little more specialized like a bird, fish, rabbit or reptile, both locations (North Division and East Sprague) have everything you need to keep your pets healthy and happy. BARK, A RESCUE PUB is a recent pet-related newcomer to the area, opening

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summer 2020. The pub in downtown Spokane, on the Spokane River’s north bank, partners with the Spokane Humane Society to showcase animals in need of adoption at a space adjacent to its tasteful dining room and bar spaces. During just its first few months open, the spot in the former Broadview Dairy building successfully found homes for dozens of animals. In North Spokane, the area’s first cat cafe opened in spring 2020. SPOKANE KITTY CANTINA teams with local rescue SpokAnimal to keep kitties “stocked” for visitors and potential adopters to visit, either because they simply love cats and hanging out with them, or they are looking to add a cat or kitten to their family. As a full-service cafe, the cantina also offers espresso drinks, snacks and more.

The Yuppy Puppy’s northside location. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Well-behaved pets make life easier for everyone, so consider signing up for puppy school classes at a local trainer like the locally operated DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF, founded back in 1996. The family-owned facility in North Spokane offers group and private lessons for dogs of all ages, and employes gentle, positive and effective methods to reinforce desirable behaviors. 

The Plant Farm grows all kinds, including tropical plants, indoor plants, outdoor plants, even plants to keep mosquitoes away. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

PARRISH & GROVE Head downtown to the Saranac Commons for custom flower arrangements, exotic house plants, and even a chance to build your own miniature ecosystem at the terrarium bar. You can bring your own container or purchase one at the shop. At Parrish & Grove, it’s about the experience of visiting the shop, discovering the plants for yourself and arranging them the way you see fit. Then, you can take that little experience back home with you. Saranac Commons, 19 W. Main Ave., parrishandgrove.com, 509-838-7784

THE PLANT FARM In Spokane Valley, you’ll find one of the largest selections of houseplants in the Inland Northwest. The Plant Farm grows all kinds, including tropical plants, indoor plants, outdoor plants, even plants to keep mosquitoes away. That also makes this nursery a great place to go for advice on what to do with the plants you already bought. 14208 E. Fourth Ave., Spokane Valley • spokaneplantfarm.com • 509-9269397

BLUE MOON GARDEN & NURSERY

GOING GREEN Become a ‘crazy plant person’ and stock up at these locally owned shops HOUSEPLANTS ARE STILL a booming trend, whether you’re a millennial or Gen Z-er with overflowing shelves all over your sunny apartment, or still an aspiring green thumb. Get started or grow your existing rare plant family by stopping into any of these locally owned shops for great plant selections and expert advice on how to care for them.

LIBERTY PARK FLORIST & GREENHOUSE Located in the hip South Perry District, Liberty Park Florist & Greenhouse is an Inlander favorite — readers have voted it as their favorite florist for 10 years and counting. Liberty Park specializes in European gardens, sympathy pieces, green and blooming plants and fruit and gourmet baskets. Head there both for indoor plants, and all your summer gardening needs. 1401 E. Newark Ave., libertyparkflorist. com, 509-535-5924

Located just southwest of downtown Spokane, Blue Moon has a selection of healthy plants — shrubs, roses, trees, perennials — that won’t break the bank. This nursery focuses on plants that are adaptable to the range of weather conditions we see here in the Inland Northwest, meaning they always have a good stock of drought-tolerant, native plants. 1732 S. Inland Empire Way, bluemoonplants.com, 509747-4255

FERN PLANT SHOP With three area locations just a few years since it first opened — in downtown Spokane, Browne’s Addition and Coeur d’Alene — there’s triple the opportunity to find your new favorite plant or pot, and Fern will transplant it for free. You can also check out their extensive plant selection online. 1516 W. Riverside Ave. and 309 W. Second Ave., Spokane; 211 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene; fernplantshop.com

THE CHOP SHOP This little shop featuring all things leafy, green and more opened summer 2021, sandwiched between Kingsley & Scout men’s boutique and Brickyard Barber Shop in the blossoming North Monroe Business District. Besides plants, shoppers can also find a variety of cute, thrifted planters to display them in, and even racks of locally curated vintage clothing and other handmade goods. 2808 N. Monroe St., facebook.com/chopshopspokane

JUDY’S ENCHANTED GARDEN The name of this plant shop on Northwest Boulevard doesn’t lie. When walking through it, you truly do feel like you’re in an enchanted garden — and the best part is you can buy the plants in the garden. Find perennials, trees, annuals, gifts and — for the holidays — Christmas trees and wreaths. 2628 W. Northwest Blvd., 509-325-1081  ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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SHOPPING

Bazaar returns to downtown Spokane June 18, 2022. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

SHOPPING SPREE These local shopping events are perennial favorites of locals and visitors both

THE FARM CHICKS VINTAGE & HANDMADE FAIR

For two decades and counting, enthusiasts of all things “old” have flocked to Spokane’s fairgrounds for this two-day vintage and antique extravaganza started by local resident Serena Thompson. The Farm Chicks show is so popular, vendors from around the U.S. apply to participate, yet there’s always more interest than available space. People from all around the country, and even the globe, make the trek to Spokane to shop at Farm Chicks. So what’s so special about it? Most of all, it’s a treasure hunt. Every item tells a story, has a past. And you never know what you’ll find each year; a chipped, antique crock or a rust-spotted patio set that perhaps sat outside on a farmstead under a shady tree and saw season after season roll by. WHEN: June 4-5, 2022; Spokane County Fair & Expo Center DETAILS: TheFarmChicks.com

BAZAAR

If you love the region’s unique local arts scene, you’ll love Terrain’s summer marketplace Bazaar, where dozens of local artists, makers, creatives and all-around talented folk are able to showcase and sell their wares to the public. The downtown Spokane arts market and festival is also an affordable way to jumpstart an art collection, with most items — prints, paintings, stickers, textiles, apparel, pottery, jewelry and

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much, much more — all priced at $100 or less. The event is vital for its participants, too, as it connects them directly with their customer base and local audience. It’s a full-day affair that also offers eats from local food trucks, live music and performances on a main stage and all-ages activities. Each year, Bazaar helps direct tens of thousands of dollars straight to local artists and makers. WHEN: June 18, 2022, Downtown Spokane DETAILS: TerrainSpokane.com

UPSCALE SALE

Think of this annual fundraiser benefiting the Spokane Symphony as a massive estate sale with (as the name hints) really nice stuff. The Upscale Sale is an annual occasion organized by the Spokane Symphony Associates, a nonprofit arm that supports the symphony and music education efforts in the community. For most of the year, the Spokane Symphony Associates accept donations of things like jewelry, kitchenware, home decor, furniture, rugs, brand-name clothing and accessories and more. Then, all that stuff is priced for a multiday sale that’s a bargain hunter and thrift lover’s dream. The 2021 event was so big it was held in an old Toys-R-Us store, and raised more than $125,000. WHEN: Early June, 2022; location also to-be-announced DETAILS: SpokaneSymphonyAssoc.org 

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Circling Raven Golf Club BOOK YOUR TEE TIME! The best North Idaho golf course is Circling Raven Golf Club at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort. Voted as the #1 Golf Course in Idaho by Golfweek Magazine, Circling Raven is nestled among 620 acres of wetlands, woodlands and Palouse grasses. You’ll admire the aesthetics almost as much as the play. Ready to conquer the most enthralling golf course in Idaho? Let’s go!

