Inlander 05/16/2024

n a warm spring or summer afternoon, there’s few activities I enjoy more than grabbing a cold can from the fridge, popping the top and heading outdoors. It’s why I always keep the fridge stocked with not just plenty of off-brand, nonalcoholic seltzers (gotta stay hydrated in the heat!), but an ever-changing lineup of local and regional craft brews. Fortunately for all of us, the sheer variety of canned craft beer has never been better.

As we report in this year’s DRINK LOCAL issue, one of the positive changes to come out of the COVID pandemic years was local craft breweries’ shift to canning more of their products for retail distribution. The humble aluminum can is not only lightweight and easy to recycle, but also very good at keeping beer fresher, longer. So next time you stop by the grocery store or a specialty bottle shop, take a gander at just how loaded the coolers and shelves are with eye-catching labels, mouthwatering flavors and sheer variety — not just beer, but seltzer and cider, too. It seems to be the case: Cans are here to stay!

— CHEY SCOTT, Editor

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IF YOU COULD TRY A DRINK FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

DONOVAN PHILLIPS

A glacier, like fresh water from a glacier.

ANDREW VANDINE

If I could try a drink from anywhere in the world, it would be a cup of coffee in Ethiopia.

ALICIA ANDERSON

I would try a fresh glass of milk from the Swiss Alps.

What’s your go-to springtime beverage? Right now I’m loving Indaba’s ube matcha.

BRITTNEY HANSEN

I have always wanted to try Australian coffee because I have an Australian roommate, and she says that they have the best coffee in the world. And, I recently watched the new Sydney Sweeney movie, and it again confirmed that Australia has the best coffee in the world, so that’s what I would try.

LURAE SCHLECT

If I could try a drink anywhere in the world, I would want to tap into my Swedish heritage and get an authentic Glögg from Sweden.

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Bitter Solace at the River’s Edge

Even on a trip into nature, ugly realities creep in; peace of mind is fleeting, but worth the journey

BY CMARIE FUHRMAN

It is Thursday after a very long winter, and I am not coping well. It has been a long winter, and what I want more than anything is to go to the river. To drive down a thousand feet into a place where wildflowers are blooming in green meadows. Where the sun is glinting off the river. I need to escape the bleak view. The white sky. The seemingly endless cold.

So I loaded the car with dogs and sandwiches and started to drive. This place I am going has flowers and river and also art. Pictographs — thousands of years old on boulders cast like dice onto the river plain. I need to consult these stones, pray

to them, sit among them for solace.

On the drive, I can feel some of the heaviness lifting, and then I am passed by a giant fifth wheel, which is not abnormal for this stretch of road. But as it settles back into its lane, my eyes land on the RV’s model name: COLUMBUS 1492. I blink twice. Certainly no one would purposefully give something that name. It’s 2024. We’re honest now, aren’t we, about the destruction wrought by the man and what the ships brought? And it’s not the RV that bothers me, I have a camper myself; it’s that a huge company like Forest River would not understand how that name is retraumatizing, perpetuating colonialism. How could a company with so many smart people in it not say something? But I let it pass. I remind myself that in just an hour or

“…the setting sun pulls shadows of the canyon across the meadow and shakes calm, like a quilt over me.”

so there will be so many arrowleaf balsamroot that the hills will be in golden quilts.

Iam halfway there when another RV comes up behind me. Across the top and above the cab in my rearview mirror the name is framed GREY WOLF. And for a moment I think, well that’s good — awareness for wolves where people recreate, even if it’s just through a name. And then as it passes me, I see that the full name is the Cherokee Grey Wolf and that it’s a “toy hauler” and can’t help but wonder if there’s a snowmobile in there?

I wonder because burned into my mind is the picture of a female gray wolf and a man named Cody Roberts who on Feb. 29 ran her down with his snowmobile, his toy, breaking her bones. He then sicced his dogs on her, duct taped her mouth, and later took her to a bar and posed in photos with her, as reported by WyoFile. com and Cowboy State Daily. Roberts then took her out behind the bar and shot her.

I am as angry as I was the first night I saw the picture, and I think, why didn’t anyone stop him? Did no one at the Green River Bar in Daniel, Wyoming, feel disgusted by the treatment of this wolf? I like to think that, had I been there, I would have gone to jail for defending the dignity of the wolf’s life and gotten the wolf into some kind of care, but I remind myself that I am going to the river, I am turning left and leaving my questions behind for a while.

As I crest the summit, the hills are yellow with balsamroot. And the meadows are green. And the road is steep and winding, and I know that at the bottom I will find the river as it has been for millennia. I will find the strewn boulders as they were left by the glaciers. The art as it was left by the ancestors. The peace that wildness holds. And the further down I go into the canyon, the more weight is lifted. And I roll the window down and point my elbow out and take in the deep, forgiving smell of spring.

But things have changed. Now cattle dot the landscape, and, I think, its treaty land, these must be treaty cattle. And I feel OK about this, even hopeful, until I see the cattle milling about the boulders, their green spring shit sprayed onto the art, and I think, doesn’t anyone care? And I think that I will take pictures and write letters, and I let everyone know that the art at Pittsburg Landing, art older than any we house in museums, is being destroyed, and we must stop it and that somebody must do something to stop this.

And I think about the essay I am going to write about animal cruelty so that people know Cody Roberts only paid a $250 fine — a misdemeanor violation of Wyoming’s prohibition against possession of live wildlife. After the outrage mounted, in April the Sublette County sheriff and attorney announced an investigation into Roberts. Two national animal welfare organizations believe he should be charged with a felony under Wyoming’s anti-cruelty law.

And I think about whether Forest River will reconsider the name of their RVs if I write to them and point out that having one RV named for a colonizer and another named for the colonized perpetuates colonialism. Then the weight of my thinking falls forward into my hands, and I feel so helpless. And I just sit there among the wildflowers and boulders and cow shit and cry. And then I start laughing because the metaphor is so apt, and maybe I should just go home.

But the laugh catches in my throat, turns back into a sob, and I stay. The afternoon stretches into evening, and the setting sun pulls shadows of the canyon across the meadow and shakes calm, like a quilt over me. Perhaps this was the right choice, coming here. Perhaps there is a reason this place has drawn people for so long. Maybe it isn’t just about escape, but about holding contradictions. The beauty and the destruction, the despair and the resilience. Maybe it is about sitting here, amidst the wildflowers and cow shit, and simply bearing witness. In this quiet, perhaps the next step, like the art on these boulders, will reveal itself. n

CMarie Fuhrman is the author of the collection of poems, Camped Beneath the Dam, and co-editor of two anthologies, Cascadia Field Guide and Native Voices: Indigenous Poetry, Craft, and Conversations. Fuhrman is the associate director of the graduate program in creative writing at Western Colorado University. She resides in West Central Idaho.

POLITICS

A Little Help From the Feds

Spokane is down to its last scraps of federal pandemic money — what should the city spend it on?

BY NATE SANFORD

Imagine if the federal government gave you $5 million.

You can’t put it into savings or use it to pay off your debts — the rules say you have to spend it on projects that you believe will help the community. If you don’t find a way to spend it by the end of the year, the feds might take it back.

What are you going to choose?

That is, essentially, the question facing Spokane city government. In recent months, elected officials have proposed several ideas for how to spend the city’s remaining $4.9 million in federal pandemic assistance.

The proposals have included a study about downtown public bathrooms; a “clean and safe” litter cleanup program; park amenities; a study about downtown housing; behavioral health programs; municipal court services; youth sports; sidewalk repairs; broadband; neighborhood street lights; and — somewhat controversially — moving homeless services out of the troubled area near Second Avenue and Division Street in downtown Spokane.

There isn’t enough money to fully fund everybody’s ideas. Some will end up on the cutting room floor, and after months of debate, city leaders appear set to decide which in early June.

The money came from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, a 2021 pandemic relief program that gave U.S. cities and counties a historic influx of cash and broad flexibility in how to spend it.

Spokane’s pot of unspent cash puts the city — which is

struggling with a $25 million deficit in its general fund — in a somewhat unusual situation. The city is broke, but it also has money it needs to spend quickly.

“Those dollars were given to us to get out into the community,” says City Council member Jonathan Bingle. “We can’t just use those to plug a budget hole.”

Spokane received $81 million total from ARPA, and spent basically all of it. But a few of the projects the city allocated money to haven’t panned out — mostly for lack of qualified applicants or concrete plans.

Any ARPA funds that aren’t under contract by the end of 2024 might be taken back by the federal government.

With that in mind, City Council members have spent recent months identifying at least $4.9 million in ARPA funds that can be clawed back from stalled projects that are unlikely to launch by year’s end or otherwise aren’t needed. The list of abandoned projects includes funding for accessory dwelling unit permits, fire chief recruitment, electric vehicle charging stations, improvements to the Municipal Court building and youth behavioral health services.

As the city prepares to make cuts to its operating budget, the ARPA money is one of the few opportunities city leaders will have to fund new projects this year.

A draft ordinance slated for a vote on June 3 proposes dividing the $4.9 million into three projects, the two largest of which center on Mayor Lisa Brown’s goal of moving homeless services away from Second and Division.

If passed, $2.6 million would help Catholic Charities

close the House of Charity homeless shelter it operates about two blocks from that intersection and open a new facility elsewhere. Another $1.8 million would help Compassionate Addiction Treatment close its nearby facilities and move to a new, bigger building somewhere else. The rest of the money — about $485,000 — would go toward various child care center projects.

But that may change, as some council members have their own ideas for how the money should be spent — and are frustrated with the mayor’s ARPA priorities potentially overriding their own.

“We’ve already given so much of our ARPA dollars toward homelessness,” Bingle says. “We have precious few dollars left, we need to get them out into the community for things that I think are going to be really impactful on people’s day-to-day life.”

Others disagree, arguing that the humanitarian situation at Second and Division makes it a top priority for ARPA spending.

“There’s ongoing public health concerns, I think that’s what it comes down to,” says Council member Paul Dillon, adding that relocating services will make it safer not just for the people who use them, but for the city as a whole.

SECOND AND DIVISION

Moving homeless services out of the Second and Division area has long been a goal of city leaders. The intersection, which sits on the eastern edge of downtown, has several homeless services within a couple-block radius.

In recent years, various city leaders have said locating so many services in one small area was a mistake. People often congregate and hang out on the sidewalks, and open drug use is common.

In 2022, former Mayor Nadine Woodward announced during her State of the City address that she had reached an agreement with Catholic Charities to move House of Charity.

The news was met with applause, but the move never happened. Catholic Charities wasn’t able to find a new location.

Mayor Lisa Brown has proposed using federal pandemic money to help move Compassionate Addiction Treatment. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Brown is now hoping to take on the unfinished task.

On Sunday, March 24, Brown sent out a press release announcing her ARPA priorities. Relocating House of Charity and Compassionate Addiction Treatment was at the top of the list.

Council members were surprised. They’d spent months developing their own list of ideas, which did not include moving those services.

“That was news to a lot of us,” Dillon said during a meeting shortly after the mayor’s announcement, adding that he had questions about Brown’s proposed timeline and how her priority list “correlates with our own priorities that we’ve spent a lot of time laying out.”

But Dillon says recent discussions have been collaborative, and that the council and mayor’s office are not “as out of alignment as some folks have been trying to make it sound.”

“The way the press release went out on a Sunday was a little bit of a surprise. But in terms of a lot of the requests themselves, it does align with our overall goals and strategies,” Dillon says. “I think that there was a big lesson learned from that in terms of how we communicate.”

“CATALYST 2.0” AND CONSOLIDATION

When Woodward originally pushed to relocate House of Charity out of downtown, she described the new facility as “House of Charity 2.0.”

But the new Catholic Charities facility Brown’s administration is pitching would be more of a “Catalyst 2.0” similar to the Catalyst Project, a transitional housing facility Catholic Charities opened in the West Hills neighborhood in 2022, says Dawn Kinder, Brown’s director of Neighborhoods, Housing and Human Services.

Unlike House of Charity, the “Catalyst 2.0” would be open 24/7, which would help alleviate some of the issues with people congregating outside, Kinder says. It would operate as a transitional housing project where people have their own rooms where they can store belongings.

Before Brown hired her at the start of this year, Kinder worked for Catholic Charities as chief stabilization officer and was heavily involved in the Catalyst project.

“Transitional housing projects are much more effective in many cases in actually engaging folks in robust services,” Kinder says. “People have the opportunity to feel safe and stabilized, instead of living in a constant state of chaos by not having a space of their own.”

Compassionate Addiction Treatment currently operates out of two buildings on either side of Division Street, which often creates safety issues when people try to cross, Kinder says. The $1.8 million allocation would help the organization consolidate into a larger building elsewhere.

Both Catholic Charities and Compassionate Addiction treatment have toured a number of buildings, but have yet to settle on new sites, Kinder says.

OTHER IDEAS

City Council members are planning to introduce several amendments with alternate ideas on how the ARPA money should be spent.

Council member Zack Zappone and Council President Betsy Wilkerson have an amendment that would slightly reduce the amount allocated to Compassionate Addiction Treatment and Catholic Charities, and put $544,500 toward the Community Justice Services department at Spokane Municipal Court, which helps people navigate the criminal justice system. The program is at risk of running

Follow the superheroes’ progress and hear stories of hope and healing on Providence social networks: Twitter.com/providence_phc Instagram: ProvidenceEasternWA Facebook: @Providenceinw

out of funding, Dillon says.

Council member Michael Cathcart thinks there’s additional ARPA money that could be clawed back from projects that have yet to go out for contract. He’s planning an amendment to recapture funds from a proposal to award $100,000 grants for multicultural center projects.

Cathcart also has concerns about the fact that, instead of going through a competitive bid process, the city seems to have pre-selected Catholic Charities and Compassionate Addiction Treatment to receive the money. The draft ordinance doesn’t technically mention the organizations by name, but Brown’s press release and people in her administration have explicitly said that’s where the funds would be going.

“It’s supposed to be competitive,” Cathcart says.

The package of ARPA reallocations was originally slated for a vote on May 20. But on Monday, Brown’s staff asked council members to defer it to June 3 so they could have more time to evaluate questions, including about the competitive contract process.

Bingle is planning to introduce an amendment with Council member Lili Navarrete that would significantly reduce the amount allocated to Catholic Charities and Compassionate Addiction Treatment — from $2.6 million and $1.8 million to $650,000 and $500,000 respectively.

The money saved would then be split among eight new projects: neighborhood lighting improvements, a downtown public bathroom study, Community Justice Services, youth sports, a pond lining project at Cannon Hill Park, sidewalk repairs, a “clean and safe” litter cleanup initiative, and new bathroom and parking lot amenities for Beacon Hill park.

Bingle says youth sports is the one he’s most excited about.

Superhero for Kids

On Wednesday, May 22, some popular superheroes will once again be scaling Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, bringing joy and wonder to children with life-threatening illnesses.

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“Lots of kids, with club sports or whatever, the cost is a barrier for them,” Bingle says. “Being able to give them scholarships and equipment, I think, would be something that would be really cool.”

CARLYLE CLUSTER

During a briefing session last Monday, Kinder told City Council members that Catholic Charities had looked at several locations for its new facility and was exploring buying the Carlyle Hotel on Post Street — which is downtown, about a half-mile from House of Charity.

News of the potential Carlyle purchase spread quickly — and was met with significant backlash from many downtown business and property owners, who worried the disorder and safety issues they associate with House of Charity would simply be shuffled to a different part of downtown.

Cathcart thinks it’s a “terrible idea.”

“If the mayor’s goal is an improvement of public safety, the goal should be to relocate an organization like this outside of the core,” Cathcart says, adding that he’s skeptical that the new “transitional housing” model would alleviate the current issues associated with House of Charity.

Kinder disagrees.

“An emergency shelter is a fundamentally different operation than a transitional housing project,” Kinder says.

Last week, Kinder told the Inlander she believed that the Carlyle’s owner, Pioneer Human Services, was moving forward with a different buyer. She said the city can’t control private real estate transactions, but that the administration is “not actively seeking out any locations downtown for new services, or for transferring of new models.”

On Monday, a spokesperson for Pioneer said the organization is “currently reviewing several offers” and has made “no formal decision with Catholic Charities or other buyers.” n

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Hold Up

Spokane delays public safety levy. Plus, students get summer food cards; and there won’t be three Bob Fergusons on August ballot.

BY INLANDER STAFF

On April 29, the Spokane City Council voted, at Mayor Lisa Brown’s request, to put a large public safety property tax levy on the August ballot. Ten days later, at Brown’s request, they voted to take it off. In a news conference last week, Brown explained that she is changing course and postponing the public safety levy because she thinks the city needs more time to do financial analysis and engage with community concerns. “I want to make sure we do this right,” Brown said. A levy will still be necessary at some point to maintain police and fire services and avoid layoffs, Brown said. The city faces a $25 million deficit in its general fund, which Brown has said largely stems from her predecessor’s management. Council member Jonathan Bingle thinks it will be possible to address the deficit without raising taxes, and is planning to bring a proposal forward. If passed, the proposed levy would have raised an estimated $38 million each year to start, with the median Spokane homeowner paying an additional $337 each year, according to the city’s analysis. Two-thirds of the funds raised would have covered existing services, with the rest going to “new citywide and neighborhood investments.” Read more on inlander.com. (NATE SANFORD)

SUMMER SUN

Earlier this week, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction announced that nearly half of the state’s students would be receiving more financial aid to buy food over the summer. Thanks to federal approval in April 2024, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services partnered with OSPI to offer summer electronic benefit transfer cards loaded with $120 of “SUN Bucks” to more than 500,000 students in the state. They will be distributed as a onetime payment toward the beginning of June. Students who are part of a household receiving federal- and state-funded food assistance will automatically be enrolled to receive the funds. However, low-income students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply to receive the SUN Bucks. More than half of the students at Spokane Public Schools, about 18,000, are considered low-income and would qualify, according to OSPI enrollment data. Additionally, these funds will not affect a student’s eligibility for any other summer nutritional programs that are already offered. (COLTON RASANEN)

BOBBING FOR VOTES

In a strange twist that ended nearly as quickly as it began, two additional men named Bob Ferguson filed to run for Washington state governor just before the candidate filing deadline on Friday last week. Conservative activist Glen Morgan took credit for helping add the additional Bobs to the ballot. On Monday, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democratic candidate for governor, held a press conference not only decrying the action, but pointing out that it’s a felony for people with the same name to file to run if the intent is to dilute the vote for a well-known candidate. Before the 5 pm deadline on Monday to withdraw, both the other Bobs had taken themselves out of the running. That leaves a meager 28 names to be listed for governor on the August ballot. (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

CORRECTIONS

On May 9, we misreported the current number of artists at Tiger Tattoo — there are six — the correct dates for its Flash Fridays (just the first Friday of every month), and the location where Foster was first employed, at a shop in Hillyard.

