Inlander 07/21/2022

JULY 21-27, 2022 | THE BEST DEAL IN TOWN!

16 E G PA

AT E TO SS S G R LE N I TH 10 O 0 5 R$ FO

FOR THE PROSECUTION 8 FUNNY MAN 33 NEW COUNTRY VOICE 42

Think you can’t treat more furry friends?

Join a bank that believes you can.

At Washington Trust, we believe you can turn your business goals into reality. Whether you’re looking to double patient capacity or create a whole new concept in veterinary care, we’re here to help make it happen.

Because at Washington Trust Bank, can’t is a four-letter word.

Visit watrust.com to get started.

INSIDE VOL. 29, NO. 41 | COVER ILLUSTRATION: LUIS BRIGMAN-HARRIS

COMMENT NEWS COVER STORY CULTURE

5 8 16 33

FOOD SCREEN MUSIC EVENTS

37 40 42 46

48 I SAW YOU 51 GREEN ZONE BULLETIN BOARD 55

6

new!

$

99

MEDIUM

G�EAT MEDIYUM DEAL Order Online Today at PapaMurphys.com We make it fresh. You bake it to perfection.

EDITOR’S NOTE

O

ur annual CHEAP EATS issue is always a fun one to pull together. Not only does our editorial team get to chow down on all manner of tasty goodies, but we get to debate exactly what “cheap” means. That’s a particularly noisy discussion this year as all of us feel the pinch of rising prices at the grocery store, gas pump and, yes, our favorite food spots. In this year’s Cheap Eats (page 16), we’re showcasing 50 delicious options — ranging from breakfast to dessert, appetizers to main courses — that will all cost you $10 or less. We tried to expand our horizons beyond the old standbys to include some new restaurants and Inland Northwest communities, too.

Also this week, Daniel Walters digs into the Spokane county prosecutor race ahead of the Aug. 2 primary (page 8). Eliza Billingham profiles a local comedian with big dreams, Ryan McComb (page 33). And Seth Sommerfeld chats with rising country star Hailey Whitters ahead of her show in Spokane July 27 (page 42).

— DAN NAILEN, editor

Available at participating location for a limited time. Offer valid for a Medium 2-topping pizza on Original Crust only.

Additional toppings for additional charge. Not valid with any other offers, specials, promotions or discounts.

© 2022 Papa Murphy’s International LLC 22-9863-PRNT-699MED

ChefAdam_Pg3BYards_072122_3H_AP.tif

CANCER HASN’T STOPPED AND NEITHER WILL WE.

SENSE OF URGENCY PAGE 6

GROWING PAINS PAGE 12

Community Cancer Fund works collaboratively with existing regional cancer organizations to identify and fund gaps in services provided to cancer patients. We are committed to investing donated funds in local programs that benefit cancer patients, their families, and the Inland Northwest organizations that serve them.

Join our fight against cancer across the Inland Northwest at: CommunityCancerFund.org

TACOS WITH A TWIST PAGE 37

SECRET AGENT BLAND PAGE 40

TOGETHER,

INLANDER

WE ARE KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE.

DONATE

Thank you for choosing to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest. Your gift keeps families together and strong so they can focus on what matters most—their children.

SPOKANE • EASTERN WASHINGTON • NORTH IDAHO • INLANDER.COM

1227 WEST SUMMIT PARKWAY, SPOKANE, WA 99201 PHONE: 509-325-0634 | EMAIL: INFO@INLANDER.COM THE INLANDER is a locally owned, independent newspaper founded on Oct. 20, 1993. Please recycle THE INLANDER after you’re done with it. One copy free per person per week; extra copies are $1 each (call x226). For ADVERTISING information, email advertising@inlander.com. To have a SUBSCRIPTION mailed to you, call x210 ($50 per year). To find one of our more than 1,000 NEWSRACKS where you can pick up a paper free every Thursday, call x226 or email frankd@ inlander.com. THE INLANDER is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and is published at least twice per month. All contents of this newspaper are protected by United States copyright law. © 2022, Inland Publications, Inc.

rmhcinlandnw.org/35years Since opening its original House in 1987, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest now has three locations to provide a “Home-Away-From-Home” to 64 families each night in the Inland Northwest. Celebrate with us.

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 3

BACKSTREET BOYS DNA WORLD TOUR Sunday, August 21 Spokane Arena

4 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

GRETA VAN FLEET DREAMS IN GOLD TOUR Friday, September 2 Spokane Arena

WWE SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT Saturday, September 10 Spokane Arena

COMMENT STAFF DIRECTORY PHONE: 509-325-0634 Ted S. McGregor Jr. (tedm@inlander.com) PUBLISHER

Jer McGregor (x224) GENERAL MANAGER

EDITORIAL

WHAT CHEAP FOODS TASTE BETTER THAN THEIR FANCIER COUNTERPARTS? BRYCE UNRAU

I wanna say, like, Great Value chips. I find those are just about the same as the big brands. I really like those.

Dan Nailen (x239) EDITOR

Chey Scott (x225) ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Derek Harrison (x248) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Samantha Wohlfeil (x234) BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Daniel Walters (x263) SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER Seth Sommerfeld (x250) MUSIC & SCREEN EDITOR

TIM DURKIN

Rocket Bakery has some pretty good stuff — they’ve got little frittatas that are very cheap, and they’re really good.

Nate Sanford (x282), Carrie Scozzaro (x232) STAFF WRITERS

Madison Pearson (x218) LISTINGS EDITOR

Chris Frisella COPY CHIEF

Young Kwak, Erick Doxey PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eliza Billingham, Lauren Roddis INTERNS

Josh Bell, Gavin Cooley, Will Maupin, Rick Romero CONTRIBUTORS

MICHAEL McCONNELL

I mean, I’ve had a lot of gourmet burgers that were terrible. I would say burgers are something I prefer cheap.

ADVERTISING Kristi Gotzian (x215) ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carolyn Padgham (x214) SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jeanne Inman (x235), Tracy Menasco (x260), Autumn Adrian Potts (x251), Claire Price (x217), Skyler Strahl (x247), Stephanie Grinols (x216), Wanda Tashoff (x222) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Kristina Smith (x223) EVENT & SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Colleen Bell-Craig (x212), McKenna Fuhrman (x242) ADVERTISING ASSISTANTS

PRODUCTION Tom Stover (x265) PRODUCTION MANAGER

KAYLYNN M.

I think sometimes even just sandwiches. When I go to places that are a little bit cheaper or just pick them up from the store, it’s sometimes better than going somewhere that’s really pricey. I was talking earlier that I had this really great peanut butter and jelly, because I would almost rather just make it at home.

RARE COIN CO.

Ali Blackwood (x228) CREATIVE LEAD & MARKETING MANAGER Derrick King (x238) SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Todd Goodner (x231) GRAPHIC DESIGNER

OPERATIONS

ALWAYS BUYING

TINA ALLEN

I like Kirkland [brand] seltzers versus White Claw or Truly. They’re way better and cheaper.

Dee Ann Cook (x211) BUSINESS MANAGER

U.S. Coins & Currency • Foreign Coins & Currency Gold & Silver Jewelry • Loans on Coins & Jewelry Silver, Gold & Platinum Bullion • Coin Appraisals

Kristin Wagner (x210) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

CIRCULATION Frank DeCaro (x226) CIRCULATION MANAGER Travis Beck (x237) CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR

M-F 9:30am-5:15pm • Closed weekends

INTERVIEWS BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM 7/14/22, RIVER PARK SQUARE

3190 N. Division St., Spokane, WA • (509) 327-6241

We exchange your Canadian & Foreign Coins!

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 5

COMMENT | HOUSING

FAMILY LAW Divorce Spousal Maintenance / Alimony Child Support Modifications Parenting Plans

Craig Mason

AUTO INJURY • CIVIL LITIGATION

W. 1707 BROADWAY, SPOKANE, WA | 509443-3681

Camp Hope is Spokane’s fastest-growing neighborhood, with more than 600 residents.

It’s Time to Go Big

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Homelessness is Spokane’s biggest challenge; a blueprint for success does exist, but it’s going to take a bold, “get it done” approach

BY GAVIN COOLEY AND RICK ROMERO

I

n our last column, we observed that collaboration and partnerships are the only way really big things get accomplished in Spokane. We also promised some insights into the secret sauce we’ve used in the past, along with outlining some opportunities to apply it going forward.

On a recent trip to Houston organized by the Spokane nonprofit Housing & Help, we saw firsthand how collaboration and partnerships are combating the issue of homelessness there. Ten years ago, Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States, was listed as one of the country’s worst for homelessness. In response, leaders in the areas of business, community, nonprofits and philanthropy formed a coalition, The Way Home, to coordinate more than 100 partner organizations to collaboratively address and reduce homelessness. The result? Since 2011, Houston has housed more than 25,000 formerly homeless individuals, reducing homelessness by 63 percent, and resulting in the lowest homelessness rate for any large city in America.

Moreover, they have accomplished this without relying on big tax increases.

Spokane has the same opportunity. The increase and devastation of people experiencing homelessness has become painfully visible throughout our community and is spreading well beyond its downtown origins. Consider Camp Hope off Freya Street north of I-90. What began as a small encampment in front of City

6 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

Hall last December is now Spokane’s fastest-growing neighborhood with more than 600 people. And this is just one of many encampments that continue to spring up across our city. We’re not alone.

As our people and local economies are ravaged by this escalating problem, opinion polls across Washington state rate homelessness as our single biggest challenge.

S

o how do we begin using collaboration and partnerships Cooley (top) and Romero to fix homelessness in Spokane? Two ingredients are vital: (1) build community consensus and belief that we really can do it, and (2) advance a “go big/get it done” approach around a clear and shared goal.

Let’s start with consensus and belief. There’s an old saying: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” And why should we choose to think we can fix homelessness? The numbers. We can’t afford not to fix it.

Consider these cost figures from Houston:

 Annual public resources spent for a chronically homeless person living on the streets: $41,200. (This includes emergency room visits for routine care, public safety costs, and myriad medical and other support costs for triaging life on the streets.)  Annual cost estimate to place an unsheltered person in housing with appropriate support services: $17,500.

Discussions on homelessness and its causes are hotly divisive.

And there will always be disagreement on how to measure the full cost of homelessness to a community. But the financial takeaway is crystal clear: We’re bleeding tax dollars by NOT fixing it.

Next, we must advance a “go big/get it done” response to homelessness — no more piecemeal, Band-Aid approaches.

Since 2011, Houston has housed more than 25,000 formerly homeless individuals, reducing homelessness by 63 percent…

We recall a good example of this thinking from the early 2000s when Spokane’s big issue of the day was our terrible, decaying streets. City government’s request to issue $45 million in street improvement bonds was soundly rejected by voters. Newly elected Mayor Jim West surprised everyone by requesting a street bond nearly three times larger! When we asked how the much bigger request had any chance of passing, West replied that Spokanites don’t like half-measures — they want problems fixed. Sure enough, the bond was approved by a 66 percent margin. And in the years since, actually fixing streets has produced big cost savings over endlessly patching crumbling streets.

A “go big/get it done” response to people experiencing homelessness will require a clear and shared goal — something like reducing homelessness by 80 percent over 10 years. Setting shared goals around homelessness has clearly failed in most other cities, but in Spokane — where everybody still knows everybody and our politics lean toward our shared Inland Northwest values — it’s something we still do well. And with our people, businesses, downtown and entire community hanging in the balance, this is a goal we cannot afford not to set.

F

inally, extraordinary leadership is needed to drive the many community partnerships and collaborations needed to make our goal of solving homelessness a reality. Local governments, homeless service and housing agencies, the business community and many other stakeholders — including people experiencing homelessness — must be convened to work closely and with a great sense of urgency toward a clear goal by a specific date. And this brings us right back to collaboration and partnerships being hard.

But recall that partnerships and collaborations are things Spokane is very good at. And thankfully, work is already underway at City Hall, at Spokane County and with many community organizations, including Hello for Good, a business group that has already created large forums and brought together more than 100 local organizations to work toward addressing homelessness in Spokane.

Much more needs to happen — QUICKLY. In our next column, we will offer some food for thought about how we might “go big” on our homelessness issue. n Gavin Cooley was the city of Spokane’s chief financial officer for 17 years, serving five different mayors, starting with Jim West. He currently is working with the city on projects including investments and the Spokane River Trail System. Rick Romero is the former utilities director and director of strategic planning for the city of Spokane. He worked on a variety of projects, including the renovation of Riverfront Park, the Podium and the downtown Spokane football stadium.

$15 MILLION OVERSTOCK CLEARANCE % % %

15 -40 OFF

OFF

With Clearance Items

70

UP TO

OFF

Furnish Your Life for Less.A Lot Less!

OVER 1,000

OVER 500

SOFAS IN STOCK!

SECTIONALS IN STOCK!

IN STOCK

IN STOCK

Sofa

Was $1099

2 PC Sectional

Was $1399

799

$

Hot Buy

IN STOCK

Walkersfurniture.com

999

$

IN STOCK

Walkersmattress.com Spokane

15 E. Boone Ave. 509.326.1600

Coeur d’Alene

“Your Style... In Stock... On Sale”

Hot Buy

7224 N. Government Way 208.762.7200

Spokane Valley

Sandpoint

14214 E. Sprague 509.928.2485

210 Bonner Mall Way 208.255.5796

Moses Lake

117 W Broadway 509.765.9766

at the MAC THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 Buy tickets in advance at northwestmuseum.org or at the door

DreamWorks Madagascar © 2022 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 7

Incumbent Larry Haskell faces three challengers: (left to right) Stephanie Olsen, Stefanie Collins and Deb Conklin.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

ELECTION 2022

Stef, Steph and Larry (plus Deb) Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell finds himself under attack from three fronts

F

our years ago, there may have been complaints with Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell — there were certainly critical newspaper articles — but even in a year that was supposed to be a blue wave, nobody bothered to challenge the Republican prosecutor.

This year, however, it’s different.

Haskell is facing three challengers, including current and former employees who object to his leadership.

“The political climate changes all the time,” Haskell says. “You don’t own the chair, it’s on the lease to you for a period of time.”

In many ways, the political climate — with a rising sense of disorder sparking backlash against progressive prosecutors even in places like San Francisco — should be ideal for a prosecutor who prides himself on not negotiating with chronic criminals.

Yet earlier this year, the Inlander revealed a slew of racist and otherwise offensive posts made on Facebook and the alt-right social media site Gab from the prosecutor’s wife, Lesley. That included posts calling MSNBC host Joy Reid the n-word, declaring herself a “proud white nationalist” and espousing rhetoric like “our race is dying, we need to make more White babies!”

(Lesley has since made her Gab account private and changed her profile description to “Damn! What’s she saying that we can’t see!?!”)

At a press conference earlier this year, Haskell declared that while he didn’t believe his wife was a racist

8 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

BY DANIEL WALTERS herself, her internet posts certainly were racist.

“They’re reprehensible,” Haskell said. “And they’ve caused a lot of pain.”

Three candidates filed in the subsequent months.

First came Stephanie Olsen, who spent 12 years working as a deputy prosecutor and nearly four as a Washington state assistant attorney general. She says she won a statewide innovation award for her work developing electronic search warrants.

Then came Deputy Prosecutor Stefanie Collins, an aggressive 28-year veteran still with the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office who has several big-name cases under her belt. She echoes a lot of tough-on-crime rhetoric — including criticizing progressive prosecutors in places like Portland — but presents a plan to reduce recidivism with a creative approach to plea bargaining.

Finally, there’s the only non-Republican in the race, former Police Ombudsman Commission Chairperson Deb Conklin, a pastor who says she spent the last four years reestablishing her decades-old bar credentials specifically to run against Haskell on a “Smart Justice” platform.

“It’s about decades of an office that overcharges and oversentences but keeps getting worse results,” Conklin says.

But with Haskell having the advantage of the incumbent — losing in the primary would be a big upset — and Conklin running as a third-party independent, with her legal experience as a Clallam County prosecutor 35 years

in the past, the big fight to advance to the general from the Aug. 2 primary could come down to Stephanie vs. Stefanie.

CUTTING BACKLOGS

Both Olsen and Collins have direct, first-hand experience with Haskell’s office. When the Inlander asks Collins if she believes that Haskell shares his wife’s ideology, she pivots to alleging that, other than at candidate forums, she hadn’t seen her boss in years.

“I have no contact with Mr. Haskell,” she says. “He stays in his office. When I’m out at community events, he is not present.”

Collins, who supervised the domestic violence unit a little over a decade ago, is particularly disturbed now by a two-year backlog in domestic violence cases.

Haskell argues that’s the consequence of a pandemic.

“The courts almost shut down for a good period of time — a lot of the hearings that were being conducted were to release people, due to the threat of COVID inside the facility,” Haskell says. “Crime didn’t take a day off.”

He calls on Collins to do her part to help fix it. But Collins argues it’s a result of Haskell’s mismanagement.

“Many people sat at home while court was closed, and that would have been the perfect time to review a backlog and fix it,” Collins says.

And that’s exacerbated by a labor shortage, she suggests, as qualified attorneys have left the prosecutor’s office. ...continued on page 10

From our kitchen to your lucky belly.

We're serving up fresh, modern plates inspired by classic Asian specialities, and you’ll love our creative take on house-made noodle dishes, flame-grilled skewers, and flavorful shareables.

So, raise a glass of sake to a unique culinary adventure and experience the region’s best Pan Asian cuisine at Northern Quest.

NORTHERNQUEST.COM | 877.871.6772 | SPOKANE, WA

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 9

Website for Details!

WE SEE Ourfitfanatics.com ’‘RE ON New TH Location EM Coming OV SOON! D O E

O W July 22-28 O T LL BIG Markdowns I on Select Stock!

M July 29 - Crazy Weekend

We’re cleaning out the back room!

Check out the deals & treasures

30-60% Off

WINTER CLOTHING

20% Off ALL IN-LINE SKATES MILLWOOD GRAND OPENING COMING IN AUGUST!

12425 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • www.fitfanatics.com • 509.922.6080

LOANS AVAILABLE

New Construction

Land Development

Bridge Loans

Fix & Flip

509-926-1755 www.pmcmoney.com

PacificMortgageCenter_LoansAvailable_051922_6S_WT.pdf

10 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

NEWS | ELECTION 2022 “STEF, STEPH AND LARRY (PLUS DEB),” CONTINUED...

“I think the employment environment has something to do with the fact that Mr. Haskell is not able to recruit people to work there,” Collins says.

CHRONIC OFFENDER SYNDROME

Olsen was one of those attorneys who left. She says the atmosphere under Haskell was morale-sapping. She echoes a longrunning complaint from Haskell’s critics — that he doesn’t exercise enough discretion when it comes to charging felonies.

“You’ve got 2,600 cases going through — there’s not enough days in the year to even do felony cases, let alone civil cases,” Olsen says. “You just clog up the court system with cases that you don’t necessarily need to be going to trial on.”

Olsen could point to a number of cases that might not need to be filed, she says, including the trial of a juvenile for stealing $10 of allowance. But Olsen specifically cites a case where the possession of a single pill was brought to trial. It was one of her cases, she says. She remembers the pill name, Clonazepam, though not the name of the defendant.

She thought it was absurd.

“We had a jury, and it was ridiculous,” Olsen says.

But under Haskell’s chronic offender’s policy, if a defendant had nine felonies or more on their record, the prosecutor handling the case had to get Haskell’s signature to offer a lighter sentence or divert the offender to therapeutic courts. In that case, she says, Haskell wouldn’t budge.

Yet Haskell says being particularly tough on chronic offenders prevents crime and saves the community resources.

“The one thing I do know is that they won’t be committing crimes in the community during the time,” Haskell says.

Each candidate believes that chronic offenders need to be dealt with, but they disagree over the strategy.

Collins wants to replace the notion of plea bargaining — where a prosecutor and a defense attorney try to come up with a plan for the offender — with what she calls “offender accountability plans” for offenders who want a deal.

“They come to us, and they say, ‘This is what I did, I understand the impact of my choices…,’ and I want them to put together a plan for themselves on how they’re going to get themselves out of the system.”

Yet Olsen is skeptical that the plan is meaningfully different from a traditional plea bargain — and has doubts that it’s constitutional.

“No defense attorney’s going to agree to have their client write something down that they did, prior to even getting a deal,” Olsen says.

Olsen says the office needs to focus on improving and adding to what already works, like expanding therapeutic courts. No need to reinvent the wheel.

“There’s a wheel already built; we have to just make it rounder and better,” she says.

PROSECUTORS, RACE

Earlier this year, one local defense attorney attempted, unsuccessfully, to get Haskell removed from the case because of both his wife’s comments and a study that looked at data from 1996 through 2020. That study found that Spokane County prosecutors were much more likely to add an optional weapon enhancement to first-degree robbery charges when defendants were Black, resulting in more jail time.

Haskell’s office countered with a study from Police Strategies, a firm that the Spokane’s police chief and sheriff frequently cite to push back against accusations of systemic bias. It found that, overall, Spokane County charges roughly the same proportion of Black defendants as the proportion of Black suspects arrested by police.

“There’s been attempts to find evidence that we are biased in one way or another,” Haskell says. “They haven’t worked out very well.”

But beyond data, there have been specific examples that critics have used to allege racial bias.

In 2016, LaShawn Jameisen — a Black former Eastern

Washington University football player — was charged with the murder of a bystander. Video showed he was innocent. In fact, he was hiding behind a car when the victim was shot by a man named Anthony Williams. Jameisen had only fired once or twice, only after the victim was hit, and facing in the opposite direction from the victim.

But under Haskell, the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office pushed the murder and manslaughter charges aggressively, even appealing the case after it was dismissed in Superior Court.

