Inlander 03/23/2023

Privately Owned. Locally Invested.

Voted “Best Bank” since 2011. Thank You.

As the oldest and largest privately-held commercial bank in the Pacific Northwest, we are honored to have been voted “Best Bank” by our community. We are grateful to have been here in the Northwest since 1902, and we look forward to the next 120 years and beyond.

DISCOVER THE HISTORY, CULTURES AND ART OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST AND THE WORLD.

THE MAC 2023

Dancing with Life

Mexican Masks

Plateau Pictorial Beadwork

The Fred L. Mitchell Collection

Ubuhle Women

Beadwork and the Art of Independence

Humaira Abid

Searching for Home

The Wyeths

Three Generations and a blockbuster traveling exhibit TBA!

Photo by Dean Davis Bongiswa Ntobela, Funky Bull, 2006 glass beads sewn onto fabric.

N. C. Wyeth (American, 1882–1945) A Young Maine Fisherman, 1933 Oil on canvas

INSIDE

EDITOR’S NOTE

When we say, in these very pages, that something or someone is the BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST, it’s not some random choice made by Inlander writers in a smoky backroom. No, what you’ll read in this issue — the biggest Best Of issue to date — are the choices of readers like you. And this year, our 30th year of collecting and sharing your favorites, more votes than ever before were cast in our annual contest. Way more than in 1999, when you chose being naked as the best untried restaurant theme. Or 2006, when Hastings was picked as the best CD store. Or, heck, last year when the Baby Bar won Best Tiny Bar. Yes, those were simpler times. But this is 2023! So sit back and enjoy what your kith and kin chose as the best of the best. In fact, like last year, we’ve included some of your own words about why you voted for your favorite comics book shop, local elected official or donuts, among many other categories. Because this is your issue, dear reader. And there’s not much better than that.

— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editor

CARTER’S LEGACY PAGE 6

CHEWELAH CONUNDRUM PAGE 8

BRUNCH OR BUST PAGE 144

MIDCENTURY VINYL PAGE 150

INLANDER

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WHAT IS SPOKANE’S BEST-KEPT SECRET?

JOSH CARLILE

I think honestly there are quite a lot of fly-fishing spots that are in, like, very urban areas downtown that not a lot of people know about.

ANDREY KENDYS

I think just the downtown, because there’s very nice people here. You can feel very comfortable, and you can meet new friends and have a great day.

KATIE WHITE

The amount of trails that we have, the hiking, and there’s some really beautiful spots that you can find that are not as popular. I also think that for a city that, on paper, is not very diverse, I think we have some good cultural food options.

SIDNEY JOY

Just small businesses in general. There’s a lot of pretty small businesses, and they all got through COVID.

ADDISON SCOTT

I would say how good Spokane’s coffee community is.

What’s your favorite thing about Spokane?

The mix of the downtown, the city-like atmosphere, and then you go out further and then it’s like farms and country.

INTERVIEWS BY ELLIE ROTHSTROM 3/17/23, INDABA DOWNTOWN

‘We’re Better Than This’

Jimmy Carter set a strong example about finding meaning in American life — that message remains as pertinent today as it was in 1979

BY JOHN HAGNEY

Back in 1979, with mile-long queues for gas, 14 percent inflation, 10 percent mortgage rates and manufacturing imploding, President Jimmy Carter addressed these multiple crises with what historian Kevin Mattson called “the speech that should have changed the country.” Carter’s advisers implored him to simply explain the economics underlying the problems. Surely Carter, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in nuclear physics, could nuance data, but he was resolute: “I don’t want to bullshit the American people.”

Carter was elected to salvage our republic from the detritus of the Vietnam and Watergate breaches of faith, and thus resuscitate a government metastasizing with “a cancer on the presidency.” Tenacious insistence on truth — no bullshit — would be Carter’s cure.

I was born in Columbus, Georgia, home to Ma Rainey and Carson McCullers, 50 miles from Carter’s birthplace of Plains. That a modest peanut farmer committed to civil rights could, in 1971, become governor in Lester Maddox, Klaninfested Georgia was a seed of hope in a derelict national landscape. Carter’s son later reflected, “We were liberals and not racist, so I had only two friends in Georgia.”

Carter’s 1979 speech was more homily than political platitude. He framed the crisis as a moral malaise. True, the economic cause was

supply scarcities imposed by international oil producers who increased crude oil prices 1,500 percent in a decade. But Carter insisted that the voracious demand for oil exposed a flaw in the American character: “Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption.” Americans defined themselves “no longer by what one does, but by what one owns… [which] does not satisfy our longing for meaning.”

Carter’s message of malaise should resonate still, as too many of us seem inured, if not in adulation of those who causally invoke the sacred while practicing the profane. For these self-righteous impostors, “God Bless America” is merely a flag-accessorized marketing slogan — their moralizing charade a cash cow; truth a malleable commodity.

It’s tempting to dismiss this inconvenient truth as one of Carter’s Sunday school sermons or an evasive political tactic. But Carter was reaching deep, calling us to the Christian virtues of frugality and service abandoned by the many secularized supplicants at the altar of avarice.

Carter walked this talk by installing solar

First Lady Rosalynn Carter and President Jimmy Carter dance at a White House Congressional Ball in 1978. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PHOTO

panels on the White House and turning down its heat to 55 degrees. Emulating his mother, who at age 68 served in the Peace Corps, Carter worked with Habitat for Humanity for decades.

In his principled pragmatism, Carter finessed his Christian convictions with his commitment to separation of church and state, often arousing religious conservative criticism. When he was elected in 1976, three years after Roe, Carter opposed a constitutional amendment banning abortion, yet he also opposed federally funded abortions. His belief in the sanctity of all life compelled Carter to oppose capital punishment.

When the Southern Baptist Convention, to which his Plains church was affiliated, instructed women to submit to their husband’s authority, Carter retorted that religion was one of the “basic causes of the violation of women’s rights,” and that SBC policy represented “self-serving, authoritarian males.” He resigned from the conference.

Lest one think Carter holier than thou, recall his election month 1976 Playboy interview in which he confessed that he “committed adultery in my heart.” Alas, if one doubts the moral morass of the present, dwell on the tolerance if not sanctification by some of Trump’s serial assaults on the Seventh Commandment, a 2021 Georgia billboard comparing him with Jesus, and his home state’s own Marjorie Taylor Greene. As the New York Times’ Maureen Dowd quipped, “Hope of the South to Dope of the South.” Carter’s mantra: “We’re better than this.”

Consistent with his faith, the Carter Doctrine rebooted foreign policy on the basis of human rights. It became untenable for the U.S. to continue to justify supporting atrocious dictatorships such as Nicaragua’s Somoza, Argentina’s Peron and Chile’s Pinochet in the name of opposing communism. FDR’s observation that “Somoza’s a bastard, but he’s our bastard” was no longer a morally defensible position. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Prize for Peace for his mediation in the Arab-Israeli conflict, the improbable Camp David Accords (1978) and his commitment to human rights.

In 1953, the CIA instigated a coup to overthrow the first democratically elected government in the Middle East because Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh demanded the nationalization of foreign-controlled oil. The U.S. proxy was Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who terrorized Iranian civilians and restored foreign oil interests, including 40 percent control by the U.S.

With oil crises raging in 1979, Carter was compelled to confront a conundrum. The shah was overthrown and replaced with a theocratic “Islamic Republic.” U.S. Embassy staff in Tehran were taken hostage as revenge for U.S. hegemony. As an egregious violation of international law, Carter authorized a military rescue of the hostages that failed and became the raison d’être for his 1980 loss to Ronald Reagan.

Unlike the faux populism of some Republican charlatans (somehow a red cap with a $10,000 suit isn’t convincing), Carter’s flannel, denim, shit-kicker casual exuded the real deal.

Among Carter’s authentic populist bona fides was that he was a rock and roll enthusiast. Carter recalls in the 2020 documentary Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll Presidency, “The Allman Brothers put me in the White House.” Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan were Carter friends. Carter adored jazz, and when Dizzy Gillespie played the White House, Carter sang a duet with the bebop icon of his “Salt Peanuts.” He designated June as National Black Music Month.

As Carter recently moved into hospice care, it’s time to remember the man in full, deeply rooted in Georgia’s red clay. Carter humbly lived his faith and restored our belief that the best and brightest could ascend from the dirt of politics and rule humanely. As with Lincoln, who in his time was vilified and is now aptly venerated, if we fail to give Carter the historical homage he deserves in the misapprehension that he failed us, we have failed ourselves. And because of Jimmy Carter, we are better than that. n

John Hagney is a retired history teacher, spending 45 years at Lewis and Clark High School. He was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher and published an oral history of Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms that has been translated into six languages.

WITH RUNGE’S RELAXED YET PROFESSIONAL ATMOSPHERE, WHY SHOP ANYWHERE ELSE?

NOT IN CHEWELAH’S BACKYARD

The state is funding a behavioral health facility in rural Stevens County, and the small town’s residents are in an ‘uproar’

It felt like the whole town was there.

More than 80 people packed the room, and those who couldn’t find space spilled out to listen from the hallway. It was a sizable turnout for a weeknight city council meeting anywhere — especially so in Chewelah, a town of 2,400 about an hour north of Spokane.

There were only two topics on the agenda. A presentation on the first item — something about shoreline regulations — was delayed by technical issues. The mayor had to step in and fiddle awkwardly with the TV.

Everyone was there for the second item: a public forum on two new 16-bed facilities — one for patients living with dementia, the other for people with intensive behavioral health needs stemming from things like developmental disorders or incidents involving traumatic brain injuries. The project is funded by a $1.6 million grant from the state Department of Commerce, part of a larger project to shift away from big mental health facilities like the troubled state hospitals, and put resources toward smaller, community-based ones.

At last week’s meeting, residents made their opinion clear: The city needs to do everything in its power to stop the facility.

“We’re not against mental health or anything like

BY NATE SANFORD

that,” said Joseph Reddick, a Chewelah resident, at the Wednesday public forum. “We’re against having it in our backyard.”

John May, a Chewelah resident since 1942, put it bluntly to council members: “The behavioral modification folks are there because they’re jerks.”

Council members tried to explain that, in many ways, their hands are tied. They’d already passed an emergency moratorium in February to delay the project, which is set to expire this summer. But property owners have land rights, and the state government has jurisdiction. Several residents asked if the city could just “screw the law.”

Michael Waters, the city attorney, stepped in. He explained that while he sympathizes with the sentiment, ignoring state law would be a very bad idea.

“The city could be on the hook for millions and millions and millions of dollars it doesn’t have, directly bankrupting the city and destroying everything in the process,” Waters said. “We’re gonna have to figure out a way to do this within the law.”

If he could go back in time and do it all over again, Kenton Cox isn’t sure he’d accept the grant.

“We don’t like controversy,” Cox says. “It’s not

fun to be hated by a few or be a target of animus, but this is the position we’re in right now.”

In February 2020, Cox bought Quail Hollow, an assisted living facility with 16 beds in Chewelah. It was a business decision, Cox says, but the desire to make a difference and improve the lives of vulnerable people also played a role.

The type of patients admitted to assisted living facilities varies quite a bit. The previous owners of Quail Hollow had mainly catered to more mild cases — “the traditional grandpa and grandma peacefully rocking the rocking chair,” Cox says.

After taking over, Cox says, they also started admitting patients who needed a bit of extra help, like younger people who can’t live on their own because of traumatic brain injuries.

In early 2020, a staff member noticed that the Department of Commerce was offering millions of dollars for care facilities across the state. Cox saw an opportunity to follow up on the previous owner’s plans to one day expand Quail Hollow and figured the grant could help cover construction costs. He says he didn’t even consider the possibility of community pushback.

...continued on page 10

Chewelah officials listen to resident’s concerns during a City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 15. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

NEWS | HEALTHCARE

“NOT IN CHEWELAH’S BACKYARD,” CONTINUED...

The intensive behavioral health wing funded by the grant would be for people who no longer benefit from treatment at institutions like the Western and Eastern State Hospitals, but who still require support. The patients might need a bit of extra care, but overall, Cox says, they wouldn’t be that different from the people Quail Hollow currently serves as an assisted living facility.

Commerce approved the grant in 2020. The pandemic delayed the planning process but by summer 2022, Cox says, the city had approved a construction permit. He started building. It seemed to be going well.

Then everything changed this winter.

“We were blindsided,” Cox says.

The Chewelah facility is part of a larger five-year plan launched by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2018 to “reimagine” the state’s health care system. Fewer big, state-run institutions like the troubled state hospitals, more smaller ones like Quail Hollow.

“Large institutions were popular in 1918, but in 2018 we know smaller hospitals closer to home are far more effective,” Inslee said at the time.

In an effort to build more of those smaller, close-tohome hospitals, Commerce has awarded more than $160 million to 59 projects across the state. The grants are open to providers with expertise and the ability to expand, and focus on medically underserved areas like Chewelah, according to Penny Thomas, a Commerce spokesperson.

In Spokane, the state put $1.8 million toward the construction of Greenacres Residential Care in the Valley, and $1.7 million to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center for behavioral and educational skills training. Spokane County also received $1.9 million for the con-

struction of the 32-bed Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Facility, which local leaders debuted with a ribbon-cutting event in 2021.

While other Commerce-funded projects, like Catholic Charities’ Catalyst Project homeless shelter in west Spokane, have drawn significant neighborhood pushback, the mental health projects in Spokane have seen little resistance or negative publicity.

But that hasn’t been the case in other parts of the state.

In Clark County, a planned behavioral health facility met with opposition from neighbors concerned about the building’s proximity to schools. Neighbors concerned about safety and being left out of the planning process have also organized to protest an involuntary treatment center in Stanwood.

And then there’s Chewelah.

Abbie Hawvermale, a nurse at Quail Hollow, thinks the backlash started in December after neighbors noticed the new buildings going up. Residents circulated a petition urging leaders to stop the facility. The city quickly stepped in and passed the emergency moratorium in early February.

“It’s a little surprising that the town’s in an uproar,” she says.

Cox says he’s been transparent and communicative with city officials throughout the process. But Mayor Greg McCunn says that the city wasn’t fully informed about the full scope of what “intensive behavioral health treatment” actually meant until this January.

Now that the city has a clearer picture of what type of patients the facility would serve, McCunn says the city needs to take a step back and evaluate whether or not they have the resources to actually support it.

A FUTURE WHERE YOUR ZIP CODE DOESN’T DETERMINE YOUR LIFESPAN

A few miles can add years to your life. Your neighborhood affects the air you breathe, the water you drink, your access to healthy food — and how long you live.

Healthier communities make healthier people. The University of Washington is at the forefront of addressing the interconnected factors that influence how long and how well we live, from climate change and poverty to systemic inequities and health care. In partnership with community organizations, the UW transforms research into concrete actions that improve and save lives across the country — and around the world.

“That’s the position the state agencies have put us in,” McCunn says.

McCunn points to documents from the Washington State Health Care Authority that say people should only be admitted to intensive behavioral health facilities if they “require more intensive services due to dangerous or intrusive behaviors, complex medication needs, a history of unsuccessful residential placements, a history of hospitalizations, or a history of violent or felony offenses.”

It’s shocking, McCunn says.

Cox understands why people are alarmed. But he argues that the violent and criminal behaviors described in the document are outlier cases that don’t represent a majority of the patients the new facility would admit.

The city is letting Cox move forward with construction, but the moratorium stops him from getting the occupancy permit he’ll need to actually operate the facility once it’s finished. If the city finds a permanent way to stop the building from being used as a behavioral health facility, the Commerce funding Cox was counting

Quail Hollow currently operates as an assisted living facility. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

on to cover the construction costs will go away — leaving him on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Cox tried to answer the community’s concerns at a town hall event in February. He says he was met with valid questions and criticism, but also personal attacks, misinformation and vitriol. With that in mind, he decided not to go to last week’s meeting.

“It almost sounds like the town thinks we’re bringing in felons and rapists,” says Hawvermale, the Quail Hollow nurse. “That’s not what we’re doing here.”

Many residents are concerned about Quail Hollow’s proximity to local schools. The building is just a few blocks from the local high school and elementary school.

Over the past year, there have been two incidents involving Quail Hollow residents leaving the facility and wandering into the neighborhood, prompting alarmed neighbors to call the police.

McCunn argues that the town is far too small to handle this type of facility. The five-person police department is already stretched thin, he says, how are they supposed to handle an influx of unstable people in the community?

Since the incidents, Cox says his staff have been on high alert and strengthened their policy of not allowing residents to go out into the community without staff accompaniment. He’s also looking into adding fences and cameras once the facility is finished.

Cox doesn’t want this to get ugly. He says many of the city’s concerns have been reasonable, and that he wants to find a way for everyone to just get along. But he’s not backing down either. He says he’s hired an attorney to defend his rights as the landowner if it comes down to it.

At last week’s City Council meeting, city officials asked the residents to help brainstorm ideas for an ordinance that would stop the facility or otherwise restrict its use. Perhaps something saying it can’t be within 500 feet of a school?

“How about 5 miles?” someone yelled, prompting applause. n nates@inlander.com

The Spokane Society of the Archaeological

The Billionaire Dilemma

A Washington state bill proposes hitting the very, very, very rich with a new type of tax — but is it legal?

BY DANIEL WALTERS

It’s arguably Washington state’s most lucrative untapped natural resource: the wild billionaire.

The billionaires rankings in Forbes shows that Washington state has the third-, fifthand eighth-richest people in the world — Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Steve Ballmer. No other state has two residents in the top 10.

Amazon’s Bezos alone has a net worth of $120 billion — enough to cover Spokane’s entire city budget for a century.

“It’s an unfathomable amount of money,” says state Sen. Noel Frame, a Seattle Democrat.

By contrast, she sees Washington’s history of relying on the sales tax, a regressive tax that leans on the poor and rewards the rich, as “a major blemish on our record as a progressive state.”

But Frame, the kind of legislator who writes “tax nerd” in her Twitter bio, believes she has a potential solution to this kind of unfairness. And no, she’s not floating a new proposal to tax the paychecks of the wealthy.

Instead, she’s proposing hitting their bank accounts and stock portfolios with a wealth tax.

Senate Bill 5486, which she sponsored, proposes targeting the state’s wealthiest residents with a 1 percent yearly tax on their financial assets, like the money they keep in their checking, savings, or investment accounts.

And when we say “wealthiest,” we do mean the wealthiest. Someone’s first $250 million in assets are exempted from the tax.

“Frankly, the middle class is already subject to a wealth tax,” Frame says. “That’s the property tax on their home.”

In theory, taxing Bezos’ 10 percent stock ownership of Amazon, a trillion-dollar company, could net the state a cool billion.

But, to be clear, the tax wouldn’t apply to physical assets — if they dump their fortune into, say, paintings or yachts or Beanie Babies, it doesn’t apply.

The number crunchers in Olympia estimate 700 taxpayers across the state would be hit — the 700 that can most afford it. And it would raise over $3.1 billion a year. Frame’s bill would split that bounty between accounts focused on disabilities, education, housing and a new “taxpayer justice account” to, in effect, pay the taxes of less-rich Washington state residents.

But there’s just one problem. Even if legislators pass the bill into law, the law might be illegal.

“This is unconstitutional in Washington,” says Jason Mercier, director of the Center for Government Reform at the conservative Washington Policy Center, which generally stumps against any new taxes.

There’s a reason, beyond political unpopularity, why Washington is one of the handful of states without a graduated income tax. The state constitution has long had a provision stating that “all taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of property.”

And attempts to argue that income taxes aren’t actually taxes on “property” have repeatedly been swatted down. (The latest attempt to label a capital gains tax as an “excise tax” is before the state Supreme Court.)

But here, there’s no hiding it. The words “narrowly tailored property tax on extreme wealth” are literally in the title of the bill.

So how can Frame’s wealth tax get around that pesky “uniformity” provision?

Sure, the state can’t charge different types of taxpayers different tax rates for the same type of property, Frame acknowledges.

But what they can do, she says, is to create tax exemptions, like the property tax exemptions on the books for multifamily housing.

Mercier, with the Washington Policy Center, doesn’t buy it. You can get exemptions for certain categories of property, he says. You can’t just get an exemption for the first $250 million, he says.

“If what they’re saying is true, why haven’t they proposed a 1 percent income tax with a $10 million exemption?” Mercier says.

Either way, the bill doesn’t look poised to pass, at least not yet. State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, a Spokane Democrat, says he’s philosophically supportive.

“I believe our tax code is broken,” Billig says.

But he acknowledges that it may make sense to wait until the Supreme Court rules on the capital gains tax before trying to pass this one. If it does succeed, Washington would be the first state with a wealth tax. But without other examples to look to, Billig is cautious about the potential unintended consequences.

“For instance, people could move,” Billig says.

And while most people don’t move simply to avoid taxes, this is a new type of tax, heavily concentrated on just a few people who could live almost anywhere they want.

If Bezos leaves the state, suddenly the state would lose almost a third of its tax revenue from the wealthy tax stream. In fact, some of the state’s richest may already be quietly claiming residency elsewhere, Frame says.

And so yes, Frame knows the legal hurdles the state will face if she passes her bill.

“We’re gonna get sued every time we ask the wealthy to pay what they owe,” Frame says. “This is the history of the United States tax code. Rich people always seem to try to get out of paying taxes.” n danielw@inlander.com

How Jeff Bezos showers?

Without a Drought

Forecasters expect a plenty wet summer. Plus, new penalties for custodial sexual misconduct; and the effectiveness of design to stop encampments.

Determining the likely severity of drought isn’t a perfect science, but according to the Washington state Department of Ecology, most areas of Washington shouldn’t face many drought-related challenges this summer. Ecology predicts existing water supply levels from analyzing the snowpack, precipitation and temperature throughout the winter. Snowpack melts in the warmer months and feeds directly into rivers and streams, making it an integral component for avoiding drought. In terms of precipitation, the west side of the state was drier and the east side was wetter than normal. Even with La Niña this winter, overall precipitation levels were lower than expected across the board. While winter temperatures were slightly higher than normal, February was ranked the 51st coldest since 1895, which helps prevent the snowpack from melting early. Overall, Ecology is “cautiously optimistic” about Washington’s water supply levels. (SUMMER SANDSTROM)

CORRUPT CUSTODIANS

To ensure harsher punishment for corrections officers who abuse their power, state Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, has sponsored legislation to make custodial sexual misconduct a more serious crime. Padden took up the issue after learning about a guard who sexually assaulted and harassed women in the Forks city jail. The victims included Kimberly Bender, 23. She died by suicide in her cell after reporting harassment to officials, who said they couldn’t substantiate her claims. “I have no reason not to believe her,” Padden says. The guard, John Russell Gray, served only 13 months behind bars for sexual assault and harassment of four other women. “It seemed way too light for what happened,” Padden says. “Kimberly’s Law” would make first-degree custodial sexual misconduct (involving intercourse) a class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and second-degree misconduct (involving sexual contact) a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Senators voted 48-0 to pass Senate Bill 5033. It’s now working through the state House. (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

FENCED IN

The Browne Street viaduct is only 100 feet from the House of Charity in downtown Spokane. For years, even when there were available shelter beds, people continued to sleep under the railway bridge. By August 2021, Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl was brainstorming ideas to stop them. “I’m trying to think outside the box,” Meidl wrote in an August 2021 email with the city administrator, which he handed over to business owners Chud Wendle, Sheldon Jackson and Chris Batten. “The concept of short benches lining the walls under the viaduct to prevent folks from camping out.” Ultimately, the solution, launched in February 2022, was a bit more crude and less elegant: Chain-link fences erected on both sides of the street, giving just enough room for people to walk through, but not enough room to set up camp. Still, people in desperate situations — like during the cold snap and snowfall earlier this month — find a way. On March 12, a crowd of homeless people were sleeping inside the fencing. Someone had cut large holes in the fencing, enough to duck through and bring provisions and camping equipment. “The effectiveness of the strategy can’t be [judged] on one day or one incident,” says Brian Coddington, Mayor Nadine Woodward’s spokesman. Within a few days, however, the holes had been repaired. Today, there are at least four separate “no camping” warnings flanking each side of the viaduct. (DANIEL WALTERS)

Get the latest on Inlander.com

Jerry Cantrell Friday, March 31 8 PM

Vocalist, lead guitarist and main songwriter of the iconic Alice In Chains, Jerry Cantrell rocks the stage with AIC hits and solo singles.

FAMILY FUN AT THE FOX

and

Fear not, our summer looks good.

Photography by Kevin M. Gill

Bettering Blake

Washington lawmakers lean into addiction treatment as reduced drug possession penalties are set to expire

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

After testing a new method of addressing drug possession over the last two years, Washington state lawmakers may slightly increase penalties, while keeping an emphasis on treating addiction.

If passed by the House, Senate Bill 5536 would make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly possess illegal drugs.

The bill, which passed the Senate 28-21, increases the punishment from the simple misdemeanor that’s been tested since 2021 and removes a requirement for officers to offer treatment during the first two contacts with someone. However, it still encourages police and prosecutors to divert people to treatment.

“Drug possession usually results from addiction,” says state Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane. “And addiction is a health problem, so it makes sense to have a health solution to a health problem.”

Billig, one of the bill’s sponsors, says the intent is to offer multiple chances for people to address their substance use disorder and avoid the criminal justice system.

Under the proposal, police can offer an alternative to getting booked into jail, giving people the opportunity to go to a crisis stabilization center, addiction treatment center or another similar resource to avoid getting charged with a crime.

“We’re basically saying, ‘You’ve been arrested, but we want you to go to treatment, and we are going to give you every opportunity to get better,’” Billig says, “‘which is going to be better for you and your family and the whole community.’”

For those who end up getting booked and charged, there’s another possible pre-conviction off-ramp, Billig says. Courts would be required to offer defendants the chance to put their case on hold while they get a substance use assessment and complete the recommended treatment program. Successful completion would result in the charges being dropped. The case would continue if people don’t comply with their plan, or if they’re convicted of a separate violent crime or felony while the case is on hold.

Those who don’t take either of the early options and get convicted of a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail may get one more chance. If the defendant agrees, their jail time can be suspended while they are assessed and go to treatment. Once they prove they successfully completed treatment, the court must remove the conviction from their record.

“There are three points in the process where you get the treatment off-ramp,” Billig says.

BLAKE FIX 1.0

In July 2021, drug possession in Washington became a simple misdemeanor (punishable by up to 90 days in jail) instead of a class C felony (punishable by up to five years in prison). Under that policy, which expires this July, officers are required to direct people to treatment at least twice.

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The state will likely continue to focus on treatment.

The pilot program of sorts came about after Washington’s Supreme Court completely overturned the state’s drug possession law in February 2021.

The case in question involved Shannon Blake, who was arrested in Spokane by officers searching a property for evidence of stolen vehicles. When booking Blake into jail, they found a baggie of methamphetamine in the coin pocket of her jeans. Blake said she had never used meth and didn’t know the drugs were in the pants, which she’d received from a friend. She argued in court that “unwitting possession” shouldn’t be a crime.

In what’s now known as the Blake decision, the state Supreme Court justices agreed, finding that because Washington’s drug statute didn’t include the words “knowingly possess,” like every other state in the country, it could be used to punish innocent people. They noted that felony convictions could be brought against someone who didn’t know their roommate had drugs in the house. Or who picked up the wrong jacket after a house party. Or even against a mail carrier who delivered a package they didn’t know contained drugs.

The court found Washington’s law violated due process and was unconstitutional, voiding the statute and vacating Blake’s conviction.

But rather than simply adding the words “knowingly possess” to the previous language, lawmakers who were already halfway through session that year scrambled to pass a new policy with reduced time behind bars and an emphasis on treatment. They set an end date for this year so they’d have the chance to revisit the issue and see how it worked.

BLAKE FIX 2.0

That’s where SB 5536 came into play, along with three other options that didn’t move forward this session.

State Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, voted against SB 5536 after introducing two amendments that weren’t adopted. The first would have returned fentanyl possession to a class C felony, except when prescribed in a medical setting. The second would have ensured those who refuse to comply with treatment serve at least 45 days in jail.

“The fentanyl crisis is so prevalent and well known, and we have deaths from overdoses all the time,” Padden says. “I’d favor all hard drugs remaining a felony as they were before the Blake decision came down. This was an effort to highlight fentanyl.”

Padden, who served as a Spokane County District Court judge for almost 12 years, says he’s in favor of therapeutic drug courts, but he knows those options mostly exist in superior courts, which might require someone to be charged with a higher-level crime to access them.

“They can change that and try to make it happen in district and municipal court, but that’s going to take some time,” Padden says. “What I’m afraid of is it’s not going to be enough leverage if it’s not a felony for a lot of them to want to get the treatment.”

Billig says that regardless of what happens with the bill, Washington needs to continue investing in substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health and to build up that workforce. He expects that budget proposals released this week will reflect those priorities.

“We can allocate all the money we want to pay providers, to pay agencies, to pay nonprofit providers to do this treatment work, but if there isn’t the workforce for those providers to hire to do this work, then the treatment will never get done,” Billig says. n samanthaw@inlander.com

House of Fury & King of the Cage

7 MMA FIGHTS

3 BOXING MATCHES

THURSDAY, APRIL 13 TH

7 PM | $50 & UP

Join us for the ultimate MMA showdown and the return of boxing to Coeur d'Alene Casino! On Thursday, April 13TH region's best fighters and boxers compete in 3 cage boxing matches and 7 MMA fights.

An Evening with Lee Brice

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 ND

7 PM | $71 & UP

Join us for a night of great country music with Lee Brice. One of the most-played country artists of all time on Pandora. Lee is also a GRAMMY nominee, a CMA and ACM award winner, and he's taken nine radio singles to Number One including a "A Woman Like You" and "Hard to Love".

Jeff Foxworthy

THE GOOD OLD DAYS TOUR

THURSDAY, JULY 27 TH

7 PM | $70 & UP

Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature.

Must be age 18 or older to attend concerts. Purchase tickets at cdacasino.com, the Casino Box Office, or through the CDA Casino App. Call 1 800-523-2464 for more details.

ART FOR ALL

Spokane Public Library’s seven branches house books, yes, but also a plethora of accessible public art

BY MADISON PEARSON

The possibilities within a library’s walls are infinite. Libraries house many resources, and provide most at no cost to the members of a community served. Spokane’s public library system is no exception. Patrons can check out books, receive help navigating Medicare, attend children’s storytimes, take classes and even see art.

About a year after the $77 million library bond was passed by voters in 2018, Spokane Public Library and the Spokane Arts Commission put out an open call for artists to submit work for the library’s permanent and rotating art collection.

“Our construction budget was closer to $52 million,” says Amanda Donovan, director of marketing and communications for the Spokane Public Library. “And our total commitment to public art is 1.11% [of the construction budget], or $588,000.”

In July 2021, artists whose work was chosen for display in the new buildings were announced. From intricate fiber art to large-scale, hanging glass installations, each piece speaks to books, culture or Spokane as a place. Now that renovations and construction at all Spokane Library branches have recently wrapped up (with the reopening this month of the final two locations, Indian Trail and South Hill), here’s a snapshot of some of those newly installed pieces.

