Back To Business Volume 7 12/23/2020

VOLUME 7 PRESENTED BY

COMMUNITY Recovery Guide

A GUIDE SUPPORTING BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

INSIDE:

Restaurants Shopping Arts & Culture BACK TO BUSINESS Partner Organizations ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

Spokane County, Washington

Dear 1,233 members with season tickets to STCU Best of Broadway, thanks for keeping the arts alive.

STCU and The Inlander are teaming up to support local businesses during COVID-19. To learn how to help and find great deals at local shops, go to btb.inlander.com.

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VOLUME 7

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INSIDE Fun in the Kitchen................. 6 Creature Comforts.............. 10 Rock (Climb) On..................14 Get Back in the Swing..........14 The Big Bike Boom.............. 20 Calling Timeout................... 26 Until We Gather Again....... 30 Pressing Pause.................... 34 Saving Spokane’s Soul....... 38 Evolving Mission................. 46

Just The Beginning It's hard to imagine celebrating the end of a year quite so joyously as we’ll celebrate the end of 2020. For so many of us, it’s been the most challenging year of our lives. Between home-schooling our kids, navigating the state’s unemployment system for the first time, conducting business over the internet instead of in person and just being stuck in neutral emotionally, unable to spend time with friends and family, it’s been a rough one.

Tough times, though, are also when humanity is at its best, supporting each other through unexpected trials no matter how difficult our own individual lives might be.

That’s certainly been evident as Spokane County has plodded through the COVID-19 epidemic so far. Through school closures and restrictions on gatherings, with restaurants and museums opening and closing then opening again (albeit with restrictions), and entertainment venues shuttered ever since March, the people of the Inland Northwest have stepped up in a big way to keep our community as whole as possible until we get through this thing.

We’ve never eaten so much take-out, watched so many streaming concerts, or shopped

local and online at the same time. And these Back to Business guides have been there every step of the way, helping you keep up with the latest ways our restaurants, cultural outlets and retail stores have adapted to serve Spokane County.

This is the final issue of the Back to Business series, a local marketing effort developed by the Inlander and several local institutions. All the partners involved in Back to Business throughout its seven issues recognize the importance of our local businesses to our community’s identity and quality of life.

Inside this issue, we cover a bit of everything, from dining and shopping to culture. You’ll read about how home cooks have sharpened their skills, how bike shops have ridden through the pandemic and how our music venues have adapted to a lack of live concerts. And that’s just the beginning.

While the coronavirus pandemic is stretching into the new year, there’s hope on the horizon as the vaccine starts to find its way across the country. If we can stay safe, stay distanced and stay engaged with our local businesses for a few more months, we’ll be back to “normal” soon.

Just imagine the close, unmasked community celebration we have in store when that happens! ◆

VOLUME 7

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INTRO

THE COMIC BOOK SHOP OWNER CRAIG BARNETT

How to Do...

Everything

The Back to Business marketing campaign is all about helping our local community successfully and safely navigate the pandemic.

Here’s how you can get involved.

How to...

...Support local business: It’s pretty simple, really: Our restaurants need us to order take-out and eat in when possible. Our arts, entertainment and culture sector needs us to buy gift certificates for future tickets, go to the museums when they reopen, and donate to the organizations supporting struggling artists and arts organizations. Our local retailers need us to keep shopping well past the holidays to make up for a year’s worth of losses. Fortunately, there are a lot of great reasons to shop local. Spending your hardearned cash in local businesses of all stripes helps the local economy, keeps your neighbors employed and generates much-needed revenue for our local governments. So go buy something when you can, whether it be tickets, tools or a turkey sandwich, and help spread the word about what our local shops are doing well, and what great buys you’ve found. And tell your friends and family to pick up this guide!

...Use this guide: Inside you’ll find lots of inviting stories about how Spokane County

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businesses are figuring out ways to thrive in these difficult times. But importantly, you’ll also see over 150 ads promoting area businesses. Each includes all you need to know about your favorite local retailers, restaurants and arts entities. Spend some time perusing those ads, and remember that each business represents something so much bigger: These are our friends and neighbors; they are employers who make our lives better.

...Keep up on the latest developments: This Back to Business is the seventh and last in a series. You can catch up with all seven issues online at BTB.Inlander.com.

...Stay safe as a consumer or business owner: Please follow public health guidelines about social distancing and mask-wearing. Here’s an easy way to remember what to do: Spread Kindness. Not COVID-19. (Find out more about that countywide awareness effort at SPONSORED CONTENT

Over 150 Businesses WHO WE ARE

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kindnessnotcovid.org.) As a business owner, there are a lot of resources available to help you, starting with Back to Business and all of its partners. Additionally, visit inlandbizstrong.org for other resources. ◆

Let Us Guide You! Over the past four months, Back to Business has featured hundreds upon hundreds of local businesses in six special guides aimed at encouraging support for our local economy.

You’re reading the seventh in the series now. In case you missed any, here’s a quick look back.

And good news! If you’d like to catch up on anything, just visit btb.inlander.com where you can find all these guides along with even more stories and offers and specials from local retailers in the Fresh Sheet.

Incrediburger and Eggs, Bruncheonette, David’s Pizza, Sweeto Burrito and the Happy Cake Co.

Shopping Guide, Volume 4

A highlight here is an essay by Kris Dinnison, the noted local author and longtime shopkeeper at Atticus.

“Like most local businesses,” SHOPPING Guide she wrote, “we are so grateful for the incredible support we’ve gotten from the community…” We also check in on the fixing-up-your-house thing that’s been going on, offering lots of local ideas for furniture, decor and even non-chain hardware stores. Plus, another lockdown sideeffect: Pets!

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SUPPORTING RETAIL BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY

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Restaurant Guide, Volume 1

Believe it or not, new businesses keep popping up, and in this edition we highlight a number of those, RESTAURANT including Fluffy’s Candy Guide and Smokeridge BBQ. Local breweries have been finding new ways to cope; they’re offering growlers-to-go, crowlers (big cans, basically) and even delivery. We also highlighted how nimble local restaurants have been in pivoting to offering meal kits, adding online ordering and even, with the state’s OK, cocktails to go.

VOLUME 1 PRESENTED BY

About Back to Business This guide is part of a local marketing effort in support of the hospitality sector developed by leading local institutions and community-minded businesses to help promote our region’s recovery. The project was unanimously approved for support by Spokane’s County Commissioners through the CARES Act with the express goal of supporting affected businesses. It should be noted that the Inlander’s editorial coverage remains separate and independent from this marketing effort.