“I believe they went after him with the voracity they did because he was a Black man with tattoos,” says City of Newport Prosecuting Attorney Josh Maurer, who defended Jameisen probono. “It was a travesty.”

But it’s not just Haskell who’s implicated in the case. Collins was the deputy prosecutor who led the prosecution — the state Court of Appeals calls out Collins by name when her factual claims were contradicted by the video evidence.

Today, Collins says race never entered into the equation for her. She argues that Jameisen and his friend deserved blame for stoking the confrontation.

“They prepared for battle,” she says. “They armed themselves, and they waited.”

Yet the court records suggest that, in fact, Jameisen only armed himself after Williams did.

“I don’t have to smear her.

She has her own skeletons.”

“He was in jail for a number of months, and he lost his college scholarship,” Olsen says. “She prosecuted an innocent man.

She destroyed his life.”

Olsen portrays Collins as trying to win at all costs, while Collins accuses Olsen of stooping to dirty politics.

“She sounded on the verge of tears when I confirmed that I would run, and she told me she would attack me — not my experience or plan, but me personally,” Collins wrote in an email to the Inlander.

Olsen vehemently denies that conversation ever took place.

“I don’t have to smear her,” Olsen says. “She has her own skeletons. She’s made so many enemies. There’s plenty of people who are happy to smear her that are not me.”

But Collins has plenty of fans, too, on both sides of the courtroom and both sides of the ideological aisle, including defense attorneys like Steve Riesch who praise her common-sense discretion for resolving cases.

Collins argues her record of professional success speaks for itself. She points to the way she helped gain the trust of the wary family of Black infant Caiden Henry, and got a guilty verdict for the family.

“Maybe compare my trial stats to hers,” Collins writes in an email about Olsen.

But Olsen, who says her trial stats are just fine, thank you, argues that type of mentality is a major part of the problem in the office. Olsen says she witnessed perverse incentives at play, where those who had more trials under their belts received promotions — incentivizing rushing cases to trials or going to trial even on cases that were shaky.

Conklin, the progressive pastor, who says she’s the only candidate who can define systemic racism, calls for a dramatic change to shift the culture in the prosecutor’s office — she pushes for a higher evidentiary standard for filing charges and wants the office to stop using threats of dubious charges to negotiate a plea.

“I have a very different philosophy of how to approach the job,” Conklin says.

But Haskell says he isn’t dogged by doubts or regrets about things he could have handled differently. The key to fixing any perception problem his office may have, he says, isn’t big changes.

It’s to stay the course.

“You continue doing what you’re doing,” Haskell says. “You do it right, and then you make sure everybody else is doing it.” n danielw@inlander.com

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 11

NEWS | OUT OF REACH

Downtown Coeur d’Alene condominiums under contstruction in 2020.

Growing Pains Backlash over the boom in newcomers to Kootenai County is reaching a “tipping point”

BY NATE SANFORD

W

ith an entirely straight face, Justin O’Connell tells the Coeur d’Alene City Council that the region should adopt a “Make Idaho California Plan.”

O’Connell, who is young, well-dressed and sporting a bushy mustache, goes on to argue for bike-only roads, a ban on gas stoves and the construction of massive high rises that would fit the entire population of Coeur d’Alene into a few square blocks. The plan, he says, would help align the region with the sustainable development goals outlined in the United Nations and World Economic Forum’s 2030 Agenda.

To be clear: O’Connell is doing a bit.

In other speeches to the council, he’s called for a ban on single-family homes and argued that the city should be partnering with more out-of-state developers from places like Seattle, Portland and California. Some people seem to be in on the joke, but his speeches are just subtle enough to make you think he might be serious.

“It’s sad that life in North Idaho has changed so much that the ridiculous now seems possible,” one commenter said of O’Connell in a local Facebook group dedicated to responsible growth.

Like all good satire, O’Connell’s speeches reflect very real contemporary anxieties. He’s playing a boogeyman — a caricature of the planning and development ideas that he sees as bad for the region.

The vision of the future he outlines is, to many Idahoans, a nightmare scenario.

THE SLEEPING GIANT

Idaho is the fastest-growing state in the nation. Many of the new arrivals are retirees or people with high-paying jobs that can be done remotely on a computer. They’re drawn by the natural beauty, rural character and, in some

12 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

cases, conservative politics and an anti-government sentiment. Many view Idaho as a refuge free of taxes and oppressive liberal governance — a “last bastion of freedom,” says Kootenai County Commissioner Chris Fillios.

Kootenai County is the third-largest and third-fastest growing county in the state. The median home price in Kootenai County doubled over the course of four years and now stands at more than a half-million dollars.

Three-quarters of county residents could afford to buy a home in 2016; only a quarter of residents can today. The situation is even worse for renters, who are on average paying 51 percent of their income toward rent.

The impact goes beyond home values. A lack of affordable housing is driving away workers and leading to a labor shortage. The roads are too small to support the growing population, and what used to be a 10-minute drive now takes 20. The once-rural region is getting crowded — fast.

Kootenai County Community Development Director David Callahan says the community used to be mostly OK with growth; it’s only over the last few years that things took a turn in the opposite direction.

“From where I sit, our community has reached a tipping point,” Callahan says. “More people are regularly concerned about growth and regularly pushing back about it.”

The Inlander asks Callahan what happens when the region passes the tipping point.

“Well,” Callahan says after a pause, “the sleeping giant can awaken. It can thrash and turn everything upside down.”

CALIFORNICATION

O’Connell moved to Idaho in 2020. He used to live in Encinitas, California, and moved because he was unhappy with the way the city was changing. O’Connell, who leans libertarian and does work involving bitcoin marketing, is happy in North Idaho, but he worries that the rural character that drew him to the state is being threatened by the same urban planning philosophies that prompted him to leave California. He’s not against growth per se — “I am the growth,” he says — but he is concerned about the way the region’s approach to planning for it.

In February, the Coeur d’Alene City Council approved a 2022-2042 comprehensive plan called “Envision Coeur d’Alene.” The plan outlines some broad goals relating to mixed-use development, sustainability and affordable housing.

A February Planning Commission hearing to finalize the plan was packed with public commenters, many of them angry. Four members of the Panhandle Patriots Riding Club, a far-right motorcycle group, also attended.

One accused the Planning Commission of “pimping our state out.”

Many people who testified at the meeting brought up fears of the region resembling California. The state is the source of many recent arrivals and plays an outsized role in local growth discourse. But the Californians coming to Idaho aren’t generally liberals hoping to turn the state blue — they’re often fleeing California. The new arrivals are often staunchly opposed to growth, Fillios says.

“We talk to people who have only been here a few years, and they want to shut the door,” Fillios says. “I’m saying, ‘Well, wait a minute, you’re part of the problem, and now you want to shut the door?’”

Fillios is concerned about how much of the region’s growth is being driven by the far right of the political spectrum. He’s a Republican and one of a number of incumbents who were defeated by challengers from the right in the May primary election. His opponent, Bruce Mattare, moved to Idaho in 2013 after leaving Virginia.

At an April forum hosted by Kootenai County Republican Women Federated, Mattare described Virginia as a “once great conservative state.”

“I know some of you thought it was gonna be California,” he added, prompting laughs from the crowd.

Asked by an attendee about growth, Mattare said the community should have a right to define the future of where they live.

“When someone tells you, ‘What about the million people who want to move here?’ — I don’t care; I care about the people that are here,” Mattare said.

ATTRACTIVE DENSITY

Mattare tells the Inlander that he isn’t necessarily antigrowth. He just wants it to slow down. He wants to see less density. Mattare says he’s lived in areas that were changed for the worse by the addition of apartments, which he equates with crime. He says the first generation of renters are usually fine, but “by the fifth generation of lessees you’re gonna see a degradation in the overall quality of life — you get a lot more calls for service.”

Mattare also worries about the environmental impact of density and thinks there aren’t enough impact studies being done. He says he’d like to see the county use impact fees, a comprehensive plan that de-emphasizes density and the creation of parkland in remaining open spaces to help slow the growth.

Coeur d’Alene City Councilman Dan Gookin has a slightly different view of density.

“You can go with density, or you can go with really expensive homes,” Gookin says. “You’ve gotta pick one.

There’s no middle ground.”

Gookin says he’d like to see more density — as long as it’s attractive. He regularly drives by a complex that has three stories of apartments on top of businesses. It would be nice, Gookin says, but it’s all paved concrete.

“It just comes across as ugly, I think that’s what people are upset about,” Gookin says.

Gookin would like to see more apartments with green space and trees. He also thinks the density needs to be affordable.

That last part is tricky. Plans were recently approved for a 18-story condominium that will be among the tallest buildings in Coeur d’Alene when completed. It’s not the type of density Gookin thinks the city needs. “It’s a highrise condo tower going in downtown built specifically for rich people who don’t live here,” Gookin says.

A one-bedroom unit starts at $750,000. n nates@inlander.com

NEWS | BRIEFS

More Dam Reports The feds weigh in on the Lower Snake River; plus, pressure on Whitworth to protect LGBTQ+ staff and faculty

A

s Northwest tribes and environmental groups continue their call to remove four lower Snake River dams, including at a gathering outside the U.S. Capitol last week, the Biden administration released two reports highlighting the costs and benefits of removal.

In one report solicited by the Bonneville Power Administration, which controls the energy production of dams along the Columbia/Snake river system, a contractor found that replacing the dams’ power under current clean energy policies could increase customer costs by $100 to $230 per year per household by 2045. In one scenario, if the dams are breached in 2024, replacing their energy production would cost about $12.8 billion.

Dam breaching in 2024 also would result in substantial increases in carbon emissions (about 15 to 25 percent of annual Northwest emissions) through 2030, the report states. Still, the region would meet its near-term clean energy goals without replacing the power from the dams solely with clean resources in that case. Even if the dams remain, with the region retiring coal and working toward zero-emission benchmarks, significant investment in new clean power will be needed, the report states.

Another draft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) called “Rebuilding Interior Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead” states that returning

14 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

threatened and endangered fish stocks to healthy and harvestable levels will require a suite of actions. Predators need to be managed, habitat needs to be restored and protected, fish should be reintroduced and given passage in blocked areas, and hatchery and harvest reform are needed.

“For Snake River stocks, it is essential that the lower Snake River be restored via dam breaching,” the NOAA report states. “Breaching helps address the hydrosystem threat by decreasing travel time for water and juvenile fish, reducing powerhouse encounters, and reducing stress on juvenile fish associated with their hydrosystem experience that results in delayed mortality after reaching the ocean.”

In response to the NOAA draft, Trout Unlimited’s President and CEO Chris Wood said by email, “This report is a wake-up call for Congress and the Administration to start planning, now, so these dams can be removed in time to enable recovery, and so investments can be made to replace the socioeconomic benefits the dams provide.”

Meanwhile, dam proponents U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse, Republicans from Washington, tweeted their disdain. Newhouse said “science was the casualty” in those reports and another report

Discussions getting louder on possible dam removal on the Lower Snake. on dam breaching impacts solicited by Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, both Washington Democrats.

McMorris Rodgers said that dam breaching is “a one-way ticket to more carbon emissions, less clean energy, and higher energy costs.” (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)

“WALKING THE NARROW RIDGE”

Over 600 current and former Whitworth students are calling on the university to support LGBTQ+ staff, students and faculty.

The letter follows a New Yorker profile of former political science professor Kathy Lee, the school’s first openly gay professor. Lee kept her sexual orientation under wraps for most of her career before coming out in 2017. Lee told the magazine that, even after coming out, she lacked institutional support and was concerned about being fired. While some of Lee’s peers were supportive, the school lacks an official policy on LGBTQ+ staff and faculty.

The letter, which was sent to Whitworth’s administration, urges the private Christian university to clearly state that LGBTQ+ students are welcome at the school, enact explicit employment protections and direct funding toward causes that support the LGBTQ+ community.

In a statement to the Spokesman-Review, Whitworth did not provide any detail on its policy or approach to LGBTQ+ issues.

The school said it will be giving the issues raised in the letter the “serious and careful attention they deserve.”

On Monday, the school released a portion of an internal campus update from President Scott McQuikin titled “Hiring Policy Update.” The statement does not directly mention Lee or the petition and does not contain substantive information about the school’s hiring policy. It does say the school’s Board of Trustees “committed to engage in a process of assessing the university’s hiring policy” at a meeting in April.

Washington state law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, but the law gets complicated when mixed with religious exemptions. Seattle Pacific University is one of several religious schools that have been subject to lawsuits for allegedly discriminating against LGBTQ+ staff and professors.

Margot Spindola, a 2018 graduate who wrote the letter, said she wants the school to honor its mission, right the wrongs of the past and stand with LGBTQ+ people.

“Whitworth has benefited for far too long in avoiding taking an affirming stance with the LGBTQ+ community,” Spindola wrote. (NATE SANFORD) n

July 23

rd

&

24

th

A FUN FILLED WEEKEND OF EVENTS CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF LOCAL HISTORY AND COMMUNITY.

Home of the Circling Raven Championship PRESENTED BY KXLY 4 NEWS NOW AUGUST 22 ND – 28 TH , 2022 BE PART OF THE FAME AND GLORY OF THE EPSON TOUR Spectator passes are on sale now! Single-day passes are just $10 or get a pass for the whole week for just $40 and receive an official Circling Raven Championship Tournament Flag.

Two-day and three-day passes are also available. Get your passes today at cdacasino.com.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO BUY YOUR PASS.

VENDOR MARKET, MUSIC, FOOD, WINE & BEER FESTIVAL, KID ZONE, CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AND MORE!

Follow the Epson Tour to the next stop!

explorecolfax.com

AUGUST 29 TH – SEPTEMBER 4TH , 2022

65TH ANNUAL

SPOKANE HIGHLAND GAMES

Saturday, August 6th • 9am-5:30pm Spokane County Fair and Expo Center

Heavy Athletics, Bagpipe Bands, Highland Dancing, Celtic Entertainment, Celtic Vendors, Kids Games, And Scottish Historic Exhibits

W E LC O M E H O M E .

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

SPOKANEHIGHLANDGAMES.NET

1 800-523-2464 • CDACASINO.COM

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 15

16 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

CONTRIBUTORS

Eliza Billingham (EB) Dan Nailen (DN) Madison Pearson (MP) Lauren Roddis (LR) Nate Sanford (NS) Chey Scott (CS) Carrie Scozzaro (CAS) Seth Sommerfeld (SS) Samantha Wohlfeil (SW)

LESS IS MORE 50 inflation-fighting culinary delights from throughout the Inland Northwest

S The Cheddar Burger at Frugals Express is a deal at under $4, and you can order the whole menu for less than $25. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

ome people get bent about Inlander’s use of the word “cheap,” but cheap just means you’re being savvy about your spending. And as this year’s selection illustrates, cheap can still be flavorful, interesting, even healthy. Sushi, salads and scoops of homemade ice cream? Yes, as well as beer brats, burgers, bagels, blue corn tamales and more — all for $10 or less (not including tax or tip, of course). Our list features a whopping 50 places from Atilano’s to Zullee, not just in Spokane but North Idaho, too, and the rest of the Inland Northwest. This year’s list features new dishes, new restaurants and new areas, so even though you might not see a familiar favorite like Dick’s Hamburgers or Chinese Gardens here, rest assured they’re still out there delivering the delicious and cheap goods since we began keeping tabs more than 10 years ago. At a time when rising food costs at your fave eateries — plus the cost of gas to get there — might have you rethinking dining out, the Inlander has you covered… for less.

— CARRIE SCOZZARO, staff writer

CHEDDAR BURGER $3.95 Frugals Express, 1229 N. Hamilton St. An enticing gimmick for bargain hunters and burger lovers alike, Frugals boasts that you can order its entire Spokane location’s menu for under $25. It’s no lie! This Western Washington-based chain recently took over the diminutive former home of Wolffy’s near Gonzaga’s campus, offering penny-pinching students and locals a place to grab a fast, filling and fresh bite to-go. Frugal’s never-frozen, quarter-pound cheddar burger (standard orders come with mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, pickles and diced onions) was so fresh and perfectly prepared, I now rank it above all other drive-thru burgers in the region. (CS) THE GARLAND OG BRATWURST $10

Garland Brew Werks, 603 W. Garland Ave. It’s a brat with tots. What more could you want at this hot new spot that also brews hops? The Garland OG is a bratwurst hot dog that comes absolutely smothered in spicy beer mustard, beer pickled onions and beer

cheese (it goes well with beer). The dish also comes with classic tater tots and ketchup.

The all-ages brewpub has a sleek modern vibe and hosts regular trivia nights. If you’re with someone else, be sure to get two orders because they will absolutely try to steal some of your tots. (NS)

GF PEANUT BUTTER BANANA TOAST $7

Method Juice Café, 718 W. Riverside Ave. and 7704 N. Division St. Method has a super clean and delicious menu of offerings for vegetarians, vegans and people who don’t partake in eating gluten.

Normally, gluten-free bread has a not-sogreat reputation of being hard, dense and crumbly, but this gluten-free toast is soft, warm and almost cake-like. Topped with peanut butter, exactly six slices of banana and a sprinkle of chia seeds, the dish fit into the palm of my hand but was packed with enough sweetness for me to be forgiving about the price-to-size ratio. (MP)

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 17

Vien Dong is always a favorite spot for stretching your dollar for delicious dishes like the banh mi.

BANH MI $5.99 Vien Dong, 3435 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley I’ve always been a huge banh mi fan. The dish represents everything a sandwich should be: simple, reasonably priced, small enough to hold and eat with one hand, fairly healthy, and — most importantly — delicious. The bahn mi sandwiches at Vien Dong in Spokane Valley accomplish all of that and more. I got the grilled chicken, but you can also get them with barbecue pork, grilled pork, tofu or Vietnamese ham. The sandwiches are loaded with crunchy veggies and jalapenños, balanced out by mayonnaise and a fluffy French baguette. The sandwich can be enhanced by dipping it into a steaming hot bowl of pho, but it works well as a snack of its own. (NS) CHEESE BURGER DELUXE $6.99 Cougar Country Drive In, 760 N. Grand Ave., Pullman I’m probably biased due to fond memories of eating cheeseburgers and fries in this Pullman diner before high school dances, but there’s just something about the food at Cougar Country that feels extra special for a place many think of as mostly a drive-thru. The cheese burger deluxe offers a great deal with all the main staples: onion, mayo, lettuce, special sauce and that simple American cheese. With this burger at just $6.99, you could even tack on small fries ($2.99) and still be under $10 before tax, which is worth the addition so you can give their fry sauce a whirl. (SW) BISTRO BOX $9.99 D’Bali Asian Bistro, 12924 W. Sunset Hwy., Airway Heights This take-out only special offers the chance to try a “smaller” version of some of Mama Jeannie’s most popular dishes. You can go for bulgogi beef, bombay or garlic chicken, kor moo yang Thai pork or veggie stir-fry with rice, or get fried noodles or fried rice with chicken or tofu.

The jam-packed container of fried noodles, veggies and chicken easily fed me for multiple meals (though that may 18 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

not be the case for some who really like to chow down), offering the savory, crunchy, salty goodness you hope for from any good noodle bowl. There are also add-ons for a small fee if you’re able to break past that $10 budget just a little bit and feel the need for a spring roll ($2) or more rice ($3). Their warm forbidden rice pudding, served with ice cream, is also a neat $5 dessert. (SW)

VEGGIE SPRING ROLLS $9 Thai Kitchen, 621 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley Though Thai Kitchen is only accepting orders for takeout right now, don’t let that stop you from indulging in some Thai goodness. This veggie roll filling — which is very cabbage forward — isn’t especially flavorful on its own, but once introduced to the included sweet chili sauce, it’s a match worth raving about. The six rolls stayed perfectly crispy and piping hot even after a 20-minute car ride home and are the perfect companions to your main entree. (MP) SHG TACOS $10 South Hill Grill, 2808 E. 29th Ave. I’m all for a dish that comes out of left field and stands out from the rest of the menu, so these sushi-style “tacos” hit it out of the park. The base of rice is nestled in a crisp lettuce cup and topped with spicy tuna, a piece of shrimp tempura and spicy mayo. If you can sit outside, opt for that sweet, sweet sunshine on the Grill’s spacious patio.

If you’ve got room left after appetizers, the cheesesteak is where it’s at — tender beef, onions, peppers, cheese and a glorious garlic aioli to top it all off. (MP) CINNAMON GRANOLA & GREEK YOGURT $9.50

Bruncheonette, 1011 W. Broadway Ave. This comfy and classy brunch spot loves local ingredients and recipes from scratch.