We also had a mistake in our profile of Anchored Art and its owner Jeremy Corns, whose initial start in the tattoo industry was the early 2000s, not when he would have been a teenager.

In our story about Main Market, we were also directionally challenged: It sits south of the Spokane Convention Center.

WEDNESDAY JUNE

Performance: 7:00PM

Doors: 5:00pm

Location: ARBOR CREST

Opioid Investments

The Inland Northwest is getting millions from opioid settlements; here’s how Spokane County plans to use the money

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

The Inland Northwest will soon see some of the first investments in opioid treatment, prevention and response paid for by settlement money that has started to flow to city and county governments.

Last week, as the largest recipient of opioid settlement money in the region, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners approved spending $7.2 million on four priorities. The list includes $5.2 million to build a new 23-hour crisis relief and sobering space at the existing Spokane Regional Stabilization Center; $1.2 million for behavioral health triage and sobering services; $600,000 for long-term housing and treatment for parents/caregivers of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome; and $200,000 per year to track and analyze substance use data.

The money comes from a series of lawsuits filed by state attorneys general against companies that participated in the distribution of prescription opioids. The Washington state Attorney General’s Office finished its first settlement in October 2022 and finalized another in January. Other ongoing lawsuits could result in further settlements.

In the 2022 deal, the state secured $518 million (to be paid out over the next 17 years), and required cities and counties to sign onto a statewide agreement to get a share of the money. Local governments were also required to work together regionally to decide where the money

could best be spent.

By October 2023, Spokane and five neighboring counties (Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille and Stevens) created this region’s Opioid Abatement Council. Shortly after, they put out a community survey to ask where people — especially those with lived experience or family members who’ve struggled with addiction — felt the money should be spent.

From that work, staff identified the top priorities and on May 7 the Spokane County commissioners voted 4-0 (Commissioner Mary Kuney excused) to spend most of the roughly $8 million the county has received so far.

“I think that we all know that this epidemic has caused so much damage in our community and all over the nation,” Commissioner Chris Jordan said. “The scale of pain for families and victims is immense and these settlement dollars, I believe, are our chance to bring some solutions to the table to promote public health and safety here in Spokane County.”

SCOPE AND SOLUTIONS

In Spokane County, overdose deaths involving any drug more than tripled over the last five years, from 80 deaths in 2019 to 301 deaths in 2023, according to the county medical examiner’s recently published annual report.

The synthetic opioid fentanyl has played a major role in that increase: In 2019, 11 people

Maddie’s Place in Spokane could qualify for new housing money. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

died from overdoses involving fentanyl; last year that skyrocketed to 194.

But deaths aren’t and shouldn’t be the only important metric when considering the scope of the problem, says Justin Johnson, director of the county’s Community Services Department, which oversees the regional behavioral health administrative services organization. That organization helps respond to and treat people with mental health and substance use issues in the same six counties that are on the Opioid Abatement Council.

“The issue of opiate and fentanyl use, it can’t be quantified simply by deaths,” Johnson says. “How many times did we prevent a death from occurring, either by first responders, law enforcement, or even family members?”

To better understand and analyze the data in the region, the county commissioners approved spending $200,000 per year to have someone compile opioid information that may currently be siloed. That could include data from law enforcement about the sale and distribution of opioids, and related arrests and incarceration, as well as treatment data from health providers.

When it comes to investing more in treatment, Johnson says many survey respondents said they wanted to see more distribution of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug. But thankfully, the state is already funding that extensively, Johnson says. Plus, the county has also invested heavily in mental health and substance use treatment options.

“I think people don’t realize how much money we’ve already put out to support substance use and opioid use,” Johnson says. “I don’t want to wait until we come up with a plan. I want to say, ‘There are people in need now, let’s put money out there.’ And we have done so for the last five years or longer.”

SPACE FOR CRISIS RELIEF

The largest investment the commissioners approved last week set aside $5.2 million for a unique 23-hour crisis relief and sobering space. In total, the county expects the new building will likely cost about $10 million to $15 million, and hopes that federal and state money can help cover the rest, says county CEO Scott Simmons. Johnson, meanwhile, has identified funding within the behavioral health organization that can pay for the treatment that will be offered there, regardless of whether someone is on Medicaid or private insurance.

Understanding that the new sobering building will most likely take a few years to complete, but that there is an urgent need already, the commissioners also approved $1.2 million to pay a community agency for that service.

Aside from the hospitals, there’s currently nowhere in Spokane County to take someone who is intoxicated so they can sober up and then enter voluntary withdrawal management, says Ryan Kent, the interim executive director for Spokane Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS).

That will soon change. STARS used to offer sobering, and currently offers 38 beds of withdrawal management out of the former Daybreak Youth Services building on South Cowley Street. Downstairs, there’s space for the nonprofit to offer as many as 25 to 30 beds for sobering, Kent says.

Sobering typically lasts less than a day. People are offered a warm bed and start to talk to case managers, who can direct them to withdrawal services and get them on the path to more intensive treatment for their substance use disorder, Kent says. At the new STARS facility, there will be a warm handoff to the team upstairs for withdrawal management, which typically lasts three to seven days and allows people time to plan for longer treatment options.

“The priority is to free up the bed space in the hospital,” says Kent, who hopes to open the sobering beds within about two months.

The county is expected to put out requests for proposals soon for both the sobering money and the housing for families dealing with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

The second project aligns with plans that the nonprofit Maddie’s Place has to build housing on their site near the Perry District to ensure that the parents and infants they serve have a safe home to transition into once those early days of withdrawal are complete. n

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Bruiser

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE

MAY 24 TH & 25 TH 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM

Bruiser is an iconic band that brings top-notch rock and pop dance music and performers to dance floors in the Inland Northwest.

Programa de Prevención

With state grant funding, Mujeres in Action will teach Spokane’s Spanish-speaking youth about domestic violence and sexual assault

BY COLTON RASANEN

Since 2018, Mujeres in Action (MiA) has been working to end family violence and providing services for Spanish-speaking people in the Inland Northwest who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.

The nonprofit has continued to expand its offerings for those survivors — helping them navigate the housing system, search for employment and access education. They’ve even got a 24/7 volunteer-run bilingual helpline for those who need assistance. However, most of the nonprofit’s programs have been targeted toward Latine adults. (Latine is a relatively new gender-neutral term the organization uses for the population it serves.) So, to help educate youths who may experience similar situations, MiA recently created the Jovenes in Action program.

Jovenes in Action is a three-week leadership program for Spanish-speaking high school students, where they’ll learn to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault over six sessions. Participating students will learn what consent and healthy boundaries in relationships look like. They’ll also learn how to recognize signs of abuse, and how to report that to the appropriate place.

While engaging in difficult conversations, the topics are presented in a way that’s easily digestible for students — such as memes. For example, one meme used in the pilot program features a popular problematic crying face with the words “If they say it’s up to you, it counts as consent” while another popular figure representing a decent person’s response says “Consent is only when they say yes.”

In addition to empowering young people, the Jovenes in Action program makes it easier for the staff at MiA to talk to youth, says Teresa Sorroche, the program supervisor.

“It’s complicated to talk with teenagers about healthy relationships and about sexual assault,” she says. “So we thought that the best way to address that was a leadership program that we could use for talking about active listening, boundaries and consent.”

In 2022, the nonprofit offered a pilot version of the program at Rogers High School, funded by the Women Helping Women Fund, to see if it would be effective for the students involved. MiA’s Communications Director Ana Trusty says the team originally hoped to have 10 students participate, but when 14 showed up, they knew it was something they would try to continue offering.

Now, they’ll be able to with help from the state. In March, the Washington Department of Health announced that nine organizations, including MiA, would receive a new Communities Building Resilient Youth grant. Totaling $30,000 to $82,000 per year, the grants are intended to create community-led initiatives that will improve youth mental health and well-being and decrease risk factors connected to violence and harm.

MiA received $164,000 that they can use for the Jovenes in Action program until June 2025, Trusty says.

Sorroche says it’s important for a MiA to tailor this program for Spanish-speaking youths, because some students may not speak English well, or at all, making other programs that

present similar information in English ineffective. Additionally, some words have different meanings depending on if they’re used in English or Spanish, she says.

“One of the things that we want to achieve with this program is to know the words that we need to use to communicate to young people, because of course, it’s so different,” she says.

The program also tries to directly address the cultural norm of machismo. It’s defined as “a strong sense of masculine pride,” but it goes much deeper than that. Often, it’s correlated with the idea of being manly or self-reliant, which Sorroche says makes it almost impossible for some Latine youth to talk about the issues they’re having.

“It’s really prevalent in our communities, and people don’t talk about it because it’s so normalized in our experience,” Trusty adds. “One in three Latina women will have experienced some sort of violence, and it’s usually either sexual or domestic violence.”

In addition to creating Jovenes in Action, MiA recently hired Arely Perez, who graduated from high school less than five years ago, as a Youth Child Sexual Assault Advocate, to bring a young adult perspective to the nonprofit.

“I want to implement a little more of what I would have liked to see when I was in leadership, like talking about relationships and how there could be interpersonal violence,” Perez says. “I didn’t have those conversations as a [teenager], so I’m most excited about bringing that conversation to the table.”

Right now, the program is only designed for high school students, but MiA staff hope it evolves over time into something that can be provided in middle school or even elementary school. Sorroche says they just need to figure out how those conversations change depending on the students’ ages.

MiA will be holding its first state grant-funded Jovenes in Action program this summer, and students across the city can sign up. When school starts back up in the fall, Trusty says they plan to hold another class for students at Rogers High School. n coltonr@inlander.com

Youth Child Sexual Assault Advocate Arely Perez (left) and Program Supervisor Teresa Sorroche will teach Jovenes in Action. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

INLAND SIPPIN’

“Summertime and the livin’ sippin’ is easy…”

is an apt revision of the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong classic “Summertime” — at least if we’re singing an ode to the prolific choice of beverages produced and served in the Inland Northwest. This year’s Drink Local issue is a collection of stories covering that and more, from why so many local breweries are now canning their brews to a 40-year wine industry expert’s tips on how to pair the age-old beverage with whatever’s on your plate. We’ve also got some happy hour highlights, where to find spirits from locales around the world, an update on drink flights of all kinds, and places to go when you’ve got a specific vibe in mind. Cheers!

— CHEY SCOTT, INLANDER EDITOR

In the Can

Bottles, be gone. As Spokane breweries invest in canning equipment, canned beer is here to stay

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

Bvvvvmmmmm. Ti ka ti ka ti ka tik. Psshhht. Monday, 9 am. It’s canning day at Brick West Brewing Company. In the brewery behind the taproom, a loud hum echoes between huge holding tanks of beer. A Willy Wonka-esque machine with valves, cables, switches and jets vibrates in the middle of the floor. Today, almost a thousand empty cans will be funneled, spun, filled and sealed until they come out the other end, ready to hit the shelves.

It wasn’t always this way. Just a few decades ago, craft brewers didn’t package much of their beer, if any at all. If they really wanted to sell to grocery stores, they might

have put their brews in glass bottles.

But today, after the pandemic forced more local breweries to distribute outside their taprooms, consumers showed a preference for aluminum, and canning became king. Many of the biggest breweries in the Spokane area have invested in their own equipment to control and grow these canned product lines. For breweries considering the next business step, the question isn’t whether to can — rather, it’s how to can with the highest quality, and what size of can they think is going to be the biggest hit.

“This is very much a science,” says John Bryant, owner of No-Li Brewhouse. “It’s a significant investment.

You don’t just can beer and call it good.”

Brian Carpenter has been working with Brick West Brewing since before it opened its downtown taproom on West First Avenue in 2020. Canning beer was on the general manager’s mind, but it was a goal for further down the line.

“Selling kegs and focusing on your taproom is where the margin really is,” Carpenter says. “But when the pandemic happened, we had to shift. Not by choice.”

Meanwhile, Chris Gass, owner of YaYa Brewing Co. in Spokane Valley, wanted his brewery to start canning

Cellarman Mike Brawley on the canning line at Brick West Brewing. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

as soon as possible. They got started six months after opening in 2019.

“Interestingly, the first time we actually ever canned beer was two weeks prior to the COVID shutdown in 2020,” Gass says. “We didn’t plan it. It just happened that we had a canning run scheduled from a mobile canner who came over from Portland.”

Mobile canners allow breweries to learn how to can beer without buying all the expensive equipment upfront. During the pandemic, they were lifesavers for breweries with lots of product and nowhere to put it.

But after the pandemic, Carpenter says, those mobile canners from Portland and Seattle revamped their business models to stay closer to home and stopped coming east. Left without any outsource options, local brewers needed to decide how to package and distribute their beer on their own.

“Originally, we really wanted to be a 22-ounce bottle company,” No-Li’s Bryant says. “But over the years, the customer really wanted cans.”

Putting beer in bottles, however, is “a little more cumbersome,” Gass says, because getting a good seal on the cap is harder. Plus, light can get into a glass bottle and “skunk the beer,” he points out.

All three brewers also mention that distributors don’t like shipping glass because it’s heavier and can break. For drinkers, cans are easier to recycle in most places, plus lighter and easier to carry.

“There’s definitely a large cross section of people that are active and enjoy craft beer,” Carpenter says. “Whether that’s putting them in your backpack or on your boat, you’re not worried about it breaking. It’s a little more portable, especially if you’re packing in and packing out.”

These days, Lumberbeard Brewing’s Lumber Funk is one of the only local brews you can find in a bottle. It looks cool, but that’s not the real reason it gets a special vessel, the brewery’s owner Bret Gordon says.

Lumber Funk gets its wackiness from a bacteria and a yeast strain that usually ruin beer. It’s too risky to can it with a machine that also packages other beers. Gordon can’t afford a separate machine, so he hand bottles Lumber Funk, sometimes 600 bottles at a time.

“It might not be worth the work for much longer,” he says.

On canning day at Brick West, a vibrating plate sifts empty cans single-file into a funnel, which then spirals them onto a moving conveyor belt. Four by four, the cans are flushed with carbon dioxide and then immediately filled with a juicy IPA.

A technician uses a special key to adjust each filling valve. She has to coordinate between the tank’s internal pressure and the seconds between flush and fill to get just the right amount of foam and avoid canned beer’s downfall: dissolved oxygen. Too much dissolved oxygen means a beer can go bad within a week to 10 days.

On most canning days, Brick West fills 12-ounce cans. It’s their most popular size, though 16-ounce cans are performing well across the industry.

“Sixteen-ounce cans have kind of become the de facto standard for craft beer,” says Gass at YaYa. “I guess the expectation on the craft side is that you’re getting a pint at the brewery or in the tasting room, so 16 ounces is expected in the can.”

Gass says that grocery store shelves are set at the right height for 16-ounce cans, which makes it even easier to sell pints to distributors. Though not everyone agrees.

“From what I can tell, the 16-ounce cans really never stuck because it’s too close to a 12-ounce,” Bryant at No-Li says.

No-Li is instead betting on bigger, bolder 19.2-ounce cans, which they hope will stand out and attract shoppers.

Canning machines, meanwhile, can usually accommodate only two can sizes. When brewers buy their own machines for tens of thousands of dollars, they have to pick between 12-, 16-, 19.2- and 22-ounce options, then cross their fingers and hope for the best.

“Everything kind of swings in and out of trends, right?” Carpenter says. “I thought at one point I would definitely see some bottles swing back, but they never really did. Instead, it’s really just expanding on the can selection.” n

China Bend Winery

DRINK LOCAL

Around the World in 80 20 Sips

Open Tue - Sunday Noon - 5pm Boat In or Drive In

3751 Vineyard Way Kettle Falls, (509)732-6123WA

www.chinabend.com

Travel the globe with these unique spirits, all without leaving downtown Spokane BY

ELIZA BILLINGHAM

This year, I’ve been embarking on a quest called “Around the World in 80 Plates,” trying to eat my way across the globe without leaving the Inland Northwest (read weekly installments at inlander.com/aroundtheworld).

But no meal is complete without a drink, amiright?

Turns out, you can also taste the world from the comfort of Spokane’s downtown bar scene. Pick a dream destination, plan a trip, and ask your favorite tour guide — ahem, bartender — for one of these unique international flavors. I’ll leave a couple of tips, but mostly let you discover and explore on your own. Adventure is out there!

ARMENIA

SPIRIT: Hye-Land Armenian Whiskey

FIND AT: Skewers

BOLIVIA

SPIRIT: Singani, a centuries-old brandy distilled from white grapes

FIND AT: Hogwash Whiskey Den

BRAZIL

SPIRIT: Amburana Founder’s Collection Kentucky

Straight Bourbon Whiskey

FIND AT: Purgatory Craft Beer and Whiskey

FRANCE

SPIRIT: Bigallet China-China Amer Liqueur, a “gateway amaro” with forward orange and bergamot flavors

FIND AT: Cease and Desist

GREECE

SPIRIT: Stray Dog Wild Gin, with botanicals and citrus hand-foraged from the Greek countryside

FIND AT: Emma Rue’s

ICELAND

SPIRIT: Opal Liqueur

LEBANON

SPIRIT: Touma Arak Liqueur, a grape-based spirit flavored with anise seed

FIND AT: Bistango Martini Bar

THE NETHERLANDS

SPIRIT: Bols Genever, sometimes considered a predecessor to gin

FIND AT: Berserk

PAN-AFRICA

SPIRIT: Bayab African Rose Gin, with botanicals sourced from across the continent

NOTES: Rare Brazilian amburana oak barrels are imported into Kentucky for this extremely high-end spirit. This is one of six bottles available in the entire state — a taste will cost you about $55. If you want to experience some amburana flavor without paying through the nose, try a half-ounce of Barrell Bourbon’s Cask Finish Series whiskey finished in the luxury oak but that only costs $7.

