Inlander 02/20/2025

DRINK DRINK LOCAL

ere in the Inland Northwest, we’re pretty dang lucky. Surrounded by rich natural environments abundant with resources, we can grow everything from wheat and barley to apples, hops, grapes and more. All the ingredients for a perfect beverage. And then there’s the Pacific Northwest’s top-notch coffee. While the beans aren’t grown here, we’ve figured out how to perfectly roast them so as to enjoy a hot, steamy cup.

Of course that’s just brushing the surface of it all, a challenge we face every year when trying to cram all the beverage industry news we can into our annual DRINK LOCAL issue. This year, we homed in on some recent trends and challenges, new faces to the scene, and where you can find some of the best happy hour deals in the region, plus more. Cheers!

— CHEY SCOTT, Editor

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WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO LOCAL DRINK ORDER?

KOLBY SWANSON

My go-to would be a matcha with macadamia milk, honey and cinnamon at any coffee shop.

What about at a bar or a restaurant?

I like a good espresso martini, especially from Sorella. The way they make it is really good.

MALIK BERRY

If I go to a coffee shop, I’m an old man. I do a cappuccino or a cortado because that’s the best way to judge how good the coffee is.

What do you order at a bar or restaurant? A good old gin and tonic.

Any spot in particular that’s your favorite? I’ve never had a bad one!

JILL MARSHALL

Usually an Americano with some vanilla.

Do you typically come here? Yep! This is my spot.

Do you have a regular cocktail order? If I go out, I get a margarita. The Mustard Seed has incredible margaritas. I don’t know what they do to them there, but they’re amazing.

FELICIA DIAMOND

I got to the Blvd Coffee Company stand, and I order the Vannessanie. My cocktail order is for sure a margarita or a French 75. Mizuna makes phenomenal French 75s.

ALYSSA ONG

It’s a bit boring, but I always get a latte.

Do you have a favorite latte in town? Honestly [New Love] might be my new spot. This is my first time here, and I love the atmosphere and the coffee. 524 W Main Ave, Downtown Spokane thepurgatory.com Sun-Thu 12pm-11pm  Fri-Sat 12pm - 12:30am

INTERVIEWS BY MADISON PEARSON NEW LOVE

“I give to Providence Heart Institute in Spokane because the advanced cardiac care saved my life.” — Bob Clark

JOIN OUR WHISKEY CLUB

Sculpted by Water

Tracing cataclysmic floods and the footsteps of geologist J Harlen Bretz across the rugged Pacific Northwest

BY KNUTE BERGER, CROSSCUT.COM

For many people, the “King” Columbia River begins and ends with the Grand Coulee Dam, the iconic 1930s project that produces cheap hydroelectric power to fuel homes, heavy industry and harnesses water to irrigate Washington’s crops. The dam is the icon of the river even to those who never visit it. It also damaged the world’s greatest salmon runs and disrupted cultures along the river that had existed there for millennia.

But the Grand Coulee Dam is not the most impactful thing the Columbia has ever seen. The Grand Coulee is not even the biggest dam that has stopped or diverted its waters. The river we know today has been radically transformed by enormous forces we can hardly imagine.

The Columbia or some version of it has existed for at least 17 million years, but the river has been through cataclysmic changes both before and after humans arrived on the scene.

One of the most notable is how the river’s course has changed over time. The ancestral Columbia ran roughly diagonally across Washington from British Columbia then out to the Pacific. It is the greatest river in North America that flows West, fed by ice, snowmelt and tributaries it draws from a vast interior region — from the Canadian Rockies and the Grand Tetons to the depths of Hell’s Canyon and rain-soaked Mossyrock.

But the river’s course was warped along the way. What bent the river? We spoke with Nick Zentner, host of Cascade PBS’ series

Nick on the Rocks, where he explains Northwest geology. He suggested we meet on the river to understand what skewed the Columbia’s course.

Nick explains: “This is Chelan and the Columbia River is flowing north to south right by the town, and what’s cool is that both sides of the river are not matched geologically. So east of the river there’s this basalt lava 16 million years old. On the west side of the Columbia it’s not lava at all, it’s this migmatite, which is 160 million years old, from 20 miles below the surface of the Earth. So the idea is the Columbia has not always been here… the lava pushed the Columbia to this present location.”

Nick goes on: “Before 16 million years ago we’re quite confident that the Columbia River came out of British Columbia and flowed essentially straight to Tri-Cities in southern Washington. But here comes this molasses erupting out of a volcano in northeastern Oregon, and there’s three miles thick of this basalt lava that just buried the mountains and pushed the Columbia River right to this very spot.”

But there’s still more to the story. If volcanic fire shaped the landscape and changed the river, so too did ice.

Over the millennia, ice ages came and went. The last Ice Age began to recede some 17,000

Thousands of years ago, great floods washed over these 3.5-mile-long cliffs and down 400 feet at Dry Falls in Washington’s Sun Lakes State Park. JINGJITS PHOTOGRAPHY/ADOBE STOCK

years ago. The vast Cordilleran Ice Sheet came down from the north and was thousands of feet thick. It had pressed south into the Puget Sound region in the west, and in the east it extended into the Okanogan, the Spokane area, North Idaho and Montana. As ice advanced and receded, it altered the landscape. The ice sheet blocked and unblocked rivers, including the Columbia. Around 15,000 years ago, the massive ice sheet blocked the Clark Fork River in Idaho, and a lake — we call it Glacial Lake Missoula — formed behind a 2,000-foot-tall ice dam. The lake is believed to have had a water volume as great as that of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie combined. But the dam breached and sent a flood of almost inconceivable size across the land, sweeping away everything in its path.

It dug Eastern Washington’s Channeled Scablands — terrain that looks like it has been scoured raw by a galactic fire hose. It scoured out the Grand Coulee, it flooded the Columbia Basin. In places new lakes formed where floodwaters backed up at choke points like Wallula Gap. The Columbia had taken millennia to burrow a gorge through the Cascade Mountains, but the floodwaters now made the gorge wider and deeper. When the flood smashed through and spurted out the west end, it had a wall of water 500 feet high. It raced down Oregon’s Willamette Valley all the way to Eugene carrying enormous boulders stuck in icebergs, floated hundreds of miles from the nearest ice sheet, then dropped them on the landscape

Well, the world has seven wonders, the travelers always tell Some gardens and some towers, I guess you know them well

But the greatest wonder is in Uncle Sam’s fair land

It’s that King Columbia River and the big Grand Coulee Dam. — “GRAND COULEE DAM,” WOODY GUTHRIE

J Harlen Bretz, a former Seattle high school teacher and dogged professional geologist, was fascinated by the unusual topography and geology of Eastern Washington. In the early 20th century, he carefully studied every nook and cranny. Dry Falls suggested that a waterfall like Niagara Falls had once flowed there, but where did the water come from?

The evidence, Bretz believed, pointed to a landscape shaped by an ancient flood. Many of his colleagues thought the idea was preposterous. They resisted it in part because the theory sounded so Biblical instead of adhering to a more gradual shaping of the landscape through time and erosion.

What is accepted now is that not just one epic flood sculpted the landscape, but that a succession of epic floods pulsed through — 40 or more over about 2,000 years — wiping out everything thing in their path, gouging out valleys, wearing away hills, scattering debris, exposing the bedrock, killing wildlife and human inhabitants in its path.

And Lake Missoula wasn’t the only ice-dammed lake. One in northern Washington, Glacial Lake Columbia, formed when ice blocked the Columbia and, for a time, sent it down Grand Coulee — the water that once spilled over Dry Falls. The draining of that lake was a source of flooding too. The extent of the floods and their various sources is still being studied, some perhaps far older than the Missoula. Whatever happened, it was catastrophic and complicated — a puzzle geologists are still putting together.

So the Columbia River was altered drastically before humans altered it in ways that Woody Guthrie celebrated in song. The river that Indigenous people knew, that trappers and traders encountered at the dawn of the 19th century, now has 14 dams from its headwaters in B.C. to its mouth at Astoria.

This transformation has been in the blink of an eye compared to the epic forces that have shaped the river we know over the millennia. n

Knute “Mossback” Berger is the host of the Mossback’s Northwest podcast and editor-at-large for Crosscut.com, where this first appeared.

‘Patient and Persistent’

Spokane

Valley’s homeless outreach team helps direct people to services, even as the city ramps up its camping bans

BY VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ

Behind the Burlington Coat Factory on Broadway Avenue, Robbie endures the extreme cold after the first significant snowfall in Spokane Valley. Wearing sweats and gloves, and clutching the wool blanket tied around his neck like a cape, he stands guard over a shopping cart filled with his friends’ belongings.

Now in his 40s, Robbie’s current struggles are part of the latest climb on a rollercoaster of homelessness, addiction, unemployment, recovery, employment and relapse.

He’s just one of more than 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Spokane County, according to the 2024 point-in-time count. (Results from the most recent count in January aren’t expected to be released until summer.)

“Once you get into it, it’s really hard to get out of it,” says Robbie, who asked to go only by his first name. “It’s just the trap that you get into once you’re homeless.”

Yet, on this snowy day in early February, there is hope for Robbie: two people who spotted him and are willing to find him a warm bed and treatment if he’s ready to accept.

Robbie tells Spokane Valley’s homeless outreach police officer, Catherine Horton, and Frontier Behavioral Health case manager Shawn Humphries that he’s heard of them from other homeless friends. He knows the two-person outreach team could help him but says he’s not ready yet. He can’t abandon his friends’ stuff.

Robbie also tells Horton that his friend, who is disabled and has lost toes due to frostbite, has a couch for Robbie to sleep on if he helps with errands. Regardless, Horton offers her business card with her phone number for when Robbie is ready for help.

Horton and Humphries are part of Spokane Valley’s homeless outreach team. Their mission is not punitive, not aimed at arresting. Instead, their goal is to be

understanding, to let those who are homeless know they have options for shelter, food assistance, sobriety services and help obtaining proper identification.

Their team, which started in 2022 and expanded on Dec. 1, 2024, to provide outreach seven days a week, is composed of two Spokane Valley police officers and two Frontier case managers, who coordinate with Eric Robison, Spokane Valley’s housing and homeless coordinator.

In January, the Spokane Valley City Council also approved a permanent Homeless and Housing Task Force, an advisory body to the City Council. The task force includes representatives from Central Valley School District and the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as Spokane County’s homeless administrator, Mayor Pam Haley, and people who have experienced homelessness.

Collectively, the outreach team and task force will work to help individuals like Robbie as well as families struggling with homelessness find the resources they need to survive and hopefully prosper.

However, some residents have criticized the city’s recent ordinances banning camping on public and private property, saying they clash with the goal of helping homeless individuals sleeping at parks or camping on a friend or relative’s property.

HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM

Horton grew up in a law enforcement family and had experience as a 911 dispatcher before becoming a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy in 2020. Her first patrol district included the area around Sprague Avenue and Havana Street for the Spokane Valley Police Department, which the county sheriff’s office operates.

Horton’s patrol brought her directly in contact with homeless individuals. She saw firsthand the avalanche of

problems they face.

“I was already contacting people who were homeless, and honestly, a lot of the time, they’re just down on their luck,” Horton says. “It feels like when one thing tumbles, everything else tumbles for them.”

When the position opened up to become a homeless outreach officer in fall 2024, Horton saw an opportunity to do more good. She had no idea of the resources available for homeless people but looked forward to doing her job with compassion and care.

Humphries shared a similar sentiment. He moved to Spokane in June 2024 and had previously worked in case management. Humphries says he wanted to make an impact for the children he mentors in track and field sports by ensuring they had safe spaces to thrive without visible substance use happening at the fields and parks they play on.

The outreach team meets clients where they’re at. They keep track of potential encampments or where someone may be sheltering.

This is how, on a late Wednesday morning this month, the team knows to drop by a location known for camping, where they find a well-constructed shack hidden near the train tracks.

The shack is covered in snow, but a black plastic covering prevents leaking. Tucked between trees and a sloping hill, the structure is made of plywood and wood framing. There’s even a door with a handle and foam insulation lining to keep the cold out.

Horton and Humphries knock on the door, asking to speak with whoever is inside. A voice answers, “It’s JT or Joshua,” and Horton politely asks if JT could come to the shack’s entrance.

Frontier Behavioral Health case manager Shawn Humphries, left, gives Robbie a bag of supplies and a bus pass while telling him about shelter options. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

“‘PATIENT

The two remember JT from previous interactions. Humphries says they run into many of the same people and will consistently, but without trying to force anyone, offer them help.

JT pops his head out the door and lights a cigarette; the smell of a scented candle wafts out from inside the warmly lit structure. JT says he’s a Marine veteran suffering from epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He tells the team that he applied for Social Security disability and needs support filling out paperwork and following up with other benefits, including veteran housing.

“I’ve been pushing them at DSHS because nobody’s getting back to me from the veteran [office] or anything,” JT says. “That way, I push both sides as much as I can, and maybe I push hard enough that one of them will kick in.”

“I’m all about putting your eggs in multiple baskets,” Horton says. “We’re going to schedule an appointment, and I want you to be there.”

“I stay within my zone because of my seizures because if I have one, I like to be where I am now,” JT says.

“Do you think you could be at that food bank tomorrow on University and Broadway?” Horton asks. “We gotta get you started on where you’re at with your Social Security and where your application’s at, and maybe we need to redo it, OK?”

“Can you write it down because I will forget,” JT says. Humphries calls to tell staff members at the food bank to expect JT and informs them what his needs are, including the potential benefits he might apply for based on today’s discussion. His role requires him to know different sources of support services for every unique situation to best match individuals with what they can qualify for.

“Sometimes we ask, and they really are at a spot where they feel like they don’t need us, and we can kind of press it a little bit,” Humphries says.“But at the end of the day, we’re here just to be a hand that’s offered out.”

As Horton and Humphries continue their outreach, they spot a man walking with his bag of possessions and his sleeping bag wrapped around him as he heads west on Sprague Avenue.

The man seems to be dealing with a mental illness and provides several different names to the outreach team. Horton takes down one of the names, Jameson — her goal is not to question his truthfulness, but to see if he needs somewhere to stay.

The man says he’s been out in the cold, sleeping under bridges and hasn’t slept in a warm bed in over a month — when he last had a hotel room.

“I spent all of January under the bridge in Lewiston, and then I came here, but it’s been rough the last couple nights, I just been out on the street,” he says. “I just couldn’t find a bridge that it doesn’t rain on me.”

As he explains his homeless situation over the past 12 years, Humphries and Horton work quickly to make calls. They find him a place to stay, provide him a bus pass and instruct him on what to do once he arrives at the shelter in Spokane.

“I went ahead and called Truth Ministries for you, and they have two beds available,” Horton says. “When you knock on the door, just say, ‘Hey, I’m so and so, and I’m from the Valley,’ and let them know that you spoke to me, and now you have a bed.”

The excitement on the man’s face is evident: He’s glad that for tonight he won’t have to wonder where he’ll rest his head.

CITY RULES

Spokane Valley pays Truth Ministries to keep two beds secured for its homeless residents. The beds are paid for with money from the state’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Act, or HHAA.

In 2023, Spokane Valley took control of the city’s HHAA funds, which come from a surcharge on real estate document recording fees to the county. As a condition of taking control of Spokane Valley-specific fees, the city was required to create a homeless and housing task force.

The city started with an interim task force, and the City Council adopted the permanent task force on Jan. 14, expanding it from seven to nine positions, including nonvoting roles for a city of Spokane representative and a staff member assigned by the Spokane Valley city manager.

According to City Services Administrator Gloria Mantz, HHAA funds generated $300,000 in 2024 for the city, which also receives an average of $200,000 annually from the city’s share of a state supportive housing sales tax.

Those funds must go toward affordable and supportive housing, and the city’s Homeless and Housing Department led by Robison. The advisory task force helps guide City Council decisions on how to best utilize the money.

Spokane County collects the HHAA funds, but Spokane and Spokane Valley currently manage their own portions of the revenue.

While the city is ramping up its work to support those who are homeless, it is also strengthening its anti-camping laws. Residents expressed concerns about two ordinances that could impact those struggling with housing insecurity, as well as those who simply want to camp in their backyard with their grandchildren.

In November, the City Council voted to make it a misdemeanor to be in a city park after designated hours, instead of an infraction. The council also updated the city code to allow law enforcement to use motorized vehicles such as utility terrain vehicles on city trails and in city parks to enforce the ordinance.

Additionally, in January, the City Council directed city staff to update the municipal code regulating camping on private property. The ordinance prohibits camping on private property within city limits, with exceptions. It allows short-term, 48-hour camping periods on private property and in recreational vehicles with temporary use permits, but ultimately restricts camping on private property to no more than 14 days in a calendar year.

However, Mantz and Robison say there is room for law enforcement discretion with both camping bans. Mantz says the private property rule allows the city and officers

to address safety concerns, and is not aimed at taking away residents’ property rights.

“One of the challenges that we have is that camping on private property has been an issue for us, and we get complaints about safety issues,” Mantz says. “Somebody’s camping and has a fire, and we’re unable to address it because we haven’t had the tools.”

Robison says that officers have discretion in various situations where individuals violate the public camping code.

“Yes, you can’t just sleep on public property, but we have flexibility in how we enforce that to make sure that we can get to a positive outcome if possible,” Robison says. “I think the city has recognized that we need some flexibility if we want positive outcomes.”

For example, someone sleeping in a vehicle on a publicly owned property, like a neighborhood street, is violating the city code. But if they’re working to get housed or moved into sober living, officers can confirm the details and decide not to tow the vehicle or issue a misdemeanor charge that would only set the person’s progress back.

Horton extensively records her interactions with homeless individuals, allowing other officers and service providers to see if someone is actively seeking help and services, and may just need a break before they transition to a stable situation.

Oftentimes, someone down on their luck is trying to get help, and discretion on when to enforce ordinances is key to small wins, Horton says. She acknowledges that some days are better than others with successes and failures, but the small wins are always significant.

One of the first people to have a successful outcome with Horton’s help was a man in the Dishman Hills area who failed to check in with the Department of Corrections and had a warrant out for his arrest.

Through a collective effort, the outreach team helped the man receive substance use treatment, which let him complete his three-month sobriety program, and he is now training to be a plumber.

“So this guy who had nothing, now is going to get everything; he’s going to get his kid back,” Horton says. “So I constantly remind myself that you just have to be patient and persistent with them. It may not be their time now, but it will be one day.” n

Spokane Valley Police Department homeless outreach officer Catherine Horton and Frontier Behavioral Health case manager Shawn Humphries speak with JT (shown inside his DIY shelter, right) about options to apply for assistance. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS

Party Time

Grants are available for downtown Spokane events. Plus, Freeman passes school levy; and Washington lawmakers weigh reasonableness of bans targeting homeless people.