But there’s no need for quality food and

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

quality time to dig into your wallet. For brunching on a budget, consider the cinnamon granola and greek yogurt, which serves all your favorite breakfast flavors. Dollops of creamy Greek yogurt, with just the right amount of tart, nestle into a bed of flakey, cinnamon-y toasted oats and coconut. The whole dish basks in drizzles of golden honey. Start your day with protein, grains and a little bit of sunshine, plus some extra jingle in your pocket. (EB)

ALOO TIKKI $10 The Mango Tree, 401 W. Main Ave. and 1726 W Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene An elegant, minimalist interior complements deeply spiced, rich and savory Indian dishes. Aloo tikki, which roughly means “potato patties,” are snacks often sold by street vendors in northern India. At the Mango Tree, two burger-sized patties of potatoes, peas and aromatics are fried and served under steaming piles of chickpeas and chutneys, with sour yogurt and fresh tomatoes for balance. Though listed as an appetizer, the dish nourishes and delights like an entire meal, and leaves you, and your wallet, full. (EB) PB & J BAGEL $7 The Mason Jar, 101 F St., Cheney Dense, chewy, but crispy when sliced and toasted, bagels give you lots of mouthfeel, and they seem more filling than two comparably sized slices of bread. Add gooey peanut butter for a protein punch and sweet jam for a nostalgic sandwich that works well for breakfast or lunch. Chips and a pickle are included with all sandwiches at the Mason Jar. This cute little eatery in downtown Cheney covers you from coffee and scratch-made baked goods in the morning to lunchtime sammies to special events like open mic and beer or wine on Thursday nights. (CAS)

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 19

BAGEL AND SCHMEAR $3.50 The Hidden Bagel, 1001 W. 25th Ave. As brightly colored and welcoming as the beloved neighborhood ice cream shop it shares a space with, The Hidden Bagel is still a bit of a hidden gem. Opened in late 2021 by The Scoop’s Jennifer Davis, The Hidden Bagel has since proved itself a premier bagel shop, something the South Hill had been lacking. Its deliciously chewy and flavorful bagels have a crunchy exterior, making the creamy house-made schmear all the more delightful. Smiling faces from employees and customers alike, as well as an excellent selection of fresh bagels and schmear, confirm it’s the right place to start your day. (LR) SPICY WONTONS $8.50 Chan’s Noodle House, 621 W. Mallon Ave. Chan’s Noodle House is tucked away on the bottom floor of the Flour Mill near Riverfront Park. It’s small and unassuming, but don’t let the size fool you. The flavors are massive. Their spicy wontons are so, so good. I could eat 50 of them. Maybe 100. Each wonton is about the size of a plum, which makes them a great one-bite snack. They’re drenched in mouthwatering spicy soy sauce and sprinkled with greens. If you’re like me and sometimes hesitate to try foods with “spicy” in the name, you should still give these a shot. There’s just enough spice to keep things interesting without overpowering your taste buds. (NS) GYRO $9.49 Zullee Mediterranean Grill, 4805 N. Division St., Ste. 102 My requirements for a heavenly gyro: soft pita bread filled with tender, juicy meat; crunchy veggies diced small (so they don’t squirt out when you bite down); and scant tzatziki sauce (which often feels like compensation for overcooked or under seasoned meat). Even better, Zullee adds bits of red onion and a sprinkling of sumac — a Middle Eastern spice — for a pop of bright, lemony flavor. So good. Zullee is a regional chain with one Spokane spot so far. I’m hoping it will keep expanding. (CAS) VEGGIE TEMPURA $7 The Wave Island Sports Grill and Sushi Bar, 525 W. First Ave. This swanky spot wants you to trade in game day wings for sushi and sake. Flat-screen TVs broadcast the latest sporting events in a coolly lit, modern, streamlined venue. But before noshing on some specialty rolls, get your vitamins in and hit up the veggie tempura. By far the most fun way to eat vegetables, these thick medallions of carrots, zucchini and onions are dipped in tempura batter and fried until golden. Think a classier, more colorful, more adult version of fries with an island twist. (EB) FRENCH TOAST SANDWICH $8.25 Uncle Rusty’s Diner, 1412 W. Second Ave. Some days, the draw of an old-fashioned diner booth and simple, comforting, large portions of food is irresistible, whether you’re soaking up last night’s hangover or just up for a hearty lunch.

Uncle Rusty’s Diner provides many options that fit the bill, but one that should move to the top of your list is the French toast sandwich. Two thick slices of eggy bread are sandwiched around a healthy portion of thinly sliced ham and melty cheese to make the perfect breakfast/grilled cheese combo. It’s topped with powdered sugar and served with syrup to make for a great savorysweet option. (SW) QUESADILLA $5 El Que, 141 S. Cannon St. The traffic circle in Browne’s Addition is a cornerstone of gastronomic delight, but don’t sleep on El Que, an intimate, local spot just off the roundabout for traditional Mexican food and houseinfused tequila. If you need a few carbs to soak up your cocktails, grab some chips and salsa or a quesadilla. But don’t expect yellow 20 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

The Tea and Summertime

FACING PAGE: The Hidden Bagel has a whole lot of options waiting for your schmear. CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO cheese or floppy flour tortillas — this quesadilla is made with white, tangy queso fresco and some aged cotija cheese, laced with onions and cilantro and then fried between two white corn tortillas. Sprinkled with lime juice, it’s salty and creamy but somehow refreshing. Add beef for a dollar if you’re sampling more than a few specialty tequila shots. (EB)

VEGAN CHILI BAKED POTATO $9.49 Fresh and Foraged, 410 E. Holland Ave., Ste. G Watching your spending but also vegan or vegetarian? Fresh and Foraged offers several menu items under $10 that are good for the body and the budget. Steam-baking keeps the potatoes moist with a just-crisp exterior. Each spud gets smothered in butter and chickpea chili, then topped with green onions for a bright finish.

You can add sour cream and cheddar for a buck more, but the butter gets you the creaminess without the added cost. (CAS)

$ .50

4

and Up

a Matcha made in Heaven

Kendall Yards • 1227 W Summit Parkway • theteanw.com • 509.408.3823

THAI QUINOA SALAD $8 East Pan Asian Cuisine, 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights Northern Quest Resort & Casino is a dining destination with numerous eateries of varying sizes, cuisines and price points. East Pan Asian Cuisine, one of its newest, feels fancy with its dark wood tables, custom wall mural and semi-private dining areas, but East offers many small plates under $10. Although the Thai quinoa salad won’t fill you up, it’s a refreshing and nutritious starter with tender quinoa — the tiny grain is considered a high-fiber superfood — and crunchy cucumber, tomato and other vegetables, plus pineapple and piquant lime vinaigrette. (CAS) LAWLESS TACO $10 Slab Meat Company, 207 Fifth St., Wallace How far would you drive to get an amazing taco? How about Wallace, Idaho, where Slab Meat Company has been wowing locals and visitors with scratchmade Tex-Mex food since 2020. The Lawless is an 8-inch flour tortilla stuffed with savory black beans, seasoned potatoes, choice of bacon or house-ground beef chorizo, a fried egg, a slice of 16hour smoked brisket, avocado and homemade salsa rojo. Just look for the red-and-white vintage bus, and get there early because this barbecue spot is smokin’ hot and often sells out. (CAS) IRISH CREME BRULEE $7.99 Shawn O’Donnell’s, 719 N. Monroe St. The Irish creme brulee at Shawn O’Donnell’s is a clear sign that the Irish and French should collaborate more. The caramelized sugar on top is thin and crunchy; digging into it with a spoon recalls the satisfaction of cracking a thin layer of ice on a freshly frozen body of water. Below the crust, there’s sweet, cool custard with a hint of whisky. The dish also comes with a couple blueberries and a cute little cookie in the shape of a shamrock. It’s the perfect dessert to round out a night of beers at this cozy, quintessentially Irish pub. (NS) GRILLED CHEESE $9.50 Joe’s House, 3117 N. Argonne Rd., Millwood If Joe’s House looks like a man cave (or a barber shop), don’t be fooled; this fun, funky bar is family-friendly with quite good food, although a modest menu. The quirky logo of a dude in a beard is co-owner Joe Van Voorhis, who is imminently likable as he (cooks and) delivers your food. The decadent grilled cheese combines cheddar, provolone, smoked gouda and a creamy sauce on griddled sourdough, with a side of chips, salsa and cookies (add various meats for an upcharge). Drinks are reasonably priced, including specials. Indeed, every time a train rumbles by — it happens often — the bartender announces via bullhorn: $4 shots. (CAS)

April 2022 - 4 Stars!

“Still amazing like it was when I was a kid! They still have all you can eat meals too! The popcorn shrimp and fried clams are delicious and fresh. Friendly and fast customer service. Large portions compared to the smaller baskets in the past. It was worth the price, definitely.

Love this place!”

Taco Tuesdays | Prime Rib Fridays | Now Serving Beer ASK ABOUT OUR FAMILY VALUE MEALS! 3320 N MONROE ST, SPOKANE, WA | 509443-5487 | eatatskippers.com

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 21

CRAB CHEESE WONTONS $9 Ding How, 332 N. Liberty Lake Rd., Liberty Lake There was a time when Ding How was one of only a handful of pan-Asian restaurants serving dishes from China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, etc., and it’s still a go-to for Liberty Lake-area diners. Crab cheese wontons are one of the few items on the large menu under 10 bucks, and although they’re more cheese than crab, you get five of them and enough sweet dipping sauce for several orders. (CAS) SPICY TUNA ROLL $10 Umi Kitchen & Sushi Bar, 1309 W. Summit Pkwy.

I lamented the loss of My Fresh Basket’s in-house sushi counter post-pandemic, my go-to for a healthy lunchtime meal that didn’t break the bank, until I realized an even better and still bargain-friendly option was there all along, right next door to Inlander HQ. Though it’s one of the lowest-priced sushi rolls on Umi’s vast menu (we counted seven rolls priced at or under $10), its sushi chefs pack in a generous amount of fish. The 10-piece roll is plenty to sate my midday appetite with some simple, yet flavor-packed, protein. Even better, I use Umi’s online ordering system, and my roll is always ready within a record-breaking five to 10 minutes! (CS) IDAHO NACHOS HALF-ORDER $9.15 Casa de Oro, 4111 N. Division and 1611 N. Mullan Rd., Spokane Valley Not to be confused with the Atilano’s “Idaho Fries” elsewhere on this list, or any number of tater-tot versions of nachos dotting menus throughout the area, Casa de Oro’s Idaho Nachos are actually more akin to what most places call “potato skins.” This version includes four fried potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of chicken or beef, and it’s certainly enough to qualify as a full meal even in the half-order size. And when you add on the requisite (and free) chips, salsa and refried beans the kind server puts on the table before you even order, you’re walking out not just satisfied, but stuffed if you’re not careful. (DN) TAMALES $4 My Fresh Basket, 1030 W. Summit Pkwy.

While this local food hub at the eastern edge of Kendall Yards offers tons of budget-friendly options for a meal or snack on the go, My Fresh Basket’s deli counter is a veriBilly Prine & the Prine Time Band present

John Prine2021 STAGE B

348 Silica Rd NW | Quincy, WA by the Gorge Amphitheatre

TICKETS $35

CBA-ARTS.ORG

22 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

DANISH AEBELSKIVERS $8.75-$9.75 Old European, 7640 N. Division St. No spot in town can top Old European’s breakfast cake options (from crepes to potato pancakes to waffles), and the Danish aebelskivers stand out as the most unique offering of the bunch. The traditional Dutch pancake balls — which come in three flavors — are as delicious as they are delightful, while skewering or hand-eating the tiny dough balls (perfectly sized for dipping in syrup cups) is way more fun than a traditional pancake. The blueberry aebelskivers feature a center crater loaded with berries and are perfect for dipping in the sweet pink boysenberry whip cream, while the sausage and havarti variety offer a savory alternative with wonderfully salty sausage bits in the middle. And, of course, the original recipe is pure pancake, coated with powdered sugar and perfect for maple syrup dunking. (SS)

BLEU SALAD $10 South Perry Pizza, 1011 S. Perry St. A salad has to be pretty damn good for me to remember it, let alone consider it a must-have, and South Perry Pizza has one of the few that fit that bill. How good is it? Good enough that a bunch of ingredients I don’t normally care about come together to make something delicious. Candied walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles and red grapes are the stars here, and the bleu cheese vinaigrette really pulls it all together. It’s big enough to be a meal, but of course you’ll want to grab a pie for later. (DN) FRENCH TOAST $9.89 Ferguson’s Cafe, 804 W. Garland Ave. This diner in the Garland District is a Spokane classic, taking visitors back in time via its decor and a soundtrack that one recent morning featured Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Sam Cooke during a leisurely breakfast. The menu is as packed with classics as the playlist, and the French toast is a highlight. Six half-pieces dappled with powdered sugar and delivered with butter and your choice of maple or blueberry syrup, this dish is a vivid reminder that a delicious start to the day can also be a simple one. (DN)

BASE MODEL BURGER $10 Victory Burger, 835 N. Post St. With costs rising for everything, finding a truly great burger for a bargain is ever more challenging these days. Not so at Victory Burger inside the Wonder Building. While the cheapest burger on the menu is super basic, it’s far from bland thanks to Victory’s amazing housemade sauce. While this burger’s only other topping is American cheese, the omission of lettuce, onion and tomato just lets the fresh beef patty shine brightly.

That creamy Victory Sauce, which also comes for dipping a generously portioned side of dill pickle seasoned fries (some of the best fries I’ve had, btw), is addictively tasty. Grab a cocktail or pint, and enjoy it all on the shady patio. (CS)

“Love everything about Vino!

Exceptional wines and knowledgable staff !”

The Songs of

Sat, August 6 | 6pm

table smorgasbord of yummy and cheap. One of Inlander staffers’ favorite picks are the house-made corn tamales, from a vegan blue-corn version stuffed with corn, black beans and peppers, to those filled with spicy red chile pork, or chicken with green chiles. Two tamales are plenty for most, but at this price, go wild. Eat ’em cold or ask the store’s friendly deli staff for a quick reheat. (CS)

BEST WINE SHOP

Join our wine tastings:

Fridays 3:00-6:30 and Saturdays 2:00-4:30

FOLLOW US

STORE HOURS

Vino’s Special Offers

MONDAY - THURSDAY 10:00 - 6:00 | FRIDAY 10:00 - 7:00 SATURDAY 10:00 - 5:00

on Facebook and Ins tagr am for

222 S. Washington St, Spokane 509.838.1229 vinowine.com

Ferguson’s offers a classic French toast in a classic spot. DAN NAILEN PHOTO

O C A T E D I U E G D GUI IN THE

hy, always c n u r c s e im t e m o s y, s e e h Sometimes c in all e m o c y e h t ... s o c a t , s o c a delicious. Tacos, t sdays. e u T r o f t s ju t o n e ’r y e h shapes and sizes and t

cochinito Taqueria

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | cochinitotaqueria.com 509-474-9618

Cochinito Taqueria serves Spokane’s Best Tacos We are honored to have be voted #1 two years in a row!

Cochinito’s focus is on local & responsibly sourced ingredients prepared with fine-dining techniques - all served in a casual atmosphere along with craft cocktails, thoughtfully-selected cervezas, and spirits

Catering services available for your next event.

 Daily Happy Hour- 3-5:30. $1 selected tacos, appetizers, draft beer and our award winning margarita

Taco Tuesday- Happy hour all night and a rotating $2.50 taco selection

 Check our instagram @

cochinitotaqueria for specials, upcoming events and promotions

Carne Asada, Rockfish & Octopus tacos

De Leon’s Taco & Bar

NORTH SPOKANE | 509-822-7907 deleonstacoandbar.com SOUTH HILL | 509-381-5540 GU DISTRICT | 509-863-9591

Voted Best Mexican Food in Spokane!

De Leon’s Taco & Bar, a family-owned restaurant, brings you generations of recipes and techniques all the way from the Texas/Mexico border.

Come and enjoy our Taco Sampler and choose between 6, 12 or 24 different tacos. Made-to-order Street Tacos with your choice of slow cooked and perfectly seasoned meats and fish.

Taco + Margarita Flights have landed @ De Leon’s

Check out our other menu offerings like Burritos, Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Tamales, Nachos and several salad choices. You will love our tasty, freshmade Salsa’s and Guacamole! Come see us soon!

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

 Our Taco + Margarita

flights have become a favorite! Choose from 9 different Margarita flavors!

 Try our Taco Boat… it’s full of our best tacos!

 Enjoy dinner at our patio with family and friends (outdoor dining only at our GU District and North Spokane locations)

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 23

SERVING BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER • SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

on our Patio!

COFFEE, TREATS, BAKED GOODS, ROLLS, HAMBURGER BUNS....ALL 100% GLUTEN FREE

521 E. HOLLAND — NORTH SPOKANE AT NORTHPOINTE —

509.413.1739

DINE IN. DRIVE THRU. TAKE OUT. dedicted gluten free restaurant & bakery

HALAL Food & Fresh

So many scoops, so many winning Boots Bakery choices.

TWO SAVORY SCOOPS $9.80 Boots Bakery, 24 W. Main Ave. Bringing vegan and gluten-free food to the local masses since 2012, Boots is a community landmark for this reason and more; chief among them its reputation as one of the most welcoming spots in town. Boots’ food also remains affordable and really good for you. The cold case up front always offers a colorful and flavor-packed selection of longtime favorites — like owner Alison Collins’ famous breakfast mashup and “sausage” hash — next to rotating, seasonal dishes.

Pick any two heaping scoops for breakfast, lunch, dinner or whenever, and your wallet and body will both thank you. (CS)

The place

ood! f n i y o j d n here you fi n DoorDash!

w

der o Eat In or Or 2024 N Hamilton St • Spokane (509) 242-3680 • /Tantuni.Restaurant0/

Have an event?

GET LISTED! SUBMIT YOUR EVENT DETAILS for listings in the print & online editions of the Inlander.

Inlander.com/GetListed Deadline is one week prior to publication

24 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

BREAKFAST SANDWICH $10 Chowderhead, 825 N. Monroe St. While I recommend the entire menu at Chowderhead (chop cheese, yes please!), which chef Travis Tveit opened spring 2022 inside Ruins’ old spot, I’d yet to try, until now, any of its breakfast options. Among Chowderhead’s morning meal options available all day is a classic bacon (or sausage) egg sandwich, complete with cheese, mayo and spinach between a fresh-baked bun.

It’s an ideal option if a full-size sandwich and side — and Chowderhead’s are all generously stuffed — is a bit much for a lighter appetite, and also less messy on the go. You really can’t go wrong with such a well-executed, fresh take on an AM classic. (CS) PRETZEL $6 Radio Bar, 2408 W. Northwest Blvd.

One of North Spokane’s best — and newest — tucked-away patios is found at Radio Bar, which opened spring 2022. Grab a house or classic cocktail, like the refreshing Fair Play, a vodkasoda mix with tart lemon and a seasonal shrub, served in a tall Collins glass on ice. Among the many affordable and shareable snacks on Radio Bar’s concise food menu (its owners are making their tiny kitchen work wonders!) is this hefty soft pretzel with a tangy, honey-mustard dipping sauce. It’s soft, salty and, we think, best enjoyed on the bar’s expansive back patio that’s shaded by a large tree and filled with both patio and picnic tables. (CS)

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

BEER BRAT $10 Spokane Tribe Casino Grill & Bar, 14300 W. SR-2 Hwy., Airway Heights Sometimes during a casino visit you need to get away from the action for a few minutes, maybe sit down to an actual meal. Other times, though, you’re looking for quick sustenance during a hot streak, or a simple bite while you watch a game on a massive screen. For that, hit the Grill & Bar tucked near the Spokane Tribe Casino’s Caesars Sportsbook, and get into one of these massive beer-boiled bratwursts. Served on a soft bun and slathered in onions and melted provolone cheese, it’s a two-handed affair, or maybe even a twoperson affair. And it hits the spot. (DN) QUESO $8

The Bad Seed, 2936 E. Olympic Ave. This relatively new Hillyard spot housed in a former library brings a decidedly hip vibe to the working-class neighborhood, from the saucy art on the walls to the craft cocktails to the Tex-Mexleaning menu. And while you can’t go wrong with the entrees full of smoked meat goodness, it’s easy to make a meal out of the appetizer menu. The queso is a must, loaded with Lakewolf Creamery Oaxacan cheese and served with giant tostada chips you have to break up into bites yourself. It’s a perfect dish for sharing, but you might not want to.

If you want to sample something beefier, try the tejas pork — smoked pork tenderloin bites served with a killer cilantro chimichurri. (DN)

CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKE $5 Breakfast Club, 501 S. Main, Moscow A must-stop for breakfast when you’re on the Palouse, Moscow’s Breakfast Club has more than two decades under its belt delivering unique morning eats like breakfast sliders and the French Toast Benny. The space is huge, and has a menu to match, and even when you keep it simple you’ll walk out full. Case in point: The cinnamon roll pancake that will make you walk away from simple buttermilk pancakes forever.

If a lemon poppy seed pancake is more your taste, you can get one at the same price, but why decide? Get one of each. (DN)

BACON MAC N’ CHEESE EGG ROLLS $8 Westwood Brewing, 8162 W. Main St., Rathdrum Fried food… and beer. Cheesy… and beer. Meaty… and beer.

Westwood Brewing’s stuffed egg rolls take beer’s best buddies and roll them into a filling appetizer. You get two egg rolls oozing with savory, cheesy goodness, with green onion and house-made barbecue sauce to add some kick. Located in one of the oldest buildings in Kootenai County — it’s from the 1880s — Westwood embodies the Western saloon in its décor and style. It’s a welcoming spot to grab a bite or have a beer, like Westwood’s Steam Engine Stout, honoring the region’s rich railroading history. (CAS) BREAKFAST BURRITO $9 Taco Vado, 1602 N. Ash St. When this drive-thru joint opened in a former bikini barista stand, it was a godsend for lovers of breakfast tacos — arguably the best thing Texas ever offered the rest of America (besides Willie Nelson). And while I’ll happily consume many of those tacos (all between $3.50-$4.50), just one of the larger breakfast burritos is enough to satisfy for hours. Eggs, black beans, pico de gallo and your choice of carnitas, steak, chili verde and pork adovada together make for a great flavor feast to start the day. (DN) DOUBLE SCOOP $5.45 Panhandle Coffee & Cone, 849 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene; also in Sandpoint, Moscow I’m an absolute ice cream fiend, yet it sadly and too often seems that many places skimp on their scoop portions. Not so at Panhandle Coffee & Cone, where decadent house-made flavors include salted caramel and brown butter cookie, buttermilk huckleberry, and orange with dark chocolate freckles. For fellow indecisive ice cream orderers, Panhandle offers “split scoops,” so you can try two flavors instead of one. Or four if you get two splits — genius! During a recent visit, each half-scoop in my two split order was basically the size of other places’ single scoops, so come with a hearty appetite or a buddy to share with. (CS) TAQUITOS $8.95 La Michoacana Mini Market, 9907 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley I love this spot for the food, for sure, but even more so for the feeling you get of being transported out of the Inland Northwest.