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RECREATION PULLING A WHEELIE Bicycles and bikefriendly trails have long been a vital part of the Inland Northwest PAGE 160

FLOODING BACK The new Ice Age Floods Playground anchors Riverfront Spokane’s north bank PAGE 164

SCOUTING REPORT Gonzaga basketball has sky-high expectations every year, with good reason PAGE 168

Kim Sherwood does a handstand on a paddleboard on Lake Coeur d’Alene. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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LIFE ON

TWO WHEELS Bicycles and bike-friendly trails have long been a vital part of the Inland Northwest BY NICHOLAS DESHAIS

THE INLAND NORTHWEST has mountains and river gorges. It has arid, smokefilled summers and dark, frozen winters. It has cars and highways and parking lots. In other words, it doesn’t scream bicycling destination. I didn’t really think about this when I moved to Spokane in 2008 as a young reporter for the Inlander. Having gone to college in Portland (America’s Amsterdam) and worked in eastern Michigan (birthplace and prime captive of the automobile), I thought I’d ridden it all on two wheels. I was wrong. Now that I’ve plied the many bikeways of the Spokane area for

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more than a decade, I realize just how much adventure awaits anyone willing to hop on the saddle and start a revolution. Of wheels, of course. Bicycling’s history runs deep in this corner of the country, but recent years have seen a marked expansion of regional bikeways. Between 2010 and 2020, the amount of bike routes in the city increased from 29 miles to 96 miles. That includes many bike lanes, but it also counts paths like the Ben Burr Trail and North Spokane’s Addison-Standard bike corridor, and infrastructure like the University District Gateway Bridge and the innovative, pollution-fight-

ing pavement on Sharp Avenue by Gonzaga University. That’s progress and there’s still more to do, but Spokane’s bike identity began well over a century ago in the 1890s. It was then, during a national fever for two wheels, that an annual “good roads” tax of $1 per bicycle was instituted by Spokane officials to build paved “cinder paths” for cyclists. History generally says Howard Street was the first paved road in the city. And it was, but it was actually a bike path running down the middle of the muddy horse-carriage street, built by and for Spokane cyclists.

Between 2010 and 2020, the amount of bike routes in the city increased from 29 miles to 96 miles. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

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INSIDER INSIGHT

DIG CHRISMER DIG CHRISMER HAS BEEN THE MARKETING MANAGER at Schweitzer for nearly seven years

and has worked on the mountain even longer. She’s witnessed some serious growth at the skiing gem in Sandpoint, Idaho, and seen it blossom as a year-round recreation destination catering to everyone from mountain bikers to hikers to folks who love a good wine or beer festival.

NEW AT SCHWEITZER

“Last year, we joined with Alterra to be one of the resorts to be part of their Ikon Pass program, which brought a bunch of new visitors to Schweitzer. We are also working on the new hotel, the Humbird, named in honor of the local Humbird Lumber Company. The Humbird will be finished for the Winter 21-22 ski season!”

A MOUNTAIN REIMAGINED

“Last spring, we changed our logo and dropped

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Dig Chrismer: “We love our mountains and know that our business has to be sustainable.” SCHWEITZER PHOTO

‘mountain resort’ from the name. It seemed like a natural progression because everybody has always just called it Schweitzer. We removed the snowflake from the logo to signify that this isn’t just a ski resort, people are up here year-round.”

THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

“We are so dependent on nature and weather, so climate change is very important. We love our mountains and know that our business has to be sustainable. We believe that whether or not you believe in climate change, you should be a steward of the environment.”

THE IMPACT OF WILDFIRES

“They can hurt daily operations because of smoke or could potentially damage equipment, so we must be aware and cautious. This year in particular, with the extreme drought, has us on pins and needles. But the community has been great: They are not smoking on

the chairlifts. They are not having campfires or setting off fireworks. People understand the danger of human-made fires, and they are seeking to prevent them.”

KNOWING YOUR PLACE

“Our goal is to understand that we are not an amusement park. We are not looking to build mountain slides or ziplines. This is a place to preserve, and to enjoy in its natural state, we must go forward to maintain this mountain for what it is.” — JAY McGREGOR

Colville, Washington LIFE ON TWO WHEELS, CONTINUED... The bike fever of the 1890s would abate, unfortunately, and the automobile would go on to claim its central role in American mobility. Streets became dangerous not just for riders, but for children and anyone else who once enjoyed the plodding pace of horses and streetcars. Regardless of the danger, the Machine Age of the 20th century left remnants to fuel another bike boom, one we’re enjoying today. Railroads crossed the West, connecting one extractive industry to the next. When the mines and forests were largely spent, many of the rails were abandoned. Now, some of them have been transformed into rails-to-trails routes that are among the nation’s finest.

Simply ride the Route of the Hiawatha, the Palouse to Cascades Trail, the Fish Lake Trail or any number of railsto-trails to experience the wild and largely uninhabited routes of the area. Look no further than the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, which skirts the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene and connects the Idaho panhandle towns of Plummer and Mullan. About 75 miles of paved trail courses through forests and past pristine lakes. On a ride earlier this summer, a moose blocked traffic on the trail between Kellogg and Enaville for about 20 minutes. As we kept our curious distance, a woman from Indiana nearly threw her bike off the pavement, scrambling for her camera and rushing to capture the moment. Her husband told me they’d traveled across the country for this specific moment, for her to see a moose. The trail was built by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Union Pacific Railroad, and the U.S. and Idaho governments, and it is special. But it is not necessarily unique in the Inland Northwest. Simply ride the Route of the Hiawatha, the Palouse to Cascades Trail, the Fish Lake Trail or any number of rails-to-trails to experience the wild and largely uninhabited routes of the area. When I first moved here, I wasn’t prepared for such a bounty of routes. My first big ride, with two friends from the paper, took me to Cheney on some dirt roads that crisscrossed the West Plains. After burritos, we rode home on the Fish Lake Trail. My mind flooded with possibility, with visions of students and professors riding between Spokane and Eastern Washington University, never once seeing a car. Visions of traffic-less highways as the masses poured onto the area’s numerous bikeways. In other words, I knew then that there was something special about this place. Before long, I was exploring the Centennial Trail, the city’s growing bike network and anywhere else my bike and legs would take me. As the most efficient form of transportation yet devised by humanity, bicycling doesn’t take much. For me, it’s the idea that wherever I go, adventure awaits. And maybe a moose or two. 