A GUIDE SUPPORTING HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY

BACK TO BUSINESS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Spokane County, Washington

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

Volume seven touches on dining, shopping and culture in

Shopping Guide, Volume 5

This time, we found local shops to help you make your home office a little homier. Plus, to look great on a Zoom, we checked in with SHOPPING Guide local barbershops. And we featured an essay from Mariah McKay and Janice Miller on “The Power of Buying Local.” They are the co-directors of the Live Local INW campaign (livelocalinw. com). “We are poised,” they wrote, “to turn this disaster into a wholesale revival for our locally owned business sector.”

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Restaurant Guide, Volume 2

Takeout dining has become a necessity, and many local restaurants jumped right in, ramping up as they prepared to weather RESTAURANT Guide the changing phases that would come. We had a chat with John Grollmus, a co-founder of The Elk, one of the first in the local foodie revolution. And we made a quick tour of some outposts, like Cheney, home to the delish Bene’s, Medical Lake of Fischin’ Hole Saloon fame and Rockford, where you can find the Harvest Moon.

VOLUME 2 PRESENTED BY

our region. Through the end of the year, watch the Inlander for more special Back To Business guides focused on businesses in our community, along with special features, sharing even more recovery stories.

Spokane County, Washington

BUsinesses are working hard to serve customers and stay safe. Finding ways for everyone to connect with area businesses is critical in keeping our community moving forward during this challenging time.

Find deals, specials and business updates from area businesses at BTB.Inlander.com

SUPPORTING HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY

BACK TO BUSINESS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Spokane County, Washington

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

Arts & Culture Guide, Volume 6

While events are on hold, the local arts and entertainment scene is finding creative ways to connect — ARTS & CULTURE and planning for a brighter Guide future. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Podium sports tourism complex going up above Riverfront Park.

You can read about how they should be opening just as things get back to normal. We also checked in on some of our favorite local teams, like the Shock and the Chiefs, movie theaters, comedy clubs and bowling centers. ◆ VOLUME 6 PRESENTED BY

A GUIDE SUPPORTING BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

VOLUME 3 PRESENTED BY

will depend But much of that 2021-22 season. the ever-changing for the coming receptivity and on resources, audience ground. situation on the online performance to exploring new itself in a slightly When it comes BachFest has found models, the Northwest turbulent course of the last nine the better position over not knowmonths. for this new chapter, “We’ve been preparing going to be what it was,” says chapter was who also serves ing that the new cellist Zuill Bailey, for internationally acclaimed “We’ve been expanding just we artistic director. as the festival’s all ready to go, moment. We were exact this to years it faster.” to had to implement limited-run festival moving from a In anticipation of and the Northwest calendar, Bailey creating a video a year-round event spent several years community engageBachFest had already and educational catalogue of concerts for example, is a pay-to-view Miles, YouTube ments. Across the BachFest’s private streams via the are just $20 per concert series that for individual performances channel. Tickets

INSIDE:

Partner Organizations

This one you could call the guide to local comfort food, as we highlighted sandwiches, burgers, breakRESTAURANT fast, pizza, burritos and, of Guide course, cupcakes. Among the many, many great options, you can read all about Smacky’s on Broadway,

and stay safe: hard to serve customers Businesses are working recovery. support our region’s Support them and you

Recreation•Entertainment•Cooking Sports•Staycations•Galleries

BACK TO BUSINESS

Restaurant Guide, Volume 3

HANK'S HATCHETS

Spokane County, Washington

NORTH SPOKANE indoor is an upbeat, urban Hank’s Hatchets Soft drinks available food axe-throwing venue. we allow in outside for purchase, and in Coeur beverages. Also Hatchets and non-alcoholic N. Fourth St. Hank’s are d’Alene, at 2506 group, and masks sanitizes after each moving checking in and space to required when There is plenty of around the building.

3904 N. between groups. maintain distances hankshatchets.com Division St., 309-2722,

ng · culture

dining · shoppi

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BACK TO BUSINESS

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

8 INLANDER

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PAINTING WITH

A TWIST

FRESH SHEET CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE

along hospitality Back To Business guides, effort in support of the the Inlander for special and community of a local marketing more recovery stories weekly pages are part County economy, supported special sections, sharing business · These promote the Spokane along here in the and businesses to help business features. safety, you can follow by leading institutions commerce and public your support. sector brought to you ng.org With the goal of balancing and more share their stories and invite shops in part by Cares Act funding. businesses InlandBizStro resources for links below, as local restaurants, Inlander, and via the ovid.org • Financial 9 resources KindnessNotC OCTOBER 1, 2020 INLANDER more

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Please enjoy Back to Business Guide 7 and remember to continue to support our local businesses!

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BACK TO BUSINESS Partner Organizations VOLUME 7

5

COOKING

Fun in the

Kitchen

From hands-on learning to virtual classes, home cooks have lots of choices to help expand their skills in Spokane For many people, one of the earliest, most comforting places to pick up a shutdown hobby was the kitchen, whether baking bread, cooking new recipes or making use of that Instapot for the first time.

Once that kitchen creativity gets flowing, it’s easy to want a new challenge, and thankfully, many people in the area offer lessons for creating next-level recipes from scratch.

After the first shutdown this spring, the KITCHEN ENGINE not only saw a huge uptick in shoppers looking for bakeware, but when restrictions loosened they were able to again offer their popular cooking classes.

With some restrictions still in place, the format was tweaked, explains Eric Frickle, who’s owned the store in the Flour Mill with his parents since 2006. Rather than have large groups around big tables, they started teaching in front of two-person table stations distanced from other students.

For two people, the price usually ranges from about $110 to $130 per class, he says, which includes hands-on instruction for about two hours, eating the meal you make (and sometimes taking home leftovers), and a discount on any kitchenware you might need.

“Some of our more popular classes are sushi, pasta making, and we do artisan pizza,” Frickle says. “In the past we’ve had baking classes that include pastries and bread — it depends on what chefs and local enthusiasts I’m able to find to do the classes.”

Classes are again temporarily halted during the current shutdown, but there’s a bright future, as the store plans to open an even larger adjacent space sometime next year that will be solely dedicated to cooking classes, Frickle says.

“Keep an eye on our website, and we do send out a newsletter, so we’ll try and keep people up to date on what’s happening with classes,” Frickle says. “As soon as we’re able to offer them again, we will.” (Find more at TheKitchenEngine.com.)

Meanwhile, over at WANDERLUST DELICATO, owner Amber Park made a similar shift to two-person class registrations for her popular classes, with 10 people total allowed under the rules this fall.

In a year when few people got to travel anywhere, Park says she tried to offer some fun culinary adventures for the taste buds, with tastes of Greece, Italy and France. Classes usually start at $45 per person,

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and for the destination classes, which included wine pairings to go with the meals students prepared, it was $160 per couple.

“Thankfully we have a huge beautiful kitchen that’s big and open,” Park says. “We really focused on destination classes as a way to satisfy the wanderlust we all have right now.”

During those classes, music from the region of focus might even help set the mood.