This combination of Mexican bar, restaurant, grocery, bakery and butcher is unlike anywhere else in the region, and the food is good enough to keep you coming back. The taquitos are a great intro, served with a nice tomatillo sauce and filled with any of nearly a dozen meats (I go for carne asada or carnitas typically, but the more adventurous might choose tongue or goat meat).

They might come from the appetizer section of the large menu, but three of these definitely make a meal. (DN)

KENDALL YARDS

RIVER DISTRICT IN LIBERTY LAKE

(509) 389 - 0029 • Open Sun-Sat 11am – 9pm

509 - 290-5277 • Open Tue-Sun 11am – 9pm

1333 W. SUMMIT PARKWAY

20760 E. INDIANA

versaliapizza.com

A dining, breakfast and happy hour guide for the Inland Northwest

ON STANDS

NOW!

PANZANELLA BRUSCHETTA SALAD $10 Bardenay, 1710 W. Riverstone Dr., Coeur d’Alene Bread offers an easy, affordable tummy filler, but at Bardenay restaurant and distillery, bread is the star of this light yet satisfying salad. It features crunchy greens, both feta and mozzarella cheese, adding creaminess and protein, and chunks of toasted bread soaking up tangy house-made vinaigrette. This and a signature cocktail — try the lemon drop featuring Bardenay’s own vodka — enjoyed from a seat on the patio overlooking Riverstone Park makes for a perfect summer evening. (CAS) GORGONZOLA CHEESE FRIES $9.50 MickDuff’s Brewpub, 419 N. Second Ave., Sandpoint Starches like rice, bread and potatoes figure prominently on many a menu because they’re filling, affordable and perfect complements to saucy or gooey toppings. But MickDuff’s cheese fries are a cut above others, literally. MickDuff’s hand cuts Idaho potatoes in a waffle-cut pattern to create little pockets for the garlic seasoning and gorgonzola cheese to tuck into. A basketful is plenty to share, but you’ll want your own beer from any of the dozen or so regular and seasonal beers MickDuff’s brews in their nearby beer hall. (CAS)

PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY

at an Inlander Community Center in your favorite local grocery store

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 25

Atilano’s Idaho Fries are an ideal late-night snack.

2-PIECE WHITE $9.38

Chicken-N-Mo, 414½ W. Sprague Ave. This legendary haunt run for 30 years now by Bob Hemphill and his family deserves a perpetual spot on this list because they’re willing to sell you just one rib ($5.99).

But the joint ain’t called Ribs-N-Mo, so I love getting into either the two-piece white or two-piece dark ($8.28) fried chicken selections. I’m not picky on the white vs. dark debate, both are great, but I do skip the two sides that come with the chicken “meals” so I can save room for the homemade sweet potato pie for dessert ($3.99). (DN)

INDIAN FRY BREAD $9.95 Redtail Bar & Grill, Coeur d’Alene Casino, 37914 S. Nukwalqw, Worley The history of fry bread is inextricably linked to White America’s heinous treatment of the country’s Indigenous peoples, forcing them onto reservations where their diets often had to adapt to the whims of what foods the government gave them. Flour, sugar and lard were often in the mix, and these round discs of fried deliciousness 26 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

became popular with tribes throughout the West. With good reason — the slightly sweet, chewy bread is almost always a delight, and here it’s served warm with local honey, huckleberry jam and whipped butter. (DN)

IDAHO FRIES $8.99 Atilano’s Mexican Food, various locations Serving delicious and affordable Mexican food since 2009 and known for crave-worthy California-style burritos, Atilano’s is the perfect spot for late night bites, hangover cures and everything in between. The Idaho Fries — tater tots doused in meat, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and pico de gallo — are something everyone should try at least once. With flavor to spare and a heaping pile of all-around good food, the best part is that the tots somehow remain crispy until the very end. (LR) GRILLED CHEESE $9.95 Jack & Dan’s Bar & Grill, 1226 N. Hamilton St. A favorite among Gonzaga students, Jack & Dan’s is a prime place to watch a basketball game, have a drink and

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

enjoy some great bar food favorites. The simplicity of a grilled cheese may be the best part of it, and Jack & Dan’s delivers an excellent combo of deliciously gooey cheese and delightfully crispy bread, making for a delectable sandwich all around. Fries with fry sauce on the side and a laid back atmosphere perfect Jack & Dan’s dreamlike grilled cheese experience. (LR)

WHITE CHEDDAR AND APPLE HALF-DINNER SALAD $9.95

Mizuna, 214 N. Howard St. Who says you can’t hit a fine-dining spot and still nab a sweet deal? If you think ordering a half-salad is going to leave you half-satisfied, you’ll think again after digging into this hearty dish (also available at lunch for $7.50).

I’m a sucker for Granny Smith apples, and they’re the centerpiece of this salad, joined in sweet harmony by craisins, caramelized walnuts, a citrus-shallot vinaigrette and, of course, aged white cheddar. It won’t leave you hungry, but it will leave you some extra cash for a delicious cocktail. (DN)

STUFFED FRENCH TOAST $8.50

Belle’s Brunch House, 324 W. Lancaster Rd., Hayden Have a sweet and surprisingly filling start to your day with a french toast “sandwich” filled with cream cheese frosting and strawberry jam, then topped with house-made syrup and whipped butter. You’re more of a late riser? No problem; Belle’s serves brunch all day, every day. This sister restaurant to Hayden’s Chomper Cafe is a local fave for its large menu focusing on farm fresh ingredients, including gluten-free items. (CAS)

TAP. tap. PAY. pay.

BE be ON on YOUR your WAY. way.

CORN DOG $2.75 Rob’s Seafood & Burgers, 104 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls Next year, Rob’s Seafood & Burgers will have been the go-to for griddled and fried food (and, curiously, cheap carton cigarettes) in North Idaho for 50 years. The corndog, unlike Rob’s fish, is not battered in-house, but it did the trick regardless.

For under $3, you get a juicy hot dog in a slightly sweet cornbread batter fried to perfection and on a stick for easy portability. As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke... (CAS)

BISCUITS & GRAVY $8.99

Dave’s Bar & Grill, 2124 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley It can be easy to pass by Dave’s Bar & Grill amid the surrounding commercial haze of that stretch of Sprague in the Valley, but don’t zoom by if you’re looking for a filling breakfast staple. The cozy dive’s version of this classic fills the plate with two delightfully chewy biscuits, a slathering of gravy and a mound of sausage (which can be kicked up in flavor with a little Fletcher’s or Cholula hot sauce), and it’s delivered to your table or bar seat with blazing quick service. (SS) n

DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

A special Inlander preview, a day early EVERY WEDNESDAY

Food news you can use

Our top 5 picks for weekend entertainment

EVERY THURSDAY

EVERY FRIDAY

Sign up now at Inlander.com/newsletters JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 27

r e g Bur e d i u G IN THE

Name another dish more universally revered than the burger. From its humble beginnings as a staple of diners and drive-thrus, the burger is such a part of American cuisine it’s made its way from brown paper bags onto $20 plates in fine dining restaurants. That sheer diversity in price, toppings and the patties themselves — from your basic frozen variety to a deluxe blend of the finest chuck, brisket and sirloin, or even a meat-mimicking plant stand-in — perfectly sums up why we love burgers so. Stopping at the drive-thru late at night for a basic burger topped with American cheese, ketchup and some measly pickles can be just as satisfying as going all out for an award-winning chef’s take featuring Japanese Wagyu beef, aged cheddar and gourmet sauces and condiments. The burger is the quintessential everyone’s meal; it’s comforting, it’s familiar, it’s everywhere, and you can eat one anytime.

The district Bar

downtown | spokanedistrictbar.com 509-601-3080 Kobe Beef, aged Cheddar, fresh Arugula, Tomato, homemade Lemon-Ginger Pickles, Red Onion, Honeyed Aioli & Mustard.

The Downtown Burger

DURKIN’S LIQUOR BAR

The District Bar, in the heart of the downtown entertainment district. Fans of the Knitting Factory, The Bing Crosby Theater and The Fox know us as the perfect place to enjoy a meal before a concert or enjoy an after-show Nightcap. Try one of our seasonal craft cocktails or rotating taps of local beers and indulge in a mountain of our smothered Spokane Fries or our House-made Amish Soft Pretzel with Smoked Gouda Beer-Cheese sauce. Our menu features fresh salads, flatbreads, and fantastic sandwiches and entrees.

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | durkinsliquorbar.com 509-863-9501

28 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

homemade menu and curated beverage list!

 Trivia every Thursday

at 8pm and live local music TBA!

 Open Tuesday through

Saturday 4PM to 11PM

 Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 10pm

A natty upscale diner with an intimate basement bar…

 Basement Bar Open

From the restaurateur family who brought Spokane Casper Fry and Madeleine’s Cafe, Durkin’s is named after early Spokane liquor tycoon Jimmy Durkin. A curated menu of small plates, salads, sandwiches and traditional plates, complimented by a refined selection of craft cocktails, drafts and wine.

 Tiki Night,

Widely proclaimed as one of the best burgers in the region, the Durkin’s Burger ($16), features two 4 oz. Ground Chuck Patties, Durkin’s Cheese, Shaved Pickles, Red Onion, Dill Mayo, House Bun, Fries & Aioli.

Durkin’s Burger

 Check out our new

$4 Add-On Bacon. $1.50 Add-On Egg. ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

Wednesday - Saturday 5pm - 11pm Wednesday 5pm - 10pm

VICTORY BURGER

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | ethanstowellrestaurants.com 509-606-8900

 Craft Burgers from Pacific NW Chef Ethan Stowell

The Cowboy Burger

The Cowboy Burger

Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Onion Rings, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Peppers, BBQ Sauce

 Draft beer, cocktails,

Victory Burger is what fast food burgers should be. Delivered from Pacific Northwest Chef Ethan Stowell using fresh and natural northwest ingredients, these are honest burgers in all their glory.

Located in Spokane’s historic Wonder Building, Victory Burger is the perfect place to grab a burger and a beer while catching a game or gathering with friends.

 Next to Spokane Arena,

wine, and a kid’s menu too!

Great for before or after events!

Open Daily from 11am to 9pm (10pm Friday & Saturday) Happy Hour Daily 4-6, all day on Sunday

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

NORTH SPOKANE | 509-928-2921 Spokane Valley | 509-927-2840 www.fiveguys.com

 Customizable

Milkshakes! Try a Strawberry Cream, or Chocolate Banana Milkshake today.

Over 250,000 ways to make a Burger.

Five Guys serves well done, juicy burgers. Every item is fresh and handprepped daily. There are no freezers at Five Guys so nothing is ever frozen.

Customize it your way and enjoy a great burger at Five Guys.

CONTENT  Everything is made CUSTOM Caption: Frugals is

to order.

 Flavorful burgers hand cut fries.

Headline: Frugals Story Content: Fru andusing only the hig prices. If you have

Highlights: 1. Full ¼lb 100% 2. Also offering ch 3. Available for din

Best place for Burgers - Five Guys

FRUGALS SPOKANE

LOCATED ON THE GONZAGA CAMPUS | frugalburger.com 509-242-3669

@frugals_spokane

Frugals AWARD-WINNING burgers are now available in Spokane!

Frugals is proud to be a new member of the Spokane and Gonzaga Bulldogs communities. Our food is cooked to order, using only the highest quality ingredients. Featuring our Frugals Express simplified menu, designed to increase our speed and lower our prices. If you haven’t given us a try yet, what are you waiting for? Order the whole menu for $25! Best in the Northwest, since 1988!

1/2 lb Frugals Cheeseburger

logan tavern

Stop by today at 1229 North Hamilton Street!

NORTH SPOKANE | logantavernspokane.com 509-474-0584 Come join us for this burger or any of our other delicious entrees!

TWO juicy 1/3 pound wagyu beef patties, melty American cheese, two slices of thick bacon, shredded crisp lettuce, pickle chips, diced onion, tavern sauce & a cheddar crisp sourdough round in the middle!

You won’t leave hungry!

 Full 1/4 lb 100% beef hamburger for only $2.95

 Also offering cheddar

burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, cheese curds, fries and milkshakes

 Available for dinein, drive-thru and DoorDash

 Happy hour 3-6

Tuesday-Friday & all day Monday

 Brunch served 10-2 Saturday & Sunday

 Weekly specials!

Established in 2018, Logan Tavern has been providing chill, neighborhood vibes. Come experience our creative menus, friendly staff & cold beer! Cheers!

The Monster Mac ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 29

Latah Bistro

SOUTH SPOKANE | LatahBistro.com 509-838-8338

 Daily Freshly ground Chuck and Ribeye

The flavor of the house cured pork belly, house made pimento cheese, house cured pickles, onion, tomato and lettuce cannot be overstated.

Latah Bistro features Washington inspired cuisine focusing on seasonal ingredients found right in our own backyard. Classy but casual fresh farm to table from our beautiful northwest to the pacific water, these ingredients serve as inspiration for our chefs as they create seasonal menus highlighting freshness, quality, and classic technique. This featured Summer Bistro Burger is so simple and is the perfect bite of what a cheese stuffed unadorned burger should be.

 Unique medley to

create the perfect umami in your mouth!

 Delectable Pork Belly

house cured and smoked for four hours

The Bistro Burger

Purgatory Whiskey Bar

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | thepurgatory.com 509-290-6518

 A burger with

Our famous Purgatory Elk Burger was developed by owner Kevin Cox. This delicious burger is a tribute to the area and the hunting memories Kevin enjoys. The name came from an area which reflected the joy that great whiskey, beer, and food brought. This area is located in Colorado, where Kevin spent much time each year with friends and family enjoying the things that brought him joy; such as hunting big game, skiing, whiskey, good friends, and family.

Purgatory Elk Burger

Post Falls, Idaho | repub.pub 208-457-3610

other meats

 Pairs great with any

whiskey or craft beer

 Republic is located in

Burgers, brews & an amazing patio... Republic Kitchen+Taphouse is the gem of Post Falls.

Located in the the 1910 Samuel and Ann Young House, Republic Kitchen+Taphouse is THE place to be during summertime. Try the Blue Burger made with grilled WA beef, blue cheese, garlic aioli, candied bacon, bibb lettuce, and roasted tomato. Served on a brioche bun with a side of housemade pickles.

Or our Republic Burger made with local WA beef, house-made American cheese, shaved onions, bibb lettuce, beer mustard, and Republic sauce, served on a brioche bun with a side of house-made pickles.

r e g Bur Guide IN THE

30 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

 Healthy alternative to

Purgatory Elk Burger Ground Elk, Pickles, Tomato, Onion, Lettuce, Jack Cheese, Beer Mustard & Roasted garlic aioli sauce with Brioche Bun.

Republic Kitchen+Taphouse

Republic’s Delicious Blue Burger & Fries

outstanding flavor and complexity.

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

a historic Post Falls house!

 Pair our burgers with

our rotating selection of local beers.

 Don’t leave

without trying our mouthwatering Blue Burger.

National Hamburger Day is

Roger’s Ice Cream & burgers

CoEUr D’Alene, ID

CoEUr D’Alene, ID

Post Falls, ID

1224 E. Sherman Ave. 2420 Government Way 403 N. Spokane St.

208-930-4900

208-930-4274

208-773-6532

Fresh, Nostalgic, American Comfort Food.

RogersIceCreamBurgers.com

Rogers Ice Cream and Burgers is a local family owned fast casual restaurant. Everything at Roger’s is made to order from scratch the old fashioned way.

Roger’s Made to Order Double D Burger

Our burgers are made with fresh 100% Country Natural Beef. It is a local coop of Pacific Northwest Ranchers & 3rd party GAP certified to be naturally & sustainably raised with no antibiotics or hormones ever. Our homemade french fries and kettle chips are hand cut daily from Idaho potatoes and fried in rice bran oil.

HAYDEN, ID 8833 Hess St. 208-772-6205

Established in 1940.

Over 17 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream plus old-fashioned shakes and malts in any flavor.

Nine Time Winner of Inlander’s Best Of Reader’s Poll!

ice cream

8

& burgers 9

Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill & Irish Pub

downtown SPOKANE | shawnodonnells.com 509-326-7251

 Locally-owned and family-friendly

The Gorgonzola Burger

 Irish Breakfast

Locally-sourced 1/3rd pound 100% Angus flame-broiled patty, Gorgonzola cheese, scratch BBQ sauce, Irish whiskey caramelized onions, grilled jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, ranch, pretzel bun.

 Daily Happy Hour and

Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill & Irish Pub is all about traditional Irish fare and American favorites. Come experience appreciative Irish hospitality in a history-filled pub and enjoy our nice selection of imported Irish beers and Whiskeys.

weekends 9am-1pm Lunch Specials

The Gorgonzola Burger

south hill grill

south SPOKANE | 509-536-4745

 Open 8am to 9pm Monday - Sunday

 Prime Rib Dinner served

South Hill’s Hidden Gem! Come to South Hill Grill for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. Our diverse menu satisfies every taste, from American classics, like burgers and tots to the freshest sushi on the South Hill!

It’s like two amazing restaurants in one! Visit us at 2808 E. 29th Avenue.

Jalapeño Poppin Burger

JALAPENO POPPIN BURGER Fresh, hand-pressed half pound patty. Comes with bacon, pepperjack cheese, pickled jalapenos, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce and garlic aioli on a brioche bun, topped with a jalapeno popper.

Nearly

60%

of all sandwiches sold worldwide are hamburgers

Saturday and Sunday starting at 4:30pm.

 Monday - Thursday

Daily Specials.

New appetizers and entrees featured weekly.

Louis Lassen of New Haven, CT is credited with inventing the hamburger in ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 31

Sportsman’s Bar & Grill

downtown chewelah | sportyschewelah.com 509-935-6309

 Ask about Chef

George’s Farm to Table Specials

Heritage Lamb Sliders

 Family-owned for 18

Our burgers are all 6oz Angus Beef, Lamb and Elk from Washington and Oregon farms. Always fresh. Served with delicious toppings including mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a toasted soft brioche bun & your choice of side.

years

 Chewelah’s Oldest Establishment

Come visit us at 205 East Main Street in Downtown Chewelah, Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-9pm!

Zaatar Spiced Heritage Lamb Burger Sliders

THREE PEAKS KITCHEN + BAR

AIRWAY HEIGHTS | spokanetribecasino.com/dining 877-786-9467

 Happy Hour Nightly $2 Drafts, All Day, Every Day.

Our New Menu Is Waiting for You! OPEN 9AM – CLOSE

 Daily Lunch Specials  Large patio for

We’re grilling up all your scratch-made favorites at Three Peaks Kitchen + Bar! If you are craving a juicy burger and fries, Three Peaks is the place to be. Our menu features 3 burger options for you to try: Three Peaks Burger, BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, and a Classic Burger.

Classic Cheese burger

 $5.99 Burger & Fries every Thursday

Family owned Uncle Rusty’s Diner is a must try!

 Hand Breaded Country

Uncle Rusty’s Diner has been serving Classic American Diner food in Downtown Spokane since 2019. Chef Rusty himself adds a homemade touch to your favorite breakfast and lunch dishes.

Our friendly staff is always happy to serve customers.

 Breakfast and Lunch

Our over-the-top Messy Kyle Burger comes with 2 charbroiled beef patties, topped with bacon and an over-easy egg, served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a brioche bun.

 Dine in, take out and

Come in soon and try our Classic American food with a twist.

IN THE

32 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

kids’ menu available.

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE | unclerustysdiner.com 509-474-9214

r e g r Bu Guide Americans eat nearly

 Family-friendly with

New to Three Peaks – we now serve breakfast every day!

Starting at 9AM, we have a great breakfast selection we would love you to try! As always, we have $2 drafts, all day, every day!

Uncle Rusty’s Diner

The Messy Kyle

dining outside.

The average 1/4lb burger patty provides

burgers a year ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

Fried Steak

served daily from 6am - 3pm

delivery is available through DoorDash & Uber Eats

Hamburgers caught on in the United States thanks to the

1904 St. Louis World’s Fair

Spokane comedian Ryan McComb is filming a new special at the Central Library. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

LAUGHS

COMEDY CENTRAL

Local comic Ryan McComb performing a special goodbye

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

C

omedian Ryan McComb, a Perry District native who climbed through the ranks of the Spokane comedy scene, is getting ready for a new standup special at the downtown library. It’s one of his final events as a “Spokane comedian” before he heads south to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue new opportunities for his comedy career.

McComb christens the newly renovated event space at the Central location of the Spokane Public Library with its first after-hours event. He’ll tape an all-new special in front of a live audience July 22 at 9 pm. Tickets are free, the comedy is clean, and it’s a perfect evening of celebrating local growth.

McComb grew up going to the Spokane Public Library every Saturday morning. His mom worked night shifts, and it was his father’s job to get the kids out of the house so she could sleep in. McComb has witnessed the library transform, navigating the diminishing need for DVDs and CDs and creating new ways of adding value

to a place, like a recording studio, a podcast booth and this new event space.

“The downtown library renovations are unbelievable,” McComb says. He appreciates their thoughtfulness and usefulness, as well as the conscious ways the different areas are laid out.