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SOMEWHERE BETWEEN WA&MT ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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RECREATION

RELIVING THE FLOODS The new Ice Age Floods Playground anchors Riverfront Park’s north bank, the final phase of the park’s redevelopment THINK BACK ABOUT THREE YEARS. If you had taken a stroll east from the corner of Mallon and Howard, right where the Flour Mill meets the Spokane Arena, you would have walked into a… wait for it… dirt parking lot. Yep, great views, on the river, some of downtown Spokane’s best real estate… for parking. Not a great look for our fine city. But check it out now, and it’s all shiny and new — replacing that mess with a new playground, basketball courts and a wheels park. It’s all thanks to the citizens of Spokane who, back in 2014, voted to fund what wound up being more than $70 million in improvements to the old site of the Expo ’74 world’s fair. “It’s packed with people, and it’s delightful,” says Jennifer Ogden, president of the Spokane Park Board. “We wanted to make it a family place, with activities that are fun and free. It turned out better than anybody expected.” And it’s true. Since its grand opening in the spring, the north bank has been swarming with families enjoying the new amenities. Following the opening of the Numerica Skate Ribbon, the construction of a new home for the Looff Carrousel and the complete reimagining of the Pavilion, the north bank project wrapped things up as the final project in the six-year renovation. “We wanted this to become Spokane’s Central Park,” says Ogden of the multifaceted project. “Many of our parks have neighborhoods that define them. What is Riverfront’s neighborhood? Well, it’s everybody’s park.”

THE ROCKS ARE THE STORY

TED S. McGREGOR JR. PHOTO

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Who knew geology could be so dramatic? The new Ice Age Floods Playground brings the ancient cataclysm back to life. The original version swept over the site repeatedly between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago. Now, along with water features and some of the coolest play structures around, kids can frolic on the floods’ many geologic remnants, from rhythmites to columnar basalt to mima

mounds to real erratic boulders hauled in from Rathdrum. The more adventurous can try the performance boulder, dedicated to the memory of Spokane’s Jess Roskelley, whose motto is shared with all who pass: “It’s by endurance we conquer.” As you enter the site from the new parking area along Washington, the looming three-story play tower catches your attention; then, an old, tusked friend greets you, confirming that this place is going to be different. “That mammoth head, the Washington state fossil, we thought it was an important piece,” says Bill La Rue, an associate at Spokane’s Bernardo Wills Architects, the lead design firm for the north bank project. “Throughout, we were trying to tell the story of the geology and the floods.” La Rue says this project involved the most specialists he’d ever worked with on a project. Success required faux rock fabricators; play equipment experts (the giant tower is a 100 percent custom fabricated piece); the skatepark design firm Grindline; a stormwater runoff expert (the site drains the rain from the 3.5acre roof of the new Podium sports complex); the Eastern Washington University geology department; and even the Ice Ages Floods Institute head honchos were tapped. In case you are wondering, yes, the floods have their own institute. They’re kind of a big deal. La Rue says the Bernardo Wills team often took guidance from what Berry Ellison, Riverfront Park’s program manager for the city of Spokane, told them. “He always said he wanted kids to learn and have fun, and not even know they’re learning.” But the site really can be viewed as a classroom, as Nigel Davies of EWU’s geology department plans to tour his students across the vast span of the Ice Age Floods in one pretty darned geologically accurate site, right there in downtown Spokane. “There’s a reason it’s a showcase,” says Ogden. “When you have that many people coming together, who are that passionate, it’s going to be great.”

BEST OF

HOOPS AND HALF-PIPES Sharing a wall with the playground is the new wheels park. When the beloved-but-doomed Under the Freeway skatepark was demolished back in 2015, Spokane Parks made a promise that it would be replaced. It took awhile, but this is Spokane’s central skatepark in the city now. With two sides, and designed to accommodate different skill levels, the new park has been a hit — and it folds in seamlessly with the other amenities.

Scenes from Spokane’s “Central Park.” YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

Just south of that, you’ll find the Hooptown USA basketball complex, which has two full-size courts, but can convert to five halfcourts. It’s also home to the Hooptown Hall of Fame. Painted with a colorful mural by Joshua Martel, and kitted out with lights, the courts are already seeing local hoopsters running it back deep into the night, bringing tons of activity to a part of the city that used to be dark and quiet. New public restrooms serve the area, along with a big new parking lot, offering convenient access for families with little kids. And you can’t miss the new Public Facilities District’s Podium sports complex, rising above the site from a sturdy bench of — you guessed it — basalt. The north bank is changing, with new housing slated to go in near the newly renovated Wonder Building, along with the new downtown football and soccer stadium to be built just a couple of blocks north. “You could say Riverfront’s north bank has been like a catalyst project,” says La Rue, “to get things going.” — TED S. McGREGOR JR. Ted S. McGregor Jr. was chairman of the citizens’ advisory committee that developed the Riverfront Park redevelopment plan adopted by citizens in 2014. He served on the Spokane Park Board until January 2020.

LOCAL FAVES

BOB LEGASA PHOTO

Inlander readers’ top picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue To join the Friends of Riverfront Park as a volunteer, email Amy Lindsey at Spokane Parks and Recreation, alindsey@ spokanecity.org.

BEST PLACE TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD

MT. SPOKANE

Rising from the center of the sprawling Mount Spokane State Park, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park has been a local hotspot for riders of all skill levels for more than 80 years. Six lifts offer access to 52 runs across 1,704 skiable acres, as well as numerous tree-sheltered powder stashes. Freestylers can hone their tricks in the resort’s popular terrain park. General Manager Jim van Löben Sels is in year two at the helm, and even under COVID circumstances he’s looking for ways to improve the closest hill to Spokane, from grab-and-go food options to longer operating hours. The 2018 Northwood Expansion via their sixth chairlift is still new to many, having opened highly explorable acreage inside the resort’s already sprawling footprint. — ALEX SAKARIASSEN 2nd PLACE: Schweitzer; 3rd PLACE: 49 Degrees North (skiing) and Silver Mountain (snowboarding)

BEST WASHINGTON DAY TRIP Palouse Falls 2nd Place: Leavenworth 3rd Place: Walla Walla BEST IDAHO DAY TRIP Priest Lake 2nd Place: Wallace 3rd Place: The Route of the Hiawatha BEST PLACE TO BIKE The Centennial Trail 2nd Place: Riverside State Park 3rd Place: Beacon Hill/ Camp Sekani North Idaho’s Best: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes BEST GOLF COURSE Downriver 2nd Place: Indian Canyon 3rd Place: Liberty Lake, Qualchan (tie) North Idaho’s Best: Circling Raven, Worley To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

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HAND OVER HAND Tips from a pro on how to start rock climbing in the Inland Northwest KELTY GODBY SAYS people will often tell him they’re afraid of heights and could never go rock climbing. His go-to response? “All climbers are afraid of heights; that’s why we’re alive.” Godby is the lead guide and owner of Inland Northwest Climbing Outfitters, which he founded in 2019. Over the past few years, Golby says interest in the sport has increased rapidly at both the local and national levels. If you’re looking to hit the rocks for the first time, you’ll need gear. Godby says NW Outfitters and REI in Spokane are both good places to look. There are four main items you’ll need to get started: 1) Climbing shoes. These should be tight, but not painfully so. They can be rented or purchased from most outdoor stores. You can also save money by buying a used pair. 2) A harness. Golby strongly advises against buying used harnesses. 3) A chalk bag. (Pro tip: If you’re climbing in the winter, put hand warmers inside your chalk bag, your fingers will thank you later.) 4) A helmet. Some climbers don’t see helmets as necessary, but Godby says they’ve saved his skull on multiple occasions. Outdoor climbing also requires ropes, belay devices and anchor materials, but if you’re climbing with someone experienced they should already have them, and you’ll be set with just the four basics. For first-timers, having someone to show you the ropes (pun intended) can be helpful. Godby says a dedicated person with a high risk tolerance can hypothetically piece together the basics from books and YouTube, but that some things are best learned from in-person instruction. The Spokane Mountaineers offer regular classes in outdoor rock climbing. Godby also teaches beginner courses on his property outside Tumtum. Godby says one of the most important things a beginner climber can do is find a mentor who can push them and keep them motivated on their climbing journey. Some new climbers learn the basics in indoor climbing gyms before heading outdoors. Godby, who learned to climb