Under current restrictions, those classes are on hold, but Park says she still offers gift certificates for the classes that can be redeemed later. Plus, she’s been able to work with some companies to offer corporate team building where employees get gift baskets with some needed things (say, a ravioli stamp) and each person shops for their own ingredients in advance of a short virtual class.

Until classes can open again, Park plans to keep the kitchen in use by continuing to prepare meals for Hope House at least once a week. (Find more about future classes at WanderlustDelicato.com.)

Luckily, there is at least one local business that’s been successful this year at offering online cooking classes. Registered dietitian nutritionist Monika Jacobson (who coincidentally has taught at Wanderlust Delicato before) says her business EAT MOVE THRIVE SPOKANE has seen a wonderful response from people interested in her cooking classes taught over Zoom.

“I did the first cooking classes back in May, and I kind of threw it out there as, ‘Well, I’ll see how this goes,’” Jacobson says. “Honestly, I hadn’t heard of anybody doing them yet.”

The response was great, with many people signing up.

“I think timing-wise it was really good. Everybody was really tired of being inside and super bored, and the weather wasn’t amazing yet,” she says. “People missed seeing family and friends, so a lot of times people will gather a group of family or friends together for one of my classes.”

Adult classes run between $12 and $15 per person, and participants get a recipe and shopping list the week before so they can have everything ready when they sign on.

Jacobson has also started a kids cooking club that’s $65 for four weeks of classes and includes an apron, SPONSORED CONTENT

WANDERLUST DELICATO or $189 for 12 weeks.

“I think it’s really important that kids build a healthy foundation with their relationship with food and cooking at a young age,” she says, noting that parents have told her their children seem more willing to try new foods when it’s something they’ve cooked themselves.

Some of her adult classes have been held on Sunday afternoons, to help prep or meal plan multiple things for the week ahead, with nutrition and health in mind.

“We’ll often cook stuff that can hold up well in the fridge for a few days, like a big pot of soup or refrigerator salads where you make this on Sunday and have lunch for the next few days,” Jacobson says. “I think my classes stand out as something unique because they’re run by a registered dietitian, so I’m adding a lot of nutrition tips and facts as I go.”

Find more about her schedule of classes at EatMoveThriveSpokane.com. ◆

Dining

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LONGHORN BARBECUE CO-OWNER ZAC SMITH

The past nine months have simultaneously been a rocky road of economic struggle and creative solutions from members of the Spokane area’s food and hospitality industry. Lowlights include a second ban on indoor dining during the heart of winter, forcing restaurants to scramble to erect heated tents on patios and in parking lots. Highlights, meanwhile, have offered hope we’ll overcome this trial, too, as the community continues rallying to support locally owned restaurants through grassroots fundraisers and individual commitments to regularly order takeout from favorite places. Food has even moved into the virtual sphere, with cooking classes, wine tastings and other events heading online (the food and drink itself is still very tangible).

While there are still challenges ahead, the region’s dining scene and its supporters have proven their unwavering strength.

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FOUNDER’S CARD PROGRAM TO HELP OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY: OUR GOAL: To work together with our customers to help support other local businesses during this time and to reward you for joining us on our mission! We want to create a community that works together for the common good.

FOUNDERS’ CARD PERKS/REWARDS: An additional $50 when you initially purchase your Founders’ Card: • $20 added to your card on your birthday • 10% added each time you reload your card to the $250 amount.

colberttradingcompany.com • 5O9-2O9-8O86 COLBERT

14 N POST ST

WHAT IS A FOUNDERS’ CARD? Our Founder’s card is a $250.00 card that can be used as a gift card to our restaurant.

When you purchase the card an additional $50.00 will be added as a “thank you” from us.

• For every 4 Founders’ Cards sold during this time we will purchase $100 worth of gift cards from other locally owned small businesses in our community to raffle off to you; our Founders’ Card holders!

• Current Founders’ Card Members will automatically be included into our raffle giveaways!

CARDS MAY BE PURCHASED IN OUR DRIVE-THRU ANY DAY 7AM-2PM

18711 N YALE RD

SPOKANE VALLEY

509-598-8927 11003 E SPRAGUE AVE

F röhliche Weihnachten All your German favorites to-go

We Use ONLY Organic Tofu & Non-GMO Rice (509) 230-8629 dbaliasianbistro.com AIRWAY HEIGHTS

Spokane’s authentic source for German dishes and fine American cuisine!

12924 W SUNSET HWY STE 6

SPOKANE [ NORTH ]

1812 W FRANCIS AVE

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ANIMALS

BARK, A RESCUE PUB

Creature Comforts Channel your inner animal by visiting cuddly critters in the county At a time when so many of us are feeling isolated and starved for company, it’s not a bad idea to turn to our pals in the animal kingdom for a little companionship. Heck, they’re probably more forgiving of our idiosyncrasies and personal foibles than some of our friends or family. And some of them could really do with a little kindness.

Fortunately, even under COVID-19 restrictions, there are plenty of spots around Spokane County where you can observe wild animals at one remove, hang out with potential pets in need of a forever home or even help care for critters who’ve had a rough life.

KITTY CANTINA

Billing itself as “half café, half cat sanctuary,” the Kitty Cantina is out to pair homeless cats from SpokAnimal with loving owners. On account of COVID-19 precautions, appointments are by reservation only. The $6 cover charge nets you just shy of an hour of snuggle time and a $2 credit toward drinks (or $1 toward an adult beverage), which include Doma coffee from the full-service espresso bar or craft beers from YaYa Brewing Co. and Lumberbeard Brewing. Once you’ve had time to fall in love with your kitty and sleep on your decision to adopt, the staff will walk you through the next steps to make it official. All cats have been sterilized, microchipped and vaccinated; adoption fees start at $25.

6704 N. Nevada St., kittycantina.com, 558-7093

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BARK, A RESCUE PUB

Similar to Kitty Cantina, Bark is a partnership with the Spokane Humane Society that aims to introduce caring humans to their future four-legged housemates.