Besides introducing him to the library, McComb’s father Ken also introduced him to comedy. He was a local comic and brought McComb to open mics to watch him perform.

“It was essentially just to have something to do,” McComb says. “And then I thought, ‘Well, if I’m gonna be there, I may as well write something down.’”

A natural instinct kicked in, as well as the dedication to nurture it. McComb began testing out material at Spokane Comedy Club and local bars. As McComb moved from open mics to weekday spots, he carefully honed minutes and then whole sets of clever, calm comedy.

Progress wasn’t seamless or steady. McComb dealt

with serious bouts of stage fright that started a few years into his career, the kind that triggered him into feeling like he was actively peeing his pants the whole time he was on stage. He also lost control of the audience at least once, slowly getting more and more annoyed by aggressive hecklers until he said some choice words, cut it short and walked offstage. But these failures are what convinced him to keep going.

“You know you can do better,” McComb says. “The one way you grow is by totally, totally blowing it.”

T

his competition with himself motivated McComb.

Early on, he was scared of going short or disappointing the crowd. But even when these things happened, “you know it’s not going to ruin your life,” he says. McComb kept reworking jokes, going through four to five drafts before performing something, and letting his jokes naturally evolve. ...continued on next page

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 33

CULTURE | LAUGHS “COMEDY CENTRAL,” CONTINUED...

1 HR PRIOR TO GAME

$1 OFF ALL BEVERAGES Game Times: 7/22 & 7/23 - 6:35pm, 7/24 - 1:05pm

Blues Traveler

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 TH | 7 PM | $50 & UP

W O R L E Y, I D A H O 1 800-523-2464

July 29th | 5PM-10PM wine • art • dining • entertainment

Register at Tuscany2022.givesmart.com Thank you to our Signature Sponsors:

The progress came. After hosting weeknight shows, then hosting weekend shows, then featuring on off nights, McComb finally headlined for the Spokane Comedy Club last year. It was a major milestone in his career. During that headline show, McComb told a story with such a satisfying ending that the crowd assumed the act was finished. They gave a standing ovation. But McComb wasn’t done, and he still needed to fill more time. Instead of peeing his pants or cursing, McComb regained control of the audience, stayed comfortable on stage and finished his time.

To McComb, that comfort and control were important markers of maturity, maybe as significant as the headlining itself.

At that point, McComb started considering moving away from Spokane.

“From a comedic standpoint, my opportunities weren’t going to get larger here,” says McComb. “I knew that I was encountering diminishing returns in Spokane. Everything here is phenomenal — I’m not mad at Spokane — but I’m at a point where I can go elsewhere and discover new opportunities and still have most of the opportunities I have here if I travel back in.”

Nashville isn’t a comedy mecca like Manhattan, but it’s a strategic move by McComb.

The Spokane Comedy Club has sister clubs in Tacoma, Oklahoma City, Louisville, Appleton (in Wisconsin) and Fort Wayne (in Indiana).

Nashville is a center between most of those cities, which means that McComb can take advantage of opportunities with all those affiliates. Plus, he can also encounter new possibilities in bigger metro areas with cheap flights, like Atlanta, Chicago and New York.

McComb keeps his expectations reasonable.

“I’m not sitting here with a picture of Madison Square Garden next to my bed, thinking one day I’m gonna headline there,” McComb says.

But he retells a story from comic Nate Bargatze, who started his career as a barker outside New York City comedy clubs. Bargatze had dreams, but he focused on short-term goals: “Don’t be on this corner anymore. Be barking elsewhere.” McComb decided that Nashville is his next corner, the next place to put himself in the way of more opportunity.

Give Guide COUNT US IN COUNTING CROWS COME TO TOWN PAGE 76

YOU VAXXED? WE ASK LOCAL LEADERS TO FESS UP PAGE 10

WEEK RESTAURANT IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET OUT THERE PAGE 70

AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | FAMILY OWNED. COMMUNITY FOCUSED.

GIVE GUIDE

The Lands Council Executive Director Amanda Parrish

SUPPLEMENT TO

THE INLANDER

GIVE GUIDE

McComb paid his dues alongside his comedian dad.

“The fact that I’m moving to Nashville is in itself a success,” McComb says.

“Just because you move away from home doesn’t mean you hate your mom,” McComb adds, referring to his love for Spokane. In fact, his most precious cargo for the move to Nashville all have roots in his hometown — his girlfriend, his dog and a few of his mom’s paintings.

Being at the Spokane Comedy Club was one of the “top five most influential things that have happened to me,” McComb says. It’s where he and his girlfriend met, and where he garnered a lot of support from the owners and other comics.

A few of those comics, including Rob Wentz, Jay Berg and Jesse Burt, will feature before his special at the library. But the host of that evening, decades after those Saturday mornings together, will be McComb’s dad. n Ryan McComb: Live at the Library • Fri, July 22 at 9:00 pm • Free • All ages • Spokane Public Library - Central • 906 W. Main Ave • events.spokanelibrary.org • 509-444-5308

GET INVOLVED AND GIVE BACK! This annual issue highlights many of the region’s non-profit organizations, and the difference they are making in our community.

Celebrating the people making a difference in the Inland Northwest SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

Jennyfer Mesa, founder of Latinos En Spokane

SUPPLEMENT TO THE INLANDER

ON STANDS AUGUST

34 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

AUGUST 26, 2021 GIVE GUIDE 21

GET YOUR NON-PROFIT NOTICED! Reserve your Give Guide listing by August 18th

advertising@inlander.com

25

STCU PREMIER REWARDS CARD

Break out the bubbly.

Or a brewski. Go high or low-brow with the luxuriously black and sparkly STCU Premier World Rewards Mastercard®.

Earn up to 4x points on every dollar spent.

Redeem for cash back, gift cards, and more.

Scan the QR code, visit stcu.org/rewards, or call (509) 326-1954 to apply or upgrade today.

Subject to credit approval.

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 35

CULTURE | DIGEST

THE BUZZ BIN

Stephen Fry is pretty much the ideal voice for the audiobook version of Sherlock Holmes.

STARRY-EYED If you’ve been keeping up with NASA’s latest ventures, you’ve surely heard of the JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE. If not, all you need to know is that it’s undeniably sick. The Webb is the successor of the Hubble Space Telescope, which launched in 1990.

After waiting an agonizing three months for the mirrors to unfold in space and another three months for all of the other instruments to cool down and be in working order, on July 12 the first images captured by the telescope were revealed. The difference between Hubble’s and Webb’s images is incredible. The Webb’s near-infrared and mid-infrared cameras and instruments pierce straight through clouds of cosmic dust and into faraway galaxies and binary star systems, giving us the deepest infrared views of the universe ever seen. It’s truly outta this world. Get an eyeful at webbtelescope.org. (MADISON PEARSON)

DEDUCTION AT ITS FINEST

Getting to know that famous detective through his good friend, Dr. Watson

W

BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL

hile my affection for audiobooks has taken me through several other literary tales this year (shoutout to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide series), I keep returning to a behemoth listening project to fall asleep to.

On Audible, subscribers have access to more than 62 hours (!!) of the many adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, as narrated by Stephen Fry. In his foreword to the massive collection, Fry explains that, like many people, he grew up with the tales of Holmes’ detective work, but did not discover the origins and early tales of the Baker Street detective until much later.

The detective’s first introduction to the world came in the story “A Study in Scarlet,” as veteran and doctor John Watson is introduced through a friend because they both need a roommate. Watson almost immediately accompanies Holmes in his investigative work, kicking off their long friendship exploring the seemingly inexplicable crimes of London and other parts of the world.

“Where other literary characters had been discerned mistily through their creators, Holmes appeared in the highest resolution, so clearly and independently that the idea of there being a creator at all, a writer scribbling him to life, seemed all wrong,” Fry says in the foreword. “But Arthur Conan Doyle was that creator, and he was very real indeed. Like Watson, he had received a medical training, ultimately specializing and practicing as an eye doctor.”

Doyle’s “all-consuming curiosity” as a Victorian helped shape the stories that introduced readers to such organizations as the KKK, the mafia and, in that very first story, to the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, which many of his contemporaries would

36 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

likely not have heard about before, Fry notes.

Like Fry, I’ve been amazed at how well-developed Holmes was as a character from the very beginning.

The mania, drug use and insane powers of deduction are present in even the earliest stories. Seriously, who can tell by looking at the color of the dirt on someone’s shoes where they likely came from? Who would take one look at the detective work on a murder and so easily see all the folly in their logic, when the facts on their face point to an obvious suspect?

Holmes is that kind of flawed hero we can all only ever aspire to be, with his clever insights and the type of know-how that only comes from hours of studying the strangest topics imaginable. Even if you’ve seen many film and television takes on some of the classic detective’s adventures, you might just find some stories in the collection that you’ve never heard before. Here are a few I’ve enjoyed so far: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle: One man is in for a big surprise when he ends up in possession of a Christmas goose after witnessing a strange street mugging, only to later discover a massive blue gem inside the bird. The search for the owner of a hat dropped with the goose ensues.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band: This is a dark tale of a family’s inexplicably sudden death just as a daughter is set to marry and inherit the money her stepfather has been entrusted to hold on to until her wedding.

The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb: An engineer who has lost his thumb comes to Dr. Watson for care, and to Holmes for help unwinding the frightening tale of a machine he was asked to work on that would leave anyone claustrophobic with nightmares. n

WRITING ON THE WALL If you’ve been following artist Chris Bovey’s VINTAGE PRINT (@ vintagespokane on Instagram or Facebook: vintageprint.us), you’ll soon have a brick-and-mortar location to visit at 914 W. Garland Ave. After years of doing Terrain and other pop-up art shows, Bovey has consolidated his printmaking and neon sign business into new digs just doors down from Garland Theater, one of many iconic Spokane landmarks Bovey has immortalized in his trademark silkscreen prints. Although his business is not yet open to the public — Bovey’s hoping for early fall — he already left his signature on the exterior in the form of a vibrant mural celebrating things we love about Spokane, from Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle restaurant to a certain garbage-eating goat. (CARRIE SCOZZARO) THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online July 22: ODESZA, THE LAST GOODBYE. Washington state’s premier EDM duo return with their first album in five years, and — despite the title — it’s allegedly not a farewell record.

JACK WHITE, ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE. This is Jack White’s second LP of 2022, following April’s release of Fear of the Dawn. That might seem like overkill, but it’s preferable over one way-too-long slog of an album. (Musical brevity is great, y’all!)

BEACH BUNNY, EMOTIONAL CREATURE. One of the best young indie rock bands on the planet follow up 2020’s stellar Honeymoon with more sunny melodic pop tunes. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

OPENING

Transcending Trends I Got beef with birria?

Let Birrieria Tijuana change your mind

BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM

n case you’ve missed the two-billion-view trend on TikTok, a new Mexican dish is on the scene. Birria, a popular breakfast item from Jalisco-turned-social media phenomenon, has been making the internet hungry since 2018.

Now, hungry Spokanites have their own restaurant dedicated completely to birria, Fredy Zavala’s newest location of Birrieria Tijuana on north Hamilton Street.

Most traditionally, birria is goat meat simmered in a vat of chiles and spices until its juices create a thick consommé. This hot broth continues to cook the meat until it falls off the bone, shredding itself in the process.

The meat, spices and broth are eaten together as a comforting stew.

Historically, as birria traveled north through Mexico, it was transformed. Street vendors in Tijuana swapped out the goat meat to make a cheaper Tijuana-style birria de res

(beef birria). They put it in tortillas to make portable birria tacos.

When a few entrepreneurs brought their new creation to Los Angeles, they added cheese to satisfy American palates. These vendors always saved the magical, deep red broth to eat with the tacos. At some point, they started saturating tacos in the consommé and frying them.

But customers still couldn’t get enough, so they dipped the crispy tacos back into the marinade before taking a bite. The chile-infused jus dripping down hot cheese begged for slow motion.

The first mention of #birria on social media was four years ago. Today, over 200 Los Angeles restaurants ...continued on next page

Caldo de birria is tender meat with rich consommé. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 37

FOOD | OPENING “TRANSCENDING TRENDS,” CONTINUED... have reviews of their birria on Yelp.

Some are Mexican restaurants offering birria alongside other options, while some are birrierias, eateries specifically dedicated to birria the way a pizzeria is devoted to pizza.

You don’t need to travel 1,200 miles to Los Angeles to join this tasty trend, since you can pop into Zavala’s birrieria right here in Spokane.

T

Join Us Join Us!! !

Join Us Kootenai Alliance KootenaiEnvironmental Environmental Alliance RAA T T IINNGG5 05 Y0E AYR ES A R S C E CL EELBE BREnvironmental Kootenai Alliance Kootenai C E L E BEnvironmental R A T I N G 5 0 Y E A Alliance RS C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S

KEA announces Dr. Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestsellingDr. author and Brinkley, acclaimedNew historian, KEA announces Douglas York KEA announces Dr. Douglas New York in support and celebration of Brinkley, KEA’s 50 years of Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian, KEA announces Dr. Douglas Brinkley, New Times bestselling authorwith and historian, environmental lecture his of York in support andactivism, celebration ofaacclaimed KEA’s 50on years in support and author celebration of aKEA’s 50 years book Silent Spring Revolution.

Times latest bestselling and acclaimed historian, environmental activism, with lecture on hisof environmental activism, with a lecture on his latest book Silent Spring Revolution. in support and celebration of KEA’s 50 years of latest book Silent Spring Revolution.

environmental activism, Friday, Julywith 29a lecture on his Friday, JulyRevolution.

29 latest book Silent Spring

7:30pm Friday, July 29 7:30pm 7:30pm

Friday, July 29 7:30pm

Silent Spring Revolution is crucial to understanding the Silent Spring Revolution is battle to protect America’s Silent Spring Revolution is crucial to understanding the land, water, wildlife, and air. crucial toprotect understanding the battle to America’s battlewater, to protect America’s land, wildlife, and air. land, water, wildlife, and air.

The Jewett House 1501 Dr. TheE Lakeshore Jewett House Silent Spring Revolution is Coeur d’Alene, ID House TheE Jewett 1501 Lakeshore Dr. 1501 Eare Lakeshore Dr. Coeur d’Alene, Tickets availableID at: crucial to understanding the Coeur d’Alene, ID Tickets are available at: battle to protect America’s kealliance.org Tickets are available at: land, water, wildlife, and air. kealliance.org kealliance.org

38 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022 The Jewett House

1501 E Lakeshore Dr.

hree years ago, Zavala was selling street tacos in Los Angeles Friday to Sunday, from the evening into the wee morning hours. In a weekend, he could sell 7,000 tacos. But he was a hard worker and wanted to sell something in the morning, too. So he started serving birria tacos to local Latinos. His birria was such a hit that people would drive an hour to his taco stand. They affectionately called him “El Birrias.”

Despite the fame and success, Zavala decided Los Angeles was oversaturated with birria. Friends told him that Seattle, farther from the border and filled with foodies, had much more opportunity. So Zavala headed north to open his first Birrieria Tijuana in Western Washington. Right away, crowds flocked to the sultry tortillas stuffed with beef and cheese.

Zavala has since expanded Birrieria Tijuana to eight locations across Washington, including Spokane in June 2022.

“I brought something different to this state,” Zavala says.

He’s seen all different kinds of people flock to his birrierias, and says most of his customers are not Mexican.

B

irrieria Tijuana’s menu offers birria in all forms. Grab a taco for $3, or $4 if you want it with cheese. The birria meat itself in both the soft and crunchy tacos is dry, so make sure to get a bowl of consommé ($4) on the side for dipping.

Other traditional dishes include tortas ($12), burritos ($13) and quesadillas ($14). More inventive ways to eat birria are also offered, like birria pizza ($22) or birria ramen ($14). And although birria is the star, the birrieria also offers chicken, pork, steak and veggie versions of any dish.

A self-serve condiment bar offers cucumbers, cilantro, onions, red and green salsas, plus limes.

Toppings are simple and light to offset the rich protein.

Plastic jugs of drinks line the counter: horchata (a rice-based drink that tastes like a cinnamon bun over ice), strawberry milk, plus mango, guava and lime juice. A fridge sits just behind the fresh beverages, filled with Jarritos, a favorite Mexican soda.

The setting is not a hip Los Angeles dining experience or a subway-tiled Insta post. The walls are the same chile red as the hot birria broth.

Plastic tables and vinyl chairs make it easy to wipe down the joyful mess of gooey tacos. Multicolored Christmas lights, pulsing between purple, green and yellow, frame the view of the parking lot and the road.

Cheese tacos oozing with flavor.

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

But Zavala has little interest in throwing money at unnecessary frills. He’d rather spoil the community with generous service.

“When you support my business, I support your community,” Zavala says. The past two Christmases, Zavala says he spent over $20,000 on toys and presents for children near his restaurants. Zavala intends to be on “good terms with God and with customers.”

He also intends to be there for hungry customers when no one else is.

“Everything closes so early in Spokane!”

Zavala says. He’s hoping to change his hours to be open at least until midnight all week.

Birria changed Zavala’s life, paving the way for his American dream, he says. And even though he owns a growing chain of restaurants, he still cooks, cleans, washes dishes and buses his tables anytime he’s in the kitchen.

His dedication to his food is rivaled only by his customers’ devotion. Birrieria Tijuana restaurants across the state prove that birria’s popularity is resilient to fickle, posh trends. At first, each new Birrieria Tijuana gains attention for introducing a new food in town. But they stay open because people keep coming back for more.

And even though Zavala sees over 300 pounds of meat a day, he still thinks his tacos are delicious.

“They’re not going anywhere now!” he says, noting that he’s looking to open a Spokane Valley location later this year.

The people who come to Birrieria Tijuana come for good food, not social media opportunities. Birria may have garnered explosive fame from hangry teenagers on TikTok, but this food has made it through the hype. It’s here to stay. n Birrieria Tijuana • 2018 N. Hamilton St. • Open daily 9 am-9 pm • facebook.com/ birrieriatijuanawa • 509-487-7700

FOOD | TO-GO BOX

Welcome Table Spokane welcomes a new Ukrainian cafe and a bakery; plus two local companies celebrate milestones

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

W

e’re fortunate to have so many Slavic bakeries and retail spots in Spokane, which has probably only served to whet our appetites for more savory options. Find both at VKUSNIASHKA EURO, at 4902 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley.

The name translates to “yummy,” according to owner Larisa Nazar, whose baked goods include traditional Slavic treats like dense brown bread and honey cake.

“I did attend a college for three years specifically for baking and cake decorations,” says Nazar, who moved to the U.S. in 1995 while pregnant with her first daughter.

Vkusniashka’s cabbage rolls and a bowl of borscht. CARRIE SCOZZARO PHOTO It has always been her dream is now serving breakfast with dishes like shrimp to have her own bakery and cafe, Nazar says. etouffee ($18), bananas foster French toast ($18) A favorite of hers and her customers is the meor eggs benedict with a tomato-tarragon hollanringue cake, and her Praga (Prague) cake, which daise ($16). And to drink, try Micheladas ($8), features chocolate sponge and buttercream. which is Pacifico beer and clamato, or the MornBut if it’s the savory you’re after, this is ing Paloma ($12) with mezcal and grapefruit. the place for priced-by-the-pound dishes like Visit 315cuisine.com. cabbage rolls ($15), goulash ($15), crepes ($12You’d expect a seafood market to have $12.50) and melt-in-your-mouth dumplings the freshest fish, which makes serving poke called pelmeni ($12). a natural fit. FISHERMAN’S MARKET & The bakery doesn’t have a website, but cusGRILL (215 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene) tomers can call Nazar at 509-270-5885 or follow has updated its poke offering ($14/small, $17/ her on Instagram, @larisa.nazar_vkysnyashka. large), which lets you choose a base of greens or rice, sauce, type of fish, and up to four sides like tempura carrots or edamame. Or choose Customers no longer have to drive up to Chattarstandard bowls like the North Idaho ($14/small, oy to get a sugar fix at BAKE MY DAY (34911 $17/large), with salmon over rice, topped with N. Newport Hwy.). The bakery’s new Spokane avocado, cucumber and ponzu sauce. Visit Valley location (18123 E. Appleway Ave.) opened facebook.com/fishermansmarketcda. recently inside the Greenacres Shopping Center.

HOGWASH WHISKEY DEN (304 W. Look for the white windmill building to get all Pacific Ave.) just dropped a new menu and it’s the cookies, scones, muffins, bread and legendary poppin’ with flavor. It includes many of your caramel pecan cinnamon rolls you’re craving. Onfaves like the Jamboni sandwich ($16) with fried line ordering is also available. Follow the bakery chicken, smoked ham and gooey cheese, as well at facebook.com/bakemydayspokanevalley. as new Southern-inspired treats like fried green Summer is salad weather. Have yours delivtomatoes ($12) with pimento cheese sauce and ered to your door or get your steps in and walk cornbread ($6). For dessert, try the brownie sunover to the newly opened SPOKANE SALAD dae ($12) with peanut butter gelato and whiskey DELIVERY (510 W. Riverside Ave., #201) caramel sauce. Visit drinkhogwash.com. inside the Numerica Building skywalk (High Just upstairs from Hogwash, INLAND Tide Lobster Bar’s former location). Try the raPACIFIC KITCHEN also posted an even more men ($15) with greens, crispy noodles, shredded dope menu for its “dopest brunch,” coinciding carrot, cabbage, almonds and sesame vinaigrette. with the arrival of new chef, Trevor Stratton. It’s Visit spokanesalads.com. a multicultural exploration from French-inspired Unfortunately, GOLDFINCH RESTAUgalettes ($17), Asian-inspired pork katsu ($17), to RANT (157 N. Oak St., Colville) announced the chefs’ spin on an American snack food: the via Facebook that it has closed after two years in Pop Tart ($7). Visit ipkspokane.com. n business.