FIND AT: Berserk, Volstead Act

FIND AT: Emma Rue’s

SERBIA

SPIRIT: Yebiga Bela and Yebiga Prva, two “rakija,” or brandies, distilled from plums

FIND AT: Hogwash Whiskey Den

SPOKANE, USA

The Epic Story of Expo ’74!

CHICAGO, USA

SPIRIT: Jeppson’s Malört

FIND AT: Berserk, Bijou, Volstead Act

NOTES: Someone described this to me as “salty robitussin.” Bartenders use it to play pranks on each other. If you don’t like black licorice and the medicinal tang of eucalyptus, be warned. Also, an industry rep assured me this is NOT a potato-based spirit, despite the plethora of misleading information online. It’s a neutral grain spirit. This is a traditional Icelandic drink, and potatoes don’t grow in Iceland.

ISRAEL

SPIRIT: M&H Levantine Gin, distilled from honey

SPIRIT: The entire lines from Browne’s Family Spirits and Dry Fly Distillery

FIND AT: Heritage Bar & Kitchen (and many more!)

EWU history professor Bill Youngs’ collected first-person accounts of all the drama behind the scenes, along with all the excitement of that festive year.

NOTES: This tastes as dirty as the Chicago River. Which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your affection for the city.

CZECH REPUBLIC

SPIRIT: Becherovka

FIND AT: Volstead Act

NOTES: Spicy and sweet, and in the back of the refrigerated cabinet. It might take the bartender a minute to find, but it’s worth it.

ETHIOPIA

SPIRIT: Tej, technically not a spirit but a traditional Ethiopian wine distilled from honey instead of grapes

FIND AT: Queen of Sheba

FIND AT: Emma Rue’s

ITALY

SPIRIT: Liquore Strega, a bright yellow liqueur that’s sweet and herbal, similar to a yellow Chartreuse

FIND AT: Cease and Desist

NOTES: Ask for an ounce or two of this on its own.

It’s perfectly lovely to sip.

SPIRIT: Kapriol, a distillate from Italian forest herbs based on a recipe from 1948

FIND AT: Radio Bar

NOTES: Looking for the widest selections of unique Italian amaros in Spokane? Check out Gander & Ryegrass or Sorella.

NOTES: Love where you live, and celebrate it any chance you get!

TAIWAN

SPIRIT: Kavalan Single Malt Whiskey

FIND AT: Hogwash Whiskey Den

THAILAND

SPIRIT: Ya dong, a traditional Thai rice whiskey with herbs

FIND AT: Wooden City

VIETNAM

SPIRIT: Saigon Baigur, the first gin to be distilled in Ho Chi Minh City

FIND AT: Emma Rue’s n

DRINK LOCAL

Ready for Takeoff

Flights are great for sharing and satiating curiosity; many local cafes and bars embrace the trend

BY MADISON PEARSON AND CHEY SCOTT

For those who look at a drink menu of any kind and are immediately overwhelmed by the number of choices available, have no fear, flights are here!

Plenty of local establishments offer sample-size pours of their most popular drinks so patrons can get a taste of everything without breaking the bank or overdoing it. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or love sweet, sugary coffee drinks, these flights for imbibers and non-imbibers alike are sure to tickle your tastebuds.

TEA FLIGHT ($17)

miFLAVOUR Modern French Bakery, 3403 E. Sprague Ave.

You’re never too old for a tea party! MiFlavour’s tea flights bring this moment of childhood joy to all ages with four rotating flavors. Their spring tea flight features blueberry, peach, chamomile and Earl Grey teas, all mixed with vanilla syrup or local honey and steamed milk. Each is creamy, sweet and warm enough to shake off the last of spring’s chill. Keep an eye on MiFlavour’s socials for updates as they switch between coffee, hot cocoa and tea flights depending on the season. (MP)

BEER, CIDER & SELTZER FLIGHT ($15)

Badass Backyard Brewing, 1415 N. Argonne Rd., Spokane Valley

This woman-owned taphouse in Millwood serves flights, skater style. Owner Charlene Honcik is an avid snowboarder, so carrying the boarding theme throughout the brewery’s menu is fitting. Choose five Badass Backyard Brewing beers, ciders and/or seltzers from the taphouse’s large selection and have them served to you on an actual penny board (a smaller, plastic version of a skateboard). No, you don’t get to keep the sweet board, but it certainly gets points for presentation. (MP)

ROTATING DRINK FLIGHT ($20)

Mudslingers, 7015 N. Argonne Rd. (flights at this location only)

Mudslingers is popular for its creative, vibrantly colored, super-sweet drinks, and their drink flights are no exception. With a rotating menu of about 10 beverages to choose from each month, there’s something for everyone: coffee, Lotus Energy, teas, smoothies and even affogatos. Each flight comes with three nearly full-size drinks ready for sharing, slurping and snapping incredible Instagram pics. (MP)

MIMOSA FLIGHT ($14)

1898 Public House, 2010 W. Waikiki Rd.

Whether you plan to share with a friend or savor all four mini glasses yourself, the mimosa flight offered during weekend brunch service (Saturday and Sunday from 9 am-noon) at the Kalispel Golf and Country Club’s 1898 Public House works both ways. Choose four different fruit juices or purees for each 4-ounce glass from among 10 flavors, including piña colada, huckleberry, mango, cranberry, peach and more. Not only are the drink pours generous, the variety of juice choices is nearly unmatched. (CS)

COFFEE FLIGHT ($14)

Brew It Coffee Co., 2 W. Third Ave.

Some prefer their coffee black while others prefer to have a little fun. Brew It Coffee Co. in downtown Spokane knows a thing or two about fun, and its coffee flights are a great way to sample four drinks from their huge menu. The spring flight menu features flavors such as strawberry truffle, banana nut bread, pistachio cream and lavender dream. (MP)

MARGARITA FLIGHT ($32)

Terraza Waterfront Grill, 1950 W. Bellerive Ln., Coeur d’Alene

It’s easy to get in over your head when drinking margaritas. It’s probably something to do with the drink’s propensity for being paired with tacos and the delicious flavor options… or the tequila. If margs are your go-to, Terraza in Coeur d’Alene offers a flight of four half-size margaritas in a ton of rotating flavors like serrano-coriander, blood orange and mango. Make sure to head there on your birthday, when margarita flights are discounted to your age in cents! Yes, really! That’s a steal, whether it’s your 21st or 91st birthday. (MP) n

Badass Backyard Brewing’s penny board flight. COURTESY PHOTO

DRINK LOCAL

Taste Maker

Longtime wine expert Sam Lange shares his unconventional approach to pairing wine and food

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

Over four decades working in the wine industry, Sam Lange has perfected his palate and his pitch for pairing wine with food.

His industry background includes opening the Spokane wine shop Grape and Grain more than 40 years ago, close to 20 years as wine steward for the venerable Beverly’s at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, and developing wine programs for Pilgrim’s Natural Market and other North Idaho establishments.

In fall 2023, Lange launched Lola Wine Lounge in downtown Coeur d’Alene with business partner Anna Lombard. It’s safe to say Lange is an expert, yet refreshingly unlike the stereotypical snobby character played by Alan Rickman in the movie Bottle Shock

“I think we just take it too seriously, and it’s just wine,” says Lange, adding that “traditionally, people make wine because they just wanna create this thing that makes people happy, and you can have it with food and it enhances your experience.”

Lange’s advice?

“Mood matters more than food,” he says.

“In the end, I can pick out the wine that I think is going to be the great wine with what you’re having, but if you don’t like that kind of wine, it kind of doesn’t matter,”

Lange says. “You’re still not going to like it.”

In other words, drink what you like.

However, if you want to expand your gustatory horizons, consider getting some guidance — advice Lange follows, too, when he’s dining out.

Although he’s likely tasted many of the wines on a restaurant’s list, he still wants them to “recommend something that goes with their cuisine and that they love and maybe that I’ve never heard of before,” he says. “That’s part of that experience.”

If you’re like Lange and his wife, for example, you’ll typically each order something different and share. In that case, the wine steward’s task is to recommend something that goes with both dishes, but also the appetizer, salad and whatever you might be eating throughout the entirety of a meal.

“Frankly, most wines are going to taste fine with most foods,” Lange says. “You’re not going to have a magical moment where you go, ‘Oh, this citrus component of the Sauvignon Blanc accentuates the citrus in the fish or it cuts through the oiliness of this rich oily fish.’”

Again, there’s a but. Those magical moments are worth pursuing, Lange says, and for that, he recommends a winemaker’s event.

“That way you know flavors in each dish are specifically — hopefully — designed to go with the wines that are served with that,” he says.

While at Beverly’s, for example, Lange curated wine dinners in collaboration with the culinary team, who built a food menu typically involving a specific winemaker’s collection. He’d occasionally pull from Beverly’s 14,000-bottle cellar.

The goal is to create a special experience for diners, when they might say, “Oh my gosh, that food was great but then we had it with the wine, and it was a whole ’nother level,’” he says.

Even though Lange advocates drinking what you like, when asked for recommendations, he abides by a few industry-standard guidelines.

“I think it’s important not to let the wine overwhelm the food,” he says, suggesting a Napa cabernet for a ribeye with a nice char on it.

But if the bottle of wine is a rarity, like a 1945 Chateau Latour — which retails for several thousand dollars — he’d make sure the food didn’t overwhelm the wine.

The tannic acids found in red wine paired with sweeter foods can be tricky, although wines with a bit of

sweetness can match well with some traditionally spicier cuisines, he says.

“German or Alsatian white wines with Thai cuisine, for example, are a great match,” Lange says.

Getting a little more technical, Lange explains there are two approaches to wine pairing: complementary and congruent pairings.

Wine can complement or accentuate food similar to a garnish might, like how lemon brightens up rich fish.

The same fish dish could also be paired with wine that has a congruent profile, “wine that’s fresh and citrusy and maybe a little bit herbal” such as a sauvignon blanc. Duck and pork, which are often served with some kind of berry or fruit element, says Lange, would be congruently paired well with berry-forward red wines.

Another reason a winemaker’s event is ideal for the winecurious is the opportunity to learn more about wine and the winemaker’s backstory.

“Learning about wine makes wine more enjoyable,” says Lange, who has noticed a definite increase in wine consumption, the types and numbers of winemaker’s events, and events centered around beer and spirits.

“I think there are more people drinking wine and more people are interested in it, and I think the demand has created the market for it,” he says. n

Co-owner Sam Lange showcases 40 years of wine industry expertise at Lola Wine Lounge in downtown Coeur d’Alene. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

The Happiest Hour

Rounding up some of the region’s best bar discounts

COMPILED BY INLANDER STAFF

BEVERLY’S

115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene

Daily from 4-6 pm (lounge only)

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

BISTANGO

108 N. Post St., Spokane

MAX AT MIRABEAU

1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley

Daily from 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close

$5 MAX Pale Ale pints; $6 MAX Signature press drinks and house wells; $7 select wine by the glass; $8 house martini and Manhattan; $1 off all other local draft beer; $8-$14 appetizers

TWIGS

Multiple locations

Daily from 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close

$6 draft beer; $5 Coors Light; $7 wine by the glass; $8-$10 select cocktails; $7-$12 select appetizers

THE VIKING

1221 N. Stevens St., Spokane Mon-Sat from 2-6 pm, all day Sun

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

$8-$9 select cocktails; $6 premium wells; $6 house wine; $4 all beer; $9-$12 small plates

CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE

6314 N. Ash St., Spokane

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

$5 house liquor, wine, and microbrews; $5.50 margarita, $3 16-oz.

Bud and Coors draft; $3-$11 food, plus rotating daily specials

COEUR

D’ALENE CIDER COMPANY

1327 E. Sherman Ave.

Wednesdays from 3-9 pm

$5 cider pours; $4 club pours

DAVID’S PIZZA

803 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri from 2:30-5 pm

(bar and patio only)

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

FLATSTICK PUB

618 W. Main Ave., Spokane

Mon-Fri from 3-5 pm

$15 any drink + unlimited games

POOLE’S PUBLIC HOUSE

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

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

REPUBLIC KITCHEN & TAPHOUSE

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

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

STEAM PLANT

RESTAURANT & BREW PUB

159 S. Lincoln St., Spokane Tue-Sat from 4-6 pm

(also Fri-Sat from 9 pm-close)

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

TAVOLATA

221 N. Wall St., Spokane Daily from 4-6 pm

$7 select wine by the glass; $8-$10 cocktails; $4-$6 beers; $5 mocktails; $6-$15 small plates and pasta

TRAILBREAKER CIDER

2204 N. Madison St., Liberty Lake

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

$1 off pints and wine by the glass; $5-$8 select appetizers

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

WAVE SUSHI ISLAND GRILL

525 W. First Ave., Spokane

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

WHIM WINE BAR

808 W. Main Ave., Spokane (3rd floor) Mon-Fri from 4-6 pm

$7 house wine; $8 rose and prosecco; $10-$11 snacks

WOODEN CITY

821 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane Mon-Fri from 4-5:30 pm

$1 off draft beer; $9 house wine, $10 sparkling rose; $10-$12 select cocktails; $11 beer + shot; $9-$15 snacks

ZOLA

22 W. Main Ave., Spokane

Daily from 4-7 pm

$2.50 bottled beer and select drafts; $3.50 all other drafts and seltzers; $6 rotating house wines; $8 shot + beer; $4-$9 food

Flatstick Pub’s happy hour special includes games.

DOXEY PHOTO

DRINK LOCAL

Photos: Christian Bringolf

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add ice to glass

2. Layer Ingredients in this order: Pineapple Juice, Sprite/Sparkling Water, Liquid Cannabis Dose, then Grenadine

3. Garnish drink with a maraschino cherry and/or pineapple wedge

4. ENJOY!

Good Libations

Not all bars are built the same, so find one that jibes with whatever vibes you’re looking for

BY COLTON RASANEN

The Inland Northwest bar scene, like the community it serves, is unfathomably varied. While that’s an exciting prospect for many, it can still be overwhelming to find the perfect place to pair with whatever you have planned. Many of us think about a bar’s location or menu when considering where to go, but it may be easier to search with a specific vibe in mind. So whether you’re in the mood or not for the usual upbeat bar scene or looking for a quieter place to gather, we’ve got you covered.

A cheerful, uplifting setting GARDEN PARTY

107 S. Madison Ave., open Tue-Thu & Sun 11 am-11 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-midnight

Have you ever had to cancel on a night out with your friends because you just weren’t feeling your brightest? While that may seem like the best option at the moment, don’t wallow in those negative emotions at home. Instead of canceling the outing, ask your friends to relocate their plans to downtown Spokane’s botanical bar, Garden Party. Between the tasty selection of cocktails, a handful of special events (like an ongoing comedy series, “Giggles in the Garden”) and the bar’s decorative floral flourish, it’s almost impossible to feel anything but joy at Garden Party.

A place to chat with friends Q LOUNGE

238 W. Sprague Ave., open Thu-Sun 5 pm-close

For a decade now, nYne Bar & Bistro has been lauded by locals as the best place to dance the night away. But sadly, no one has ever thought “I’m gonna go to nYne to catch up with an old friend” (at least after 5 pm). Luckily, nYne’s owners realized this, and created the Q Lounge next door. With a quieter, cozy vibe, the bar can serve as the perfect spot to have an audible conversation with an old friend. Plus, with weekly “Sapphic Social” events and the bimonthly queer open mic comedy night, the location serves as another safe place in Spokane for queer folks to gather.

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One Community

Dear No-Li,

Thanks for bringing the comemorative glassware with your award-winning beer and seltzer for guests at the 2024 Best Of celebration. We applaud your ongoing efforts to make our community a craft beer destination and an amazing place to live.

Fromfriendsyour at

Garden Party is a botanical oasis. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Spokane’s Favorite Cider

“GOOD LIBATIONS” CONTINUED...

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first-date-approved atmosphere

STYLUS WINE & VINYL BAR

2605 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, open Wed-Thu noon-9 pm, Fri-Sat noon-10 pm, Sun 11 am-3 pm

First dates are almost impossible to plan. Like Goldilocks, you’ve got to find a place that’s just right — not too fancy and definitely not too casual. So a place like Stylus Wine & Vinyl Bar, where you can get a drink at the bar and pair it with some fancy French food, is likely to be your best bet. With dozens of wine and beer options, you and your date are likely to find something on the menu that fits your tastes. Plus, those who are nervous or shy will have an easy conversation starter from the bar’s massive collection of vinyl records.

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chill, backyard patio

RADIO BAR

2408 W. Northwest Blvd.; open Tue-Sat 4 pm-close, Sun noon-8 pm

If you’re tired of the indoor bar scene, Radio Bar is a perfect place to go. While the bar is known for its selection of creative craft cocktails and killer sound system, its gorgeous garden-like patio and sizable back deck are a huge warm weather bonus. While many Spokane bars have outdoor seating, Radio Bar is tucked inside a former residence in the Audubon-Downriver neighborhood, and its patio feels more like a traditional backyard than a random alleyside addition. So whether you live in a yard-less apartment complex or your backyard just isn’t up to snuff for an afternoon or evening of drinking, head to Radio Bar.