TRACY POINDEXTER-CANTON “CARRYING” AND “TO SHALIMAR,” LIBERTY PARK LIBRARY

Local artist Tracy Poindexter-Canton’s eyes light up when she’s asked about her favorite author.

“Toni Morrison has had the most profound impact on me as an artist,” she says. “She’s my world. I’m so enthralled by her work.”

Poindexter-Canton’s two mixed-media pieces in the new Liberty Park Library are inspired by Morrison’s novels Beloved and Song of Solomon.

Based on Beloved, “Carrying” depicts a person cradling a bouquet of dying daisies. Poindexter-Canton says the daisies represent the main character’s youth, childhood and innocence dying because of the psychological effects of slavery.

Her mixed-media collage “To Shalimar” has dozens of small intricacies that reference Morrison’s Song of Solomon and the events within.

“I always put a lot of metaphors into my work,” she says. “You can see that this wing is in the shape of Africa, a nod to how the story is about ancestry, the protagonist finding his roots and coming of age. And the golden bones down in the corner symbolize the importance of heritage — you’ll find that in a lot of my work.”

Poindexter-Canton wants to continue her Toni Mor-

rison series, emphasizing that books are a main source of inspiration for her.

“When I’m reading one of her books, I can see what I’m going to create in my mind,” she says. “Her writing is so descriptive, and I really connect with her female characters as I get older. She makes me want to create.”

JOHN ROGERS “SHIMMER,” CENTRAL LIBRARY

Upon entering the Central Library, it’s impossible not to crane your neck upwards. You can send your chiropractor bills to John Rogers, the artist behind the focal point of the newly remodeled library.

“Shimmer,” the Portland-based artist’s massive glass art installation, hangs above the main staircase leading up to the library’s second floor. It’s absolutely impossible to miss the iridescent glass shards dangling from the ceiling.

“I hadn’t been to Spokane in 40 years,” Rogers says. “I came back to get some inspiration after I was given the go-ahead to start planning my project. I had completely forgotten about the river and the historical significance of the falls. I walked around the city and absorbed the feeling of it, everything after that is subconscious.”

Rogers doesn’t want people to get too caught up over what he intends the piece to represent. Some of

Author Toni Morrison inspires Tracy Poindexter-Canton’s art, which hangs in the Liberty Park Library.

CULTURE | ARTS

“ART FOR ALL,” CONTINUED...

Rogers’ friends have said the glass shards represent the white caps of waves on the Spokane River, others have said it looks like salmon jumping over the falls.

“I don’t want it to be something you look at and immediately decide what it is,” he says. “I want it to be something different for every single person who enters the space.”

When asked why he entered the open call for artwork, Rogers says he spent a lot of time in libraries in his 20s.

“I’ve found that libraries are one of the few public buildings that can act as sort of a refuge for people. I can’t think of another building that people can go into, no matter what their situation in life is, and be accepted. I know it was that way for me.”

HELEN PARSONS

“URBAN LANDMARK: ICE MACHINE,” THE HIVE Spokane artist Helen Parsons learned how to sew at the library. Now, she creates fiber art for a living.

“My mom didn’t have the time to answer my questions about sewing when I was growing up,” Parsons says. “So I sat in the library day after day reading books about sewing, teaching myself the craft.”

You won’t find a single book or a computer, however, within the four walls of The Hive. The nontraditional library space centers on arts education and free, public event spaces. This makes it the perfect place for Parson’s “Urban Landmark: Ice Machine,” a fiberart piece depicting a rusty ice machine, like one you’d find outside a rural grocery store.

“Art doesn’t need to have a narrative,” Parsons says. “It just needs to create an experience. You don’t need a defined language or complex ideas to understand it. Art just is. I am where I am today because of the library. Everyone has access to whatever they need there, including art. There’s no greater power than that.”

SHAWN PARKS

“HOOP,” LIBERTY PARK LIBRARY

Located on the west side of the Liberty Park Library, “Hoop” is a large-scale, colorful metal sculpture in the shape of an embroidery hoop.

“I’m a textile artist by trade,” says Bainbridge Island-based artist Shawn Parks. “This was a bit daunting, but felt like a natural extension of my studio work.”

When Parks visited the then-future site of the library, he noticed how rooted in competition and sport the park surrounding it was.

“So, I immediately felt challenged to create something based not in competition, but in craft,” he says. “I wanted to create a different kind of hoop in the park, one that wasn’t related to basketball. Spokane is Hooptown after all.”

After researching a bit, Parks decided on a very particular color scheme for the sculpture: Pink, purple and orange. The stitches on the top of the “fabric” are turquoise, representing the waves of the Spokane River.

“The main goal of the project was to add some colorful, feminine joy to the area,” he says. “Oh, and to make people smile.” n

For a full list of the permanent and rotating works in the Spokane Public Library system, visit spokanelibrary.org/ art-at-the-hive

Helen Parsons’ “Urban Landmark: Ice Machine”

MORGS MERCH

Savoring Timme Time

Embrace the blissful grace of all-time Zag great Drew Timme

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

It’s tough to really quantify college greatness in the modern state of basketball because the most talented players often come and go so quickly. Which Zags’ careers are better: one-year superstars like Jalen Suggs, Nigel Williams-Goss and Kelly Olynyk, or guys who were very good and have the full collegiate longevity like Kevin Pangos, Ronny Turiaf and Przemek Karnowski?

Drew Timme checks both boxes. And that’s what puts him in a unique position in Gonzaga lore.

There’s simply no argument against Timme being one of the best Bulldogs ever, and really, it’s a kind of tough case to make that he isn’t the best player in program history. The numbers and accolades speak for themselves. He’s the programs’ all-time leading scorer, all-time field goal percentage leader, top 5 in rebounds, top 10 in blocks, and even almost top 10 in assists. No other Gonzaga player has been named to AllAmerican teams in two seasons, Timme’s made it three times. And every team he’s played on has been considered a national title contender.

But Timme means more to Gonzaga than simple stats and achievements can convey.

In some ways, he’s the perfect college

basketball player for modern times because he’s someone who fully thrives within the confines of the NCAA system. As the game has moved more toward 3-point barrages and high-flying athleticism, Timme dominated with precision and craftiness — elite footwork, feathery touch and a bagful of post moves in an era where most bigs are more concerned with their outside shots. Even as a bench player his freshman year, the skillset popped off the screen.

THE SWEET 16

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will play the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region in Las Vegas at 6:45 pm, Thursday, March 23. It will be televised on CBS.

He might not have the size or explosiveness that the NBA craves, but honestly who cares? If you only enjoy college basketball as a feeder system to the pros, then you don’t actually enjoy college basketball. Embrace the blissful grace Timme plays with in the here and now.

Drew Timme: Gonzaga basketball’s GOAT?

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

TIMME TIMELINE: FIVE BIG GAMES

FEB. 8, 2020 ST. MARY’S IN MORAGA

20 Points / 10 Rebounds

As a freshman, Drew Timme helped deliver the Gaels’ worst home loss since 2001, a 90-60 thumping. It was Timme’s highest point total of the season, offering a preview of what was to come. But that would be all — a preview — as six weeks later the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID.

MARCH 22, 2021 OKLAHOMA IN INDIANAPOLIS

30 Points / 13 Rebounds

This kicked off a scoring burst that powered his team all the way to the NCAA Championship Game (unfortunately, a loss to Baylor). “You gotta bring the fire,” Timme said after the 87-71 victory, “because all it takes is one good game and you can be out.” He followed up by putting up 22 on Creighton, with all games played around Indianapolis. And, in a takedown of all of SoCal, he scored 23 against USC and 25 versus UCLA, setting up a classic rematch this week.

NOV. 13, 2021

TEXAS IN SPOKANE

37 Points / 7 Rebounds

To the Lone Star State, Timme’s the one who got away, choosing Gonzaga over powerhouse programs closer to home. In this 86-74 win, making 15 of 19 shots, he reminded them what they were missing. Afterwards, Coach Mark Few was effusive about his not-even-remotely secret weapon, calling him “arguably the best player in college basketball… He’s an off-the-charts competitor.”

Timme would become a three-time All-American, making First Team All-American for 2023.

JAN. 21, 2023

PACIFIC IN STOCKTON

38 Points / 5 Rebounds

Timme’s career high came in style, with him scoring 24 in the second half and 18 in a row at one point. (He even missed seven free throws!) It was one of four 30-point games in the 2022-23 season. In early March, his torrid pace landed him on top of all Gonzaga players as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Even with another year of eligibility, he also announced it would be his final season.

MARCH 19, 2023

TCU IN DENVER

28 Points / 8 Rebounds

Again, another rugged Texas team, this time standing in the way of the Zags’ ridiculous eighth straight trip to the Sweet 16. After a shaky first half playing from behind, Timme’s experience and swagger took over en route to an 84-81 victory. Just for fun, he made a 3-pointer — only his third of the season. “It was huge,” Timme said after the game. “I just launched one up there. All you can do is smile and laugh.” There was one more box checked off his farewell tour bucket list: He dropped an F-bomb live on TBS.

— TED S. McGREGOR JR.

But even more than any up-and-under moves or peak games, Timme’s personality really turned him into a superstar. To be frank, Gonzaga basketball history isn’t littered with charismatic stars. Even someone like Adam Morrision carried an air of standoffishness. Timme plays with an effervescent, fun-loving passion that’s evident any time the camera cuts to him. Sure, opposing fans probably tire of his celebrations and constant chattering, but there’s something so lovable about a guy who’s clearly having a blast out there even when games get tense. It’s no surprise that his humorous charisma and almost cartoonish personality led him to be a trailblazer in the NCAA’s new era of athlete endorsements through Name, Image, Likeness rules. Timme’s got a look, style and swagger all to himself.

More than anything, Drew Timme has been a constant comfort on the court. His consistency has buoyed Gonzaga even in their roughest stretches over the years. Timme has started 103 games in his career, and in those games he’s failed to score double digits only six times. This season has been the perfect encapsulation of Timme the stalwart. While the past few seasons saw him surrounded by NBA lottery talent, this year he’s really shouldered the load. Even when the guards are shaky or the outside shots aren’t falling, Timme is gonna get his, come hell or highwater.

Basically the only thing Timme hasn’t achieved during his time in Spokane is win that elusive national championship — though he came close in 2021, and we’ll never know what would’ve happened if COVID hadn’t canceled the 2020 NCAA Tournament. After willing the Zags to keep their Sweet 16 streak alive last weekend, that dream is still alive. Timme faces down a familiar foe in UCLA for a chance to keep his collegiate career alive this Thursday. It will be no small task to take down the 2-seeded Bruins, but Timme’s never shied away from the big moments.

Regardless of the outcome, Gonzaga fans will always remember that whenever it was Timme time, the Zags tended to shine. n

A constant comfort on the court. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Contentious Comedic Compassion

Nikki Glaser’s stand-up touches on uncomfortable topics to lessen shame stigmas

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

It might be frowned upon to talk about, but many of us joined the “Move Back In With Your Parents During COVID Club.” But, then again, most of us aren’t very successful stand-up comedians in our 30s.

Nikki Glaser became a known figure in the comedy world with her hilarious Comedy Central celebrity roasts and uproarious appearances on talk shows like Conan (oftentimes making hosts flustered with her frank humor about sex). But when the pandemic hit, she decided to relocate back to her hometown of St. Louis to be with her folks. Even being away from the New York and LA comedy hubs didn’t slow down her career. She turned the move into a reality show on E!, Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?, hosts her The Nikki Glaser Podcast and the reality dating show FBOY Island, and even competed on The Masked Singer

Before she brings her delightful brash humor to town with a stop at The Fox, we caught up with the stand-up to chat about the unusual empathy of her boundary-pushing material. (This Q&A has been condensed, read a longer version at Inlander.com.)

INLANDER: Did moving back home with your parents during the pandemic change your material at all?

GLASER: Me moving back to St. Louis and staying here has been just a shift to focus on things that aren’t work-related, because I moved here so I could avoid work, really, and be around my family more often. And I don’t know that it’s like shown up in my act. I would say the past five to seven years in stand-up, I’ve been really able to talk about what I want to talk about and just kind of do what I want to do. So I think it’s just an extension of that — just going toward what feels best.

Do you think that shift has become the main evolution to your material as you’ve become more established?

Yeah, I think they want authenticity. A lot of comedians are very successful, but they’re performative. They’re kind of doing what’s trendy in comedy, whether it be like the way they act on stage or the things they talk about. And I’ve done that before, too, and I’m susceptible to it even now. I think what everyone wants in their favorite artists is that the artist is coming from a real place. I really have the freedom to just discuss whatever the hell I want.

And oftentimes, it is about sex, because that used to be my favorite thing to talk about, because it’s just the most interesting thing. I think that’s what angered me a lot early on was just being dismissed as someone

who’s just like a sex comic. Because I think of sex comics as like, “Oooo this will make everyone titillated! Oh, I’m gonna be edgy!” And it was never my goal to be edgy, I just was edgy. But I think when people write off female comics as like “all the talk’s about sex,” it just frustrates me.

It’s very much like Taylor Swift being written off as like “all she does is write breakup songs.” And you go, “Wow, when men write breakup songs, they sure don’t get any shit for doing it.” They don’t get called out for doing it. And so I felt like it’s just a way to dismiss women and write us off as trying to be people pleasers. And I’ll tell you, it does not please many people to talk about sex as a woman. It’s made my career a lot harder, actually. I really don’t like to make people uncomfortable. I don’t like to make people cringe. I don’t like to make people groan. I don’t like people leaving my show because they’re offended. There are a lot of male comics who f—ing love that. They love when people heckle them or they offend people and people write blogs about them. I get really hurt when I hurt people.

So what are the things that you’re interested in talking about on stage now?

Aging. I’m in my late 30s, and the idea of having kids has always been a topic that I’ve talked about in my set, because I’m a woman. But I think now it’s recently the final countdown of being able to do that. And just aging in general, like my face falling every year a little bit more and just celebrity culture of body positivity yet, they still celebrate anorexics and Gwyneth Paltrow is still making millions off of bone broth, and yet we all are supposed to act like Lizzo all the time. I’m frustrated by this mixed messaging — the paradox of loving yourself yet trying not to age. I just always am working toward listing shame, whether it’s shame around sex, shame around being victimized, shame around your weight, shame around your age, shame around not wanting kids. Because I feel so much shame all the time. And I think I’m just trying to be the thing that I probably need to hear, you know? n

Glaser is sick of the things people say about female comics.

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Trends come and go, but some things never change. For 30 years now, the Inlander’s Best Of the Inland Northwest Readers Poll has been one of those constants, highlighting locals’ favorites even as tastes and preferences have evolved with the decades.

It’s fun to think that back in 1993, when the paper was founded by brothers Jer and Ted McGregor, lots of Best Of voters hadn’t even been born yet! Many voters, likewise, maybe never expected they’d someday call the Inland Northwest home. Others yet have likely cast votes every year, always hoping to help send their go-tos and musttries straight to the top.

Even though dozens of perennial favorites take the gold on repeat — like this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, YMCA Camp Reed and the MAC’s ArtFest — newcomers and upsets always make for an exciting surprise as we close balloting and tally up votes. This year, more Inlander readers than ever logged on to our new (as of 2022) online balloting system to cast their votes.

Some of them even shared “why” and “what” they love most about the people, places and things they’re cheering for, and we again included a selection of those responses in this issue.

Among the many highlights of our 30th Best Of, find some fun look-backs on what readers were excited about over the years. In 1999, for example, we asked about the “Best Untried Theme for a Restaurant.” Other historical categories or winners haven’t aged too well, but others offer a surprising historical snapshot that shows just how much the area has changed — in a good way — as the decades have rolled by.

One more thing, though, that hasn’t changed in 30 years is Best Of’s focus on celebrating local — all the people, businesses and traditions that make this home of ours so special and unique. It’s really something we can all be proud of.

— CHEY SCOTT, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORS Nicholas

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Erick

Chiana McInelly

WRITERS

Elissa Ball, Nicholas Deshais, Samantha Holm, Scott Leadingham, Will Maupin, Anne McGregor, Hannah Mumm, Madison Pearson, Nic Renshaw, Ellie Rothstrom, Summer Sandstrom, Nate Sanford, Chey Scott, Carrie Scozzaro, Seth Sommerfeld, Mary Stover, Daniel Walters, Samantha Wohlfeil

CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO

HIDDEN BAGEL

In 2021, smack in the middle of a global pandemic, local ice cream maker Jennifer Davis decided she was ready to heat things up and become a bagel baker.

“It was the pandemic, everyone was making sourdough!” says Davis, who also owns the Scoop, another Inlander reader-approved winner for the region’s best ice cream.

Davis sought the teachings of a bagel master in New Jersey and brought this newfound knowledge back to Spokane. Thus, Hidden Bagel was born.

Stepping inside Hidden Bagel’s flagship South Hill storefront (1001 W. 25th Ave.), customers’ noses are bombarded with amazing aromas. With the Scoop up front slinging chilly sweet treats and the bagel bakery in the back, it’s impossible not to fulfill any and all sweet or savory cravings. A cool turquoise blue covers the walls on the Scoop’s side of the building while a warm, sunshiney orange welcomes customers to the bagel side. Hidden Bagel also shares a second location with the Scoop’s Kendall Yards store.

During Davis’ soft launch in December 2021, loyal Scoop customers quickly added Hidden Bagel to their eating routine.

“It was insane,” Davis recalls. “I had a hundred instant regulars.”

One of those customers today even interrupts our chat to say, “We love her, and we love her bagels!”

These bagel lovers also helped Davis develop a flavor hierarchy: Plain, everything, and blueberry French toast are Hidden Bagel’s top three sellers, but other flavors include Asiago, garlic Parmesan and even the quirky pickle cheddar ranch or salted chocolate chip. Cream cheese and flavored “schmears” are also made in house, and bagel sandwiches are a popular grab-and-go option for breakfast, lunch or anytime.

“You gotta try the everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, it’s our specialty,” Davis recommends.

Initially, Davis planned on making only savory bagels. But when she learned the third-bestselling bagel flavor in the U.S is blueberry, she declared, “If I was going to do a blueberry bagel, it had to be the best.”

And she did it. Hidden Bagel’s blueberry French toast bagel boasts bursts of fruity sweetness, a crunchy exterior and a chewy interior.

When asked, Davis can’t pick a favorite bagel combo, but admits to limiting herself to enjoying just one a day. She’s grateful for the community’s embrace of this opportunity she took to grow, experiment, create and thrive.

“Spokane gave me a chance and trusted me to take the time and space to figure it all out,” Davis says.

— MARY STOVER

2nd PLACE: Ultimate Bagel; 3rd PLACE: Rocket Bakery

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Back Pocket Bakery, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BAKERY ROCKET BAKERY

Pink cookies. Turkish tea cake. A mug of coffee big enough to bathe in. Six locations. Pretenders to the throne have come and gone, but it’s no mystery why the Rocket dominates the baked goods landscape of Spokane. Its locations are always warm and inviting, and it’s been around forever. The local chain started in Millwood back in 1992. Well, the 1990s are cool again and called to say they want their bakery back. To which we say: Too bad! It’s ours. (ND)

2nd PLACE: miFLAVOUR; 3rd PLACE: Rockwood Bakery

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Birdie’s Pie Shop, Hayden and Post Falls

BEST BOBA BOCOPOP

Boba tea remains a popular drink in the Inland Northwest, with new shops popping up every year, but one that continues to be a community favorite is BocoPOP in Liberty Lake. Not only do they serve classic boba tea drinks such as Tiger Milk and Thai tea, the team sells their signature takes on the Taiwanese drink such as the Dragon Eye Tea, a lychee-infused jasmine tea topped with dragon fruit, or the Shark Attack, a blue raspberry and lychee flavored lemonade. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Black Straw Tea Bar and Kitchen

3rd PLACE: Poke Express and Boba Tea Time

BEST BREAKFAST FRANK’S DINER

As if the setting isn’t impressive enough — an early 1900s railroad car — the food at Frank’s Diner is equally impressive, especially the breakfast options, like classic country fried steak or Frank’s signature hotcakes. If you’re a fan of benedicts, these are your peeps. Try those at either of the two diner locations (downtown and the North Side) for an experience that feeds your inner history lover and your tummy alike. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Chaps; 3rd PLACE: Bruncheonette

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Garnet Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BocoPOP’s teas are tops. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST ARTISAN BREAD THE GRAIN SHED

“Purple Egyptian — nothing comes close, except their other loaves.” (Nathan L.); “The neighborhood, the people who shop here, and the people who work here make this a special spot.”

(Heather E.); “Bread Jesus!” (Kate P.)

2nd PLACE: Rind and Wheat

3rd PLACE: Great Harvest

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: MAK Bread and Back Pocket Bakery, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BRUNCH

BRUNCHEONETTE

“Chill atmosphere, great coffee, AMAZING savory breakfast flavors. The verde hash is BOMB.” (Cedar R.); “The mimosa menu is always on point!” (Emily E.)

2nd PLACE: The Yards Bruncheon

3rd PLACE: Chaps; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: (tie) Dockside, Terraza Waterfront Cafe

BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH

LOGAN

TAVERN

“Still the only place in town where I can recall lines for a sandwich; it’s good each different way they make it. Easy choice.” (Zach W.); “Every version of Logan’s chicken sandwich is a banger!” (Ashley W.)

2nd PLACE: Cascadia Public House

3rd PLACE: No-Li Brewhouse

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Republic Kitchen and Taphouse, Post Falls

BEST BARBECUE OUTLAW BBQ & CATERING MARKET

Whether it’s just you or your whole posse, Outlaw has something for every level of barbecue fan from casual meat eater to the connoisseur of ’cue. A full menu of starters, sammies, entrees, even dessert, plus meat by-the-pound, and beverages to go with. But wait, there’s more: catering, three locations and takeout options, including Outlaw’s addictive brands of barbecue sauce. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: TT’s Old Iron Brewery and BBQ

3rd PLACE: Longhorn Barbecue

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Drummin Up BBQ, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BURGERS WISCONSINBURGER

Regional takes on classic American cuisine are nothing new; take New York or Chicago-style pizza for example or, in this case, Wisconsin-style burgers. Not only will you find butter and cheese straight from Wisconsin, freshly ground beef, and scratch-made buns at Wis consinburger, but also Midwestern staples like cheese curds and fried pickles. Check out their signature burger, the Spooner, topped with house-made bacon jam, or go back to basics with the Wisconsin. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar; 3rd PLACE: Frugals

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Roger’s Ice Cream and Burgers

BEST CAKES

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

Bundt cakes are a great choice for your upcoming celebrations or for an evening pick-me-up, but you don’t have to settle for a basic cake. Nothing Bundt Cakes has multiple size options, 10 flavor options and a variety of frosting styles; plus, you can get some party essentials at their “Bundt’ique” to add some glam with your delectable cake. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Just American Desserts

3rd PLACE: Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pastry and More, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CHINESE FOOD GORDY’S SICHUAN CAFE

You can just say “Gordy’s” and people who have already fallen in love with the cozy South Hill spot for contemporary Chinese cuisine know what you mean. This repeat winner — it also won in 2021 for best Asian food — has changed hands over the years but has earned loyal fans for its authentic Sichuan-style dishes like dan dan noodles and mapo tofu. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Red Dragon

3rd PLACE: Black Straw Tea Bar and Kitchen

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Chinatown, Coeur d’Alene

BEST FOOD TRUCK SKEWERS FOOD TRUCK

“Skewers not only has the best Mediterranean food, but Mirak, the owner, has a hugely kind heart and has such an impact in Spokane!” (LYDIA H.); “I’ve gone more times than I can count and have yet to leave disappointed. Everything is so delicious!” (ALEXIS W.)

2nd PLACE: Island Style Food Truck

3rd PLACE: Tacos Tumbras

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Best Avenue Taco Works, Coeur d’Alene

BEST OUTDOOR/PATIO DINING BRICK WEST BREWING CO.

“So much space!” (Alex M.); “LOVE the atmosphere!” (Dianah B.); “Biggest outdoor patio, live music, food trucks — the best!” (Connor W.)

2nd PLACE: Clinkerdagger

3rd PLACE: Osprey Restaurant & Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BEST PIZZA

MARKET STREET PIZZA

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Aaron Fiorini dreams of pizza. A Spokane native with Italian heritage, Fiorini grew up cooking and says he became “infatuated” with pizza. As a child, he often dined at Five Mile Heights Pizza Parlor, a once-beloved spot in North Spokane. Though that restaurant has long since closed, much of its legacy lives on in Market Street Pizza.

“Pretty much everything we’ve built over here all came from my childhood love of the classic pizzerias that had all the arcade games,” Fiorini says.

Even Fiorini’s love story with his wife and now business partner, Angel, stems from pizza. The two both grew up in the Hillyard neighborhood and reconnected shortly after high school when Fiorini ordered pizza, and Angel happened to be the delivery person.

“I guess you could say it was love at first slice,” he says with a smile. “My wife is the backbone of the business. She’s the one that does the day-to-day — the payroll, the taxes and the logistical nightmare of running a restaurant.”

Fiorini describes himself as the “dreamer.” He created the menu for Market Street Pizza using his own recipes. Through careful research of other pizzerias and hand selection of all his ingredients, Fiorini created a niche for Market Street’s pizzas.

“I practiced pizza every day,” he says. “I looked into who makes the best pizza. I’m goalfocused on doing an Italian-American pizza, what everybody considers New York-style. Then, I started learning the regions of pizza. I started learning I actually didn’t want New York pizza. I

like a more charred pizza, and not too thin crust.”

Market Street Pizza opened in November 2019, just a few months before the pandemic’s onset. Once mask and social-distancing mandates set in, Fiorini says the business was “thoroughly, absolutely [and] totally” affected.

Fiorini describes having to let staff go, give away his food stock and close the business for a month. Once he returned to the restaurant, he was on the verge of losing the building completely. That’s when the Fiorinis did some brainstorming and decided to do deliveries, including pizza, lasagnas, loaves of bread and even cocktails.

“We’re lucky enough to have food that was deliverable,” he says. “It saved us.”

Through the dedication and hard work of their crew, Market Street Pizza emerged from the pandemic, perhaps stronger than ever. They continue serving customers at their flagship Hillyard location, and now, after months of preparation, are sharing the Market Street Pizza experience with Spokane Valley at a new location near Sprague and Bowdish.

“We’ve already created a brand. You know what you’re getting when you go into a Market Street Pizza,” Fiorini says. “It’s relaxed, it’s blue collar, but you can come here and get a great martini.”

— SAMANTHA HOLM

2nd PLACE: The Flying Goat

3rd PLACE: Versalia Pizza

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Embers, Hauser and Post Falls

Market Street Pizza’s pies are so beloved it recently added a second location. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST BURRITOS ATILANO’S MEXICAN FOOD

The ingredients are compelling enough. Atilano’s offers burritos with chorizo, with steak, with fish, and with tongue and seasoned pork. And that’s not even counting the whole list of breakfast burritos. But this is not what makes Atilano’s great. The most important thing a burrito joint can do is to be there for you in your hours of greatest need. At 2:30 in the morning, when the grocery stores have long closed, and the Taco Bells of the world have turned out their lights, there Atilano’s remains: a beacon of sanctuary, a symbol of hope for the hungry masses. (DW)

2nd PLACE: Neato Burrito; 3rd PLACE: Slick Rock Burrito

BEST CHEF CHAD WHITE

Casual diners have certainly heard of Chad White, who often gets called Spokane’s “celebrity chef,” but White is much more than that, as his supporters and customers certainly know. A Spokane Valley native, proud Navy veteran, fierce competitor — he wowed judges on season 13 of Bravo’s Top Chef — and wildly inventive chef and businessman. White has earned an impressive following at his diverse restaurants, including Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar, Uno Más Taco Shop, and TT’s Old Iron Brewery and BBQ. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Michael Wiley

(Wiley’s Downtown Bistro, Prohibition Gastropub, Scratch/Rain)

3rd PLACE: Tony Brown (Ruins, Hunt)

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Adam Hegsted

(Honey Eatery & Social Club, Republic Kitchen + Taphouse)

Local foodies are proud to call chef Chad White their own! YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST SANDWICHES DOMINI SANDWICHES

“Hands down the reigning king of great sandwiches. If you’re looking for small portions, then don’t go here. Owner Tom is the best!” (Frank C.); “Meat and cheese!” (Wendy G.); “Spokane icon.”

(Leslie S.)

2nd PLACE: Garland Sandwich Shoppe

3rd PLACE: The High Nooner

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST SANDWICHES MELTZ EXTREME GRILLED CHEESE

“Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Meltz takes this favorite to whole new levels with delicious combinations of top-notch ingredients.” (Danielle B.)

BEST CATERER LONDON’S ULTIMATE CATERING

“She managed our wedding reception really well and follows through on everything. She made it really fun to put on an event.” (Cheryl G.); “London is a badass who gets things done! The food is amazing, and the service is even better. Womanowned and operated business — yes!” (Ria T.)

2nd PLACE: Beacon Hill Catering & Events

3rd PLACE: Feast World Kitchen

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Graze and Rosé, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CANDY SPOKANDY

If you’ve never had a sweet treat made by Spokandy, are you even a Spokanite? This local candymaker has been going strong for 110 years, creating unique chocolate treats. They still practice the same techniques and traditions that were used when Terrence J. Riley opened the original candy store in 1913. You know what they say: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! (MP)

2nd PLACE: Bruttles Gourmet Candy Shoppe

3rd PLACE: Halletts Chocolates

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD WANDERLUST DELICATO

Prepare to be wowed by everything that shows up on the charcuterie board prepared by Wanderlust Delicato, the region’s pre-eminent spot for artisan cheese, meats, wine and more, but that’s the point. Visit its downtown location to see for yourself how much care goes into choosing and preparing sophisticated snackables for takeout or dine-in, including at one of this popular venue’s many tasting events. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Boards by Brit

3rd PLACE: Graze and Rosé

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Stylus Wine and Vinyl Bar, Coeur d’Alene

BEST

NEW RESTAURANT INDIGENOUS EATS

“Spokane needed this.”

That’s what Indigenous Eats owner Jenny Slagle’s customers tell her again and again. In fact, it’s the top piece of feedback she gets.

“We needed the diversity and representation of Native food in our area. Spokane County is actually a hub of tribes,” Slagle says.

Indeed, over 300 tribes are represented in Spokane, and Slagle believes the community was very ready to embrace Indigenous Eats along with the Native culture it honors and celebrates.

“We’re very intentional about what we bring into the space,” Slagle says.

Upbeat Native music is always playing, the kind you’d hear at powwows. Local, original Native artwork hangs on the wall. Slagle has even hosted events at the restaurant, including a recent arts and crafts night in which local vendors sold their art and beadwork.