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at the U.S Army’s Northern Warfare Training Center in Alaska, says indoor training can be helpful, but it isn’t necessarily required. “I tell people that the gyms are a great place to go for training, but if you’re going to climb outside, you should get outside early on and not just stick to the gym because it’s going to get more and more intimidating,” Godby says. Once you do get outside, there are two main types of climbing to choose from. Sport climbing involves climbing on routes with permanently fixed anchors that provide fall protection. Trad (traditional) climbing involves placing your own anchors on the rock while you climb. Trad climbing typically requires more knowledge and experience, so beginners typically start with sport climbing. Godby usually recommends beginners check out the Rocks of Sharon and Q’emiln, both of which have a number of good sport and trad climbs. If you’re looking for something closer to Spokane, Cliff Drive and Minnehaha are popular spots. The Spokane climbing community is growing rapidly. Godby says climbers in the area used to be more guarded with their routes, but over the past few years the sport has seen a surge in popularity and accessibility. There’s still plenty of unexplored rock. Godby says he thinks there are more first ascents waiting to be climbed in the Inland Northwest than anywhere else in the country. One of the biggest lessons Godby tries to impart on new climbers is the need to stay humble and aware of the potential dangers. Around six months in, many new climbers hit a point where they start to feel invincible and overconfident in their abilities, he says. “When you start to lose the fear, that’s when it’s time to do some self-reflection and take a step back. Because you’re about to get hurt when you start to lose that fear,” Godby says. The climbing world is abundant with terminology and lingo. It’s a good idea to study it. Once you get started, you may find that some of it applies to you: “Gumby” (adj.) Slang term for a beginner rock climber that’s gungho and really excited but doesn’t really know what they’re doing. — NATE SANFORD

There are two main types of outdoor climbing: Sport climbing involves climbing on routes with permanently fixed anchors. Trad (traditional) climbing involves placing your own anchors on the rock while you climb.

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RECREATION Drew Timme is an early favorite to win college player of the year. NCAA PHOTO

STEADY ROLLING Gonzaga basketball has sky-high expectations every year, with good reason LAST SEASON, THE ZAGS LOST JUST ONCE, played for a national championship and spent the entire season ranked atop the AP Poll. That’s going to be a tough act to follow, but this year’s Zags should be up to the task. There are no longer rebuilding years in Spokane, just reloading and repeating. Familiar faces like Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert and Joel Ayayi are gone, now plying their trade in the NBA. For almost any team in the sport, replacing three NBA-caliber starters would be a headache. Not so for Gonzaga. Big man Drew Timme, back for his junior year, is an early favorite to win college play-

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er of the year. Andrew Nembhard gives the Zags senior leadership at the point guard spot, and Spokane’s own Anton Watson is a veteran presence in the frontcourt. Sophomore guards Julian Strawther and Dominick Harris, two of the so-called “tricky trio” of freshmen from last season, will look to step up their respective games as they battle for more playing time and bigger roles. Those key returning players alone give Gonzaga enough talent and ability to be competitive, but it’s the newcomers who should push the team over the top. Gonzaga’s incoming freshman class is

ranked No. 3 in the country by recruiting service 247Sports. It features three of the top five ranked prospects in program history, led by 7-foot center Chet Holmgren, the topranked freshman in the country. Holmgren was high school teammates with one of Gonzaga’s star freshmen from last season, Jalen Suggs, at Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Academy. Other incoming freshmen include Hunter Sallis, Nolan Hickman and Kaden Perry, all of whom are considered four- or five-star recruits by 247Sports and ESPN. As the top player in the class, Holmgren has received the most hype entering the season. The long and lanky big man with guard skills was named the most valuable player of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup this past summer, where he helped lead Team USA to a gold medal win over France. Sallis, hailing from Nebraska, is considered one of the top guard prospects in the country and should help replace the perimeter production from last season that Gonzaga has now lost to the NBA. Hickman is another of the country’s top freshman guards and is notable for having originally committed to play at college basketball powerhouse Kentucky before changing his mind and coming to Spokane. Perry is a talented big man and the latest in the Zags’ long line of high-level players from the Portland area. Those newcomers, combined with the veteran core, give Gonzaga arguably the most talented roster in college basketball for the second season in a row. And with that come the expectations. Preseason prognostications from CBS, ESPN, The Athletic and others expect Gonzaga to be the top team in the country this season. The Zags will have ample opportunities to live up to those lofty expectations, as head coach Mark Few and his staff have once again put together an absolute monster of a schedule. Big games against Texas, Texas Tech, Washington and Alabama, all potentially top25 teams, loom in November and December. As do meetings with college basketball royalty like UCLA, in a rematch of last season’s instant-classic Final Four game, and Duke, both scheduled for the week of Thanksgiving. Then there’s conference play, in which the Zags will once again have to navigate a West Coast Conference that’s been steadily on the rise, with traditional rivals BYU and Saint Mary’s looking as strong as ever. — WILL MAUPIN

RECREATION

Rule No. 1: Always wear your personal flotation device. Always.

ALL WET Playing on the region’s rivers, streams and lakes is part of what makes the Inland Northwest an outdoorsy paradise THE INLAND NORTHWEST seems on the surface like a

PLESE FLATS in Riverside State Park is a section of the

near-desert compared to the rain-soaked lands west of the Cascades, but look closer and you’ll find water everywhere. From the massive glacial lakes of North Idaho down to the almost pond-sized water bodies pockmarking the region, and the many rivers that flow between them all, the Inland Northwest truly is a paradise of recreation. On a hot summer’s day, one of the easiest ways to stay cool is by heading to the water. “Over the summer, our primary focus is getting people outside and on the water,” says Ryan Griffith, assistant recreation director for outdoor programs at Spokane Parks and Recreation. “We live in an amazing area that has flatwater sections of the Spokane River, [and] we have an abundance of lakes in our area that we get to go out and paddle.” You don’t need to have any experience out on the water to enjoy our region’s natural splendor, though. As long as you’re willing to give it a go, with an organization like the Parks Department or on your own, you can be at ease on the water this summer by taking a few precautions. “If you’re new to it, you want to make sure that you have the right equipment and you plan ahead and prepare,” says Griffith. “The key thing is to have a PFD (personal flotation device — i.e., a life jacket) and always wear it, no matter what. That’s the single most important thing you can do if you go out and paddle.” While the dramatic falls in the heart of downtown and the rapids that cut through Bowl and Pitcher may dominate the postcards and promotional materials put out about Spokane, the river isn’t just whitewater. The shady and scenic