A cozy late-night reading spot LUNARIUM

1925 N. Monroe St. (all ages); open Wed-Sat 3 pm-midnight

There’s something uniquely enthralling about reading a book at a cafe. Between the barely audible music playing, the barista banter and the scent of the coffee constantly brewing, the ambiance is unmatched. Unfortunately though, many cafes aren’t open late, so nighttime readers are often left searching for that experience elsewhere. Not anymore, thanks to Lunarium. The cafe, which opens around the same time other cafes close, doesn’t serve alcohol, but instead offers homemade treats, coffee, and tea until midnight. So, if you’re looking for somewhere other than the sunken-in spot on the sofa to finish that book you’ve been reading, consider Lunarium. n

JUNE 1ST & 2ND,

Stylus Wine & Vinyl Bar is great for a date. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

America’s Pavilion

EXPO LEGACY

Spokane and the United States created a timeless icon that anchored the fair the way it anchors today’s Riverfront Park

BY BILL YOUNGS

Like everything else in the story of Expo ’74, the construction of the United States Pavilion faced impossible challenges and impossible deadlines. On Feb. 1, 1972, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation noting that Spokane was “inviting the nations of the world to think anew of man’s relationship to Earth.” But months passed before the White House finally sent to Congress a bill to provide funds for an $11.5 million pavilion.

That left another challenge — getting the bill through Congress. Fortunately the Expo backers had two of the most influential men in the Senate on their side, Washington’s Henry “Scoop” Jackson and Warren Magnuson. In the House, Expo was represented by a brilliant young congressman named Tom Foley. The bill passed on Oct. 13, 1972.

One young Spokane engineer found himself hired to an 11-month contract to help lead the construction he says remains among the most challenging of his 50-plus-year career. A complex cable-net structure design meant it was all held together under tension that required miles of steel cables, connected just so and cut into precise lengths.

“We measured every one of those friggin’ cables,” recalls that young engineer, Tim Welsh, now CEO of Garco Construction. Some 40 years later, Garco was selected to renovate that same U.S. Pavilion; his son Clancy led the project, which was completed in 2019.

Opening day arrived and the sweep of the American Pavilion’s huge vinyl canopy could be seen from almost anywhere on the fairgrounds. It was made from 100,000 square feet of fabric, supported by a 4.6-mile network of steel cables.

A bell at the entrance to the pavilion rang out repeatedly, recognizing each new child born on earth and the growing burden of population. The most-favored feature of the pavilion was the IMAX theater with a screen that measured 65 feet high by 95 feet wide — said to be the largest in the world. The IMAX film, Man Belongs to the Earth, was one part adventure and one part discourse on the environment; its most memorable moment was a quiet scene in which Chief Dan George, from British Columbia, delivered a plea for environmental awareness.

Ripped apart by high winds in the years to come, the canopy roof failed the test of time. But another generation of imaginative Spokanites has rededicated the pavilion with an astonishing light show high up on its cables. In such ways, Expo ’74 provides a living legacy for Spokane.

Bill Youngs is an EWU history professor and author of the definitive history of Expo ’74, The Fair and the Falls — now out in an updated 2024 edition.

Finding Their Seats

Nothing about building Expo ’74 was easy. Persuading Olympia to fund a Washington state “pavilion,” for example, should have been simple, but it wasn’t. The state’s economy was suffering due to Boeing layoffs, and Olympia was cautious about new projects. But fair backers had a “trump card,” which they played skillfully. Spokane delegates reminded West Siders: “Every member of the Spokane delegation supported the Seattle World’s Fair.”

Oh, snap! The Expo bill passed both chambers in Olympia by wide margins.

Building the Opera House had its own challenges. Fortunately, Spokane numbered among its citizens Bruce Walker, who had studied at Harvard under famed architect Walter Gropius. Walker had never built a theater, but he and his team learned fast.

Sight lines must give audience members a clear view of the stage? They hired Dick “Seats” McCann, an expert in seating arrangement. Factory workers manufacturing the seats were on strike? They purchased warehoused seats manufactured for a Jerry Lewis theater that was never built. The Opera House was on the noisy flight path to the Spokane airport? OK, they added an extra layer of noise-reducing concrete on the roof.

Nothing about building Expo ’74 was easy, but the fair planners were superb problem-solvers! (BILL YOUNGS)

MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE IMAGE

Tim Welsh on the pavilion job in 1974

The Spokane Opera House (now First Interstate Center for the Arts) has hosted entertainment for 50 years now, from the start of Expo. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

A President’s Farewell

President Richard Nixon’s appearance at Expo ’74 began awkwardly.

Evidence of his complicity in the Watergate break-in was building. The journey began badly when Air Force One landed at Fairchild and Nixon addressed Washington Gov. Dan Evans as “Governor Evidence.”

Despite this beginning, Richard Nixon was presidential soon after when he opened Expo with these words:

“Today we speak of the environment in terms — as we should — of cleaning up the air and the water. Another aspect of the environment is what this magnificent Expo is going to leave as a legacy. It will

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CLUB ’74!

leave, I trust, some of these beautiful buildings. It will leave a hundred-acre park in the heart of the city of Spokane, which was once a blighted area. Beyond those material things, it will leave something else, and that is a new spirit. The idea did not come from Washington, D.C. It came from Washington state. Those who worked on it, those who conceived it, and most of the money that went into it came from the people. And to the people of this state, we give you congratulations for a magnificent achievement.”

Richard Nixon resigned three months later, but we can be grateful for these words. (BILL YOUNGS)

EXPO 50 EVENTS

SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL ARMED FORCES TORCHLIGHT PARADE

May 18 | Downtown Spokane | 7:30 pm

Inspired by the audacity of the city of Spokane in 1974 to be the smallest city ever to host a world’s fair, the 2024 Lilac Festival theme is a call to action to every visionary who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The Spokane Lilac Festival Association honors the individuals and organizations who pursued something greater than themselves. We invite the region to join us for the 86th Annual Spokane Lilac Festival as we celebrate all who “Dare to Dream,” featuring the family of the father of Expo ’74, King Cole, as its honorary grand marshals. And don’t miss the Lilac Festival Brewfest on Saturday, May 18, at 1 pm in the Pavilion — featuring live music and more than 50 regional breweries.

HONORING THE COLE FAMILY

On Saturday, May 18, the entire King and Jan Cole family will be honored as grand marshals of the 86th Lilac Festival. Be there for the special ceremony at 11:30 am at Riverfront Park’s Rotary Fountain.

EXPO ’74 50th ANNIVERSARY COMMUNITY STAGE & VENDOR VILLAGE

May 18 | Riverfront Park Rotary Fountain Plaza | 11 am-4 pm SIGNATURE EVENT PRESENTED BY WASHINGTON TRUST BANK | NONSTOP LOCAL KHQ | GARCO CONSTRUCTION

Experience a fusion of dance, performing arts, inspiring talks and performances from a diverse range of community talents. The stage will offer an engaging, celebratory and varied entertainment experience for all. Enjoy international cuisine, memorabilia and historic and interactive activities. The stage will be adjacent to the Vendor Village, featuring a variety of local vendors, artisans and handcrafters. 11 am: Regional Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 11:30 am: Cole Family Recognition; 12:30 pm: Quiero Flamenco; 2 pm: Atari Ferrari.

By supporting the free programs throughout the Expo 50 celebration, your membership gives you access to exclusive benefits through July 4, including a commemorative coin and discounts at popular spots like Riverfront Spokane, The MAC and other local shops, restaurants and bars. Also check out Corporate Club ’74. One donation gets 25 individual memberships for your company, each with all the same discounts — and access to a special bonus event! Scan either QR code to learn more about the benefits. Join the celebration today!

MARKING 50 YEARS Every week in the Inlander through the end of June, look for these Expo 50 pages, where Bill Youngs will guide you through the improbable story of the 1974 World’s Fair.

THANK YOU TO OUR SIGNATURE SPONSORS!

BRUSH ON THE BLUFF

May 18 | Polly Judd Park | 10 am-4 pm

Brush on the Bluff is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Spokane’s natural beauty, as well as art’s deep roots in nature. Artists will set up their easels along Spokane’s iconic bluff trail, drawing inspiration from this unique ecosystem. Each artist will create and donate an original artwork for the festival that will be displayed and auctioned after the event. People can bid and get more information at friendsofthebluff.org

CLUB ’74 SPEAKEASY

May 17-19 | Stepwell at Riverfront Park | 6-11 pm

Experience a slice of the ’70s at this pop-up, where guests are invited to imbibe and have a groovy time ($10 to enter, or free for Club ’74 members; 21+ except May 19 is all-ages). The event has lighting, video projection, a dance floor, DJs and, of course, local food, wine, beer and specialty cocktails for sale. Benefits the Spokane Parks Foundation and Riverfront Park. Make reservations at visitspokane.com/events/club-74-speakeasy/

For the full schedule of events, visit Expo50Spokane.com

“It will leave… a new spirit,” President Richard Nixon said on opening day. NW MAC PHOTO

MUSIC

Fit to Play

New Horizons Orchestra offers musicians of all skill levels a chance to perform

BY AZARIA PODPLESKY

An interest in music brings a diverse group of people to Salem Lutheran Church on Monday evenings. Some are still in school while others are enjoying retirement. Some are members of the military or medical professionals, others are teachers and business owners. Some pursued careers in music, and others had hardly played a note before these Monday meetings.

All are members of the New Horizons Orchestra, a Spokane-based group that welcomes musicians of all playing abilities.

The variety in skill levels isn’t intimidating for conductor Mark Tietjen, who has degrees in music from Washington State and Eastern Washington universities and finished his 30-year teaching career at University High School in 2019.

“True beginners, it will take some extra stuff, but I’ve rewritten the parts for literally everybody in the orchestra,” Tietjen says. “I’ve simplified them down to whatever it takes to get a person through any measure, and if they have to play a whole note, I can get them to that level where they will be successful at whatever we’re playing.”

At the end of the day, Tietjen says he wants both aspiring and advanced musicians to embrace the opportunity New Horizons Orchestra presents: the chance to make music part of their lives in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

The orchestra rehearses every Monday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 pm from September through May at Salem Lutheran Church in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood. Members pay $40 a month and are welcome to join at any point in the season.

New Horizons Orchestra is part of the New Horizons International Music Association, which supports New Horizons organizations in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Australia. The inaugural New Horizons band played its first notes in 1991 with Roy Ernst of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music at the helm.

“When I started the first New Horizons band in 1991, my philosophy was that anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to perform in a group,” Ernst writes in his book, New Horizons 2004. “Thousands of New Horizons

Tietjen has been with New Horizons since October 2019, taking over the reins from Jerry Thomas, who stepped away for health reasons.

COVID made meeting in person impossible and virtual meetups just didn’t work, so for some time, Tietjen says New Horizons became a community check-in via weekly email. The orchestra has now been back in full swing for two seasons.

The orchestra currently boasts about 60 members, though they’re always looking for more. And in keeping with Ernst’s philosophy, musicians of all skill levels are welcome.

Gail Hammer, for example, joined New Horizons in 2018, two weeks after she began playing the trombone.

“I was never in band when I was a kid, and I can’t even describe how happy I was the first time we sat in this big bunch and I was making music with this many people,” Hammer says.

Bass trombonist Scott Rima, one of Tietjen’s former University High School students, on the other hand, performed in the orchestra, jazz and pep bands in high school but had to step away from music after graduation. He, like many others in the orchestra, was drawn to New Horizons because it offers a welcoming environment for those looking to return to music.

“It’s like riding a bike,” he says. “If you haven’t done it in a while, the balance takes a second. It’s like ‘I know these notes, but I can’t remember where they are.’”

Five section coaches — Karen Bart (cello and bass), Dale Emery (violin and viola), Craig Catlett (wood-

The New Horizons Orchestra rehearses before its season finale. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS

musicians have proven that to be true, many starting in their late retirement years with no musical background at all.”

winds), Stanton Cobbs (brass) and Paul Raymond (percussion) — work with musicians for the first hour of each rehearsal before the whole orchestra comes together in the second hour.

Bart has worked with New Horizons for about 13 years. She likes to teach and especially enjoys teaching people who want to be in the orchestra.

“As a middle school teacher, sometimes your mommy makes you do it, but nobody here is like that,” Bart says. “It was also an opportunity to engage people who maybe didn’t have a chance to play when they were younger.”

New Horizons typically performs twice a year, once on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the third Monday in May.

At this year’s closing concert, “Potpourri,” May 20 at University High School, the full orchestra is set to perform four pieces, beginning with Jacques Offenbach’s “Can Can” and Icelandic composer Ilari Hylkilä’s “Return to Indian Valley.”

“Movie music has so infused itself into classical music,” Tietjen says of the latter piece. “Many, many new composers now are taking those similar kinds of colors, so it’s very familiar.”

The pivotal piece in the concert, Tietjen says, is Brooke Pierson’s “Symphonic Sketch No. 1,” an at times sparse, but other times sweeping piece. He says it’s the most difficult and requires the musicians to be confident in their abilities.

The Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” suggested by an NHO trombone player, closes the full orchestra section of the concert. Each section of the orchestra also performs a piece together.

The concert will also be livestreamed on New Horizons Orchestra’s YouTube channel.

At a recent Monday rehearsal, the orchestra worked through three of the four pieces. As a conductor, Tietjen is fun and expressive, shouting encouragement and praise mid-song. Even when critiquing, he puts a positive spin on things.

“What else was unique?” he says at one point when trying to recall a section that needed more work.

Trombone player Keith Adolphson says Tietjen is the one who makes New Horizons Orchestra the supportive environment that it is, but Tietjen will just as quickly give credit to the musicians who return to their musical roots after years away or pick up an instrument for the first time.

“I’m biased beyond words, but it is a skill for life,” Tietjen says. “We have a subset of people that come and go again as their vicissitudes allow them, and they do the best they can with what they’ve got at any given day, and that’s the most we can ask of them. Again, the community and fellowship is really overarching and transcendent, and the music is a vehicle for that.” n

New Horizons Orchestra: Potpourri • Mon, May 20 at 7 pm • Free; donations accepted • University High School • 12420 E. 32nd Ave. • facebook.com/new.horizons.orchestra.spokane

To register for New Horizons Orchestra, call or text Mark Tietjen at 509-370-5807 or email mark.tietjen.nho@gmail.com.

Retired music teacher Mark Tietjen conducts the orchestra.

Living Legend

The Cher Show depicts the singer’s decades-long journey to superstardom

BY COLTON RASANEN

There isn’t much to say about Cher that hasn’t been said already. For the last 60 years, the superstar has had an outsize impact on the nation’s culture. Between her enormous, award-winning discography spanning from disco to dance pop to Christmas music, and her prolific work in the television and film industry, Cher has done it all.

And now the Tony award-winning Broadway musical The Cher Show is showcasing her legacy across the U.S. for the first time on its national tour. The nearly three-hour musical aims to tell a story that’s spanned decades, and to do so three different actors were cast to play Cher. Babe, played by Ella Perez, portrays the beginning of her career in the 1960s when she met Sonny Bono and

made Sonny and Cher a household name. Lady, played by Catherine Ariale, focuses on Cher’s career after Sonny when she began to make it on her own.

And finally, Star, played by Morgan Scott, portrays Cher after her comeback in the ’80s and ’90s.

The rest of the roles involved significant figures present throughout Cher’s career, like Bono, played by Lorenzo Pugliese, and the man responsible for Cher’s infallible styling, Bob Mackie, played by Tyler Pirrung.

Plus, the show features 35 of the best songs from her career and many of the Mackie gowns Cher was known for wearing, according to Perez.

When the casting call went out for The Cher Show, Perez was still a student at the State University of New York at Cortland, but she applied for the role of Babe anyway. She visually fit all of the role’s descriptions, yet she figured she likely didn’t have the experience to be cast in a Broadway musical for her first professional job.

“I thought it was a good idea to just submit [an audition] even though I was still in school,” Perez says. “And then a while later the casting director reached out for me to submit some more tapes, which is way

further than I thought I would go.”

After that, Perez received a handful of in-person callbacks from the casting director, until eventually she realized at one of her callbacks that she was the last person in the room. It then clicked — she’d gotten the role.

“I could not believe it, it was such a bold thing,” she says.

That disbelief didn’t fade for the 23-year-old actress until she’d already done a few performances with the show.

“I remember opening night, I was just openly sobbing as soon as I walked off the stage,” Perez says. “I just tried to absorb every moment and soak in every smell and sound so I wouldn’t forget this experience.”

After some time though, Perez fell deeper into her role. Having been a child who’d always dreamed of the stage, she was able to draw some helpful connections between Cher’s early life and her own.

“Babe is a version of Cher that we aren’t really aware of,” Perez explains. “She had a lot of stage fright, and she wasn’t aware of all the talent she had. I see a lot of myself in her.”

Now with more than 100 shows under their belt, the cast of The Cher Show is bringing their talents to the Inland Northwest for a weekend of performances.

“It’s a really uplifting, powerful story that I think everyone can relate to — whether you are a huge Cher fan or not,” Perez says. “It’s all stuff we go through in our daily lives, so it’s really just a feel-good show.” n

The Cher Show • Sat, May 18, at 7:30 pm and Sun, May 19, at 1 pm • $49.50-$93.50 • First Interstate Center for the Arts • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • broadwayspokane.com

The Cher Show celebrates the pop singer’s entire career with three actresses portraying her. MEREDITH MASHBURN PHOTO

Ella Perez plays the youngest Cher.

COMEDIES ABOUT COMEDY

These series about the comedy profession aren’t all funny business

BY BILL FROST

TV shows about comedians and standup comedy aren’t built to last. For every Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (which ran for five seasons) and Seinfeld (nine seasons), there are many more that bombed a couple of years in. Not because they sucked (except for Ron Schneider’s Real Rob, which was real garbage) but because brevity serves the funny, or something. Here are a few excellent comedy comedies to stream.

HACKS (2021-PRESENT; MAX)

Hacks has the potential to live on for multiple seasons (its third premiered May 2), but there’s nothing Max and Warner Bros. Discovery can’t ruin. The story of veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her hired-gun young writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder), flips from caustic to sweet on a dime, and its critiques of the entertainment industry and ageism come in hot. Hacks is one of the most sharply executed shows about comedy ever, but season 3 will likely be the last.