Not only is the ambience always positive, in large part thanks to Indigenous Eats’ outstanding crew (which includes Slagle’s husband, Andrew, as well as her kids, Matthew and Kara), so too is the menu.

It heavily features fry bread, a crowd-pleasing staple used in both sweet and savory dishes. The recipe for Indigenous Eats’ fry bread recipe comes from Slagle’s mom. Before opening the

restaurant in mid-2022, Slagle’s family ran a concession stand.

While serving on the planning committee for Spokane’s annual Gathering at the Falls Pow Wow, the Slagles sold food to fundraise for the event.

“My mom made fry bread by hand,” she recalls. “We served thousands.”

Along with Indigenous Eats’ tried-and-true fry bread, the restaurant’s fan favorites include its house-made huckleberry sauce, served on both its burgers and fry bread, as well as the seasonings used on its proteins. The most popular is bison seasoned with Indigenous Eats’ signature sage-forward blend. Recently, the restaurant’s menu expanded with a new, sage-based soup incorporating squash, beans and corn, as well as the aforementioned burger.

Besides its menu, Indigenous Eats itself is expanding, too. Slagle reveals that a lease has been signed for a second location in Spokane. That’s all she can say for now, but lovers of Indigenous Eats should keep on the lookout for exciting updates later this spring.

— HANNAH MUMM

2nd PLACE: Molé

3rd PLACE: Chowderhead

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Stylus Wine and Vinyl Bar, Coeur d’Alene

Indigenous Eats highlights Native dishes and ingredients. CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO

BEST DESSERT MIFLAVOUR

It’s been said we eat with our eyes. What a feast you’ll find at miFLAVOUR. Good luck picking just one from the seemingly endless array of delectable desserts on display in Max and Ella Piskun’s Sprague Avenue spot. Rich tiramisu, crunchy biscotti, tangy tarts, flaky croissants, and countless flavors and colors of co-founder Ella’s coveted macaron cookies — you’ll find them here and more. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Birdie’s Pie Shop, Hayden and Post Falls

3rd PLACE: Wild Sage Bistro

BEST MEXICAN FOOD DE LEON’S TACO & BAR

The De Leon family brings the Texas/Mexico border to Spokane. Across three locations, diners can choose from authentic burritos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, quesadillas, tamales and nachos. And then there are the drinks. More than 50 different brands of tequila and rainbow margaritas that are absolutely massive. Like, you might need two hands to hold them. (NS)

2ND PLACE: Cochinito Taqueria; 3RD PLACE: Molé NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nadine’s Mexican Kitchen, Rathdrum

BEST SEAFOOD ANTHONY’S

“Spokane’s classic.” (Magreta A.); “Fresh seafood, great service, great view!” (Randy B.); “A Northwest staple.” (Dan R.)

2nd PLACE: Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar

3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger

BEST CUPCAKES SWEET FROSTINGS BLISSFUL BAKESHOP

“They have great tasting cupcakes and gluten-free options!” (Meagan V.); “They have the most moist cakes and cupcakes I’ve ever had! They offer so many different flavors, it’s always a surprise what they will have when I go to buy something.” (Nevada B.)

2nd PLACE: Celebrations Sweet Boutique

3rd PLACE: Breaüxdoo Bakery

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Stacie’s Cupcakes, Post Falls

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST DESSERT BIRDIE’S PIE SHOP

“Birdie’s awesome assortment of fresh-made pies is astounding! They’re always changing things up, offering new delicious flavors and unique combinations.” (Lance H.); “Their crusts are phenomenal, the fillings are incredible, and Mama Birdie is a very good human who just wants us to be happy!” (Marilyn C.)

miFLAVOUR’s macarons are pretty and tasty. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST LATE NIGHT DINING

SATELLITE DINER & LOUNGE

Sitting in the heart of Spokane, the Satellite Diner is an absolute staple of downtown nightlife. Need to fuel up before a night out? Head to the Satellite. Looking for a chill happy hour location? They’ve got $1 tacos on Thursdays! Calling it a night? The Satellite’s comforting tables and booths are ready to welcome you inside. Whether you’re grabbing an early morning or late-night breakfast, the Satellite doesn’t discriminate. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar; 3rd PLACE: The Gilded Unicorn

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Atilano’s, Coeur d’Alene

BEST FINE DINING

BEST STEAKS

CHURCHILL’S STEAKHOUSE

Whether it’s a significant milestone in your life or a celebratory get-together with folks who are special to you, Churchill’s is the place to go. Founded in 2007, the recently remodeled downtown spot features a warm and inviting atmosphere, top-notch customer service and an extensive wine list recognized by Wine Spectator. And the food? Elegant, classy and flavorful, from the seafood tower to the filet mignon to the New York style cheesecake. (CSz)

BEST FINE DINING

2nd PLACE: Wild Sage Bistro; 3rd PLACE: Clinkerdagger

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Beverly’s, Coeur d’Alene

BEST STEAKS

2nd PLACE: Masselow’s Steakhouse

3rd PLACE: Wolf Lodge Steakhouse, Coeur d’Alene

Churchill’s has been Spokane’s premier fine-dining experience for nearly two decades.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST RAMEN NUDO RAMEN HOUSE

It’s like déjà vu all over again. Last year’s readers’ poll results for Best Ramen nearly mirror this year’s, and who are we to argue with our readers? With two locations, in downtown and on the North Side, Nudo Ramen delivers rave-worthy ramen: huge steaming bowls of flavorful meat, veggies, noodles, broth and all the little extras that make this soup a memorable and nourishing meal. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: King of Ramen Spokane; 3rd PLACE: Little Noodle

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hokkaido Ramen, Coeur d’Alene

BEST THAI FOOD KUNI’S THAI CUISINE

Kuni Colliton’s Thai-style restaurant has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a traditional Thai dish or you want to change it up with a Chinese or Indian inspired meal, Kuni’s brings a variety of flavors and styles to the table. Try one of Colliton’s favorites, Chiang Mai pork curry, a tangy and aromatic dish from northern Thailand with red curry, ginger, shallots and rice. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Thai Bamboo; 3rd PLACE: Bangkok Thai

BEST DONUTS DONUT PARADE

“Delicious donuts and real history.” (Tara H.); “Open many hours to enjoy their donuts.” (Debbie M.); “Best maple bars!” (Kevin P.)

2nd PLACE: Hello Sugar

3rd PLACE: Casual Friday Donuts

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Gross Donuts, Post Falls

BEST ICE CREAM THE SCOOP

“I love that they are small and their style is fun. They also have dairy-free options!” (Corrie N.); “Two words: mud pie. Nom nom nom.” (Jess D.); “I just love them so much.” (Teresa H.)

2nd PLACE: Pete and Belle’s

3rd PLACE: Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Panhandle Cone & Coffee

BEST INDIAN FOOD THE MANGO TREE

“The curry with complimentary naan bread is a chef’s kiss!” (Aleacia G.); “Huge portions that REALLY hit the spot.” (Charity M.)

2nd PLACE: Taste of India

3rd PLACE: Karma Indian Cuisine

You said it: Kuni’s has the best Thai food, especially the traditional Chiang Mai pork. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST VEGAN FOOD

BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD

RüT BAR & KITCHEN

Rüt has been a staple for vegans and vegetarians alike in the Spokane area for almost four years, serving up unique and innovative veggie-based dishes. Our readers have voted them Best Vegan and Vegetarian food for three years in a row — that’s when you know you’re doing veggies right! (MP)

BEST VEGAN FOOD

2nd PLACE: Boots Bakery

3rd PLACE: Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe

BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD

2nd PLACE: Mizuna; 3rd PLACE: Cascadia Public House

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Cosmic Cowboy Grill, Coeur d’Alene

BEST MILKSHAKE

MARY LOU’S MILK BOTTLE

All scientists and historians agree: The dawn of civilization began with the invention of the milkshake. Reason tells us, then, that the truest symbol of what we can do when we come together is Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle. Yes, that bottle-shaped building that glows like a beacon for all the world’s people to converge on Garland Avenue and slurp down that divine concoction of ice cream and milk, made better with chocolate, strawberry, butter brickle or any one of the more than two dozen flavors Mary Lou’s has to offer. Fear not, Mary Lou’s doesn’t skimp. Yours, too, will come complete with a stainless steel malt cup bursting with that sweet nectar that didn’t fit in your glass. (ND)

2nd PLACE: Zip’s; 3rd PLACE: Hogan’s Diner

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST ICE CREAM

PANHANDLE CONE

Unlike many, many other food items, ice cream isn’t something one can simply whip up on a whim. Creating ice cream correctly involves specialty equipment, top-shelf ingredients and experience, combined with the time it takes to evolve sugar and cream into a batch of lickable, spoonable, frozen delightfulness. Call it a labor of love at all three Panhandle Cone & Coffee locations in North Idaho.

“Our goal is to be the world’s best small-town ice cream experience,” says Jason Dillon, who co-founded Panhandle Cone and Coffee in Sandpoint with his wife, Stephanie, in 2015.

In 2019, as their young adult children were transitioning to University of Idaho, the Dillons opened a second shop in Moscow, followed by a third space in

& COFFEE

Coeur d’Alene’s midtown corridor. Those locations — in modest shops with street-facing windows and steady foot traffic — were by design.

“It’s difficult to quantify exactly what goes into” choosing an ideal space, Dillon says. “My hippie answer is we’re looking for a place with a soul.”

With three locations, one could easily consider Panhandle Cone & Coffee a local

chain, but each space is unique and customized to suit the vibe of its host neighborhood. Each spot feels welcoming through touches like a warm color palette, natural surfaces, local art and hand-lettered signage.

“We’re kind of a throwback business,” says Dillon, who was a pastor in his former career. “We just love places where we can create an atmosphere.”

And the ice cream? Well, it’s delightful, from the topselling (and ridiculously good) salted caramel and brown butter cookie flavor to the specialty flavors, like the Coeur d’Alene Lake Blue Raspberry.

“We really try to find quality ingredients, and it’s always fun when we can find local places to do that with,” Dillon says.

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

Find Panhandle Cone & Coffee’s treats in Moscow, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD BABA

“The offerings are numerous, generously served and delicious. Very authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food.” (Paul K.); “Everything on the menu is soooooo good!” (Kevin P.)

2nd PLACE: Feast World Kitchen

3rd PLACE: Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The White House Grill, Post Falls

BEST PHO PHO VAN

“You will crave the broth!” (Ashley M.); “Huge bowl with fresh vegetables on the side.” (Lorri G.); ”Best food ever!” (Malinda H.)

2nd PLACE: Vien Dong

3rd PLACE: Vina Asian Restaurant

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pho Thanh & Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BEST TACOS COCHINITO TAQUERIA

When it first burst on scene in 2018, Cochinito Taqueria turned heads with its funky décor and unconventional counter-only ordering. As people tried the food, they realized that here was flavorful, fresh fine dining level food at a fast-casual price point, like five bucks for tacos — tender chicken, spicy pork belly, crispy fish — on house-made corn tortillas. Cochinito’s recent expansion to Hayden, Idaho, is a win-win for Gem State diners, too. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: De Leon’s Taco and Bar

3rd PLACE: Uno Más Taco Shop

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Best Avenue Taco Works, Coeur d’Alene

BEST ITALIAN FOOD ITALIA TRATTORIA

There’s no “best sauce” category, but Italia Trattoria is a compelling argument that there should be. I expected a generally pleasing combo of eggs and marinara sauce when I ordered the baked eggs for brunch one Sunday from Italia Trattoria. I wasn’t expecting the sauce to blow my mind. Complex flavors layered on top of each other. A deep resonant note of earthy richness like a premium wine. A sense of satisfaction, as if we’d just witnessed a great musician perform their masterpiece. When Chef Anna Vogel makes the sauce, the server told us, she spends days simmering the tomato flavors. (DW)

2nd PLACE: Tavolàta, 3rd PLACE; Tomato Street

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Angelo’s Ristorante, Coeur d’Alene

BEST SUSHI UMI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR

“Great sushi and drinks as well as an amazing nighttime view of downtown Spokane.” (John B.); “Fresh, lovely cuts and big pieces.” (Natalie W.); “I love the option for real crab. My meal is always amazing, and the location is fantastic to sit outside and enjoy the river.” (Katherine M.)

2nd PLACE: Sushi.com

3rd PLACE: Izumi Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Syringa, Coeur d’Alene

Every taco’s an adventure at Cochinito. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST UNTRIED THEME FOR A RESTAURANT NAKED

Ah, the turn of the century, back when Inlander readers would break into peels of laughter when the very mention of the word “naked” was mentioned. The concept of a restaurant where the servers or the clientele were naked — or close to it — was positively delightful. This was, after all, the same year that American Pie combined nudity and pastries to create mediocre comedy. The thing is, Spokane actually did get something close to a version of this: the skeezy “bikini barista” trend, where scantily clad coffee babes would serve frappuccinos to drivers who wanted more than one kind of stimulant. But these days, our culture’s become more crass in some ways — sharing photos of your own naked body has, insanely, become a dating ritual — and more squeamish in others. Note the trend of Gen Zers on Twitter grossed out — even offended — by the idea of sex scenes in movies. The Hooters in Spokane Valley, meanwhile, got converted to a church.

— DANIEL WALTERS

BEST MOVIE THEATER GARLAND

THEATER

The description “theater” doesn’t quite do justice to everything the Garland does. It’s arguably the most recognizable part of the district and street of the same name, thanks to its flashy marquee. But calling it just a “theater” — as in a physical space where films are projected onto a screen in an auditorium with folding seats — sells short its history and status as a neighborhood anchor.

That history is one of note: It opened in 1945, part of significant post-World World II growth in entertainment venues across the country. Like all theaters, it’s seen ups and downs, financially and reputationally, and for a short time showed X-rated movies. It closed for two years in the 1980s before reopening as a discount theater — still its reputation today. Spokane historic preservation advocate Katherine Fritchie bought the Garland in 1999 and has worked to restore its original look and feel.

More than a cool-looking building, it’s carved out a reputation as a neighborhood anchor. That wasn’t quite on the radar of Jasmine Barnes when she got a job there as a Whitworth University student. Coming to Spokane from California, she wasn’t familiar with its history. She admits to just thinking of it as a “college job.” But she’s quick to point out: “I also really love movies.”

That was nine years ago, and Barnes is now general manager, overseeing both the theater and the attached Bon

The iconic Garland Theater opened in 1945.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Bon bar, where on a recent Monday night staff were busy cleaning dishes and prepping for the regular trivia night.

Barnes says the appeal of the Garland is much more than the nostalgic movies. (On this night, there’s a 25th anniversary showing of The Big Lebowski, complete with people in robes drinking White Russians.) Rather, it’s the whole community formed around the theater and the Spokane neighborhood it anchors.

Barnes liked the job — and the area — so much, she bought a house nearby.

“I am fully invested,” she says, not just of owning a house in a desirable neighborhood, but in the sense of connection living near the theater allows. “I am a Garland District lifer.”

— SCOTT A. LEADINGHAM

2nd PLACE: AMC River Park Square

3rd PLACE: The Magic Lantern NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Regal Riverstone, Coeur d’Alene

BEST INDOOR CONCERT OF THE PAST YEAR PAUL McCARTNEY, SPOKANE ARENA

Beatlemaniacs got to cross a major item off their bucket lists last year when none other than Sir Paul McCartney himself graced the Lilac City to kick off his Got Back tour in May 2022. I was one of them, and it truly did go down as a once-in-a-lifetime experience to never forget. Paul, here?! In Spokane?! Even now, it takes a second to sink in… Among the night’s many highlights from a nearly three-hour set was the Lennon-McCartney “duet” for “Get Back,” featuring newly isolated vocals of the late John Lennon, recorded during the Beatles’ final rooftop performance back in 1969. (CS)

2nd PLACE: Backstreet Boys at Spokane Arena

3rd PLACE: Iron Maiden at Spokane Arena

BEST OUTDOOR CONCERT OF THE PAST YEAR PHOEBE BRIDGERS, SPOKANE PAVILION

The queen of millennial folk-rock bummers delivered the best show under the stars in 2022. In front of a packed age-spanning crowd, Bridgers tore through a set of the songs from her star-making album Punisher and her stellar debut Strangers in the Alps with a combination of poetic grace and sorrow-filled angst. As someone who was a fan of Bridgers before she’d even put out her first LP, it was a thrill to see hordes of teens tearfully singing along with every word of her beautiful prose. While we may have felt deeply seen when she crooned, “Jesus Christ, I’m so blue all the time,” at least for one night we felt bliss in our communal sadness. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Tenacious D at BECU Live at Northern Quest

3rd PLACE: Brett Young at BECU Live at Northern Quest

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Kaleo at Festival at Sandpoint

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE BECU LIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO

You know a venue is hitting the sweet spot for folks when it’s only open for limited stretches during the year and still ranks No. 1. It’s safe to say that people in the Inland Northwest love their outdoor summer concerts, as Northern Quest’s musical hotspot came out on top. BECU Live delivers what fans crave: very good outdoor sound, seating that’s not a pain, food and drink options, and — most importantly — great artists performing. Last year saw everyone from Tenacious D to Maren Morris to Goo Goo Dolls, while the upcoming 2023 slate features Counting Crows, Boyz II Men, Ghost, Jason Mraz and more. (SS)

2nd PLACE: The Fox Theater; 3rd PLACE: Lucky You Lounge; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Post Falls

BEST RADIO DJ OR TEAM

DAVE, KEN & MOLLY, KZZU

Dave Sposito, Ken Hopkins and Molly Allen have been a staple on local airwaves for decades, so much so that they feel like family to the station’s loyal listeners. The trio appears on 92.9 KZZU every weekday morning, cementing themselves into morning routines throughout the Spokane area as well as making it known that they’re dedicated to doing good within the community via their annual Christmas Wish program, through which they make Christmas brighter for families in need. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Jay & Kevin & Slim, Coyote Country; 3rd PLACE: Electric Bender with AnT_EyE, KYRS

The former Beatle gave us all the feels when he got back together with John Lennon for a duet. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST ESCAPE ROOM UNIT 55 HORROR GAMES

“I love the fact it’s a family-run establishment. All the extra time they put into every event, the fine details in the art, in the makeup and the actor’s passion, among many other things, is why I always come back.” (Amy S.); “Always something completely new and inventive!” (Makenzi K.); “Scary and fun!” (Barbara M.)

2nd PLACE: Think Tank Escape Rooms

3rd PLACE: 59: Escape Adventures, Post Falls

BEST BAND, MOSTLY COVERS BRUISER

“Outstanding musicians that play something for everyone. Pop, rock and country.” (Jason G.); “Amazing band! Variety of music! Their lead singer is phenomenal!” (Amanda M.); “Well-seasoned musicians that kill it every time they hit the stage.” (Todd W.)

2nd PLACE: The Rising

3rd PLACE: The Moops

BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST/GROUP

EXZAC CHANGE & MATISSE

“They are HANDS DOWN the best hip-hop artists we have in Spokane! Spreading that positive message to the people!” (Tif S.); “Best hip-hop duo in the state! Their recent show at Lucky you was so fun!” (Chris B.); “Love the community!” (Zachary H.)

2nd PLACE: Jango; 3rd PLACE: T.S The Solution

BEST ARCADE CHAOS ARCADE

While there are a few options for great retro arcade gaming around, no locale focuses on the modern arcade experience quite like Chaos Arcade. Unlike some of the other top arcades, Chaos has an array of skill machines that spit out tickets in exchange for prizes — giving folks that nostalgic Chuck E. Cheese-esque throwback experience. Add in the Chaos Café’s offerings, ranging from boba tea and sweet frappes to beer and booze, and you’ve got a spot that appeals both to kids and grown-up kids-at-heart. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Jedi Alliance

3rd PLACE: Gamers Arcade Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Blue Shell, Coeur d’Alene

BEST RECORDING STUDIO AMPLIFIED WAX

Recording music and putting it out into the world can be an incredibly stressful process. Amplified Wax does its best to alleviate some of those anxieties. The incredibly professional spot in downtown Spokane can serve as a one-stop shop for artists — recording, mixing, mastering, and even graphic design and promotional materials for albums and singles. With past clients including everyone from national standouts like Myles Kennedy and Tech N9ne to local favorites like the Nixon Rodeo and Jango, Amplified Wax can handle pretty much any style under the sun. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Panoramic Dreams

3rd PLACE (tie): Spokane Public Library, SpoKast

Amplified Wax owners Mandy and Jimmy Hill have recorded everyone from national to local acts. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Don’t judge Atari Ferrari by its cover. The melodic rock outfit can be a little disorienting at first glance. The group features guys in their 50s, 40s, 30s and one who just turned 20.

“Sometimes when we walk in, [the audience] look at our combination of people and they’re like, ‘What the hell is this gonna be?” Atari Ferrari frontman Matthew Joseph Hughes says with a laugh.

A 33-year-old Spokane native, Hughes started releasing solo music as Automatic Shoes pretty much as soon as he picked up a guitar in 2006. Inspired by ’70s singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and metal acts like Megadeth and Ozzie Osborne, Hughes’ music — led by his sweet and inviting vocals — has a penchant for eclecticness. Automatic Shoes songs tap into Hughes’ folky warmth with an underpinning of alienated optimism.

“I feel like that probably runs through a lot of my music — being a loner, but also hopeful,” says Hughes.

Atari Ferrari actually formed after BaLonely frontman Norman Robbins organized a David Bowie tribute concert and invited Hughes to sing a few songs with the house band Robbins had assembled. Hughes clicked with the other guys, and they became his Atari Ferrari bandmates.

While Atari Ferrari touches on a host of sounds across its three LPs, thanks to its range of members, it’s undergirded by a base of old school retro rock.

“It’s good to not be on the same page and

be like, ‘This is exactly what our idea is going to sound like,’” Hughes says. “I can bring something and I have no idea what it’s gonna sound like with these guys.”

Currently Atari Ferrari is trying to work on new songs for the first time in almost three years. The group has also taken a step back from Spokane shows for a while, kind of feeling a bit burnt out by how hard it is to get people out and motivated to go to shows, especially when they get a better response pretty much anywhere else.

The exception will likely be playing Pride at the Pavilion. While he’s not loud about being gay, Hughes enjoys Pride crowds’ enthusiastic responses and getting the straight dudes who comprise Atari out of their normal comfort zone.

“I try not to be like out and in your face about my sexuality, but it feels like kind of a backdoor vehicle with the music we make and the band I have,” Hughes says. “We can go play some dive bar where there’s probably people who would never talk to me. And then we can win them over.”

— SETH SOMMERFELD

BEST BAND, MOSTLY ORIGINALS

2nd PLACE: Snacks at Midnight

3rd PLACE: Free the Jester

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER

2nd PLACE: Cami Bradley (Carmen Jane, The Sweeplings)

3rd PLACE: Blake Braley

Matthew Joseph Hughes is inspired by Joni Mitchell and Megadeth — what’s not to like?

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST RECORD STORE 4000 HOLES

Unless you’re digging crates for something highly specialized, one sign of a good record store is to be slightly overwhelmed as soon as you walk in the door. That’s certainly the case upon entering 4000 Holes. While the shop doesn’t hide its fondness for classic rock — especially the Beatles — there is an absolute trove of vinyl to explore regardless of genre affiliation. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help guide those feeling overload anxiety, while pro collectors can spend hours blissfully riffling their way through the worn LP jackets. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Resurrection Records

3rd PLACE: Total Trash Records & Sound

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Long Ear, Coeur d’Alene

BEST TOURING BROADWAY MUSICAL HAMILTON

Alexander Hamilton. His name is Alexander Hamilton. And there’s a million things he hasn’t done… but topping our reader’s poll is not one of them. It’s no shock that the one true musical theater sensation in recent memory didn’t throw away its shot to blow away Inland Northwest audiences after its long-delayed (thanks, COVID) arrival. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical hip-hop musical is loaded with undeniably memorable and varied songs, frenetic rap flow, and complex characters. It felt fresh whether you were a traditional theater patron for whom hip-hop almost feels like a foreign language or a kid energized by seeing non-stuffy music and diversity presented on a grand stage. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Hadestown; 3rd PLACE: The Book of Mormon

BEST LOCAL COMEDIAN DEECE CASILLAS

“He can do anything from family friendly to crude humor — nothing throws him off. He’s truly a joy to be around. I booked him once, would def do it again.” (Desiree A.); “He is awesome! Loved seeing him at Spokane Comedy Club!” (Ramona K.)

2nd PLACE: Dan Cummins; 3rd PLACE: Harry J. Riley

BEST GAMING/COMIC BOOK SHOP MERLYN’S COMICS AND GAMES

“The coolest vintage comics! The vibe in this shop is the best. I appreciate that they are an independent book shop. Not only vintage comics and games, but also some pretty obscure new stuff that I would not find anywhere else!” (Lynda W.); “John Waite is a good soul and provides a great space for young people.” (Cheryl C.)

2nd PLACE: The Comic Book Shop

3rd PLACE: The Gamer’s Haven

BEST LOCAL PLAY OF THE PAST YEAR NEWSIES, SPOKANE VALLEY SUMMER THEATRE

“The dancing was phenomenal! So much energy from so many local young kids. Awesome!” (Jeanne F.); “It was a spectacular show with a killer Broadway set and fantastic dancing, singing and acting.” (Erin W.)

2nd PLACE: The Rocky Horror Show, Stage Left Theater

3rd PLACE: The Wizard of Oz, Spokane Civic Theatre NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Mamma Mia!, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

Hamilton has won Tony Awards, a Grammy, a Pulitzer Prize and now — finally — a Best Of. JOAN MARCUS PHOTO

SINGER/SONGWRITER CAMI BRADLEY

This local singer-songwriter was on the heels of an appearance on America’s Got Talent when she was voted Best Singer/Songwriter in 2015. At the time, Bradley had no plans to leave Spokane. But times change. In January this year, the singer — who now performs as Carmen Jane — told the Inlander she was taking the next step in her career and moving to Los Angeles. “It’s tough, because Spokane is awesome and our music scene is growing,” Bradley said of the move.

— NATE SANFORD

BEST PLACE TO DANCE & BEST KARAOKE NYNE BAR

& BISTRO

When Kitty Kane opened nYne Bar & Bistro in 2010, she wanted to offer Spokane “a fun, safe place for people to come and just be themselves.” Since then, she says, “I’ve had many people say that when they get here they feel like they’re home.”

The queer-focused night club welcomes patrons of all orientations to its spacious venue. But — cognizant of ongoing threats to queer spaces — nYne takes the safety of their “home” seriously.

“We have security every night. We didn’t used to,” Kane says. Along with preventing violence at the door, security also intervenes when it comes to treating people with disrespect or sexual advances they don’t want, says Kane, who wants “to make sure everyone feels safe.”

During the sad, danceless era when COVID restrictions paused dance nights, nYne invested in drag performances. Now that patrons can shimmy to beats in person again, drag shows remain woven into nYne’s weekend dance schedule.

On Fridays and Saturdays, a free drag show starts at 8:30 pm, followed by a live DJ set and dancing at 9:30. If you arrive to dance after 9:30, be ready to pay a cover — without grumbling.

“My big thing is no one’s more important than anyone else,” says Kane.

Back-to-back programming is a secret weapon of nYne’s. Their best-attended karaoke session happens Thursdays at 9 pm, directly following their 7 pm trivia. Both events are hosted by Ryan Jensen, who’s been running karaoke the entire time nYne’s been open — 13 years now — and has established his own following.

“He’s very approachable,” says Kane. “He knows how to adjust sound really well. So if you have a weird song…” Ryan can help.

“We also have Tuesday karaoke hosted by Rita Fine,” Kane says. That karaoke, too, immediately follows earlier program-

ming: a popular queer comedy open mic (at 8 pm) organized by stand-up comic Camrynne Sullivan.

In addition to all that recurring entertainment, nYne also hosts special fundraisers and elaborate Pride happenings, like a guest DJ from Seattle and an all-ages brunch before the big parade.

“Seems like when we do things that are outside the norm, it just brings people together,” says Kane. “Sometimes it feels more like a community space than a bar.”

— ELISSA BALL

BEST KARAOKE

2nd PLACE: Monterey Cafe; 3rd PLACE: The Star Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Iron Horse Bar & Grill, Coeur d’Alene

BEST PLACE TO DANCE

2nd PLACE: Globe Bar & Kitchen

3rd PLACE (tie): Highball at Northern Quest, Lucky You Lounge

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Stateline

We love singing our hearts out at nYne! ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST BEER BAR COMMUNITY PINT

It’s right there in the name. Community. I randomly discovered this place last fall, while wandering around east downtown trying to kill time ahead of a meeting at a nearby church led by a controversial, far-right former state representative. I was nervous and wanted a beer. Community Pint had that, but also so much more — friendly regulars, talkative newcomers, cute dogs and warm music. In the end, I wasn’t able to get into the church, but Community Pint made the trip more than worth it. (NS)

2nd PLACE: The Viking; 3rd PLACE: Manito Tap House

NORTH IDAHO: The Crown and Thistle, Coeur d’Alene

BEST HAPPY HOUR TAVOLÀTA

Tavolàta’s happy hour is one of those seems-too-good-to-be-true things you don’t want anyone else to know about in case it is true. And it is! Daily from 4 to 6 pm, many items are offered at as much as half off the regular menu. It’s a perfectly good excuse to leave work early and enjoy a satisfying assortment of small plates, scratch-made pasta dishes and even dessert, plus drink specials in a sophisticated yet welcoming setting right downtown. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar, multiple locations

3rd PLACE: Wooden City

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Café, Coeur d’Alene

BEST HOTEL BAR THE PEACOCK ROOM LOUNGE

“The environment is great, and the decor outdoes itself. Especially for a hotel bar, cannot find anything more stunning.” (Kendra D.); “Best place to people-watch while having a martini.” (Meg H.); “What’s not to love? Classy, elegant, fabulous martinis.” (Roberta W.)

2nd PLACE: The Safari Room

3rd PLACE: Max at Mirabeau

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Whispers at the Coeur d’Alene Resort

BEST COFFEE ROASTER THOMAS HAMMER COFFEE ROASTERS

“They have the best blends of coffee in the INW. Their support of women-owned business and single-origin coffees is something that I drool over every year. Hats off to you!” (Kinsey H.); “Awesome coffee, locally roasted.” (Gary M.)

2nd PLACE: Roast House Coffee

3rd PLACE: Indaba Coffee

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: DOMA Coffee Roasting Co., Post Falls

Owners Joss Tribble and Rachel Nalley build community, pint by pint, at Community Pint. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE

BEST ALL-AROUND COFFEE SHOP

WAKE UP CALL

“Every time I go in, they are so nice, and their coffee is the best!” (Kathryn J.); “Quick, have enough people to work their busy shops, and coffee has a deep, rich flavor.” (Gail C.); “Never had a bad service experience here! The baristas are the nicest in Spokane!” (Anna C.)