There are up to 16 dogs and cats on-site at any time awaiting adoption. Although indoor dining is off-limits for the time being, you can still get takeout and delivery meals (think elevated pub fare like burgers, wraps and flatbreads) as well as make appointments to meet with the animals in the adjacent playroom. Up to five people from the same household can be in one visiting party. If you’re already a pet owner, you can even arrange a meet-and-greet between your current pet(s) and your prospective adoptee to make sure they get along. 905 N. Washington St., barkrescuepub.com, 418-2551

CAT TALES WILDLIFE CENTER

House pets aren’t the only ones who find themselves abandoned or homeless. Cat Tales rescues the feral animals who’ve been orphaned, mistreated, retired or mistaken for domesticated animals by misguided owners. And despite its name, the sanctuary is actually home to foxes, coyotes, bears and wolves in addition to lions, tigers, lynxes and bobcats, all of whom have their own stories and personalities. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 among humans as well as animals, Cat Tales is asking guests to book private tours. You can do that SPONSORED CONTENT

in advance by visiting their website or just giving them a call. 17020 N. Newport Hwy., cattales.org, 238-4126

TERRA, A FARM SANCTUARY

Located in northwest Spokane County on the edge of Indian Prairie, Terra provides a place for retired, unwanted and abused animals to live out their lives with respect and free from harm. The vegan-minded sanctuary has experienced some tough times of late, with at least one animal suffering from illness and its co-founder and director bed-bound following a serious accident. To get your own animal fix while also providing much-needed support, you can volunteer directly on the farm or donate via the website. 6014 N. Rambo Rd., terrafarmsanctuary.org, 368-0670

RIVER'S WISH ANIMAL SANCTUARY A kindred spirit to Terra, River’s Wish is a nonprofit, allvolunteer refuge for maltreated animals. It’s a safe haven for rabbits, horses, burros, cows, turkeys, pigs and more. Though the facility isn’t open to visitors during COVID-19, they do offer a short virtual tour in the form of a slideshow and videos, and you can feed the animals from home by donating a bale of hay, grain and other feed. Animal sponsorships, wall art and branded accessories can all be purchased from the sanctuary’s online shop and help sustain it during these difficult times. riverswishanimalsanctuary.org, 951-3650 ◆

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’s DE oLureHooln idays! y

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SPOKANE [ NORTH, SOUTH ] • SPOKANE VALLEY

Rescuing Foods to Feed Spokane's Hungry It it safe. It is simple. It is the right thing to do.

Our annual fundraisers have all been impacted by Covid-19.

Please remember these special events in the future.

Dine Out to Feed Spokane Civic Theater Friend Raiser Breakfast All your Faves and Cocktails, Too!

FeedSpokane.org 509-216-7364

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SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

333 W SPOKANE FALLS BLVD

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Reserve Your Magical Terrace Igloo Under The Stars

dining

www.davenportigloos.com or more information about Back To Business SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

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To inquire about being included in future Back To Business editions

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Washington Cracker Building Thu thru Sat 4-8 (509) 464-6541 . drinkhogwash.com

SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

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304 W PACIFIC AVE

VOLUME 7

SPOKANE [ SOUTH ]

SPONSORED CONTENT

926 S MONROE ST

Welcome Bac k !

korean & japanese cuisine + sushi wide selection of sake and beer

family owned & operated

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SPOKANE [ NORTH ]

7458 N DIVISION STREET

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED JUICE & SMOOTHIE BAR

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open daily 8am-3pm • libertylakejuice.com • 509.944.5552 SPOKANE [ NORTH ]

101 E HASTINGS RD SUITE A AND B

LIBERTY LAKE

1334 LIBERTY LAKE DR

FOR NOW, NOT FOREVER Keep Wearing a Mask

Keep Washing UP

Keep DISTANCING

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RECREATION

Get Back in the Swing Keep your golf game going year-round at Spokane County’s swing suites The Spokane region is blessed with an incredible array

BLOC YARD

Rock (Climb) On

of golf courses to keep everyone from low-handicappers to weekend duffers happy. And thanks to our weather, it’s conceivable to play a round every month of the year. Of course, a tough winter can make that impossible, and some of us would rather wait until it warms up before hitting the links.

The downside of a golf offseason, though, is having your swing fall apart when you spend months away from your clubs.

Thankfully, Spokane County is home to a number of golf simulators and swing suites that can keep you in swinging shape year-round. Some are designed for more experienced players, while others allow for an hour or two of fun when beginners and experts can play together.

How local climbing gyms have been adjusting to COVID-19 There's nothing quite as rewarding as reaching for the next hold on the climbing wall and surpassing your personal best. Whether you’re a professional looking for places to practice in between climbs or just looking to expand your exercise routine and get some cross-training, indoor rock-climbing walls are great for strength building, balance and confidence.

The pandemic has shaken up most of our lives, including our exercise routines. If the current global affairs have you feeling helpless or disempowered, this might be the perfect time to take up indoor climbing and remind yourself of your own strength. Or, if that doesn’t work, you’ll at least have fun taxing a different muscle group than usual.

Located in Downtown Spokane,WILD WALLS CLIMBING GYM offers yoga classes, youth activities and, during non-pandemic times, space for group events and parties. Wild Walls has adapted a set of protocols to keep workers and customers safe during the pandemic, including a reduced capacity, regular sanitation and temperature checks. Once the state of Washington or Spokane County has made it to Phase 3, the gym will resume its Acro Yoga classes. These use the same balancing techniques perfected on the wall in a unique, partnered yoga practice that lets you take your

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poses to the air.

Up north, BLOC YARD BOULDERING GYM offers an unparalleled bouldering experience.

Bloc Yard Bouldering is also following health and safety guidelines from Gov. Jay Inslee, including mask-wearing, restricting water fountain use to the refilling of bottles, and urging climbers to stay home and get well if they have symptoms. The gym offers fun weekly specials including a Ladies’ Night on Wednesday evenings and discounted entry for everyone on Fridays.

If you’re out in the Valley, you’re probably aware of the excellent indoor climbing wall at the SPOKANE VALLEY YMCA. This wall has certified staff and equipment on hand as resources for members ages 4 and older. You also can rent the entire wall for a special event. And if you’re serious about climbing, you can earn your Belay Certification through the Spokane Valley Y, which will allow you to check out equipment yourself, and belay other climbers.

Wherever you decide to go, you will find compassionate experts there to guide you from the floor to the wall and back again.

Who knows, after your first climb you could be hooked and start a Pinterest board of all of the mountains you’ll go scale once we can travel again. Or, maybe you’ll be extra grateful to return to your feet. ◆ SPONSORED CONTENT

GOLFTEC GOLFTEC Spokane is definitely designed for the more serious golfers looking to up their game. Personal coaches are at the ready to help players improve, although now those coaches have a daily wellness check before they start lessons.

Among the COVID-related updates GOLFTEC has undertaken are masks required for all players and coaches, private bays for practicing your swing, heavy cleaning and sanitizing between lessons, and an online system of booking your lessons or practice in advance, just like booking a tee time. You can pretty much get in and out of there touchless, unless you want to sample some (sanitized for your protection) new clubs.

For the more laid-back golfers and folks who just like to have a drink and maybe hit a few balls, the Spokane region has a couple of TOPGOLF SWING SUITES that cater to having fun with all levels of player. At NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO, up to eight people can play at a time, and their Topgolf outlet has all the equipment you’ll need. While you’re there, you can order food and drinks delivered to your suite, and you’re the DJ, too.