BY INLANDER STAFF

It’s not too early to start thinking about summer weekends spent strolling around outdoor markets, food vendors and performances in Spokane. The Downtown Spokane Partnership, in collaboration with Numerica Credit Union, just announced a set of mini event grants to help local organizations host multicultural events on Wall Street on select Saturdays from July through September this year. They’ve set aside $5,000 for the grants, so that up to 10 groups could receive $500 to put toward a small block party. DSP has put out similar smaller grants to support festivals like Tacos y Tequila and Spokane’s Lunar New Year celebrations, which have grown exponentially since their inception. Anyone who receives the grant will also be able to take advantage of DSP event resources like tables, chairs, tents and event permitting assistance. Applications may be submitted until March 28 and can be found at downtownspokane.org/ mini-cultural-grant. (ELIZA BILLINGHAM)

FUNDING FOR FREEMAN

Last year, voters in the Freeman School District, home to 890 students, twice opposed tax levies that would have funded security and technology updates. Now, after the Feb. 11 special election, it’s a different story for the district, which received approximately 52% of the vote in support of its latest request. Freeman School District’s recently passed two-year $3.2 million levy is smaller than the previous $5 million levy the district put on the ballot twice in 2024. Funds from the levy will be used to increase school safety by adding security cameras and updating door access controls. Additionally, the district will replace student computers and update the traffic flow at Freeman Elementary School. It’s estimated that the voter-approved levy will cost homeowners $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is a lower tax rate than that of the district’s levy that expired in 2024. (COLTON RASANEN)

OBJECTIVELY REASONABLE?

The Washington Legislature is debating a bill that would require municipalities to use objectively reasonable rules to regulate sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry on public property. House Bill 1380 requires city codes to be objectively reasonable when regulating the time, place and manner someone is on public property. Under the bill, an individual charged with a violation may bring a lawsuit in state Superior Court to challenge the “objective reasonableness” of a law regulating sitting, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry. According to bill sponsor Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, “objective reasonableness” is left vague in the bill so it can be defined later in litigation. She stated at a Feb. 12 hearing that it’s a term used in other contexts, but not in city or county statutes. Gavin Cooley, CEO of the Spokane Business Association, opposes the bill, stating in a press release, “It provides a false fallback and distracts us all from the real and urgent work of actually addressing homelessness.” Spokane’s state Reps. Natasha Hill and Timm Ormsby are co-sponsors for the bill. (VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)

CORRECTION

The Feb. 6 story “Fed Up” inaccurately stated that Washington law allows manufactured home owners the first right of refusal or the first chance to buy their park if it goes up for sale. The law simply requires park owners to notify residents if the property is going up for sale.

Terrain’s Bazaar used to be held on Wall Street. MATT WEIGAND PHOTO

Xin

Chào, Hello

Spokane City Council requires city government to incentivize hiring multilingual employees

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

Growing up, Spokane City Council member Lili Navarrete hated her family’s Spanish/English dictionary. It was ugly and big, and “it made me work,” she says.

Navarrete started learning English when she was 11 years old, after her family moved to Spokane from Mexico City in 1988. If her parents got a water bill or garbage notice in English, they’d often ask Navarrete to go to the dictionary to help translate. She dreaded it. Navarrete doesn’t want preteens to have to help translate city communications for family members. She wants city employees to do that instead.

On Feb. 10, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance instructing Spokane’s civil services to find ways to recruit and reward bilingual or multilingual employees at City Hall. It aims to properly value the extra skill set that multilingual employees have and to increase government access and transparency for all Spokane citizens, 8% of whom report speaking a language other than English at home.

Navarrete sponsored the ordinance along with Council members Paul Dillon and Michael Cathcart. Cathcart’s wife is fluent in Vietnamese, and he has watched Spokane’s Vietnamese community turn to her again and again for language help, especially concerning city issues. He and Navarrete also championed a project to translate city documents into multiple languages last year.

“Transparency is the most important thing government can do,” Cathcart says. “Whether you are English speaking, whether you are an English as a Second Language [learner] or whether you have no or very little ability to speak English, you have the right to understand what your government is doing — potentially doing to you — and you have the absolute inherent right to hold your leaders accountable.”

Spokane City Hall could become more language savvy.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

The ordinance is in line with state Senate Bill 6157, which the Washington Legislature passed last year. The new state law allows civil service employers to give extra credit on standard hiring examinations to people who speak more than one language. Previously, only veterans were eligible to receive extra credit.

Navarrete is also advocating for multilingual employees to be paid extra for their special skill set.

“I’ve worked in nonprofits a long time,” Navarrete says. “I always got paid extra for being bilingual.”

Navarrete, her legal assistant, Andres Grageda, and the city’s manager of equity and inclusion, Alex Gibilisco, are all fluent Spanish speakers. They’ve each been tapped to help with translation work around City Hall, whether it be translating Miranda rights into Spanish or helping a Spanish speaker who called 311 to ask about utilities.

The 311 call center is one area where Navarrete would like to see an influx of multilingual employees. Eventually, she hopes the city will create a registry of employees who speak multiple languages across all departments.

Currently, no one at the city knows how many of its roughly 2,000 civil servants can speak another language, says Kelsey Pearson, the chief examiner for Spokane’s Civil Service Commission.

Multilingual recruitment wouldn’t have to be targeted at certain departments, Navarrete says. For example, if an English-only employee in the permit department needed assistance helping a citizen who speaks Ukrainian, Farsi, Marshallese, Vietnamese or Spanish, an internal registry could allow them to call someone in the building who is comfortable in that language, even if that makeshift translator is technically an IT specialist, code enforcer or administrative staff member.

The Spokane Police Department is slightly ahead of other city departments in this area, Pearson says. The police guild’s contract requires a pay incentive for police officers who speak more than one language. The incentive pay boosts an officer’s hourly pay rate by about 2%, she says.

Cathcart says it’s cost effective to have multilingual police officers who don’t have to rely on a phone call to a translation service contracted by the city. Plus, there’s an invaluable amount of added trust between that police officer and minority populations.

“If you can find people who meet all of our high standards to be a police officer, both physical, mental, and character-wise, and they can speak another language, then to me, oh my gosh, you have struck gold,” he says. “It just makes those interactions all that much more trusting and, frankly, more efficient and effective.”

When the Civil Service Commission starts rolling out new incentives, Pearson says it will also strengthen recruiting efforts at Spokane Colleges, Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. The hope is that a better chance of getting hired, plus an extra salary reward, will attract a younger, more diverse applicant pool.

Navarrete has championed other recent language access improvements at the city. At the Feb. 10 meeting, live in-ear translations from Spanish to English or English to Spanish were also piloted for the second time in City Hall, with ear pieces available to Council members as well as the public.

It was the best attended City Council meeting in recent memory. Hundreds of people showed up to support a proposed resolution supporting the state’s Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits state and city employees from cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. There was testimony in both English and Spanish.

For Navarrete, who has made language access a priority since her appointment to the City Council at the beginning of 2024, the night was an exciting moment in an ongoing process.

“This is a great step forward for Spokane,” Navarrete said, referring to the newly passed ordinance in a video recap of the meeting. “Language should never be a barrier to accessing city services, and this is a significant step toward breaking those barriers down.” n

elizab@inlander.com

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Post Street Pinch

As downtown Spokane offices are transformed into apartments, businesses are feeling the impact of what will be a lengthy road closure

BY COLTON RASANEN

If you’ve driven or walked through downtown Spokane in the past few weeks, you’ve likely noticed that Post Street is closed for construction between Sprague and Riverside avenues. Large fences surround the street as scaffolding alongside the historic Peyton Building completely blocks some of the block’s east sidewalk.

The street will look like that for at least 14 months as the building’s vacant offices are turned into apartments.

Since the $33 million makeover began in early January, some businesses operating on the first floor of the Peyton Building have reported a decline in foot traffic. At Cochinito, co-owner Travis Dickinson says he’s seen a 22% to 25% decrease in sales compared with the same period a year ago; and at Volstead Act, owner Roman Harner says sales have decreased by about onethird for the same time last year.

“There’s so many factors, so it’s a little tough to pin down the reason, but I see us being down, and I see some other folks downtown kind of being busy,” Dickinson says. “So it tells me that some of it is the fact that we’re a little harder to see than normal.”

Business on Post Street has always relied on foot traffic, since Post dead-ends at the River Park Square mall. Many people who visit Spokane and stay at Hotel Ruby, the Steam Plant Hotel, or the

Historic Davenport or Davenport Tower hotels will walk to the mall or other shops and restaurants because it’s more convenient than driving.

That walkability has made Volstead Act, a bar at 12 N. Post St., a staple for more than a decade, Harner says. Now, the eastern sidewalk along Post Street, where Volstead’s entrance is, has been partially closed to make room for scaffolding, while the street’s western sidewalk remains open.

“When the entire road is blocked off, it definitely kind of obfuscates the ease of access,” Harner says.

The scaffolding on the building and the tarp-covered fencing around Post Street creates an obscure cove that folks need to travel into to enter Volstead Act. Though that has impacted foot traffic, Harner says the Spokane Valleybased contractors at T.W. Clark Construction have worked to make it easier for pedestrians to find the bar by adding lights along the fence and hanging a new neon sign from the scaffolding outside the bar’s front door.

The construction was initially supposed to start in late 2024, but the building’s owner and landlord, Jordan Tampien, says he pushed back the start date to allow the affected businesses to get through the holiday season, when sales are higher and events draw more visitors to town.

Overall, Dickinson feels that the contractors

Businesses on the ground floor of the Peyton Building will remain open during a yearlong road closure. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

and the building owner have been willing to work with business owners when problems come up. When a pipe burst in one of the vacant spaces in the building, causing the heat at both Cochinito and Volstead Act to shut off recently, he says it took three groups of plumbers chasing the problem for it to finally be fixed.

“When the furnace goes down here, it’s not as simple as just calling the furnace guy. It’s this giant antique boiler system with pipes that go all different directions,” Dickinson says. “It wasn’t that nobody was trying to fix it, it was just a hard fix.”

OUT WITH OFFICES

For Tampien, building owner and co-founder of 4 Degrees Real Estate, this project stemmed from a desire to repurpose some of the city’s older buildings from vacant office space to housing — an idea that’s become more popular post-pandemic.

“Since COVID, office-use needs have reduced quite a bit. The good news is that here in Spokane, we kind of have an advantage that many other cities don’t have, and that’s that we have a really good stock of historic buildings,” says Steve MacDonald, Spokane’s director of community and economic development. “They may not make great office buildings all the time, but they make really good, interesting housing units that people want to live in. That’s why we support projects like the Peyton Building.”

After some time searching for the right place, Tampien says he landed on the seven-story Peyton Building at 10 N. Post St. and its annex at 722 W. Sprague Ave. For years, the ground floor has been home to local restaurants, bars and other businesses, while the rest of the building was dedicated to office space. Tampien plans to transform the building, adding 96 apartments, with a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units, at market rate. Since construction is estimated to finish in 14 months, Tampien says it’s too early to know what the rents will be.

With tenants on the first floor and the lack of space to place construction materials — hence the street closure to fence in materials and equipment — Tampien says this is one of the most complicated projects he’s worked on.

“Our hope is that this project attracts people over the long haul, but the reality is, it’s just not going to be a fast process,” he says. “We’re trying to do everything we can to help the businesses, because we want them there for a long time.”

COMMUNICATION

One of the most difficult things about this project has been a lack of communication from the developer and the city, Harner says.

Since this is a private development project, it’s not really the city’s place to communicate with affected businesses, says Tami Palmquist, director of Spokane’s Development Services Center.

“When we did [construction on] Monroe Street or when the city did Sprague Avenue, then yes, that’s the city’s responsibility to go in there and work with those property owners because we’re inconveniencing them,” Palmquist says. “But when it’s a private development, it’s really on the property owner to communicate with those surrounding businesses.”

Tampien says he’s given the business owners as much information as he can as soon as it’s been available. For example, when he was gearing up to close the road to begin construction, he let them know.

“We met with [the businesses] because we got a two-week notice that our contractor [was] ready,” Tampien says. “I think some of the changes and differences there were transitioning from me being a communicator to now the contractor communicating.”

To their credit, Harner says, the contractors who have been out working on the construction every day have been extremely communicative with him.

“Once this is all done, if the construction goes through perfectly, and everything finishes on time, it should be a boon for the downtown community and for our establishments as well,” Harner says. “But a year to a year and a half of having our entire street blocked off is a long time to make business difficult for a business that already doesn’t have great margins.” n

coltonr@inlander.com

Tether or Not

In a new MAC exhibition, Andrea Joyce Heimer’s cathartic paintings explore her personal process of tethering

BY E.J. IANNELLI

In the upper right corner of one of the works featured in “No Name That I Know Of,” the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture’s new exhibition of paintings by Bellingham-based artist Andrea Joyce Heimer, you can spot a crying figure perched on a fence as night falls behind her.

Following that figure’s trail of tears down the canvas will lead your eye past scavenging dogs and rodeo rings, overflowing trash barrels and a supine cowboy surrounded by empty beer cans, until, finally, you arrive at the striated pinks and purples of a Montana sunrise.

The collage-like color and activity of this roughly 7-by-8-foot painting are entrancing in their own right, but the scene is also noteworthy because it contains so many of the hallmarks of Heimer’s work.

“Even though I don’t feel like I belong anywhere, I try really hard to tether myself to jobs or people or places. It’s this kind of intentional way of temporarily attaching myself to someone or something.”

For one, it’s not bound to traditional perspective from a single vantage, offering instead a panoptic, memory-fueled vignette. Different points in time and points of view all inhabit the same space.

For another, the painting’s full title, abridged to “When I Was 12 Or So I Went To The Rodeo,” is a breathless, 63-word description that helps the viewer contextualize what’s being depicted. Many of Heimer’s

works actually originate from those descriptions and are therefore inseparable from them — despite the risk of the stream-of-consciousness titles becoming more of a talking point than the images themselves.

And then, less conspicuously, there are what Heimer calls “witnesses” or “observers.” In this particular painting, they take the form of a line of cowboys. Tellingly, these so-called observers are oblivious to the preteen girl at the periphery, who sobbed for hours after having been stood up. Their oversized index fingers are all directed at the central cattle roping.

A few days prior to the opening of “No Name That I Know Of,” Heimer stops in front of “When I Was 12 Or So I Went To The Rodeo” and explains how it represents her processes and preoccupations.

“I typically work around a central theme. Usually something depressing,” she says with a good-natured laugh.

“All of this is kind of related to my adoption and not feeling like I ever really belonged somewhere. And really struggling with this feeling of being disconnected from people, from places. I know everybody feels like that once in a while, but to me it’s almost like it’s pathological.”

As a result, ever since she began following this artistic trajectory a little over 10 years ago, Heimer’s paintings have tended to be cathartic variations on that theme. They’re a way for her to work through the messier, rawer parts of her autobiography.

“A few of them are a little more existential, but a lot of them are rooted in actual experiences, actual places, actual people,” she says.

That’s how she arrived at works like “I Have Always Wanted To Swim With Everyone Else” (the start of a longer 138-word title), a painting that shows nude figures frolicking in a network of flattened rivers and waterfalls. They’re heading toward idyllic pools filled with fish, who are the natural stewards of what Heimer describes as an “unknowable knowledge.” The fish act as the observers in this scene.

Andrea Joyce Heimer recalls being deeply inspired by the ledger drawings she saw as a young child living in Great Falls, Montana. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Heimer’s expressions of alienation and otherness have shades of light, too. Across the room, she revisits the same idea in “The Best Time For Fish To Bite In The Bitterroot,” where you can see her avatar wading in shallow water as the fish nibble at her feet.

“This is a happy one,” she says. “It was this really fleeting, tiny moment where I’m connected to this place. It was this really beautiful feeling — just for a split second. And so I really wanted to paint that.”

Detail of “When I Was 12 Or So I Went To The Rodeo.” IMAGE COURTESY OF THE MAC

Cut off by the upper border, an Edenic rainbow arcs above the raindrops and dark clouds. And, as in most of her paintings, there are also subtle flashes of humor. The cream-colored patches on the pink bodies? Those are tan lines. Lurking in other works you might see a urinating cowboy or, like in “A Girl Who Sat Next To Me In School,” a daring horse rescue where the animalloving heroes fire their pistols upwards so as not to hurt the marauding wolves.

The distinctive figures in Heimer’s paintings, often presented in a planar side profile, are reminiscent of Indigenous or early Greek or Egyptian art. She attributes her style to the fact that she was largely self-taught and didn’t pursue her MFA until she had already begun to find her visual voice.

“I grew up in Great Falls, Montana, and some of the very first art that we were shown in kindergarten was ledger drawings. I remember looking at those ledger drawings and seeing that they were very flat and told these really heartbreaking stories, and I just really connected with them as a little kid.”

Although they’re drawn from different phases of Heimer’s recent work by MAC curator Anne-Claire Mitchell, the 15 pieces in “No Name That I Know Of” — including three brand new landscapes — have a through-line of what Heimer calls “tethering” herself.

“Even though I don’t feel like I belong anywhere, I try really hard to tether myself to jobs or people or places. It’s this kind of intentional way of temporarily attaching myself to someone or something,” she says.

“Most of the paintings in here are either speaking to that moment of trying to tether or being tethered. Or the total opposite: looking for a tether and there’s none to be found.” n

Andrea Joyce Heimer: No Name That I Know Of • Through May 25; open Tue-Sun 10 am-5 pm • $9-$15 • Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture • 2316 W. First Ave. • northwestmuseum.org • 509-456-3931

Chiefs

The Spokane Chiefs are having their best season in years under first-year head coach Brad Lauer

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

won a single playoff game since 2019 and have only advanced past the first round in the playoffs once since 2013.

But with new leadership, the Chiefs are in prime position to put that playoff drought in the past this year. Under first-year head coach Brad Lauer, Spokane’s hockey club currently boasts the third-best record in the WHL at 37-16-1-1, and the Chiefs are in excellent position to, at the very least, get a top-four seed in the Western Conference playoffs, which start in April.

To say Coach Lauer knows how to win might be an understatement. Before being hired last July, Lauer boasted the highest coaching winning percentage in WHL history (.742), having previously won the league’s ultimate prize — the Ed Chynoweth Cup — as the head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 2022 season. After

spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets, Lauer knew he wanted to return to the junior hockey ranks.

REMAINING REGULAR SEASON CHIEFS

HOME GAMES AT SPOKANE ARENA

h Fri, Feb. 21 vs. Tri-City

h Wed, Feb. 26 vs. Vancouver

h Fri, Feb. 28 vs. Wenatchee

h Sat, March 1 vs. Seattle

h Wed, March 12 vs. Everett

What affects my energy bill in the winter?

In the winter, your energy bill can change from one month to the next for a lot of reasons.

h Sat, March 15 vs. Tri-City

“I enjoy being a head coach. I enjoyed running my own team, having my own say and doing things my way with the help of my other coaches,” Lauer says. “But I enjoy the age group. I had fun in Edmonton being the head coach. It’s just great to see these kids grow. And then the biggest thing I get is that I get to keep in touch with the kids I had in the past.”

h Sun, March 16 vs. Everett

h Fri, March 21 vs. Seattle

Having coached in the WHL before, Lauer brought with him a clear plan for success both in terms of results on the ice and helping nurture these young hockey talents.

“I think one [key] is understanding the kids and making an environment enjoyable for them but making it challenging for them,” he says. “I think there’s a fine line between fun and structure. We want them to come to the rink and enjoy being around each other, hanging out with each other, but we wanted a pro type of concept of how we conduct ourselves on the ice and off the ice to the group.”