BEST DRIVE-THRU COFFEE

2nd PLACE: White Dog Coffee

3rd PLACE: Dutch Bros Coffee

BEST ALL-AROUND COFFEE SHOP

2nd PLACE: Thomas Hammer, Grand Blvd.

3rd PLACE: Indaba Coffee, Riverside Ave.

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: DOMA Coffee Lab, Post Falls

BEST BLOODY MARY

BARK, A RESCUE PUB

“Huge, a celebration and a meal at the same time!” (Krista P.); “Loaded with goodies.” (Patricia B.)

2nd PLACE: 1898 Public House

CIDERY ONE TREE CIDER HOUSE

BEST LOCAL

Even cider lovers who’ve never set foot in One Tree Cider House on Madison Street are likely to have seen their hugely popular lemon basil cider on tap somewhere else in the region. With other popular flavors like huckleberry, mimosa, cranberry and rotating seasonal brews, the cidery offers many options for fans of cider and foes of gluten alike. Their food is also worth raving about, with pizza and snacks like pulled pork nachos offering a reason to linger and sip a little longer. (SW)

2nd PLACE: Trailbreaker Cider; 3rd PLACE: Liberty Ciderworks; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cider Company

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY DRY FLY DISTILLING

Dry Fly’s legacy extends across the region like the spokes of a wheel. Its multiple award-winning whiskey, gin and vodka are mainstays at local restaurants and bars and on grocery store liquor shelves, along with its line of canned cocktails. The grain used to make said spirits is all sourced within 30 miles of Dry Fly’s production facility, which nearly overlooks the Spokane River. In that same river, one might even spot Dry Fly founder Don Poffenroth, whose passion for fly fishing inspired the distillery’s name. (CS)

2nd PLACE: 2 Loons Distillery

3rd PLACE: Up North Distillery, Post Falls

3rd PLACE: Satellite Diner

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene

The brass works at Dry Fly’s downtown Spokane distillery make fine spirits. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Thank you

BEST OF WINS

NORTH IDAHO

Best Local Chef Adam Hegsted

NORTH IDAHO Best Chicken Sandwich Republic Kitchen

ADAM HEGSTED

2022 Best Chef

2022 North Idaho Best Chef

2021 Best Local Chef

2020 North Idaho Best Chef

2019 North Idaho Best Chef

2017 Best Chef

2014 Best Chef

BABA

2022 Best Middle Eastern Food

2021 Best New Restaurant

GILDED UNICORN

2021 Best Appetizers

INCREDIBURGER AND EGGS

2021 Best Burgers

2020 Best Veggie Burger

2018 New Restaurant

LAUGHING DOG BREWING

2018 Best Place To Drink Local

2017 Best Happy Hour

2016 Sandpoint Pub

2018 Local Brew (The Dogfather)

2015 Best Sandpoint Area Bar

2014 North Idaho Best Local Brewery

2013 North Idaho Best Local Brewery

REPUBLIC KITCHEN AND TAPHOUSE

2022 North Idaho Best Chicken Sandwich

THE WANDERING TABLE

2015 Innovative Cuisine

2015 New Restaurant

2015 Best Appetizers

THE YARDS

2022 Best Brunch

2022 Best Eggs Benedict

2021 Best Brunch

2020 Best Eggs Benedict

2019 Best Brunch

2019 Best Breakfast

2018 Best Breakfast

2017 Best Brunch

2016 Best Breakfast

BEST COFFEE SHOP, SINGLE LOCATION

FIRST AVENUE COFFEE F

irst Avenue Coffee’s goal is to provide locals with quality coffee for a long time to come.

But perhaps what makes the downtown cafe especially unique in that pursuit is its simultaneous mission of caring for both people and the planet along the way.

“Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world,” says Jake Fassbinder, First Avenue’s general manager.

This fact underscores First Avenue’s focus on organic, sustainable and ethically sourced coffee, coming from 10 different countries around the world. First Avenue’s coffee all comes from Spokane’s Roast House Coffee, founded in 2010 by Deborah Di Bernardo, who opened the cafe on west First Avenue near the Fox Theater as an extension of Roast House in 2018.

“We also pride ourselves in having vegan and vegetarian options that are not only available, but taste good, too,” Fassbinder says.

First Avenue Coffee’s menu offers, of course, a host of coffee options.

“We have five different pourover options, three different espressos — decaf and two variations of regular espresso — and in-house sauces and syrups for your lattes,” Fassbinder says.

While First Avenue is, of course, known for its high-quality coffee, Fassbinder explains that the shop’s baked goods, particularly its donuts, biscuits and coffee cake, tend to be very popular as well. The cafe’s entire food menu is gluten-free and vegan.

Since its opening four years ago, First Avenue Coffee has established itself as a go-to spot in the heart of downtown Spokane. During the week, customers tend to come there to work, but during the weekends, things get a little busier.

Open mics are offered weekly in an effort to support local musicians, and environmental trivia is offered monthly. First Avenue’s community revolves around coffee, sure, but according to Fassbinder, it’s centered on caring, too.

“We care about the customer and the city of Spokane. We care about our world and our environment,” he says. “It takes a special person to step outside their own box and realize there’s a pretty darn big world out there. At First Avenue, people are paying for community, and they are paying for sustainability. People are caring a little more here.”

— HANNAH MUMM

2nd PLACE: Atticus Coffee and Gifts

3rd PLACE: Revel 77 NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vault Coffee, Coeur d’Alene

Deborah Di Bernardo gives an F-Bomb about coffee and her customers. COURTESY PHOTO

BEST NEW BREWERY UPRISE BREWING CO.

While its focus is making delicious beers, from Northwest-style IPAs to bright, tart sours, Uprise has something for everyone, even those who don’t even drink beer! An expansive, family-friendly taproom? Check. A large outdoor space with cornhole, picnic tables, shade and sun? Check, check, check. Food for all tastes, ages and diets (vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and a kids’ menu)?

Yep! A large second-floor event space? That, too! A weekly running club for all levels? Yep, meets every Monday. It’s no wonder this mid-2022 newcomer has quickly become a local favorite. (CS)

2nd PLACE: Spokanite Brewing

3rd PLACE: Common Language Brewing Co. (now closed)

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Lone Mountain Farms & Brewery, Athol

BEST TRIVIA BEARDED TRIVIA

The last time Mike Duke — trivia meister for Bearded Trivia — won the Inlander’s Best Trivia award it was “right before the world exploded” in 2020. “I’ve been joking that if I won again it would be my redemption song,” Duke says. Well, consider that song sung. His trivia game started as a side-hustle to pay for day care 13 years ago. Now, Duke asks 44 questions a night for three nights a week, every week at places like Lumberbeard, YaYa and Garland Brew Werks. It means finding a mix of stumpers and headscratchers and no-brainers. And it means truly being a host, not just an inquisitor. (DW)

2nd PLACE: nYne Bar & Bistro; 3rd PLACE; Backyard Public House

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Crown and Thistle, Coeur d’Alene

BEST LOCAL BREWERY NO-LI BREWHOUSE

“Atmosphere is relaxed, outside is wonderful.” (Carmen A.); “Shoutout to Porch Glow!” (Christiane P.); “Yummy Amber! Fun place.” (Barbara M.); I can’t Li!” (Duncan A.)

2nd PLACE: Brick West Brewing Co.

3rd PLACE: Whistle Punk Brewing

NORTH

IDAHO’S

BEST LOCAL

BREWERY

POST FALLS BREWING CO.

“I’ve been a regular since they opened because they consistently craft the BEST tasting varieties! The entire staff are fabulous and fun.” (Tammi B.)

BEST LOCAL WINERY ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS

“Love all of the events and the views. The wine is spectacular!” (Karen B.); “Great wines, wine club, and wonderful concerts and food!” (Sheryl K.)

2nd PLACE: Barrister Winery

3rd PLACE: Winescape

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Cellars

Uprise keeps rising up in our estimations. DEREK HARRISON PHOTO

BEST APPETIZERS

BEST ALL-AROUND BAR

THE VIKING

Whether you’re popping in for a drink before catching a Chiefs game, seeking somewhere to play shuffleboard or pool, or wanting to sample some delicious steak bites, the Viking has a little something for everyone. With a laid-back atmosphere, a roomy patio and snacks like bleu cheese fries and fried pickles on the menu, it’s no wonder Inlander readers voted the Viking both the best place to get appetizers and their favorite all-around bar. (SW)

BEST APPETIZERS

2nd PLACE: Wooden City; 3rd PLACE: Vieux Carre NOLA Kitchen

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BEST ALL-AROUND BAR

2nd PLACE: Logan Tavern; 3rd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Crown and Thistle, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CASINO

BEST BACHELORETTE PARTY LOCATION

NORTHERN QUEST

RESORT & CASINO

If you’re looking for somewhere to win big, or throw a bachelorette party, look no further than Northern Quest Resort & Casino. With a luxury spa, over a dozen restaurants and bars, and a 24/7 casino, you can find something fit for everyone in your group that will create a fun night you’ll never forget. Of course, even if you’re not feeling like gambling or part of the bridal party, a night at Northern Quest — with your sweetie, friends or even family — is always sure to be a memorable outing. (SSa)

BEST CASINO

2nd PLACE: Spokane Tribe Casino; 3rd PLACE: Coeur d’Alene Casino

BEST BACHELORETTE PARTY LOCATION

2nd PLACE: nYne Bar & Bistro; 3rd PLACE: The Globe

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Nashville North, Stateline

2021

St. Patrick’s Day will have come and gone by the time readers discover that The Crown & Thistle won the Inlander readers’ poll for best beer bar in North Idaho. Not to worry, though. Guinness is always on tap at this British-inspired Coeur d’Alene pub.

“We are pretty obsessive about our Guinness,” says Jennifer Drake, who opened Crown & Thistle in 2020 with husband Ben Drake.

Also always on tap: Harp and Smithwick’s, two similarly venerable Irish brews. And while you can get a batch of bangers or crispy fish and chips at Crown & Thistle to go with your beer, you’re out of luck if you’re hankering for a Miller Lite.

“I really wanted to bring in a lot of Old World beers,” Drake says of the pub’s 14-tap offering. “I mean, beers that are actually brewed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, all of these amazing beers that — some of these beers have been brewed the way same way for 1,000 years.”

& THISTLE

The Crown & Thistle has also been working with local breweries, like Kellogg-based Radio Brewing, to develop cask ales — smaller-batch brews, typically unfiltered and allowed to finish in the cask. Coeur d’Alene’s Chalice Brewing literally walks its casks, called firkins, over to Crown & Thistle, Drake says. From there, they’ll hook it up to the beer engine, which pumps the beer up from the cellar and into your empty mug.

“Beer does not get more fresh than that,” Drake says.

This isn’t the first win for the Coeur d’Alene pub; Inlander readers also voted it as North Idaho’s best new restaurant in 2020. But the couple is especially buzzed about this year’s win for best North Idaho beer bar.

“I love that people are paying attention to [our beer] because when we first opened, we said, ‘We’re a pub.’” Their focus has been and continues to be the beer, she adds. “We’re a drinking establishment that serves food.”

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

Serious about Guinness: Crown & Thistle isn’t your typical beer bar. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

2nd

3rd

BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS

BEST WHISKEY BAR

HOGWASH WHISKEY DEN

“Perfectly made cocktails.” (Leigh H.); “Atmosphere and barkeeps.” (Greg T.);

“Great selection of cocktails, super fun and interesting cocktail classes.” (Mary J.); “Great selection of whiskeys, knowledgeable and great food to accompany.” (Krista P.); “Hands down!” (Taylor B.)

BEST CRAFT COCKTAILS

2nd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar

3rd PLACE: Cease & Desist Book Club

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Goat Lounge, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WHISKEY BAR

2nd PLACE: Purgatory Whiskey Bar

3rd PLACE: Durkin’s Liquor Bar

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Bee’s Knees Whiskey Bar, Hayden

BEST MARGARITA COCHINITO TAQUERIA

“Fresh and not too sweet.” (Patricia B.); “Their Prickly Pear Marg is amazing!” (Christiane P.)

2nd PLACE: De Leon’s Taco and Bar

3rd PLACE: El Que

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Terraza Waterfront Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WINE BAR

NECTAR WINE AND BEER

Convenient Kendall Yards location. Gorgeous view with outdoor seating in warmer months. Friendly staff. More than three dozen wines — and 16 beers — available by the glass, with even more by-the-bottle to-go. And snacks available from Nectar’s neighbors. The only thing missing is you! (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Stylus Wine and Vinyl Bar, Coeur d’Alene

3rd PLACE: LeftBank Wine Bar

BEST SPORTS BAR

EPIC SPORTS BAR AT NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO

It’s not hard to figure out one major advantage that EPIC has over its sports bar competitors — you can legally bet on the games you’re watching there. Having some financial stake in the contests certainly adds some juice to the experience, but EPIC stood as a top-notch spot even before Northern Quest’s Turf Club Sports Book opened in December 2021 (there’s a Turf Club kiosk in EPIC). The centerpiece is of course the 10-foot-high, 30-footlong LED video wall which can display an array of games at the same time (perfect for March Madness or NFL Sundays), but there’s also plenty of tasty traditional bar grub and drinks. (SS)

2nd PLACE: Poole’s Public House

3rd PLACE: 24 Taps Burgers & Brews

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Capone’s Pub, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls

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JUST MINUTES FROM SPOKANE & COEUR D'ALENE IN STATELINE, IDAHO

This one is notable, not for who won — though it’s amusing to spot “Bingo” in the name-o back then — but for who wasn’t mentioned. The other two finalists were Players and Spectators and Silver Lanes, two bowling alleys. No Northern Quest. No Spokane Tribe Casino. That’s because neither of them actually existed at that time. Northern Quest, run by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, opened in December 2000. And the Spokane Tribe Casino, despite Spokane County commissioners’ efforts to stop it, opened in 2018. Both have become major influential forces in the community — not just financially but culturally as well. To start with, Northern Quest introduced the world to the commercial acting talent of local English teacher Mark Robbins.

— DANIEL WALTERS

For several years, Sandpoint area businesses consistently snagged top spots in the North Idaho category of the Inlander’s Best Of readers poll. Best brewery? Laughing Dog Brewing. Best outdoor music festival? Festival at Sandpoint. Best radio station? KPND.

In 2015, however, we decided to carve out a separate category for Sandpoint, highlighting places to eat, shop and explore in one of our readers’ favorite North Idaho towns.

That same year, TRINITY AT CITY BEACH won for best outdoor/patio dining, a feat the lakeside eatery repeated again in 2017 and 2023.

“We’ve got four walls, and 50 percent of those are made of glass,” says Trinity owner Justin Dick. “You get almost a 180-degree view of the beach.”

Although the summer is the busiest season, says Dick, Trinity’s view is a year-round favorite, especially for locals. During summer, Dick likes to walk the beach in the early morning but in colder months, including when it snows, “it looks like a picturesque Christmastime in Sandpoint.”

“The City Beach is the most underutilized asset that Sandpoint has,” Dick says.

The 219 is Sandpoint’s favorite place to hang, drink in hand. CARRIE SCOZZARO PHOTO

BEST ALL-AROUND BAR 219 LOUNGE

2nd PLACE: MickDuff’s Brewing Co.

3rd PLACE: Eichardt’s Pub and Grill

BEST ART GALLERY ART WORKS

GALLERY, HALLANS GALLERY (TIE)

BEST BREAKFAST HOOT OWL CAFE

2nd PLACE: Connie’s Café & Lounge

3rd PLACE: Bluebird Bakery

BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE FINAN MCDONALD CLOTHING CO.

2nd PLACE: Campfire Couture

3rd PLACE (tie): Eve’s Leaves, Le Chic Boutique

BEST OUTDOOR/PATIO DINING TRINITY AT CITY BEACH

2nd PLACE: Matchwood Brewing Company

3rd PLACE: Spuds Waterfront Grill

The most over-utilized asset in Sandpoint is, perhaps, THE 219 LOUNGE, the town’s oldest bar. Generations of Sandpoint residents have sidled up to the bar for a cold one. The 219 has it all: a hefty list of draft beer, live music and a great outdoor patio for when the weather’s right.

If you’re looking for a dose of creative arts, look no further than the ART WORKS GALLERY and HALLANS GALLERY. Art Works is a regional artists’ cooperative, and its gallery is currently celebrating the turning of spring. Hallans is the epicenter of Sandpoint history, and tends to the collection of photographer Ross Hall, who captured the town’s history for decades.

Maybe beer and art isn’t your thing. In that case, check out FINAN McDONALD CLOTHING CO., which will outfit you for any purpose: outdoors, travel and even for the comfy indoors. The store has a particular focus on environmentally-friendly brands, as well as reducing waste.

How about a big woo-hoo for HOOT OWL CAFE, which has won for the best breakfast in 2017, 2020 and again this year?

“The Hoot Owl is known for being a place to get a home-style meal at a fair price,” says new owner Joshua Butler, who is partial to the green eggs and ham breakfast with spinach, basil pesto and melted Asiago cheese. Customer favorites include the hash browns smothered in ham, onions, peppers, eggs and cheese with a side of gravy or salsa and toast, he notes.

Butler bought “the Hoot,” as some people call it, from Wendy Sater, who ran it for more than 25 years before retiring last year. Sater purchased the place from her uncle, who had run the popular spot along Highway 200 since 1972.

Besides the food, the eatery’s signature collection of owls is still in roost, with only a few additions and subtractions, says Butler.

Service is important, he adds, noting that the Hoot Owls’ secret to its longevity is “putting community and your people ahead of profit margins. We are a family at the Hoot, from the crew to our regulars we are a tightknit bunch always willing to help, or listen, or just be there to have a cup of coffee.”

Although he’s been looking at expanding catering and some meal options, Butler doesn’t see any reason to change much else.

“It is a community institution, and we intend to keep it that way.”

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

Leslie Lowe

Dennis

They look like dandelions, but they’re actually wild onions.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

ALLIUM SPRING CHORUS

People may call the massive metal sculpture at the Third Street entrance to Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park “the dandelions,” and with three slender stems each topped by a globe of little star shapes, the artwork does resemble dandelions about to unleash their seeds.

But the 14-foot stainless steel sculpture by Massachusetts artist David Tonnesen is actually an ode to Idaho’s wild onions, thus the artwork’s actual title: Allium Spring Chorus

Allium Spring Chorus is one of numerous public art pieces the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission has selected for installation over the years. It’s also one of the most popular, including with children.

Every September, Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance Executive Director Ali Shute has worked with local architects, artists and landscape designers to lead area children on a drawing expedition as part of the national Kids Draw Architecture program. In addition to drawing buildings and other architectural elements, the kids draw public artwork.

“The Allium is one of the favorites, has always been a favorite,” Shute says. “I think [that’s] because it’s in a really good location,” she adds, “and it’s just pretty.”

The simplicity of the design makes it easy for kids of any age to draw it, Shute says. “And it represents something that grows here in the wild.”

Not only do the little star-shapes — the “seeds” of the allium plant — move gently and subtly in the breeze, but they also shimmer in the sun.

“They definitely catch your attention.”

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

BEST ART GALLERY TERRAIN

Though it began as a one-night-only visual and performing arts extravaganza in 2008, Terrain has since evolved to include a permanent space where some of the many, many artists who originally found their footing through its flagship pop-up have since exhibited. It’s a must-do during First Friday art walk and one of the few places in Spokane to experience an always fresh take on truly contemporary regional art. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

3rd PLACE: Marmot Art Space

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d’Alene

BEST TV ANCHORPERSON MARK HANRAHAN, KREM

Mark Hanrahan joined KREM in 2015 and has been cranking out news ever since. The reporter and anchorperson, who won a Tom McCall Award for excellence in journalism at his previous job in Portland, knows how to deliver the nightly news with calm confidence — and just the right amount of humor. (NS)

2nd PLACE: Sean Owsley, KHQ

3rd PLACE: Tim Pham, KREM

Terrain’s flagship event may be only one night, but its gallery is open all year.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST ARTIST CHRIS BOVEY

“Accessible and stylish.” (Eric L.); “Chris so beautifully and perfectly captures the heart and vibe of Spokane and the surrounding areas with his vintage-style artwork. His art is fun, connecting and unifying.” (Lance H.)

2nd PLACE: Ric Gendron

3rd PLACE: (tie) Audreana Camm, Ben Joyce

BEST AUTHOR JESS WALTER

“Love The Cold Millions.” (Jill K.); “Too good for Spokane, but he still stays anyway. Everything he writes is amazing.” (Jennifer L.); “Master of his craft.” (Lori B.)

2nd PLACE: Sharma Shields

3rd PLACE: Tom J. Bross

BEST BOOKSTORE AUNTIE’S BOOKSTORE

“Creaky floors! Also, great location, great selection, and I love the staff picks. They’ve never steered me wrong.” (Melissa L.); “A great vibe, very helpful, and the store is just a great place to get lost and wander. (Darn T.)

2nd PLACE: Page 42 Bookstore

3rd PLACE: Wishing Tree Books

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST BOOKSTORE THE WELL-READ

MOOSE

“Everyone is so friendly and so helpful; it’s so peaceful, and they have so much variety!” (Jordyn S.)

BEST PUBLIC ART PIECE GARBAGE GOAT

Winning best public art piece in a region where there are literal tons of public art is a big deal, especially when it’s rather small compared to other behemoth sculptures nearby in Riverfront Park. Maybe it’s the metal sculpture’s lifelike size that’s charmed visitors since Sister Paula Turnbull created it for Expo ’74. Or its unique ability to “Hoover” trash. Either way, visiting this diminutive metal sculpture is a quintessentially Spokane thing to do. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: The Joy of Running Together (Bloomsday Runners)

3rd PLACE: The Childhood Express (Big Red Wagon)

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Allium Spring Chorus (Dandelions), Coeur d’Alene

Our favorite garbage-eating goat.

BEST ARTS FESTIVAL

MAC ARTFEST

When we say “Art!” you say “Fest!” Art! Fest! Art! Fest! The Inland Northwest’s favorite kickoff to summer is turning 38 this year, in addition to entering the Inlander’s Best Of Hall of Fame with its 10th voter-approved win.

After enjoying many successful years in Browne’s Addition’s Coeur d’Alene Park, ArtFest came back home to the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture last year. Though the MAC has always hosted ArtFest, many event goers may have been unaware of the connection. The museum’s development officer, Anna Bresnahan, says returning the event to the MAC reminds visitors that fine art is accessible and super close to home.

Carol Summers, the MAC’s marketing director, has been leading the ArtFest effort these past seven years with a dedicated crew of 70-plus staff and volunteers. ArtFest is a labor of love; it requires flexibility, adaptability and teamwork to make each year’s three-day event a success.

“One benefit of being a historical society is that excellent records have been kept and meticulous notes help us

build on and learn from previous years,” Summers notes. She’s now adding to those records herself.

For longtime Spokane residents and Inland Northwest newbies alike, ArtFest is a great annual event to acquaint oneself with the area. It’s a fun way for locals to bump into friends, meet artists, and collect fine art to wear year-round, or to fill the walls — and even gardens — of their homes. As a juried showcase, the artists and makers featured each year are hand-picked to feature the region’s best. More than 75 artists working in a range of media, from sculpture to painting, are invited to participate each year, making it Spokane’s largest juried art fair.

When ArtFest returns this year, June 2-4, the MAC’s campus will again buzz with activity. The main parking lot fills with food trucks, the amphitheater hosts hands-on activities for all ages, bands play in the courtyard, and

artists and makers from around the region scatter across the picturesque shaded expanse between the museum and First Avenue. New this year, guests who are 21 or older can also wander the grounds with a glass of local beer or wine in hand.

As the MAC’s team recounts the success of this local summer tradition, they happily show off favorite pieces acquired from years past. Bresnahan points to her earrings, bracelet and necklace, all collected over the years at ArtFest. Truly, what’s better than green grass, sunshine, fine art, and wine? Nothing. This free community event gets better every year. To learn more, or even sign up to volunteer, check out artfestspokane.com.

— MARY STOVER

2nd PLACE: Terrain

3rd PLACE: Spokane Fall Folk Festival

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Art on the Green

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ArtFest organizers (from left) Madison Bush, Anna Bresnahan and Kate Rau are excited this favorite local event has returned to the MAC.

BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST

The Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from home for families with children receiving intensive medical care. The building has kitchens, laundry and exercise facilities, living rooms, and everything else you could need to make things feel normal. But the most important part is the people. A family who has been there for three weeks can welcome a family who has been there for a day and let them know it’s going to be OK. (NS)

2nd PLACE: Giving Back Packs/ Spokane Quaranteam

3rd PLACE: Spokane Symphony

BEST LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL BREEAN BEGGS, SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

“He cares about social justice and works on practical solutions. Also a consensus builder where possible.” (Susan T.); “Stays cool, very smart, figures things out before he speaks.” (Barb L.); “Cares about this city.” (John A.)

2nd PLACE: Nadine Woodward, Spokane Mayor

3rd PLACE: Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Kiki Miller, Coeur d’Alene City Council

BEST

TV SPORTSCASTER

TRAVIS GREEN, KREM

“Travis is the man!” (Andrew P.); “His enthusiasm.” (Carmen H.); “We love KREM!” (Brian B.)

2nd PLACE: Dennis Patchin, KHQ

3rd PLACE: Alex Crescenti, KXLY

BEST PLACE TO PICK UP YOUR FREE INLANDER

ROSAUERS

“Look forward each week to picking up the Inlander, and I work there!” (Kimberley T. about Providence Sacred Heart); “It’s my local library, and they always have a good supply of Inlanders available.” (Bill. A. about North Spokane County Library): “I do the crossword in my office!” (Jon W. about Gonzaga University); “My Inlander is ALWAYS delivered there on time, and they provide such wonderful organized racks in the entrance to the store.” (Tammi B. about Yoke’s)

2nd PLACE: Northern Quest Resort & Casino

3rd PLACE: Yoke’s

A home-away-from-home for families going through challenging times. COURTESY PHOTO

JEREMY LAGOO, KREM

Forrest Gump, the quotable Tom Hanks character, had a knack for showing up in mid-20th century American history. Jeremy Lagoo has a similar skill of being in some of the most random places for a Spokane weathercaster.

If you’re a fan of music festivals like Bonnaroo, there’s a chance Lagoo sold you a corn dog. Or if you’re an aficionado of trick water-skiing groups that form human pyramids, perhaps you saw Lagoo on the Portland Water Spectacular team. Like to watch downhill ski racing in Minnesota or buy used cars from a chatty salesman? Again, Lagoo’s your Gump.

These are formative experiences that KREM’s chief meteorologist had before he landed in his current career, which, by his own admission, he fell into unintentionally after twice dropping out of an aeronautical engineering program “because I wasn’t happy doing it.”

Meteorology has a close connection to aeronautical engineering, so his switch to forecasting makes sense. Being a TV weather person wasn’t on his radar until a friend in Portland on that water-skiing team suggested he make a demo tape.

With KREM, Lagoo is at a station with a penchant for producing local news icons. The foremost of those is his predecessor as chief meteorologist — and winner of this Best Of category for 28 consecutive years — Tom Sherry, who retired last year.

“Tom did more for this community than I can ever think about doing,” Lagoo says, referring to Sherry’s forecasting and community service like Tom’s Turkey Drive. “The overall shadow of Tom Sherry is too much to think about. If you try to be someone else, you will always fail.”

Being himself, either selling corn dogs to festival goers or telling Inland Northwest residents what weather to expect, is something Lagoo leans into now. He knows he’s not Tom Sherry or anyone else. His own personality and expertise come through on TV and in grocery store conversations when people recognize him.

“My quirky personality has kind of always been there,” Lagoo says. “Even when I was going to school for nothing but science, I was still overly confident, and just an oddball. Nobody ever told me I couldn’t be weird or over the top. Now it’s something I have leaned into.”

— SCOTT A. LEADINGHAM

2nd PLACE: Leslie Lowe, KHQ

3rd PLACE: Kris Crocker, KXLY

Jeremy Lagoo, from nightly weather forecasts into locals’ hearts. KREM PHOTO

BEST

@NAHIELY.ALEXANDRA

When Nahiely Heredia discovered TikTok in 2020, along with the rest of the world, she never expected it to lead to her job as a content creator. It wasn’t until she made a viral video last July that it all became reality.

“That one video literally changed my life,” she says.

The video, which now sits at 945,000 views, features Heredia reviewing Amazon and Skims bodysuits as a plus-sized woman. That kickstarted her platform as a self-described “curvy content creator,” where she engages her audience of more than 130,400 followers to embrace themselves and their bodies.

“I just like the idea of connecting with women who have struggled seeing themselves or visualizing themselves, in the media and in this world, and loving their body,” Heredia says. “People need to love themselves to their core, so that’s the people I try to connect with.”

With an influx of followers and views, Heredia has since generated enough traction to make influencing a part-time job. Now, she

collaborates with brands and creates content for her followers, engaging a diverse community of individuals, including plus-sized women, mothers, Latinas, and any woman who feels underrepresented.

“I wanted to connect, I didn’t want to just, like, have a following,” Heredia explains. “Numbers are nothing if you don’t have a genuine community that supports you.”

With dreams of traveling and supporting her family outside the traditional 9-to-5 workday, Heredia has been working hard on the platform to make it a full-time career. And yet, despite her big plans and early successes, Heredia’s main goal remains: to inspire and influence women to love themselves and their bodies.

“I just hope to connect to whoever I’m meant to connect to, whatever that means,” she says. “I’ve always said if I can just inspire one person, then I’m doing something right with my life.”

— ELLIE ROTHSTROM

2nd PLACE: @trendingnorthwest

3rd PLACE (tie): @jayyroot, @wendleford

Nahiely Heredia makes authentic connections, one follower at a time. CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO

BEST RECORD/CD STORE HASTINGS

We had CD stores. As in “compact disc.” That’s how long ago 2006 was. But Hastings, you must understand, child, was so much more than a CD store. It was a Blockbuster. It was a GameStop. It was both a Barnes and a Noble. Many an adolescent boy became a man when he underwent the ancient rite of passage of buying a Star Wars video game or Star Wars Expanded Universe book or Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace soundtrack from a cute Hastings cashier — a real live woman — without dying of embarrassment. Alas, Hastings was long ago replaced by empty storefronts and, seasonally, Spirit Halloweens. Amazon, Steam and Spotify have made it easier to get your Star Wars content without ever interacting with another human being. This is why kids these days have gone soft.

— DANIEL WALTERS

OUR BURGERS

We start with 100% fresh Country Natural Beef. It is a local co-op of ranchers and raised naturally and sustainably with no growth hormones or antibiotics ever.

When ordered, we season and sear the beef to a rich brown and serve it with fresh cut lettuce, tomato, onions on a butter grilled bun with our house made burger sauce.

BEST THRIFT SHOP

GLOBAL NEIGHBORHOOD THRIFT & VINTAGE

At Global Neighborhood’s sprawling warehouse and storefront on the eastern edge of Spokane’s University District, a dedicated team turns chaos and clutter into clarity and purpose.