OPENINGS & MORE

NEW MENUS

Breakfast on the garden patio before time at the lake? Sounds like a classic Coeur d’Alene summer day. 315 CUISINE (315 E. Wallace Ave.)

To-Go Box is the Inlander’s regular dining news column, offering tasty tidbits and updates on the region’s food and drink scene.

Send tips and updates to food@inlander.com.

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 39

Ryan Goslings’s Six is indeed less than 007.

REVIEW

I

t’s a testament to the dominance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that two of the highest-grossing movies of all time were made by directors who have no discernible style or vision. While working under the supervision of MCU mastermind Kevin Feige, brothers Anthony and Joe Russo corralled dozens of characters into the grand superhero epics Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Their postMCU work has been decidedly less impressive, first in the heavy-handed, overly stylized addiction drama Cherry, and now in the generic, disposable action movie The Gray Man. Based on the first in a series of novels by Mark Greaney, The Gray Man is meant to launch a franchise, and its reported $200 million budget makes it one of the most expensive Netflix movies to date. As much as the MCU is a corporate product, it’s often able to connect emotionally with fans, creating memorable characters that inspire more than just brand loyalty. The characters in The Gray Man aren’t aliens or mystical beings, and they don’t have superpowers, but they come across as less human than even the most minor players in the Russos’ Marvel movies.

The CIA assassin codenamed Six (Ryan Gosling) eventually delivers a sad story about the upbringing that led him to the prison where he was recruited by the government, but it sounds like a rehearsed speech rather than a heartfelt confession. That’s pretty much his only moment of vulnerability, either emotional or physical, in the entire globe-trotting

BY JOSH BELL adventure. Six is hunted by some of the most dangerous and resourceful people on the planet, but there’s never a single moment when it feels like he’s in danger.

After years as a devoted operative, Six goes THE GRAY MAN rogue after a mission to take out a target who Rated PG-13 Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo reveals that he’s a fellow CIA asset. Before dying, he hands Six a necklace containing an encrypted Starring Ryan Gosling, disc, with incriminating evidence against new Ana de Armas, Chris Evans CIA boss Denny Carmichael (Bridgerton’s RegéStreaming on Netflix Jean Page). Carmichael, who’s already planning to eliminate the program that employs Six, is determined to destroy the evidence and terminate anyone who’s aware of it.

That’s just an excuse to set the plot in motion, and Page has surprisingly little screen time, making him an underwhelming adversary for Six. The actual villain is CIA contractor Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), hired to take out Six and acquire the NOPE disc by any means necessary. Evans puts on a weaselly musWriter/director Jordan Peele returns with tache and berates a lot of underlings, but he never convincingly another elevated horror joint to freak us out. embodies the supposedly ultra-dangerous psychopath that Two siblings (Daniel Kaluula, Keke Palmer) Carmichael’s second-in-command, Suzanne Brewer (Jessica living in an isolated gulch of Inland California try to document the UFOs that have been terHenwick), warns him against. Evans was far more effectively rorizing their ranch. Rated R diabolical as a wealthy schemer in a cozy sweater in Knives Out. Six gets help from his CIA handler, Dani Miranda (Ana MY DONKEY, MY LOVER & I de Armas), and a few other longtime allies, who mostly serve Laure Calamy won the 2021 César Award (the as plot devices and/or cannon fodder. The real appeal of French equivalent of an Oscar) for her coThe Gray Man isn’t the story or the characters, but the major medic turn as Antoinette Lapouge, a schoolteacher having an affair with one of her stuaction set pieces that the Russos ought to be adept at crafting dents’ fathers. When a family vacation gets after helming four Marvel blockbusters. Even with the masin the way of their lovers holiday, she follows sive budget, The Gray Man doesn’t come close to the scale and the family with uncooperative transportation creativity of the franchises it’s copying, from James Bond to aid from the titular stubborn ass. Not rated Jason Bourne to Mission: Impossible.

At the Magic Lantern The action bounces from one international locale to OFFICIAL COMPETITION another, but they all blend together into an indistinguishable The ego of the movie industry is ruthlessly mush of car chases and shootouts. This is the kind of movie mocked in this Spanish-Argentine comedy that should be designed to be appreciated on a big screen, where a tycoon decides to bankroll a film but the Netflix feature will barely hold viewers’ attention directed by a provocateur (Penélope Cruz), on their home-viewing device of choice. “Gray” is the right which pairs a dim movie star (Antonio Banword for such an empty, forgettable piece of would-be studio deras) with a pretentious “serious” actor (Oscar Martínez). Rated R At the Magic Lantern intellectual property. n

SECRET AGENT BLAND Ryan Gosling travels the world in the dull action thriller The Gray Man

ALSO OPENING

40 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

SCREEEN | REVIEW

TER GIC LAN N THEAT MA FRI, JULY 22 - THU, JULY 28 ER ND

TH

TICKETS: 10-11 $

NOW SHOWING:

OFFICIAL COMPETITION, THE DUKE THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE, JAZZ FEST MY DONKEY, MY LOVER AND I WEEKLY SPECIAL

CATVIDEOFEST TICKETS $5 MEOW! FOR SHOWTIMES: 509-209-2383 or

MAGICLANTERNONMAIN.COM NOW SERVING BEER & WINE FOR PRIVATE RESERVATIONS EMAIL: magiclanternevents@gmail.com

25 W Main Ave #125 • MagicLanternOnMain.com

Love Is Love

Trans teen love blossoms in Anything’s Possible.

Much of the romance between Kelsa and Khal consists of familiar teen movie elements: from the awkward early flirtation to the giddy first date to the intrusive questions from parents.

Khal’s best friend expresses some ingrained transphobia, but Kelsa’s main conflict comes from one of her friends being interested in the same guy. Screenwriter Ximena García Lecuona treats Khal’s Muslim family with the same straightforward understanding as Kelsa’s gender identity,

BY JOSH BELL and the movie’s diversity comes off as an honest f one hallmark of LGBTQ+ acceptance reflection of lived experiences. in Hollywood is the release of mainstream Reign and Ali are never more than just cute queer-themed movies that are just as mediotogether, and the teen romance is a little tame, cre as any mainstream straight movie, then teen although that fits with characters who are still rom-com Anything’s Possible is a significant step in figuring themselves out. Goldsberry, the most the right direction. Alongside movies like Love, recognizable face in the cast, gives a vivacious Simon and recent Hulu originals Crush and Fire performance as a mother who is supportive but Island, Anything’s Possible tells a pleasant, crowdalso not afraid to be an authority figure. She pleasing story featuring LGBTQ+ characters, provides both the movie’s funniest and its most featuring a positive tone and a predictably upbeat intense moments. That intensity comes through outcome. It’s bold in its inclusiveness, but less so in a third act that gets more serious, taking on in its storytelling. heavy topical issues in a way that sometimes feels Writer and activist Eva Reign makes her rushed. It would be a fantasy to portray Kelsa’s film acting debut as Kelsa, a transgender teen life without adversity, but Lecouna’s script piles girl navigating high school life in the Pittsburgh on so much adversity so quickly that it strains suburbs. This isn’t a coming-out story, even if the movie.

Kelsa still struggles with acceptance from some of In his first time behind the camera, breakout the people in her life. Her mother, Selene (Renée Pose star Billy Porter directs with confidence, givElise Goldsberry), is her biggest champion, ing Anything’s Possible although her father is no longer in the ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE a glossy style that picture. She has a pair of loyal best friends Rated PG-13 could be borrowed who always have her back — or so she from any midDirected by Billy Porter initially believes — and she’s planning for a Starring Eva Reign, Abubakr Ali, budget teen movie. future that starts with attending college in Kelsa’s online vidRenée Elise Goldsberry New York or LA before launching a career Streaming on Amazon Prime eos open the movie, as a wildlife cinematographer. as she shares her Kelsa makes online videos about her trans love of animals and delivers some questionable experience, but at school she wants to be treated metaphors, but they only sporadically return, givno differently from any other girl. She even ing way to a more conventional approach. insists on the “law of averages” with her mother, Porter stages an exuberant dance number a rule stating that Selene can only respond to over the closing credits, hinting at the grander, Kelsa in the same way the mother of an “avermore daring movie he could have made with a age” girl would. Kelsa’s carefully constructed life bigger budget and more license to take risks. Anyis thrown off-balance when she meets classmate thing’s Possible takes risks just by existing, though, Khal (Abubakr Ali) and they develop a mutual and it’s hard to fault the filmmakers for putting attraction. Their interest in each other is simple their marginalized characters into the kind of and sweet, but the people around them don’t approachable, feel-good narrative that they’ve necessarily see it that way. previously been denied. n

A trans teen gets her own rom-com experience in Anything’s Possible

I

Boo Radley’s Uncommon�Gifts

Downtown Spokane

on Howard St.

Still Serving The Best in Vinyl

IIIIII RUSH ORDER — NEED IT FAST? — Those Hard-To-Find & Collector Items VINYL • CDS • DVDS T-shirts • Posters & more Best music store in Eastern Washington

1610 N. Monroe St • 509.325.1914

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 41

COUNTRY

Keeping Her Whits About Her I

f the not-quite-fitting-the-mold country charms of Kacey Musgraves’ Pageant Material were high school sweethearts with the Midwest-championing of John Mellencamp’s early 1980s heartland rock, their songwriting child would be Hailey Whitters’ new album, Raised.

The record serves as the rising country singer-songwriter’s attempt to tell the story of where she came from — rural Iowa, Shueyville to be precise — and is loaded with golden-hued odes to the nostalgic times she had growing up there (“Big Family,” “Beer Tastes Better,” “In a Field Somewhere,” etc.).

“I worried when I was writing this record, is this gonna be too niche, too specific to the Midwest?” says Whitters. “But I think that it’s been really cool to see it resonate with people from all over the country. The scenery is obviously a little more cornfields and chert rock than they are red and cowboy hats, but I feel like it can resonate far and wide.”

Led by the county fair sweetness inherent in Whitters’ voice, most of the record carries a bright and happy feel, like catchy, clap-filled single “Everything She

42 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

With Raised, Hailey Whitters tries to overcome the country music industry’s hurdles to bring her sweet Midwestern tunes to the masses

BY SETH SOMMERFELD Hailey Whitters is a child of the corn... but in a good way.

Ain’t,” but Whitters also feels comfortable when descending into darker heartbreak territory (“The Neon”).

As a co-producer on her albums, Whitters has found a relatively stripped-down country production style that works for her.

“I like things to sound very authentic and natural and real and less computerized and tuned to perfection,” says Whitters. “I like it a little more raw. Just the sounds: having fiddle, having banjo, having really organic production, that is important to me.”

That authenticity carries Whitters through some songs like the awww shucks Americana of “Middle of America” and the wistful “Boys Back Home,” tunes that could easily be eye-rolling cliche fests in the hands of lesser modern country songwriters.

“I think [it’s] just trying to stay as true as possible and as representative as possible. Like these are real people in real life, where I come from,” says Whitters. “So trying to keep it as true and authentic to that without making it seem just kind of like, you know, cheesy... making it seem not like it’s satire, ya know?”

W

HARPER SMITH PHOTO

hile Whitters seems to be on the precipice of a breakout moment, she’s hardly a musical newbie. She’s long been a songwriter helping to pen songs for country stars like Alan Jackson and Little Big Town, and even co-writing the Grammy-nominated “A Beautiful Noise” for Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile.

She put out her first solo album, Black Sheep, in 2015, but really started finding her voice with the release of her sophomore LP, The Dream. Unfortunately, that album dropped in late February 2020… and… well… turns out a global pandemic can really throw a wrench in a burgeoning career. Still, The Dream managed to find an audience in spite of Whitters being cooped up and unable to hit the road to share the music with her fans.

“It was really scary. It felt like I was finally getting my break, I had all this momentum, all this attention coming from dropping the first half of the record, and I had tours lined up; the whole rest of the year was pretty stacked for me. And so it felt like after 13 years, I was finally getting a break, and then the pandemic hit and everything shut down,” says Whitters.

“I owe so much credit to the fans, especially during 2020,” continues Whitters. “To see them finding ways to still discover my record as an independent artist who had no radio play. And I’ve been very fortunate with a lot of the artists in the genre, and the community who put me on their tours without having a radio single. That’s kind of crazy, and not how things used to be done not that long ago.”

While Whitters’ music speaks for itself, it’s still uncertain if she’ll find a massive country audience because of the way modern country radio treats its female performers. For a long time country was the genre that placed women songwriters with strong voices at the forefront (Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain), but over the past two decades country radio largely abandoned women. A 2019 study by Jada E. Watson found that female artists made up only 10 percent of country radio airplay. It’s gotten so bad that Kacey Musgraves received essentially zero country radio play for Golden Hour… which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. (For more on the topic, read Nashville journalist Marissa R. Moss’ new book, Her Country.)

In spite of the built-in sexism of her industry and the lack of airplay The Dream received, Whitters keeps a positive attitude about Raised’s chances to break through the gatekeepers bulwarks. After The Dream started getting noticed in 2020, Whitters’ Pigasus Records signed a partnership agreement with Big Loud, the publishing/management company and record label that has helped turn acts like Florida Georgia Line and Morgan Wallen into modern country megastars.

In hard times or happy times, Numerica is here for you.

“This [is] my first go at radio. I’ve never had the opportunity before,” says Whitters. “So I don’t know if I can necessarily speak to the whole ‘not getting airplay’ [thing].

“I started out so independent, The Dream was a totally independent record. I put it out on my own record label. So I’m very, very used to and very familiar with the DIY route.”

Whitters essentially embarks on a mini Inland Northwest barnstorming tour over the next couple weeks. While her headlining show at Lucky You (July 27) should be the proverbial cream of the Oreo, it’s bookended by a gig opening for Jon Pardi at Northern Quest Casino (July 24) and a stop at the Gorge for the sold-out Watershed Festival (July 29-31). While the rowdy spirit of short festival sets can be a blast, Whitters feels like the club nights really let her dig into her artistry.

“We can do more songs off the record, maybe more album cuts. And then I also love to really just share some of the stories behind the songs on a longer set. There’s still a lot of really great energy, but I think it’s a little more catered to the songwriting than maybe a 30-minute quick festival slot.”

While she may be a hyper-busy road warrior scrapping for country stardom this summer, getting to take the stage and play all the tunes of Raised means Whitters is spiritually never that far from the Midwestern cornfields of home. n Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Hailey Whitters • Sun, July 24 at 7 • $59-$109 • Northern Quest Casino & Resort • 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • northernquest.com • 509-481-2800 Hailey Whitters, Kendell Marvel • Wed, July 27 at 8 pm • $15 • 21+ • Lucky You Lounge • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • luckyyoulounge.com • 509-474-0511

800.433.1837 numericacu.com

All loans subject to approval.

Federally insured by NCUA. JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 43

MUSIC | SOUND ADVICE

POP PUNK AVRIL LAVIGNE

L

ook, it’s weird for me to see a lineup where Avril Lavigne is opening for Machine Gun Kelly. I’m not saying MGK’s turn from white rapper-to-pop punker is basically the human embodiment of the song “Sk8er Boi,” but… wait no, that’s exactly what I’m saying. The tabloid star was only 12 years old when Lavigne became a breakout star with her 2002 debut album Let Go, so the influence is clearly there. And while he’s taken up her arenaheadlining Hot Topic pop punk perch, Avril still does it better. “Bloody Valentine” might be an earworm, but between the skater lovers, “Complicated,” “I’m With You,” “My Happy Ending,” “Girlfriend” and more, Avril’s still got a deeper collection of hits. (Also, Will Smith’s daughter’s pop punk foray — Willow — opens the proceedings… 2022 is weird!)

— SETH SOMMERFELD Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Willow • Mon, July 25 at 7:30 pm • $30-$434 • Allages • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • spokanearena.com • 509-279-7000

J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW J = ALL AGES SHOW

FESTIVAL CANNONBALL 2022

Thursday, 7/21

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Robert Vaughn BABY BAR, Forest Ray, Pit, Balonely COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Yellow Brick Road COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Heatspeak IDAHO CENTRAL CREDIT UNION ARENA, The Happiness J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Heartless Bastards THE MASON JAR, Ali & Emilio J THE NEST AT KENDALL YARDS, Soul Proprieter PINE STREET PLAZA, Andru Gomez POST FALLS BREWING COMPANY, Pat Coast SHERMAN SQUARE PARK, Pastiche ZOLA, Desperate8s

Cannonball 2022 • Sat, July 23 from 2-10 pm • Free • 21+ • Browne’s Addition • S. Cannon St. & W. 2nd Ave • facebook.com/cannonballbrownesaddition

Friday, 7/22

AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, James Motley J THE BIG DIPPER, Zookie, Jaeda CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Whack A Mole J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Above and Beyond Group Therapy Weekender THE JACKSON ST. BAR & GRILL, WhiteNoise J J KNITTING FACTORY, Rise Against, Senses Fail NORTHERN QUEST, Goo Goo Dolls OLD MILL BAR AND GRILL, Gil Rivas Musician J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Bruiser PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Ron Kieper Jazz Trio SEASONS OF COEUR D’ALENE, Tod Hornby

44 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

I

t’s pretty hard to beat a killer backyard party, especially when said party involves a stacked lineup of live music, loads of your friends and plenty of frosty beverages to help beat the heat. Enter Cannonball, the Browne’s Addition bash that debuted in 2019, back once again offering a free, full day of excellent vibes. The lineup this year boasts eight acts (River City Roots, Kung Fu Vinyl, Indian Goat, Strangerers, Atlas Hugged, Frisson, Snacks at Midnight and The Real McCoy), kicking off in early afternoon.

Wear sunscreen, hydrate, and get ready to spend a day with a slew of the area’s finest tunes. It’s an adults-only event, though, so you’ll also want to get a sitter if need be.

— DAN NAILEN

TRANCHE, Older & Wiser

Saturday, 7/23

BABY BAR, Silver Treason BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, Carli Osika J J THE BIG DIPPER, Odyssey J BROWNE’S ADDITION, Cannonball CHAN’S RED DRAGON, The Coleman Underground THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT, Sean Kavanaugh J KNITTING FACTORY, Quarter Monkey, Bored with Fire, Snacks at Midnight, Those Damn Kids LINGER LONGER LOUNGE, WhiteNoise J MILLIE’S, Theresa Edwards Band NOAH’S CANTEEN, Rusty Jackson

J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Bruiser PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Kosh J PONDEROSA BAR AND GRILL, Bubble and Squeak POST FALLS BREWING COMPANY, Son of Brad J REPUBLIC BREWING CO., Cruz Contreras J ROCKET MARKET, Melissa Landrus STORMIN’ NORMAN’S, JamShack TRANCHE, Steven Pontius J YAYA BREWING COMPANY, Just Plain Darin

Sunday, 7/24

ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Soul Proprietor BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, The Rub

COEUR D’ALENE CITY PARK, What About Bob J J NORTHERN QUEST, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Hailey Whitters J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Gil Rivas

Monday, 7/25

J J SPOKANE ARENA, Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Willow

Tuesday, 7/26

COEUR D’ALENE CITY PARK, Pastiche LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Martin Sexton OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Echo Elysium J ROCKET MARKET, Indy SULLIVAN SCOREBOARD, Rhythmic Collective Duo

Wednesday, 7/27

BECK’S HARVEST HOUSE, Daniel Hall FALLS PARK, Chris Moyer & the Downtown Dixies J KENDALL YARDS, Jason Evans, Ron Greene, Olivia Vika LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Hailey Whitters ONE TREE CIDER HOUSE, The Hanks OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Jonathan Tibbetts PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Bob Beadling PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN, Rusty Nail and The Hammers RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates ZOLA, Runaway Lemonade

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 45

YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

COMMUNITY IT’S ALIVE!

The reopening of downtown Spokane’s Central Library isn’t just great because of all the new amenities and features; it also means the return of the library’s vivacious real-time talk show Lilac City Live hosted by one of Spokane’s suavest cats around, Ryan Dean Tucker. The monthly showcase of all things cool and/or weird in Spokane returns to the third floor’s nxʷyxʷyetkʷ Hall July 28 for a show featuring guests Ricky Webster, the award-winning baker extraordinaire, poet and Spark Central boss lady Brooke Matson, comedian Harry J. Riley and excellent local band Atari Ferrari. It’s free fun for the whole family, there’s a cash bar on hand, and you can take a gander at this amazing new community space and some of the best views in town before the show gets going.

— DAN NAILEN Lilac City Live • Thu, July 28 at 8 pm • Free • All ages • Central Library • 906 W. Main • spokanelibrary.org • 509-444-5308

GET LISTED!

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

46 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

FILM A BEAR NECESSITY

THEATER MARCH ON

Paddington 2 • July 25-29, daily at noon • Free • Garland Theater • 924 W. Garland Ave. • garlandtheater.com • 509-327-2509

Little Women • July 22-31, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm; Sun at 2:30 pm • $50-$153 • Schuler Performing Arts Center • 880 W. Garden Ave, Coeur d’Alene • cdasummertheatre.com • 208-660-2958

I preach the gospel of the Paddington movies. It is hard to convince adults that kids’ movies revolving around the London adventures of a talking bear could actually be the best modern film franchise and that watching them is basically self-care therapy that will improve your life. Still, I face hesitancy. But I’ve yet to encounter anyone who disagrees after watching them. Paddington is just the nicest, sweetest young gentleman around, and his comedy and adventure-filled movies radiate with a cheerful charm that’s simply undeniable. As part of their summer kids movie series, Garland screens the beloved Paddington 2 — with all its heist elements, prison antics and Hugh Grant’s uproarious villainous turn — for a week at noon. Bring a delicious marmalade sandwich and make an extended lunch break out of it!