One of the challenges coaching in the WHL is that most of its athletes grew up as the best players in their hometowns. For Lauer it’s about teaching these players how to fill roles and play the full ice — the “200-foot game” as he puts it — because that’s what scouts are looking for more than just tallying goals and assists.

“I think the biggest thing that we needed our kids to understand — which is still a work in progress — is to play a team game. Play the game as a five-man unit on the ice and not as an individual,” Lauer says.

A sudden cold snap can require your heating system to run more often and the extra energy usage adds up fast. That’s because 40-60% of a winter energy bill is due to heating. Less daylight hours mean your lights are on longer, too.

Learn what else impacts your winter bill and find tools to help manage your costs at myavista.com/winterbill.

THE FRANCHISE AT 40

Spokane Chiefs fans take notice: Friday’s game against Tri-City will feature a special celebration of the team’s 40th anniversary. Five new Chiefs Legends will be named to join the 35 already in that exclusive club; they’ll be honored during a pre-game ceremony. For tickets, visit spokanechiefstickets.evenue.net.

“CHIEF OF THE CHIEFS,” CONTINUED...

Acoach can only do so much — his players still need to deliver on the ice. And this season, the stars are shining bright in Spokane.

The offensive firepower for the Chiefs this year is undeniable. Right winger Andrew Cristall leads the 22-team WHL in points (103), ranking second in goals (39) and assists (64). On his opposite side, left winger Shea Van Olm leads the league in goals with 44. Center Berkly Catton ranks third in points (90) and fourth in assists (59). Even the backline is getting in on the action with defenseman Brayden Crampton notching the third-most power play assists in the league (28).

But all that offensive firepower doesn’t mean a thing if a team can’t stop the opposing offense. That’s where Dawson Cowan comes in. In his third year with the Chiefs, the team’s starting goaltender has been routinely shutting down opposing offenses. The 19-year-old from Warren, Manitoba, leads the WHL in wins (28) and shutouts (4), ranking second in goals against average (2.66). And while Cowan grew up watching modern legends between the pipes like Jonathan Quick, his top goalie has actually become a part of his life.

“Brad is a professional, and he rubs off on the group. Everything he does is pro. So it’s pretty fortunate to be around him.”

“Growing up in rural Manitoba, my favorite goalie was James Reimer [now with the Buffalo Sabres], because he was from the same area that I’m from in Manitoba,” Cowan says. “I was fortunate to meet him and to train with him the past two summers. He’s a terrific guy, terrific human being.”

For Cowan, his personal growth this year and the growth of the Chiefs as a whole has come down to being open to the lessons Coach Lauer imparts.

“You just learn. Every year you learn, every moment you learn. So it’s just continuing to learn. We’re still a young group, but we’re mature for a young group. We play with structure,” Cowan says. “Brad is a professional, and he rubs off on the group. Everything he does is pro. So it’s pretty fortunate to be around him.”

There’s still a lot of hockey left to be played, but the new chief of the Chiefs has his young skaters in a position to become perennial winners once again. n

Coach Lauer knows how to reach young players. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

KIDDIN’ AROUND

Lyv Babinski’s new Comedy for Kids series underscores that “comedy is for everyone”

BY AZARIA PODPLESKY

In late 2022, Lyv Babinski left her career in ministry to launch an arts and entertainment business.

For about six months, she tried to do it all, from organizing arts and crafts fairs to teaching art classes for children and participating in events at the Garland Theater.

Though hungry for creative outlets through which she could express herself, it didn’t take long for an exhausted Babinski to realize she was trying to do too much.

“What is it? ‘The jack of all trades and a master of none?’” she says. “I felt like I was that, and I needed to be a master of something.”

Things fell into place after Babinski heard a comedian say comedy was the center of the Venn diagram between art and entertainment. An artist and a performer, Babinski started working on material.

She was initially nervous about open mics — “What if people aren’t nice? What if they boo me off the stage?” she thought — until a mentor told her that while there are a lot of people writing jokes about the same thing, no one can steal the nuances of your life and your perspective.

Babinski took that advice and ran with it, writing and performing material about her life with her husband and young son. She quickly became a regular at Spokane Comedy Club, and in 2024, opened for Shane Gillis at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival at ONE Spokane Stadium.

During a talk with Spokane Comedy Club’s owners, Babinski was struck by another philosophy: Comedy is for everyone. It really hit when she opened for Hunter Lloyd, who incorporates robotics into his family-friendly show.

“When I saw children fill the comedy club, I was like ‘Wow, comedy is for everyone. Everyone wants to laugh, everyone wants to enjoy these types of experiences, but there’s not very many available for children to be a part of,” she says.

Babinski then started thinking about what it would take to create an opportunity for children and their family to enjoy comedy together. After six months of workshopping characters and activities, she’s created Comedy for Kids.

“It’s a space to protect their innocence and their

imaginations,” she says. “That’s a big thing for me, and as I parent my son, his heart is so pure and his imagination is so beautiful. How do I steward that as a parent, and then asking myself in an even larger sense, how do I steward that as an entertainer?”

The show is tailored for ages 5 to 10 but is, of course, fun for the whole family, with characters and interactive moments for kids.

Each character highlights an aspect of Babinski. Mama Lyv, for whom she dons a grey-haired wig and a nightgown, is her wise and encouraging side, while Lyv from La La Land, dressed in pink, is sweet and innocent.

The show’s interactive moments began as a time filler while Babinski changed costumes, but has since become a big part of Comedy for Kids. She begins each performance with a disclaimer that this isn’t just her show, it’s the audience’s, too. No one is forced to get onstage, she tells them, but they’re welcome to volunteer if they’d like. If they do come on stage, kids might play a game of “Simon Says” or tell their favorite joke.

“The kids feel so proud of themselves because they got the opportunity to be comedians, too,” Babinski says. “When you make someone laugh, it is the most exciting feeling ever to produce joy in someone, but also it’s addicting. We keep coming back because we’re like ‘Oh, this feels so good!’ So a kid gets a glimpse of doing that, too.”

For Babinski, performing for adults is very different from performing for children, many of whom have no expectations for a comedy show. She sees Comedy for Kids then as a way to show children that comedy doesn’t have to be about teasing or tearing someone down.

“I believe it’s an opportunity of, this is how I define humor, and we’re going to uplift each other and be silly and goofy and fun,” she says. “You’re going to experience that here, and I hope that in your own life and world, you can take that similar humor to the people around you.” n

Comedy for Kids • Sat, Feb. 22 at 2 pm • Pay what you want • All ages • Blue Door Theatre • 319 S. Cedar St. • comedy-for-kids.com

THE BUZZ BIN

BOVEY’S BOULEVARD

After the closure of Atomic Threads Boutique nearly a year ago, the historic, triangular-shaped Boulevard Building on the corner of Northwest Boulevard and Monroe Street has sat vacant… until now. Chris Bovey — local artist, Garland Theater co-owner and the man behind Vintage Print & Neon — snatched up the lease for the building and will be moving his storefront from the Garland District into the significantly larger space. In a recent Instagram post, Bovey also mentions that part of the Bovey Boneyard, his neon sign collection, will also move into the building. He’s aiming for a grand opening in May. (MADISON PEARSON)

BEHOLD, BALAZS

Whitworth University’s Permanent Art Collection received a behemoth of a donation from Messiah Lutheran Church last November in the form of a piece of art made by late local sculptor Harold Balazs. The work is a reredos, an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar. It features symbols from the life of Christ across four massive panels of cast concrete, together measuring 6 feet wide and 28 feet high. Bouten Construction uninstalled the artwork from the wall of the church and recently moved it to Whitworth, where it now resides in the HUB Dining Hall Crow’s Nest. (MADISON PEARSON)

THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST

Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on Feb. 21.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, THE CONSEQUENCE

The melodic metalcore stalwart returns for more headbang-worthy thrashing on its ninth studio album.

TATE MCRAE, SO CLOSE TO WHAT

The dancer-turned-pop star delivers another album of songs that sound like they were made and sung by a dancer.

GAYTHEIST, THE MUSTACHE STAYS

The queer Portland trio delivers another much-needed barrage of melodic punk fury. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

Lyv Babinski

World Premiere of Recollection

Friday March 7, 7pm (Myrtle Woldson PAC, Gonzaga U.)

In a world where technology can remove painful memories, a glitch restores Kate’s memories, uncovering a dark truth about her past. Made in the PNW! $25/$10 students

Followed by Posterize and SpIFF opening party!

64 films, 7 shorts programs, 16 nations, 20+ filmmakers March 7–9 2025

Worlds of Animation*

(Sat Mar 8, 11:00am, Magic Lantern)

Short animations from around the world, featuring cut-out, computer, drawn, and stop-motion animation. Program contains flickering imagery. Ages 13+ $12

Fish War

(Sat Mar 8, 11:15am, Magic Lantern)

When the state of Washington started arresting Indigenous tribal fishers, it was a declaration of war. $12

Preceded by The Deer Divide

Pre-SpIFF Event

The Big Lebowski (35mm)

(Fri Feb 28 6 & 8:30pm Garland Theater)

After being attacked in the most peculiar way by thugs collecting a debt for a wife that Jeffrey Lebowski does not have all The Dude wanted was his rug back. Both light and heavy, absurd and profound, The Big Lebowski is instantly memorable and endlessly quotable!

Rated R $10 8:30 show is 21+

PNW Makers*

(Sat Mar 8, 1:30pm, Magic Lantern)

A showcase of short films from the Pacific Northwest, with documentary, horror, comedy, and science fiction. Ages 13+ $15

La Estrella que Perdí

(Sat Mar 8, 1:45pm, Magic Lantern)

Throughout her life, the great actress Norma Reyes (76) accepted to play all kinds of roles, except the one of being the perfect mother. In Spanish with English subtitles. $15

The Birds Who Fear Death

(Sat Mar 8, 3:45pm, Magic Lantern)

Two brothers, disinherited and desperate for cash journey into the Canadian wilds to find themselves, their people and their fortune. $15

World Shorts I

(Sat Mar 8, 4:00pm, Magic Lantern)

Short films from Chile, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

With English subtitles. Ages 13+ $15

The Best of the Northwest*

(Sat Mar 8 6:00pm Garland Theater)

A showcase of short films from the Pacific Northwest, with animation, comedy, documentary, and drama. Ages 13+ $10

Followed by SpIFF Closing Party & Awards

Tim Travers and the Time Traveler’s Paradox*

(Sat Mar 8, 8:30pm, Garland Theater)

You saw the short at SpIFF 2022! A scientist creates a Time Machine and kills his younger self But now a man who should not exist somehow does That is the Paradox, and Paradoxes are impossible. Tim Travers takes on the mercenary gang whose stolen plutonium powers his machine challenges a conspiracy-peddling podcaster to a battle of wits, creates a black hole, meets the one woman alive crazier than he is clones himself destroys the universe makes a new one and maybe—just maybe—learns to love himself at last. Made in Spokane! Ages 16+ $10

A Good Wolf

(Sun Mar 9, 11:00am, Magic Lantern)

A 40-year conflict over a single tract of land adjacent to Denali National Park— a volatile struggle between competing human interests on public lands. $12

World Shorts II

(Sun Mar 9, 11:15am, Magic Lantern)

Shorts about growing up from China, Egypt Poland South Korea and the UK. With English subtitles. Ages 13+ $15

Through Indigenous Eyes*

(Sun Mar 9 1:30pm Magic Lantern)

A showcase of Indigenous and Native American short films Tribes include Lakota Sioux, Nez Perce, Salish, and Ute. All Ages $15

Battlesea*

(Sun Mar 9, 3:45pm, Magic Lantern)

Estranged siblings reconvene at their childhood home where they spend a precarious weekend uncovering the secrets that have shaped their lives. Ages 13+ $15

Preceded by My L ast Martini

Queer Shorts

(Sun Mar 9 3:45pm Magic Lantern)

A showcase of Queer films from Belgium, India, South Korea, and the United States. With English subtitles Ages 13+ $15 Ultimate Citizens*

(Sun Mar 9, 4:00pm, Magic Lantern)

As a guidance counselor, Jamshid’s best work takes place on a playing field with “his kids," the children of refugees and immigrants. Ages 13+ $15

Preceded by Jan Beauboeuf and 22

Matthew Modine (Stranger Things), coach Cash Stone, and host Jess Walter. Fox Event ticket.

Vision Quest

Anniversary* (Sun Mar 9, 6pm; Martin Woldson Theater)

school wrestler Louden Swain has trouble focusing on his training regimen when a beautiful young drifter takes up residence at his home. Is this the birth of Spokane cinema? Rated R. Join star

DRINK LOCAL

Between the pain of inflation and consumer trends indicating that Gen Z is forgoing alcohol much more than their forebears, the alcoholic beverage industry has yet another storm to weather. Recent history has proven the industry’s nimbleness to adapt, however, and it appears that change is the only constant once again as we set out to report the collection of stories in this year’s Drink Local issue.

Younger consumers may be drinking less (as well as older folks who’ve become more health-conscious about alcohol), so more options like craft tea, mocktails and tasty food menus are making bars, breweries and the like more welcoming to all preferences. Breweries around the region are sticking to what they know best — the classics — and winning awards for them. And on the wine side, education and global exploration has always been foundational. While finding good deals seems even more challenging than ever, there are still plenty of local watering holes offering some worthwhile happy hour specials.

For even more Drink Local sipping suggestions, pick up next week’s edition, which includes the official event guide for Inlander Restaurant Week 2025, happening Feb. 27-March 8. On each menu for the more than 120 participating restaurants, you’ll find highlighted local beer, wine, spirts, cider, coffee, tea and more to pair with your meal.

Cheers!

— Chey Scott, Inlander Editor

Take a flight around the world at the newly opened Cellar & Scholar wine bar in Spokane Valley.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

WINE

FLIGHTS OF FAMILY

A mother and daughter bring rare wines by the glass to Spokane Valley with new shop Cellar & Scholar

BY BOB JOHNSON

“It began with, ‘Let’s do something with wine.’”

Those are the words of Cathy Hand, and “something” turned out to be a restaurant, wine bar and boutique wine shop called Cellar & Scholar, which opened in late 2024 in Spokane Valley. Cellar & Scholar is owned by Hand and her daughter, Justine Recor, both of whom began pursuing sommelier accreditation (and studying together) about six years ago.

“Sometimes in life the timing is just right,” observes Hand, who says that both she and her daughter were ready for a change and something they could do together.

Hand was working in the tech industry as a project manager, and that meant virtually every time she’d walk into a room of coworkers, she felt as if a flashing deadline sign was attached to her forehead.

“Nobody ever liked to see me,” she says. “It was 100% negative interactions.”

Meanwhile, Recor had been working in the hospitality industry, learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where master sommelier programs support a community of wine-savvy managers and servers.

Riverfront Park.

“I started going to work with her sometimes when I was 11 or 12,” Recor says. “It felt so cool being allowed in there, and I really loved the smell of it. I loved telling my friends that I helped make wine, even though I did not.”

Later, while attending Eastern Washington University and majoring in psychology, Recor worked in restaurants and took a class called “Wines and Vines.” It was her aha moment.

“When I learned you could make wine a career, I pivoted,” she says. “I still got my degree in psychology but with a minor in French. I’ve lost most of it, but I can still read and pronounce it, which is useful in the wine world.”

CELLAR & SCHOLAR

15412 E. Sprague Ave., Suite 17, Spokane Valley Open Sun-Tue 11 am-5 pm, Wed-Sat 11 am-8 pm cellarandscholar.com, 509-218-6226

The mother-and-daughter foray into wine goes back much further, however, to when Hand was working at Caterina Winery’s tasting room (which closed in late 2014) inside the historic Broadview Dairy building on Washington Street, near

Today, both Recor and Hand are certified sommeliers. Recor also has a diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, while Hand is a diploma candidate with the organization. In other words, they know their stuff. Fast forward to the moment Hand and Recor decided to open a wine business together. Hand cashed out her 401k to finance the project, and the pair began considering various business models. Each required a specific amount of space, and finding the right one proved to be a challenge.

“We originally thought about Liberty Lake, and then we looked on the South

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Cellar & Scholar’s owners

Justine Recor, left, and Cathy Hand are both certified sommeliers.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Hill, but there are lots of good places there already,” Hand says. “We were shocked at how hard it was to find a spot.”

Their business plan “evolved organically” as the search ensued, and they decided to consider Spokane Valley.

“I grew up here,” Hand says. “I went to West Valley High School. I love the people here.”

The duo finally found a location that could accommodate classes for others in the hospitality industry, themed tasting events for the public, a retail wine area for bottle sales, and table and bar seating for serving plates of highquality food to accompany wines served by the glass or in flights.

“The intention of flights is to get people curious about wine,” Recor explains. “We have so many ideas for flights,” each consisting of three 3-ounce pours.

The “You Can’t Sit with Us Chardonnays” flight ($19) features selections from France, Oregon and New Zealand. The “Snap, Crackle, Pop Crisp Whites” flight ($19) includes a dry Riesling from Germany, a Sancerre caillottes from France and a rarely encountered txakolina from Spain.

Among the red flights are “La Vite e Bella Italian Favorites” ($28), spotlighting a Valpolicella, a nebbiolo and a Chianti riserva. The “Fresh Princes Carbonic Reds” ($19), meanwhile, features selections from France, Australia and Yakima.

Cellar & Scholar’s debut wine bar list includes eight flights: three whites, four reds and one sparkling.

Recor says that naming one’s favorite wine is “a little bit like picking a favorite child,” but she admits that she leans toward Champagne — in particular, “grower Champagne,” crafted by vintners who grow the grapes in addition to making the wine.

“I think they’re much more interesting than the wines made by the big Champagne houses,” she says.

Cellar & Scholar’s debut sparkling wine flight, dubbed “All That Glitters” ($29), includes selections from Champagne, France, the Willamette Valley and Slovenia.

Truffle popcorn ($5) is a small-plate option that pairs perfectly with sparkling wine. The restaurant also offers a selection of medium plates, including a cheese board ($16) with three types of cheese, sliced apple and pear, accoutrement, and baguette. Among the seven big-plate options is whipped feta ($16) with spiced chickpeas, tomato, pita, lemon zest and herb oil.

Even the humble grilled cheese and tomato soup ($18) gets the royal treatment, made with gruyere, mozzarella and truffle oil. An ideal pairing: the 2021 Bergstrom Oregon pinot noir ($19/glass), part of the “Nature’s Love Language Biodynamic Reds” wine flight ($23). For non-imbibers and/or designated drivers, the drinks menu also includes tea service ($10) with loose-leaf tea, honey and lemon, as well as French press service ($10) with cream, raw sugar and chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Unlike most restaurants, Cellar & Scholar operates its wine shop with retail pricing. Rather than the standard markups charged by many restaurants, guests there pay what any bottle shop customer would but can also enjoy a bottle on site.

As Recor explains it: “We want people to enjoy good wine here and take it home.” n

A glass of Boizel Rosé Champagne from France. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEER

CRAFTING SOLUTIONS

As beer’s popularity declines nationally, here’s how Spokane-area craft breweries are staying ahead

Humans have been drinking beer for ages. The exact timeline is impossible to know, but archaeologists have found evidence of beer production dating back at least 10,000 years.