Spokane River perfect for paddleboarders of all experience levels. If you don’t have your own gear, consider signing up with one of the Parks Department’s guided tours during the summer. If you’re looking to get a bit closer to nature and farther from the bustle of the city, without having to make much of a drive, the LITTLE SPOKANE RIVER NATURAL AREA is well worth a trip. Being a natural area, activities on the water are rather restrictive. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are allowed, but inflatable rafts and tubes, motorized boats and even swimming are prohibited. It takes about three hours to paddle the leisurely, meandering course from the put-in at St. George’s trailhead to the takeout at Nine Mile. If you’ve got your own supplies, including a PFD and safety whistle, the Parks Department operates a shuttle that will haul you and your boat from the takeout back to your car at the put-in. Wanting a more stationary experience than the moving water of a river? Look to the lakes. Lake Coeur d’Alene is among the closest and most popular in the region, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to fight through a crowd if you visit. SANDERS BEACH, located directly to the east of Tubbs Hill, is something of a locals’ spot on the water, great for lounging away from the hordes of tourists flocking to City Beach all season long. Just out of town to the east is the rocky but scenic HIGGENS POINT. It’s not a towel-on-the-sand beach, but it’s a great place to avoid the crowds altogether without having to leave civilization in the process. — WILL MAUPIN

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RECREATION

PLAY TIME These annual events are among the highlights of any year for the active side of life in the Inland Northwest

HOOPFEST

The world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament will return to its normal time of year after moving to September in 2021. In pre-COVID years, Hoopfest has had more than 225,000 fans, 6,000 teams and 425 courts. And it makes sense that so many people from the Spokane region would show out for this event: Spokane’s a basketball town. Matt Santangelo, former Gonzaga basketball player and executive director of Hooptown USA, likes to say that “there’s not one thing that unites Spokane more than basketball.” Check out spokanehoopfest.net for everything you’ll need to participate in Hoopfest 2022. WHEN: June 25-26, 2022 WHERE: Downtown Spokane

In-person Bloomsday 21 different countries representreturns in 2022! ed in their 2021 virtual race. This YOUNG KWAK PHOTO year, however, Bloomsday will be back in person, giving runners the experience of running in downtown Spokane alongside thousands of other competitors, something no technology could begin to replicate. Bloomsdayrun. org has registration information and much more. WHEN: May 1, 2022 WHERE: Downtown Spokane

BLOOMSDAY

IRONMAN 70.3

The past two years, Bloomsday adapted to a successful virtual platform, with over 22,000 registrants and

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Every year, hundreds of seasoned athletes descend on Coeur d’Alene for the Ironman. An Ironman, even a

half one like this, is undoubtedly grueling, with finishers completing a 1.2-mile swim followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride followed by a half marathon run. On top of that, the 2021 full Ironman race brought uncharacteristically hot weather, with temperatures soaring to 100 degrees. Despite such tough conditions, 1,500 Ironman competitors finished the course. Even more impressive: Sam Long managed to set a course record in the dry heat, with a remarkable time of 8:07:40. Grab some food from the vendors near the finish line in downtown Coeur d’Alene and marvel as the Ironmen and women complete the daunting race. Visit ironman.com for more information. WHEN: June 26, 2022 WHERE: Downtown Coeur d’Alene

SPOKEFEST

With successful virtual events the past two years, Spokane’s largest bicycling event, Spokefest, will return to full form, giving riders the irreplaceable experience of racing next to hundreds of other riders on traffic-controlled roads. With an emphasis on community health, fitness and the natural environment, Spokefest has a profound impact on the Spokane community. Visit Spokefest.org to be a part of this event. WHEN: Sept. 11, 2022 WHERE: Location TBD

expand your horizons WITH SPOKANE PARKS AND RECREATION!

We offer hundreds of classes and outdoor programs for year-round fun. Discover your competitive side. Find yourself in nature and explore Spokane’s wonders. Pick up a new hobby. We make it easy to try new experiences.

SpokaneRec.org | Call 311 or 509.755.2489

start your adventure

at Riverfront!

Play, explore, eat and shop in beautiful Riverfront Park, where you’ll find adventures, attractions, events and family-friendly activities right in the heart of our city. We offer a little bit of everything, for everyone, in every season.

RiverfrontSpokane.org | Call 311 or 509.625.6600

play our city GOLF COURSES STARTING AT $43/ROUND Choose from four beautiful Spokane City courses, just minutes from downtown. Book your tee time now!

SpokaneGolf.org | Call 311 or 509.755.2489

Lakes Guide

A C ANAD

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e’re blessed to have so many amazing lake s and rivers in our region to enjoy swimming, fishing, boating and waterspo rts. The 2021-22 Inlander Lakes Guide, presented by your friends at the Spokane Boat Show, is a great way to get familiar with some of our region’s bigger lakes and help get you out on the water. Make sure to plan on attending theak2022 e RiveSpo r kane Boat Show from Janu n ary 28th through Febr uary 6th. It’s a perfSect brea k from winter to get you started mak ing your warmer weather plans. You’ll find the region’s top dealers on hand to take care of all your boating needs, and so much mor e. Come join us as we celebrate our 68th year serv ing the Inland Northwest!

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Lake e Cascad

Lake Coeur d’Alene Ó SPOKANE

LAKE MAPS PRESENTED BY

West Canfield Butte

- 20 MILES

East Canfield Butte

Õ HAYDEN - 5 MILES

POST FALLS

COEUR D'ALENE Fernan Hill Cherry Hill

Blackwell Hill Blossom Mountain

4615ft

Fernan Lake

Cougar Bay

4377ft

Treasure Mountain Wolf Lodge Mountain 4710ft

Kelly Mountain

K|e|r|n Butte Mica Peak 5245ft

CATALDO Ç

Arrow Point

Rich Hill

18 Miles

Higgins Point Neachen Bay

Echo Bay

Cable Peak 4925ft

Toad Rock

Mica Bay

Beauty Bay

Wolf Lodge Bay Elk Mountain

Gotham Bay

Mount Coeur d’Alene

Killarney Peak

4439ft

Red Horse Mountain

Turner Peak

Turner Bay

4398ft

Carrill Peak

Cottonwood Peak

Carlin Bay

Twin Peaks

D’A

Black Rock

Kilarney Lake Swan Peak Thompson Lake

Powderhorn Bay

Rockford Bay

Half Round Bay

Harlow Point

rd oeu ’Alenes t he C

Anderson Lake

Swan Lake Cave Lake

Medicine Lake Petit Peak

Black Lake

Spokane Point

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO & RESORT

Initial Peak

Lamb Peak

HARRISON

Mowry Point

Eagle Peak 5199ft

Warners Mountain Worley Mountain

PLUMMER

Sunny Slope Ridge Mason Butte

Plummer Butte

Shingle Bay Carey Bay

LEGEND

O’Gara Bay

Soloa Peak

Hidden Lake Shoeffler Butte

il of the Coeur d’A lenes Tra

Chatcolet Lake

Round Lake

�

Talbot Hill

WORLEY

McCartney Butte

Blue Lake

ail of

Bell Bay

8 Miles

PARKLINE

Grassy Mountain PUMP OUT STATION SPORTSMAN ACCESS BOAT RAMP PUBLIC TOILET BOAT FUEL CAMPGROUND OVERNIGHT PUBLIC MOORAGE/DOCKS BEACH