CRASHING

(2017-19; MAX)

Pete Holmes’ Crashing, wherein he plays a semi-fictionalized version of himself as an aspiring standup comic, was a critical darling during its three-season run, but the most impressive aspect of the series was its guest list. Over 75 big-to-mid-name comedians, including Ray Romano, Whitney Cummings, Bill Burr, John Mulaney and even a pre-political Dr. Oz, appeared across 24 episodes. Also, Holmes is unafraid to portray himself as having a bad set — Jerry could never do that.

I’M DYING UP HERE

(2017-18; PARAMOUNT+)

More of a drama than a comedy, I’m Dying Up Here is loosely based on The Comedy Store-to-Tonight Show pipeline to stardom of 1970s Los Angeles. But, the first comic of the series’ ensemble to get his big break with Johnny Carson ends up dead by the end of episode one — yeah, it’s that dark. The core trio of Ari Graynor, Clark Duke and Michael Angarano as struggling comedians carried the show, but it was canceled just as it was hitting its stride.

THE JIM GAFFIGAN SHOW

(2015-16; PARAMOUNT+)

Jim Gaffigan at the center of a family sitcom is a nobrainer — Mr. Hot Pockets was pretty much born for the role. Like Maron and Louie (neither of which are streaming anywhere, hence their glaring exclusions from this list), the show is based on Gaffigan’s real comedian life, complete with a wife (Ashley Williams as Gaffigan’s spouse and co-writer Jeannie) and five(!) kids in a two(!!)-bedroom NYC apartment. Two hysterical seasons and out, perfect.

LADY DYNAMITE (2016-17; NETFLIX)

Back in Hollywood after months away in bipolar disorder recovery, Maria Bamford (playing herself) is ready to get her comedy career back on track… more or less. Unlike most grounded, based-on-me comedian vehicles, Lady Dynamite is a careening, absurdist dive into Bamford’s psyche that springs forth as Looney Tunes come to life. The two-season series also features a guest list to rival that of Crashing, including Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman and even Adrian Zmed.

LEGIT (2013-14; HULU)

Australian comedian Jim Jefferies doesn’t play a “heightened” version of himself in Legit, as he can’t act — it’s just him in all his blustery glory. But, he’s smart enough to share the screen with real actors, like Dan Bakkedahl as his depression-prone pal Steve and DJ Qualls as his Billy, Steve’s muscular dystrophy-stricken brother. Billy also gets most of the best storylines, all of which are treated far more sensitively than you’d expect in such an abrasive comedy. Legit is a legit lost gem.

DARK SIDE OF COMEDY (2022-PRESENT; HULU, VICE)

Like a Behind the Music for comedians, docuseries Dark Side of Comedy delves into the career highs and mostly lows of performers dead (Chris Farley, Robin Williams, Phil Hartman), alive (Tracy Morgan, Artie Lange, Carlos Mencia), and residing in comedy purgatory (Roseanne Barr). Little of Dark Side of Comedy is funny, though Ellen DeGeneres’ fall from daytime TV grace is hilarious. n

THE BUZZ BIN

BATTLE OF THE BAND

Spokane’s Snacks at Midnight may have taken home the title of Best Local Band (Mostly Originals) in this year’s Inlander Best Of Reader’s Poll, but the rock group is still out there fighting. Literally. The band’s new video for “F— You” finds SaM’s members disconnecting from the digital world to attempt to thwart the plans of corporate overlords trying to implant thought-monitoring chips in people’s brains by facing off against security forces in a Scott Pilgrim vs. the World-inspired battle. While the new tune might lean a bit heavily on a certain noted Rage Against the Machine refrain, it showcases SaM’s upbeat and catchy alt-rock that’ll be found on their anticipated upcoming album, What You Think You Want. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

MURAL MAKERS

The Community Building continues to live up to its name after announcing a new partnership with local artists to beautify an alley between Browne and Division streets, just south of and parallel to Main Avenue. Starting on June 24, five artists — Amber Hoit, Daniel Lopez (pictured), Brittany Trambitas, Danielle Davis and Desire McGinn — will begin painting murals there in the theme of “beauty.” The plan is to repaint the murals every two years, keeping up with themes of renewal and community. The public is invited to watch the artists work on their murals from June 24 to July 10, and then celebrate the unveiling of the new public art with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and barbecue party on July 11 from noon to 4 pm. (MADISON PEARSON)

THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST

Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on May 17.

BILLIE EILISH, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT

The pop superstar isn’t releasing any singles from her third LP early because she wants folks to listen to the album as a whole. Much like Billie, that rocks. Long live the album!

CAGE THE ELEPHANT, NEON PILL

It’s a big week for acts who’ll be playing summer shows in Spokane to release records. In addition to Cage the Elephant, also check out new LPs from Blitzen Trapper, Slash, and Mat Kearney.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, STILL KIDS

No, quinquagenarians, you are not (SETH SOMMEFELD)

Hacks is currently in its third season on MAX.

OPENING

Taichi Lands in Kendall Yards

After change of flight plans, couple gets bubble tea shop off the ground

BY LUCY KLEBECK

Anear-death experience can change your life. Sometimes it means making new commitments or new goals. Sometimes it means making tea.

For Allen and Rosseana Kang, owners of the newly opened Taichi Bubble Tea in Kendall Yards, it meant all three.

The Kangs met while attending college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Rosseana studied aviation supply chain management and later pursued a master’s in business administration. Allen studied aeronautics and obtained his pilot’s license.

After graduating, the pair bought a small singleengine plane and moved to Seattle. One night while flying from Tacoma to Everett, their plane’s engine failed, forcing the couple to make an emergency landing on a street in Bothell.

Despite clipping a power line and crash-landing on the roadway, the couple walked away with only minor injuries. Nevertheless, they decided to take a break from

flying — and to get married. That, and a change in job locations for Rosseana, brought the couple in 2022 to Spokane, where Allen’s family lives.

Allen’s mother, Susan Zheng, owner of Canaan Buffet in North Spokane, is a restaurant industry veteran of over 20 years, and suggested the couple open a bubble tea — also known as boba tea — shop. Owning a business was something the Kangs had always wanted to do, so when the opportunity presented itself, their role as business owners took flight.

“I’m supposed to be a pilot, but I’m making tea!” Allen says.

Taichi’s drink menu features fruit teas, milk teas ($5.50/small, $6.50/large), and smoothies ($6.75) in a wide selection of flavors: jasmine, honeydew, chocolate, kumquat, taro, strawberry, and pineapple, to name a few. Customers can also choose toppings such as tapioca pearls, jelly, popping boba and cheesy milk foam.

Taichi’s unique options include the milk crush

($6.75), a combination of frozen fruit and milk that creates a creamy fruit drink, and its zang zang ($5.50/small, $6.50/large), a flavored paste on the inside of a cup filled with milk. Flavors include sweet potato, taro, matcha, chocolate and Rosseana’s favorite, brown sugar.

“The complaints about a lot of boba places are that one day you might come in and the flavor might be bland, the next time it might be too sweet…[Taichi] is big on getting it right every time,” Allen says.

The Kangs’ Taichi uses a new express service in the franchise. This means their menu is limited — just drinks, rice boxes and ramen — and guests usually order to-go. But authenticity, consistency and quality are high priorities for the Kangs.

Taichi’s ramen ($16) broth is laboriously made from scratch and takes two days to prepare, including eight hours of consistent stirring. Customers can choose from tonkotsu, miso, tomato or shoyu broth and then pick their vegetables and protein, from pork (+$1), shrimp

Find rice bowls, ramen, boba tea and more at Taichi. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTOS

(+$2) or beef (+$2). For rice boxes, choices are unagi ($17), beef ($16), pork ($16) or chicken ($15).

Rosseana notes that she’s always happy to offer samples to people who aren’t sure what to order.

“They’ll try it and they’re like ‘Oh wow, this reminds me of home,’ — typically they’re foreign or Korean or Japanese, and they’re like ‘Wow, this is really good,’” she says.

The Inlander’s new neighbor, Taichi Bubble Tea took over the former location of The Tea, also a bubble tea shop, which closed late last year.

Some boba lovers may recognize the Taichi brand, as it’s a franchise that initially launched in 2015 in New York. The Kang’s location is the first in the Pacific Northwest, and Allen joins his brother and father as Taichi franchise owners.

Most Taichi locations are full-service, unlike the Kang’s ultra-compact space. Allen describes the business model as similar to Panera, where guests order and pay first, then sit down and get their meal before busing their own tables. For the coming summer months, the couple plans to add more outdoor seating to complement the few bar-style seats they have inside.

Due to limited space not only for seating but working, the couple had to figure out how to streamline their production and most effectively fit their equipment and supplies.

“We’ve designed it in a way where, in the daytime, we shouldn’t need to reach to the top or go to the storage,” Allen says. “We try to make it as efficient as possible.”

Within the year, the Kangs hope to open another area location in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area, this time in a larger space that offers dine-in service.

Many other full-service Taichi locations around the U.S. have board games for people to play in an effort to “create a comfortable place for the community where people can work and hang out,” says Allen, pointing to Taichi’s mission and the atmosphere the Kangs hope to cultivate for their business.

“We’ve put our heart into it,” Rosseana says.

And while Allen still hopes to pursue aviation someday, for now, Taichi seems to be taking off. n

Taichi Bubble Tea • 1227 W. Summit Pkwy. • Open daily 11 am-8 pm • taichibubbletea.com • 509-278-7998

A Smorgasbord of News

Snack on these bite-sized newsy tidbits to keep you going throughout the week

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

We’re taking the crispy crackers of award season, the smoked salmon of special events, the soft cheese of new openings and the sweet chutney of free food to bring you a smorgasbord of this week’s food news! (Fans of the Off Menu podcast, that was for you.)

AWARDS

Raise a toast to Evans Brothers Coffee, which won a 2024 Good Food Award for their good coffee and even better commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Their award-winning brew originates from a Kenyan mill operated by a cooperative of almost 800 coffee producers. It’s currently sold out, but ask about their other Kenyan beans. This is Evans Brothers’ second Good Food Award in a row, and fourth overall.

Speaking of awards, No-Li Brewhouse took home three medals at the 2024 Korea International Beer Awards in Seoul. Their White & Hazy IPA took silver, while the Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout and Porch Glow Amber each took bronze. No-Li has been the most internationally awarded American brewery since 2020.

EVENTS

Love bikes? Love farms? Look no further than the third annual Tour de Farms on June 8 hosted by Wheel Sport Bicycles and the South Spokane Farm Corridor. Pedal along the Palouse Highway at your own pace and stop at any of the two-dozen participating farms, nurseries and ranches. Find fresh fruits and flowers, meet local growers and farmers, and work up a healthy appetite. Choose your own route in the morning, but make sure to end up at Barn and Blossom sometime between noon and 4 pm for live music and a food truck. Raffle tickets are available at each farm for the chance to win some delicious prizes. For more information, visit wheelsportbikes.com. Looking for something more sit-down friendly? Local community builder Adam Schlüter is back to

hosting backyard potluck dinners for friends and strangers-who-will-soon-become-friends in Coeur d’Alene. Every Monday night, gather with other folks who are ready to share food and real conversations. When the photographer set off on a dead-end trip that eventually became his project Hello from a Stranger, vulnerability ended up saving Schlüter’s life. With weekly Monday night dinners, he hopes to share that same meaning and validation to whoever needs it. For details, visit hellofromastranger.com.

OPENINGS

Cue the cute caffeine! Redeemed Coffee Company has opened a new location on the east edge of Browne’s Addition on Second Avenue, right across the street from Rosauers. Its first location is on Fairchild Air Force Base, but now the tiny, chic spot offers drive-thru and sit-down service for both downtown commuters and neighborhood residents. The shop has already offered events like mommy-and-me playdates and a build-your-own bouquet event for Mother’s Day. Head through the pink door at 1618 W. Second Ave., Suite C, or follow @redeemedcoffeco_ for menu and event updates.

FREE COOKIES

It’s the 50th anniversary of Expo ’74 and the 55th anniversary of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, so you know what that means… free cookies! Any Friday through June 14, stop by the Spokane Convention Center’s Centennial Ballroom breezeway by the Centennial Trail anytime between noon and 1:30 pm for your very own warm, gooey, iconic Hilton chocolate chip cookie. The goal of the giveaway is “to bring smiles to faces throughout Spokane,” and boy, do we think they’re going to succeed. Convince your coworkers to take a walk during lunch, let the kids go for a playdate in the park, or take yourself out on a spring date to enjoy some sunshine and sweet, sweet hospitality. n

Taichi owners Rosseana and Allen Kang.

Adam Schlüter’s Monday Night Dinners are back. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

I Said No, No, No

Despite a strong lead performance, the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black offers only a shallow snapshot of the singer

BY MARYANN JOHANSON

Amy Winehouse was one of the most original musical artists of the 21st century. Her music was raw and real and full of pain and rage while genre blending jazz, soul, R&B and reggae. She was as wild and as wise as her music, exuding a feral sexual energy and embodying all the anger of ambitious and talented women in a world hellbent on corralling, taming and commodifying them.

Asif Kapadia’s brilliant Oscar-winning 2015 documentary Amy captures Winehouse in all her glorious, damaged, unclassifiable, irrepressible messiness.

The tepid, perfunctory Winehouse biopic Back to Black — from director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh — does not.

If you aren’t already familiar with Winehouse’s body of work, Black won’t do much to clue you in. If you are already familiar with her music, you will likely spend much of the film’s runtime wondering just when her song “Rehab” will make its appearance.

Because according to this movie, that’s all Winehouse was about, wasn’t she? After a too-brief life of substance abuse, bulimia and likely undiagnosed mental illness, she

died from alcohol poisoning at age 27 in 2011. Sure, she made some music in there, too, which earned her a shit-ton of major awards. But if you were gauging from this lazy, even cowardly recounting of her life, Winehouse was mostly just a sad young woman who longed for babies and an utterly conventional life.

There’s a scene very early in Black, a long uncut one in which the teenage Winehouse sits on her bed writing a song, strumming chords on her guitar as she tries out lyrics. While those lyrics are complicated and confounding, the segment is gentle and sweet and honest about illustrating a young woman’s angst while also capturing the electricity of Winehouse’s creativity. It’s a beautiful cinematic snapshot of Winehouse’s lightning-in-a-bottle imagination.

Rated R

of the pressures on women — not just Winehouse — to conform in our personal and professional lives. He can put a line of dialogue like “I ain’t no f—ing Spice Girl!” in Winehouse’s mouth, but he doesn’t seem to know how to depict what that would have meant for a popular female recording artist in the 2000s.

It’s almost as if Back to Black, for all that it is presumptively about Amy Winehouse, doesn’t actually know what to do with her. It assumes if she was this much of a personal disaster, it must be because she wanted an ordinary life — even if absolutely all public evidence is to the contrary. There’s a long sequence in which she goes on a first date with Blake Fielder-Civil (Jack O’Connell) — the man who would later introduce her to crack cocaine — to the London Zoo, and she ends up using the example of a lioness and her cubs to talk about all the many children she wants to have… to a man she just met. Another scene depicts her having a breakdown over a negative pregnancy test.

BACK TO BLACK

Directed by Sam Taylor-Jones

Starring Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan

But Back to Black never reaches that height of incisive portraiture again. British actor Marisa Abela, in her first starring role, is very, very good as Winehouse. She’s the film’s one saving grace. If only the movie around her was worthy of her efforts.

Greenhalgh’s shallow script lacks any understanding

Winehouse did have massive public breakdowns in her final years. Even people who didn’t know her personally knew she wasn’t well, but none of that is depicted here. There are a few scenes in which she stumbles through performances. But since her band members aren’t presented as characters here, there’s no exploration of how they feel about her issues or if they tried to help. We do get a scene in which her hanger-on father Mitch (Eddie Marsan) does say, “I think she’s fine,” and hence doesn’t need to go to rehab. It’s a painfully on-the-nose and utterly unironic reference to a lyric in “Rehab.” But she’s clearly not fine, and the film lets pops and Fielder-Civil off the hook. Appallingly, Back to Black hangs its subject out to dry, just as the people closest to Winehouse actually did in real life. n

Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse. FOCUS FEATURES PHOTO

A Figment of an Imagination

Let’s imagine a better world where John Krasinski didn’t make IF…

BY MARYANN JOHANSON

IF opens with the Paramount logo reimagined as a child’s drawing. “Cute,” one might initially think... until the film continues to unspool. Then you realize that was but the first indication of writer/director John Krasinski’s absolute desperation to whip up magic and whimsy and innocent whatnot. But no matter how urgently he struggles to force enchantment into existence, it never appears. Quite the opposite. Rarely does a film intended for family fun go so utterly wrong and feel so wildly miscalculated.

Movies about imaginary friends have almost universally been horror flicks or black comedies aimed at grownups, and there are good reasons for that. Either IF doesn’t recognize how inherently accidently disturbing it is, or Krasinski imagines that he can world-build his way out of it. (Again, he fails at this.)

Here we have 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming), who has come to stay with her grandmother (Fiona Shaw) while her father (Krasinski) is in the hospital for an unspecified surgery. This leaves Bea free — because Grandma certainly isn’t keeping an eye on

her — to pal around with Grandma’s neighbor, Cal (Ryan Reynolds). Bea discovers that she and Cal both see the imaginary friends that have been left behind when kids grow up — all manner of fantastical creatures. Not only that, but Cal’s job is to try to find new kids for the IFs. It’s a job he seems to hate... because in classic Ryan Reynolds style, he snarks and scoffs and sneers his way through the work. Bea learns about Cal’s job when she (//checks notes) follows him through the streets of New York City one night and spies him (//checks notes again) breaking-and-entering a small child’s bedroom window. It’s all in the aid of fostering the creative power of a tender little one, doncha know.

The IF eager for a new kiddie placement in this case is a large purple fluffball, Blue (voiced by Steve Carell), who seems to be the love child of Monsters, Inc.’s Sulley and McDonald’s Grimace. Other readymade-for-toy-production-line CGI IFs include butterfly-like ballerina Blossom (voiced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and teddy bear Lewis (voiced by Louis Gossett Jr). In fact, all the IFs are voiced by a veritable parade of celebs: Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Jon Stewart, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph and many more.