Though its history is extensive, the last few decades have been a boon for brewing. By 2020, the number of breweries in the country had grown to 9,092, up from 1,566 in 2000, according to the Brewers Association, a national nonprofit focused on U.S. brewers. However, in recent years that growth has slowed.

Just after the onset of COVID in early 2020, beer industry sales declined by nearly $20 billion, according to a 2022 study “Beer Serves America” by the Beer Institute, a national trade association. In Washington alone, beer sales decreased by more than $450 million in the same time.

Since the wounds the pandemic inflicted onto breweries nationwide have yet to fully heal, brewers have had to get crafty. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions, but here are a few ways Spokane-area breweries are bucking those beer trends.

MORE THAN BEER

Declining beer sales have been lurking in the shadows for the last few years, but Nick Coons, co-owner of Hat Trick Brewing in West Central Spokane, says it’s been an opportunity for breweries to adapt.

“It just forces us to be a little bit more open-ended in how we approach running our business,” Coons says. “I mean, we can’t focus on just making beer, there has to be other stuff that you have to offer. Having great food and good other reasons for people to come out rather than just sitting at the bar and drinking beer is important.”

Whistle Punk Brewing’s owner Matthew Hanson agrees: Food of some kind is a must if breweries want to attract more customers. How that food is provided is at the discretion of brewers. At Hanson’s downtown Spokane location, he relies on a partnership with the next door Heritage Bar & Kitchen to provide food for his customers, but at his newer Millwood location, he’s working to build a full kitchen.

It’s similar at YaYa Brewing Company in Spokane

BY COLTON RASANEN

Valley, which partners with its in-house restaurant Sauced! to provide Detroit-style pizza and wings to the brewery’s customers. YaYa co-owner Christopher Gass says it’s important for local breweries to provide more than just beer.

“We think our beer is pretty good, and we hope people like it, and we hope they come back for the beer, but we also understand that not everyone is a beer fan,” Gass says. “Within our taproom, we’ve started stocking a variety of wine seltzers and ciders from local cideries here in Spokane.”

NO- AND LOWALCOHOL CONTENT

On top of adding ciders, seltzers and wine to the menu, local breweries are offering more no- and low-alcohol options as Generation Z looks to imbibe less.

“Statistically speaking, [Gen Z] are drinking less than other generations, so the craft beer industry is

Pair a pint of YaYa’s Fluffy Puffy Sunshine IPA with some deep-dish pizza or wings from its in-house restaurant, Sauced!

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

seeing a little bit of a dip in market share,” says Riley Elmer, head brewer at Uprise Brewing Co. “We haven’t found any sort of dip. I have, however, heard from people that they’re feeling that pressure lately.”

While there are a handful of nonalcoholic beverages available at local breweries, such as hop water, house-made sodas and even kombucha, lowalcohol content beers — also called session beers — are becoming more popular. These beers generally have less than 5% alcohol. For reference, Elmer says the average beer is between 5-7% alcohol by volume (ABV).

“People gravitate toward low-alcohol because they’re usually kind of bouncing around to different places,” says Matt Gilbreath, co-owner of Humble Abode Brewing.

Hat Trick’s Coons also focuses on low-alcohol beers at his brewery because it challenges him to make a more thoughtful brew.

“If you make a big boozy beer, that’s the first thing you notice, and everything else comes after that,” he says. “But if you’ve got a beer that’s 4% you’re noticing everything that’s in there.”

AN AWARDWINNING REGION

This one may be a no-brainer, but making quality beer matters, too. In 2024, a dozen Spokane-area breweries brought home awards from the 11th annual Washington Beer Awards held in November.

Humble Abode took home medals for its signature hazy pale ale, Life Juice; Whistle Punk got an award for its Irish red ale, and Uprise snagged second for its Vienna lager. Hat Trick took home two bronze medals, although those winning beers aren’t currently being produced, Coons says.

“Basically, we don’t make the same beer twice, it’s just more fun for us,” he explains. “We like to provide people something new, and it’s something that our guests have come to appreciate about us.”

Though YaYa didn’t win any categories at the statewide competition this year, Gass says he’s impressed by the fellow breweries that received accolades.

“You know, we like to think that we’re kind of outcasts from the west side where all the contests are held, but I’m so happy with the awards our region won this year,” he says. “I’m super proud of the breweries here and how they’ve elevated the Spokane beer market over the last five to six years.” n

AWARD-WINNING BREWS

Here’s all the local winners from the 2024 Washington Beer Awards

BIG BARN BREWING

Second Place, American-Style Fruit Beers: Strawberry Blonde

Second Place, American-Style Imperial Porters & Imperial Stouts: Black Dog Stout

BRICK WEST BREWING

First Place, German-Style Oktoberfests/Wiesns: Festbier First Place, German-Style Wheat Beers: Big Heart

FOUR EYED GUYS BREWING

Third Place, Seltzers: Strawberry Basil Hard Seltzer

GARLAND BREW WERKS

First Place, German-Style Maerzens: Oktoberfest

GENUS BREWING & SUPPLY

First Place, Belgian-Style Witbiers: Erinaceus V.4 Witbier

Third Place, Smoke Beers: Clavaria Fumosa

HAT TRICK BREWING

Third Place, Irish Stouts: Stouty McStouterson

Third Place, Belgian Strong & Abbey Ales: Sup Nerds

HUMBLE ABODE BREWING

First Place, Juicy or Hazy Pale Ales: Life Juice

Second Place, Pastry Stouts, Coffee & Chocolate Beers: Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter

Third Place, Belgian & French Farmhouse Ales: Rye Saison

LUMBERBEARD BREWING

First Place, Other Wood & Barrel Aged Beers: Anniversary Year 4

SNOWEATER BREWING CO.

First Place, American-Style Fruit Beers: Rylans Dandy Shandy

UPRISE BREWING CO.

Second Place, Vienna-Style Lagers: Vienna Lager Third Place, West Coast-Style India Pale Ales: Lucid Portal

Third Place, Wood & Barrel Aged Strong Stouts: Phases of the Moon

WHISTLE PUNK BREWING

Third Place, Irish-Style Red Ales: Irish Red Ale

Local Craft Spirits

REVIVAL TEA COMPANY

415 W. Main Ave. and 201 N. First St., Coeur d’Alene Open daily 9 am-6 pm revivalteacompany.com, 509-903-6937

DRINK LOCAL

TEA SPILLING THE TEA

Spokane-based Revival Tea Co. aims to be at the forefront of a national craft tea movement

BY DORA SCOTT

Companies like Washington’s own Starbucks have made coffee the beverage of choice for many Americans. However, Revival Tea Company, based in Spokane, aims to make craft tea just as integral to modern beverage culture.

“Tea isn’t just an alternative to coffee — it’s a category with limitless potential in its own right,” says Revival CEO Drew Henry.

It’s a vision more than 250 people who recently pledged funds to Revival believe in, too.

In the beginning of January, the company secured $500,000 in a crowdfunding campaign via the platform Wefunder. The company set a goal of raising $1.2 million by April, and plans to use the funds to propel Revival throughout its next stages of growth beyond the Inland Northwest.

Revival Tea Company started out in 2018 as an online company, a foundation that helped it weather the pandemic.

Things would have been much different, however, if Henry and his wife, Cerina, had stuck with their original business plan of opening a whiskey distillery in Spokane. After multiple trips to Ireland for business research, though, the couple decided to pivot. They enjoyed whiskey, but as tea drinkers they saw an untapped market in craft tea.

The Henrys’ first brick-and-mortar location in downtown Spokane, at 415 W. Main Ave., just celebrated its fiveyear anniversary. The speakeasy-style basement tea room, once the site of an early Spokane bar run by the famous liquor tycoon James “Jimmie” Durkin, attracts all sorts of demographics with a shared love of tea.

In early 2023 Revival expanded into the street-level space above the tea room, a spot now dubbed the Phoenix Cafe offering boba, coffee, and cafe fare like toast and acai bowls. Revival also touched down that year in North Idaho with a Coeur d’Alene location that opened at 201 N. First St., also offering food, boba, coffee and tea.

Drew Henry says future locations in other states are also in the works and are planned to resemble Revival’s Coeur d’Alene store in menu and design. Some stores he hopes will also have a drive-thru.

Revival will also soon launch a line of canned tea drinks, and Henry says the company has been experimenting with making a powder version of its chai concentrate.

Due to fast-growing demand for its products, Revival outgrew its Spokane-based production and packing facilities last year and started working with tea industry veteran James Mackness. Mackness was added to Revival’s board of directors and is the founder of a tea-packing company called Motovotano in Anacortes, Washington.

“We’re really lucky that we have someone like him who handles that part of the business, and it allows us to focus more on making bold teas,” Drew Henry says.

While Henry says the company will always be rooted in Spokane, Revival is currently expanding into new markets throughout the U.S. Henry recently moved his family to Palm Springs, California, to be closer to some of those targets in Arizona, Nevada and Southern California.

All this considered, the Henrys have come a long way in five years. While they previously enjoyed drinking tea, the couple faced a steep learning curve when they began formulating their own blends for the business.

“We almost didn’t do Revival because 30 days in, if I would have invited you over, you would have spit it out. It was the worst cup that’s ever been made,” Henry says, referring to early iterations of their spiced chai blend.

“Luckily, we figured it out with cup sizes and different types of ginger, and it became what it is today,” he continues. “I think it’s been a bit of a superpower going into the industry, honestly, like being a bit ignorant and not knowing things because we didn’t know any better.”

To most, tea seems as simple as putting a tea bag in hot water. However, Henry explains that many brands sold in the U.S. use dust and fannings, which consists of tea plant stems and large leaves all finely chopped up into dust-like particles.

Craft tea, on the other hand, is about quality and consistency. Revival uses the flowery orange pekoe, the tiny bud on the top of a tea leaf, to increase its products’ health benefits. And to ensure consistency, Revival crafts its blends in small batches.

While honoring tea’s time-honored traditions, Revival’s team also seeks to innovate the industry by creating unique blends and products. One of its most popular blends, the Northwest Breakfast, embodies the Pacific Northwest with its cedar tips that also give a boost of vitamin C.

“Literally, [with] Northwest Breakfast, I had a prominent tea person tell me, ‘You can’t do that, you can’t put pine needles in a breakfast tea.’” Henry says. “And it was like, ‘Watch us! We don’t know any better.’”

The blend originally used Western white pine tips, but demand for the tea was so high that Revival exhausted domestic supply of the needles, forcing a switch to cedar tips, which have a similar flavor profile and health benefits.

Revival’s Willy Wonka-esque tea innovations have been essential in making the beverage more accessible to a new generation of tea connoisseurs, people who are all in different stages of their tea journey, Henry says he realized.

“A lot of times they go from milkshakes to boba, [or] they go from boba to one of our [tea] mocktails,” he notes.

Next thing you know, you don’t know what hit you, and you’re drinking a cup of tea straight. n

Revival Tea Co. serves tea in all forms: iced, as a mocktail and more. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

3 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: ▶ Vanilla Ice Cream ▶ Mary Jones Infused Root Beer ▶ Whipped Cream FLOAT YOUR BOAT WITH A MARY JONES™

DRINK LOCAL

TIME TO UNWIND

Fight high prices with these specials found at more than 25 of the region’s happy hours

COMPILED BY INLANDER STAFF

BARDENAY

1710 W. Riverstone Dr., Coeur d’Alene

Daily from 3-5 pm

$4 beers; $6 house wine; $6-$7 select cocktails; $3-$9 small plates

BEVERLY’S

115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene Daily from 4-6 pm (lounge only)

$6 domestic beers and well shots; $7 select craft beers and wine by the glass; $9 select cocktails; $8-$14 food menu; half-off select wine bottles

BISTANGO

108 N. Post St., Spokane

Drinks daily from 3-6 pm, eats daily from 4-6 pm

$8-$9 select cocktails; $6 premium well drinks; $6 house wine;

$4 all beer; $9-$12 small plates

BON BON

926 W. Garland Ave., Spokane

Mon-Thu from 4-7 pm; all day Sunday

$1 off wine and beer, $8 select happy hour cocktails

CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE

6314 N. Ash St., Spokane

Mon-Sat from 3-6 pm, all day Sunday

$5 house liquor, microbrews and house wine; $5.50 house margarita, $3 16-oz. Bud Light and Coors Light draft; $3-$11 snacks, plus rotating daily specials

COCHINTO TAQUERIA

10 N. Post St., Spokane; 9426 N. Government Way (Hayden)

Daily from 3-5:30 pm (Tue 3 pmclose)

$1 off draft beer, house margaritas and select menu items

COEUR D’ALENE CIDER COMPANY

1327 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene

Wednesdays from 3-9 pm

$5 cider pours; $4 club pours

DAVID’S PIZZA

803 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri from 2:30-5 pm (bar and patio only)

50% off all spirits, beer and wine; 25% off all food (excluding to-go)

DRY FLY DISTILLING

1021 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri 4-6 pm, all day Sunday Half off all drinks and flatbreads

FLATSTICK PUB

618 W. Main Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri from 3-5 pm

$16 for any drink-plus-game combo deal

HERITAGE BAR & KITCHEN

122 S. Monroe St., Spokane

Daily from 3-6 pm

$2 off all appetizers; $1 off all sides; $5 well drinks and tap beer; $6 house wine

IRON GOAT BREWING

1302 W. Second Ave., Spokane

Mon-Thu from 2:30-5 pm

$2 off beer and appetizers; $4 off pitchers

LE VERRE

210 N. Howard St., Spokane

Wed-Sat from 4-6 pm

$6 house wine by the glass; $1 off specialty cocktails

MAX AT MIRABEAU

1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley Daily from 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close (except major holidays)

$5 MAX Pale Ale pints; $6 MAX Signature press drinks and house wells;

$7 select wine by the glass; $8 house martini and Manhattan; $1 off all other local draft beer; $8-$22 appetizers

POOLE’S PUBLIC HOUSE

12310 N. Ruby Rd. (North); 5620 S. Regal St. (South), Spokane Mon-Sun from 3-5 pm

Half-off all alcoholic beverages; see website (poolespublichouse.com) for rotating daily specials

PURE NORTHWEST

126 N. Division St., Spokane Daily from 3-6 pm

$4 drafts; $4 off signature cocktails and select shareables

REPUBLIC KITCHEN & TAPHOUSE

120 E. Fourth St., Post Falls Daily from 3-5 pm

$6 draft beer and house wine; $5-$10 Republic snacks

STEAM PLANT RESTAURANT & BREW PUB

159 S. Lincoln St., Spokane Tue-Sat from 4-6 pm (also Fri-Sat from 9 pm-close)

$5 house wine, draft beer and well cocktails; $3 carnitas tacos; $12-$13 select appetizers

THE SWINGING DOORS

1018 W. Francis Ave., Spokane Daily from 3-6 pm

$4 wells and domestic pints, bottles and cans; 20% off all other beer, wine and cocktails; $2 off all appetizers; plus rotating daily specials

SWING LOUNGE

3808 N. Sullivan Road (Valley), 601 W. Riverside Ave. (Downtown Spokane) Daily from 3-5:30 pm

$5 well drinks and craft draft beers; $7 house wine; $4 domestic beers; $3-$8 food

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Sit back after a long day at Pure Northwest, which offers happy hour specials daily from 3-6 pm.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

DRINK LOCAL

TAVOLATA

221 N. Wall St., Spokane

Daily from 4-6 pm

$9 select wine by the glass; $9-$11 cocktails; $4-$7 beers; $6 mocktails; $6-$15 small plates and pasta

TRAILBREAKER CIDER

2204 N. Madison St., Liberty Lake

All day Monday; Tue-Fri from 2-5 pm

$1 off pints and wines; $5-$8 select appetizers

TWIGS

Multiple locations, twigsbistro.com

Daily from 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close

$5 Coors Light; $8 select wine by the glass; $8-$10 select cocktails; $5-$10 select appetizers

THE VIKING

1221 N. Stevens St., Spokane

Mon-Sat from 2-6 pm, all day Sunday (excluding Arena events)

$1 off micro draft pints; $2 off micro draft pitchers; $2 off appetizers; $1 off signature craft cocktails and wine specials; see website for rotating daily specials

WAVE SUSHI ISLAND GRILL

525 W. First Ave., Spokane

Daily 3-5 pm

$5 house wine and well drinks; $6 hot sake; $1 off draft beers; $5-$9 appetizers; $4-$11 sushi rolls

WOODEN CITY SPOKANE

821 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri from 4-5:30 pm

$1 off draft beer; $9 house wine, $10 sparkling rose; $12 draft old fashioned; $10 gimlet; $11 beer and a shot; $9-$15 snacks

ZOLA

22 W. Main Ave., Spokane

Daily from 4-7 pm

$3 bottled beer and select drafts; $5 all other drafts and seltzers; $7 rotating house wines; $9 shot and a beer; $6-$21 food n

We hope you enjoy the On Tap 2025 Series featuring stories about our local Inland Northwest community. New stories will debut about once a month right here in the Inlander

ON TAP

SAMMY GRASHIO: A SPOKANE LEGEND

When you’re done reading this, look up. You might spot one of the No-Li billboards that are all over town. eir message consists of just two words: “We Believe.”

It’s a simple declaration of No-Li’s faith in the resilience, ingenuity and compassion of the human spirit. at spirit was embodied by Samuel “Sammy” Grashio.

In 1917, the year before he was born, Sammy’s family emigrated to the United States from Naples, Italy. ey came through Ellis Island and made their way westward to Spokane, home of their citizenship sponsor, Gonzaga University’s St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

e Grashio family grew along with the bustling young city, working for the railroad, making wine, becoming barbers and starting a fresh produce cart that would become Sil’s Produce.

to become assistant to the president of Gonzaga University — the same institution that had been so pivotal to his family’s history and success. at’s the legacy that No-Li cofounder Cindy Bryant (whose grandfather Sil was Sammy’s cousin) aims to honor through the brewery. e fact that the No-Li Brewhouse is now an anchor of the Gonzaga neighborhood has only made that connection stronger.

“Our whole goal from the very beginning was to build community, to be a place of gathering,” she says. “It might sound a little cliché, but when you come together with other people in our Bier

“Thepersonalcourageandzealousdevotion todutydisplayedbySecondLieutenant Grashio…haveupheldthehighesttraditions ofthemilitaryservice…”

More than a year before the declaration of World War II, Sammy chose to serve his country and enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a pilot. He became a war hero who survived the infamous Bataan Death March and led a daring prisoner escape from a Japanese POW camp through the jungles of the Philippines — the only successful mass escape from Japanese captivity during the war. After months of ghting alongside Filipino guerrillas, he escaped to Australia by submarine. It’s the stu of legend, all detailed in his acclaimed 1982 memoir, Return to Freedom

—CITATIONFROMGRASHIO’S DISTINGUISHEDSERVICECROSSAWARD

Hall and get to know them, you nd that you have more in common than not.”

ose bonds — forged over beer and conversation, strengthened by outreach and engagement — are what No-Li wants to remind us of with that simple phrase, “We Believe.”

“It’s about believing in each other and the greatness that we have as a community,” she adds. “And it’s about maintaining that belief in ourselves no matter what. Whether we’re doing great or we’re momentarily down, we always need to lift each other up.”