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Being the bookworm that I am, I’m a huge fan of books being turned into theatrical productions and movies. Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel Little Women has been turned into both of those things — lucky me! The musical, staged by Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, follows the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, and, of course, their mother, Marmee, as they navigate life in Concord, Massachusetts, while their father is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Not only is the story heartwarming, it’s funny. The sibling and relationship drama that ensues while the girls are left to their own devices seems dramatic but, to the four sisters, the situations that they have to remedy and traverse together are make-or-break moments. Prepare to giggle, shed a few tears and enjoy the chaos of sisters.

— MADISON PEARSON

THE NORTHWEST’S BEST CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT & CHARITY EVENT

SPORTS GOALS FOR PEACE

Sport is a global unifier. No one believes this more wholeheartedly than the International Military Sports Council (CISM), founded in France after World War II to use sport as a vessel for peace. Instead of meeting on the battlefield, soldiers play on the sports field together, not as enemies, but as friends.

This year, Fairchild Air Force Base hosts the CISM Women’s Military World Cup, hosting 10 soccer teams from four continents. Athletes from the U.S., Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mali, the Netherlands and South Korea have come to compete, playing two matches per day until the final championship round this Friday evening. All games, including the gold medal match, are free and open to the public at Union Stadium. Come cheer on the footballers competing for the championship, and join Fairchild Air Force Base in strengthening healthy, exciting international partnerships with all the teams involved.

— ELIZA BILLINGHAM Women’s Military World Cup • Fri, July 22 at noon and 4 pm • Free • Union Stadium • 12509 N. Market St., Mead • fairchildfun.com • 509-465-6137

JULY 30

CELEBRITY GOLF FOOD TRUCKS ENTERTAINMENT BEER GARDEN FIGHTING CANCER

40+

*

CELEBRITY GOLFERS JOIN THE PARTY!

COMMUNITY TO MARKET

If you can’t sate your appetite for funky vintage finds, even after June’s Farm Chicks Show or by making the rounds to the dozens of vintage and antique shops in the region, make plans to hit up this second-year vendor market.

Dubbed an “upscale open-air market featuring vintage and vintage-inspired collections for all ages,” Vintage Market Days takes over the barns at Coeur d’Alene’s Kootenai County Fairgrounds for a three-day affair. Besides the exciting treasure-hunt aspect of an event like this, guests can also enjoy live music and food vendors. Modeled after an event originally held in Oklahoma, Vintage Market Days is a national series, with versions held in cities across the U.S. Coeur d’Alene’s rendition features dozens of local vintage and antique vendors, offering everything from clothing to furniture to decor, and much more. Grab your tote bags and go!

— CHEY SCOTT Vintage Market Days Presents: Bloom • July 22-24, Fri-Sat from 10 am5 pm; Sun from 10 am-4 pm • $5-$15; 12 and under free • Kootenai County Fairgrounds • 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene • vintagemarketdays.com

TICKETS JUST $20

MARCUS ALLEN WAYNE GRETZKY JOHN ELWAY DUSTIN PEDROIA BLAIR O’NEAL ERIC DICKERSON MARK MULDER OZZIE SMITH

AND MORE! * SCHEDULED TO APPEAR

SHOWCASEGOLF.COM JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 47

community for the continuous support of the Inland Empire Gardeners for over 25 years. Spokane rocks!! Special thanks to all our garden club volunteers, too.

I SAW YOU CHECKING OUT AT WINCO Valley Winco last month. Me with my teenagers in the checkout line, you by yourself in front of us.

I asked what was up with something in your cart. You countered asking me what was up with something in mine, and then we had a conversation about wisdom teeth. You bought the groceries in my cart that day, and all of the cart of the guy in front of you as well. I am really grateful to you, so thank you for doing that. You also seem like someone I would like to get to know. If you see this, email wincomissedconnection@ yahoo.com and let me know what either of us had in our carts that we commented on.

CHEERS SPOKANE IN BLOOM A HUGE SUCCESS Just wanted to thank the public for supporting Spokane in Bloom local garden club tour last month. We were finally able to have our garden tour after two years of being put on hold with the whole COVID thing.

Spokane really stepped up and came to our tour with flying colors. We had six incredible gardens, vendors and live music.

Please mark your calendars for next year for Spokane in Bloom: June 17, 2023. We are always looking for fabulous gardens to showcase on our tours. Next year we are planning to be on the South Hill again; so if you have a tour-worthy garden, we would love to hear about it. Please contact The Inland Empire Gardeners at tieg@comcast. net or call 509-535-8434. Thanks Spokane

JEERS CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS, REALLY? Your TV ad is laughable. Your last campaign was about veterans; still waiting to see help for our veterans medical, mental and homeless needs. Now you are going to help with gas pricing after the Republicans voted down capping the gas prices. You blame the

SPOKANE WOMEN Fellow women, don’t know if you’ve heard Ashton Kutcher’s speech honoring women, stating “confident” women are sexy? Well, I listened intently to the entire speech (it’s years old, but still relevant). My point is, I don’t know when clearing our throats loudly around each other in public places became a common practice. I, a female, know what you are doing. When did this become a form of communication?

Please stop. Let’s just be Kind and stop the competition. Let’s value fellow women.

Stop the looks. Stop the throat clearing.

Be Kind. Being a girlfriend, wife, mom, etc., etc., etc. isn’t always easy. Just smile instead of clearing your throat and giving a, well, stuck-up look. Please stop it and be Kind to each other. Cheers, women.

Confidence is KEY. Go on your own way, be kind, and be confident. It might just make you happier, too.

“

HERMES HECKLER Nearly all of the Sunday Hadestown matinee audience waited patiently for the show to begin. No explanation for the delay was given. After the incredibly talented Levi Kreis (Hermes) called the crowd to repeat, “Well alright,” one self-entitled jerk yelled, “It’s about time.” Mr. Kreis smiled and went on to deliver a fabulous, passionate performance.

The reason for the delay was that the two lead performers contracted COVID, and their understudies needed a little time to get up to speed. That performance went on; the evening one was canceled. This musical begins and ends with the song “Road to Hell,” in which Mr. Krieg sings, “It’s a sad song.” But for one man, the cast could have ended their stay here on a positive note.

Spokane you were so close. One would think with all the world has been through

FREE STUFF!!! Cheers to the people who put unwanted items on the curb with a cardboard sign stating, “Free,” to keep usable items out of the dump and help people in the neighborhood who may be struggling financially and benefit from your selflessness. Cheers to caring about the planet and paying it forward. If people shared things instead of throwing them away, our country wouldn’t be drowning in cheap crap from China. Now go back to poisoning your lawn and the bees with pesticides and wasting water on your perfect yard instead of worrying about what’s in front of MY house.

need to teach other bicyclists how to ride properly. DD

HIGH DRIVE CAMPERS When did High Drive on the South Hill become a camp site for white vans with blacked-out windows and missing license plates?

RISING FASCISM For a country called the “United States of America,” we are more divided than ever, as well as a rogue SCOTUS and a dysfunctional government.

I fear the worst if nothing is to counteract the assault on our rights; fear and hate do not belong.

TICKETING A HANDICAPPED CAR WITH $450 FINE OK, Spokane parking patrol, you

”

I’ve lost count of how many bicyclists blow stop signs and red lights...

current president, but the president doesn’t control the gas prices. Prices were low in 2020, but there was also a pandemic (that the former president ignored) and people couldn’t travel, which depressed gas prices.

As the country opened up, more demand led to higher gas prices; also oil refineries are not running 100%. You want to stop paying people not to work; minimum wage is not going up, but food and housing are.

You want people to work, pay them a living wage. But you state you have ideas to help, so now you want to fix the economy; where were you the past two years? Why are you waiting for re-election to help?

Do something now. I think it’s time to step down and let someone who cares 365 days a year, rather than every two years to get re elected, and then does nothing.

SPOKANE VOTERS For those who have posted on billboards, social media and in newspapers all of their complaints about Cathy McMorris Rodgers, let’s see how serious you are to have her removed from her lofty position. CMR has been living off taxpayers without any or very few of her inconsequential bills passed since taking office on 1-3-05. “She” appears to be only a poster child or showpiece for Eastern Washington Republicans. Now is the time for all those who fervently want CMR removed from her comfortable lair to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, & VOTE her out.

that we all have learned to be more tolerant and understanding.

SOUND OFF

1. Visit Inlander.com/isawyou by 3 pm Monday. 2. Pick a category (I Saw You, You Saw Me, Cheers or Jeers). 3.

Provide basic info: your name and email (so we know you’re real). 4. To connect via I Saw You, provide a non-identifying email to be included with your submission — like “petals327@yahoo.com,” not “j.smith@comcast.net.”

have gone too far!! Yesterday downtown I was at a medical appointment and parked in a handicapped space. I have personalized license plate with the official disabled parking sticker. Imagine my surprise when I come out to my car and see a traffic ticket on my car for $450 for parking in a handicapped space. What?! So crazy. Called the traffic court number, and they said you need to protest the ticket in traffic court or send a statement on the internet. Don’t know what this world is coming to. Making a poor crippled old lady go to court or, even worse, try to use a computer and defend her handicap needs. I would love for the person who wrote this traffic ticket ... to be put on some kind of a probation for a few weeks and go without pay. Whoever it was sure made me have a very bad day.

RE: BAD TOWN FOR BICYCLISTS To the person who said Spokane is a bad place for bicycles & bicyclists, you must not have lived here long. We spent millions making the Centennial Trail and millions more recently for new bike lanes. Of course they didn’t make the lines with day glow paint & forgot we have snow four to six months out of the year. Also there used to be a road share campaign, “Same road, same rules, same rights” Half of the bicyclists in this town DO NOT follow the rules!! Yes, drivers need to pay attention, but I’ve lost count of how many bicyclists blow stop signs and red lights, don’t know signals, don’t wear helmets... The list goes on. They also weave in & out of traffic, ride the wrong way, etc. The police do nothing. I know their hands are full, which is why bicyclists

GERM-FREE LIBRARY? Be extra cautious in what you touch while visiting the 117,000-square-foot, $33 million remodel of the downtown library. I say that because there is not one hand-sanitizer dispenser in that 117,000 square feet, so I’m assuming that the powers that be believe COVID is over, not to mention the common cold, flu and germs in general. And don’t get me started with River Square Mall; I think they have the same powers that be!

AQUAMAN Jeers to the person that elected to steal aquaman’s custom wetsuit from the beach at Beaver Creek campground on July 14. I refer to him as aquaman because I don’t know his name and he is obviously in the top tier of the elite category for personal watercraft athletes in the area.

Perhaps the person will appeal to their better nature and find a way to drop it off anonymously at someplace like Fitness Fanatics or a local bike shop, and I am sure any of them could find the owner as people know each other in these communities. n

THIS WEEK'S ANSWERS M A J O R

A M O N G

L O D E S

A S E S

L O C I

D O O N E D T H E N E O N E A R P O D R U E L E V E C S T A T H A R S O T O

A Z I Z E D S A I M A M E B B O E N T I T E A S

L E A F A G E

U N R I S E N

G B O A T S H T S A A N I

S P D B A E I T F F A F T A C E T S S

I A N S E D I E

I D O L

A K O N A R T A D I T O K O R O N U N I E D O D O N

Saturday July 23rd - 6:35PM

Wear your prince or princess costume and take pictures with all of your favorite storybook princess characters!

Presented by:

Visit 48 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

for Tickets

A L Y

A E T N A

NOTE: I Saw You/Cheers & Jeers is for adults 18 or older. The Inlander reserves the right to edit or reject any posting at any time at its sole discretion and assumes no responsibility for the content.

Storybook Princess Night! vs.

B I A M W S L

Games Through Sunday 7/24

FREE PARKING

EVENTS | CALENDAR

BENEFIT

BACKPACKS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN For the 13th year, The Salvation Army Spokane, in collaboration with Nomnom Convenience Stores, has a goal of distributing 4,000 new backpacks with school supplies to local children, grades K-12. Nomnom is collecting donations through July. spokane.salvationarmy. org (509-325-6810) THE SHOWCASE The Showcase is one of the premier fundraising events on the West coast for the fight against cancer. The three-day event features parties, daily activities for golfers, live music and more. Proceeds benefit Community Cancer Fund. See website for schedule. July 28-30. By donation.

Coeur d’Alene Golf Club, 2321 W. Fairway Dr. showcasegolf.com AN EVENING IN TUSCANY A summer benefit highlighting local arts, entertainment, scratchmade eats and Tuscan-themed street fair fun to raise critical funds for YWCA’s Domestic Violence Safe Shelter and other services. July 29, 5-10 pm. $135. Beacon Hill Events, 4848 E. Wellesley Ave. tuscany2022. givesmart.com (509-789-9305)

COMEDY

STEVEN CROWDER Crowder is best known for his political commentary on his show, Louder With Crowder. July 21, 6 pm, July 22-23, 7 & 10 pm. $45-$75.

Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com BUCKET LIST An improvised comedy show based on the places you’ll go and the things you’ll see. July 22, 7:30 pm. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com RYAN MCCOMB Join Ryan at the filming of his debut comedy special featuring local comics such as Rob Wentz, Jay Berg, Jesse Burt and more. July 22, 9 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5336) SAFARI A fast-paced, short-form comedic improv show. Saturdays from 7:30-9 pm. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com NEW TALENT TUESDAYS Watch comedians of all skill levels work out jokes together. Tuesdays at 7 pm (doors at 6 pm). Free. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com DAN MINTZ Best known for his role as Tina Belcher on Bob’s Burgers, Mintz has also written for shows such as Na-

than For You and The Goldbergs. July 28, 7:30 pm, July 29-30, 7:30 & 10 pm and July 30, 7:30 & 10 pm. $20-$33.

Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

COMMUNITY

GOLDEN HARVEST: FLOUR SACKS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION The MAC’s collection of cloth flour sacks offers a window into the early development of Eastern Washington’s wheat industry, which today contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy.

Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm, third Thursdays from 10 am-9 pm, through Oct. 30. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) GRAND COULEE DAM LASER LIGHT SHOW The 2022 light show theme is “One River, Many Voices.” Through July 31 at 10 pm, Aug. 1-31 at 9:30 pm and Sept. 1-30 at 8:30 pm. Free. Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center. usbr.gov INCCC CAR SHOW See over 400 rods, customs and classics on Main Ave. in the heart of downtown Spokane. July 21, 6-9:30 pm. Free. (509-456-0580) THE RUM REBELLION: PROHIBITION IN NORTH IDAHO Featuring historical photographs, newspaper articles and artifacts including a moonshine still, this exhibit tells the story of how the panhandle of Idaho was anything but dry during the nationwide prohibition.

Open daily from 11 am-5 pm through Oct. 29. $2-$6. Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd. museumni.org THE WAY WE WORKED An exhibit curated by the Smithsonian Museum and the National Archives that celebrates the history of work in America and explores the places that Americans worked, from farms to factories and mines to restaurants, as well as in homes. Wed-Sat from 11 am-4 pm through Aug. 20. $3-$6. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, 12114 E. Sprague Ave. spokanevalleymuseum.com HAYDEN DAYS The community event features food vendors, live music, a beer garden, goods for sale and more.

July 22, 2-9 pm and July 23, 10 am-9 pm. Free. McIntire Family Park, 8930 N. Government Way. cityofhaydenid.us SUMMER FUN OPEN HOUSE Play games, meet animals at the center and learn all about the wonders of summer.

Walk-ins welcome. July 22, 10 am-1 pm. By donation. West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, 8706 E. Upriver Drive.

olc.wvsd.org (509-340-1028) VINTAGE MARKET DAYS OF NORTH IDAHO: BLOOM A wide array of vintage and vintage-inspired finds, plus live music and food trucks. July 22-23, 10 am-5 pm and July 24, 10 am-4 pm. $5-$15. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way. vintagemarketdays.com (208-765-4969) WHEATLAND BANK HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of downtown Spokane and Riverfront Park. Fridays from 5-9 pm through July 29. Free. Downtown Spokane. downtown.spokane.net COLFAX 150 A fun-filled weekend of events celebrating 150 years of local history and community. Activities include a vendor market, live music, food vendors, retail sales, a kid zone and a corn hole tournament. July 23-24. Free.

Colfax, Wash. explorecolfax.com DISABILITY PRIDE RESOURCE AND ACTIVITY FAIR Celebrate and learn about disability pride and the Americans with Disabilities Act. July 23, 10 am-4 pm. Free. Coeur d’Alene Park, 300 S. Chestnut St., Spokane. dacnw.org GEOLOGY DAY Children can experience the thrill of finding gemstones in a mining sluice and learn basic concepts of geology. July 23, 10 am-5 pm. $8-$12.

Mobius Discovery Center, 331 N. Post St. mobiusdiscoverycenter.org PANIDA THEATER OPEN HOUSE Stop in for a tour, a cold brew or just to check out classic Charlie Chaplin shorts; Behind the Screen, Vagabond, Fireman and more. Saturdays from 12-4 pm through Aug. 20. Free. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint. panida.org INLAND EMPIRE BONSAI SOCIETY SHOW & SALE A bonsai show featuring approximately 30 trees. See club members working on trees; bonsai/gardening material also available for purchase.

In the Manito Park Meeting room. July 24, 10 am-4 pm. Free. Manito Park, 1800 S. Grand Blvd. (509-456-8038) FREE CAROUSEL RIDE DAY Celebrate the Coeur d’Alene carousel’s 100th birthday on National Merry-Go-Round May with free rides and activities. July 25, 11 am-5 pm. Coeur d’Alene City Park, 415 W. Mullan Rd. cdacarousel.com KERNEL During the Kendall Yards Night Market, kids are encouraged to participate in activities to earn a voucher to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

Wednesdays from 5-7 pm through Aug. 24. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

Stan Miller 60 Paintings J U LY 2 0 2 2

Barrister Winery 1213 W. RAILROAD AVE. 509.465.3591 SUN MON TUES 12-6PM WED 12-9PM, THURS 12-6PM FRI 12-9, SAT 12-7 *Barrister hours may include private events

StanMiller.net | 509.768.9354

Sustainable Fashion Birds in the Coast | 705 N Monroe

because spokane is downtown explore downtown at downtownspokane.org

ENTER TO WIN 1 PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE

BRETT YOUNG ENTER AT

AUG 6 TH

Inlander.com/freestuff JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 49

EVENTS | CALENDAR PANHANDLE FARM FESTIVAL The second annual festival features farm vendors, live music, kids activities, food trucks, a beer garden and a U-pick blueberry event. July 28, 4-8 pm. Free. Red Canoe Farms, 28405 W. Hwy 53. redcanoefarms.com AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CELEBRATION A celebration of signing the Americans with Disabilities Act into law 32 years ago. Learn about the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support animals and enjoy live music and a free lunch. July 29, 10 am-2 pm. Free. McEuen Park, 420 E. Front Ave. cdaid.org (208-883-0523)

FILM

CATVIDEOFEST A compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. A percentage of the proceeds from each event go to local animal shelters and/or animal welfare organizations. July 15-21, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun-Thu at 6:30 pm. $10-$11.

Magic Lantern Theatre, 25 W. Main Ave. catvideofest.com (509-209-2383) DREAMWORKS ANIMATION: THE EXHIBITION — JOURNEY FROM SKETCH TO SCREEN From the makers of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls, comes an extraordinary exhibition celebrating over 25 years of DreamWorks Animation.

The show includes more than 400 items including rare and never-seen-before concept drawings, original artifacts, interactives, film clips, and more. Through Sept. 11; Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm (third Thursdays until 9 pm). $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org FREE KIDS MOVIES: LEGO BATMAN Part of the Garland Theater’s free kids movies series. July 18-22, daily at 9:30 am. Free.

Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com (509-327-1050) FAMILY FRIENDLY SERIES: JUMANJI Part of the Garland’s family friendly series. July 18-22, daily at 12 pm. $2.50.

Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com (509-327-1050) SKY HOPINKA: LORE Lore is an experimental work that weaves together family, myth and trauma with traces of nostalgia articulated in terms of lore. Images of friends and landscapes are cut, fragmented and reassembled on an overhead projector as the artist’s hands guide their shape and construction. Tue-Fri from 1-4 pm, Sat from 10 am-4 pm through Aug. 6. Free. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU, 1535 NE Wilson Rd. museum.wsu. edu (509-335-1910) MOVIES IN THE PARK The Salvation Army Spokane’s family friendly summer movie series, Fridays at Sally’s Park. All movies begin at sundown. Bring blankets and lawn chairs; snacks and drinks are available, benefiting Salvation Army’s local youth programs. 9 pm through Sep. 3.

Free. The Salvation Army Spokane, 222 E. Indiana Ave. salvationarmyspokane.org MOVIE IN THE PARK: HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS Part of the Liberty Lake Summer Festival is this outdoor screening of the second installment of the Harry Potter film franchise.

Movie starts at dusk. July 23. Free. Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Rd. pavillionpark. org (509-755-6726) SATURDAY CARTOONS AT THE FARMERS MARKET Showings of cartoons dur-

50 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

ing the Moscow Farmers Market. Every Sat through Oct. 31 from 8 am-1 pm. Free.

The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127) TDS MOVIES IN THE PARK: THE GOONIES In addition to the movie, the event also features face painting, lawn games and giveaways. Event starts at 6 pm; movie starts at 8 pm. July 23. Free.

Franklin Park, 302 W. Queen Ave. TDSfiber.com (509-328-2402) DREAMWORKS MOVIE MATINEES: OVER THE HEDGE Visit the DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition — Journey From Sketch to Screen and then watch a screening of the film Over the Hedge.