Thousands of pounds of textiles, books, home goods and more pass through this 50,000-square-foot facility each week. Every donated item goes through a quick but discerning inspection by one of Global Neighborhood’s attentive staff members before being sorted, priced and placed onto the sales floor or set aside for recycling.

The reasons Inlander readers love Global Neighborhood Thrift & Vintage are almost as myriad as the stuff people give to the nonprofit — from wedding dresses to wheelchairs — which employs newly arrived refugees, who in turn gain job skills and work experience as they get settled in the community.

Among the praise for Global Neighborhood shared by readers on this year’s Best Of ballot, people mentioned the shop’s cleanliness and quality item selection, affordable prices, highly organized

book department, friendly and helpful employees, and much more. Most of all, people love Global Neighborhod’s mission.

Founded in 2007 by Brent and Amy Hendricks, Global Neighborhood began to help refugees navigate life in America with things like English language classes.

“Over the course of the first three or four years, and building relationships with hundreds of people in the city, it became very apparent that jobs were the most needed thing,” Brent Hendricks says.

That need resulted in the opening of the nonprofit’s thrift store in 2010. Global Neighborhood gradually outgrew that space and moved to its current home at Trent Avenue and Hamilton Street in late 2019.

“That was a big jump,” Hendricks says. “We more than doubled our retail space and added our warehouse operation, which has allowed us to focus much more on the environmental sustainability side. It allows us to divert as much as we can out of a landfill, but also to create different kinds of jobs and more jobs.”

Those jobs range from operating a forklift and a textile baler to cashiering and picking out vintage clothing and housewares that will be part of the store’s recently added vintage department. During the pandemic, staff took to selling such sought-after pieces online to reach more buyers, a move that proved incredibly popular.

Since opening Global Neighborhood Thrift more than a decade ago, Hendricks estimates the nonprofit has seen more than 200 refugees — from 33 countries around the world — “graduate” from its job-training program, which lasts from two to three months.

“We want to give them a realistic setting for job training and give them actual certifications for things so they can move on and get a higher wage,” says Emily Ramirez, Global Neighborhood’s job readiness program manager. “We want to set people up for success. Not just to get here and get employment, but to start building their life again.”

— CHEY SCOTT

2nd PLACE: Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store

3rd PLACE: Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Idaho Youth Ranch

Thrift Store, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls

Stocking Associate Addis Eshete helps turn choas into clarity. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST BOAT DEALER HAGADONE MARINE GROUP

What do we know about what makes a good boat dealer? Sure, we’ve been on a boat or two in our time, but what are we? Like, Boating Industry: The Magazine? But here’s the thing: The editors at the literal Boating Industry magazine gave Hagadone Marine Group in Coeur d’Alene their “Editor’s Choice” award, pointing to the customer service that helped give them a 34 percent increase in revenue from 2020 to 2021. That award is basically like winning the Inlander’s Best Of, but for being a boat dealer. (DW)

2nd PLACE: Trudeau’s Marina; 3rd Place; Elephant Boys

BEST GIFTS ATTICUS COFFEE & GIFTS

Where’s the one place you can buy a handmade fish-shaped gurgle pot, delicious loose-leaf tea and Chris Bovey prints all in one go? Atticus, of course! The combo gift/coffee shop has a unique array of gifts spanning from books, journals, candles, PNW-themed clothing, mugs and much, much more. So, order a coffee and peruse the cozy store that our readers dub the best gift shop in the city. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Boo Radley’s

3rd PLACE: Simply Northwest

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Lucky Monkey, Coeur d’Alene

BEST TOY STORE WHIZ KIDS

“They have a large variety of toys and games.” (Holli B.); “Great selection and staff is so sweet and friendly! A great experience.” (Rebecca G.)

2nd PLACE: Boo Radley’s

3rd PLACE: Figpickels Toy Emporium, CDA

BEST BRIDAL SHOP MARCELLA’S BRIDAL

“Amazing, kind, helpful, accommodating and encouraging staff. Beautiful designs!” (Bethany P.); “Always willing to go the extra mile.” (Christiane P.); “The consultants are the BEST.” (Melissa C.)

2nd PLACE: Honest in Ivory

3rd PLACE: Believe Bride

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Affordable Elegance, Coeur d’Alene

BEST BUDTENDER MERVIN SIMMONS, CINDER

“I have always had anxiety going into [cannabis] stores due to being overwhelmed, but since going to Mervin I have enjoyed it every time!” (Shelby D.); “This guy is incredible. Always in a great mood… I’m always delighted to see his face.” (Paige D.); “Merv is the coolest… he is the wizard of weed!” (Jude C.)

2nd PLACE: Alexander Mahin, Lucky Leaf Co.

3rd PLACE: Serg DeLeon, The Green Nugget

No matter who’s on your list, get them something at Atticus. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST CANNABIS SHOP

BEST CBD SELECTION CINDER

Convenience, selection and value are the names of the game at each of Cinder’s three locations around Spokane — downtown, North Side and Spokane Valley. With knowledgeable staff and a wide variety of products, it’s no wonder Cinder has won this honor for five years running. While grocery stores and gas stations now carry CBD products, those are all sourced from industrial hemp. Consumers can shop without worry at Cinder, knowing that their large selection of CBD products come from Washington-grown cannabis. (WM)

BEST CANNABIS SHOP

2nd PLACE: The Green Nugget; 3rd PLACE: Apex Cannabis

BEST CBD SELECTION

2nd PLACE: Bath by Bex; 3rd PLACE: Locals Canna House

Cinder has what you need, from local flower to great budtenders.

CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO

Thanks for the love!

CO.

Sisters Lina Ulyanchuk and Viktoriya Kukharsky have an untraditional approach to the floral industry. Their business, Anthesis Co., specializes in expressive botanical arrangements more akin to art installations than bouquets.

“The short story: We just saw an opportunity within the floral industry to step in more as an artist, and not as a business owner,” says Kukharsky.

Soon after graduating from Eastern Washington University with degrees in visual communications and design, the pair launched their business in 2018. Together, business-minded Ulyanchuk and artistic Kukharsky sought to fill a niche in Spokane, where they could create locally sourced, personalized flower arrangements.

“I don’t see it as a product, I see it as an expression,” says Kukharsky. “I pour my heart and soul into my arrangements, and I think people resonate with that pretty well.”

The name, Anthesis, refers to the period of time when a flower is in bloom.

While the business’s conception was in 2018, Ulyanchuk explains that the company really began blooming during 2020 with the upsurge

of virtual shopping and the need for contactless deliveries. As an online storefront, Anthesis experienced an influx of business, leading the sisters to expand to the studio they occupy today. Since then, people have been drawn to Anthesis for its personalized floral portraits and arrangements that feel highly individualized and artful.

“Humans love beautiful things,” says Kukharsky. “And if you have something beautiful that connects with you a little bit, you instantly draw to it I think.”

The sisters explain that they are grateful for the community’s recognition with a Best Of award but are also not surprised because the support from the Spokane community has surrounded them since day one.

“It’s nothing shy of a miracle with how much people have been getting behind everything that we do,” Kukharsky says.

— ELLIE ROTHSTROM

2nd PLACE: Appleway Florist & Greenhouse

3rd PLACE: Rose & Blossom

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Duncan’s Florist Shop, Hayden

The floral arrangements of Anthesis are filled with heart and soul. COURTESY PHOTO

ONE WEEK WELLNESS PASS

BEST HOTEL THE DAVENPORT GRAND

Before the Grand, there was a parking lot. Way before then, it was Trent Alley, a working class neighborhood of Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek and German immigrants working and owning the restaurants, barber shops, laundries, groceries and — yes — hotels that defined the east end of downtown. The Grand brings a similar diversity of people and purpose to its patch of land, with its swank rooms for convention goers and plum spot adjoining the First Interstate Center for the Arts. Locals can still enjoy its high-end offerings, especially in the summer during happy hour on its rooftop patio. (ND)

2nd PLACE: The Historic Davenport Hotel

3rd PLACE: Northern Quest Resort Hotel

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Coeur d’Alene Resort

BEST ORGANIC/NATURAL FOODS

HUCKLEBERRY’S NATURAL MARKET

Every time I walk into Huckleberry’s, Spokane’s OG natural market, I always head to my few choice spots. The massive produce section. The grocery carts filled with clearance items. The wall of cold beer. The bistro, to simply enjoy the sights and scents. Then, with trepidation and a growing knot in my stomach, I head to check out, always with the same questions: Am I in the right line? Is this even a line? Wait, did I forget my bag? (ND)

2nd PLACE: Pilgrim’s Market, Coeur d’Alene

3rd PLACE: Main Market Co-op

BEST FARMERS MARKET KENDALL YARDS NIGHT MARKET

“It’s a festival every Wednesday. Great storefronts and open environment. Reminds me of Moss Bay Days in the ’70s. Love it!” (Tami K.); “Large variety of vendors.” (Patricia B.); “Live music.” (Kate V.)

2nd PLACE: South Perry Farmers Market

3rd PLACE: Liberty Lake Farmers Market

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Kootenai County Farmers Market, Hayden

BEST LOCAL CANNABIS BRAND BLUE ROOTS CANNABIS CO.

“Stay true to the blue! They have hard workers, ensuring a quality product by hand!” (Laura Y.); “Always has good strains. Very consistent in quality, never been disappointed.” (Jess B.); “Best cannatelas in the world.” (Jordan B.); “Because nothing makes my days more tolerable than Blue Roots.”(Jennifer C.)

2nd PLACE: Phat Panda

3rd PLACE: Root Down

Find a diversity of people and purpose — and swank rooms — at the Davenport Grand. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST PET SUPPLIES NORTHWEST SEED & PET

DEALERSHIP WENDLE MOTORS, FORD, NISSAN

BEST NEW CAR

Wendle Motors has been serving the Spokane area since 1943. If you’re not quite following, that’s 80 years of selling new cars in the region. Wendle, which is family owned and operated, assists with every part of the process from helping customers pick out their new dream cars, maintaining them once they’ve hit the road and arranging any financial assistance their customers might need. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Subaru of Spokane

3rd PLACE: George Gee, Buick, GMC, Kia NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Parker Subaru, Coeur d’Alene

BEST JEWELRY

JEWELRY DESIGN CENTER

Diamonds are the timeless icon of the jewelry world, and they’re the specialty of the Jewelry Design Center. Since opening in 1977, the store has remained a staple business in the Inland Northwest. Their collection features hundreds of pieces, including Jewelry Design Center Handcrafted rings and necklaces. In need of a custom design or repairs on your favorite accessory? They’ve got you covered there, too. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Pounder’s Jewelry

3rd PLACE: Tracy Jewelers

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Clark’s Diamond Jewelers, Coeur d’Alene

“Knowledgeable, compassionate, and they donate to The Humane Society and The Friends of Manito.” (Leigh H.); “I love this small business! I love that I can bring my dogs, and the owner has often recommended options and provided samples of healthier alternatives for my pups when it comes to treats.”

(Taylar M.); “Knowledgeable people. Locally owned, great pricing.” (Richard B.)

2nd PLACE: The Urban Canine

3rd PLACE: Prairie Dog Mercantile

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: GoodDog Pet Supplies, Coeur d’Alene

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

BEST VINTAGE HOME DECOR & FURNITURE BOULEVARD MERCANTILE

“Always a treasure to be found.” (Bobbi P.); “Eclectic, unusual and right up my alley.” (Sarah H.) “They maintain a beautiful store with well-curated spaces that make sure to change things up throughout seasons and trends.” (Lily C.)

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

2nd PLACE: Veda Lux; 3rd PLACE: Teleport Vintage + Co.

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Rebel Junk, Coeur d’Alene

BEST VINTAGE HOME DECOR & FURNITURE

2nd PLACE: Chic & Shab; 3rd PLACE: The Bohemian

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Midtown Home & Vintage Market, Coeur d’Alene

ASIAN WORLD FOOD MARKET

When customers make the drive to Spokane from Montana or Idaho just to shop at your store, you know you’ve filled a niche.

“We have products customers can’t find in other stores,” says Jin Uhm, manager of Asian World Food Market on North Division Street.

Going on 12 years in business, the market carries food items imported from Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, India and the Marshall Islands, as well as from Hawaii.

To keep the store stocked, Uhm says he has only one distributor who delivers. For the bulk of Asian World’s merchandise, he sends a truck driver to Seattle who makes no less than 20 stops to fulfill all orders.

“Customers thank us for carrying foods that remind them of back home,” he says. “Also, Americans seem to like to cook Asian food more now. They bring us recipes, and we help them find what they need. They get excited at the many choices.”

Indeed, just walking into the roughly 5,000-square-foot market, your eyes widen and senses peak, like you’re 8 years old again, walking into your favorite candy store. All brightly lit

and super colorful, row upon row of noshing and culinary adventure — especially for the newcomer — can make one feel downright giddy.

Then there are the names to take in. Items such as bagoong alamang (shrimp paste), japchae (sweet potato noodles) and moong dal (green gram beans) line the shelves, along with sweet fixings such as halo-halo (sweetened beans and fruit), macapuno string (soft coconut meat) and grass jelly (a dessert eaten alone or in bubble tea).

Reach-in coolers and freezers are filled with an abundant selection of thirst-quenchers and sweet-tooth quellers such as sikhye (a Korean sweet rice drink) and makgeolli (fermented rice wine), plus bubble tea and UCC Coffee (the Japanese coffee-in-a-can favorite). There’s also fish and seafood, as well as fresh produce like bok choy and galangal root.

With a wide, easy grin, Uhm says, “We also make freshly prepared kimbap [sushi], kimchi and japchae, which our customers really like.”

— RENÉE SANDE

2nd PLACE: Best Asian Market

3rd PLACE: De Leon Foods

BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET

Its shelves stocked with UCC Coffee, moong dal and much more, Asian World is sure to please many palates. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE MY FRESH BASKET

Filling a void in the downtown grocery scene when it opened in 2017, My Fresh Basket quickly became a favorite, offering a gourmet variety of meats, cheeses, produce and health-focused dried goods, drinks and cleaning products. Somewhere on the spectrum between a Trader Joe’s and a Whole Foods, My Fresh Basket offers plenty of affordable options while providing some high-end choices you’d be hard-pressed to find at other stores nearby. Plus, the deli is a wildly popular lunch spot for those who work north of the river, including some of us who put together your favorite paper every week. (SW)

2nd PLACE: Rosauers, 29th Avenue

3rd PLACE: Yoke’s Fresh Market, Foothills

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pilgrim’s Market, Coeur d’Alene

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC GARLAND ANIMAL CLINIC

In the heart of Spokane’s North Side, the Garland Animal Clinic has been continuously caring for the area’s beloved companion animals since 1966 — that’s a long time! The clinic’s current owners, Drs. Steve Boharski and April Weber-Boharski, purchased the practice back in 1999, and moved it down the street to an expanded, stateof-the-art facility in 2017. It’s easy to see why locals love Garland — with 11 veterinarians on staff, plus dozens of skilled support staff, clients’ furry friends are always in compassionate, caring hands. (CS)

2nd PLACE: Indian Trail Animal Hospital

3rd PLACE: Hunter Veterinary Clinic

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Prairie Animal Hospital, Coeur d’Alene

BEST USED CAR LOT CAL CARS SPOKANE/COEUR D’ALENE

“I have bought two cars from them, and they always make sure the cars are in tip-top shape while still asking a fantastic price.” (Ashley D.); “Honorable, great experience, they really take care of their customers. They make sure you are getting the vehicle you want and one you can see yourself driving every day!” (Paxston S.)

2nd PLACE: Jennifer’s Auto Sales and Service

3rd PLACE: UGM Motors

BEST WINE SHOP VINO!

“The folks who run Vino! are the best. They will help you decide on the best wine at any price point — and you are sure to love what they select. John Allen is a local treasure!” (Gail G.); “Buy local is always best. Such great people who know their wines!” (Tonia W.); “Great staff, selection, feels like family.” (John E.)

2nd PLACE: Nectar Wine and Beer

3rd PLACE: (tie) Rocket Market, Wanderlust Delicato

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pilgrim’s Market, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE AUDREY’S BOUTIQUE

“Nice selection!” (Alice H.); “Personal and professional service, great fashions and all the extras to complete your look, from undergarments to accessories.” (Cheri M.)

2nd PLACE: Lolo; 3rd PLACE: Veda Lux

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Velvet Hammer Boutique, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WEDDING VENUE BEACON HILL CATERING & EVENTS

With sweeping views of Spokane and carefully manicured gardens perfect for pictures, Beacon Hill’s catering and event space offers a stunning backdrop for your special day. With menus that can range from high-end snack displays to full Mediterranean meals, and indoor/outdoor facilities that can accommodate hundreds, Beacon Hill’s team is set up to help design the event you have in mind. They’re also partnered with places like Barrister Winery, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars and Riverside Place, offering even more options for your big celebration. (SW)

2nd PLACE: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars; 3rd PLACE: Commellini Estate; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Hagadone Event Center, Coeur d’Alene

Beacon Hill co-owner Ellie Aaro and executive chef Ryan Jordan YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

SPOCANNABIS

Legal marijuana was uncharted territory in early 2013. While some fretted about morals, others saw a business opportunity, and Inlander readers were asked to brainstorm slogans to sell Spokane as a destination for state borderhopping weed tourists. “Spokannabis” was an obvious winner, but the runners-up were just as good: “The Evergreen State of Mind,” “The Inland Hempire” and “Highlac City.” A few readers weren’t too enthused about the idea and suggested slogans like: “Watch as Society Crumbles” and “No Thanks.” We wonder how they’re feeling about the whole thing now.

—NATE SANFORD

Your choice for Spokane’s Best Grocery Store.

From our employees, managers and owners- Thank you Spokane for voting us “Best Grocery Store” for the 3rd year in a row! We look forward to serving our community in 2023 as your neighbors and local grocer.

BEST SLOGAN TO PROMOTE LOCAL MARIJUANA TOURISM

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PARTNERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER!

We’re proud to support these organizations and many other programs that benefit cancer patients and their families across the Inland Northwest.

2021

BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

BEST SUMMER CAMP YMCA CAMP REED

Thirty miles north of Spokane, tucked amid a cluster of evergreen trees, sits a place where memories are made. At dusk, the shimmering lake appears sleepy. During the day, it’s rife with bright yellow canoes, joyful screams and smiling faces.

This year, after racking up 10 total wins, YMCA Camp Reed enters the Best Of Hall of Fame. But, Camp Reed holds 108 years of history. There’s a good chance even you, dear reader, can recall fond memories from Camp Reed of singing campfire songs, staying up late inside your cabin and the sudden sadness that hits when it’s time to leave and head home.

“This is a place where kids can come to find themselves,” says Executive Director Carly Garras, whose camp name is Calypso. “They get to connect with kids outside of their usual spheres and try new things.”

Camp Reed has been a staple in the Inland Northwest since its opening as an all-boys camp in 1915. In 1968, the camp opened to girls as well, but that wasn’t the end of Camp Reed expanding its horizons. Along with typical summer camps, Camp Reed also offers Camp Goodtimes, a camp for children affected by cancer.

Camp Goodtimes Director Katie Swain (camp name Krusty) says that camp is a special bundle of joy, wrapped up with a ribbon for Goodtimes campers.

“Campers show up and get to be authentically themselves,” Swain says. “Whether they’re in our regular programs or Camp Goodtimes, they expand, grow, reach and they get to be silly. Or serious. They get to be whatever they want to be, and that’s the beauty of summer camp.”

YMCA Camp Reed sees almost 1,900 kids a year across all of their programs. No kid is ever turned away. They’re all welcome to make memories that will last a lifetime at Camp Reed.

“Everyone has a connection with Camp Reed in one way or another,” says Garras. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for community support. It’s a special place, and we’re excited for our next 100 years.”

— MADISON PEARSON

2nd PLACE: Camp Sweyolakan, Coeur d’Alene

3rd PLACE: Camp Spalding

Opened in 1915, Camp Reed connects with 1,900 kids a year. YMCA CAMP REED PHOTOS

BEST BIKE STORE THE BIKE HUB

When I got in a car accident earlier this year — my fault for driving — I returned home to find that my primary mode of transportation had a flat tire. But I didn’t despair. I picked up my bike and lugged it back to the place where I bought it — the place where I’ve purchased most of my bicycles (and bike lights and water bottles) over my years in Spokane — the Bike Hub. They popped on a new tire within minutes. The location isn’t only convenient, the amount of free not-gonna-charge-you labor their staff has given me over the years has earned my undying loyalty. (DW)

2nd PLACE: North Division Bicycle; 3rd PLACE: Wheel Sport; NORTH IDAHO’S BEST (tie): CDA Bike Co., Vertical Earth

BEST PLACE TO SNOWBOARD MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK

With four separate terrain parks — two for beginners and two advanced parks snaking their way down the entire length of the backside of the mountain — Mt. Spokane is a paradise for snowboarders of all levels. Proximity to Spokane, just an hour drive from downtown, makes Mt. Spokane the most convenient mountain for many riders around the Inland Northwest. Sunset doesn’t mark the end of the day at Mt. Spokane, either, which illuminates 16 runs every Wednesday through Saturday. (WM)

2nd PLACE: 49 Degrees North; 3rd PLACE: Schweitzer

BEST ATHLETE DREW TIMME GU

“He’s Drew freakin’ Timme!” (Patricia C.); “Great athlete, fun to watch, great guy on and off the court. Good representation of Spokane.” (Jyl G.); “Team player!” (Hazel M.); “Because it’s Timme Time!” (Grace S.)

2nd PLACE: Anton Watson, GU

3rd PLACE: Rasir Bolton, GU

BEST DOG PARK

UNOFFICIAL SOUTH HILL DOG PARK

“Location and space!” (Jillian A.); “Dogs and people are friendly!” (S.S.); “As long as they don’t get rid of it…” (Nathan L.)

2nd PLACE: SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge

3rd PLACE: Valley Mission Dog Park

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: McEuen Park Dog Park, Coeur d’Alene

BEST GOLF COURSE

INDIAN CANYON

“If I could only play one course for the rest of my life, it would be the Canyon — as long as I had a good supply of balls!” (Roberta W.); “Great layout, friendly staff, and I love the grass driving range.” (Patrick P.); “Great historic golf course.” (Bill A.)

2nd PLACE: Kalispel Golf & Country Club

3rd PLACE: Downriver Golf Course

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: (tie) Circling Raven, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course

The Bike Hub wants you to motivate via two wheels. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST PLACE TO SKI 49 DEGREES NORTH

A year after an expansion added five runs and a high-speed chairlift to the resort on Chewelah and Angel Peaks, the bigger and better version of 49 Degrees North has made an impression on Inland Northwest skiers. Located 60 miles north of Spokane, 49 Degrees North strikes a balance between quality and value. With 86 runs across 2,325 skiable acres, the resort is one of the largest in the Northwest. Its location halfway to Canada receives a hefty average of 301 inches of snow each winter. (WM)

2nd PLACE: Schweitzer

3rd PLACE: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

ThankYou! ThankYou! ThankYou!

Nestled in something of an elbow of the city, the top of Beacon Hill affords visitors spectacular panoramic views of the metro area, from the far North Side through downtown and out across the Valley. The best part, though, is that from there, you get to ride back down.

Beacon Hill and Camp Sekani have become the region’s premier mountain biking destination, a distinction earned through the hard work of local volunteers and nonprofits.

“Fat Tire Trail Riders started in about 2008 to preserve land in the area,” says Chris Conley, president of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance’s Eastern Washington chapter, which took the baton from Fat Tire Trail Riders in 2015.

Stretching from Minnehaha Park in the west to the city-owned Camp Sekani Park on the east, the rugged terrain and over 600-plus vertical feet of the Beacon Hill area is crisscrossed by 39 miles of trails. However, between the two parks sits a lot of privately owned land. Until 2020, 61 percent of the area’s trails ran through private land. Now though, 77 percent are protected on public land.

“In 2020, 250 acres were bought by the county through Conservation Futures funds, along with large easements from Avista. There’s still some private land, but we at Evergreen have made agreements with the landowners to allow access to the trails,” Conley says. “We’re working on a new round of Conservation Futures for 2027.”

Volunteers who’ve helped make Beacon Hill what it is today aren’t just waiting around until 2027, though. Work is underway this spring to improve Camp Sekani’s central park features like the pump track and jumps, which are already located on public land.

For visitors who are unfamiliar, Evergreen has drawn up handy digital trail maps to help riders navigate the 1,024-acre space; find them at evergreeneast.org.

“Get out there and explore it,” Conley says.

— WILL MAUPIN

2nd PLACE: Mount Spokane State Park

3rd PLACE: Riverside State Park

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Silver Mountain

Near nature, near perfect mountain bike trails on Beacon Hill and Camp Sekani. DAN WILSON PHOTO

BEST DISC GOLF COURSE DOWNRIVER

The Professional Disc Golf Association describes this course as “one of the toughest” in Washington. The 6,705-foot-long course has 18 holes, soaring ponderosa pines and great views of the Spokane River. Be careful — the river is also known to claim haphazardly thrown discs. But it’s all part of the challenge that makes this such a fun spot for disc enthusiasts. (NS)

2nd PLACE: Camp Sekani; 3rd PLACE: High Bridge Park NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Corbin Park, Post Falls

BEST SNOW SPORTS SHOP SHRED

Formally known as Sports Outlet, Shred offers a wide selection of outdoors and sporting equipment. As this winter comes to an end, Shred is the perfect shop to hit to repair your equipment after the season’s wear and tear, plus is a great place to pick up some new gear for your upcoming adventures. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Sports Creel

3rd PLACE: Spokane Alpine Haus NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Ski Shack, Hayden

BEST PLAYGROUND ICE AGE FLOODS PLAYGROUND RIVERFRONT

“Lots of fun stuff for kids of all ages. Massive leap up from previous playgrounds.” (Sheila B.); “Grandkids love to go!” (Elizabeth G.); “Fabulous and educational.” (Joyce R.)

2nd PLACE: Providence Playscape, Riverfront Park

3rd PLACE: Manito Park playgrounds

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: McEuen Park, Coeur d’Alene

BEST OUTDOOR REC SUPPLIES REI

“Because they are a co-op! REI offers group outings, rental gear, excellent quality and diversity of gear for purchase as well. As a co-op, members receive dividends.” (Lynda W.); “They have so many great items in their inventory!” (Jessie M.)

2nd PLACE: Rambleraven

3rd PLACE: The General Store

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Black Sheep Sporting Goods, Coeur d’Alene

BEST RUNNING EVENT BLOOMSDAY

“Spokane’s outdoor running tradition.” (Darleen F.); “Longest running race, fun for all ages and fitness levels.” (Jyl G.); “Wonderful way to start summer!” (Car C.); “Accessible and community focused.” (Eric E.)

2nd PLACE: (tie) Spokane River Run, The Turkey Trot

3rd PLACE: Running Shoes & Micro Brews, Post Falls

We may be ranked 2nd, but

Kids of all ages can slide through time at the Ice Age Floods Playground. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Car ing for pet s for over 50 years

Caring for pets in Spokane and surrounding areas since 1966, Garland Animal Clinic is committed to providing the Best Care for Your Best Friend.

o Complimentary New Pet Exam $71 VALUE! (Sick Pet Exam not included)

o Prompt Care Daily with same day appointments available for sick pets

o Online Store for food and medicine with convenient home delivery

o Beautiful, modern facility and excellent, compassionate veterinarians!

o Pets Treated: Dog, cat, birds, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, sugar gliders, rats, hamsters, gerbils, snakes, bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, tortoise.

o Services Offered: Wellness and Preventive Care, Dentistry, Diet and Nutrition, Parasite control, Vaccinations, Microchipping, Radiography, Diagnostic Ultrasounds, Endoscopy, EKG, Laboratory Services, Allergies, Spay and Neuter, Soft T issue Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Laser Therapy, Health Certificates, etc.

Call (509) 326-3151 today to schedule an appointment with our caring and experienced veterinarians! 1022

BEST CONTRIVED SPOKANE BRAND HOOPTOWN USA

Sometimes you don’t realize how important something is until it’s gone. When Inlander staff chose Hooptown as our editor’s pick for Best Contrived Spokane Brand in early 2020, we had no idea that a global pandemic would shut down Hoopfest, the beloved 3-on-3 basketball competition that summer. It was a huge bummer, but at least we had something to look forward to next year, right? Enter the Delta variant. Hoopfest was canceled for a second time just weeks before the scheduled event. Thankfully, it returned in 2022 and Spokane became a real Hooptown USA again.

— NATE SANFORD

Lorem Ipsum

In the early days of legal cannabis in Washington, some of the most eager to pop into new recreational stores were gray-haired patrons who hadn’t partaken since their youth, or who were attracted by the idea of edibles and pain-relieving creams.

That was definitely the case for what’s now the second location of THE GREEN NUGGET, located in Pullman. Right next to a popular dinner spot, the cannabis store used to get mostly older regulars, says manager Cheyenne McDaniel, who’s worked at the location since it opened in 2015.

“But now with the student discount, we have a ton of younger people coming in,” McDaniel says.

Every day, students and faculty with a university ID (it doesn’t matter which university) can get 25 percent off.

For the younger regulars, that’s a bonus as they seek out cheap ounces of flower and dabs, McDaniel says.

When Green Nugget staff received the news that Inlander readers voted them Best Retail Cannabis Shop on the Palouse, they couldn’t contain their excitement, taking a minute to cheer and whoop before coming back to the phone.

Based in Spokane, the Green Nugget bought the Pullman store in April last year, and the store got a full remodel. There’s a new subway tile backsplash, a larger showroom floor, and some Coug-friendly crimson and black decor, says marketing director Martina Graves.

“Our flagship is the Spokane store, and Pullman is a lot different, it’s got a lot more of a hometown feel,” Graves says. “There’s a really strong loyalty base — they

love the strong customer service and have been seeing the same budtenders for years.”

Whether you’ve got the munchies or not, when Inlander readers aren’t hitting up the Palouse’s Best Burger at COUGAR COUNTRY DRIVE IN, they might be hankering for their favorite sushi at RED BENTO, with locations in both Moscow and Pullman.

The deep-fried sushi rolls seem to be a fan favorite, says Eric Driscoll, the general manager of Red Bento’s Moscow location in the Palouse Empire Mall.

“Any one of those gets ordered all the time, but the 007 roll and the kamikaze roll are the most popular,” Driscoll says.

Hurd Mercantile and Company continues to be a great place for gifts. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST BURGERS COUGAR COUNTRY

DRIVE IN PULLMAN

2nd Place: The Coug, Pullman

3rd Place: Humble Burger, Moscow

BEST HAPPY HOUR

The 007 is a deep fried spicy salmon roll with avocado, cream cheese, yami sauce (kewpie mayo and sriracha) and eel sauce drizzled on top. The kamikaze is the same, but with spicy tuna.