The other Topgolf Swing Suite outlet is at Spokane Valley’s FLYING SQUIRREL, best known as a massive trampoline park.

It’s temporarily closed due to COVID restrictions, but when it reopens, the swing suite offers any number of games for the golfers in your life, plus food and beverages that would never fit in a golf cart. ◆

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101 F STREET

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PRE-ORDERS ACCEPTED THROUGH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH

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A Bottle of Opera Prima Brut Sparkling Wine

Sweet Potato Mediterranean Quiche

32 oz. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Brown Sugared Pepper Bacon

Strawberry Garnish

Loaded Cheesy Hash Browns

Two 50ml Bottles of Grand Marnier

Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Platter

4 Complimentary Mimosa Glasses

Lavender Lemon Scones

ADD ONS

INCLUDES

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100 N. HAYFORD RD

SPOKANE VALLEY

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Open for Take-Out & Delivery DOWNTOWN | 818 W SPRAGUE 4760650 NORTH | 9602 N NEWPORT HWY 4670292 NudoRamen.com

dining

or more information about Back To Business

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Visit BTB.Inlander.com To inquire about being included in future Back To Business editions

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Curbside Pick-Up Available • (509) 922-9136 Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri 9am-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm

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21902 E WELLESLEY AVE

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10 S POST STREET

VOLUME 7

SPOKANE [SOUTH ]

SPONSORED CONTENT

107 W 9TH AVE

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SINCE 1972!

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dining

or more information about Back To Business

open 11am-9pm wed-mon, closed tuesdays • (509) 824-0883

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SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

Family owned and operated since 1978 152 SOUTH SHERMAN

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12303 E TRENT AVE

VOLUME 7

LIBERTY LAKE

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102 N HOWARD ST

VOLUME 7

19

WHEELS

TIM DUNN AT THE BIKE HUB

The Big Bike Boom Since the pandemic stripped bike stores bare last spring, this winter may be your best chance to shop and get lucky This year, bicycles were the toilet paper of transportation.

When the pandemic hit, so many people wanted so many bicycles that the shelves at local bike shops were practically empty. After all, during the shutdown, cycling was one of few clearly safe activities available. In Washington state, bike shops were considered exceptions to the governor’s stay-home order.

“People who were home from school wanted to ride bikes,” says Kyle Mensing, sales associate at The BIKE HUB. “People who couldn’t go to the gym wanted to bike. And people who had more time on their hands wanted to bike.”

And that meant that even as some industries were nearly completely shuttered, bike sales were skyrocketing.

“Initially it was fantastic because everybody was getting outside and riding their bike,” says Morgan Johnson, owner of MOJO CYCLERY. At BICYCLE BUTLER in North Spokane, owner Kathy Arnold witnessed the same sort of exuberance.

“The best part of it was seeing new faces — seeing people that we have seen for 27 years, and then seeing people that were new to the sport,” she says.

“Kids were going outside and riding rather than staying inside with video games. A lot of people were pleasure-riding rather than commuting.”

They weren’t just shelling out for new bikes, either.

Repair parts were more popular as well, as folks took

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their janky old bicycles out of their garages and tried to get repaired. They either asked the bike shops to fix them up, or they decided to take a crack at tinkering at home.

“Maybe it’s a parent-child relationship they can build by working on bikes together,” Johnson says.

But, quickly, local bike shops ran into a problem.

They ran out of bikes. In fact, everyone ran out of bikes.

Manufacturers couldn’t keep up with demand.

“From about May to about September, I wasn’t able to get any bikes, really,” says Paul Edwards, owner of ARGONNE CYCLE. Parts became sparse, too. Sometimes, stores have had to innovate.

“With parts, we’re playing a game,” Mensign says.

“We can’t get everything we want all the time. We’re making things happen, and we’re finding ways to get people taken care of.”

It’s only now, in the depths of winter, that bikes are starting to roll back into stores, Mensing says, though it will still take months before their inventory is fully recovered. With the possibility of another big boom in bike purchases this spring, now might be your best hope for a bike or bike equipment. Get your bike prepared for the warmer months — or even better, get outfitted for the colder ones.

“We’ve got hats and gloves to help keep you warm,” Mensing says. “We have some shoe covers and outerwear items for riding through the winter.”

Since winter roads can get sloshy and slushy, local SPONSORED CONTENT

bike stores recommended fitting fenders on your bike.

Those roads can get icy, too.

“We have studded tires that are pretty fantastic with the black ice,” says Johnson.

And if things get really snowy, Arnold notes that they sell “fat tire” bikes. These are the snowshoes of cycling. The wheels’ big surface area allows the rider to ride on top of the snow and navigate the bumpier terrain.

And if all else fails, you can turn your outdoor bike into a makeshift Peloton. Bike trainers lift your back wheels off the ground and provide resistance, allowing you to peddle indoors without riding through your bay window.

Better yet, instead of deciding between video games and exercise, choose both. Apps like Zwift turn your indoor bike experience into a game of sorts, connecting directly to your trainer. When the screen in front of you changes, it gets harder or easier to pedal.

“If you’re going uphill, the trainer can change your resistance — a virtual reality experience,” Mensing says.

Some products, particularly mountain bikes and kids bikes, are still difficult to find, however. With the vaccine on the horizon but distribution still uncertain, bike shop owners say they’re not quite sure what to expect from the spring.

“Going into next year, we’re hanging on and still going for the ride, so to speak,” Arnold says. ◆

Shopping

AUNTIE'S BOOKSTORE

Mon-Fri 10-4:30pm Sat 10-4pm | 509.324.8612 SPOKANE [ NORTH ]

3131 N DIVISION ST

Independent since 1978 This pandemic year was already a disaster for the retail sector well before the holiday shopping season began. But having a surge in coronavirus arrive just as we were taking down Halloween decorations and putting up Christmas lights is a whole new level of scary for local stores who rely on fourthquarter sales to stay open the rest of the year. That’s tough to do when you have severe limitations on capacity thanks to COVID, not to mention a clientele that’s undergone their own economic stresses brought on by the virus. Spokane County’s retailers are persevering, though, through creative online options, personalized shopping appointments and the person-toperson service they’re known for — that doesn’t change even while we wear masks and socially distance.

Now more than ever, it’s time to buy local.

On the corner of Main & Washington, across from the Grand Hotel 402 W. Main • (509) 838-0206 • auntiesbooks.com SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

402 W MAIN AVE

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Aerial Landscapes Artist, ben joyce Aerial Landscapes Artist, ben joyce

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shopping

or more information about Back To Business

Aerial Landscapes SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

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806 W 3RD AVE

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VOLUME 7

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VOLUME 7

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VOLUME 7

25

GAMES

JEDI ALLIANCE OWNER TYLER ARNOLD

Calling Timeout Local game shops and arcades anxiously await a return to in-person tournaments and carefree fun It's been a roller coaster of a year for game shops and venues.