Sammy’s sense of duty and honor did not end with the war. He continued his military service until 1965, rising to the rank of colonel. Once he returned to his beloved hometown, he went on

Enjoy whiskey, vodka and plenty more spirits during happy hour at Dry Fly Distlling’s tasting room.

CONTINUED...

NEWSY SIPS

QUENCH YOUR CURIOSITY

Drink

news to sip on: Purgatory’s new Agave Bar, anniversary celebrations, openings and more

BY DORA SCOTT

Guests can now wet their whistles with not only whiskey at Purgatory Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar, which recently expanded into an adjacent space to open Purgatory Agave Bar

The downtown Spokane spot at 520 W. Main Ave. serves over 300 types of agave spirits such as tequila and mezcal.

“It’s a fast-growing sector of the liquor world, and there were a lot of people that were really wanting to explore all the different agave-based spirits,” says Kevin Cox, owner of both bars.

Purgatory’s selection of agave spirits will eventually expand to over 1,000 options, as well as over 300 varieties of rum. The current menu features 13 craft cocktails with an agave base and a variety of tasting flights consisting of three half-ounce pours.

“You can experiment and cruise around on different products and try to find what you like, what your favorites are, without spending the full cost of the full ounce and a half,” Cox says.

Coming from a lumber and construction background, Cox added natural wood features to the space, like long logs cut and finished into countertops. He’s also excited about a large, roll-up door at the front that can open onto a patio space in warmer weather.

With the final renovation touches set to be completed by the end of March, Purgatory Agave Bar is an extension of the whiskey bar and serves the same pub grub menu of sliders, ribs, sandwiches and more. Both bars’ kitchens have their own smokers for the meats on the menu. The agave bar, however, will eventually operate with its own authentic Mexican food menu to pair with its spirits.

Purgatory has expanded into a next door space to showcase all things agave.

PHOTO COURTESY PURGATORY AGAVE BAR

EVENTS

There’s always plenty happening across the regional beverage and bar scene, so here’s a roundup of some upcoming highlights.

On Friday, Feb. 21, Cairdeas Winery from Lake Chelan is hosting a pop-up event at Bruncheonette (1011 W. Broadway Ave.). The tasting ($45-$55) from 4 to 7 pm includes five different wines, tasty bites and a commemorative glass. Get tickets at cairdeaswinery.com.

Cheers to The Tipsy Vine on their one-year anniversary! The local bottle shop and wine club is celebrating with an anniversary party on Sat, Feb. 22, from noon-6 pm, at their Spokane Valley location (18213 E. Appleway Ave.). For more, visit thetipsyvinewa.com.

Cochinito Taqueria is celebrating its seventh anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 23, with a cocktail party. Tickets ($79/person) includes two cocktails from a list of favorites, eight small bites like smoked prawn ceviche and masa fried calamari, and live music by Nic Vigil, plus a take-home kit to make your own nightcap. Call 509-474-9618 for reservations. It’s a great time to visit the downtown Spokane spot, which, along with nearby bar Volstead Act, has been impacted by a large construction project that’s caused the closure of Post Street between Sprague and Main avenues for up to 14 months. (Read more about that project and its impact on area businesses on page 14.)

No-Li Brewhouse is hosting a Mardi Gras party on Friday, Feb. 28, inside the No-Li Bier Hall (1003 E. Trent Ave.). Be transported to New Orleans from 6 to 10 pm with a live jazz band and indulge in traditional kings cake while gulping down some exclusive, small-batch beer. While you’re there, consider a pint of No-Li’s Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout, which was recently recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s best stouts. Wrecking Ball also won silver at the prestigious European Beer Star Competition last

November. Visit nolibrewhouse.com for more. Looking even further ahead, Northern Quest Resort & Casino is partnering with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for a St. Patrick’s Day preparty. On Saturday, March 8, from 6-8 pm at the Pend Oreille Pavilion, enjoy live music by Shea Tea Folkin Irish Band while you sip on beer and cider from Pacific Northwest producers. Tickets ($35-$50) include a 16-ounce glass, 10 tasting tokens (4 ounces/token) and some St. Patrick’s Day merch so you won’t get pinched during Spokane’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, this year on March 15. EPIC, East and Neon will also be serving Irish-inspired appetizers like steam corned beef and cabbage spring rolls and smoked brisket pizza. For tickets and more, visit northernquest. com.

The community is invited to celebrate the life of Roast House Coffee founder Deborah Di Bernardo on Saturday, March 22, from 10 am to 4 pm, at Roast House’s headquarters, 423 E. Cleveland Ave. The tasting room will be closed, but refreshments are being provided by chef Adam Hegsted, and The Scoop is serving glitter ice cream.

OTHER SIPS

In Post Falls, the new Kraken Coral & Coffee offers a unique fusion. Alongside a simple food and coffee menu, the shop at 868 S. Spokane St. also sells saltwater fish, coral and other aquarium items. Come meet the resident octopus, Atta, while you sip on a beverage of choice. Visit krakencoralcoffee.company.site for more.

New to Liberty Lake’s beverage scene is Liberty Sips, a coffee and soda shop at 19311 E. Appleway Ave. The drive-thru has a full coffee menu and specializes in Italian sodas and smoothies. There are also small bites like hand pies, egg bites, breakfast burritos and more. n

ECONOMY

REASONS WHY

Locally-owned businesses create local jobs and are great for our economy! Dollars you spend locally are more likely to stay in our community.

SUSTAINABILITY

Drink green! Locally-made beverages don’t have to travel far, reducing the emissions generated from shipping.

COMMUNITY

Owners of local breweries, cideries, wineries and co ee roasters are members of our community — and are more likely to give back.

ORIGINALITY

Your Inland Northwest-made beverages are unique! Why not order something you can’t get anywhere else.

DRINKABILITY

You’ll find fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in your locally-made refreshments — what’s not to love about that?

Cochinito is about to celebrate its seventh anniversary downtown, but is also dealing with the impacts of a major construction project.

PHOTO COURTESY COCHINITO TAQUERIA

ECONOMICS

The Big Scramble

Egg-reliant businesses around Spokane take profit hits amid the national bird flu outbreak

BY DORA SCOTT

The bird flu outbreak in the U.S. has made it increasingly difficult to cross eggs off the grocery list — for home consumers and businesses alike. Grocery stores in the region are frequently selling out or limiting egg purchases, and egg prices have increased to nearly $10 per dozen at some stores.

The bird flu has been circulating in the United States since February 2022, originally transmitting from wild birds to domestic commercial flocks. When one bird is infected by the H5N1 virus, the entire flock needs to be culled (that is, killed) and their eggs destroyed — a devastating impact on farmers that’s resulted in increased competition for a limited egg supply.

In December 2024 alone, 13.2 million egg-laying birds were culled, with over 21 million more culled in January and the beginning of February according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA.

The department predicted in January that the price of eggs will see an overall increase of 20% by the end of 2025. In Spokane, we’ve already exceeded the USDA’s prediction. On Dec. 17, Walmart had eggs for $4.28 per

dozen, but that had increased to $5.41 per dozen by Feb. 10, or an increase of more than 26%. Regional grocery stores have had far higher prices, with a dozen at Rosauers hovering around $8 at the beginning of February.

Sticker shock over current egg prices has caused some consumers and businesses relying on eggs, like restaurants, to claim that it’s due to price gouging by the powers that be.

“But I can tell you there is no price gouging. That is key. There is no price gouging. This is just supply and demand,” says Tammie Hetrick, CEO and president of the Washington Food Industry Association, which represents independent grocers, convenience stores and distributors statewide.

With millions of birds needing to be killed, it will take months for new pullets (young female chickens) to start laying. Meanwhile, the prices for the current limited supply go up.

Egg prices have steadily been on the rise since January 2024, when a new state law required all eggs sold in Washington to be cage-free, which the Inlander reported

about in March last year.

“We are seeing at this time more of the cage-free [eggs] being infected or at least [cage-free chickens] being required to be put down because there was an infection found,” Hetrick says. “So we are all fighting for a smaller percentage of eggs in Washington state.”

In addition, Hetrick says large corporate grocers dominate contracts for eggs produced in Washington due to their purchasing power. As such, people have flocked to large, corporate grocers for cheaper eggs.

“[Corporate stores] will discount the eggs and take a loss on them to drive people to the store for all the other things, because nobody goes in and [just] buys a 12-pack of eggs. They can afford to do that. Our stores can’t,” Hetrick says, referring to the smaller mom-and-pop grocers her organization represents.

Grocers and the average consumer aren’t the only ones impacted. Restaurants with menus that heavily depend on eggs have also been scrambling to find consistent and affordable deliveries.

The national egg shortage continues...

Don’t be surprised if your favorite brunch spot has made short-term menu or price adjustments.

Many breakfast establishments, however, told the Inlander that they’d rather take a hit to their profit margins than place a surcharge on egg dishes.

Old European and Little Euro are among the many brunch places tightening their belts.

“The price has dramatically increased over the last year and it’s definitely affecting our profit margins,” says Jeff Panagos, regional manager for the restaurants. “With the cost of eggs right now, we’re trying to do our best to look at ways to cut other costs back so we don’t have to raise prices for the eggs.”

opted to do the shopping herself since buying the business in August.

“I just have to run around and get what I can because a lot of the stores also have limits on how many you can buy. So that’s a lot of time out of my day just to simply literally go find eggs,” Ruby says.

Owner Tami Sevier states the business is renegotiating the prices of other costs like cleaning products, equipment and maintenance. She emphasized they are not cutting back on anything that would affect their service or quality of food.

Panagos says Old European’s three locations across the region use around 12,000 eggs per week. Aside from obvious menu items like eggs Benedict, omelets and fried eggs, the batters for the restaurants’ popular aebleskivers, crepes and hotcakes also require eggs.

Panagos outlined how at the end of 2023, the company was paying $30 per case — each containing 180 eggs — but is now paying $120.

Old European and Little Euro source eggs directly from a farm in Boise, Idaho. The farm is on the smaller side and shares its trucks with other egg producers for distribution.

“One of the other farms got hit with the bird flu, which confiscated that delivery of eggs,” Panagos says. “So that’s kind of why we were scrambling around to find eggs.”

Old European and Little Euro now are sourcing from three different distributors to acquire a sufficient quantity of eggs.

Erica Wegner, one of four owners of the Chalet on the South Hill, says that on top of the recent price increases, distributors are putting a limit on how many eggs each client can order. Though the caps vary, in mid-February she says the Chalet could only get two cases per order; it receives two orders a week. The restaurant usually uses about 500 eggs a week, which means the 360 eggs they’re currently able to secure isn’t nearly enough.

“We’re all like scrambling around at different stores trying to just find enough eggs to use because we couldn’t get enough [through our distributors],” Wegner says.

For the eggs that they do get from distributors, the Chalet now doesn’t get to decide the type. From brown to white, large to medium, Wegner says they’ll take what they can get for the cheapest price. To help make up for the lesser amount of eggs they’ve been able to buy, she says the Chalet is using liquid eggs for some dishes like scrambled eggs.

Local bakeries haven’t been spared, either, as eggs are a necessity in many baked goods. Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop in Spokane and Bake My Day in Spokane Valley have both forgone distributors to hunt for eggs at cheaper prices from stores like Costco, WinCo and Walmart.

“We’re running to multiple different stores, we’re price checking, we’re spending a lot of manpower to get the cheapest egg price we can,” says Jessica Atkinson, owner of Sweet Frostings.

Bake My Day owner Courtney Ruby has also

Ruby notes that a five-dozen pack of eggs at Costco used to be $15 to $16 when she took over the business last year. That price has increased to around $25, if they’re even in stock. On top of the time spent hopping from store to store, she’s also had to make adjustments to the bakery’s recipes.

“Like our scones used to have eggs in them, and when the egg prices started going up, I revamped the recipe [to] have it not contain eggs at all,” she says.

Both bakeries say the higher cost will be a hit to their profits as they don’t plan to raise prices.

“We haven’t taken a price increase since 2020,” Atkinson says. “The margin just gets smaller and smaller and smaller.”

Egg shortages and higher prices are affecting organizations that provide nutritious meals to kids, too.

The Northeast Youth Center in Hillyard recently shared on social media that the shortage has impacted the daily breakfasts it provides for more than 50 kids.

“Normal suppliers could not satisfy our order for us, so my chef got in her car and started driving around to every grocery store and everybody was out,” says Northeast Youth Center Executive Director Sheila Geraghty.

The center provides two hot meals a day for kids in its before and after school programs. As part of a state-run food program, those meals must fulfill state nutritional requirements such as including a source of quality protein.

Finding only empty shelves, the center was forced to switch up its menu and serve items without eggs. In the meantime, they’ve been dishing out granola and yogurt, cereal, waffles, and pancakes.

“It’s not that big of a deal, but the kids love having a traditional breakfast,” Geraghty says. “So we just have to substitute those with something else for now.”

Nudo Ramen House in downtown Spokane also temporarily took eggs out of its dishes. In an Instagram post shared on Feb. 10, the restaurant stated it wouldn’t be able to provide extra eggs in bowls of its ramen due to a supplier-set cap. Days later, Nudo noted via DoorDash that it had temporarily removed all egg products from its dishes.

The bird flu and resulting egg supply issues won’t see a quick resolution.

In the meantime, experts and businesses we spoke with for this story had the same message: Buy only what you need, and continue to support local businesses amid challenging times.

“Eggs are just such a staple for everybody and all baked goods for every home,” Old European’s Panagos says. “It’s not just hurting restaurants, it’s just hurting everybody.” n

Truth to Power

The award-winning documentary No Other Land gives voice to persecuted Palestinian activists

BY JOSH BELL

If your first instinct when watching Oscar-nominated documentary No Other Land is to look away, that’s understandable. The work by a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers is a harrowing, intense and deeply upsetting chronicle of the displacement of Palestinians by Israeli forces, and the filmmakers themselves never look away from the horrific actions they witness. It’s disappointing but not surprising that even after widespread acclaim and numerous film-festival awards, No Other Land failed to find a U.S. distributor, and is instead being released independently for individual bookings at theaters like the Magic Lantern. At least the public now has the opportunity to see it, and the Oscars — where the film is a heavy favorite to win Best Documentary — should further boost its chances for a more extensive release.

No Other Land is not easy to watch, but it’s a powerful and compelling look at an ongoing injustice. Unlike many social-issue documentaries that come off as glorified news reports, No Other Land is immersive and cinematic, anchored by central figures who form an unlikely friendship and alliance. There are no abstract statistics or talking points about what’s happening to Palestinians

in the West Bank — there’s activist and filmmaker Basel Adra, defending his community and his family’s home while frequently putting his own life on the line.

Adra lives in the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank, where the Israeli military has been systematically destroying homes and displacing residents. “I started filming when we started to end,” he says early in the movie, which begins in summer 2019, although it also incorporates footage going back to Adra’s childhood, culled from the archives of his father, a fellow activist. Adra points his camera at the Israeli soldiers leading demolition crews to make way for what they claim will be a military training ground, forcing many of Adra’s neighbors to take shelter in caves. He highlights the resilience of people who rebuild overnight only to see their efforts taken down again the next day, who get shot for trying to hold onto basic necessities like generators.

Adra’s story is affecting and compelling on its own, but what makes No Other Land even more urgent is his connection with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who comes to Masafer Yatta to report on the conflict, despite his fellow Israelis’ indifference. The coalition formed by Palestinians and Israelis (including fellow co-directors Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor) gives No Other Land a sense of hope, even if that sense is often shattered, both by the events depicted in the movie and by viewers’ outside knowledge.

Directed

Adra chastises Abraham for expecting his activist efforts to show immediate results, when Palestinians have spent decades fighting for their rights. Yet Adra can’t help expressing his own optimism that documenting the Israeli government’s atrocities will inspire the U.S. to put pressure on Israel to stop — an especially misguided belief, given recent real-world events. It’s heartbreaking

ALSO OPENING

CLEANER

When a hostage situation breaks out in a London skyscraper, the last line of defense is an on-duty window cleaner who happens to be a highly trained exsoldier (Daisy Ridley). Rated R LEGENDS OF THE CONDOR HEROES: THE GALLANTS

An adaptation of Jin Yang’s famed book series, this film opened in China in January and is already the highest grossing wuxia (the genre of fictional ancient martial arts) in the country’s box office history. Rated R

THE MONKEY

Based on a Stephen King short story, writer/director Osgood Perkins’ horror comedy followup to Longlegs finds twin brothers trying to figure out how to deal with a toy monkey that brings about gruesome deaths. Rated R

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY

Based on a true story, this family drama centers on a young boy with autism and brittle bone disease and a father (Zachary Levi) who tries to find a way to deal with that complex parenting situation in order to keep his son happy. Rated PG

The destruction of Palestinian land is on full display in No Other Land

to see what Adra and the other Masafer Yatta residents go through, and it’s even more heartbreaking to realize that the support they hope to rally with their film hasn’t materialized.

That doesn’t mean that all is lost, though, and the small human moments in No Other Land offer as much solace as the broader activism. Even when Adra is worried he might be arrested, his mother tells him to grab a coat so he won’t get cold. Later, she offers to wash his clothes so he has something clean to wear if he’s taken to jail. The filmmakers could leave these little interactions out, but No Other Land is more effective because it’s not just a constant stream of violence and horror. The people in Masafer Yatta continue to live their lives, because that’s all they can do.

No Other Land

No Other Land is also an artfully constructed film, and Adra and his collaborators are all able to capture strikingly composed images even while presumably under extreme duress. Certain evocative frames encapsulate the movie’s themes just as poignantly as any conversation: a faded military warning sign on which “danger” now looks like “anger,” a cluster of black balloons floating off into the air after a scared protester had to let them go while being chased by the police. Shot over the course of more than four years (ending just before the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks), No Other Land is skillfully edited into a seamless narrative, with an ebb and flow of quiet reflection and stark confrontation. Even at just 95 minutes, it can feel exhausting, and there’s a risk of bombarding the audience to the point that some viewers may tune out. Looking away may offer some relief, but there’s always something to bring your attention back, to show the truth in a way that can’t be ignored. n

by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor Screening at the Magic Lantern

MOVIE TIMES

Absolute Zero

Netflix’s Zero Day offers no thrills and no point of view

BY JOSH BELL

Right from its opening scene, the Netflix political thriller Zero Day starts cheating the audience, presenting a skewed perspective on a relatively innocuous event from later in the first episode. Former U.S. President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) searches frantically around his home office for the combination to a hidden safe, while loud voices and flashing lights close in, and the locked door is about to be breached. The show then cuts back to three days earlier, but there isn’t some grand mystery leading up to the reveal of who was closing in on Mullen in that initial scene.

Before the episode ends, the anticlimactic explanation of Mullen’s actions provides a clear indication of the sloppy and infuriating narrative choices that will unfold over the six episodes of this shockingly inept limited series. It’s almost hard to believe that two veteran journalists (NBC’s Noah Oppenheim and The New York Times’ Michael S. Schmidt) co-created Zero Day alongside longtime TV writer and producer Eric Newman, since nothing about the timid, equivocating series rings even remotely true.