The Moscow location also offers lunch and dinner bento boxes, as well as dinner combos of other popular Asian dishes. Driscoll says customers are often surprised by just how large the servings are.

THE

PALOUSE CABOOSE PALOUSE

2nd Place (tie):

My Office Bar & Grill, Pullman; The Coug, Pullman

BEST GIFTS HURD

MERCANTILE & COMPANY ROCKFORD

2nd Place: Neill’s Flowers and Gifts, Pullman

3rd Place (tie): HOME, Lifestyle, Gifts and Decor, Spangle; The Red Barn, Latah

BEST RETAIL CANNABIS SHOP THE GREEN

NUGGET PULLMAN

2nd Place: Piece of Mind Cannabis, Pullman

3rd Place: Floyd’s Cannabis Co., Pullman

BEST SUSHI Red Bento

MOSCOW AND PULLMAN

2nd Place: Tokyo Seoul, Pullman

“I generally can eat a lot of food. I find the lunch bentos satisfying for me, and I’m an average build 22-yearold guy,” Driscoll says. “But the bento dinner is really big even for me. I have a hard time putting it all away.”

Meanwhile, for those who live and travel through the rolling hills off State Route 27, HURD MERCANTILE AND COMPANY remains readers’ favorite place to get gifts on the Palouse. Those taking a day trip or traveling to a Washington State University football game are also known to stop in for some delicious barbecue at the PALOUSE CABOOSE in the town of Palouse.

Voted readers’ favorite happy hour, The Palouse Caboose has been “smoking stuff out back since 2015,” with offerings of smoked brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and turkey, and sometimes ribs and homemade sausages.

Owner Kim Rundle, who opened the popular restaurant with her husband, Eric Wilkerson, says it’s common to see out-of-town guests who are in the area to tailgate as well as local farmers who might ride up on a horse or tractor to get some food.

“Palouse is super friendly, everybody’s super nice in the town,” Rundle says. “It’s the kind of place you can drive into town and people will wave at you even if they don’t know you.”

With a popular patio and a garage door that’s opened to let in the fresh air in the warmer months, the Palouse Caboose regularly hosts concerts and is family friendly, with a mini caboose out front for kids to play on, Rundle says.

Specials include 12-ounce Keystone cans for just a buck all the time, and a daily $1 discount on any alcoholic beverage between 3 and 6 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant offers two-for-$6 deals on well drinks, domestic beers, White Claws and 12-ounce microbrews from 8 pm to close (around 10 pm during the cold months and more like midnight during the summer).

“It’s kind of a bedroom community for people who work at the university and Schweitzer [Engineering], so we try to keep our cocktails classy and our beers locally sourced. They like their microbrews as well as the farmers like their Keystone,” Rundle says. “I live in Moscow and commute to Palouse every day, and you feel like you’re home when you’re there.”

— SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST HOME DECOR SHOP

MIDTOWN HOME & VINTAGE MARKET

Megan Bright loves to put junk on a pedestal. Anything with a neglected, dilapidated exterior and even the tiniest glimmer of hope for a newfound purpose.

At Midtown Home & Vintage Market in Coeur d’Alene, her husband and business partner, Matt, has learned to always defer to Megan on this matter.

“Matt is a perfectionist when it comes to painting, where sometimes I think that chippy chair can be perfect as is!” Megan says with a laugh. “I’m still trying to teach him how to differentiate.”

The couple first met 15 years ago when she was working at a Gold’s Gym and he was hired to paint. They started dating, and Megan eventually ended up working alongside Matt for his remodeling business. While she loved working with her would-be husband, however, Megan was drawn to a more artistic painting approach.

“The first time I refinished a thrift store dresser, I was hooked,” she says. “The fact that I could make a living at it was exciting.”

She soon started selling this upcycled furniture in area vintage shops, including Junk on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene. In 2016,

Junk’s then owner offered Megan and Matt the chance to buy the business. They jumped at the opportunity, Megan recalls.

Within the couple’s first year of owning Junk, they won an Inlander Best Of award, followed by three more wins before moving up Fourth Street to their current location in 2019 and rebranding as Midtown Home & Vintage Market.

Walking into Midtown Market, it’s clear this is no quick stop, but more of a day trip through the land of upcycled, vintage and eclectic.

Upcycled furniture, vintage home décor, lighting, clothing and jewelry displays are all beautifully curated by 60 vendors into ideas upon ideas for customers to marvel at, glean from and realize as their own for reasonable price points.

“We’ve built something we’re proud of and are focused on keeping things going strong with great customer service, high quality of goods and staying on trend,” Megan says. “Matt and I make a great team and couldn’t do it without each other.”

Matt & Megan in Midtown — sounds like a new HGTV series to me.

— RENÉE SANDE

Midtown Market is the land of the upcycled and eclectic. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

WASHINGTON TRUST BANK

When

BEST FURNITURE WALKER’S FURNITURE

“The furniture I have bought at Walker’s lasts, and they have great selection.” (Deborah M.); “Exceptional people providing an exceptional shopping experience!” (Nicole R.)

2nd PLACE: The Tin Roof; 3rd PLACE: Dania NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Runge Furniture BEST

STURM HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

“Great friendly service.” (Mindy B.); “Always there when you need them!” (Gail D.)

2nd PLACE: Holliday Heating & Cooling

3rd PLACE: Banner Furnace & Fuel NORTH IDAHO’S BEST

BILL’S HEATING & A/C, POST FALLS

“Very responsive — a knowledgeable rep was out the next morning, and we had a written bid within hours. All completed within a week… in the middle of winter!” (Roberta W.)

Washington Trust CEO Peter Stanton (right) and President Jack Heath YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST FLOORING

BROTHERS FLOORING & DESIGN SPOKANE/POST FALLS

If the time has come for something new underfoot, readers say browsing in one of Brothers Flooring and Design’s two retail locations is a great first step. But if the immutable knowledge that your floors have just got to go arrives in the middle of the night, hop on their website, upload a photo to the online viewer and enjoy the instant gratification of seeing your space in myriad newly floored ways. (AM)

2nd Place: Spokane Floors

3rd PLACE (tie): Carpet Barn; United Floor Coverings

BEST PLUMBING FIRM

BULLDOG ROOTER & GOLD SEAL PLUMBING (TIE)

It may not appear particularly glamorous to work in the plumbing trade, but few people who arrive at your door in a “time of need” are more warmly welcomed. Whether these experts are stopping water from flowing where it shouldn’t, or helping “things” to resume flowing as they absolutely must, and quickly, readers say the plumbing pros at Bulldog Rooter and Gold Seal Plumbing are always ready to assist. (AM)

2nd PLACE: Peck Plumbing & Heating

3rd PLACE: Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Thanks for the Sweet Votes!

1412 W 3rd Ave | Spokane | 509-624-1969 | Spokandy.com

BEST HOMEBUILDER BIG BLUE

With a background in commercial construction, Big Blue president and chief builder Eli Glushchenko says he founded the firm to “elevate the residential construction side.” He’s able to incorporate project management and software more familiar to commercial construction into the building of custom homes. “We specialize in building science,” he says, noting they work to produce not just green, but “high performance” homes, incorporating all the elements of good design and floor plan flow, as well as “everything that’s needed for creature comfort.” (AM)

2nd PLACE: Greenstone Homes

3rd PLACE: Strohmaier Construction

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Edge Homes NW, Inc., Rathdrum

BEST HOME DECOR SHOP THE TIN ROOF

Adding the wow factor to your interiors requires accessorizing, and readers say The Tin Roof is the place to find what you need. Whether you’re at a loss for where to begin or have something specific in mind, the Tin Roof staff is ready to assist. From a rug on which to build your entire design to developing layered lighting and adding finishing touches like throw pillows, mirrors and framed art, you’ll find plenty of options to help create a space that’s uniquely you. (AM)

2nd PLACE: The Bohemian

3rd PLACE: Chic & Shab

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Midtown Home & Vintage Market, Coeur d’Alene

Unlike the Tin Man, the Tin Roof has a heart, and its staff is always ready to assist. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST LANDSCAPING FIRM BLEND OUTDOOR DESIGN

“Super creative and innovative firm delivering on-time and in-scope work!” (Bryce B.); “First of all, their designs are just plain COOL. Seriously, take a scroll through their Instagram. It’s clear how much they care about every design being awesome.” (Kelli Y.)

2nd PLACE: Spokane’s Finest Lawns

3rd PLACE: Coppercreek Landscaping

BEST CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS NORTHWEST GRANITE

“They are extremely professional. They have GREAT customer service during the whole process from the showroom to installation to coming back out to take care of anything after installation.” (Dee K.); “They did an awesome job on our full kitchen remodel.” (Kally W.)

2nd PLACE: Mario and Son

3rd PLACE: Capaul StoneWorks

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Gargoyle Granite & Marble, Rathdrum

AMC River Park Square

Anthony’s

Arbor Crest Winery

Art on the Green

Auntie’s Bookstore

Azteca

Boo Radley’s

Churchill’s Steakhouse

Clinkerdagger

Dave, Ken and Molly

Davenport Hotel & Tower

David’s Pizza

Dennis Patchin

Dick’s Hamburgers

Domini Sandwiches

Dutch Bros.

The Elk

Finders Keepers

Frank’s Diner

Gordy’s Sichuan

Thomas Hammer

Hastings

Huckleberry’s Jaazz Salon

Jewelry Design Center

KZZU

Liberty Park Florist

Luigi’s

MAC ArtFest

Manito Park

Mizuna

Mt. Spokane

Mustard Seed

No-Li Brewhouse

Nordstrom

Northern Quest

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Pawn 1

Pig Out in the Park

Red Robin

REI

Riverfront Park

Rocket Bakery

Satellite Diner

Schweitzer

Tom Sherry

Spa Paradiso

Spokane Arena

Spokane Civic Theatre

Starbucks

STCU

Swinging Doors

Thai Bamboo

The Tin Roof

Tomato Street

Twigs

Stephanie Vigil

Value Village

The Viking

Washingtown Trust Bank

Wendle Motors

Wheel Sport

YMCA Camp Reed

This is a true honor! Thank you to all of our loyal locals for supporting us year round, we couldn’t do this without you and you are the soul of the Hoot. Thank you also to our visiting customers, we so enjoy meeting you and sharing our place with you.

This crew works so hard to bring you the best breakfast experience possible and this lets us know we are. We will continue to work hard to earn this title and your business, can’t wait to see you all.

2021

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST LOCAL GARDEN SUPPLY THE PLANT FARM

Houseplants have really had their moment these past few years, and outdoor gardening never goes out of style. The Plant Farm has all of the gear necessary for aspiring gardeners and houseplant parents alike. Not only can they provide you with new verdant friends, but their sales associates are also extremely knowledgeable on what it takes to help your plants flourish in the ever-changing and unpredictable Spokane weather. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Northwest Seed & Pet

3rd PLACE: Ritters Garden & Gift

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Vanhoff’s Garden Center, Coeur d’Alene

BEST CREDIT UNION STCU

From its culturally relevant billboards around town to its support of countless local causes ranging from the performing arts to education, STCU’s presence in the Inland Northwest is widely felt. Since its humble beginnings way back in 1934 — in a closet-sized room at Lewis & Clark High School, no less — STCU has always been “here for good,” even if that catchy slogan wasn’t coined until many, many decades later. As STCU’s 90th anniversary quickly approaches, that simple saying begins to take on an even deeper meaning. (CS)

2nd PLACE: Numerica Credit Union

3rd PLACE: Canopy Credit Union

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Idaho Central Credit Union

Green thumb or not, the Plant Farm has something for everyone. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP

PETE’S INDEPENDENT HONDA

Fifteen years ago Ken Peterson heard from his parents that the owners of Pete’s Independent Honda were looking to retire. Peterson, who’d been working at a Honda dealership in Seattle, moved across the state to take over the auto repair shop where his parents had long been customers.

While the original Pete and the current Petersons aren’t related, there’s still a family atmosphere in the shop thanks to Ken and his wife, Charla.

“Our customers are part of our family. We mourn with them, and we celebrate with them, and they do the same with us,” says Charla. “When we married in 2019, a lot of our customers came to the wedding.”

Even the waiting room has a home-like, family feel, far from what you might expect at a typical auto repair shop. A still-functional 1902 Mason & Hamlin organ, passed down from Ken’s great grandparents, sits alongside a couch, coffee table and vintage Coca-Cola branded mini-fridge.

“We sit and talk,” Charla says of their customers. “They come in for an oil change, and they stay for an hour.”

Ken and Charla don’t advertise their shop, but that hasn’t stopped the word from getting out. In 2013, after just five years in Spokane, the Petersons had to move to their larger, current location.

“We outgrew the new location in six months,” Charla says.

Word of mouth and hundreds of five-star reviews have been enough to keep business booming over the years. For Charla, their reputation comes from their honesty. You don’t have to take her word for it, though. From their Google reviews, where they have a 4.9-star rating, “honest” is the most mentioned quality of all.

— WILL MAUPIN

2nd PLACE: Mechanics Pride

3rd PLACE: Vandervert Automotive Services

Pete’s Independent Honda has a homey, family feel. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST HOME REMODELER STROHMAIER CONSTRUCTION

Readers are smitten with Strohmaier Construction’s impressive and dramatic transformations, but also with their attention to customer service during a remodel. “These are often really large investments for folks,” Raena Strohmaier told Inlander Health & Home magazine. “We have many who have been saving their entire lives for their one big remodel. So it is stressful.” To help manage that, all clients get a log-in for 24/7 access to information about the project, including daily logs, their project calendar, as well as all documents and pricing. (AM)

2nd PLACE: Berry Built and Design

3rd PLACE: Integrity Remodeling, Inc.

BEST KITCHEN STORE

THE KITCHEN ENGINE

Shopping at The Kitchen Engine means a huge assortment of continuously evolving gadgets, knives, dishware and other kitchen essentials, plus expert advice and a store that stands behind its products. Even better, Kitchen Engine classes let you try out that newfangled gadget you’re considering buying. If you haven’t stopped by lately, go check out the shop’s 2022 remodel and expansion, complete with an expanded teaching kitchen, cafe and coffee counter. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: The Culinary Stone, Coeur d’Alene

3rd PLACE: Kitchen Kraft

BEST LOCAL HARDWARE STORE RIVER

RIDGE HARDWARE

“Within walking distance to my house — sends birthday discount coupons!” (Amy B.); “Eager to help, and there is nothing they couldn’t find for me.” (Laura K.); “The helpful staff!” (Cheryl C.)

2nd PLACE: The General Store

3rd PLACE: Miller’s Hardware

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Seright’s Ace Hardware, Post Falls, Rathdrum

BEST LOCAL MORTGAGE COMPANY

FIRST CHOICE LOAN CENTER

“They are fast, knowledgeable and priced competitively.” (Shaun F.); “I’ve never worked with anyone else who is so on top of their game. Their average clear to close approval times are faster than anyone else. And on top of everything else, they care about the people they serve!” (JW W.)

2nd PLACE: Heritage Home Loans

3rd PLACE: Chimney Rock Mortgage

BEST ROOFING FIRM

GLACIER ROOFING & EXTERIORS

SPOKANE/COEUR D’ALENE

“They took all the stress out of getting a new roof, even down to working directly with my insurance company.” (Donelle S.); “Excellent craftsmanship and advocacy for the customer with insurance companies.” (Margaret H.)

2nd PLACE: Dynasty Roofing

3rd PLACE: Spokane Roofing

The Kitchen Engine has all the newfangled gadgets you’re considering buying. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT SAMARA BEHLER, WINDERMERE VALLEY/ LIBERTY LAKE

Realtor Samara Behler acknowledges the housing market of March 2023 is very different from March 2022. “Every single house requires a different strategy… With interest rates being double what they were a year and a half ago, (buyers) are just demanding a really great product for what they are purchasing,” she says. In the current cooled-down market, she works to educate both buyers and sellers because “people still have to buy and sell, people still have to move.” (AM)

2nd PLACE: Marianne Bornhoft, Windermere Manito

3rd PLACE Ben Olney, Windermere City Group

BEST

WINDOWS PELLA WINDOWS AND DOORS

Cloudy, moisture-filled panes mean your home’s energy efficiency is literally going right out the window. Luckily, readers find that the folks at Pella are ready to help. Whether retrofitting an older residence or ordering beautiful panes for a new home, readers are impressed with Pella. Window frames are offered in three materials — vinyl, fiberglass and wood — and styles abound, including casement, double-hung and sliding as well as custom and specialty shapes. (AM)

2nd PLACE: McVay Brothers

3rd PLACE: Coeur d’Alene Window Co.

Circling Raven Golf Club

BEST NORTH IDAHO GOLF COURSE

Voted as Best North Idaho Golf Course by the Inlander’s Best of the Inland Northwest Readers Poll, Circling Raven is nestled among 620 acres of wetlands, woodlands and Palouse grasses. You’ll admire the aesthetics almost as much as the play!

Home of the Circling Raven Championship

BEST LOCAL PROJECT TO USE SOME OF THAT FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY NORTH-SOUTH FREEWAY

Hundreds of homes were torn down in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood to make way for the north-south freeway that will open to commuters… one day. Maybe. Eventually. Spokane residents have been talking about connecting 1-90 with a north-south freeway since the 1940s. The project broke ground in 2001, but delays kept mounting. Today, the Washington state Department of Transportation estimates it’s held more than 600 public meetings on the topic. In 2009, readers hoped federal stimulus money could help hurry things along. It didn’t. The current estimated completion date is 2029.

— NATE SANFORD

BEST TATTOO STUDIO

FORTUNATA TATTOO STUDIO

By the time Noah and Courtney Pasino explain that they set out to build a different kind of tattoo studio, their creation, Fortunata, has already spoken loud and clear for them.

Making your way through the downtown area surrounding the couple’s studio might conjure expectations of the grungy, hip decor and biker-bar ambience classically associated with tattoo shops, but Fortunata’s sleek, upscale vibe deliberately defies such stereotypes. When I enter through the large glass door, a receptionist offers refreshments while I wait for the Pasinos.

“We saw a big need in the industry for a more welcoming, respectful environment, and we strive to be a place that anyone can feel welcome and comfortable in,” Courtney explains.

“Essentially we wanted a place that we would want to go” Noah adds. “We get a lot of college kids, we get a lot of older clientele — people who want tattoos but are maybe kind of scared to get one.”

This willingness to make tattooing approachable for the uninitiated has paid off handsomely. In only 16 months, they’ve doubled the size of their studio, now home to 12 artists specializing in a broad range of styles, from abstract to freehand to Courtney’s own photorealistic portraits and plants.

The couple’s commitment to respecting their clients supersedes their own financial interests.

“If a client wants a piece in a style that none of our

artists specialize in, and we feel they would get a better tattoo from someone else, we would always prefer that they get the best tattoo they possibly can, and we have other friends in town we’ll recommend instead,” Courtney says.

“It builds trust. Even if we’re not going to ultimately be the ones tattooing them, they know we have their best interests in mind. It’s not just ‘we’re

— NIC RENSHAW

2nd PLACE: Anchored Art Tattoo & Gallery

3rd PLACE: UndeadInk Studios

BEST AESTHETIC/MEDICAL SPA SARAH HAMILTON FACE

When getting cosmetic work done, going to professionals you can trust is important. As Sarah Hamilton FACE has remained a recurring Best Of winner for years, it’s safe to say that Spokane’s voters highly recommend Hamilton and her team. From facials, fillers and laser treatments, Sarah Hamilton FACE does it all. And if your skincare routine is in need of an upgrade, their skincare store offers a full line of products designed to meet your needs. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: Crafted Beauty

3rd PLACE: Lakeside Med Spa & IV Lounge, Coeur d’Alene

BEST DENTAL PRACTICE DR. C DENTAL

Studies estimate that nearly 60 percent of patients have some sort of dentist-related anxiety. But at Dr. C Dental, you can rest easy. The team led by Dr. Josh Cochran focuses on creating a calm environment for patients, with complimentary beverages and easy-going staff. If you need a distraction while getting your teeth checked out, you can play a game or listen to music on one of the office iPads, or even lie back and catch up on the latest show with one of the ceiling-mounted TVs. (NS)

2nd PLACE: Cheney Dental Care

3rd PLACE: NorthView Family Dental

NORTH IDAHO’s BEST: Post Falls Family Dental

BEST BARBER SHOP BLACK LONDON’S BARBERSHOP

“Not only is the owner, Will, an amazingly talented barber, he is a valued member and a leader and humanitarian for our city and the community.” (LeRoy W.); “My son always feels amazing about his cut when he leaves.” (Crystal C.); “They do so much more than cut hair; Will is a great mentor and role model for young black men and young men period. He’s been my son’s barber since he was 5. He’s almost 16 now.” (LaToya L.)

2nd PLACE: Brickyard Barbershop

3rd PLACE: Maverick’s Men’s Hair, Liberty Lake, Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint

BEST TATTOO ARTIST ALEX DELGAGO, BLACK HORSEMEN TATTOO

“A solid artist in the community. Crispy lines, wicked free-styling, hands down best script locally.” (Rickcanna B.) “Alex is an amazing artist with real grit and darkness ingrained into his art. He can truly bring ideas to life with incredible precision. His dedication to his craft is very apparent.” (Logan S.) “Outstanding work all around whether it be lettering or portraits. He’s done all my tattoos so far and he takes care of his clients like family.” (Jacob D.)

2nd PLACE: Courtney Pasino, Fortunata Tattoo Studio

3rd PLACE: Sarah Philp, Little Bear Tattoo Co.

Black London’s Barbershop cuts hair, but does so much more. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

BEST HEALTH CLUB/GYM MUV FITNESS

Whether you’re a fitness newbie or a lifelong athlete, finding the right gym can be a challenge. At MUV fitness, members can access state-of-the-art equipment, group classes in Zumba, yoga, and cycling, plus a strong support group from the staff and other gym members to help make your fitness journey more fun. (SSa)

2nd PLACE: YMCA

3rd PLACE: SoulBarre Studio

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: PEAK Health and Wellness Center, Coeur d’Alene

BEST WAXING SALON EUROPEAN WAX CENTER

With head-to-toe waxing options for men and women, and various wax passes that can offer serious savings over time, European Wax Center offers hair-removal expertise, with friendly advice on their website to explain all their services. Reviewers rave about the staff’s ability to make them feel comfortable during sessions and put them at ease. (SW)

2nd PLACE: Plush Tanning Salon & Spa

3rd PLACE (tie): Mode Wax Theory, Platinum Hair Salon

BEST PILATES PRECISION PILATES

“Amber and Alexis are always knowledgeable, helpful, and fun — you will always have a great Pilates experience with them!” (Janet F.); “Enjoyable experience. Great people. Personal attention to the way MY body works (or doesn’t).” (John R.)

2nd PLACE: Club Pilates

3rd PLACE: Pilates Evolve Studio

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Reform Studio, Coeur d’Alene

BEST MASSAGE

BEST SPA

LA RIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST

“Very reasonable for what they offer and surprisingly serene and chic tucked into a bustling casino.” (Patricia B.); “All of the women are great and welcoming. Top-notch care!” (Tawnya L.)

BEST MASSAGE

2nd PLACE: Davenport Spa and Salon

3rd PLACE: Spokane Prenatal Massage

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Highlands Day Spa, Post Falls

BEST SPA

2nd PLACE: Davenport Spa and Salon

3rd PLACE: Urbanna Natural Spa

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Coeur d’Alene Resort Spa

MUV has everything you need to get your health on the move. COURTESY PHOTO

BEST ARTIST

HAIR SALON THE STUDIO

On Howard Street, a splash of pink stands out among the line of brick buildings. Inside is a multi-talented staff that provides a range of services, including trendy nail art, sleek hairstyles, gorgeous lash extensions and everything in between. This is the Studio, where a mission of inclusivity invites clients to come as they are.

“We focus so much on building a friendship with our clients instead of a business relationship,” says Kaylee Sanchez, co-owner of the Studio. “It’s not a business transaction.”

Along with an emphasis on relationships with clients, the Studio’s staff focuses on uplifting one another, as well as other professionals within the beauty industry. Sanchez and co-owner Marianne Watts make this clear by selling retail lash products to independent makeup artists not associated with the salon.

“We couldn’t thrive if we didn’t play really well as a team,” says Watts. “When people vote for the Studio, they’re voting for all these women together.”

Before launching the Studio, Watts and Sanchez worked together at another salon. When Watts, an esthetician who “grew up with a brush in her hand,” wanted to start her own studio, she invited the fresh beauty school graduate Sanchez along for the ride. That was nearly seven years ago.

“Marianne is more the motivational person,

and I’m the analytics person that’s like, ‘Here’s the math on this, and this is what makes sense,’” Sanchez says.

After their initial four-person studio off Freya Street grew in popularity, the duo decided it was time to expand. In September 2020, they found the 4,500-square-foot building that now houses their business. With just $3,500 to spare, they knew they’d have to work for it.

Watts recounts hectic days and sleepless nights when she and Sanchez would do lashes at the Freya location, buy paint with their earnings, then go to their building on Howard and paint until two in the morning. The next day? Rinse and repeat.

“We painted every one of these poles,” she said. “We learned how to drill into brick. Just two girls that did hair and makeup built it from the ground up.”

The pink and black paint on the walls, the plush furniture, and even the foliage adorning the awning was implemented by the pair. They use the same can-do attitude to run their business.

“This entire business is fueled by passion, not money,” Watts said. “They say fake it till you make it. We truly didn’t have to because we love and care that much.”

— SAMANTHA HOLM

2nd PLACE: House of POp

3rd PLACE: Oasis Hair

BEST

The Studio provides a personal touch, down to the pink and black walls. ALEXANDRA RAE PHOTO

VOTED BEST PLACE TO SKI

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOTER S!

GET YOUR 23-24 SEASON PASS NOW AND SKI THE REST OF THIS SEASON FOR FREE

BEST JUICE AND SMOOTHIE BAR METHOD JUICE CAFE

With two locations in Spokane, Method is much more than just a juice and smoothie spot. They serve delicious (and healthy!) salads, rice bowls, acai bowls and more. Hit them up for your spontaneous juice cleanse, a light midafternoon pick-me-up or an after-gym, protein-packed smoothie. Though most everything on their menu is organic, it’s as delicious as it is healthy. Oh, and they also have a selection of treats for the sweets-lover in all of us. (MP)

2nd PLACE: Wellness Tree

3rd PLACE: Liberty Lake Juice Company NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The Wellness Bar

BEST TANNING SLICK ROCK TANNING

“Slick Rock in Hayden is wonderful. The staff is always super friendly, the facility is clean, and the equipment is stellar. The Sun Angel is miraculous and prepped my pale skin for a sunny vacation perfectly.” (Mary S.); “Beautiful, clean facility with multiple tanning options. Easy scheduling online and a lot of availability.” (Jennessa F.)

2nd PLACE: Plush Tanning Salon and Spa

3rd PLACE: Sunny Buns

BEST EYEWEAR BLINK EYECARE

“Best selection of funky, unique, fashionable frames!” (Olga R.); “I love this place and the people that work there! They truly care about you as a patient.” (Kayla K.)

2nd PLACE: Eye Guys, Spokane and Hayden

3rd PLACE: (tie) Everything in Sight; Spokane Eye Clinic

BEST YOGA STUDIO ECLIPSE POWER YOGA

“The owners Scott and Erin give back to the community in many ways.” (Lili K.); “The best team and the raddest playlists!” (Mery S.); “So welcoming! I felt at home from Day One.” (Macie S.)

2nd PLACE: Shala Living Yoga

3rd PLACE: Beyoutiful Hot Yoga, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene

Method proves that healthy and delicious go great together. KRISTEN BLACK PHOTO

BEST LOCAL CONSPIRACY THEORY

THE RIVER PARK SQUARE PARKING GARAGE FIASCO

It’s amazing how boring the River Park Square parking garage story was in retrospect. A public-private partnership to build a parking garage for the mall downtown turned out to be not nearly as lucrative as the estimates predicted. Yet the entire saga was so convoluted — with so many legal twists and turns, combined with the fact that the rich family that owned the local daily newspaper was behind the project — conspiracy theories were inevitable. Time was, newspaper comment sections would be absolutely brimming with people treating the “Cowles family” like a combination of the Koch Brothers and the Illuminati. But two things happened: New scandals — Police Chief Frank Straub! Rachel Dolezal! — began to crowd out the old scandals, and newspapers stopped having comment sections. With time, the garage stopped becoming a symbol for elite corruption and became a symbol for the place you’d park your car while going to see Cocaine Bear

— DANIEL WALTERS

THE BUZZ BIN

PAINFUL FLAVORS

These hot sauces will elevate and spice up your next meal

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

Hot sauce isn’t for the faint of heart. I like spicy food, but I never used to be a fan of hot sauce.

I felt the heat overpowered the flavors of dishes I’d add it to.

But last year, I realized not all hot sauces are the same — I’d just been trying the wrong ones.

A co-worker at my part-time job collects hot sauces, a majority coming in the Heatonist subscription box that includes staples from the popular Hot Ones web series, plus a variety of other unique and notable sauces. While some of these sauces have caused me seemingly never-ending pain, others have introduced me to how flavorful hot sauce can be while still making you question your life choices, in a good way.

The following hot sauces not only inspired me to branch out of my comfort zone, but to start my own collection of unique, flavorful and hot sauces, all of which are sold online via the respective company’s website.

HIGH DESERT HOT SAUCE CO.: TIKK-HOT MASALA

This sauce made me realize hot sauce isn’t just an ingredient for pain and suffering, but one that adds a vibrant layer of flavor to food. High Desert Hot Sauce Co. is based in Arizona and creates sauces with complex and bold flavors that are enhanced by spice, not overpowered by it. I love Indian food, so the savory and earthy flavors in this sauce and the heat from ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers makes it by far my favorite sauce that I’ve tried yet.

HIGH DESERT HOT SAUCE CO.: CO-CONSPIRATOR

Another option from High Desert, this one’s a good choice for heat-hesitant foodies who want trial but not fire. Its sweet pineapple flavor balances out the heat

from the jalapeño and chiltepín peppers. I’ve given this sauce to family and friends who are apprehensive about trying hot sauces, and it’s one that has become a staple in their kitchens and in mine.

WELLER SAUCE WORKS: HABANERO

This is another great starter hot sauce that has amazing flavor and packs a punch that doesn’t linger in your mouth for an eternity. It shines a spotlight on the habanero pepper without adding other flavor profiles to the mix. Before trying it, I’d never tasted a true habanero pepper, which has a crisp, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with almost anything.

BLAIR’S DEATH: AFTER DEATH SAUCE

Sometimes tangy hot sauces can be too strong with vinegar or citrus notes, and thus not easily paired with a versatile array of foods. But this sauce nicely balances tangy, garlicky and peppery flavors, making it a great addition to any meal. It’s spicy — don’t get me wrong — but it’s a good next step after Weller Sauce Works’ Habanero listed above, if you’re embarking on the journey of building your spice tolerance to try to become the next Sean Evans, Hot One’s host.