First, there was a complete shutdown in March, lasting about a month. Then came a return to in-person shopping, but no store-hosted tournaments or events.

Early this fall, many of the area’s independent game shops were able to slowly phase back into in-person play for popular games like Pokemon or Magic: The Gathering after installing plexiglass barriers on tables, greatly limiting the number of participants, and spacing out play spaces.

Now, shops like the COMIC BOOK SHOP, with three Spokane-area locations, are back to just limited shopping capacity.

“We only had a few weeks of gaming. People had just started coming back out,” says Comic Book Shop owner Craig Barnett. “Everyone was really excited, and then we had to pull the plug again.”

Even so, Barnett has an optimistic outlook for his three stores, one inside NorthTown Mall, a second in Spokane Valley and a third on north Division Street.

The Division store moved this summer from its former spot on the hill closer to downtown; now at 1402 N. Division.

“Overall, we are doing pretty well,” he says.

“We’re right about or a little above where we were last year” in terms of sales.

That’s compared with about an 18 percent drop Comic Book Shop was experiencing in mid-June.

Barnett partly cites a recent resurgence of interest in the Pokemon collectible card game as helping drive sales.

Plus, steady support from loyal, local customers.

“People are staying at home and they remembered

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how much they enjoyed [Pokemon] as kids, and it started hitting the internet and boosted sales dramatically,” Barnett says. “We’ve always been really into it ourselves, and now we’re seeing a lot more customers.”

Holiday shopping has also been a welcome boon.

With all retailers in Washington still capped at 25 percent capacity, however, there’s often a line stretching out the door, especially at the NorthTown store.

Besides Pokemon cards, Comic Book Shop has seen a steady, pandemic-spurred interest in board games. After launching an online storefront this spring to help supplement in-person sales, Barnett says Comic Book Shop staff have been shipping out orders “all over the place.” The bulk of the store’s vintage comic book sales have also moved mostly online via eBay. Regular customers are just as eager as Barnett and his staff for the return of regularly scheduled in-store tournaments, although there are many unknown factors dictating that timeline.

“The first day we can run tournaments, we’ll run tournaments,” he says. “We get emails constantly about if we have things scheduled. Everybody really, really misses it.”

A return to in-person gaming is likely to take even longer for another Spokane entertainment venue, the retro arcade JEDI ALLIANCE. The pandemic’s shutdown has, however, offered at least one unexpected opportunity for the nonprofit arcade’s owner and avid pop culture collector, Tyler Arnold.

“We’ve been closed almost nine months,” says SPONSORED CONTENT

Arnold. “After about two months in just sitting around, I thought if we ever thought about moving, now would be the time.”

While he’s not ready to announce the address of the arcade and pop culture museum’s new location in Spokane Valley, he says it’s about three miles from Jedi Alliance’s current home in east central Spokane.

At more than 7,000 square feet, the arcade’s new location is also nearly double the size of the old, allowing for better social distancing, if that’s still a need when arcade venues are finally allowed to reopen (currently not until Phase 4 of Washington’s reopening plan), and for the housing of even more retro game cabinets.

On the positive side, Arnold says that since the Alliance’s entire collection is privately owned by him and his son, Ashton, there’s no risk of Jedi Alliance permanently closing because of the pandemic. The venue charges a flat cover for the public to play any of its games as many times as they want during each visit.

Other income comes from private events and donations.

“I would have this stuff whether I shared it with the public or not, but I open to the public because it’s more fun to have people come in and play games and stuff,” he says. “So when we closed down there wasn’t a whole lot of overhead, so that has really been our secret to surviving.”

Arnold hopes to have the new location for Jedi Alliance ready to open in late January, depending on the virus and the state’s reopening protocols, and says those interested in updates on that progress should follow along on social media. ◆

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VOLUME 7

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VOLUME 7

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VOLUME 7

29

STREAM

Until We Gather Again Here are the local spots streaming live concert performances Live entertainment is undoubtedly one of the most missed elements of daily life, with music venues, theaters, symphonies and stages sitting quiet this year, with no end in sight. Thankfully, vaccines are on the way and provide a glimmer of hope that some entertainment could return next summer. Until then, local groups and venues have gotten creative with live online streaming of band performances, symphony music, drag shows, variety shows and workshops. It’s easy and affordable to support local entertainers while getting a taste of that which has been missing from our lives for so long now.

NEATO BURRITO

With such a small space at the beloved Neato Burrito and Baby Bar, COVID has basically halted all in-person service for this entire year. But those feeling withdrawals for their favorite little spot in downtown are in luck when it comes to chances to livestream shows that are now happening there. Throughout December and into January, you’ll find local shows from about $5 to $10 per ticket, with a special chance to get New Year’s Eve tickets and donate to charities at the same time for $20. BabyBarNeatoBurrito.veeps.com, 847-1234

GLOBE BAR & KITCHEN

Every Friday you can check out a live drag show performance streamed from the Globe’s in-house basement studio setup. This summer, the isolated area lovingly called “the bunker” allowed the venue to offer livestreamed shows to guests inside the bar. While things are limited to just the patio and takeout currently, you can still get some fun Friday night vibes by ordering takeout (even drinks can be ordered with food delivery!) and streaming the show. globespokane.com/live, 443-4014

NORTHWEST BACHFEST

Promising “better than front row” seats for their Across the Miles series, Northwest BachFest is offering a variety of performances between now and April that you can stream on YouTube at any point within a four-day window. Tickets are $20 per performance for an access code, and of course your whole household can watch for that one price. Nwbachfest.com, 326-4942

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE

ANDY RUMSEY (LEFT) AND RYAN TUCKER AT NEATO BURRITO 30

VOLUME 7

While the latest shutdown has Lucky You Lounge going back into hibernation again with its restaurant offerings, live shows that have been broadcast from the newly enclosed stage at the venue will be available to stream through the end of December. Tickets are $10 per show. LuckyYouLounge.veeps.com, 474-0511

IMAGINE JAZZ

Music collective Imagine Jazz have streamed live performances and workshops from the Monroe Room throughout this year and plan to bring back more of those opportunities to tune in online in January. Imaginejazz.org ◆

SPONSORED CONTENT

CULTURE

FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

For the sectors of the art world that rely on filling a room to capacity, 2020 was a particularly rough year. And yet so many venues and theaters embraced clever workarounds to the lack of public gatherings. Concert venues big and small mastered the art of the livestream, virtual shows that were meant to capture the concert experience as closely as possible.

Theaters did something similar, staging plays that patrons could beam right into their living rooms.

Movie theaters, meanwhile, made up for a dearth of new Hollywood releases by hosting digital rentals of indie and foreign films so folks could host a movie night and support a cinema. Once audiences are allowed back into enclosed spaces, we’ll all be appreciating the shared experience of art more than we ever have.