A story about a massive terrorist attack on the United States and the subsequent high-level commission given extraordinary powers to find the culprits should not be this politically toothless. More than half the major characters are elected or appointed government officials, yet the creators have meticulously removed almost any references to real-world issues or entities that could be remotely controversial. Opposing political parties are referred to simply as “that side of the aisle,” and even a notorious cable-news blowhard has views so muddled that they are essentially indiscernible.

entire American population — could be in.

Mullen is living in peaceful retirement on his upstate New York compound, working slowly on his memoirs while his wife Sheila (Joan Allen) is about to be confirmed as a federal justice, and his daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan) serves as a congressional representative from Generic Political Party A. Following the attack that takes out all electronic systems in the U.S. for one minute, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) and Congress authorize the Zero Day Commission, which is unencumbered by due process or concerns about civil rights. Mullen, a one-term president who enjoys a generally positive reputation across both sides of that meaningless aisle, is recruited as a neutral figure to head the commission.

Zero Day

Created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Michael Schmidt

Mullen spends six episodes discovering lots of red herrings and dead ends, eventually revealing a conspiracy that is both underwhelming and unconvincing, and certainly isn’t worth the time it takes to get there. Nearly everyone in the overqualified cast — which also includes Jesse Plemons and Connie Britton as Mullen’s top aides, Dan Stevens as a polarizing TV personality, and Matthew Modine as the congressional leader of Generic Political Party B — plods their way through the dull, expository dialogue, playing people with no depth or inner life.

Starring Robert De Niro, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons Streaming on Netflix by Time, by Theater, or Movie

That lack of conviction might be forgivable if Zero Day were an engaging, suspenseful thriller in the vein of a show like 24 or Homeland, which also feature jumbled politics but at least provide compelling characters in tense, high-stakes situations. Zero Day begins with a nationwide cyber attack that kills thousands of people, yet there’s rarely any urgency to the storytelling, or any sense of the danger that the characters — not to mention the

Two different secret affairs between central characters come as surprises not because of deft misdirection, but because the actors involved have no chemistry. On multiple occasions, Mullen enters into supposedly important conversations that are obscured from the audience for no purpose other than to withhold pieces of basic information. On a simple storytelling level, Zero Day is a colossal failure, wrapping up its plot with numerous loose ends that the creators apparently just gave up on.

Like the retired Mullen being reluctantly thrust back into the political spotlight, De Niro seems mildly perturbed to be appearing in his first regular TV role, and the other actors follow his lead. Nobody looks pleased to be involved in this humorless, self-satisfied waste of time, and viewers should take that hint and avoid the experience entirely. n

Zero Day is the nadir of streaming prestige dramas.

“THE FROST” - MITSKI

SEASONAL PLAYLIST

THE BIG CHILL

A collection of our favorite wintry tunes for a sonic comfort blanket on cold days

BY INLANDER STAFF

It’s been f—ing cold.

With that in mind, we thought we’d help you get through this frigid spell with a collection of wintery songs to make the dark days a bit more bearable. Since wintry tunes in the zeitgeist tend to be holiday-season focused, we made an effort to avoid that iced-over slippery slope and instead go with songs that address other aspects of the snowy season or just give off heavy winter vibes. So grab a warm beverage, and curl up with these sounds to soothe your frosty soul.

“ANGEL IN THE SNOW” - ELLIOTT SMITH

The’ first track on Smith’s posthumous album

New Moon isn’t the most joyful tune, but it’s Elliott Smith — what do you expect? The song starts with Smith’s wildly underappreciated guitar playing and begins with a touching declaration of love: “I’d say you’d make a perfect angel in the snow.” (MADISON PEARSON)

“BEAUTY” - THE SHIVERS

The apt band name helps, but even under a different pseudonym “Beauty” would still radiate a dark winter energy. The low-fi guitar and bass backing Keith Zarriello’s vocals give the feeling of a dying fire one huddles around for any flicker of warmth while the gorgeously passionate yet forceful declarations of love hit with the blunt force of a snow plow running over your heart. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

“BLOOD

BANK” - BON IVER

“Then the snow started falling…” (check) “... we were stuck out in your car…” (thanks, 1 degree weather) “...You were rubbing both my hands…” (I really need new gloves) “...chewing on a candy bar” (sugar might fix this).

(SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

“COLD APARTMENT” - VAGABON

In addition to freezing our pipes, the weather can also freeze our memories. Vagabon’s Laetitia Tamko possesses a powerful voice that can stop you dead in your tracks, and her indie rock reminiscence after a breakup about how “we sat on my cold apartment floor / where we thought we would stay in love” is the type of frozen over memory that never really melts away. (SS)

“COLD SHOULDER” - NATE CURRY

Curry makes this hip-hop gem as a response to those who continually criticized him for being under the influence. He’s not giving them the cold shoulder or being distant on purpose, but he’s faded and doesn’t want to listen to the criticisms of his hedonistic weakness. (VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)

“CRUSH”

- JIMMY EAT WORLD

If you’ve ever had a crush that you know is never going to materialize — leaving you to forcibly hold back your words and feelings around them until the repressed emotions sting your lungs like inhales of frigid air (before succumbing to cold and going numb) — then this early Jimmy Eat World rocker is for you. (SS)

Winter is always a great time to listen to Mitski’s thoughtful (and at times depressing) discography, however, this folksy pop song off her latest album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, brings together the artist’s signature sad girl style with the beauty of frost dusting the land. (COLTON RASANEN)

“GENGHIS KHAN” - MIIKE SNOW

For some reason, Miike Snow thought “let’s use a conqueror known for having hundreds of children as the personification of a possessive lover” and it bops. Plus, the music video is full of corny James Bond vibes, because why not? While not a pure winter song, “Snow” did it, so… (SW)

“HOORAY” - MINUS THE BEAR + “SNOW DAY”

- TACOCAT

In terms of uber microgenres “songs about it snowing in Seattle” is one of my favs. Minus the Bear’s math rock on “Hooray” celebrates making future nostalgic memories when “it’s cold and snow’s actually on the ground of this no-snow town.” Meanwhile Tacocat finds pop punk bliss in the fact that the “city cannot handle snow” so everything just shuts down and life gets a sweet, brief pause. (SS)

“I AM A ROCK” - SIMON & GARFUNKEL

Winter is an isolating time, but I don’t need to tell you that. Simon & Garfunkel know that best. The final song on Sounds of Silence presents listeners with depressing lyrics (“I have no need for friendship, friendship causes pain” and “it’s laughter and loving I disdain”) with an incredibly catchy, upbeat melody — a silly dichotomy that makes me giggle every time I hear it. Not to mention the lyric “a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow” that is riddled with alliteration making the tune even more pleasing to the ear amid the lovely melody. (MP)

“I

WAS A KALEIDOSCOPE” - DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

You don’t want to get dumped over the phone, but also you don’t want to bundle up to go over to your partner’s apartment only to get dumped and left out in the cold both figuratively and literally. The upbeat instrumentation here masks some of the sorrow as Ben Gibbard shows off his lyrical chops, creating a scene where his chattering teeth are sending him hidden Morse code messages. (SS)

“LET IT GO” - FROZEN

Lifetime achievement for dropping “frozen fractals” as a lyric in an all-time banger for kiddos. (SS)

“THE LONELIEST TIME” - CARLY RAE JEPSEN FEAT.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

Sometimes winter seems like the loneliest time, but Carly Rae Jepsen has the power to make it feel like it’s all going to be OK. (CR)

“RIVER” - JONI MITCHELL

Only Joni Mitchell can throw a decidedly wintry song onto an album full of sunny summer vibes (Blue) and make it work perfectly. (MP)

“STILL LOVELY” - BANE’S WORLD

This song captures the instant feeling of brightness and warmth holding a lover’s hand while walking and pushing through the dark and cold winters together. (VCM)

“UNDER ICE” - KATE BUSH

Dear Stranger Things fans, when you listen to Kate Bush’s 1985 album Hounds of Love, please make it past the first track. If you don’t, you’ll miss this eerily ominous song about (//checks notes) ice skating. (CR)

“VALLEY WINTER SONG”

- FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE

While being snowed in can be a drag, there’s a certain positive warmth to be found in accepting it. Maybe the indoor time will allow you to write a song for your special someone as tender as this quintessential New England winter gem from Fountains of Wayne. (SS)

“WALK AWAY” - FRANZ FERDINAND

While Franz Ferdinand is usually in a frenetic art dance rock mode, the band also excels when it slows things down and aims for sinister, steely detached cool. Anyone who’s had a rocky relationship in cuffing season can probably relate to the line, “And I am cold, yes, I’m cold / But not as cold as you are…” (SS)

“WINTER’S BALLAD” - CUCO

Nothing reminds you of loneliness like winter and cold nights by yourself with space for two in your bed, but it’s just you. Cuco delivers the feels of winter sadness with beautiful melodies under a reverbed and dragged-out voice. Sadboi 4ever. (VCM) n

LOCAL HIP-HOP JAEDA

Musical longevity doesn’t carry much weight if an artist merely rests on their laurels. Thankfully, that’s certainly not the case for Jaeda. The first lady of Spokane hip-hop has been making noise and busting white girl rap cliches for over two decades (heck, she was an established figure when the Inlander profiled her in a “Bands to Watch” issue back in 2010), but she still hasn’t lost a step, as her new album Light Up the Moment showcases. Over an array of electro-beats the MC fiercely flaunts her authentic bona fides with swagger for days on bangers like “Jump!” and “I’m That Bitch.” Jaeda celebrates the new album dropping with a Knitting Factory party with her friends and fellow local standouts like Kung Fu Vinyl and ExZac Change & Matisse.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Jaeda: Light Up the Moment Album Release Show with Kung Fu Vinyl, ExZac Change & Matisse, DJ Naomi • Sat, Feb. 22 at 8 pm • $25-$50 • 18+ • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

COUNTRY BENEFIT HEALING HARMONIES

Thursday,

2/20

J THE BIG DIPPER, Bão, Norm Dufresne, Isaac and His Orchestra

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Bolo’s Blues & Brews

J BOTTLE BAY BREWING CO., Daniel Hall

CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Tonight’s The Night –The Rod Stewart Hybrid Tribute

GARLAND DRINKERY, Speak Easy: Open Mic Night

J LUNARIUM, Starlite Open Mic

J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin ZOLA, X24 25

Friday, 2/21

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Kyle Richard BARREL 33, Son of Brad

J THE BIG DIPPER, Hayes Noble, Stooks, Atomsk

J BLACK LODGE BREWING, Stunt Dope, Light in Mirrors

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Bay 7

BULLHEAD SALOON, Neon Interstate THE CHAMELEON, DJ Pilate, Rico Zaïco, Supa Saa

CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Riley Anderson

J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire IRON HORSE (CDA), JamShack THE JACKSON ST. BAR & GRILL, Zack Pass, Jacob Vanknowe

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Myles Kennedy, Tim Montana

J KOOTENAI RIVER BREWING CO., Heat Speak

MOOSE LOUNGE, Rusty Nail & The Hammers

J PANIDA THEATER, Spokane is Dead

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Mike and Sadie Trio

J PUEBLA MEXICAN RESTAURANT, Latin Dance Party

J J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Gavin Adcock

J J THE FOX THEATER, Healing Harmonies: Joe Nichols, Kinsey Rose ZOLA, Sugar Bear, Melissa Wonder

Saturday, 2/22

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Kari Marguerite and the 76

J BARREL 33, Heat Speak

J THE BIG DIPPER, RockFest Battle of the Bands

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Theresa Edwards Band

J BOTTLE BAY BREWING CO., Son of Brad

BULLHEAD SALOON, Neon Interstate CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD,

Working Spliffs

CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Riley Anderson

J CONNIE’S CAFE, Just Plain Darin

J CREATE ARTS CENTER, Carl Rey and Truck Mills

J THE GRAIN SHED TAP HOUSE, The Front Porch Rockers

IRON HORSE (CDA), JamShack

J JAGUAR ROOM AT CHAMELEON, The Writer’s Room

J KNITTING FACTORY, Jaeda: Light Up the Moment

Album Release Show with Kung Fu Vinyl, ExZac Change & Mattisse, DJ Naomi

MOOSE LOUNGE, Rusty Nail & The Hammers

NIGHT OWL, Priestess

J PANIDA THEATER, Low Bar Chorale

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Ian Newbill

ZOLA, Blake Braley, Rōnin

One of the few things better than a great concert is a great concert that’s also raising money for a good cause. Both boxes get checked every year when the Fox hosts the Healing Harmonies country concert to benefit Cancer Care Northwest Foundation, the nonprofit that directly supports Inland Northwest families dealing with cancer via financial and counseling services. This year’s fundraiser is headlined by Joe Nichols, who has turned out a slew of platinum singles including “Brokenheartsville,” “Gimmie That Girl” and “Sunny and 75.” He’s joined on the bill by Kinsey Rose, who reached the national stage as a contestant on The Voice in 2021. But at the end of the night, nothing will be quite as harmonious as helping out those in need. — SETH SOMMERFELD

Healing Harmonies: Joe Nichols, Kinsey Rose • Fri, Feb. 21 at 7:30 pm • $17-$67 • All ages • Fox Theater • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • foxtheaterspokane.org

Sunday, 2/23

J JAGUAR ROOM AT CHAMELEON, Forty Feet Tall, Hell Motel

Tuesday, 2/25

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Rich and Jenny

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Theory of a Deadman (Unplugged), Aryon Jones SWING LOUNGE, Swing Lounge Live Music Tuesdays

ZOLA, The Zola All Star Jam, Bryan Bielanski

Wednesday,

2/26

J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents ZOLA, Akifumi Kato, Ron Greene

Just Annouced...

J THE BIG DIPPER, High on Fire, March 18.

J HAMILTON STUDIO, Dayan Kai, March 23. THE CHAMELEON, Boot Juice, April 12.

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Buckcherry, April 13.

J J SPOKANE ARENA, Sturgill Simpson, April 19.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Sing of the Swarm, April 20.

J PANIDA THEATER, Jim Messina, April 20.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Unearth, May 12.

J THE BIG DIPPER, fish narc, May 15.

J KNITTING FACOTRY, Sleep Theory, June 4.

J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, July 22.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Dinosaur Jr., Snail Mail, Aug. 6.

MUSIC | VENUES

219 LOUNGE • 219 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • 208-263-5673

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS • 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-927-9463

BABY BAR • 827 W. First Ave. • 509-847-1234

BARRISTER WINERY • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • 509-465-3591

BEE’S KNEES WHISKY BAR • 1324 W. Lancaster Rd.., Hayden • 208-758-0558

BERSERK • 125 S. Stevens St. • 509-315-5101

THE BIG DIPPER • 171 S. Washington St. • 509-863-8098

BIGFOOT PUB • 9115 N. Division St. • 509-467-9638

BING CROSBY THEATER • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-227-7638

BLACK DIAMOND • 9614 E. Sprague Ave. • 509891-8357

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL • 116 S. Best Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-891-8995

BOOMERS CLASSIC ROCK BAR • 18219 E. Appleway Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-368-9847

BUCER’S COFFEEHOUSE PUB • 201 S. Main St., Moscow • 208-596-0887

THE BULL HEAD • 10211 S. Electric St., Four Lakes • 509-838-9717

CHAN’S RED DRAGON • 1406 W. Third Ave. • 509-838-6688

THE CHAMELEON • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd.

CHECKERBOARD • 1716 E. Sprague Ave. • 509-443-4767

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO • 37914 S. Nukwalqw St., Worley • 800-523-2464

COEUR D’ALENE CELLARS • 3890 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-2336

CRUISERS BAR & GRILL • 6105 W Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-446-7154

CURLEY’S HAUSER JUNCTION • 26433 W. Hwy. 53, Post Falls • 208-773-5816

THE DISTRICT BAR • 916 W. 1st Ave. • 509-244-3279

EICHARDT’S PUB • 212 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-263-4005

FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • 509-279-7000

FOX THEATER • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-624-1200

IRON HORSE • 407 E. Sherman, Coeur d’Alene • 208-667-7314

IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL • 11105 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-926-8411

JOHN’S ALLEY • 114 E. Sixth St., Moscow • 208-883-7662

KNITTING FACTORY • 911 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-244-3279

MARYHILL WINERY • 1303 W. Summit Pkwy. • 509-443-3832

MILLIE’S • 28441 Hwy 57, Priest Lake • 208-443-0510

MOOSE LOUNGE • 401 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene • 208-664-7901

NASHVILLE NORTH • 6361 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls • 208-457-9128

NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 877-871-6772

NYNE BAR & BISTRO • 232 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-474-1621

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY • 301 Cedar St., Sandpoint • 208-265-8545

POST FALLS BREWING CO. • 112 N. Spokane St., Post Falls • 208-773-7301

RAZZLE’S BAR & GRILL • 10325 N. Government Way, Hayden • 208-635-5874

RED ROOM LOUNGE • 521 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-838-7613

THE RIDLER PIANO BAR • 718 W. Riverside Ave. • 509-822-7938

SEASONS OF COEUR D’ALENE • 1004 S. Perry St. • 208-664-8008

SPOKANE ARENA • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • 509-279-7000

SPOKANE TRIBE RESORT & CASINO • 14300 US-2, Airway Heights • 877-786-9467 SOUTH PERRY LANTERN • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-473-9098

STORMIN’ NORMAN’S SHIPFACED SALOON • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-862-4852

TRANCHE • 705 Berney Dr., Wall Walla • 509-526-3500

ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416

Living Well in the Inland Northwest

Watch for the March-April issue on stands March 7 Jan-Feb issue on stands now! Pick up your copy at area grocery stores and Inlander stand locations

MUSIC KITTY GIRL

If there’s one thing you’re sure to see at a Meow Meow cabaret show, it’s mayhem and mishaps. She might take the stage later than expected, stop midway through a performance to yell at whoever is working the lights, or even interact with attendees in unexpected but comedic ways. However, those “failures” are integral to Meow Meow’s international appeal. Each “mistake” is carefully planned to create an atmosphere where folks can focus solely on her beautiful voice. The award-winning Australian performer takes her chaotic cabaret act to the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center this weekend for an unforgettable evening. Meow Meow’s performance is recommended for adults only.

— COLTON RASANEN

Meow Meow • Sun, Feb. 23 at 7:30 pm • $42-$66 • 18+ recommended • Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center • 211 E. Desmet Ave. • gonzaga.edu/mwpac

BENEFIT CULTIVATING CREATIVES

There’s hardly anything more important than encouraging kids to follow their passions. This event hosted by Growing Neighbors is an opportunity for students (and people of all ages!) to share their creativity through art. Artists can submit art pieces created using repurposed or found objects to be auctioned off. Funds will be shared between Growing Neighbors and the local educational nonprofit Spark Central. Along with an art auction, the event includes an option to purchase dinner from Island Style Food Truck, live music by Jonathan Nicholson, a communal art piece, live painting and several variety show performances. The theme for this year’s fundraiser is “Celebrating Diversity” and Growing Neighbors invites artists and performers to base their work and performance around the theme. RSVP at the Growing Neighbors website.

— MADISON PEARSON

Growing Artists • Mon, Feb. 24 from 5-8 pm • By donation • Shadle Park Presbyterian Church • 5508 N. Alberta St. • growingneighbors.org

MUSICAL BIBBIDI-BOBBIDI-BOO!