HOT ONES: EYE OF THE SCORPION

Scorpion peppers, the primary ingredient of this sauce, don’t mess around. While they have a garlicky, slightly smoky flavor with faint floral notes, these peppers are known for being one of the world’s hottest chili pepper varieties. It’s easy to get overconfident and brush this sauce off as nothing, but the heat slowly creeps up on you, then strikes like the sting of a scorpion. n

UDDERLY ADORABLE

Though the Spokane County Interstate Fair isn’t until Sept. 7-18, the hype around the event starts now with the announcement of the 2023 FAIR MASCOT: Cedar the highland cow! Cedar, the tiny, fluffy, brown cow is just 6 weeks old, and her road to stardom is being documented on the fair’s social media pages for all to see. Cedar was the first born this season at her home farm, Dalkena Highlands in Newport, Washington, and has one of the cutest faces I’ve ever seen. This a-moo-zing combination makes her the obvious choice for 2023 fair mascot, in my opinion. Follow Cedar’s journey by visiting thespokanefair.com/cedar. (MADISON PEARSON)

LANGUAGE OF SOUND DESIGN

Transitioning from mastering a musical instrument to navigating the world of sound design can be daunting. Not only is there a variety of equipment to choose from, some have very specific purposes, making it difficult for many musicians to determine what products they actually need. CHOMPI aims to change that by offering novice to career music producers an accessible and fun way to learn and utilize sound design in their creative projects. Plus, it’s portable, comes in pink or black, and has changeable keys so you can customize your music sampler to fit your needs and aesthetic. A Kickstarter campaign for the CHOMPI sampler, created by local artists Tobias and Chelsea Hendrickson, launches March 28. Devices will also be available for purchase this fall. (SUMMER SANDSTROM)

THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST

Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on Mar. 24.

FALL OUT BOY, SO MUCH (FOR)

STARDUST. The pop punk/emo hitmakers are still reaching for the stars (and their dust, apparently) with big melodic hooks.

BABYMETAL, THE OTHER ONE. If you throw a J-Pop girl group and a thrash metal band in a blender and turn it on high, the delightful smoothie you get is Babymetal.

LANA DEL REY, DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S A TUNNEL UNDER OCEAN BLVD. I did not know that! Thanks, Lana! (SETH SOMMERFELD)

The Brunch Bunch

New to downtown, House of Brunch takes a lighter, more upscale approach to the midday meal

BY CHEY SCOTT

Brunch has a loaded reputation. It can connote long waits, massive portions, greasy hangover “cures” and bougie undertones. Yet brunch is beloved by many. It rewards sleeping late and excuses drinking alcohol before noon. Brunch is an occasion to slow down, catch up with loved ones and celebrate life’s milestones.

Aiming to highlight only the best aspects of the breakfast-plus-lunch meal is House of Brunch, newly opened in the heart of downtown Spokane. Combining the hearty with the healthy, and the high-end with the familiar, House of Brunch’s menu and vibe were crafted to appeal to myriad tastes, all delivered with a steady focus on high-end hospitality.

That level of service is something House of Brunch’s two owners, Jackson Connery and Brad Duffy, and executive chef Wade Watkins, know first-hand. Before launching House of Brunch, the trio all worked together at the ultra-exclusive Gozzer Ranch on Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 700-acre, private estate catering to the rich and famous.

House of Brunch, on the other hand, is the opposite of exclusive, Connery says.

“We’re trying to bring that hospitality and attention to detail that you see in a private club world, and bring it to the public and show people what real hospitality looks like,” Connery says. “And hopefully when you

walk into the House of Brunch, you feel like you’re walking into my home and we can relax a little bit and take a load off.”

To create that kind of memorable, posh feel, House of Brunch’s menu includes items like gold-leaf garnished caviar ($23), served on spoon-shaped pieces of potato tuile, a light wafer creation chef Watkins says is reminiscent of a crispy, salty potato chip. Fresh oysters ($3 each) and a robust sparkling wine and champagne list add another luxurious note to the menu. House of Brunch also serves hearty, American breakfast classics. The à la carte menu has eggs, bacon, toast ($5 each) and even a smash burger ($12).

“I kind of took a lot of things that I had seen over the years, but [Wade] also collaborated on a lot of dishes, because he brings a whole other style to it,” Connery says. “I wanted lighter fare, smaller plates and healthy, vegan options. But Wade also does burgers, and this incredible hash with short ribs that he braises for eight hours. We wanted to make sure we didn’t scare people away with the menu, but we wanted to be innovative and progressive.”

Dishes on House of Brunch’s menu under the heading “Sweet” include an already-popular bubble waffle ($16). It’s like the inverse of a Bel-

gian waffle, with round bumps and a thin lattice of crispy dough instead of gridded indentations.

“You don’t see bubble waffles all the time,” Watkins says. “It’s a big thing in Vancouver [B.C.] and Hong Kong, so we wanted to bring something new, but also wanted a waffle on the menu.”

Topped with tiny dollops of whipped goat cheese and locally sourced honey, the waffle is sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy. These lighter toppings also mean it’ll never get soggy.

Another unexpected combination of ingredients is in the beet salad ($14), which has a touch of white chocolate.

“It’s a little bit weird, because when you think about beets, you don’t really think about white chocolate, but it cuts through with a little bit of creaminess and a bit of a different texture than the beets,” Watkins says. “That’s kind of like what I’m looking for when I’m making a new dish. The last thing is to put it together and make it look good, but the first thing is making sure that those flavors and textures are all there.”

There’s also matcha cheesecake-filled beignets ($15), and the London ($14), a sourdough French toast made with bread from Rind & Wheat Bakery, topped with a tea-flavored syrup.

...continued on page 146

House of Brunch doesn’t want you to leave in a food coma. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

On the “Savory” side of the menu is Watkins’ shortrib hash ($26), with beets and red potatoes, over-easy eggs and a Dijon hollandaise. A vegan tamale ($18) is stuffed with mushroom “chorizo.” The French omelet ($24) can also be ordered vegan, with king trumpet mushrooms, in place of flat iron steak.

Can’t decide? A tasting-style menu ($30 per person) invites the kitchen to do it for you with a selection of small plates highlighting the breadth of House of Brunch’s cuisine. There’s also fresh salads ($14-$16), house-cured salmon and lox ($16), and carpaccio, thinly sliced meat served raw, ($12) with fresh fruit.

Acertified sommelier, Connery curated House of Brunch’s sparkling wine selection to include everything from budget-friendly $35 bottles from producers in the Yakima and Columbia Valleys to $300plus bottles from top French champagne houses Louis Roederer, Veuve Clicquot and Krug.

“There’s a huge amount of sparkling wine in areas of the world that are doing some really cool things that just aren’t explored by a lot of restaurants or wine shops,” Connery says. “So we have some great stuff from South Africa. England is doing some really cool stuff right now with sparkling wine — Washington, too.”

House of Brunch has a full bar, with house cocktails ($12) and regionally sourced draft beer ($8) from the likes of No-Li Brewhouse, YaYa Brewing Co., Brick West Brewing, River City Brewing and Garland Brew Werks.

Tubbs Coffee Roasters in Hayden is used for its espresso, pour-over and drip. Spokane-based Revival Tea Co. does the tea. As part of House of Brunch’s focus on healthier options, there are also fresh-pressed green juice

($10), wellness shots of ginger, lemon and cayenne ($6), and smoothies ($10).

“Our wellness program has taken off,” Connery says. “All of those are quick-service options, but we also sell a ton of green juice in the dining room, which is great. It shows people want healthier options.”

House of Brunch’s walk-up counter and espresso bar offers these items to-go, along with its full menu.

Since the restaurant opened on March 2, it’s been busy, with the peak weekend hours between 8 am and 3 pm. Reservations can be made online, but bar-top seating and two large, 10-person communal tables are always open for walk-ins. When warmer weather soon arrives, dining will expand onto the large patio facing Riverside Avenue.

Inside, the space is light, airy and naturally lit, with a neutral color palette and touches of metallic textures and finishes found in the dining room chairs and light fixtures. A large, faux cherry tree in full bloom is a focal point of the dining room, which also offers views into the open kitchen.

“I wanted House of Brunch to get your day started,” Connery says. “I want you to be able to go shopping or do something fun later. It shouldn’t feel like, you know, that this is the only meal you’re going to eat for the day. My No. 1 motto in making the menu is, I don’t want people going home feeling like they have to take a nap.”

“THE BRUNCH BUNCH,” CONTINUED...

The dining room at House of Brunch is bright and airy, with views into the kitchen. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ALSO OPENING

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL

Presented

FIGHT TO THE FINISH

John Wick: Chapter 4 finds the once-refreshing action franchise running on empty

One of the great things about 2014’s John Wick was how refreshing it felt, instantly standing out in a glut of generic, uninspired action movies. Screenwriter Derek Kolstad presented an efficient, streamlined revenge story with hints of a larger underground world. Director Chad Stahelski (along with uncredited co-director David Leitch) drew on his decades of experience as a stunt performer and coordinator to deliver expertly choreographed fight scenes that didn’t rely on special-effects cheats and weren’t edited into incoherence. Star Keanu Reeves found the perfect role for his laconic, contemplative screen presence. The stylish, inventive movie even made room for an affecting meditation on grief and vengeance.

The result was an unexpected hit that’s since launched an increasingly bloated franchise, culminating in the repetitive, tiresome John Wick: Chapter 4. With a running time of nearly three hours (more than an hour longer than the well-paced original), Chapter 4 is a selfindulgent mess, lost in the byzantine assassin underworld that has become the focus of the sequels, full of arcane rules and factions. While Leitch moved on after the first movie, Stahelski has spent his entire directing career at the helm of the John Wick franchise, and his previously bold style has become calcified, losing much of its ability to surprise and delight.

BY JOSH BELL

It’s not Stahelski’s fault that success has brought him numerous inferior imitators, but it does mean that there is a higher bar to clear for Chapter 4’s action sequences to command the same attention as in the previous movies. Stahelski takes a more-is-more approach, packing Chapter 4 with set pieces that stretch out interminably, featuring little variation. Even the movie’s most impressive action sequence, a battle amid the traffic circling Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, loses momentum as it seemingly refuses to end.

of New York City’s assassin-exclusive Continental Hotel, and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), overlord of a deadly cabal of the unhoused, John attempts to invoke an ancient High Table tradition so he can defeat the Marquis and clear his obligations.

While Reeves’ formerly retired hitman was once out for revenge against one specific criminal who killed his dog and stole his car, he’s now pitted against the entire elaborate international assassin community, whose ruling body known as the High Table has marked him for death. With its dedicated luxury hotels, secret armories, strict training academies and rigid hierarchy, this criminal network has a more robust infrastructure than most midsize nations, and Chapter 4 introduces even more esoteric regulations and official representatives.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

While John’s grief over his dead wife has long since lost its emotional power, Stahelski and screenwriters Shay Hatten and Michael Finch shift some of that weariness and melancholy to Caine (Donnie Yen), a blind assassin who’s forced into an agreement with the Marquis in order to protect his daughter. Caine is a worthy opponent and friend for John, and Yen adds a welcome element of genuine humanity, along with his requisite action badassery.

Rated R

Directed by Chad Stahelski

Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård

John’s main antagonist this time is the Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), a High Table member tasked with Wick’s elimination. With help from his previous allies Winston Scott (Ian McShane), manager

Anything heartfelt is quickly drowned out by the sheer volume of the monotonous, meaningless action, though, including a retroactively touching final appearance from the late Lance Reddick as the Continental’s taciturn concierge. The sustained popularity of these movies indicates that fans are eager for higher body counts and more ridiculous world-building, but it’s still disappointing to watch a once scrappy, ruthless revenge thriller become the hitman equivalent of the cartoonish Fast and Furious franchise. n

by the Kootenai Environmental Alliance, this one-night fest features a packed lineup of familyfriendly films showcasing the majesty of nature, from salmon journeys to kiddie bug claymation to river adventures. Fri, March 24 at North Idaho College’s Schuler Auditorium at 5:30 pm.

John Wick may have over-survived his welcome.

A Royal Misfire

Sally Hawkins does all she can to give The Lost King some life, but this dramedy isn’t nearly as interesting as the true story

BY CHASE HUTCHINSON

What is truth? How much of it hinges on who tells it? In the dramedy The Lost King, more recent events and the distant past are brought together in an attempt to grapple with these questions. This centers on the uncovering of the remains of King Richard III, a real discovery that challenged the prevailing historical understanding about who he was and how he had died.

This find came, in part, because of the dogged work of amateur historian Phillippa Langley. Played by a typically splendid Sally Hawkins, she must take on the establishment of academia itself in order to get to the real truth.

At least, as we are informed by the opening credits, that is her story. As it turns out, there are those who have quite a different recollection of events. In response to the film, which premiered last September at the Toronto International Film Festival and opened in the UK in October, archaeologists and academics alike have challenged the way it portrays many of the key events. The dispute centers on whether Langley was ever given proper credit for her contributions and whether this was due to bigwigs at the University of Leicester squeezing her out at the end. It’s a complicated situation that would make for a compelling work of documentary filmmaking. As a dramatization, it feels completely distant. Regardless of where you fall on what is the truth, the movie’s greatest pitfall is that it paints with the broadest of strokes. It takes what was a significant discovery and makes it into something far too contrived to leave the desired impact.

Rated PG-13

so is worth it. The real discovery was a momentous one, but the maudlin path the film takes to get there ensures it all rings hollow.

Save for the complicated relationship that Langley has with her ex-husband John (Steve Coogan, who is also the film’s co-writer), every other character is entirely superficial. Most notable among them is King Richard III himself, who becomes a player of sorts in the story. This begins when Langley goes to a performance of William Shakespeare’s Richard III and is disheartened by how he is demonized over his disability. She feels a kinship with the man as she herself has a chronic illness that many dismiss. After the strong reaction she has to the performance, an apparition of King Richard III begins to follow her around on her journey.

THE LOST KING

Directed by Stephen Frears

Played by Harry Lloyd, Richard just hangs around. Much like the film itself, he is neither whimsical enough to be funny nor wise enough to bring an emotional weight. His role is perhaps meant to be an extension of how the real-life Langley has said that she felt some sort of connection to the monarch when first walking over his grave. What is rather odd is just how little he says other than to occasionally give a wink to the audience. He just ends up feeling tacked on and underutilized, conveying very little for how central he is.

With Hawkins doing all she can to uncover emotional layers of her own in a story that is generally lacking them, one could almost overlook the many contrivances that begin to pile up. The problem is not whether we can give ourselves over to Langley’s truth for just under two hours, but whether the engagement to be found in doing

The sole thing holding The Lost King together is Hawkins. Without her to helm the story, the film would feel even more directionless and drab than it already is. She captures the resolve of the character in a way that makes it difficult to not feel some sort of connection to the story itself. Even as it is a rather plainly shot film that never seems clear about the tone it is trying to strike, Hawkins pushes onward. That the film crumbles beneath her feet with every step she takes makes it a misfire when it should have been a marvel. n

Starring Sally Hawkins, Steve Coogan, Harry Lloyd

Even Hawkins’ greatness can’t save The Lost King

Controlled Chaos

BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

When he drove drove past the Parkade last December, JJ Wandler wasn’t planning on opening another record store. But the “For Lease” sign had a mind of its own.

“I almost caused an accident pulling over to call the number,” he says.

The space itself was a mystery to Wandler. He could see the midcentury-style arched windows and could make out faint bits and pieces of a spiral staircase leading up to a second floor inside, but the windows had been covered up for as long as he could remember.

Even then, he knew enough to take a leap of faith.

The Parkade, the iconic parking garage in downtown Spokane, was designed by one of Wandler’s favorite architects, Warren Heylman. From the Riverfalls Tower Apartments to the public health building on the Spokane County campus, some of his creations rank among the most well-known pieces of architecture in Spokane. Wandler knew that this particular space adjacent to the parking garage used to be Heylman’s office.

“If it was good enough for him, it was definitely good enough for me,” Wandler says.

When he called the leasing office, Wandler didn’t have plans for what to put in the space, but as an avid collector of records and vintage items, he realized that his ever-growing collection needed a new home.

This isn’t Wandler’s first time owning a record store. He opened two businesses that he eventually sold to friends: Total Trash Records & Sound and Garageland, which closed in 2020. But he decided to return to his roots with the new space. Entropy, located downtown at 101 N. Stevens St., is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm, until the store’s grand opening on April 7. After the grand opening, Entropy’s hours will be daily.

The name Entropy was inspired by a Thomas Pynchon short story based on the second law of thermodynamics. This is the second business Wandler’s named after a Pynchon story, the first being a vintage store in Seattle he used to own called Lot 49, based on the book The Crying of Lot 49

“‘Entropy’ has to do with the heat death of the universe, and it also has to do with the tendency of organized systems to descend into chaos,” he says. “Record stores, for all the organization that you do, they descend into chaos and require constant maintenance of the bins, of the alphabetizing, of everything.”

Despite the nature of the name, everything at Entropy is carefully curated by Wandler. The vintage furniture and decor in the store is primarily midcentury modern, pairing well with Heylman’s architectural design and style. But Wandler wants to include items that have historic value to Spokane as well, such as a table and set of chairs from the presidential suite at the Historic Davenport Hotel.

Up the spiral staircase, to the right of the door, is a circular second floor with a balcony looking directly down onto the first floor. Along the walls will be art exhibits curated by Spokane interdisciplinary artist Helen Parsons, featuring the work of local artists like Ellen Picken in April and Daniel Lopez in June.

The main focus of Entropy is records, which stand tall in the center of the room — the obvious core of the shop.

“My focus here is on just making sure that the bins are free of filler, like all killer, no filler,” Wandler says. “The records that we carry are, I would say, iconic.”

New record store Entropy draws on inspiration from modern architecture and the ever-changing nature of music

A view of Entropy’s stylish stacks from above.

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Wandler acknowledges that not everyone will agree with his definition of iconic, but he also asserts that certain albums and artists have stood the test of time. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Beastie Boys, for example.

While many records one may find at Entropy are available at other record shops in the area, Wandler plans to include a mix of rarities and collectibles in his collection.

Every record store collection has a distinct personality based on its owner’s personal taste. Entropy, Wandler says, will also showcase his evolution through music.

“I’ve got a love for weird music, so there’s gonna be some weird music in here,” he says. “We’ve got the Butthole Surfers, we’ve got Can, ’60s psychedelic rock, Krautrock from the ’70s, punk rock from the late ’70s, ’60s garage rock.”

Wandler hopes to curate Entropy’s selection to cater to Spokane’s unique sounds as well, even though, he notes, “Spokane has always kind of defied categorization.”

The prevalence of ’80s metal and punk rock are notable genres in Spokane’s music scene, but Wandler has also noticed that others, such as electronic music, rap and hip-hop, define a newer sound for the area.

“There’s still rock, and there’s still punk, but hip-hop is the new mode of expression,” he says. “It’s how people are talking about social issues nowadays.”

Wandler sources his records from online retailers, local shops, auctions and estate sales, and strives to find the best prices for each record to keep his inventory as affordable and accessible as possible.

And while streaming platforms make music more accessible than physical albums, vinyl records have seen a major resurgence in popularity, even outselling CDs last year for the first time since 1987, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

“I think that people realize that streaming services are great in your car, they can be great in your apartment, but there’s really nothing tactile and there’s nothing left when it disappears,” Wandler says. “It’s a bunch of ones and zeros, and so I think that the resurgence of vinyl has a lot to do with a backlash against the ephemeral nature of streaming.”

Not only is there more value to many people in owning a physical version of something, says Wandler, there’s an increased understanding that certain records increase in value over the years, while streaming platforms have no financial return. You pay money to stream music, he says, but you never get anything back.

Not only that, but Wandler says that vinyl records have a unique importance in one’s listening experience of an album.

“You get to listen to an album the way that an artist intended it to be listened to,” he says. “They would agonize over placement of songs on a record for flow.”

To Wandler, there’s something irreplaceable about collecting and listening to records.

“I just really enjoy the whole ceremony of taking a record out, putting it on a turntable, cleaning it and then playing it and hearing a few little snaps and crackles every once in a while,” he says.

Wandler hopes to add to the diverse retail core of downtown Spokane by constantly updating Entropy’s inventory with new and requested records, with a “new arrivals” section for frequent shoppers.

“It’s going to be constantly evolving around here and constantly changing,” he states. “It’s kind of a punk rock attitude, and having that kind of vibrant thing happening downtown I think is important.” n

Entropy • 101 N. Stevens St.

• Open Thu-Sat 10 am-6 pm (Daily starting April 7) • explodingstars.com • Instagram and Facebook @entropyspokane

FOLK BRYAN JOHN APPLEBY

There’s a grandeur to the music Seattle’s Bryan John Appleby crafts. The singersongwriter overlays his folky tunes with a cinematic layer of baroque pop to create lush and vibrant soundscapes. His latest album, Underwater Easy Breathing, lives up to its title, conjuring a feeling of floating dreamily in the mildly psychedelic currents, while past standout records like The Narrow Valley evoke the sunny orchestral splendor of early Disney cartoon soundtracks (with notably less cheery lyricism). In a city that’s turned out more than its fair share of great songwriters, Appleby has found a gorgeous niche all to himself. His set at Lucky You might not quite reach the same orchestral majesty as his albums, but his beautiful songwriting translates even with some layers stripped away.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Bryan John Appleby • Sat, March 25 at 8 pm •

$12-$15 • 21+ • Lucky You Lounge • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • luckyyoulounge.com

ELECTRONIC SULLIVAN KING

Thursday, 3/23

J J BING CROSBY THEATER, Artemidorus: Pink Floyd Tribute

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam

CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Riley Grey

THE KENWORTHY, Jonny G. & the Music Factory, Palm Sunday, Desolation Horse

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Old 97’s, Caitlin Rose

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Son of Brad

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Students of Bella Note

J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin

ZOLA, The Desperate Eights

Friday, 3/24

AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, Deb the Wolf

BACKWOODS WHISKEY BAR, Shayne Rammler

BARRISTER WINERY, Stagecoach West

BIGFOOT PUB, Hasenpfeffer

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Karma’s Circle

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Cary Fly Band

CHINOOK STEAK, PASTA & SPIRITS, Justyn Priest

CURLEY’S, The Real McCoy

THE DRAFT ZONE, Ron Greenes, Jerry Lee Raines

EAGLES ICE-A-RENA, Slap Shot

J THE GRAIN SHED - CEDAR TAP

HOUSE, Haywire

HAMMERS BAR & GRILL, The Desert Highway Band

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Rebecca Ride Trio

THE HIVE, Devon Wade Band, Brandon Jackson Duo

IRON HORSE (CDA), Bruiser

MOOSE LOUNGE, Dirty Betty

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Haze

OLD MILL BAR AND GRILL, Gil Rivas

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Sam Leyde

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, BTP

J REPUBLIC BREWING CO., Hannah Jackson

THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin

Saturday, 3/25

BACKWOODS WHISKEY BAR, 3rd Switch

J THE BIG DIPPER, Serration, A Mourning Star, Room 13, Insecure BIGFOOT PUB, Hasenpfeffer

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Karma’s Circle CHALICE BREWING CO., Pamela Benton: StringzOnFire!

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Bobby Patterson and the Two Tones, Belly Dancers

CHINOOK STEAK, PASTA & SPIRITS, Justyn Priest

J CREATE ARTS CENTER, Patrice Webb and Lyle Morse CURLEY’S, The Real McCoy THE DRAFT ZONE, Logee,

What do you get when you mix dubstep, metal AF melodies and a surprisingly goofy DJ who’s thrilled to help you rage? Worthy-of-the-crown electronic thrasher Sullivan King. From personal experience at his shows, there’s lots and lots of headbanging and usually a mosh pit at King’s request. His blend of metal and bass music perfectly tickles those brain cells that somehow crave both things at once. And it turns out he’s also hilarious, sharing nuggets on Twitter like “I just scrumpt a scream so long on a new song that I pulled something in my shoulder???? If this is what getting old is, I’m f—in out lol.” Still, I’m pretty sure he’d encourage those of us who are starting to feel those same growing pains to “get reckless,” even on a school night.

— SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

Sullivan King • Wed, March 29 at 8 pm • $25-$225 • 18+ • Knitting Factory • 919 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

Northwest Breeze. The Red Books

EAGLES ICE-A-RENA, Slap Shot

FOXHOLE BAR & GRILL, Son of Brad

HAMMERS BAR & GRILL, The Desert Highway Band

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Brent Edstrom Trio

IRON HORSE (CDA), Bruiser

THE KENWORTHY, Rendezvous In The Park Showcase

J KNITTING FACTORY, Boogie T, Sodown, Khiva, Skellytn

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Bryan John Appleby, Micah Clay

J LYFE COFFEE ROASTERS & PUBLIC HOUSE, Dave Long, Eric E

MOOSE LOUNGE, Dirty Betty

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Haze

NOAH’S CANTEEN, Ron Greene

NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO, Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Land of Voices

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Weibe Jammin

J PONDEROSA BAR AND GRILL, Lyons & King

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT, Rusty Jackson

J SIRINYA’S THAI RESTAURANT & LOUNGE, Gil Rivas

ZOLA, Blake Braley

Sunday, 3/26

CURLEY’S, Theresa Edwards Band

J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW

J = ALL AGES SHOW

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Dr. Paul Grove

HOGFISH, Open Mic

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Sicard Hollow, Sweet Lillies., Pixie & The Partygrass Boys

NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO, Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH

J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin

SPOKANE ARENA, Winter Jam: We the Kingdom, Jeremy Camp, Andy Mineo, Disciple, Austin French, NewSong, Anne Wilson

Monday, 3/27

J EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Night Blues Jam with John Firshi

RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night

Tuesday, 3/28

LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Bendigo Fletcher, Friko

ZOLA, The Night Mayors

Wednesday, 3/29

Coming Up ...

J THE FOX THEATER, Jerry Cantrell, Thunderpussy, March 31, 8 pm.

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Black Belt Eagle Scout, April 1, 8 pm.

J J THE FOX THEATER, Epic Queen, April 7, 8 pm.

J J SPOKANE ARENA, Cypress Hill, Dr. Green Thumbs, Too $hort, Do Or Die, April 20, 7:30 pm.

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, The Beaches, April 22, 8 pm.

J J THE BIG DIPPER,

COMMUNITY ROCK OUT

Growing up, it was family tradition to attend this annual, three-day showcase hosted by Spokane’s local rockhounding club, the Rock Rollers. My late grandparents, who became avid rockhounds in retirement, were super active in the club and always won ribbons at the show for their stunning petrified wood specimens from around the Western U.S. My favorite moments of the show back then were the silent auctions for little trinkets like tumbled, polished rocks with googly eyes stuck on, and marveling at cases filled with exquisite jewelry that sparkled and shone under the bright display lights. Whether you love to learn about incredible geologic specimens, are hoping to add to your personal crystal collection or want to shop for high-quality, semi-precious jewelry, including materials to make your own, the Rock Rollers show still has all this, and more.

— CHEY SCOTT

Spokane Rock Rollers 62nd Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show

• Fri-Sat, March 24-25 from 10 am-6 pm; Sun, March 26 from 10 am-4 pm

WORDS TOLKIEN TIME

VISUAL ARTS SHOPPING [C]ART

• $7-$8; ages 12 and under free

• Spokane County Fair & Expo Center

• 404 N. Havana St.

• fb.me/ e/4hn7jyePP

Despite diehard J.R.R. Tolkien nerds’ mixed reception of Amazon Prime’s new The Lord of the Rings universe series, The Rings of Power (I, for the record, loved it), constructive criticism and an open mind are both healthy reactions for any fanbase. With this in mind, the focus of Spokane Public Library’s celebration for Tolkien Reading Day — the annual, international literary event coincides with the date Frodo threw the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, vanquishing Sauron and bringing peace to Middle Earth — local experts read Tolkien’s writings on the Second Age, which served as source material for the new show. While Tolkien’s Middle Earth lore writings are famously dense and thus hard to follow, local experts provide context to help anyone keep up, and there’s time for questions and discussion after the readings.

— CHEY SCOTT

There are more artists in Spokane than one could possibly count. Going out to galleries and exhibitions is a great way to get to know your local art scene, but nothing really beats meeting the artists in person. At this art market, meet 33 of the region’s talented artists and see what they have to offer to our thriving art community! Here, you’ll find traditional art from artists like Anne Arsenault of Cedar Watercolors. (Her soft depictions of Spokane landmarks cannot be beat.) You’ll also find more nontraditional art forms like hand-bound journals made by Mel Antuna Hewitt and Gwyn Pevonka’s unique mixed-media paintings and vibrant resin earrings. Take this as an opportunity to celebrate the artists you know, but also show some love to emerging artists who are new to the scene.

— MADISON PEARSON

Sat, March 25 from 10 am-4 pm

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.

MUSIC IRISH DANCE PARTY

St. Patrick’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean the Irish festivities that come with it are done for, too. The MSD Irish Dance Academy and musical group Floating Crowbar are performing Celtic dances and western Irish music, plus the dancers are giving live tutorials so you can join along with the fun and learn how to jig. Floating Crowbar is composed of musicians Don Thomsen, James Hunter, guitarist Eugene Jablonsky and fiddler Morgan Andersen, who will use a wide variety of instruments including uilleann pipes (an Irish form of bagpipes), flutes, mandolins and more. This recurring series hosted by KPBX Spokane has been mostly virtual the last few years due to the pandemic, but it’s finally back in-person for this showcase.

— SUMMER SANDSTROM

KPBX Kids’ Concerts: Celtic Dance Party • Sat, March 25 from 1 pm-2 pm • Free • Riverside Place • 1110 W. Riverside Ave. • spokanepublicradio.org • 509-747-1200

COMEDY COSMIC CHUCKLES

While there’s plenty of laughs to be had checking out touring stand-ups at Spokane Comedy Club or our local theaters, for a more local and alternative comedy scene, you might want to set a course for Lucky You to catch Space Queers. Hosted by Camrynne Sullivan, the LGBTQIA+ variety show features stand-up, comedic characters, drag and more. This month’s orbital journey includes Jenni Watson, Neva White, Adam Swensen, Jared Lyons-Wolf, This Bitch and Alana Shepherd, There’s a veritable universe of funny to explore, so the sooner you beam yourself over to check out Space Queers, the sooner you might become part of the show’s ever-growing “Gaylactic Union.”

— SETH SOMMERFELD

I SAW YOU

GO OWLBEARS Hoot Growl, fellow intrepid hero. I was having a bad work day and your comment from your car made my day. And your smile flustered me more. Care to get a coffee and discuss Brennan breaking our whole hearts?