Bea teams up with Cal and spends an awful lot of time on her own with this strange man she just met, including traveling all over the city with him. Later, when the IF-matchmaking project evolves to try to reunite IFs with their now-grownups, Bea will follow another adult man into a public restroom as part of the job.

IF

Rated PG-13

Sure, many kids’ movies that are nothing but pure and wholesome could be spun to sound creepy. But this isn’t really spinning it. So many awkward questions are raised by IF’s scenario, and when answers come that might seem to deal with those questions, they feel like cheats.

Directed by John Krasinski

Starring Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds

IF’s big problem is that it doesn’t seem to know what it’s about. Bea’s mother dies of cancer in the film’s opening sequence, and now Bea is worried about losing her dad. So we’re supposed to see some sort of metaphor for dealing with grief? Except there are no metaphors here at all Occasionally, Bea — who is at least authentically charming — spouts fortune cookie–esque pabulum like “The most important stories are the ones we tell ourselves,” but we never have any idea what it’s supposed to mean. The wisdom she is seemingly developing about herself and life at large bears no evident connection to any of the increasingly bizarre f—ery we are subjected to. There’s a sequence that’s intended as a sort of flight of fancy, a loosening of Bea’s imaginative powers, and while some of the animated moments within it are fleetingly striking, they don’t hang together. And they certainly don’t hang on the retro pop song it’s set to: Tina Turner’s 1984 raging feminist anthem, “Better Be Good to Me.”

Only the most surface-level reading of the song could lead anyone to envision that the lyrics about demands for respect and accountability in a romantic and sexual relationship is translatable to kids and their imaginary friends. IF is less a flight of fancy than a jaw-droppingly terrible fever dream. n

Cailey Fleming and BLUE star in IF

Portugal. The Fam

How family ties have helped Portugal. The Man with the career highs and personal lows that get thrown its way

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

What’s the opposite of an overnight success story?

Whatever term of art you apply to such situations, Portugal. The Man stands out as a textbook example.

Rising from the ashes of the emo band Anatomy of a Ghost in the mid-2000s, the group from the remote outpost of Wasilla, Alaska, started making waves with the release of its debut album Waiter:“You Vultures!” in 2006. The group’s sound did stand out from the pack — feeling rooted in an alt-rock edge and indie rock coolness while radiating a funky psychedelia beyond that of its

peers, thanks in large part to singer John Gourley’s sweet vibrato-laden falsetto voice.

Over the next decade and change, the group proved to be a consistent and successful force in the alt-rock scene, putting out seven acclaimed albums and touring relentlessly. The band had carved out its niche, but the situation was closer to being a slightly hidden gem for hardcore musicheads than to being bonafide rock stars.

It was during those early days of Portugal. when Gourley made a long-distance connection that would blossom into a life-changing one. The singer also is a visual artist — one whose trippy work on album covers and

merch help defined the band’s aesthetic — and in those early MySpace-era days of social media, an art pal connected the Alaskan with a graphic designer and illustrator from northwest England by the name of Zoe Manville.

The pair struck up a digital friendship and even eventually met up in the U.S. when Manville was visiting her father who’d moved Stateside. A singer in her own right, Manville moved to Dublin, where she was working on music for a while. At the same time, Portugal. The Man was conveniently building up a substantial European fan base.

“I was playing shows and doing that stuff in Dublin,

POP ROCK

Portugal. The Man is feeling it... still. MACLAY HERIOT PHOTO

and then Portugal. would go and do tours in Germany — like very, very often, like every three months or four months. It felt like they were there all the time. So for me being in Europe, that was very easy,” says Manville. “John being John was like, ‘Come join the tour!’, which he does all the time... still. I was like, ‘What?!?’ But I just went along for the ride. It was a lot of fun being in Switzerland and France and Germany. I’d say it was like a five-year-straight kind of block where we were just over there all the time.”

After years of hanging around the Portugal. crew and providing backup vocals and percussion on a part-time basis, Manville eventually became an official member of the group. Her relationship with Gourley also grew into a long-term partnership. In addition to creating more stellar music, the couple also collaborated on bringing a human into the world with their daughter, Frances, arriving in 2011.

Then something unexpected happened. Eight LPs and 13 years into its career, Portugal. The Man suddenly became omnipresent. The first single from the band’s 2017 album Woodstock kind of came and went. The second single? That tune became an inescapable cultural phenomenon.

With a deep groove, sly falsetto bliss from Gourley and a riff on the melody of “Please Mr. Postman,” Portugal. The Man’s “Feel It Still” slowly became an out-of-nowhere megahit. The bonafide jam topped six different Billboard charts including a record-setting 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Alternative Charts and ultimately peaking at No. 4 on the Hot 100 eight months after its release. The single went at least platinum in over a dozen countries across the globe, won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and has been streamed over 1.2 billion times on Spotify alone.

“Honestly, I think that that was pretty strange. I think when you’re in it sometimes you just don’t really realize what’s going on,” says Manville with a laugh. “I think during that time we didn’t really have space to think about it. Now, looking back at that... it’s crazy.”

“Sometimes [John] is like ‘I knew that song was gonna be big!’” Manville adds. “But I can’t tell if he’s joking. He knew it was a fun song, but I don’t think he thought for a second that it would be on the scale that it is — billions of plays and just on so many commercials.”

The sudden next-level fame only pushed the band to be more relentless with their touring to maximize on the moment. But their long journey to the top also meant they’d long ago become a tight-knit, almost familial unit, and success wasn’t going to change them overnight. While the group now calls Portland its home base, Manville credits the band’s Alaskan sensibilities for the communal vibes that it continues to radiate.

“It’s in everything John does. He thinks about things in terms of his home and his community and how he grew up. And he applies that to probably every facet of this project,” she says. “I mean, even just in me joining and the way that happened — it’s just very John, it’s very Alaskan. He likes helping people out, but he also recognizes when people are really good. John’s just all about family. And I think that’s really at the root of everything and every decision that he makes — it’s all family- and community-based.”

Even when the band’s momentum took a hit with the world shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they tried to find the silver lining in the grim situation.

“We talk about this sometimes... I think that we needed to stop,” Manville says. “This band has always been known for just going and going and going, and that was a lot of fun. But you also realize when you stop, how hard you were going and what little rest you were getting mentally and physically. It was a strange period, but I think we were pretty lucky we got to just stop for a minute and just kind of replenish a little bit.”

Portugal. The Man did eventually follow up Woodstock with last year’s Chris Black Changed My Life. The album doesn’t deviate from the high-energy groovy fun that fans have come to expect, but for all the ace musicianship on the album, there’s one thing that Manville adores the most about the album — her daughter, Frances, sings on two of the tracks (“Ghost Town” and “Time’s a Fantasy”).

“I love that our child is on it singing,” she says. “She will grab a mic and sing at the drop of a hat. She’s got no, no fear; no inhibitions whatsoever. It’s just cool that she’s on that forever.”

That lack of fear in Frances has come in handy as she and her parents have had to deal with her difficult medical issues. Frances has an ultra rare genetic mutation called DHDDS. There are reportedly fewer than 100 documented cases of the disease worldwide. That being the case, there’s very little info for her musician parents to go off to help her.

“The simplest way I can put it, it’s just the slightest change in your genes that throws everything out of whack. For her that looks like seizures and tremors and learning difficulties and mood disorders and muscle pain. It kind of affects pretty much her whole body, and there’s a wide sort of scope to the severity of it,” Manville says. “That’s something that we found out in the pandemic as well. So it was a pretty, pretty rough time trying to just get the seizures figured out. When you’re told, ‘All you can do is take seizure meds,’ and then you take those and they make everything just awful, it’s like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what am I doing? What else is there?’ And they’re like, ‘Nothing.’ It’s pretty rough as a parent to be in a situation where [a doctor] just shrugs at you and says they don’t know.”

Portugal. The Man has long been a socially conscious band with a penchant for fundraising for important causes, so it’s no surprise that Manville and Gourley have thrown themselves into raising awareness and funds to help support DHDDS research. They’ve set up FrancesChangedMyLife. com, where folks can learn about DHDDS, Frances’ story, donate to Cure DHDDS USA, buy special Frances-approved fundraising Portugal. The Man merch and more.

Manville and Gourley know that a magical cure for their daughter won’t emerge overnight. But if Portugal. The Man has taught them anything, it’s that the long, slow grind can eventually lead to unexpected, blissful success. n

Portugal. The Man • Thu, May 23 at 8 pm • $45-$175 • All ages • Knitting Factory • 916 W. Sprague Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

Spokane String Quartet

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Living Well in the Inland Northwest

May/June Issue ON STANDS NOW! Pick up your copy at area grocery stores and Inlander stand locations

For information on advertising in the next edition, contact: advertising@inlander.com

ALT-FOLK ORA COGAN

FOLK THE WILDWOODS

Thursday, 5/16

J THE BIG DIPPER, Dead Bob

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Theresa Edwards Band

THE CHAMELEON, Desolation Horse, King Ropes, BaLonely

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Thursday Night Jam

CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds

J KNITTING FACTORY, Sam Barber, Kade Hoffman

J MCCRACKEN’S PUB AND BBQ, Gil Rivas

J NORTHERN QUEST, Riley Green RED ROOM LOUNGE Hip-Hop Night

J SINTO ACTIVITY CENTER, Hillyard Bells & Show Band

ZOLA, The Rub, Lucas Brown

Friday, 5/17

AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, Jayden Cornett

J J THE BIG DIPPER, Rock Club Spring Showcase IV

J BING CROSBY THEATER, ABBAFAB

BOLO’S, Bridge Band

J J CENTRAL LIBRARY, B Radicals, Little Gospel Devils, Radio Helpers

THE CHAMELEON, Chuck Vibes & The Dead Feels, Trash Planet, Mutual Shock

CHAN’S RED DRAGON, Push

CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Nick Wiebe

J THE GRAIN SHED, Haywire

IOLITE LOUNGE, Gil Rivas

IRON HORSE (CDA), Bruiser

MOOSE LOUNGE, RCA & The Radicals

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Whack A Mole

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY,

Brian Jacobs

THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin

ZOLA, Deb the Wolf, Troubador

Saturday, 5/18

J J THE BIG DIPPER, Belt of Vapor, Hayes Noble, Shady Angels, Roman Taitt

J BLACK DIAMOND, Heather King Duo

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Bridge Band

THE CHAMELEON, Sorry for Party Rocking

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Working Spliffs

CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA, Nick Wiebe

THE DISTRICT BAR, The Last Revel

IRON HORSE (CDA), Bruiser

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Metal Mayhem: Outer Resistance, Enemy Mine, Mezzanine, Fate Defined, Dayshadow

MOOSE LOUNGE, RCA & The Radicals

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Whack A Mole

J NORTH HILL ON GARLAND, Just Plain Darin

PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Ben Vogel

J PONDEROSA BAR AND GRILL, Austin Carruthers

RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs

J REPUBLIC BREWING CO., Clanna Morna

J SIRINYA’S THAI RESTAURANT, Howie King

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Anthem Road ZOLA, Brittany Jean, Moorea Masa

Trying to capture Ora Cogan’s essence is like trying to bottle up a foreboding Pacific Northwest fog. While it might be fair to say the British Columbia singer-songwriter’s sound is rooted in folk music, yet it is folk is infused with elements of goth, shoegaze and psychedelic rock to create a haunting haze of sound that feels truly her own. Cogan’s 2023 LP Formless drifts along with a sparse, simmering darkness that can make a listener feel like they’re getting lovingly lost in the twisting paths of an immense and carefully nurtured hedge maze.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Ora Cogan • Wed, May 22 at 8 pm • $11-$16 • 21+ • The District Bar • 916 W. First Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com

Gentleness can sometimes be a hard sell when it comes to live music. Nobody’s ever said, “Oh man, I’m so hyped to go check out this concert — the band is gentle AF!” But there is a grace to soothing shows, and the Wildwoods’ stop at the Chameleon should be one such instance. The Nebraska folk trio — which consists of married duo Chloe (lead vocals/violin) and Noah Gose (guitar) and bassist Andrew Vaggalis — peddle in soft melodies and radiant vocal harmonizing that welcome listeners into their gentle and caring sonic arms. Tunes like “West Virginia Rain” sway with the loving casualness of a Sunday afternoon front porch jam. The Wildwoods don’t rock your socks off, rather they metaphorically give you an even cozier pair of socks to put on while you curl up to take in the warmth by their audio hearth. — SETH SOMMERFELD

The Wildwoods, Jake Rozier • Thu, May 23 at 8 pm • $12-15 • 21+ • The Chameleon • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • chameleonspokane.com

Sunday, 5/19

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, One Street Over

J THE BIG DIPPER, Age of Nephilim, Upon A Field’s Whisper, Big Knife, Casual Violence

HOGFISH, Open Mic

J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin ZOLA, Spokane is Dead

Monday, 5/20

EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Blues Jam with John Firshi

J KNITTING FACTORY, Dying Fetus, 200 Stab Wounds, Kruelty

Tuesday, 5/21

J THE BIG DIPPER, Dozey Dubs, Uh Oh and the Oh Wells,Monke Business, Mama Llama

J THE CHAMELEON, The Buttertones, The Hayds, The Wow Wows

J THE JUNKYARD DRINKS & EATS, Carli Osika ZOLA, Jerry Lee and the Groove, Nick Seider

Wednesday, 5/22

J J THE BIG DIPPER, Agent Orange, Messer Chups, The Dilrods

J THE DISTRICT BAR, Ora Cogan

RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Lounge Jam

J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents

J ZEEKS PIZZA, Austin Carruthers

Coming Up ...

THE CHAMELEON, The Wildwoods, Jake Rozier, May 23, 8 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Portugal. The Man, May 23, 8 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Palettes, Pulling 4 Victory, May 24, 7:30 pm.

THE CHAMELEON, T

he Get Down Vol. 1: Freaky Fred, DJ Felon, DJ Exodus, Kosmos The Afronaut, May 24, 8 pm.

J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Illenium, Kaskade, Blanke, KREAM, HVDES, Fairlane, Cinema Kid, May 25.

J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Illenium, Two Friends, Ghengar, Level Up, BIJOU, Midnight Kids, PAWS, May 26.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Finesse2Tymes, RJMrLA, Savii 3rd, May 26, 8 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, MST, Sick Pay Holiday, Snacks At Midnight, May 30, 7:30 pm.

J KNITTING FACTORY, Kaivon, May 30, 8 pm.

J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ken Carson, Irontom, May 31, 7 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, Those Damn Kids, Crusty Mustard, Xenoplasm, Bent Outta Shape, May 31, 7:30 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, The Scoffs, Proleterror, The Dilrods, Absent Cardinal, June 1, 7:30 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, The Wallflowers, June 1, 8 pm.

J J NORTHERN QUEST, Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Charlie Sexton, June 4, 7 pm.

J J KNITTING FACTORY, Taking Back Sunday, Citizen, June 6, 8 pm.

J J NORTHERN QUEST, Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard, Arizona, June 8, 6:30 pm.

J THE CHAMELEON, Jang The Goon: ‘Goon Shii’ Album Release Show with IAMTOPP, Young Neves, June 8, 8 pm.

SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Smash Mouth, June 8, 8 pm.

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Not.Greenday, The Nixon Rodeo, June 14, 8 pm.

J THE BIG DIPPER, The Bed Heads, Small Paul, Timeworm, June 15, 8 pm.

J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Vince Neil, June 15, 8 pm.

J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Beyond Wonderland, June 22 & 23, 3 pm.

J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Noah Kahan, June 29.

J NORTHERN QUEST, Cage The Elephant, Young the Giant, Bakar, June 30, 6:30 pm.

J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Odesza, Tinlicker, Drama, Golden Features, July 4, 7:30 pm.

J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Odesza, Bob Moses, Drama, Golden Features, July 5, 7:30 pm.

MUSIC | VENUES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE CHAMELEON • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO • 14300 US-2, Airway Heights • 877-786-9467

SOUTH PERRY LANTERN • 12303 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-473-9098

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

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

ZOLA • 22 W. Main Ave. • 509-624-2416

MONEY ANSWERS FOR ACRONYM FANS.

COMMUNITY AN AMA-ZINE TIME

The phrase “small but mighty” is a perfect descriptor for zines. For the uninitiated, zines are small, photocopied paper books filled with words or images that often serve communities on the fringe of mainstream culture and foster community for nontraditional artists. Local writers Chelsea Martin and Ian Amberson organize the festival every year. This year attendees can participate in workshops led by local artists and writers about book arts, character design and flower drawing. Also check out a huge selection of stickers, zines and other handmade goods that local makers have brought in for the occasion. Whether you’re a zine maker yourself or you’re new to the sphere, the vibrant zine community will welcome you with open arms.

— MADISON PEARSON

Spokane Zine Fest • Sat, May 18 from 11 am-4 pm • Free • Central Library • 906 W. Main Ave. • spokanezinefest.com

COMEDY IMPROV-ED UPON

Because of its made-up-on-the-spot nature, improvised comedy can always be a bit of a gamble. One way to increase the odds of something hitting your funny bone just right? Taking in a lot of it from a variety of performers. Northwest Improv Fest is here to help on that front. The two-night event features three shows a night: an early show for general audiences, a more blue mature set, and a late-night, anything-goes mash-up. In addition to local standouts from Spokane’s Blue Door Theatre and CDA’s Levity Theatre, the fest brings in talents from across the country. These range from the relationship joking of “Your Life is a Romantic Comedy” to Mad Sciene’s riffing on academic topics, to the English/Spanish hybrid comedy of Improñol. For those who want to hone their own skills, there are also a series of workshops from character building to musical improv. Revel in the spontaneity!

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Northwest Improv Fest • May 17-18; shows at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm each day • $15-$30 • Blue Door Theatre • 319 S. Cedar St. • nwimprovfest.com

COMEDY QUEEN OF STAND-UP

Just two weeks after completing a six-month world tour at Madonna’s side, Bob The Drag Queen is gracing Spokane with their presence. For two nights this weekend, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 8 and former co-host of HBO’s We’re Here takes the stage at Spokane Comedy Club. This also marks their only solo show in Washington state this year, making it all the more special that they’re stopping in the Inland Northwest. Often known for their quick wit and infectious attitude on the mic, Bob is easily one of the funniest drag queens in the business. So get ready to walk into the Spokane Comedy Club this weekend, purse first. (Spokane Comedy Club shows before 9:30 pm are ages 18 and up, while those after are 21+ only.)