When Cinderella hurries home once the midnight hour rings, her enchanted evening comes to an end. But with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene, you’re in store for a timeless musical masterpiece. It follows the familiar tale of Cinderella, who’s mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, but with the help of her Fairy Godmother is able to attend the king’s ball and win the eye of the prince. Rodgers and Hammerstein originally adapted Cinderella for a television musical production in 1957. Made for the stage, expect a score and acting that will both warm hearts and leave you on the edge of your seat until the glass slipper finds its rightful owner. This local production is presented by CYT North Idaho.

— DORA SCOTT

Cinderella • Fri, Feb. 21-Sun, March 2; Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 3 pm • $17-$22 • The Midge & Pepper Smock Family Theatre at The Kroc • 1765 W. Golf Course Rd., Coeur d’Alene • cytnorthidaho.org

GET LISTED!

Submit events online at Inlander.com/getlisted or email relevant details to getlisted@inlander.com. We need the details one week prior to our publication date.

COMEDY IN THE CLUB

Dave Attell might not be a household name, but he is the plutonic ideal of a club comic. A New Yorker through-and-through, the 60-year-old Attell has been offering up the perfect blend of observational wit, grizzled bluntness, quick crowd work, dirty grit, and silly absurdity that makes his jokes land with a punch for just about any audience. His punchlines come fast and furious, always on the attack but somehow not feeling confrontational or aggressive (his days hosting the Comedy Central cult classic, late-night travel show Isomniac really showcased his open-minded, rough raconteur curiosity). In an era when comedy clubs are often populated by TikTokers and guys who do crowdwork to hide their inability to actually write jokes, catching a master of the craft like Attell in his element is a reminder of what stand-up comedy can be at its best.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Dave Attell • Thu, Feb. 27 at 7 pm; Fri, Feb. 28 at 7 pm (sold out) & 9:45 pm; Sat, March 1 at 7 pm (sold out) & 9:45 pm • 18+ (21+ late shows) • $40 • Spokane Comedy Club • 315 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanecomedyclub.com

FILM ONE MAN’S TRASH…

In an era before posting intentionally aggressively, awful memes (aka shitposting) became so prevalent that even presidential candidates do it, there was joy to be found in a sincere movie being so awful that it looped back around to being entertaining. It’s essentially the premise that Mystery Science Theater 3000 was founded upon — having a blast ragging on a film for fun. But only one film provided so much fodder that it became a cult classic: The Room. Writer/director/star Tommy Wiseau’s romantic drama is so bizarre and stilted that it has to be seen to be believed, but it’s now reached Rocky Horror Picture Show levels of cult adoration, with signature moments becoming chances for audience interaction (spoons! footballs!). Palouse Cult Film Revival closes out its current slate with an interactive screening of The Room at the Kenworthy followed by a wrap/dance party.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Palouse Cult Film Revival: The Room • Sat, Feb. 22 at 7 pm • Rated R • $20 • Kenworthy Performance Arts Center • 508 S. Main St., Moscow • kenworthy.org

I SAW YOU

HOT AS A RED FORD RANGER Hey there, handsome! I spotted you getting into your red Ford Ranger at the Yokes in Airway Heights. From that old truck, I can tell you’re a man who makes things last. I couldn’t take my eyes off you with that tall frame, vintage vibe, and rugged appeal. Let’s hit the road together and you can let that long, dark hair of yours down. Maybe that truck isn’t the only thing I can ride ;)

RE: IS THIS REAL? 65 years is far too long to have gone without hearing what so many unknowingly take for granted. Though my heart is heavy with the knowledge of this misfortune it has graced me with the opportunity to have the honor of telling you, (today on Valentine’s Day no less) that you sir are WORTHY of LOVE. As I am writing this it is February 14th and tomorrow is my 36th birthday, and for my birthday wish I hope the Inlander is flowing with responses for you! There is a fireplace in Manito park it’s my favorite place to paint, I go there often in the afternoons on fair weather days. I am difficult to miss if I’m there painting as I tend to stand out with all my pillows and comfy blankets if I’m not curled up with a fire than I’m the only odd ball in a black tent painting. If you ever spot me I’d like to learn your name and perhaps swap a few poems as I also tend to spill my heart on paper.

CHICKEN CHICK I went in to get a chicken sandwich, but found love between the buns. There you were, Blonde, tatted, gorgeous, and there I was getting dinner

with my mom and eating a delicious sandwich with the sauce flowing down my face. You’re the hottest thing at HHC and that’s saying something! I don’t have any warrants but maybe I’m still your type. Let’s do something crazy! If you see this send one back and I’ll come say hello.

CHAIR RIDE & CHEAP PIZZA SLICES Silver mountain chair Feb. 16. We rode chair together & had a nice chat. You, cute snowboarder lady w/ light helmet & dark parka. Me - snowboarder w/ orangeish parka, van camping for few days to catch snow & mentioned the cheap slices @ gondola pizza place from 11-4. Face-palm for not asking if we could grab a bite together... I looked all over the mtn trying to find you again for 2nd chance. Maybe you will see this & let me know where/ when you are riding next. Slices on me! :)

YOU SAW ME

RE: GARLAND THEATER Raven haired love of my life, my tall Amazonian warrior queen, I would do anything to see you smile for the briefest moment. The day you let me into your life was the happiest moment of my life and everyday since then has only made me happier. Meet me at the Garland when the night is dark and the lights are bright, but they will never be as bright as the light you emit.

CHEERS

ALWAYS GREAT Shout-out to Debbie and Shon at Stahl Optical! Going to them for 30 yrs and their new mobile service is great! So easy to get ahold of you guys with my

We’ve had a rough time and you redeemed my faith in humanity. I can’t say thank you enough. Thank you for being one amazing person

THANK YOU, MICHELLE! A big THANK YOU to Michelle, the occupational therapist for Eden Home Health in Spokane. She goes far beyond the extra mile to help her patients and is passionate about

daughter’s broken glasses! Thank you for driving in the snow to fix! Exceeded my expectations! You guys are the best!

NOM NOM GAS ANGEL At Nom Nom on the South Hill, you saw me paying for gas with change. You told the clerk to add a bit more money for me. I want to say thank you.

making sure they are well cared for. She improves people’s lives regularly!! And she finds solutions that allow patients independence and improved quality of life. I am eternally grateful for her caring and solution-oriented nature.

EMR AND FIRST RESPONDERS You guys are absolutely rock stars, angels. It is really humbling and embarrassing to be that vulnerable, needing to be helped. I wanted to thank you for helping me when I couldn’t help myself. You guys are amazing.

HEALTH VIGILANTE To the hero who approached our table at a downtown brewery on Sunday evening to reveal to us that our friend had failed to wash his hands after taking a piss - we thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We had no idea such a sick pig had invaded the sanctity of our gathering. You took it upon yourself to step away from your children and the family

is your professional and likely expert opinion. Where would we be without fine, upstanding Americans like yourself to warn us against the vile, unsanitary weasels skulking in our midst? We assure you that, thanks to your vigilance, he was promptly excommunicated from our frienship for his heinous crimes. Huzzah for you, brave sir- we are forever in your debt.

painful decision for 11 cats, dogs, and a horse. When you add to the family, your “contract” with them includes care, ALL of it. Granted, advances in vet medicine yield more options which can be gadawful expensive. Many can’t fund, a tragic reality; been there, done that. But their passing before you is the normal expectation of ownership. Ownership costs more than just purchase price and feed. Instead of blaming, put $5 a week

JEERS

FENTANYL ADDICT A needle is filled up and drained as the little girl inside looks wide-eyed in pain. She knows it’s wrong but proceeds to gain the ultimate high that’s toxic to her brain. It’s just another victims vein, rotten and thrown away. The family has fallen into an addicts pathway of destruction and lies, overwhelming them all to the point where suicide is on their minds. Every year that you’re not sober is another year our hearts get colder. So as that steel penetrates your skin, remember all the pain that’s held within. Ask yourself is this really how I want my life to end?

HEADLIGHT MORONS Jayzuss Christ! Turn on your goddamn headlights!! Unless it’s 70 degrees and sunny, turn on your fecking headlights! That’s cool that you can see in wavelengths us mortals can’t perceive, but turn on your goddamn headlights!! You crash into me, imma tell the judge you were invisible! Especially around dawn/ dusk! Extra F--- You points!!!

UNCARING VETERINARIAN CLINICS SO it’s the vet’s fault you didn’t have end-oflife funds? EVERYONE ELSE should fund your end-of-life care needs? Uncaring?

dinner you were sharing at this bar to inform us “for health reasons” that, despite not touching anything in the restroom, this careless heathen deceived us into believing he was an upstanding, hand-washing citizen. You are clearly an authority in health and cleanliness, and we have the utmost respect for what we assume

A vet refused to bill for care provided before we trucked a horse to a surgical hospital. My compassionate vet “works in” drop-offs for urgent visit when appts are full. Numerous vets have sent condolence cards. Vets work longer hours when daytime emergencies disrupt appts. Vets experience daily the heartache of others. Some offer payment plans. Another has a donation jar. We have made that

into a jar, a savings account, a cookie tin, whatever. That’s $260 a year. If the pet lives ONLY five years that’s $1,300. (Cats average 14 years; dogs, 5-17.) More than enough and a cushion for regular care and illness. Stop blaming others. Be prepared for next time.

RE: STRANGER TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

I’m trying to imagine the kind of person who overanalyzes and overintellectualizes being called “Love,” “Sweetie,” “Doll,” etc. by service workers. Your take was a bit intense. Servers use terms like “Honey” and “Sweetie” as a sign of warmth, not disrespect. It’s about creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere – no one’s pretending to be your friend. Have you thought about communicating your discomfort to your server? A simple “Hey, I’d prefer not to be called _” would go a long way. Servers aren’t NPCs with limited dialogue options. If you had, say, communicated with them in a professional way, then you could have avoided the frustration that led you to pen your rant. Your reaction to these simple expressions of kindness feels really out of place. If it really rubs you the wrong way, you might want to reconsider where you dine. n

responsibility for the content.

EVENTS | CALENDAR

BENEFIT

SPAGHETTI LUNCH AND COMEDY

FUNDRAISER The Radio*Play Comedy

Troupe script readers bring old time radio to life after a lunch of spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Feb. 21, 10:45 am-1:30 pm. $15$20. Southside Community Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. spokanesouthside.org

CORKS & CAPS A beer, wine and cider tasting event featuring drinks from local craft artisans, live music from Lucas Brookbank Brown and Jerry Lee Raines, photobooths, auctions and more. All proceeds benefit Spokane Angels. Feb. 22, 3-7 pm. $35-$50. Spokane Valley Event Center, 10514 E. Sprague Ave. spokaneangels.org/corksncaps

FREE REIN THERAPEUTIC RIDING’S

ANNUAL AUCTION & DINNER A roasted tri-tip dinner and auction benefitting Free Rein Spokane’s programs and lessons. Feb. 22, 4-8:30 pm. $75-$100. Mukogawa Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Rd. freereinspokane.org

VIVA VINO GALA This fundraiser benefitting Nuestras Raíces features Folklorico performances, a Latino DJ, dinner and live and silent auctions. Feb. 22, 4:30-10 pm. $100. Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino, 14300 W. SR Highway 2. hbpaofspokane.org (509-557-0566)

MARDI GRAS MAMBO The North Central High School Music Boosters are partnering with the Spokane Public Library and KYRS radio to raise funds for music students at North Central High School with a Mardi Gras-themed celebration with live music, an auction and dinner. Feb. 28, 5-8 pm. $35-$45. Central Library, 906 W. Main. givebutter. com/NCMusicMambo (509-688-5235)

28TH ANNUAL WINE, STEIN & DINE

A fundraising event for the Post Falls School District Teacher Grants featuring over 85 vendors, a silent auction, dinner and live entertainment. March 1, 6-9 pm. $50. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way. pfefwsd.org

BACK TO THE FUTURE: SPOKANE PUBLIC MONTESSORI An evening of dinner, live music and fundraising for Spokane Public Montessori. March 1, 6-10 pm. $50. Shriners Event Center, 7217 W. Westbow Blvd. spokanepublicmontessori.org (509-818-2640)

COMEDY

CHRIS KATTAN Chris Kattan is best known as one of the longest serving cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Feb. 20-22, 7 pm, Feb. 21-22, 9:45 pm. $22-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub. com (509-318-9998)

FINDERS CREEPERS An intrepid documentary team embark on an expedition to uncover elusive cryptids. The players delve into mysterious terrains, meet bizarre creatures and unexpected twists, all driven by audience suggestions. Every Friday in February at 7:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar St. bluedoortheatre.org (509-747-7045)

SPOKANE COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL

Two nights of short-form comedy films from local comedians and filmmakers. Feb. 21-22, 7-9:30 pm. $10. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. spokanecomedyfilmfestival.com

LYV BABINSKI Lyv’s comedy show offers an entertaining combination of funny sketches, interactive moments and

engaging activities for kids with humor that’s safe and child-appropriate. Feb. 22, 2-3 pm. By donation. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar. comedy-for-kids.com

AARON WEBER Weber is best known for his appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and on The Nateland Podcast with Nate Bargatze. Feb. 23, 7 pm. $22-$32. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

PINKY PATEL Chicago based Pinky Patel is a PTA mom turned comedian and internet personality. Feb. 23, 4 pm. $30-$55. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

CHRIS MUNCH Munch is an actor, comedian and writer best known for his YouTube videos. Feb. 25, 7 pm. $27-$37. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

DAVE ATTELL Attell is a stand up comedian best known for being the host of Comedy Central’s Insomniac with Dave Attell. Feb. 27-March 1; Thu at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 9:45 pm. $40-$50. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)

STAVROS HALKIAS Stavros Halkias is a comedian, actor and writer best known for his debut comedy special Live at the Lodge Room. Feb. 27, 7 pm. $44-$201. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org (509-624-1200)

IMPROV MEET UP A relaxed and fun opportunity to meet fellow improv lovers, chat about all things improv and connect with others. March 1, 6-7 pm. Free. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar St. bluedoortheatre.org (509-747-7045)

COMMUNITY

AMERICAN GIRL OF THE MONTH CLUB

Each month’s meeting features one of American Girl’s historical dolls and includes fun activities that are inspired by her era and heritage. Every third Thursday at 1 pm and 4 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)

GET YOUR FREE WASHINGTON ID People experiencing homelessness are invited to receive a Washington state ID card at no cost. Feb. 20, 9 am-2 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)

MINECRAFT CLUB Drop in and explore architecture, engineering and art through Minecraft. Participants are given a building prompt related to one or more of these fields. Grades 3-8. Every Thursday from 4-6 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. sparkcentral.org (509-279-0299)

SAMURAI, SUNRISE, SUNSET Step into the world of a samurai and experience armor, weaponry and personal items from the powerful military class that ruled Japan for nearly 700 years. Each item tells a story through its master craftsmanship and individual details. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through June 1. $9-$15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)

SUICIDE IN FARMERS PRESENTA-

TION The presentation reviews various stressor events, and explores how to find solutions. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Presented by Cornelia Kirchhoff. Feb. 20, 7 pm. Free. Green Bluff Grange, 9809 Green Bluff Rd. wsu.edu (509-979-2607)

CHESS CLUB A brief coaching lesson

followed by a chess match. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own chess set. Feb. 22, 2:30-4:30 pm. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org

FUTURE DAY A day of hands-on play designed to ignite children’s curiosity about the world of work. Kids in grades K-3 can participate in engaging handson challenges led by local trades. Feb. 22, 10 am-2 pm. Free. On Track Academy, 4091 N. Regal St. ksps.org

INLAND NORTHWEST BOOK ARTS SOCIETY MEET-UP The group meets monthly to practice and learn different aspects of book arts. Each meeting features a different technique. These meetings are held in Mel Antuna Hewitt’s art studio at the Hive. Space is limited. Feb. 22, 10-11:30 am. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org

VENDOR MARKET A small, curated vendor market in collaboration with Chrysalis Gallery. Feb. 22, 10 am-5 pm. Free. Uptic Studios, 402 E. Sprague Ave. upticstudios.com (509-850-3698)

THE ECHOES WITHIN: SOUND HEALING WITH I AM A 90-minute sound healing journey designed to harmonize your mind, body and soul. Come with intention and allow sound to guide you. Every month on the second and fourth Tuesday from 6:30-8 pm. $37. I AM Alliance, 7 S. Howard St. iamalliance.me

SMALL BUSINESS SPRING MINGLE

Come together with the local small business community to get to know each other in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Feb. 26, 5-7 pm. $12. Lighthouse Chiropractic Center, 2118 N. Ruby St. liveyourbestbusiness.com

BASIC SEWING SKILLS Learn how to thread a machine, load a bobbin, use different stitches, choose machine accessories, do basic machine maintenance and create a hem. Feb. 27, 6-7 pm. $50. My Fresh Basket, 1030 W. Summit Pkwy. seawolff-studio.square. site (509-558-2100)

BLACK LITURGIES FOR STAYING HU -

MAN This community gathering invites nonviolent, intersectional and interfaith meditation and reflection practice. The theme for this month is love and belonging. Feb. 27, 6-7 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)

SPOKANE HOME & YARD SHOW An annual event featuring hundreds of displays and demonstrations offering the latest in home and yard related products, services and improvements. Feb. 27-March 2, times vary. $10-$12. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. custershows.com

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILIES & HOMES FROM CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES Responsible Growth NE Washington hosts a presentation to raise public awareness on preparedness and protection of homes and families in the event of a wildfire. March 1, 9 am-2 pm. Free. Camas Wellness Center, 1821 N. LeClerc Road. rgnew.org

FILM

THE SLED HILL SHORT FILM PREMIER

Experience the Sled Hill at Pine Street Woods through the eyes of the past at the long-awaited premier of The Sled Hill, a short film by Tanner French Films. Feb. 20, 5-8:30 pm. $10. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. kaniksu.org

GRAND KYIV BALLET: SWAN LAKE

Swan Lake is a ballet masterpiece telling the story of a prince who falls in love with a beautiful swan princess under a spell. Feb. 20, 7-9 pm. $40. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org

MOSCOW FILM SOCIETY: PAPER MOON Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O’Neal play off each other with almost musical agility as a Bible-hawking con man and the recently orphaned tomboy who falls into his care. Feb. 21, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org

PALOUSE CULT FILM REVIVAL: THE ROOM AN INTERACTIVE SCREENING

A screening of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room that includes call-out scripts, prop bags and a second bar set up near the screen. Feb. 22, 7 pm. $20-$50. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. palousecultfilms.org (208-310-1200)

MOSES: 13 STEPS Two time Olympic gold medalist Dr. Edwin Moses introduces a new documentary Moses: 13 Steps that addresses his unprecedented dominance in the 400m hurdles, running undefeated in all professional competition for over 10 years. Feb. 23, 4-6 pm. $10. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

2025 INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL An evening celebrating the art and adventure of fly fishing through a selection of films showcasing the beauty, challenges and inspiring stories from fly-fishing destinations around the world. Feb. 27, 7 pm. $26$54. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. flyfilmfest.com (509-327-1050)

THE BIG LEBOWSKI ON 35MM Two screenings on 35 mm film. The 6 pm show is family-friendly with non-alcoholic beverages. The 8:30 pm screening features adult drinks including Dry Fly White Russians. Lebowski attire encouraged in order to win a prize. Feb. 28, 6 & 8:30 pm. $10. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. spokanefilmfestival.org