Sharp Top

Benewah Lake

ST. MARIES

Shay Hill Kings Peak

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

175

Mountain

Lake PEND OREILLE

Lunch Peak

LAKE MAPS PRESENTED BY Lightning Peak

Moose Mountain

PONDERAY

Bald Mountain

Oden Bay

Kootenai Bay Kootenai Point

SANDPOINT NEWPORT

Contest Point THE LONG BRIDGE

29 MILES

DOVER Springy Point

Murphy Bay

le Sag gh Slou

SLEEPS CABINS

FISHERMAN ISLAND

SUNNYSIDE

Providence Lake

Gamlin Lake Livermore Lake

Beaver Lake

Black Tail Mountain (4960ft)

LEGEND

Goat Mountain

Denton Slough

Howe Mountain

LAKE PEND OREILLE

CLARK FORK

Deadman Point

Kilroy Bay

Johnson Peak

Your place at the LAKE for all seasons!

Granite Point

Maiden Rock

Bee Top Mountain

MEMALOOSE ISLAND

Camp Bay

Windy Point

Butler Mountain (4893ft)

COCOLALLA

Porcupine Lake

Glengary COTTAGE Point ISLAND

Mineral Point Long Point

Talache Landing

Cocolalla Lake

EAST HOPE

WARREN ISLAND

Grouse Mtn Point

Black Pine Mountain

HOPE

Green Bay

ROUND LAKE STATE PARK

Round Top Mountain

Elliot Bay

Eaton Lake

Mirror Lake

Trestle Peak

Piccard PEARL Point ISLAND

GARFIELD BAY Grouse Mountain

Trout Peak (5117ft)

Mount Egan (5281ft)

GLENGARY

Pend Oreille River

TRESTLE CREEK

Anderson Point

Bottle Bay

SAGLE

Huckleberry Mountain (4356ft)

Hawkins Point

Sourdough Point

Gold Mountain

Shepherd Lake

Sunnyside Mountain

Tom’s Ridge Minerva Peak

PUMP OUT STATION Little Black Tail SPORTSMAN MountainACCESS BOAT RAMP PUBLIC TOILET

Minerva Ridge

Evans Landing

BOAT FUEL CAMPGROUND OVERNIGHT PUBLIC MOORAGE/DOCKS

Whiskey Rock Bay

BEACH

Three Sisters Peaks

Cedar Creek

COEUR D'ALENE 25 MILES

Cape Horn Peak (4519ft)

BAYVIEW

ATHOL

Cape Horn

Scenic Bay KOOTENAI COUNTY d Bay

Idlew

Buttonhook Bay Bernard Peak (5143ft)

BONNER COUNTY

Packsaddle Mountain (1951m)

Green Mountain

Graham Point

Spruce Mountain

LAKEVIEW

LEGEND PUMP OUT STATION SPORTSMAN ACCESS BOAT RAMP PUBLIC TOILET BOAT FUEL CAMPGROUND OVERNIGHT PUBLIC MOORAGE/DOCKS BEACH

Echo Bay

– Call for Last Minute Discounts and Upgrades –

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pretty nice back yard, eh? THIS MAGNIFICENT PLAYGROUND IS SANDPOINT, IDAHO... AND WE’RE LESS THAN 90 MINUTES EAST OF SPOKANE. IT’S KIND OF LIKE THE BACK YARD FROM HEAVEN.

EPIC skiing Sandpoint’s year-round destination offers epic skiing and snowboarding each winter at Schweitzer Mountain – the Inland Northwest’ largest ski resort.

mountain magic There are spectacular walks, hikes and drives in the Cabinet and Selkirk mountains – and an excellent and growing mountain bike trail system.

music & more Year-round, Sandpoint is renowned for its packed entertainment schedule, with concerts and live music, art openings and events of all stripes.

Get visitor information at 800-800-2106 • www.VisitSandpoint.com

wine & dine Sandpoint’s historic downtown is home to galleries, unique shops, top-notch restaurants – and an award-winning winery and four stellar breweries.

Priest Lake LAKE MAPS PRESENTED BY Phoebe Tip (6600ft)

Joe Peak (6748ft)

Docks - New, Rebuild & Removal • Pile Driving • Waterfront Enhancement Green Bonnet Mountain (5991ft)

Bugle Ridge (6403ft)

W M

Abando Mountai Gold Peak (4534ft)

Caribou Hill (4592ft)

Plowboy Mountain (5119ft)

Thoroughfare (2 mi.)

Boulder Mountain (5654ft)

44 Miles

Golf Course

BUY NE

IDAHO

Priest Lake

GOOD MONDAY-THURSDAY AFTER 11AM MUST PRESENT COUPON. ONE COUPON PER GROUP PLEASE. EXPIRES END OF 2022 SEASON.

Huckleberry Bay

SANDBAGGERS BAR AND GRILL

Nickelplate Mountain

NORDMAN

MILE MARKER 27 ON HIGHWAY 57 178 | T H E I N L A N D E R A N N U A L M A N U A L 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

LEGEND PUMP OUT STATION SPORTSMAN ACCESS BOAT RAMP PUBLIC TOILET BOAT FUEL CAMPGROUND OVERNIGHT PUBLIC MOORAGE/DOCKS BEACH

NORDMAN RESORT Lakeview Mountain (4074ft)

Bismark Mountain

Indian Creek

Cape Horn

Horton Ridge (5640ft)

8 MILE ISLAND

Priest Lake Marina

State Launch Ramp

PRIEST LAKE

KALISPELL ISLAND PAPOOSE ISLAND

HILL'S RESORT

BARTOO ISLAND

4 MILE ISLAND

PRIEST LAKE GOLF COURSE

BLUE DIAMOND MARINA

Binarch Mountain

Outlet Bay Tola Point Outlet Mountain

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TWIN ISLANDS

Watson Mountain

NORTH IDAHO’S HIDDEN GEM FEATURING

Distillery Bay

Reeder Mountain (4729ft)

ROUND OF GOLF

GET NE FREE

Klootch Mountain (6048ft)

Granite Mountain (4780ft)

WASHINGTON

Kevin Hansen (208) 428-0505 • (208) 290-2319 nldock@frontier.com • Lic # RCE-4625

Tem Mou

Black Tail Mountain (5495ft)

Dusty Peak (4857ft)

Ó IONE

Lookout Mountain (6727ft)

UPPER PRIEST LAKE

COOLIN Chase Lake

PRIEST RIVER 25 MILES

County Docks & Ramps

NORTHERN LAKES DOCK & BARGE

PRIEST RIVER 25 MILES

Sundance Mountain (6298ft)

Check out our new boats!