— COLTON RASANEN

Bob The Drag Queen • Sat, May 18 at 7 pm and 9:45 pm; Sun, May 19 at 6 pm • $35-$50 • Spokane Comedy Club • 315 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanecomedyclub.com

WORDS FINDING YOUR VOICE

We are never alone in our journeys, so it’s fitting that this new children’s book about navigating life as an Asian American is a collaborative project by author Kao Kalia Yang and local artist Jiemei Lin. The Rock in My Throat recounts the true story of Yang’s life as a young Hmong refugee and her apprehension about speaking English at school due to the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts. Lin brings the touching story to life with her signature cut-and-paste style artwork. The event — which also helps celebrate May’s designation as Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month — begins with a performance by the Nkauj Hmoob Spokane Hmong Dance Group, then Yang and Lin discuss the book before the event concludes with a signing at 7 pm.

— MADISON PEARSON

Kao Kalia Yang & Jiemei Lin: The Rock in My Throat • Sat, May 18 at 6 pm • Free • Central Library • 906 W. Main Ave. • spokanelibrary.org

COMMUNITY LOVELY IN LILAC

The annual Spokane Lilac Festival, originating in 1938, is one of the longeststanding community events in Spokane. This year’s theme, “Dare to Dream,” was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Expo ’74 and honors those who pursue feats greater than themselves. To celebrate, the festivities kick off early with a Cruzin’ the Falls Car Show at 9 am and, for those age 21 and over, the third annual Lilac City Brewfest, which features live music and drinks from over 30 different Spokane and Pacific Northwest breweries. To conclude the day is the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade starting at 7:30 pm. School bands, military units, community organizations, cheer and drill teams, equestrian groups, and more make their way through downtown Spokane and showcase the best of our beautiful city.

— LUCY KLEBECK

Spokane Lilac Festival Brewfest • Sat, May 18 at noon (VIP) or 1 pm (general admission) • Ages 21+ • $35-$50 • Riverfront Park Pavilion

Armed Forces Torchlight Parade • Sat, May 18 at 7:30 pm • Free • Downtown Spokane • spokanelilacfestival.org • 509-535-4554

MAY 31- JUNE 2, 2024

• 75 Regional Artists • Live Music • Kids’ Art Projects • Museum Admission • Food Trucks • Beer Garden

West First Avenue | artfestspokane.com

$5 per person Kids 5 and under FREE

I SAW YOU

THE BEGINNING OF ALL THINGS I saw you.. and you saw me. And this is where it all began and how we finish this. I am your Sparkles the Essence of your life. You are My Bright and Morning Star. My Epitome of LOVE. The only way we exist is when we are seen by one another. This has been such a hard, long, and exhausting journey, but the memories, the triumphs, the battles have always been worth it. Thank you for doing all of this with me even when you didn’t have to but chose to. Thank you for NEVER leaving or forsaking me. At that one moment we see each other at the altar this will all have been worth it. Every laugh, every touch, every look, every smile, every poem, every song, written for us to understand, share, and enjoy. Without you there is no me. We are one since the very beginning. I could not and did not exist without you. You are the other half of me in every way. My beautiful reflection staring straight back at me. You are my soul, my heart, my best friend, my husband, my strength, my hope, before anything else I serve you. I am so in love with you. Australia is waiting and so are we. To infinity and beyond my beautiful KING. EVIE AND TOME 4 EVER N ALWAYS.

XERISCAPEE We moved here from Michigan two years ago and have been thinking about how to landscape with half the annual precip. Timely article. Much thanks!

RIVER RUN You: grey shirt, red shorts. Me: huffing and puffing up Trail 25. Thanks for pacing us up the hill! I don’t know what helped more: the conversation or the fine view. Hit me up on Strava — we should go do some more Type 2 fun together.

HIGHER In the garden. As Adam, you didn’t answer when your name was called. Did you wander off in shame? Shed that. The Master who created that Lilac Majesty and pine-filled Northern Lights Sky, has taken that. He is higher. Hold your head up. Not that you are worthy, but by grace. Take it in like Spring rained flowers wafting. We are more precious than even those miraculous blessings, beautifying the evenings. Believe that. Do you know why you doubt? The answer isn’t a secret. Like that garden, it is a free gift to all.

CHEERS

RE: DEVELOPMENT Spokane, what’s the difference between a developer and a preservationist? A preservationist built his home last year. A developer wants to build his home this year! CHEERS!

TO THE DOG ON ALTAMONT/HARTSON I don’t know what breed you are, but you’re honestly the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen! Brindle/striped, well muscled, wagging tail… thanks for giving us some barks of encouragement when we were running up the hill.

MADE OUR DAY To the mom at the Barrelhouse Pizza in Cheney on Saturday ... We “made your day”? This group of five recumbent cyclists from Spokane Valley gotta say YOU made our day ... Seriously? You paid our tab? ... Wowzers ... Thank you! And a happy birthday to your daughter. A fun day indeed!

JEERS

SKIP THE CIRCUS Things are getting real, fast. The genocide in Gaza is absolutely atrocious, even so, don’t let your despair about it keep you from voting for president

is hellbent on destroying the Post Office so it can be privatized.

RANDOM THOUGHT George Gipp: “Some time, Rock... when the team is up against it, when things are wrong, and the breaks are beating the ‘boys. Tell them to go in there with all they’ve got, and win just one

teaching him a lesson — they probably were patting him on the back for being so “funny.” Sick & shameful.

COWARDLY DOG OWNER To the cowardly old white man at the Harvard Road trailhead in Liberty Lake on Sunday with two big brown dogs off leash, you weren’t

this fall. An absent vote in protest is sadly a vote for the Orange clown show to usher back around. And this time the he will not hold back his lunacy, as only yes men and women with fake brains will get a seat at the table, bending the ear. There are less ticket holders to the circus than not, so please consider other meaningful protest and don’t waste your Votes this fall! The world is watching.

SPOKANE MAYOR DELAYS SAFETY LEVY

Oh Lisa, you rascal. Didn’t think this one through before you threatened your constituents with losing police and fire response. Now you want to walk it back. I’m sure this has nothing to do with the school bond I’m sure will be on the ballot in August. People stop giving these “public servants” blank checks to squander on their pet projects while schools fail and roads crumble. Tell them the 300% property tax assessment of the past 5 or 6 years is enough. Cut the bureaucracy and do what you’re supposed to do “public servants.

WHAT!?!? MAGA Postmaster General had 23 high speed letter sorting machines dismantled in 2020 in Washington state. Now he wants to send mail from Missoula, Montana, 200 miles west to be sorted in Spokane. I hope the letters are put on a truck so they can deadhead back the 200 miles. The guy has a $40 billion budget and

for the Gipper. (I don’t know where I’ll be then, Rock — but I’ll know about it, and I’ll be happy.)” As I watched the classic-stud game... denial, then I became angry-muted: bargaining, I now suffer. He left? WHY!? It didn’t seem right... so young with all that vigor!! Again, and again: real hard, the lives of Knute Rocknesque legends.

UNEARNED OUTRAGE AND FAKE EMPATHY

To all the precious “protesters” longing for 15 seconds of fame on the nightly news, parroting the woke slogans about “oppression” and “colonization” they read on Instagram — just fold up your REI tents and go home to the parents paying for your college educations. Over the summer, maybe read an actual history book about Hamas, and learn what Hamas intends for Jewish people. Your phony outrage and ersatz empathy for people you know nothing about fuels more violent antiSemitism and gives credence to the MAGA claim that universities are just expensive day care centers for the spoiled children of elites.

JEERS TO COEUR D’ALENE AGAIN Jeers

to not holding the high school student accountable for what he thought was “funny.” You should have hauled his as* off to jail even though he probably wouldn’t have stayed there. What a sick world these kids live in. As far as mommy & daddy

supervising your dogs and they were approaching us and our two small dogs on the rocky beach. Karma will find you for keying my car and breaking the tailight after my boyfriend asked you to call off and leash your dogs. Real tough guy, I bet you make your family proud.

DEADBEAT CITY I’m not surprised at all by Spokane’s budgetary shortfall. The house flippers / investors dodge taxes and fudge the numbers to their advantage. Churches are off the hook when it comes to property tax. Many drivers don’t bother with license tabs anymore. Instead of raising property tax, maybe go after the people defrauding the system. Oh, and investigate the previous admin’s misuse of funds. That’s a good start. n

EVENTS | CALENDAR BENEFIT

GIVE LIKE A WOMAN A fundraiser for the Women Helping Women Fund featuring Sean Astin, actor and son of Patty Duke, speaking about mental health and his perspective as the son of a legendary actress. May 22, 3-5 pm. $135. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. whwfspokane.org

WHERE THE ROPE ENDS MOVIE NIGHT & TAILGATE A fundraiser from Kootenai County Volunteer Search and Rescue. Meet a dozen local outdoor recreationoriented organizations to learn about their missions. May 22, 3-8 pm. $20-$40. Hayden Discount Cinema, 300 W. Centa Ave. fb.me/e/8mnLVD87o

COMEDY

ALOK Alok is a gender nonconforming comedian, poet, performer and media personality. May 16, 9:45 pm. $25. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)

GIGGLES IN THE GARDEN A show featuring queer comedians. 21+. May 16, 8-10 pm. $10. Garden Party, 107 S. Madison St. instagram.com/gardenpartyspokane

RICH GUZZI Guzzi is a comedian known for hypnotizing crowd volunteers. May 16, 7 pm. $20. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

KRISTINA KUZMIC Kuzmic tackles parenting and mental health through comedy. May 17, 7 pm. $35-$75. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

NORTHWEST IMPROV FEST A two-day

festival featuring performances and workshops from local and regional comedy troupes. May 17-18, 6:30-11:30 pm. $15-$50. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar. nwimprovfest.com

BOB THE DRAG QUEEN Bob is bestknown for winning season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race. May 18, 7 & 9:45 pm and May 19, 6 pm. $35-$50. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

SAFARI The Blue Door Theatre’s version of Whose Line featuring short comedy skits from audience suggestions. Every Saturday at 7:30 pm. $9. Blue Door Theatre, 319 S. Cedar. bluedoortheatre.com

IMPROV LEAGUE ALL-CITY SHOWCASE

A showcase of local high school improv leagues and the Blue Door’s Improv League instructors. May 22, 7 pm. $5-$10. Rogers High School, 1622 E. Wellesley Ave. bluedoortheatre.org

COMMUNITY

AVISTA WATER POWER WALKING TOUR Using a series of QR codes and interpretive signs, learn about the history of water power in Spokane. Daily through July 4. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. expo50spokane.com

EXPO ’74 HISTORIC TIMELINE OUTDOOR EXHIBIT An open-air exhibit detailing pivotal moments of Expo ’74 and its legacy. Daily through July 4. Free. Pavilion at Riverfront, 574 N. Howard St. visitspokane.com (509-625-6000)

ILLUMINATIONS: EXPO ’74 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Drop in and see rare treasures from Central Library’s archives.

This month’s theme features books, materials related to Expo ’74. May 16, 11-11:50 am. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org

IT HAPPENED HERE: EXPO ’74 FIFTY YEARS LATER An exhibition revisiting the historical roots of Expo’s legacy. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Jan. 26. $7-$12. The MAC, 2316 W. First. northwestmuseum.org

MOORE-TURNER HERITAGE GARDENS

SELF-GUIDED TOURS Tour the gardens and learn their history. Tue-Sun from 9 am-3 pm through Sept. 21. Free. MooreTurner Heritage Gardens, 507 W. Seventh. heritage-gardens.org

RESOURCE & SELF-CARE FAIR A fair with 30+ local organizations, raffles, health screenings and more. May 16, 1:304:30 pm. Free. Passages Family Support, 1700 S. Assembly. passagesfs.org

SEARCHING FOR TRENT ALLEY: ASIAN AMERICAN FOOTPRINTS IN DOWNTOWN SPOKANE This exhibit celebrates and honors the history and legacy of Asian/Asian Americans in Spokane. Mon-Thu from 9 am-7 pm, Fri-Sat from 10 am-5 pm and Sun from 12-4 pm through June 2. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5336)

ALL FAIRS LEAD TO EXPO ’74 An exhibit on the history of regional fairs starting in 1886, up to Expo. Wed-Sat from 11 am-4 pm through Sept. 2. $7. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, 12114 E. Sprague. spokanevalleymuseum.com

RESUME OVERVIEW WORKSHOP Learn how to craft an effective resume. May 16, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Free. SFCC, 3410 W. Whistalks Way. sfcc.spokane.edu

EVENTS | CALENDAR

THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE A monthly event with live music, gallery cruising, talks, lectures, artist workshops and demos, exhibit openings and Campbell House programing. Third Thursday of each month from 5-8 pm $7.50-$10. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

THE VOICE OF EXPO A series of short radio programs about the 1974 World’s Fair that were created by “The Voice of Expo,” Tom Read. Daily at 6:44 am and 4:44 pm through Aug. 8. Free. spokanepublicradio.org

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE SPRING RUMMAGE SALE This annual sale features dressers, tables, glassware, books, music, games, clothing, shoes, jewelry and more. Proceeds support league activities. May 17, 4-7 pm and May 18, 8-11 am. St. Mary’s Parish Family Center, 618 E. First St. (208-882-4813)

GARFIELD MAY DAY CELEBRATION This annual celebration features a beer garden, parades, live music and more. May 17, 5-9 pm and May 18, 7 am-noon. Free. Garfield, Wash. garfeldwa.com

PLAYTIME: THEN & NOW OPENING

CELEBRATION Join curator Jennifer Compau and Friends of Mmofra for a specially designed West African dinner, snacks and drinks, live music and guided events for children with their families. May 17, 5-8 pm. $40. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. friendsofmmofra.org

33 ARTISTS MARKET A curated, monthly market featuring local artists, art demonstrations and music. May 18, 11 am-5 pm. Free. Wonder Building, 835 N. Post. 33artistsmarket.com

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION FAIR Learn about local alternative education options for your child at this event featuring workshops, breakout sessions and more. May 18, 10 am-3 pm. Free. Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth. spokanelearningcoop.org (971-363-0792)

ARMED FORCES TORCHLIGHT PARADE

The annual evening parade through downtown Spokane features more than 300 entries, including floats, military groups and marching bands. May 18, 7:30 pm. Free. Downtown Spokane. spokanelilacfestival.org/parade

CRUZIN’ THE FALLS CAR SHOW A show case of vintage and modern cars. Awards at 4 pm. May 18, 9 am-5 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. spokanelilacfestival.org (509-625-6600)

EXPO ’74: 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMUNITY STAGE & VENDOR VILLAGE

A showcase of dance, performing arts, talks and other community talents. Also includes a vendor village with local artisans and handcrafters. May 18, 11 am. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. visitspokane.com (509-625-6600)

FUR TRADE FESTIVAL Learn about what life looked like in Kettle Falls almost 200 years ago. At the Kettle Falls Historical Center. May 18, 9 am-4 pm. Free. friendsofspokanehouse.com

SPOKANE ZINE FEST A one-day celebration of zines, small press books, art and other handmade items. The event featuring workshops, interactive booths and vendors. May 18, 11 am-4 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanezinefest.com (509-444-5336)

SESAME STREET LIVE!: SAY HELLO Sing and dance along with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and more friends from Sesame Street. May 23, 6 pm. $30$70. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. firstinterstatecenter.org (509-279-7000)

EXPO ’74 50TH CELEBRATION POWWOW AT THE FALLS Featuring traditional dance, drumming music and regalia. May 25-26. Free. Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. expo50spokane.com

FILM

DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) A quartet of characters escape the collapse of civilization and hole up in a mall where they temporarily find peace. May 16 & 18, 7-9 pm, May 17, 9-11 pm. $10. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main. kenworthy.org

THIRD THURSDAY MATINEE: PIG Rob has found solace deep in the Oregon forest and a unique bond with his only companion: his beloved truffle-hunting pig. May 16, 1-2:45 pm. $7. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

MOSCOW FILM SOCIETY: PINK FLOYD:

THE WALL A confined but troubled rock star descends into madness. May 21, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org

HITCHCOCK FEST: VERTIGO A former San Francisco police detective juggles with his personal demons and becomes obsessed with the beautiful woman he’s hired to trail. May 23, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main. kenworthy.org

WINE, WOMEN, & DEMENTIA A film exploring themes of perseverance, familial devotion and how to celebrate life on a road to death. Q&A a film subjects to follow. Registration required. May 24, 9:30 am-noon. Free. North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne. scld.org

EXPO ’74: FILMS FROM THE VAULT A selection of recently digitized film footage from the 1974 World’s Fair. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through Sept. 8. $7-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS A slapstick epic about a frostbitten battle between Jean Kayak and diabolical beavers who stand between him and survival. May 17, 6:30-8 pm and May 18, 4-5:30 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

TRAINSPOTTING Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out despite the allure of drugs and the influence of friends. May 25, 7-9 pm. $8. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127)

FOOD & DRINK

CLUB ’74 SPEAKEASY A retro speakeasy inside of Stepwell in Riverfront Park with themed drinks, food, DJs, dancing and more. Fri-Sun from 6-11 pm through May 19. 21+; May 19 all ages. $10; free with Club ‘74 membership. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. expo50spokane.com

DINNER WITH AN ARTIST & CHEF An eight-course dinner featuring wine pairings, an artist talk and exhibit with chef Adam Hegsted and artist Chris Grubb. May 17, 6-9 pm. $125. Honey Eatery & Social Club, 317 Sherman. emergecda.com

CULINARY TOUR OF THE PALOUSE: SAUCES & GRAVIES Chef Aaron Little teaches how to make various sauces and gravies from around the world. May 18, 1-4 pm. $55. Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way. artisanbarn.org (509-229-3414)

SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL BREWFEST Taste beers from 30+ local breweries. Tickets include tasting tokens and a spe-

cial edition glass. May 18, 1 pm. $35-$50. Pavilion at Riverfront, 574 N. Howard St. spokanelilacfestival.org (509-625-6000)

SPOKANE SYMPHONY: BEETHOVEN & BREWS The lobby of the Fox is transformed into a tasting room while the Spokane Symphony performs the best of Beethoven. May 18, 7:30 pm. $37-$52. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org (509-624-1200)

THAI COOKING: PAD THAI Suwanee Lennon teaches how to make authentic pad thai. May 23, 5:45-8:15 pm. $65. The Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. thekitchenengine.com (509-328-3335)

STEAK 101 Chef Al teaches how to make a steak. from seasoning to slicing. May 24, 5-7 pm. $100. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon. thekitchenengine.com

EXPO 50TH GUIDED WALKING FOOD

TOUR Explore local landmarks and sample food from Spokane’s culinary scene. May 25, 1-4 pm. $70. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. wanderspokane.com

BRING YOUR OWN VINYL NIGHT Bring your own vinyl to spin while sipping on craft cocktails and listening to music. Thursdays from 3-10 pm. The Boneyard - Side Hustle Syrups, 17905 E. Appleway Ave, Ste A. sidehustlesyrups.com

NOVA KAINE’S DON’T TELL MAMA

CABARET & DRAG BRUNCH Inland Northwest drag performers take the stage and perform pieces choreographed by Troy Nickerson. First and third Sunday of every month at 11 am. Free. Highball, 100 N. Hayford Rd. northernquest.com

MUSIC

CELEBRATING GOD’S PROMISE

THROUGH SONG A concert featuring The Black United Voices of Spokane, the Manito United Methodist Church Choir and more. May 19, 3-4:30 pm. Free. Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd. manitoumc.org

MUSIC OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR The Cathedral Choir, Schola Cantorum and instrumentalists under the direction of Dr. Henry Bauer perform. May 19, 2:303:30 pm. Free. Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave. spokanecathedral.com (509-358-4290)

SPOKANE STRING QUARTET The Quartet closes its season with the “Father of the String Quartet” and works by two 20th century British composers. May 19, 3-5 pm. $20-$25. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague. bingcrosbytheater.com

SPOKANE YOUTH SYMPHONY: EXPO! The Spokane Youth Symphony performs selections associated with the 1974 World’s Fair in Spokane. May 19, 4 pm. $15-$19. The Fox Theater, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. foxtheaterspokane.org

BOB BEADLING Beadling plays contemporary and popular music on the piano. May 22, 5-7 pm. Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St. powine.com (877-452-9011)

NORTHWEST BACH FEST: THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK A program in honor of Memorial Day featuring Kerry Wilkerson, Mark Irchai and Zuill Bailey. May 25, 7 pm; May 26, 3 pm. $10-$35. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad. nwbachfest.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SPOKANE INDIANS VS. VANCOUVER CANADIANS Promotions during this six-game series include Ribby’s Birth-

day and Redband Rally Night (May 15), $10K Grand Slam Night (May 16), Armed Forces Appreciation Night (May 17) and Grandparents Day Game (May 19). May 16-17, 6:35 pm, May 18, 5:09 pm and May 19, 1:05 pm. Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. milb.com/spokane

WONDER WORMS See up-close how worms transform food waste into nutritious compost. Attendees get to handle red wrigglers and build their own worm farm. May 17, 3:30 pm. Free. Hillyard Library, 4110 N. Cook St. spokanelibrary.org

DADS & DUDES NIGHT A night for fathers and sons to spend time together playing various sports. May 18, 6-9 pm. $15. HUB Sports Center, 19619 E. Cataldo Ave. hubsportscenter.org

PADDLE GEAR SWAP & SALE Buy and sell paddling gear at a discount. Also features info sessions about paddling. May 18, 9 am-2 pm. Free. Valley Mission Park, 11123 E. Mission Ave. fb.me/e/4qEaBPgA9

RESTORING SPOKANE FALLS A walking tour with local environmental activists who share how the flow of Spokane Falls has changed over time. May 18, 9 am-noon. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard. sierraclub.org/washington

SPOKANE VELOCITY VS. FORWARD MADISON FC Regular season game. May 19, 3 pm. $21-$41. One Spokane Stadium, 501 W. Gardner. spokanevelocityfc.com

WINDERMERE MARATHON A new course through Riverfront Park. Includes a marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and kids’ event. May 19. $25-$145. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard. windermeremarathon.com

BEEKEEPING 101 Discuss the needs of bees in urban and rural settings and the things you need to get started. May 21, 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. scld.org

KEEPING THE WATER WE GET: STRATEGIES FOR A THRIVING SPOKANE Learn how your lawn and trees can thrive during drought, and save money on watering. May 23, 2-3:30 pm. Free. Spokane Conservation District, 210 N. Havana St. soilsmartsoilwise.com

THEATER & DANCE

12 MINUTES MAX Artists present 12 minutes or less of new works and works-inprogress ranging from performance art to dance to experimental theater. May 16, 7 pm. $15-$30. Vytal Movement Dance Space, 7 S. Howard St. kindlingdanceproductions.com (509-601-3303)

CATS The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the yearl. One by one they tell their stories to Old Deuteronomy who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer. WedSat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm through June 16. $20-$40. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. spokanecivictheatrecom

RADIUM GIRLS A show about the history of the Radium Girls benefitting the Women Helping Women Fund. May 16, 7-9 pm and May 17, 7-9 pm. $8. Ferris High School, 3020 E. 37th Ave. ferristheatrearts.com (509-354-6036)

THE CHER SHOW This musical explores the life of Cher from childhood to glam pop star to icon. May 18, 7:30-10:10 pm and May 19, 1-3:40 pm. $50-$94. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. broadwayspokane.com

SEUSSICAL Horton the Elephant tries to

convince other animals of The Whos’ existence. May 24-June 2; Fri-Sat 2 at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 3 pm. $18-$20. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com

VISUAL ARTS

AREN’T WE ALL.... 2024 BFA SENIOR EXHIBITION A show featuring the work of graduating seniors in EWU’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program. May 16-June 7, Mon-Fri from 9 am-6 pm. Free. EWU Gallery of Art, 140 Art Building. ewu.edu/ cahss/gallery (509-359-2494)

JIEMEI LIN: INSIDIOUS: THOSE TINY THINGS A solo exhibition showcasing paintings, prints and installations exploring everyday moments. Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm through May 25. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com BY THE DOZEN Art created by seniors in the Whitworth University Art & Design Department. Mon-Fri from 10 am-4:30 pm, Sat from 10 am-2 pm through May 18. Free. Bryan Oliver Gallery, Whitworth, 300 W. Hawthorne Ave. whitworth.edu

CHRISTY BRANSON: UNEARTHED New encaustic paintings by local artist Christy Branson. Daily from 12-6 pm through May 31, 12-6 pm. Free. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. christybranson.com

MARY CARUSO & ERIC SANCHEZ Geometric paintings by Eric Sanchez and watercolor painting by Mary Caruso. Thu-Sat from 11 am-7 pm through May 31. Free. Avenue West Gallery, 907 W. Boone Ave. avenuewestgallery.com

HAROLD BALAZS: LEAVING MARKS This exhibition celebrates Balazs’ regional impact through 30 new additions to the museum’s collection. Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm through June 3. $8-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First. northwestmuseum.org

HIGHER GROUND: AN EXHIBITION OF ART, EPHEMERA & FORM Higher Ground features artwork and archival material from across the Palouse that speaks to the history of queer experience in the area. Mon-Fri from 8:30 am-4:30 pm through Oct. 31. Free. Washington State University, 2000 NE Stadium Way. libraries.wsu.edu/masc (509-551-4231)

MARK MOORE: EARTH TONES Ceramic artist Mark Moore showcases functional ceramic pieces with a focus on planters. Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through May 31. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net (509-863-9904)

MASTER OF FINE ARTS THESIS EXHIBITION Works by MFA candidates Mozi Jones and Reika Okuhara, honed through years of study and exploration and includes visual narratives and conceptual pieces. Tue-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through June 29. Free. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson Rd., Pullman. museum.wsu.edu (509-335-1910)

MEGAN MARTENS-HAWORTH: THE INTERLUDE The artist explores the relationships between humanity and the animal kingdom. Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm through May 31. Free. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)

CHERYLEE DUNCAN: THREADSCAPES

Duncan uses scrap fabric from other projects for mixed media paintings. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through May 30. Free. Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus.com (509-327-6920)

PLAYTIME: THEN & NOW An outdoor art exhibition illustrating the universality of play throughout culture and time held

in conjunction with the Expo ’74 50th anniversary celebration. Daily during park hours through May 30. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. friendsofmmofra.org (509-625-6600)

LITTLE SPOKANE RIVER ARTIST

STUDIO TOUR PREVIEW SHOW A preview of work featured in the upcoming Little Spokane River Artists Studio Tour. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through May 25. Free. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. spokanelibertybuilding.com

RIVER RIDGE ASSOCIATION OF FINE ARTS EXPO ’74 SHOW Expo-themed art by members of the River Ridge Association of Fine Arts. Daily from 7 am-7 pm through May 31. Free. Indaba Coffee Roasters, 518 W. Riverside Ave. rrafaofspokane.com

VISIONS A group show featuring artists Melissa Cole, Aaron Smith and Sara Conybeer. Wed-Sat from 11 am-5 pm through June 1. Free. New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague. manicmoonandmore.com

JOSHUA HOBSON: POTENTIAL SYN -

ERGY Hobson is a local, lens-based artist whose current projects engage with dire environmental issues and the effects of climate change. Fri-Sat from noon-8 pm through June 1. Free. Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main Ave. sapgallery.com

EMILIJA BLAKE: THE WORLD BETWEEN A multimedia presentation focusing primarily on the unique challenges of life as a disabled person. May 17, 6-9 pm, May 18, 11 am-3 pm and May 19, 11 am. Free. Hamilton Studio, 1427 W. Dean Ave. hamiltonstudio.com (509-327-9501)

BRUSH ON THE BLUFF Two dozen professional artists set up easels on the bluff and draw inspiration from the natural beauty around them. The public can walk the trail, meet the artists and observe their work. May 18, 10 am-4 pm. Free. Polly Judd Park, 1802 W. 14th. friendsofthebluff.org/brushonthebluff

ROCK GARDEN PAINTING PARTY

Paint a rock in a colorful design and then add it to the library’s rock garden. All supplies provided. For children and their families. May 18, 2-3 pm. Free. Airway Heights Library, 1213 S. Lundstrom St. scld.org

VASE MAKING Create a whimsical vase using slab and coil methods with instructor Collista Krebs. Ages 12+. Preregistration required. May 18, 10 am-1 pm. $56. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net

BECOME AN ECO ARTIST: ECOLOGY & ECONOMY ARE CONNECTED This four-hour workshop is a discussion and exploration of ways to reduce the toxic footprint that art supplies produce. Many of these ideas also reduce art supply cost and waste. May 20, 12-4 pm. $73. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net

HEARTISTRY: ARTISTIC WELLBEING Participate in basic artistic concepts and activities or respond to a mindfulness prompt. Every Tuesday from 3-5 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

ART DETECTIVES: CASE OF THE MISSING SUNFLOWERS Find the flowers and make the painting right again through clues, riddles and using art to solve this mystery. Ages 6-14. May 22, 3 pm. Free. spokanelibrary.org

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

STICKER STUDIO: CREATE YOUR OWN STICKERS Design, color, scan, and print your own unique stickers. Ages 8-18. May 24, 3 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org

WORDS

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

ECHOES OF EXPO Merging personal stories, historical insights and immersive soundscapes, this seven-episode series explores the World Fair’s lasting impact on urban renewal. Scan wayfinding signs in the park to listen. Through July 7. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard. visitspokane.com

GAL COHEN-SOLAL: OCTOBER 7TH SURVIVOR Cohen-Solal speaks about his experience in Israel during the Nova Dance Festival attack. May 16, 7-8 pm. $20. Lewis and Clark High School, 521 W. Fourth Ave. inlandforisrael.org

RESISTING ERASURE THROUGH STORYTELLING Author Putsata Reang describes how writing and storytelling are an antidote to shame, discrimination and erasure. May 16, 5:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org KAO

KALIA YANG & JIEMEI LIN: THE ROCK IN MY THROAT

Author Kai Kalia Yang and illustrator Jiemei Lin discuss their new book, The Rock in My Throat. May 18, 6 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com

PUBLISH YOUR BOOK WORKSHOP

Topics include formatting, cover design, ISBNs, copyright, self-publishing options and more. Open to authors of all levels. At the Spirit Lake Community Center. May 18, 9 am-6 pm. $130. Spirit Lake. spiritedinkpress.wordpress.com

THE ROCK IN MY THROAT: STORYTELLING WORKSHOP A storytelling and art workshop with author Kao Kalia Yang and illustrator Jiemei Lin of The Rock in My Throat. Follow along through visuals and sounds as Kalia and Jiemei read, then create your own story. Registration required. May 18, 10:30 am-noon. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit. spark-central.org

KAO KALIA YANG & JIEMEI LIN: THE ROCK IN MY THROAT A storytime and book signing with author Kao Kalia Yang and illustrator Jiemei Lin. May 19, 4-5 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com

EXPERIENCES OF ASIAN MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES A panel sharing stories of what it’s like being Asian Muslim in the U.S. May 22, 12-1:30 pm. Free. Eastern Washington University (PUB), 526 Fifth St., Cheney. aclspokane.org (also online).

ASA MARIA BRADLEY: WRITING GENRE FICTION The local author explores staples of fiction writing. May 22, 6 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley. spokanelibrary.org n

OPINION

Cannabis on Steroids

High-potency cannabis is dominating Washington’s market, boxing out those who just want a slight buzz

BY WILL MAUPIN

Today’s cannabis isn’t yesterday’s cannabis. It’s not what the hippies smoked in the 1960s and ’70s, and it’s not what was going around barely over a decade ago in the final years before legalization here in Washington.

Today’s cannabis is strong. Maybe too strong.

Last week, I walked into two Spokane dispensaries and, with a simple budget of $10 for each store, asked for something low-THC.

I walked out of one dispensary with a gram labeled as 18.5% THC. I walked out of the other with a more

reasonable preroll listed at 15.8% THC. Neither of those should be considered “low-THC.”

In 1995, decades after the hippies brought cannabis into the mainstream, the Drug Enforcement Administration listed the average THC content of cannabis in the United States at 4%, according to research from Yale. By 2017, Yale reported the average had risen to 17% THC.

Rounding to whole numbers, the 19% and 16% products that I was recommended are about as low as our local dispensaries are selling. At the very least, they’re as low as I was sold.

Is there not a market for something lower?

How does someone without a massive tolerance catch just a mild buzz?

It seems almost impossible, and keep in mind that I have been writing about cannabis weekly for five years now. If I don’t have the answer, then who does?

Since legalization in 2012, the cannabis industry has leaned heavily into a more-is-better approach to how it produces the products we consume. Whether it’s flower or dabs or concentrates, potency has become king.

Last year, Washington lawmakers considered raising the tax level on high-potency cannabis. They did not, but maybe they should have.

For now, Washington will allow cannabis to be grown with as high of a level of THC as the grower can produce, whether it’s good for the consumer or not. Regular or decent potency cannabis will continue to be allowed but not necessarily encouraged by the market.

Is high-THC cannabis the only future of the market?

We don’t know, but it’s clearly the current state of the market, and that’s a shame. Because there’s a lot more to cannabis than its ability to get someone incredibly stoned.

For now, though, best of luck if you’re looking for anything short of that. n

How much THC is too much?

NOTE TO READERS

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

Dingus, Zarecor & Associates PLLC is hiring an Experienced Senior Accountant.

Individuals in this position are expected to: understand professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements of auditing and accounting; have passed the CPA exam; have experience in financial statement engagements in the healthcare and not-for-profit industries: specifically knowing pronouncements of the FASB, AICPA, and when assigned to governmental engagements, the GAO and GASB, be proficient at preparing financial statements, obtain exposure on the types of financial statement engagements offered by the firm, assume responsibility for unaudited financial statement engagements under the supervision of manager or partner while overseeing staff accountants on audit sections; if assigned to tax or cost report engagements: become equipped with pertinent CMS and IRC sections and regulations, obtain a working knowledge of research techniques and the various research sources in the firm library, become proficient in the preparation of cost reports and/or IRS Form 990 tax returns prepared by the firm, and assume responsibility for the completion of tax returns and/or cost reports under the supervision of manager or partner; travel occasionally for conferences or client visits. Place of employment: 12015 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Employees may need to travel in most of the states in the Midwest and the West, from Washington to Texas for conferences and client visits. Requires: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related degree; CPA license; and 4 years current CPA experience. Salary $94,432.00. Benefits include 100% employee paid dental, healthcare, life, long-term disability, and vision insurance; 401(k) and 401(k) match; flexible schedules; remote work; training and continuous education; paid time off 160 hours for full-time employees, 7 paid holidays, expense reimbursement, plus up to $25 per month for a fitness membership Send resumes to Lisa Hunter, lhunter@dzacpa.com, or 12015 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Drop-in applications will not be accepted.

NO. 24400296 32

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

The above Court has appointed me as Personal Representative of Decedent’s estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must present the claim: (a) Before the time when the claim would be barred by any applicable statute of limitations, and (b) In the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070: (i) By filing the original of the claim with the foregoing Court, and (ii) By serving on or mailing to me at the address below a copy of the claim. The claim must be presented by the later of: (a) Thirty (30) days after I served or mailed this Notice as provided in RCW 11.40.020(1 )( c ), or (b) Four ( 4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice. If the claim is not presented within this time period, the claim will be forever barred except as provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective for claims against botli the Decedent’s probate and nonpro bate assets.

Date of First Publication of this Notice:

BY MATT JONES

“All ___!”

California’s “Garlic Capital of the World”