FOOD & DRINK

THE TIPSY VINE: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY Celebrate The Tipsy Vine’s one-year anniversary with tastings by Smoky Rose Cellars, permanent jewelry by Always Linked Permanent Jewelry, raffles every hour and more. Feb. 22, 12-6 pm. Free. The Tipsy Vine, 18213 E. Appleway Ave. thetipsyvinewa.com

COCHINITO TAQUERIA 7TH ANNIVERSARY This party celebrating Cochinito’s seventh anniversary features cocktails, small bites, live music and more. Feb. 23, 12-9 pm. $79. Cochinito Taqueria, 10 N. Post St. cochinitotaqueria.com

SUSHI 101 A hands-on class on the basics of sushi-making. Feb. 25, 5:458 pm. $75. The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. thekitchenengine.com

INLANDER RESTAURANT WEEK The annual 10-day, regional culinary celebration returns, offering three-course fixed-price menus ($25, $35 or $45) at over 100 restaurants in the Inland Northwest. See complete menus at InlanderRestaurantWeek.com Feb. 27-March 8. Feb. 27-March 8. $25-$45. INLANDER RESTAURANT WEEK HIGHLIGHTS WITH ADRIANA JANOVICH Food writer and journalist Adriana Janovich spotlights various restaurants in this year’s Inlander Restaurant Week. Feb. 28, 4-5 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main. spokanelibrary.org

EVENTS | CALENDAR

MUSIC

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT A concert featuring the United Black Voice of Spokane and the Gonzaga University Choir honoring the rich cultural legacy of black music. Feb. 23, 3-4:30 pm. Free. Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd. manitoumc.org

KEBERLE JAZZ MASS An originally composed jazz mass by Dan Keberle. Feb. 23, 8:30-9:30 & 10:45 am. Free. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave. stmarks-spokane.org (509-747-6677)

MEOW MEOW Meow Meow sings, dances and performs her hilarious musical act. Feb. 23, 7:30 pm. $42-$66. Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, 211 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga.edu/mwpac

MASTERWORKS 6: L.A. STORIES Conductor Shira Samuels-Shragg makes her Masterworks debut with Dvořák’s spellbinding Seventh Symphony. March 1, 7:30 pm and March 2, 3 pm. $24-$83. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org

NORTHWEST BACHFEST Two performances featuring Kurt Kikkanen, Zuill Bailey and Maria Asteriadou playing selections composed by Ravel, Debussy, Beethoven and more. March 1, 7 pm and March 2, 3 pm. $10-$45. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. nwbachfest.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SANDPOINT WINTER CARNIVAL A 12-day festival spanning the entire city

of Sandpoint. Activities include music, snow sport activities and more. Daily through Feb. 25, times vary. Sandpoint. sandpointwintercarnival.com

NEVER SUMMER SNOWBOARD DEMO DAYS Try out the latest snowboard models provided by Never Summer. Feb. 20-22, 9 am-3 pm. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com

SPOKANE CHIEFS VS. TRI-CITY AMERICANS Regular season games. Promos include 40th Season Celebration (Feb. 21). Feb. 21, 7:05 pm and March 15, 6:05 pm. $12-$40. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanechiefs.com

CHICKEN KEEPING BASICS Learn about chicken keeping regulations in Spokane County as well as housing, breed selection, egg production, feeding and caring for chickens. Presented by Paul and Susan Puhek of S&P Homestead Farm. Feb. 22, 2-4 pm. Free. Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St. scld.org

CROSS COUNTRY SKI LESSON Learn to cross-country ski and tour the trails of Mt. Spokane. Learn the basics from Spokane Nordic Ski Association P.S.I.A certified instructors. Equipment and lunch provided. Meet at the Selkirk Nordic Area. Feb. 22, 10 am-noon. $77. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. spokanerec.org

SPOKANE GOLF SHOW A two-day golf showcase featuring vendors, an instructional area, deals on equipment, course discounts and more. Feb. 22-23; Sat from 9 am-5 pm, Sun from 10 am-4 pm. $12. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. spokanegolfshow.com (509-279-7000)

THEATER & DANCE

THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARD -

ROBE This dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch and the adventures of four children who wander from an old wardrobe into Narnia. Thu-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm through Feb. 23, 2 pm. $15. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. tacatthelake.com

TOOTSIE In a meteoric rise to Broadway stardom, Michael (disguised as Dorothy) soon has audiences enamored while falling for his co-star, Julie. It isn’t long before Michael realizes that maintaining his greatest acting success is going to be much harder than he expected. Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1:30 pm through Feb. 23. $30-$35. Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N. Grand. rtoptheatre.org

CINDERELLA The classic story of Cinderella, a sweet orphan who’s harshly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Serving as a servant in their home, she longs to go to the King’s royal ball and win the heart of the prince. Feb. 21-March. 2; Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 3 pm. $17-$22. Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. cytnorthidaho.org

SOUTHERN FRIED NUPTIALS Harlene Frye is going to marry her childhood sweetheart this weekend assuming the typical Frye family hijinks don’t derail the wedding. Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm through Feb. 23. $15. Chewelah Center for the Arts, 405 N. Third St. chewelahcenterforthearts.com (509-936-9333)

EVERY BRILLIANT THING A young boy creates a list of everyday things that bring him joy in a desperate attempt to lift the spirits of his depressed mother. Over the years, the list continues to grow as he confronts life. Feb. 27-March 15, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm. $35. Hamilton Studio, 1427 W. Dean Ave. theaterontheverge.com (509-327-9501)

ANNIE This classic show tells the story of Little Orphan Annie and her relentless determination to live the life she’s always dreamed of. Feb. 28-March 2; Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 pm, Sun at 1 pm. $50$90. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. broadwayspokane.com (509-279-7000)

VISUAL ARTS

KRISTIN ROBBINS: PAINTED FRAMES

Kristin Robbins is an artist, musician and part-time custodian for Spokane Public Schools. Her work portrays characters caught in everyday activities – folding clothes, raking leaves – looking like reluctant subjects interrupted to get their photo taken in maximalist interiors or busy exteriors. Daily from 11 am-6 pm through Feb. 28. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. explodingstars.com

ANDREA JOYCE HEIMER: NO NAME THAT I KNOW OF Through collage-like layers of detail, Andrea Joyce Heimer reconstructs tangled memories of her upbringing in rural Montana. The artist combines autobiography, fantasy, and dark humor to explore themes of loneliness and belonging. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through May 25. $9-15. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W.

First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

CHRIS KELSEY: ALTERED CONNECTIONS Ceramic artist Chris Kelsey showcases themes of change in the form of geometric shapes and geologic forces. Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through Feb. 28. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net (509-863-9904)

JUDY KLIER & MARCIA MCDONALD: WE ARE FAMILY Sisters Judy Klier and Marcia McDonald showcase diverse paintings of animals, human beings and abstract shapes. Wed-Sat from 11 am-5 pm through Feb. 28. Free. New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague Ave. newmoonartgallery.com (509-413-9101)

PAPER AS WATER: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS PRINTS An installation of works by Indigenous artists of Washington state from the collection of Helen Carlson and Paul Nicholson. Mon-Fri from 10 am-4:30 pm through March 21. Free. Bryan Oliver Gallery, Whitworth, 300 W. Hawthorne Ave. whitworth.edu

REGIONAL FACULTY INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION A group exhibition featuring faculty art works from: Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, Spokane Falls Community College and North Idaho College. Fri from 4-7 pm, Sat from 10 am-3 pm through March 8. Free. Gonzaga University Urban Arts Center, 125 S. Stevens St. gonzaga.edu (509-313-7201)

FLOWER POUNDING WITH HAND EMBROIDERY Learn the craft of flower pounding with fresh flowers on fabric from instructor Maria Andrus. Feb. 22, 10 am-1 pm. $77. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net

Exceptional cardiac care in the heart of the Inland Northwest

Rick Hosmer’s mountain biking adventure was interrupted by a heart attack. Fortunately, world-class cardiac treatment was immediately available at nearby Providence Heart Institute in Spokane.

In honor of his lifesaving care, Rick and his wife made a generous gift to Providence Inland Northwest Foundation’s Follow Your Heart campaign to modernize Providence Heart Institute.

“It’s our heart institute. It’s Spokane’s heart institute. I want everybody to know the great work that happens here and know they can be part of making it even better. My wife and I are pleased to play even a small part in making that happen.”

TEEN CERAMIC SCULPTURE CLASS Led by youth pottery instructor Kelli, students will spend all four weeks of class planning, building, and then decorating one large coil built sculpture or functional item (vase, decoration, pitcher, etc.).

Feb. 22-March 22, Sat from 10 am-12:30 pm. (No class March 1.) 10 am-12:30 pm through March 22. $195. Emerge, 119 N. Second St. emergecda.com

WHIMSICAL CLAY-SCULPTING Ceramist Collista Krebs provides teens of all skill levels a fun and easy-to-learn clay hand building project crafting a dog. Supplies provided. Feb. 22, 1-3:30 pm. $40-$45. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

POTTERY CLASS A six-week immersion course teaching the basic fundamentals of pottery. Students will become familiar with the studio, throwing on the wheel and materials. Ages 16+. Feb. 24-March 31, Monday from 6-8 pm. $250. Emerge, 119 N. Second St. emergecda.com

PAINT & SIP: WHITE BIRCH WITH BIRDS

Relax and make a painting of white birch with birds using acrylic paint. Ages 10+. Feb. 25, 6 am-8:30 pm. $45. Iron Goat Brewing Co., 1302 W. Second Ave. artvana.life (320-805-0206)

HEARTISTRY: ARTISTIC WELLBEING

A relaxed and inspiring environmnt for self-discovery. Participate in basic artistic concepts and activities or respond to a mindfulness prompt. Every Tuesday from 3-5 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

TUESDAY GALLERY TALKS Join a museum staff member or docent for an 20 minute informal discussion about one of

our currently showing exhibitions. Every Tue at 11 am. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)

DROP IN & DRAW Join a creative community for this weekly free-form drawing program. Explore different artistic mediums, develop skills and ideas and cultivate imaginative thinking through art. All skill levels are welcome. Supplies and projects provided. Wednesdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

INTRO TO JEWELRY In this course, students pick from a variety of sample jewelry items to recreate and use as inspiration for their work. Ages 13+. Feb. 26, 5:30-7:30 pm and March 8, 5:30-7:30 pm. $53. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net

OPEN STUDIO Stop by The Hive to see what current Artists-In-Residence are up to, and tour the building. Every Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org

PAPER ART NIGHT Bring your collage and paper projects or start something new. Every month on the fourth Wednesday from 6-8 pm. Free. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe. lunariumspokane.com

RIVER RIDGE ASSOCIATION OF FINE

ARTS MEETING See what fellow members painted und the theme “trees.”

T Kurtz leads a discussion on fraud and scams aimed at the arts community. Bring your most recent creation to share with the group. Feb. 26, 10 am-noon. Free. Spokane Art Supply, 1303 N. Monroe St. rrafaofspokane.com

HANDCRAFTED WOODEN CUTTING

BOARD Learn to make a functional wood cutting board using only hand tools. Ages 16+. Feb. 27, 5-8 pm. $65. Gizmo-CDA, 283 N. Hubbard Ave. Suite 102. gizmocda.org (208-929-4029)

COMIC DRAWING MEETUP Draw comics with fellow artists while drinking tea and eating treats. Every month on the first Saturday from 3-5 pm. Free. Lunarium, 1925 N. Monroe St. lunariumspokane.com

HAND DRAWING WORKSHOP Learn the anatomy of the hands and draw the hands of a model in different poses from instructor Tom Quinn. Pre-registration required. March 1, 10 am-2 pm. $56. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave., Ste. B. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)

WORDS

DROP IN & WRITE Aspiring writers are invited to be a part of a supportive writers’ community. Bring works in progress to share, get inspired with creative prompts and spend some focused time writing. Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299)

HARMONY WRITERS GROUP A writing group focused on memoir and craft. Every other week on Thursday from 5:15-7 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org

LIBARNA URBAN LANDSCAPES PROJECT: EXPLORING A ROMAN CITY Libarna, a Roman city, represents an early colonial foundation outside of Italic areas of the early empire. Geophysical survey and archaeological excavations by the

Libarna Urban Landscapes Project are helping to expand understanding of urban society and culture in northern Italy. Feb. 20, 6:30-8 pm. Free. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-768-3653)

WRITE TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY

WRITING SESSION Bring your current writing project and prepare to hunker down and write. Local novelist and Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields will write alongside of you and provide prompts and advice if needed. Feb. 21, 10 am-noon. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL A writing and book study group focused on courage and resilience. Feb. 22, 10:3011:30 am. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. kimemorgan.com

FILL-A-BAG SALE Fill a bag with used books priced $8.95 and under for $50. The first 30 people in line will receive a tote to shop with. Feb. 22, 4-6 pm. $50. Bookishly Happy, 2415 N. Government Way, Suite 2. bookishlyhappy.com

L.R. MONTGOMERY: DON’T BE AFRAID OF ART A discussion aimed at breaking down those walls of fear surrounding art. An opportunity to explore those thoughts in a safe and encouraging space. Feb. 22, 11 am-noon. Free. The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave. theartspiritgallery.com

AUNTIE’S BOOK CLUB: QUEER & WEIRD Discuss The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton at the February meeting. Feb. 22, 6-7 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com

LANGUAGE OF TESTIMONY Compiled by poet Ostap Slyvynsky and presented

as a dual-language publication, A Ukrainian Dictionary of War is a “book of witness” that gathers the reflections of Ukrainian citizens as they react to the war against their sovereign territory. Feb. 24, 12-1 pm. Free. Holland Library WSU, Washington State University. wsu.edu

TRANSITION IS INEVITABLE, JUSTICE IS NOT Speaker Gopal Dayaneni discusses the story of climate justice and how to transition away from extractivism and move toward cooperation in regard to climate issues. Feb. 24, 6-7 pm. Free. Gonzaga University Hemmingson Center, 702 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga.edu

KEIKO OGURA: AN ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVOR’S STORY Keiko Ogura was eight when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She shares her experiences with people all over the world in hopes of preventing another such catastrophe. Feb. 25, 4:30-5:45 pm. Free. Online: register at uidaho.edu

BROKEN MIC A weekly open mic reading series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. Free. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit.ly/2ZAbugD

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Stretch your writing skills with fun prompts, character creation, world building and more. Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 pm. Ages 8-12. 3:30-4:30 pm. Free. Moscow Public Library, 110 S. Jefferson St. latahlibrary. org (208-882-3925)

AUNTIE’S BOOK CLUB: MYSTERY/ THRILLER (VIRTUAL) Discuss The Centre by Ayesha Manazis at the February meeting via ZOOM Feb. 27, 12-1 pm. Free. auntiesbooks.com (509-838-0206) n

FeBrUaRy

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

SCHWEITZER HAPPENINGS Ski and ride, plus for snowboarders: Never Summer Snowboards kicks off three days of free demos of their newest handcrafted boards

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

SCHWEITZER HAPPENINGS. Final day to ride a free demo from Never Summer Snowboards. Plus twilight skiing under the lights, 3-7 p.m.

FAMILY DAY ON THE BRIDGE. Fun-filled day of games, face painting, photo booth, cocoa bar and specials at the Cedar Street Bridge Pubic Market, 11 a.m.-5 p.m

LIVE MUSIC AROUND TOWN. Husband-and-wife team Comin’ Home the Band will play bluesy rock at Matchwood Brewing downtown, 5:30-8 p.m

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21

SCHWEITZER HAPPENINGS. Tubing, riding and skiing, and the second day of free demos from Never Summer Snowboards. Plus, twilight skiing under the lights, 3-7 p.m.

NU JACK CITY @ THE HIVE. Town's premier music venue hosts this rockin' Motown-Soul-R&B band from Spokane, beginning 7 p.m.

SPOKANE IS DEAD IN CONCERT. Acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute band will play Dead and Jerry Garcia Band classics, 7:30 p.m. at the Panida

TOASTYFEST @ MATCHWOOD New Winter Carnival party has a fun run (or walk!), mobile sauna, fire pits, food specials and DJ'd music by Lady Oda, at Matchwood Brewing.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

SCHWEITZER HAPPENINGS. Ski and ride the mountain, or have family fun with nordic skiing and Hermit's Hollow tubing.

EICHARDT’S K-9 KEG PULL. Final, favorite event of Winter Carnival! Dogs and owners race down a snowy course, with dogs pulling a right-sized keg – for a St. Bernard, that’s

Remember Medical

While not as visible as the recreational market, Washington’s medical marijuana infrastructure is still an asset

BY WILL MAUPIN

Washington voters legalized medical marijuana with Initiative 692 in 1998, but in the years since voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, the state’s medical marijuana infrastructure has been overlooked by many cannabis users.

Why go through the process of becoming a legally recognized medical marijuana user when there is a dispensary in your neighborhood that will sell you cannabis regardless of your health status, right?

In the winter edition of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s “Topics and Trends” newsletter, the board included a story discussing and, frankly, promoting cannabis collectives. These are groups of two to four valid medical marijuana users who band together to grow their own cannabis for medical use.

There are more perks to the state’s medical marijuana system than just collectives, though.

Individual medical marijuana users can also grow their own cannabis at home, with state laws allowing up to six plants at a time.

They can also possess cannabis in larger amounts than typical recreational cannabis users. The limit for recreational use is an ounce of cannabis, but medical laws allow up to 3 ounces. The laws for medical marijuana are flexible as well, with providers having the ability to extend those limits up to 15 plants and 16 ounces of cannabis if deemed medically necessary.

For those who choose not to grow at home, there are perks available in stores as well.

Cannabis purchased legally through the state’s medical marijuana system is not subject to sales tax. Recreational cannabis, on the other hand, will cost you a nation-high 37% in sales tax.

Now, if these benefits sound good to you, remember, they’re intended for Washingtonians with legitimate medical concerns that can be treated with cannabis.

The state outlines 13 groups of conditions that can qualify a patent for medical marijuana, including unfortunately common ones such as cancer, pain, and certain mental and brain conditions.

If a health care provider determines a patient with one of those conditions can benefit from medical marijuana, they are eligible to take part in the state’s medical marijuana system.

In Spokane County, 18 dispensaries are what the state calls “medically endorsed,” meaning they are part of the medical system. Unlike dispensaries that are strictly recreational, medically endorsed stores are required to have a state-approved medical marijuana consultant on staff to help customers with valid medical marijuana cards.

While it has been largely overshadowed by the state’s recreational marketplace, Washington’s medical marijuana infrastructure can still be a valuable asset for those who need it. n

For those eligible, medical cards come with major benefits.

GREEN ZONE

BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habit-forming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.

WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis 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 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis 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 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

NOTE TO READERS

Be aware of the differences in the law between Idaho and Washington. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport cannabis in the State of Idaho. Possessing up to an ounce is a misdemeanor and can get you a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine; more than three ounces is a felony that can carry a five-year sentence and fine of up to $10,000. Transporting marijuana across state lines, like from Washington into Idaho, is a felony under federal law.

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61. Part of a skate blade 62. Sharp as a tack DOWN

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