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Plan a Trip & Discover

Lions Head

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Lions Head Ridge



Myrtle Peak

mple untain Kent Peak

IDAHO’S CROWN JEWEL

Check availability by phone, online or email info@bluediamondmarina.com Explore Upper Priest on our: Pontoon Party Boat Tandem Kayaks Canoes

Best Idaho Daytrip Destination

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Goblin Knob (6606ft) Twin Peaks (2316m)

Eddy Peak (6725ft)

Silver Dollar Mountain (7181ft) Mount Roothaan (7326ft)

Flat Top

Mount Casey

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

179

ANNUAL EVENTS ALL YEAR LONG

OCTOBER

OCTOBER is

OCTOBER 43rd ANNUAL

QUILT SHOW October 15-17

Fri& Sat 10am-6pm • Sun 10am-4pm

SPOKANE COUNTY FAIR & EXPO CENTER

Experience the Tradition All Year Long! Visit www.cdacasino.com/cultural-tourism/ for more details about our upcoming Cultural Tours, Events and Workshops!

$10 for all 3 days

Children 10 and under FREE

for programs

wsqspokane.org

& events, visit: W E LC O M E H O M E .

CASINO | HOTEL | DINING SPA | CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF 3 7 9 1 4 S O U T H N U K WA LQ W • W O R L E Y, I D A H O 8 3 8 7 6

spokanearts.org/artsmonth/

1 800-523-2464 • CDACASINO.COM

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

R THE SEASON O F Y D A E R T E G

202 1

Nov. 30 - Dec. 12

NOV 1 9 + 20

Historic Davenport Hotel & River Park Square

JANUARY

JANUARY - FEBRUARY

M .INLANDER.CO Y T R A P R E T IN W

DECEMBER - JANUARY

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

SPOKANESYMPHONYASSOC.ORG

Jan 28 - Feb 6, 2022 Get out on the lake.

Go Boating!

Visit us at SpokaneBoatShow. SpokaneBoatShow.com com 180 | T H E I N L A N D E R A N N U A L M A N U A L 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

FEBRUARY - MARCH

EAT. DRINK. REPEAT.

MARCH

APRIL

MAY - OCTOBER

MAY

RESTAURANT WEEK Presented By

FEBrurary 24 MARch 5

10 DAYS | 3 Course MEALS iNLANDERRESTAURANTWEEK.COM

MAY

SPOKAN SPR E’S TRADITINI G ON TOURS DEPART EVERY 30 MIN & LAST 1 HR AND 15 MIN

Open 7 Days a week

May 1st - Oct 15th Spokane’s Celebrated Run/Walk • 45 Years and Counting

SUNDAY MAY 1, 2022 WWW.BLOOMSDAYRUN.ORG

208-752-5151 509 Cedar St, Wallace, ID SilverMineTour.org MAY-SEPT-OCT 10 TO 2 • JUNE-JULY-AUG 10 TO 4

MAY

JUNE

2022 JUNE 2022

SPOKANEHOOPFEST.NET May 7st 2022 • Brownes Addition AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

Where to go. What to do. Search our extensive calendar of events by date, category and neighborhood.

Inlander.com/events ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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GREEN ZONE RULES OF THE ROAD How to stay out of trouble when consuming cannabis PAGE 184

JUST EAT IT How to pick out the cannabis-infused goodies that are right for you PAGE 186

BIG-NAME BRANDS Celebrities are joining the cannabis business in droves; we imagine how their products stand out PAGE 188

Remember: Cannabis can’t be consumed in view of the public.

ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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GREEN ZONE

CANNABIS RULES OF THE ROAD

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How to stay out of trouble when consuming cannabis CANNABIS HAS BEEN LEGAL in Washington for nearly a decade now, but whether you’re a new user, curious visitor or an experienced consumer, it’s never a bad time to brush up on the rules. It’s helpful to start by comparing cannabis with alcohol. Both are legal for purchase, possession and consumption by people 21 years and older. Also like booze, cannabis needs to be unopened in the original packaging in order to be transported in a car, and it can’t be within reach of the driver. Driving under the influence of cannabis is also against the law. There are also more restrictive rules surrounding cannabis. It can’t be consumed on public property, so no puffing on a joint in the park. It also can’t be consumed in view of the public, which means a street-facing porch or balcony might not be the best bet either. Inside your home is completely acceptable, but for visitors staying in a hotel the situation is complicated by each hotel’s specific policies on smoking. When making purchases, don’t go overb oard.

Along with Colorado, Washington was the first state to legalize cannabis. Voters in both states did so at the ballot box on Election Day in 2012.

There is a one-ounce limit on how much cannabis you can purchase at any given time, and individual retailers are required to stick to that. The one-ounce limit is also the most you’re allowed to legally possess at any time, so jumping from store to store to load up wouldn’t be wise. Then of course there is the issue that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level and in most states around the country. While it’s legal in Washington, it isn’t in Idaho. Even though it’s legal in Oregon, it’s illegal to transport legally purchased cannabis across state lines. Which means those of you planning on taking part in some cannabis tourism need to consume what you buy before heading home. — WILL MAUPIN ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

185

Something Fo1 Everyone Let our experienced budtenders help guide you to the perfect experience!

GREEN ZONE

EDIBLE ADVENTURE How to pick out the cannabis-infused goodies that are right for you LOOKING TO EXPLORE the ever-growing world of cannabis-infused treats?

WE LOVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

Your options may seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help guide you along.

MUNCHIE MONDAYS 20% OFF EDIBLES

State law limits edibles to 10 servings per package with a maximum of 10 milligrams of THC per serving. As a result, you’ll see a lot of products listing 100 milligrams of THC on the packaging, spread out over 10 servings. There are also many individually packaged 10-milligram options on the market if you’re not looking to buy in bulk. “Low and slow is the golden rule. Start with a small dose, 5 to 10 milligrams is what is recommended, and wait at least two to three hours to see how you feel,” Brandon St Germain, district leader at Cannabis & Glass, told the Inlander.

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THC VERSUS CBD

Products with both THC and CBD — THC gets you high while CBD does not — often express the relative concentration of the two chemicals in the form of a ratio. You might see two boxes of brownies from the same brand next to each other with one saying 10:1 and the other saying 1:1. The former would have 10 times as much CBD per serving as THC, while the latter would contain equal amounts of both.

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1515 S. LYONS RD • AIRWAY HEIGHTS • (509) 244-8728 Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.

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Finally, once you know your preferred dosage and THC-to-CBD ratio, it’s time to pick a product. Brownies or cookies? Gummies or candies? Drinks or tinctures? Just about every kind of pre-packaged food product you can think of now comes in a cannabis-infused form. At this point, it’s all about what looks best to you. There isn’t much difference in effect, as 10 milligrams from a brownie gets absorbed and metabolized by your liver just the same as 10 milligrams from a beverage. The real concern here is that with some products, particularly beverages, it can be tough to determine what a serving size is. You might guzzle down a 12-ounce bottle of regular lemonade like it’s one serving, but a 12-ounce bottle of infused lemonade could pack 10 servings into just a few gulps. — WILL MAUPIN

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GREEN ZONE

BUZZ BRANDS Celebrities are joining the cannabis business in droves; we imagine how their products stand out CELEBRITIES HAVE BEEN known to slap their name or likeness on almost anything to make an extra buck. Why should recreational marijuana be any different? As legal cannabis becomes more commonplace across the country, celebrities are trotting out all manner of products to cash in, including specific strains that have the stamp of approval from said celebs, as well as the tools of the getting-high trade. Actually sampling all the star-endorsed pot products would take a lot of money, travel and recovery time, so we put our thinking caps on to imagine what a celeb’s product might be like, based on the star on the label.