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VOLUME 7

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VOLUME 7

33

VENUES

THE BIG DIPPER IN 2019

Pressing Pause The Big Dipper and other local music venues are still waiting to stage live shows again The banner that's covering the entire facade of THE BIG DIPPER is designed to make you stop and read it. The all-ages music venue, which has sat on the corner of Washington and Second for decades, is normally pretty noticeable on its own, with its blue brick exterior and the astrological mural on one of its walls.

But this banner has a decidedly more capitalistic feel to it, and it might stop you short. In fact, it looks like the sort of thing a high-end real estate company might drape over a building they’ve just acquired to either knock down or fill with expensive condos. And that’s the idea.

“The hope is that people will see that that’s not actually what it is,” explains Dawson Hoerner, coowner of the Big Dipper. “But it’s what it could be if we weren’t able to get any help.”

The banner comes courtesy of Keep Music Live, a nationwide initiative started by indie music venues and designed to raise awareness about the plight of concert venues everywhere. (You can donate to the Washington state campaign at keepmusiclivewa.com.) The organization has even lobbied Congress for financial assistance. After all, they were some of the first businesses to close their doors when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and they’ll be among the last to reopen when the virus has finally been contained.

So the Big Dipper isn’t going anywhere for now, but

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it has been sitting silent since March, much like SPOKANE ARENA, BERSERK, BING CROSBY THEATER and other music-focused venues. There have been some attempts to host livestreaming concerts or other fundraisers, Hoerner says, but none of them have quite taken off. For now, they’re playing the waiting game.

“It feels lonely when you go down there,” Hoerner says “We don’t know when we’ll be open again.

People contact us, asking me about [booking] dates in spring and summer, and I don’t really know what to say. We’re definitely in a limbo.”

That purgatorial waiting period has affected everybody. THE PIN, an all-ages club that amassed a following for its blend of hard-rock concerts and drag shows, shut its doors earlier this year, citing the pandemic as a contributing factor.

Livestreams have been an alternative source of income both for venues and artists while in-person performances are a no-go. LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, the Browne’s Addition restaurant and venue, has hosted several prerecorded, slickly produced concerts in the final months of 2020. The downtown staple BABY BAR, which has long been a go-to spot for touring indie bands, has also been hosting livestreams, with a roster of virtual concerts and comedy shows booked well into 2021.

There does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel, however. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, one of the co-authors of SPONSORED CONTENT

a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package, told Variety that she was confident the Senate would pass the bill this month. If that happens, it could mean that billions of dollars in relief funds, spearheaded by the National Independent Venue Association and their Save Our Stages Act, could be headed down to small arts venues.

That would likely be a life preserver for a lot of venues like the Dipper, whose business models rely on full-capacity crowds.

In the meantime, Hoerner says she and her husband and co-owner, Dan, are focused on boosting the voices and virtual events of other local musicians and businesses, including the aforementioned venues, through social media. It’s important, she says, that cities everywhere maintain and foster their arts scenes, not only because it contributes to the economy, but because it hopefully inspires people to expand their horizons.

The thrill of seeing live music is still second to none, and after such a long drought of concerts, the eventual resurrection of live music will no doubt be as vital as ever.

“It makes downtown interesting, and makes the culture interesting. It brings new ideas to people … and gives them an opportunity to experience or feel something they might not think about,” Hoerner says. “It’s a personal experience, where you really feel like you’re part of what’s happening.” ◆

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VOLUME 7

35

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VOLUME 7

37

ARTS

Saving Spokane's Soul The arts and culture sector has been beaten down by the pandemic, and it will take all of us to keep it alive in 2021 and beyond

By Melissa Huggins The cultural community in Spokane is resilient, tough, and accustomed to making magic with few resources. Artists have been innovating, pivoting and getting creative for decades before those were buzzwords. My faith in the arts community’s determination and pluck never wavers. But let me say plainly: Arts and culture in the Spokane region took a series of punches this year, and we’re still only a few rounds into the bout. While we are hopeful, and working hard behind the scenes to be ready to reopen fully, arts and culture face many unknowns in 2021 and 2022.

While the vaccine news is thrilling — and we should celebrate good news whenever we can — the reality HUGGINS is that for arts and culture, an initial vaccine rollout does not necessarily mean back to business as usual. It appears critical mass may not be reached until fall, which means large gatherings (the heart of performing arts) may not be possible until late 2021. Most venues will face a phased reopening, with safeguards in place, and similar to restaurants, it remains to be seen whether it pencils out to open at limited capacity. Creatives in Spokane will still have to fight for their livelihoods, careers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the heart and soul of this community. A few of the best ways to support arts and culture in the near future are through buying local, hiring creatives and donating.

Buying local: Create a challenge for yourself in the new year by seeing how much of your usual spending you can shift to local restaurants, local cafés, local small businesses. Giant box stores, corporate fast food and online retailers are raking in money hand over fist, and that money doesn’t stay in our community; it flows to corporate headquarters and CEO bonuses. They don’t need you, and right now, the beauty is that you don’t

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need them either. The best sandwiches in Spokane are not found at a drive-thru with a history of discrimination; they’re found at a dozen local restaurants who’ve made ordering to-go and curbside pickup easier than ever. Looking for books to read this winter? Local independents can ship any book you could want to your door. Instead of increasing Jeff Bezos’ stock options, your purchase will ensure real people, friends and neighbors, can pay their staff and keep the lights on.

Hire Local Creatives: This region has thousands of talented, brilliant creatives who can provide every service under the sun. Photography, music lessons, website design, videography, florals. Custom jewelry and leather goods, furniture or signage. Graphic designers, architects, interior designers, landscape architects: They can help you make progress on those projects that (if you’re anything like me) have been lingering on the list for years now. Many local creatives have expertise and training in multiple areas rather than a single specialty: the welder who’s also an electrician, the graphic designers who also paint murals, the florist certified in sustainable landscape design, the chorale singer who is also an auto body expert: The list goes on. Building a relationship with one artist by hiring them on a small project can open up a whole world of possibilities that you’d never have discovered otherwise, and they can tailor each project to your budget size.

Donate: Sometimes it’s hard to remember that small donations make a difference. If I can only give $10 this month, is that worth it? How far will $35 go?

Remember that every single dollar gets combined with someone else’s dollar and adds up to something bigger, and that is worth contributing to.

One example: At the beginning of the pandemic, Spokane Arts launched a crowdfunding campaign to offer small grants to artists who’d had months of scheduled work canceled overnight. People gave $5, and $10, and $25, and I got to see those donations combine into blocks of $500 grants that we distributed directly to artists. All the small donations, with the help of a few larger ones, added up to over $30,000 directly donated by community members, plus another $25,000 thrown into the pot from a private donor.