PRETTY GAL AT THE SATELLITE WITH GOOFBALL FRIEND Just by chance we met when we were 12. We became fast friends, sleepovers, Jim Carrey impressions, being dramatic over crushes and overall just figuring out who we were together. No matter the distance between us, we remained family. A year ago I felt like my world turned upside down when I was told of your passing. Was even harder to tell my little one her auntie was in heaven. You are so present still in our life and that will never change. I just wanted to drop you a note in here because we use to pour over these pages in college. You would get so annoyed you weren’t in the “I saw you”! Just wanted to let you know, you were seen ... love you hoochie.

CHEERS

RE: LIBRARY CONCERN American Library Association’s definition of a library: “A library is a collection of resources in a variety of formats that is (1) organized by information professionals or other experts who (2) provide convenient physical, digital, bibliographic, or intellectual

access and (3) offer targeted services and programs (4) with the mission of educating, informing, or entertaining a variety of audiences (5) and the goal of stimulating individual learning and advancing society as a whole.” Pay attention to 3, 4, and 5, and maybe go back and read the Inlander article again yourself, to see how the library has become even more of a help for those who you say “choose” to be homeless. Don’t insult someone else’s education if the best you can do is quote a Webster dictionary definition and misremember an article. And as for me, a library employee for many years, I’d take the complications surrounding homeless visitors over angry conservatives trying to ban books and resources any day.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES OPEN TO ALL As a librarian in the Spokane area — but not with the city or county — I’d like to add my particular 2 cents to the discussion of “proper” uses and functions of a public library, since there seems to be some disagreement . Early Colonial libraries in the U.S. were mostly private reading rooms designed to be available only to select few. ... It wasn’t until Andrew Carnegie traveled from town-to-town funding the construction of libraries that the idea of a public library began to grow. Carnegie had stipulations, however: Public libraries were to provide services to everybody, and maintenance was to be at least partly secured from public funding instead of just private donations. Public libraries have always been intended to be used by everyone, not just those who pay the property taxes that help fund them. So, what is the proper use of a library? Yes, a library houses books, magazine, newspapers, music, and movies to be borrowed. Some libraries also offer video games, board games, craft materials and yard tools, and events... Perhaps most importantly, libraries exist as spaces where people can simply be.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED AFTER MY FALL! After a badly twisted ankle and fall outside of the Northwest Boulevard Safeway on St. Patrick’s Day, several people stopped to help. I was surely a bit stunned by what happened and in a lot of pain. A kind man on a bicycle picked up my two bags of groceries — including the corned beef planned for dinner — and

placed them in the car. Thanks also to my neighbor Jeff, who helped get me and the groceries safely inside the house. I’ll pay this kindness forward!

RE: SPOKANE SPECIAL A perfect assessment of the situation of Spokane drivers and vehicles. Bravo!

AUSTIN AT GREENWOOD CEMETERY

March 18. A beautiful day at Greenwood Cemetery. I was visiting my Mom’s grave site. It was her 95th birthday, and the first year anniversary of her burial. I had been crying but in a good way... You were walking your dog and said hello as I was getting in my car. You were so friendly, and we got to talking about cemeteries and how peaceful they are. ... You had this incredible aura about you! You made me smile and laugh. We didn’t talk long, but your words and your kindness are something I will never forget. I will be there again in the warmer months, and I hope to see you and your dog again. Bless your heart, Austin. The world needs more people like you.

QUICK RESPONDERS On March 17, I was getting out of my car, parked at the Safeway on Highway 2, somehow managed to trip myself up and landed on the pavement. I think there were five or six people who came to my aid in a matter of seconds. They got me to my feet in a very quick time. I just want to thank all of them, and I hope I can help someone too. An employee of the store apparently saw this too, and she helped me into the store and waited to help me get back to my car.

JEERS

WHY ‘THE MENU’ COULDN’T BE ON OSCARS’ MENU Why didn’t “The “Menu” even rate inclusion on the Oscar appetizer sheet? The answer is obvious. The film’s carefully selected guests at what would be Chef’s Last Supper were deliciously skewered for their arrogance, cruelty,

SOUND OFF 1. Visit Inlander.com/isawyou by 3 pm Monday. 2. Pick a category (I Saw You, You Saw Me, Cheers or Jeers). 3. Provide basic info: your name and email (so we know you’re real). 4. To connect via I Saw You, provide a non-identifying email to be included with your submission — like “petals327@yahoo.com,” not “j.smith@comcast.net.”

egotism and greed. They were perfect stand-ins for the real-life glitterati attending the Oscars — wealthy, privileged, entitled folks basking in their vainglorious reflected light. “The Menu” cut right to the bones of these A-list standing ribs, sparing no one, not even Chef himself, from getting (and being) their just desserts, human flambés who so richly deserved immolation. ... No wonder Hollywood ignored this movie. It struck too close to its rotten heart.

with more and more crime. The people that have lived in Spokane most of their lives, if not their whole life, are now at the mercy of the state. We are the ones that this affects most.

NEWS FLASH News flash: Unless you’re uber wealthy, you’re only one or maybe two steps away from homelessness, and

RE: CITY COUNCIL PRO-HOMELESS

Do you even read the ordinances? Nowhere in the multifamily home ordinance does it give City Council the ability to evict homeowners or property owners or businesses. And unless the mobile homes are parked illegally on public or city-owned land, they won’t be forcing them off the plot. All it does is establish zoning laws and allows property owners and developers to build or convert their existing property into multifamily homes. It also ensures sufficient public transit to areas with an increase of residents. Also, it expires in July this year. The only mobile home park I know of at risk of evicting everyone is in Cheney, which, it may surprise you to learn, IS NOT IN SPOKANE. Stop being lazy and slurping up your news from fear-stoking morons. Maybe try reading the ordinances yourself.

SPOKANE IS TURNING INTO A TRASH CAN

Ten years ago Spokane used to be a great place to live and raise your kids. Now Spokane has become an overcrowded metropolis. Dwelling in the streets of Spokane are the homeless and convicted. The most recent event Spokanites have had to deal with is the sudden influx of people ... Spokane is now overpriced and the amount of road rage encounters is unfortunate. It now takes double the time it used to to get from point A to point B because the city has decided to not compensate for the increasing population. This is no longer a place to call home. ... Every year Spokane is getting riddled

if you end up in that position I hope people are so mean to you and split hairs over the definition of a public space just to discourage you from seeking shelter. Technically, YOU don’t need to visit the library, and if you do you can get your books for pickup so people simply existing in a public space won’t ruin your pathetic day.

YES YOU! Jeers to all of the people who pay good money to go to a concert and look at their cell phones all night. Yes, checking your email is distracting to those around you. Yes, so is looking at your sites, filming, selfies, photos, flash: all of it. Put your darn phone down and enjoy the show; be present for once. Yes I mean you; your phone is annoying too.

I DO PARK THE WRONG WAY, AND...? I’ve decided to leave my Christmas lights up year round now, to show support for my fellow person who’s a leave em up kinda person, your H.O.A. utopian standards don’t apply here; just because it bothers you, don’t make a deal about it. I bet your potato salad sucks. n

NOTE: I Saw You/Cheers & Jeers is for adults 18 or older. The Inlander reserves the right to edit or reject any posting at any time at its sole discretion and assumes no responsibility for the content.

FAMILY FEAST NIGHT

Saturday 3/25 vs. Tri-City Americans

Enjoy discounted concession items at select concourse locations all game long, including $2 hot dogs, Coca-Cola products and more.

Presented By:

Tickets: spokanechiefs.com

Game Time: 7 PM

• Text or Call: 509-535-PUCK

“

I bet your potato salad sucks.

BENEFIT

SPOKANE OLDTIMERS 40TH ANNUAL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

An adult hockey tournament with 28 teams from all over the Inland Northwest and western Canada. The event also includes a beer garden and food by MacDaddy’s, plus live music by classic rock band Slap Shot. March 24-27, Fri from 2-11:30 pm, Sat from 8 am-8 pm and Sun from 8 am-5 pm. Free. Eagles Ice-A-Rena, 6321 N. Addison St. spokaneoldtimershockey.org (509-218-0707)

TERRAIN GALLERY FUNDRAISER A two-day fundraiser show featuring artwork from a variety of local artists. Each artwork is available for $200 and all proceeds go directly toward keeping the gallery open. Fri, March 31 from 5-8 pm and Sat, April 1 from 12-7 pm. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com

COMEDY

SEAN PATTON Patton has performed on multiple late-night shows including Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central’s Gotham and Conan. March 23, 7:30 pm, March 24, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and March 25, 7 & 9:45 pm. $15-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

DETECTIVE DO RIGHTS This improvised show creates a mystery-solving case file based on audience suggestions. March 24 and March 31, 7:30-8:45 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com

NIKKI GLASER: THE GOOD GIRL TOUR

Glaser is a stand-up comedian, podcast host and reality television host wellknown for her performances on Comedy Central Roasts. March 24, 7 pm. $40$147. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org

SAFARI Blue Door’s version of “Whose Line,” a fast-paced improv show with a few twists and turns. Rated for mature audiences/ages 16+. Reservations recommended. Saturdays at 7:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com

KEVIN JAMES James is best known for his Emmy-nominated performance in the CBS series The King of Queens. He’s starred in dozens of fan-favorite blockbuster comedies including Hitch, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Grown Ups. March 26, 8 pm. $50-$80. Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org

NEW TALENT TUESDAYS Watch comedians of all skill levels work out jokes together. Tuesdays at 7 pm (doors at 6 pm). Free. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

EMMETT EDWARDS: A TRIBUTE TO ANDY KAUFMAN Local comedian

Emmett Edwards performs original comedy writing as well as a variety of impressions, including Andy Kaufman. March 29, 7:30 pm. Free. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)

JAY OAKERSON Oakerson co-hosts

The Bonfire on Comedy Central Radio Siius XM and has a Comedy Central special, Big Jay Oakerson: Live at Webster Hall. March 30, 7:30 pm, March 31, 7:30 & 10:15 pm and April 1, 7 & 9:45 pm. $22-$33. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

SPACE QUEERS This LGBTQIA+ com-

edy show includes stand up, characters and local drag talent. 18+. March 30, 7:30 pm. Free. Lucky You Lounge, 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. luckyyoulounge.com

COMMUNITY

LEWIS & CLARK HIGH SCHOOL MUL-

TICULTURAL FAIR This second annual fair features performances, activities and 30+ booths celebrating the various cultures that exist at LC and in the Spokane community. March 24, 4-5:30 pm. Free. Lewis & Clark High School, 521 W. Fourth Ave. lctigers.com

ROLE-PLAYING GAME DROP IN Improve your RPG skills by watching and participating in games. Fridays from 4-8 pm and Saturdays from 1-5 pm. Free. RPG Community Center, 101 N. Stone Street. rpgcenter.org

SPOKANE ROCK ROLLERS GEM, MIN -

ERAL & JEWELRY SHOW Dealers from around the country gather to sell fossils, crystals, minerals, gems and jewelry. March 24-26, Fri-Sat from 10 am-6 pm, Sun from 10 am-4 pm. $7-$8. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. fb.me/e/4hn7jyePP

ACCEPTANCE SPOKANE A peer-supported safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 16-19) in the Spokane area to meet and discuss issues and topics, and promote mental health awareness and acceptance of oneself. Meets the last Saturday of every month from 3-4 pm.

Free. Atomic Threads Boutique, 1905 N. Monroe St. fb.me/e/3cxf4vKyL

EL MERCADITO A Latino cultural market featuring fresh food, cleaning supplies, local vendors, a free health clinic, immigration resources and much more. Last Saturday of each month from 11 am-3 pm. Free. A.M. Cannon Park, 1920 W. Maxwell Ave. latinosenspokane.org

HOME BUYER EDUCATION CLASS This class is a one-stop shop for all homebuying tools, insights and questions.

A mortgage lender, homeowners insurance agent and a relator are present to answer questions. March 25, 10 am-1 pm. Free. Synergy Properties, 808 E. Sprague. buyhomespokane.com/ classes

INLAND NORTHWEST DISABILITY

MOBILITY & AGING CONVENTION A convention for caregivers and aging individuals featuring resources and businesses that can aid them in their journey. Includes booths, prizes and presentations. March 25, 9 am-6 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague. indmac.org (208-820-4208)

LILAC FESTIVAL QUEEN & COURT

CORONATION The Spokane Lilac Festival Association crowns the 2023 “Onward” Festival Queen from among the members of the Royal Court. March 25, 4:30-6:30 pm. $17. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague. bingcrosbytheater.com

MARCH OPEN HOUSE: WOMEN IN STEM This month’s open house theme is Women in STEM. Several women from the community talk about their jobs in the STEM field. March 25, 10 am-1 pm. By donation. West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, 8706 E. Upriver Drive. olc.wvsd.org (509-340-1028)

OPEN HOUSE: WOMAN’S CLUB OF SPOKANE A drop-in open house with performances, free dance classes, history lectures, vintage fashion displays and more. March 26, 2-4 pm. Free.

Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth. thewomansclubofspokane.org

GENEALOGY & YOUR DNA Lynda

Keenan, president of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, shares information on what to expect when using DNA tests to research your family tree, how the DNA tests work and what information they can and cannot give you. Registration required. This event also takes place at other SCLD branches, see website for details. March 28, 10-11:30 am. Free. Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. scld.org/events (893-8340)

GENEALOGY FOR BEGINNERS Learn the basics of researching to get results and discover useful websites and databases to find family histories. Registration required. This event also takes place at other SCLD branches, see website for details. March 29, 10-11:30 am. Free. Deer Park Library, 208 Forest St. scld.org/events (509-893-8300)

GLENROSE TRAFFIC & ROAD COM -

MUNITY MEETING A Spokane County engineer addresses the state of the roads in and around Glenrose as traffic is increasing due to multiple developments approved or currently being built. March 29, 6 am-8 pm. Free. Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal. glenroseassociation.org

TRADE UP 2 CONSTRUCTION HIRING FAIR This job fair offers the opportunity to break into the construction industry or begin a new career opportunity. Employers can make contact with potential workers, interview and hire for the upcoming season. March 29, 4-7 pm. Free. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. tradeup2construction.com/hiringfair (509-535-0391)

COFFEE WITH SPS Join Spokane Public Schools leaders for conversation over coffee. Free coffee provided by Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters. March 30, 8-10 am. Free. Shadle Park High School, 4327 N. Ash St. spokaneschools.org/ coffee

SPOKANE VALLEY 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Recognize 20 years of Spokane Valley history with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a nohost bar, a presentation of history and live music. March 31, 5-7 pm. Free. CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place Dr. spokanevalley.org/ anniversary20

FILM

50-HOUR SLAM A film event that incorporates a 50-hour time-based competition to produce a 3-6 minute video project to be judged by professionals from the Spokane arts community, as well as a public screening of the finalists during which the audience votes for their favorite film. Screening on May 13, time TBD. Slam kicks off March 24, 6 pm. KSPS Public TV, 3911 S. Regal. 50hourslam.com

FLY FISHING FILM TOUR This 17th annual event highlights fly fishing locations from Cuba to Patagonia, Mexico to Australia, Alaska, Wyoming and beyond. March 24, 7:30-9:45 pm. $20. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL This two-hour program is the main fundraiser for the Kootenai Environmental Alliance, featuring films about the great outdoors. Hosted by Jamie Esler. March 24, 5:30-9:30 pm. $5-$20. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave. kealliance.org/wsff

The Rock Rollers Club of Spokane presents

62 nd Annual

Gem, Jewelry & Mineral Show

March 24, 25 & 26

Spokane County Fair & Expo Center • 404 N. Havana, Spokane

10am - 6pm Friday & Saturday • 10am - 4pm Sunday

Admission: Adults $ 8 • Children 12 & under FREE

Seniors (over 65), Military and Advance Tickets $7

Over 40 dealers, 60 display cases, fossils, crystals, minerals, handcrafted jewelry, lapidary supplies, demonstrations, hourly door prizes, children’s activities, and more!

Admission good all weekend with handstamp.

Free Parking! Hourly Door Prizes! Things to buy and things to see!

EVENTS | CALENDAR

HEAR MY VOICE Celebrate Women’s History Month with this special multimedia performance about a young woman in the early 1900s who follows in the footsteps of decades of women to speak up and act for women’s right to vote which ultimately gave half of America’s citizens a voice in their own government. March 25, 2 pm. $10. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

TEEN MAKE-IT & MOVIE MATINEE Make a paper bead choker while watching the movie, Wakanda Forever. Bring your take-home kit with you, or be one of the first 25 to attend, in order to be guaranteed the supplies you’ll need. March 25, 1-4 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org (208-769-2315)

UNCOVERED: THE SECRETS WE HIDE

A screening of four documentaries centered around the journeys of people uncovering parts of themselves that they once kept hidden. Stories highlighted include those from Stephanie Hance, Askia Underwood, Virginia Clark and Katie Chin. March 30, 6-9 pm. $25. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com (509-327-1050)

FOOD & DRINK

BRING YOUR OWN VINYL NIGHT Bring your own vinyl to spin while sipping on craft cocktails and listening to music. Every Thursday from 3-10 pm. The Boneyard - Side Hustle Syrups, 17905 E. Appleway Ave. sidehustlesyrups.com

FIRESIDE DINNER & MUSIC SERIES

Enjoy selections from Arbor Crest’s seasonal menu along with wine and beer from Square Wheel. Music lineup varies, see website for more. Thu-Sat from 6-8 pm. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd. arborcrest.com

COOKING CLASS: GNOCCHI Commellini

Estate’s executive chef teaches how to create gnocchi. The class culminates in a meal, served family style, inside the historic estate’s main venue. March 23, 6:309:30 pm. $85. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commelliniestate.com

ALPINE DELI BEER PAIRING DINNER

This four-course German dinner features shrimp cocktail, egg noodles, green beans, pork loin in cream sauce and apfelstrudel. Beer selections from Mountain Lakes Brewing Company. 21+. RSVP via phone. March 26, 5 pm. $55. Alpine Delicatessen, 417 E. Third Ave. facebook.com/ AlpineDeli (509-455-5148)

DRAG BRUNCH The cast of Runway performs while enjoying a full breakfast menu and mimosas. Hosted by Savannah SoReal. Sundays from 10 am-2 pm. Globe Bar & Kitchen, 204 N. Division. globespokane.com (509-443-4014)

COOKING CLASS: HAND-FORMED

PASTA Commellini Estate executive chef Frank Comito teaches how to create hand-formed pasta. The class culminates in a meal, served family style. March 29, and March 30, 6:30-9:30 pm. $85. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commelliniestate.com (509-466-0667)

RAID THE CELLAR WINE DINNER Celebrate the season of renewal with an evening of hand-selected wine and chefcurated cuisine. Chefs Jim Barrett and Taylor Wolters prepare a six-course meal featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients that complement the unique flavors and aromas of wine chosen by the sommelier,

Justine Recor. March 31, 6-9 pm. $100. Beverly’s, 115 S. Second St. beverlyscda. com (208-765-4000)

MUSIC

CROOKED KILT Crooked Kilt performs traditional Celtic music with rich harmonies on harp, bagpipes, accordion and fiddle. March 25, 7-9 pm. $20. Kelly’s Underground, 1301 W. 14th Ave. southhillmusicstudios.com/kellys (509-744-9861)

BANNA DAMHSA The trio plays a variety of music at this sensory-friendly concert. March 25, 3-4 pm. Free. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org (208-457-8950)

KPBX KID’S CONCERTS: CELTIC DANCE

PARTY This annual dance party features Celtic music performed by Floating Crowbar as well as an Irish dance tutorial by MSD Irish Dance Academy. March 25, 1-2 pm. Free. Riverside Place, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. spokanepublicradio.org

PAW PATROL LIVE: THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay and Ryder will need all paws on deck as he and the Paw Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. March 25 and March 26, 10 am & 2 pm. $32-$137. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. firstinterstatecenter.org (509-279-7000)

CROOKED KILT & CARTER JUNCTION

DUO Traditional Celtic music with harp, bagpipes, accordion and fiddle performed by Tom Carnegie, Carla Carnegie, Sarah Carter and Carter Junction. March 26, 2:30-4:30 pm. By donation. East Valley Presbyterian Church, 5305 N. Harvard Rd. (509-592-7875)

SPIRIT OF SPOKANE CHORUS REHEARSAL Sit in on the rehearsals of the Spirit of Spokane chorus. Tuesdays from 6:30-9 pm. Free. Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Rd. spiritofspokanechorus.org/ (509-866-6354)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

TOYOTA SKI FREE DAY If you drive a Toyota, Lexus or Scion, receive a free lift ticket to Lookout Pass for one full day. You must drive the vehicle to the area and bring your registration. March 24. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, I-90 Exit 0. skilookout.com (208-744-1301)

2400 FEET OF SCHWEITZER The nation’s longest giant slalom takes place before Schweitzer opens to the public. The event also serves as a fundraiser for 24 Hours For Hank, a foundation that raises money for cystinosis. March 25, 4-7 pm. $80-$125. Schweitzer, 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. schweitzer.com

HAWAIIAN DAZE This event includes snow golf, a tropical-themed costume contest, music from Quarter Monkey, a silent auction and a pond skim. A portion of the proceeds benefit the 49 Degrees North Ski Patrol. March 25, 9 am-4 pm. Cost of lift ticket. 49 Degrees North, 3311 Flowery Trail Rd. ski49n.com

PROVIDENCE BLOOMSDAY TRAINING CLINICS This seven-week program is designed to help people prepare for Bloomsday with presentations from health experts and an instructor-lead warm up. Saturdays at 8:30 am through April 29. Free. Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Whistalks Way. providence.org (509-533-3500)

THEATER

JERSEY BOYS The behind-the-music story of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2 pm through March 26. $10$35. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com

MOANA JR. Follow the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. March 23-24, daily at 7 pm. $10-$11. Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St. cataldo.org

AUDIENCE This amusing satire about audiences takes place in the stalls of a West End theatre. The cast includes an usherette, audience members and a playwright in agony over crinkling candy wrappers, talking out loud and inattention to his play. Fri-Sat from 7-9 pm, Sun from 2-4 pm through March 26. $13-$15. TAC at the Lake, 22910 E. Appleway Ave. tacatthelake.com

RHINOCEROS Directed by guest artist Josh Stamoolis, Rhinoceros is a meditation, among others, on the spread of dangerous ideologies and baseless beliefs, the denizens of a small provincial town begin turning, one by one — to the increasing alarm of our protagonist — into rampaging pachyderms. March. 24-April 1; Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $8. Gonzaga Magnuson Theatre, 502 E. Boone Ave. gonzaga.edu/theatreanddance (313-6553)

SEUSSICAL A musical comedy based on the plot of Horton Hears a Who! and other various Seuss stories. March 24, 7 pm, March 25-26, 2 pm. $12-$16. Spokane Children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia. spokanechildrenstheatre.org

MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATER: RED RIDING HOOD This version of Little Red Riding hood casts local children of all ages to perform in the classic fairytale. March 25, 1 & 4 pm. $5-$15. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. panida.org

NT LIVE: THE CRUCIBLE Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial. March 26, 4-7 pm. $10. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

VISUAL ARTS

TOM FROESE: ART BY THE RULES An exhibit of recent mixed media work featuring motifs of arches and lizards. March 3-31; viewings by appointment. Artist is present in the gallery Tue-Sat from 12-6 pm throughout the month. Free. KolvaSullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. facebook.com/kolva-sullivan-gallery

COMMUNITY SEW-IN Bring your current quilting project to socialize, get advice or whatever else you might need. Bring your sewing machine, fabric and love of sewing. Thursdays from 12-3 pm through April 27. Free. Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front Ave. cdalibrary.org

DANCING WITH LIFE: MEXICAN MASKS

Through humor and subversion, Mexican mask makers respond to the social and political circumstances of contemporary life. With a regional focus in Michoacan, Mexico, this exhibition presents a selection of dance masks from the MAC collection and contemporary Mexican artists.

Tues-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through April 16. $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)

LANDSCAPES REIMAGINED This exhibit features art by Roxanne Everett and Josh Hobson that explores the beauty of nature from a new perspective. Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm through March 31. Free. Chase Gallery, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. spokanearts.org (509-321-9416)

JESSE RE: INNER VISION The Spokane artist uses acrylic pouring as a base to create mixed media art incorporating epoxy, collaboration, collage, woodworking and more. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through March 26. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington. spokanelibertybuilding.com

MARY ANNA POMONIS: SMOKE & MIRRORS This exhibition features paintings and sculptures associated with spirituality, geometric patterns and textiles in the tradition of Greece and Italy. Mon-Fri from 9 am-6 pm through April 21. Free. EWU Gallery of Art, 140 Art Building. ewu.edu/cahss (509-359-2494)

PLATEAU PICTORIAL BEADWORK: FRED L. MITCHELL COLLECTION During a lifetime collecting Plateau floral, geometric, and pictorial beadwork, Walla Walla resident Fred L. Mitchell has amassed the premier collection of this material. The collection includes beaded bags, cuffs, gauntlets, vests, cradleboards and horse regalia. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through May 14. $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

HEATHER BROWN Pottery Place Plus’s guest artist for the month of March. Brown’s paintings are heavily influenced by impressionism and the natural beauty of the world. Open daily from 11 am-7 pm through March 31. Free. Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus.com (509-327-6920)

STAN MILLER The Spokane artist shows an array of portraits and landscapes, including his iteration of “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci. Tue-Fri from 10 am-6 pm, Sun from 10 am-4 pm through April 30. Free. William Grant Gallery & Framing, 1188 W. Summit Pkwy. williamgrantgf.com (509-484-3535)

UBUHLE WOMEN: BEADWORK & THE ART OF INDEPENDENCE This exhibition showcases a new form of bead art, the ndwango, developed by a community of women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through April 30. $10-$15. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)

THE FEMINIST EXPERIENCE All work in this show is by local female artists, in celebration of Women’s History Month. Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm through March 31. Free. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net

DAN MCCANN & DUSTIN M. REGUL This exhibition showcases works by McCann in the theme of “Seen and Unseen” and works by Regul exploring the in-between of physical space and nostalgia. Fri-Sat from 12-8 pm through April 1. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com (509-350-3574)

SPARK CENTRAL ART CLUB Youth and families are invited to create together and explore the world of art. Fridays from 4-5 pm through March 31. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. sparkcentral.org (509-279-0299)

33 ARTISTS MARKET A market featuring 33 local artists selling their hand-

made work. Participating artists include Linnea Tobias, Jaime Crain, A. Wycoff Handmade Jewelry, Mel Antuna Hewitt and many more. March 25, 10 am-4 pm. Free. The Wonder Building, 835 N. Post St. fb.me/e/5Ur1rhzy5 (803-603-5179)

MAKE YOUR OWN PENDLETON BEAR

This two-hour workshop teaches participants how to create their very own version of a Pendleton Bear. All materials provided. Ages 8+ and their families. March 25, 1-3 pm. $75. Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S. Nukwalqw. cdacasino.com

PINE NEEDLE BASKET MAKING Create a small basket with local ponderosa pine needles during this four-hour class. All materials provided. March 25, 11 am-3 pm. $75. Emerge, 119 N. Second St. emergecda.com (208-930-1876)

ADAM ROTH: SIP N PAINT Enjoy a glass of wine while Adam Roth walks students through a step-by-step painting. March 25, 6-8 pm. $40. Emerge, 119 N. Second St. emergecda.com (208-930-1876)

WORDS

ADVOCACY & HISTORIC PRESERVATION A panel highlighting SPA’s history and current advocacy activities. Special guest Chris Moore, Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, discusses best practices in advocacy. March 23, 4:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanepreservation.org (509-344-1065)

FIGHTING FOR LOVE: STRONG WOMEN IN ON-SCREEN ROMANCES Professor Allison Palumbo explores 40 years of fighting female characters onscreen, from private eyes to cops and spies, who struggle to find love. March 23, 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org

STIER LECTURE IN MEDICINE A lecture and panel about the impact the opioid crisis had on women. March 23, 5-7:15 pm. Free. WSU Spokane County Extension, 222 N. Havana St. spokane.wsu.edu

WINTER STORYTELLING & CRAFT CUL-

TURAL NIGHT Learn about Native American regalia while listening to traditional stories. Crafts include beading, looming, making moccasins and more. , Thursdays from 4-6 pm through May 25. Free. American Indian Community Center, 1025 W. Indiana Ave. aiccinc.org

DIANE SHERMAN: IN BORROWED

SHOES Sherman’s memoir takes readers on a journey to contentment. The author discusses the book and reads selections. March 24, 7-8 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main. auntiesbooks.com

TOLKIEN READING DAY A celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien featuring a selection of readings with context on Sauron in the Sauron age with a Q&A to follow. March 25, 2-3:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org

AUTHOR TALK: PAM JENOFF The historical fiction author discusses her new book, Code Name Sapphire. March 28, 4-5 pm. Free. Online: scld.org

BROKEN MIC Spokane Poetry Slam’s longest-running open mic series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit. ly/2ZAbugD (509-847-1234)

WATER WISE: BUILDING RAIN BARRELS Learn how to make a rain barrel just in time to capture spring rain. Bring a cordless drill to participate. March 29, 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org n

Light Buzz Year

Slightly stoned in the age of super strong strains

BY WILL MAUPIN

Cannabis potency is on the rise, with some strains of retail flower now reaching THC content upwards of 35 percent. That’s all well and good if you’re looking to get blasted out of your mind, but what if you just want a calm, relaxing buzz?

For someone with a low tolerance like me, the excessively potent products on the market today make for an unenjoyable experience. The only options I have with them are to smoke a minuscule amount — no lounging on the patio to enjoy a full joint — or end up uncomfortably high.

To counter that, I’ve learned to value products that aren’t the most popular. They’re the ones you aren’t likely to be shown if you ask a budtender for something “good” or “dank.” They’re the ones often viewed as lackluster or behind the times, but sometimes they’re the right ones for you.

From personal experience, it can take multiple levels of questioning from a budtender to find these products. You might have to confirm, over and over, that you are looking for a low-THC strain — not a strain that won’t get you high, but a strain that won’t get you too high

Budtenders are there to help you, but sometimes you need to make sure they know how to help you.

On a recent trip to a South Hill dispensary I had to do just that. I asked for a low-THC hybrid, and I was initially shown a collection of strains that landed somewhere between 20 and 24 percent THC. If you’re someone who smoked in the 1960s, or the ’80s, or even the 2000s, just before legalization, 20 percent would be really strong. It’s weak-ish now, but you can go even lower. So, I asked for exactly that: Do you have anything even less strong?

That’s when I was shown products with THC concentrations maxing out in the low teens.

This is still strong stuff by historic standards. A 2018 study from the Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association found that in the 1990s, the average THC concentration of recreational cannabis was around 4 percent THC. By today’s standards, though, something clocking in around 11 percent is low-grade.

To me, though, it’s not low-grade. It’s any-day-of-the-week weed. Strains like OG Kush, Sour Tsunami and Sour Diesel are good places to start.

There is still room for consumers who want to enjoy cannabis as something akin to a glass of wine or two with dinner. Something you’ll feel, but won’t overwhelm. You just need to know what to look for and how to ask for it. n

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