WILLIE NELSON WILLIE’S RESERVE

Willie is arguably the most famous stoner on the planet — all due respect to Snoop Dogg. At the very least, the country legend is the oldest famous toker. And considering how long Willie’s been hitting the green

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and how he’s always been able to put on a great show, we imagine his brand of leaf and edibles keeps a long-running, pleasant buzz, but not one that knocks you off your feet.

SNOOP DOGG

LEAFS BY SNOOP When a guy smokes as much as Snoop (and raps about it, talks about it, makes videos about it, etc.), you expect the stuff to pack a punch. Looking at the wild swings Snoop’s made in his career, including stints as a violent gangster rapper, a cuddly youth football coach, a part-time Rastafarian and TV cohost with Martha Stewart, I’m going to guess Leafs By Snoop’s strains are unpredictably potent.

MARTHA STEWART MARTHA STEWART CBD

Sure, Martha’s image is that of the incredibly proper and classy maven of decoration, dining and etiquette, but she also co-hosts Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, so she’s learned a trick or two from Snoop Dogg. Maybe just from inhaling his secondary smoke. Stewart teamed with Canadian cannabis company Canopy to develop a line of branded CBD products, including some for pets. Get ready to soothe those aches and pains and probably get into some crafting.

TOMMY CHONG

TOMMY CHONG’S CANNABIS As half of the comedy team Cheech & Chong, Tommy Chong pioneered pot humor in the ’70s and ’80s. Looking back on movies like Up In Smoke and Nice Dreams, there’s no denying his comic chops, nor the juvenile nature of the jokes. Chong’s namesake weed will likely have you giggling at the dumbest things imaginable for hours on end. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

JIM BELUSHI

BELUSHI’S FARM Playing roles big and boisterous is the calling card of Jim Belushi, as it was for his older comedian brother, John. And even if you like to partake in order to mellow out and chill, I’m guessing Belushi’s Oregon-only products will give you a serious case of the munchies.

ICE CUBE

FRYDAY KUSH The gangster-rap legend turned movie star is no dummy; tying the name of his first cannabis product to his modern stoner classic Friday is just savvy. Washingto-

nians will have to wait a bit before it arrives here, but when Fryday Kush does, expect it to start out aggressive and then mellow out nicely, just like its creator.

BRENDAN HILL OF BLUES TRAVELER PAPER & LEAF

Hill set up shop for his weed company on Bainbridge Island — not a bad transition from the hard touring life of a musician. If I had to guess the powers of his Paper & Leaf products based on Blues Traveler’s music, I’d guess the high goes on way too long, and inspires a few too many harmonica solos.

SETH ROGEN HOUSEPLANT

You’ll have to travel to California or our neighbor Canada to sample Seth Rogen’s company, but I think we can trust the jovial, weed-centric actor to know his way around a quality product. A puff or two of the Houseplant probably inspires some creativity. Have you seen the homemade pottery Rogen’s churned out during the pandemic?

KEVIN SMITH & JASON MEWES FAMOUS BRANDZ

If you don’t recognize them by name, Smith and Mewes are better known as Jay and Silent Bob, the long-running stoner slackers from director Smith’s movies like Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy. Their Famous Brandz isn’t a cannabis company, but rather makes the tools you need like bongs, pipes and the like. And if they’re anything like the Jay and Silent Bob movies, they’re probably great at first, and become unbelievably terrible the longer you keep them around.

BELLA THORNE

FORBIDDEN FLOWERS Thorne has turned a career launched on the Disney Channel into a bizarre mix of trashy horror movies, questionable music releases, profitable OnlyFans appearances and now Forbidden Flowers, her own cannabis line. They claim the weed is “sexy, cheeky and an embodiment of her free-spirited nature.” I’m guessing if I smoked some, I’d spend most of the aftermath still wondering who the hell Bella Thorne is. — DAN NAILEN

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Visit us at www.cannabisandglass.com Follow us on @cannabisandglass_wa This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

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LOCAL FAVES

Katrina and Robert McKinley of Phat Panda. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Inlander readers’ top picks, from July’s 2021 Best of the Inland Northwest issue BBEST LOCAL CANNABIS BRAND

PHAT PANDA

Here’s an example of bigger being better. Phat Panda is the most prolific cannabis producer in the region, and it has taken first place in this category every time it’s been on the ballot. Growing more than 40 different strains, used in everything from edibles to cartridges, Phat Panda’s offerings are as diverse as they are delicious. — WILL MAUPIN 2nd Place: Growing Like a Weed (GLW); 3rd Place: Blue Roots

BEST RETAIL CANNABIS SHOP Cinder 2nd Place: Piece of Mind 3rd Place: Apex Cannabis BEST BUDTENDER Zac Hawkins, Cinder (North) 2nd Place: Tracy Barnes, Piece of Mind (North) 3rd Place: Sydney Prado, Sativa Sisters To read about all the Best of the Inland Northwest winners, visit inlander. com/spokane/bestof.

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INSIDER INSIGHT

AMY PHILLIPS AS PURCHASING MANAGER, Amy Phillips’ job is to buy weed. She works for one of the region’s largest cannabis retailers, Cinder, and has learned a thing or two about what customers are looking for and what’s coming next in the growing cannabis industry. Five years ago, she started out as a budtender at Cinder’s northside store, but Phillips’ penchant for organization and attention to detail earned her the title of purchasing manager. She works with vendors throughout the state to secure new product that meets Cinder’s quality standards while also building relationships between the producers and customers, she says. That includes flower, of course, but also vape cartridges, edibles, topicals, tinctures, pre-rolls and more.

THE LATEST TRENDS

“Right now, I’m seeing a really big trend in edibles. Drinkables, in specific, are really popular right now. I just think that it’s an easy way for people to introduce themselves to products. … The way the state regulates it, [it can be a] 10 milligram serving, so it’s nothing overwhelming, or even if you’re seasoned. It’s becoming more and more popular, especially with how discreet it is. We will probably see a lot of people buying more products like that in the next few years.”

EDIBLES EAT UP THE MARKET

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is ‘I don’t want to smoke anything,’ or that they don’t want to smell like anything. People want the benefits, and they want it to be easy, and they don’t want everybody to know.”

WHAT COMES NEXT

“You just never really know, but I do think that we have a lot of customers definitely starting to feel the effects of COVID for the last couple of years financially. So, we are seeing an increase in budget product. We are really working hard right now securing products like that that they can trust.” Cinder employs “education specialists” to educate its team on trends, changes and new processes throughout the cannabis industry.

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MAKING CONNECTIONS

“I feel like we are all figuring out how to navigate safely and interact again, and just kind of intermingling and doing less Zoom calls and meetings outside or coffee at a park or something. You know, it’s just really nice because it’s such a community-based industry to really be making those connections again.” — QUINN WELSCH

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. ANNUAL MANUAL 2021-2022 THE INLANDER |

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