Over 100 local artists received grants as a result. That SPONSORED CONTENT

process gave us data on what artists were facing, which we took to city and state leaders to demonstrate the pandemic’s impacts. That, in turn, led to federal aid being allocated to the sector, which meant we were able to award another $50,000 in direct support to individual creatives whose gigs were canceled by COVID-19. None of that would have been possible without the initial generosity of the people who tossed $5 into the pot and encouraged their friends to do so, too. Every little bit does matter.

2021 holds a new set of challenges and uncertainty, beyond what’s been faced this year.

Federal and state legislators will need encouragement to follow the lead of other states and countries, from Ohio and Oregon to Germany and Ireland, who are passing massive stimulus packages recognizing both the economic impact and human value of arts and culture. We hope county and city leaders will treat the creative sector as the economic linchpin it is: a crucial driver of tourism, tax revenue, and key to recruiting students and businesses, not to mention the educational and entertainment opportunities provided to the community at large. Ideally the foundations, families and individual donors in a position to do so will give to the arts, allowing nonprofits to keep offering their services.

It will take a village to rally around arts and culture through 18-plus months of near-total shutdowns and cancellations, but I know Spokane can do it.

For Spokane to be the complicated place that I love — flawed yet full of possibility, beautiful, frustrating, charming, gritty, and poised on the brink of significant change — for that Spokane to evolve, we must make sure our cultural and culinary gems still exist by the end of next year, and the next. Because without festivals and street fairs, local breweries, wineries and food trucks; without theater, live music, comedy and dance; without museums and galleries and bookstores; without record stores and music shops and printmaking and creative reuse spaces, Spokane would not be Spokane. It simply would not be the place we know and love.

Losing our artistic community would be like missing our soul, with no guarantee we could find it again.

But make no mistake: The energy and excitement to create art and bring people together is strong as ever.

The creative community has plenty of fight. All we need is you in our corner. ◆ Melissa Huggins is the executive director of Spokane Arts.

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Lights the Way 10 thAnnual Gala

culture

or more information about Back To Business

A Vibrant Virtual Fundraiser, February 6th at 5:30 PM Register at LeadershipSpokane.org

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Autism is a lifelong journey

Northwest Autism Center wants to THANK the Spokane community for their support. The year 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us but with your continued assistance we can move into 2021 with hope for a better future.

Please help us by making a monetary donation before the end of the year by going to www.nwautism.org and clicking on the “donate” button.

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creating and selling hand-made items sip cocktails, eat great food, and get knotty with friends at a virtual macrame class

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VOLUME 7

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culture

or more information about Back To Business

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Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival 2021 PRESENTED IN VIRTUAL FORM

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SPOKANE [ NORTH ]

VOLUME 7

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SPOKANE

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RESOURCES

SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT'S GWENDOLYN HALEY AND PATRICK ROEWE

Evolving Mission Spokane County’s libraries are proving flexible in order to serve the community through the pandemic Local libraries aren't what they used to be.

Gone is the stereotypical stuffy repository of books, replaced by a hub of activity for all ages occurring both inside the building and beyond the stacks. What can you do at your local library? Research the job market, print documents, listen to a story, take an art class, discover the ever-expanding world of digital books, videos, and other material. These are just a few of the many things you can do at any of Spokane’s vast county and citywide systems.

So when COVID forced their temporary closure, SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT looked to both the past and the future in order to pivot for the public.

The last time they’d experienced any closures was during the windstorm in 2015, says Communications & Development Director Jane Baker.

“Power outages were the issue then, so our libraries that were open provided extra charging stations and a warm place to gather, use the internet and enjoy our collection,” says Baker.

This year, Baker says, they had a different challenge.

“In anticipating an increased demand for downloadable eBooks and audiobooks, the district shifted budget to immediately increase our digital offerings to meet demand,” Baker says.

“With the increased use of the internet, especially for distance-learning, the district applied for and was granted hot spots that were made available for checkout,” something they’re continuing to expand to meet demand.

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The district moved some programs and events online, such as their civic labs and artist-in-residence programs, experimenting with both social media and Zoom to find the best results.

When they were allowed to reopen — albeit briefly in early November — social-distancing guidelines varied according to the size of each of their 11 locations: Airway Heights, Argonne, Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Medical Lake, Moran Prairie, North Spokane, Otis Orchards, Spokane Valley, and The BookEnd in Spokane Valley Mall.

They’ve learned a few things along the way, Baker says.

“Probably the biggest ‘aha’ for us is the popularity of curbside pickup,” including the mobile print service they added and will continue to offer as part of their standard list of services.

“Not only are customers picking up books, DVDs and CDs, but we also offer activity kits that go along with our virtual programs. Parents sign up their kids for the activities and pick up the kits curbside, then log into the program and follow along with the activity or the craft. Families are loving this program.”

Their virtual programs are also a big win. “November’s Disney Trivia had over 100 players,” Baker says.

“The Instant Pot programs are just as popular online as they were in the library, and our own virtual version of Nailed It! had 49 contestants attempting to decorate a turkey-shaped cake.”

Curbside service has also been popular at SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY, which began offering that SPONSORED CONTENT

in June, says Amanda Donovan, director of marketing and communications. They figure they’ve responded to 31,000 curbside requests.

Like the county, SPL has gone back to the drawing board to retool programs. They developed programming on their YouTube channel, redistributed spending to their digital offerings and extended due dates until they could ascertain the best way to handle returns, Donovan says.

Something new is their “book bundles” to replace the browsing experience, says Donovan. “Customers can use our curbside scheduling form to pick a book bundle in their favorite genre, and then a staff member will hand select four or five suggested titles.” Call it your own personal librarian service!

Their online programming has gotten a significant boost. “We’ve made videos on finding your house history online, art breaks — instructional videos on art projects you can do at home — kids book reviews, online story time, and more,” says Donovan, who adds that they’ve racked up more than 32,000 page views. Additional programs include walking tours, a video with a bestselling author, virtual book clubs and preschool Zoom show-n-tell.

The next chapter on life during the pandemic remains to be written, not only for the region’s libraries, but also for the public, yet Donovan and Baker are optimistic.

“We’ve really enjoyed expanding our video and virtual programming and can see a definite opportunity to continue to offer those programs,” Donovan says. ◆

culture

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SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ] BROWNE’S ADDITION

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SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ]

327 W 3RD AVE

BROADWAY WILL BE BACK!

RETURNING TO SPOKANE IN FALL 2021

OCT 26-31, 2021

DEC 28, 2021 – JAN 2, 2022

TO BE ANNOUNCED

MAY 3-22, 2022

AUG 9-14, 2022

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SPOKANE [ DOWNTOWN ] RIVER PARK SQUARE

VOLUME 7

808 W MAIN ST STE 108

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