July 24, 2 pm. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) FREE KIDS MOVIES: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: Part of the Garland’s free kids movies series. July 25-29, daily at 9:30 am. Free. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com FAMILY FRIENDLY SERIES: PADDINGTON 2 Part of the Garland Theater’s family friendly series. July 25-29, daily at 12 pm. $2.50. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com SUMMER FAMILY MATINEE SERIES Weekly showings of family-friendly films. Tue and Wed at 1 pm; see website for complete schedule. Through Aug. 3. $3. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org (208-882-4127) MOVIES AT THE PAVILION Watch some classics, summer favorites and recent blockbusters under the Pavilion. July 20: Encanto; July 27: Ghostbusters Afterlife; Aug. 3: The Princess Bride. July 20, July 27 and Aug. 3, from 8:30-10 pm. Free.

Pavilion at Riverfront, 574 N. Howard St. my.spokanecity.org (509-625-6000) SPOKANE CLIMATE ACTION MOVIE A public showing of the Spokane Climate Action film. July 27, 6-8 pm. Free. Unity Spiritual Center Spokane, 2900 S. Bernard St. unityspokane.org

FOOD & DRINK

CHEERS FOR KIDS A four-course gourmet food and craft beer pairing. Play heads and tails for a chance to win eight one-way tickets on Southwest Airlines.

Other auction/raffle prizes include a signed Gonzaga men’s basketball, growler of the month, and a trip to Mexico.

Proceeds benefit Vanessa Behan. July 21, 6-8:30 pm. $125. Beacon Hill Events, 4848 E. Wellesley Ave. vanessabehan.org (509-340-0479) ARBOR CREST 40TH ANNIVERSARY An evening of sharing memories, listening to live music and raffle prizes. A Mediterranean inspired menu is available, or guests may pack their own picnics. July 22, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd. arborcrest. com (509-927-9463) CANINES & COCKTAILS Bring your dog onto the patio and enjoy dinner, drinks and treats for you and your furry friend.

Every Friday from 2-7 pm. South Perry Lantern, 1004 S. Perry St. lanternspokane.com (509-473-9098) FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY This year’s food truck selection includes Mixed Plate, Skewers, One Night Stand, Tacos Camargo, Good Dilla and more. Located on Wall Street. Fridays from 11 am-2 pm through Aug. 26. Downtown Spokane. downtownspokane.org

RIDE & DINE This summer series includes a scenic gondola ride, live music and a mountain-top barbecue dinner. Fridays from 3-8 pm through Sept. 2. $8-58.

Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com (208-783-1111) WINE TASTING Taste the wines of Spokane’s Barili Cellars. Includes cheese and crackers. July 22, 3-6:30 pm. $10. Vino! A Wine Shop, 222 S. Washington St. vinowine.com (509-838-1229) WINE TASTING Taste the wines of Lobo Hills Winery. Includes cheese and crackers. July 23, 2-4:30 pm. $15. Vino! A Wine Shop, 222 S. Washington St. vinowine. com (509-838-1229) DRAG BRUNCH Watch Nova Caine and the cast of Runway perform while enjoying a full breakfast menu and mimosas.

Sundays from 10 am-2 pm. Globe Bar & Kitchen, 204 N. Division. globespokane. com (509-443-4014) FOOD CHAMPS CHEF COMPETITION A culinary battle between reigning Food Champ Joe Morris of Luna and the team from Gander & Ryegrass. Each contestant creates three courses and diners choose the winner based on which menu they like best. July 24, 6 pm. $150. Gander & Ryegrass, 404 W. Main Ave. culinarydope.com (509-315-4613) GARDEN TEA PARTY Spend the afternoon in a flower field sipping gourmet tea and eating finger foods. July 24, July 30, Aug. 13 and Aug. 21 at 1 pm. $30-$45.

Grumpy Chicken Farm, 1535 E. Shingle Mill Rd. grumpychickenfarm.com (208274-3358) RIVERFRONT EATS Riverfront Park’s local food truck series. Tuesdays from 11 am-2 pm through Aug. 30. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600) POURS & PICKS Enjoy $6 wine by the glass and $4 charcuterie picks in the Cafe, every Wednesday from 4-6 pm.

The Culinary Stone, 2129 N. Main St. culinarystone.com (208-277-4166) WINE WEDNESDAYS Enjoy wine specials, food and live music while watching the sun set over the orchard. See website for live music lineup. Wednesdays from 5-8 pm through Aug. 24. Free. Beck’s Harvest House, 9919 E. Greenbluff Rd. becksharvesthouse.com (509-238-6970) SOUR FEST 2022 Six local breweries present a selection of sour beers, plus raffle drawings, pizza and giveaways.

Cost of admission gets customers a fivepunch card, and a custom glass. July 2931, daily starting at 3 pm. $6-$32. For the Love of God Brewing, 2617 W. Northwest Blvd. fortheloveofgodbrewing.com

MUSIC

THE MASKED SINGER Building upon FOX’s hit guessing-game series, this national tour takes it on the road with a live show for audiences of all ages, with surprise celebrity guests and amazing new performances. July 21, 7:30 pm. $40-$100. First Interstate Center for the Arts, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. firstinterstatecenter.org (509-279-7000) PAMELA BENTON: STRINGZONFIRE! Pamela performs blues, indie folk rock, jazz and originals. July 21, 6-8 pm. Free.

Relic Smokehouse & Pub, 1901 E. Sherman Ave. pamelabenton.net AFTERGLOW Hosted by Northwest BachFest, this special event features Isa Najem, Chris Beroes-Haigis and Cicely Parnas celebrating stringed instruments with oud, guitar and cello, respectively.

Call to reserve your spot. July 22, 7:30 pm. $15. Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. NWBachFest.com ORGAN CONCERT A community hymn sing by the Theatre Organ Society. July 24, 3-4:30 pm. Free. Spokane First Nazarene, 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd.

(509-467-8986) WAR ON THE CATWALK Watch performances by Brooke Lynn Hytes, Miz Cracker, Krystal Versace, The Vivienne, Kita Mean, Kornbread, Priyanka, Icesis Couture, Jimbo The Drag Clown, Kylie Sonique Love, Denali, Crystal Methyd, Heidi N Closet and Olivia Lux of RuPaul’s Drag Race. July 25, 8 pm. $48-$202.

Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com (509-244-3279)

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

CHERRY PICKER’S TROT A four-mile run through Green Bluff’s orchard country on paved roads. July 21, 7 pm. $10. Beck’s Harvest House, 9919 E. Greenbluff Rd. grange.org/greenbluffwa300 YOGA & MIMOSA CRUISES Tickets include a 45-minute class by CDA Power Yoga, and a mimosa (sparkling cider for under 21). Snacks, cocktails, mimosa flights and more available for purchase. BYO yoga mat. Thursdays at 9 am through August 25. $29.50. Coeur d’Alene. cdacruises.com (209-292-5670) COME FEED THE BISON Tours include farm history, a talk on bison and a Q&A session. Then, meet, greet and handfeed the bison. Fri-Sat from 12:30-1:30 pm through Sept. 2. $7. Win-Tur Bison Farm, 4742 W. Highway 231, Springdale. winturbisonfarm.com (509-258-6717) FITKIDS DAY Meet PBS kids characters and engage in athletic activities. July 22, 9 am-noon. Free. Shaw Middle School, 4106 N. Cook St. ksps.org SPOKANE INDIANS VS. VANCOUVER CANADIANS Promo events during the three-game series include Educator Appreciation Night and Fireworks Night (July 22), Storybook Princess Night (July 23) and Fan Appreciation Day (July 24).

July 22-23, 6:35 pm; July 24, 1:05 pm. $8$22. Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. milb.com/spokane (535-2922) WOMEN’S MILITARY WORLD CUP FINAL The gold matchup game to conclude the Women’s Military Soccer World Cup. July 22, 4 pm. Free. Union Stadium, 12509 N. Market St. fairchildfun.com HISTORIC WALKING TOURS Join local historian Chet Caskey for a free walking tour of Riverfront Park, where the city’s past and present merge. July 23, Aug. 13 and Aug. 27, at 10 am & noon. Free.

Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org PALOUSE GAY BASEBALL FINAL All queer-identified folks are welcome to play. No experience needed. The game is also a mutual aid fundraiser and includes a raffle, barbecue and halftime water balloon toss. Game takes place at the Pullman Playfields. July 24, 6-9 pm. Free.

(509-551-4231) RIVERFRONT MOVES: PILATES IN THE PARK Precision Pilates welcomes all levels of movers as they work to improve stability, alignment and inner strength.

July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9 and Aug. 16, 6-7 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org ROOF TOP SUMMER YOGA Each week of this donation-based class offers a dif-

ferent feel/practice. Tue from 6-7:15 pm through Aug. 30. By donation. Saranac Rooftop, 25 W. Main. rootedyogapnw. com (509-315-8862) RUN S’MORE This family-friendly run series combines fun, affordability and community. July 26, 6 pm. $20-$40. Kendall Yards, Summit Parkway. runsignup.com/ Race/WA/Spokane THE GREAT FAMILY CAMPING CHALLENGE Work as a family or with a team to complete camping-themed activities, including creating and presenting something to eat. All ages. Registration is required. July 27, 2-3:30 pm. Free. Medical Lake Library, 3212 Herb St. scld.org THE GREAT FAMILY CAMPING CHALLENGE Work as a family or with a team to complete camping-themed activities, including creating and presenting something to eat. Registration required.

July 28, 2-3:30 pm. Free. Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. scld.org EIGHT IS ENOUGH DATE NIGHT An eight-person Modified Chapman. Each team consists of four couples, all aiming to win prizes. July 29, 5 pm. Circling Raven Golf Course, 27068 S. Highway 95. cdacasino.com (800-523-2464)

THEATER

JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH JR. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach and a journey of enormous proportions. Wed-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm through July 22. $10-$20. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com NEWSIES This Disney film turned Tonywinning Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what’s right and seize the day.

Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm through July 24, 2 pm. $25-$41. University High School, 12320 E. 32nd Ave. svsummertheatre.com SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: ROMEO & JULIET This imagining of Romeo and Juliet takes the audience on a ride, led by the point of view of the two lovers.

Performances at the Lilac Bowl, except for July 21 and 30 at the Pavilion. July 2124 and 28-31 at 6:30 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard. spokaneshakespearesociety.org TEEN IMPROV CLASSES This class focuses on positive interactions and the fundamentals of improv. Ages 14-18. July 25-29, daily from 10 am-12 pm. $140.

Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com LITTLE WOMEN This musical, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, focuses on the March sisters while their father is away as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. July 22-31, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm; Sun at 2:30 pm. $50-$153. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave. cdasummertheatre.com (208-769-7780) KIDS IMPROV CLASSES A week of improv and creative writing. Kids learn the basics of improv. Ages 10-13. July 25-29, daily from 1-4 pm. $200. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com (509-747-7045) MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATER: THE LITTLE MERMAID Directors take kids through the audition, production and performance of a musical. Auditions July 25 at 1 pm; performances July 30 at 3 pm and 5:30 pm. Free. Pend Oreille Playhouse, 236 S. Union Ave. pendoreilleplayers.com (509-447-9900)

SAFETY

Smoke Safe and Keep Cool This Summer From dangerous situations to minor inconveniences, summer’s heat challenges cannabis users

BY WILL MAUPIN

S

ummer heat is finally here, and whether you love the hot weather or are already counting down the days until fall, we all have to navigate it together.

Here are three tips for cannabis users trying to make it through and stay cool.

ONLY YOU, SAYS SMOKEY

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and where there’s fire there can be wildfire. According to the National Interagency Fire Center and AccuWeather, smoking is the fifth-leading cause of wildfire on Forest Service lands since 2006. The last thing this region needs is to see any more of our beautiful forest burned to a crisp, and the last thing you should want is to be responsible for it the next time that inevitably happens.

If you’re thinking our exceptionally wet spring will dampen the fire season this year, think again. On April 8, back when it was still cold and rainy, a brush fire on the West Plains forced evacuations. The spark? A man smok-

ing THC oil. If you’re going to be stoned in nature this summer, smoke before you go.

PROTECT YOUR MELTABLE EDIBLES

If you ever left a candy bar in a car as a kid, you know exactly what this section is about. Chocolate and gummy edibles will start to melt around 90 degrees, a temperature the Spokane region will continue hitting all summer.

Which means it’s not just the hot car to be vigilant about.

Anywhere outside, even in the shade, your edibles could melt, as could indoor spaces without air conditioning. Fortunately, melted edibles will remain edible after a few hours in the heat, and it won’t do anything to their potency.

However, longer term exposure to heat or higher temperatures, like being left in a hot car all day long, can affect the flavor and, over time, the edible’s edibility itself.

COLD SMOKE

There’s iced coffee and iced tea, so why not iced smoke?

On sweltering days like those we’ve been having, there’s no good reason to subject yourself to the pain of a big, hot bong rip. Head shops, dispensaries and even some convenience stores around the region sell ice catcher bongs, which allow users to drop a few ice cubes down the neck to cool the smoke as it is being inhaled.

Even if you don’t have an ice catcher on your bong, you can still cool your cannabis smoke with ice. Just make sure to take care when sliding the ice down the neck, and do so slowly, or you’ll risk breaking the downstem. n

Don’t let the heat ruin your day.

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 51

Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. do not operate a vehicle or machinery while under the influence of Cannabis. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

GREEN ZONE

SUMMER CHECKLIST:

of Pour Yourself a Cup

FLOAT THE RIVER CATCH A PAVILION SHOW WALK THE CENTENIAL TRAIL SMOKE SOME DO-SI-DOS GO CAMPING!

– MENTION THIS AD –

RECEIVE 20% OFF LIQUIDS

JULY 23RD & 24TH WEEKLY SPECIALS

MUNCHIES MONDAY 20% OFF EDIBLES BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habit-forming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.

TWISTED TUESDAY

20% OFF

NON-INFUSED JOINTS

WAXY WEDNESDAY

20% OFF

CONCENTRATES

BLUE rOOTS CANNABIS CO

GREEN DAZE FEATURING HARD HITTING CANNABIS PRODUCTS FOR HARD WORKING PEOPLE

FLOWER:

“FLOWER OUNCES FOR EVERY BUDGET”

$60 Thrills $75 Top Pick $75 Mini-Budz $75 Mids $105 Orgrow

CARTS $25 Peak Supply $30 Ascend $30 Basic

OPEN MON-SAT 8am-11pm • SUN 8am-10pm

CONCENTRATES $10 Peak Supply $10 Eagle $15 Regulator Nug Run

20% OFF

ALL LIQUIDS FIRE FRIDAY

20% OFF

BUDTENDER PICK SUPER SAVER SATURDAY

25% OFF ONE REGULAR PRICED ITEM

DOUBLE DIP SUNDAY

2X ROYALTY POINTS

EDIBLES $15 Lil’ Rays canna-shot $15 Wildside canna-shot

We are practicing social distancing — there may be a small wait.

Thank you for your understanding!

NEW HOURS SUN 8AM-11PM MON - SAT 8AM-12AM

TOKERFRIENDLYSPOKANE.COM 1515 S. LYONS RD, AIRWAY HEIGHTS (509) 244-8728

DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED!

509.919.3467 // 9107 N Country Homes Blvd #13 // spokanegreenleaf.com <<ORDER ONLINE WARNING: This product has intoxicating affects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding.

Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.

52 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

THIRSTY THURSDAY

CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DAILY DEALS! Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.

BUDGET + VALUE + LUXURY PRODUCTS SPOKANE

OTIS ORCHARDS

MOSES LAKE

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 53

14421 E. TRENT AVE SPOKANE VALLEY, WA

OPEN DAILY 9AM - 8PM

EVENTS | CALENDAR NSƏLX̌ČIN ROMEO & JULIET As the culminating project of the secondary humanities class at the Salish School of Spokane, students translated and adapted William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into Colville/Okanogan Salish. July 27, 6 pm. Free. Salish School of Spokane, 4125 N. Maple. salishschoolofspokane.org

VISUAL ARTS

This product has intoxicating effects & may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgm ent. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with con sumption of this product. For use only by 21 & older. Keep out of the reach of children.

54 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

ARTISTS IN THE GARDEN Artists from around the region present and sell their work. July 21 and Aug. 18, 10 am-1 pm. Free. Create Arts Center, 900 Fourth St. createarts.org INTRODUCTION TO LINOCUTS Learn the basics of relief printmaking using linoleum cuts with artist Reinaldo Gil Zambrano. July 21, 5-7 pm. $50. Spokane Print & Publishing Center, 1921 N. Ash St. spokaneprint.org LOST IN TRANSLATION A self-guided mini-exhibition in the Campbell House that explores the history of Orientalism, Egyptomania and other forms of exoticism in design and fashion. July 9-Nov. 13, Tues-Sun from 10 am-5 pm. $15-$20. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931) SUMMER CREATIVITY FOR KIDS Kids create a different art project every week, from sand candles to Chihuly glass flowers. Snack provided. Register the Sunday before your preferred class. Thursdays from 1-4 pm through Aug. 4. $45. Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way. artisanbarn.org (509-229-3414) MOSAIC STEPPING STONE In this class, learn what materials to use and how to go about designing and creating your own mosaic piece.

Ages 15+. July 22 and Aug 12 from 10:30 am-5:30 pm. $70/session. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland Ave. https:spokaneartschool.net MARY PAT KANALEY WORKSHOP Create a carousel pony craft with illustrator Mary Pat Kanaley. July 23, 1-3 pm. Free. Liberty Building, 402 N. Washington. spokanelibertybuilding. com (509.768.1268) PLEIN AIR COEUR D’ALENE An outdoor painting competition and exhibition for artists working in any painting medium. Artists compete for cash prizes and may choose to offer finished paintings for sale. Painting window is July 23-Aug. 6; exhibition at Art on the Green, Aug. 7 from 10 am-4 pm. Register before to qualify for the competition. Free. kealliance.org/plein-air-cda STOP-MOTION ANIMATION: BRAIN MELT STYLE Make several motion animations using various mediums including paper, clay and found objects.

Aug. 6-27, Saturdays from 12-3 pm. $250. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland Ave. spokaneartschool.net TOM MOHR PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT In celebration of Colfax’s 150th anniversary, photographer Tom Mohr showcases his love of the Palouse through his ‘extended snapshot’ images. July 23, 12-5 pm. Free. The Center, 102 S. Main. whitcolib.org SUNDAY ART MART Local emerging artists and crafters exhibit and sell their work in a casual environment. Sundays from 12-4 pm through Aug. 28. Downtown Spokane. downtownspokane.org FIGURE DRAWING WITH TOM QUINN Discuss anatomy down to the bones

and muscles, get some practice with gesture drawings and the concept of working from the general to the specific. July 27-Aug. 17, Wed from 3-5 pm. $120. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland Ave. spokaneartschool.net PRINT-MAKING TECHNIQUES ON CLAY Hive Artists-In-Residence Carl Richardson and Mardis Nenno lead a hands-on workshop in printmaking techniques on clay. July 27, 6-8 pm.

Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300) RIVER RIDGE ASSOCIATION OF FINE ARTS At July’s meeting, members who took a piece of failed art show improvements they’ve made. July 27, 10 am-noon. Free. Spokane Art Supply, 1303 N. Monroe St. (509-325-0471)

WORDS

BIRD’S NEST ZINE LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE Check out the zine library, pick up a copy of an anniversary zine and create your own mini zine. July 21, 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org DAVID BIENE: WHODUNNIT? In 1880, a mystery was sparked when U.S. Indian Inspector William J. Pollock called for an investigation into contested land claims on Orchard Prairie. That year a survey card was filed which faintly displayed the name of a Native American, Spokane Garry, overwritten by numbers associated with the homesteads of three prominent white settlers. July 23, 7 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com FEELING SMALL IN A BIG COSMOS Shane Larson, research professor of physics at Northwestern University, discusses how we came from a time when we believed Earth and humanity were the center of all things, to where we now understand we’re one small part of the cosmos. July 25, 6-7 pm.

Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org SUMMER SIPPIN’ BOOK CLUB The book club discusses The Midnight Library by Matt Haig in Schmuck Park.

Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite non-alcoholic summertime drink to share. July 25, 5:30 pm.

Free. Colfax. whitcolib.org BROKEN MIC Spokane Poetry Slam’s weekly open mic series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. Free.

Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit. ly/2ZAbugD (509-847-1234) NORTHWEST PASSAGES: PUTSATA REANG: MA AND ME Putsata Reang’s new memoir is about her family fleeing Cambodia when she was 11 months old and how this experience impacted her relationship with her mother and her culture. July 27, 7 pm. $7-$45.

Montvale Event Center, 1017 W. First. spokesman.com/northwest-passages COOLIN’S LONG & HOPEFUL PAST Join Priest Lake Museum historian Kris Runberg Smith as she explores the hopes, schemes and realities of Priest Lake’s only platted village. July 27, 7-8 pm. Free. The Inn at Priest Lake, 5310 Dickensheet Rd. priestlakemuseum.org LILAC CITY LIVE! A late night talk show featuring chef Ricky Webster, Spark Central’s Brooke Matson, comedian Harry J. Riley and musical guest Atari Ferrari. July 28, 8-10 pm. Free.

Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5336) n

355

m lander.co y rkwa a P it m : m E-MAIL West Su N: 1227 9201 IN PERSO Spokane, WA 9 09) 444-7

PHONE: (5BulletinBoard@In

LOOK FOR THE

C-YOURSELF in

HEALTH thru the

GET YOUR INLANDER INSIDE

SOAP MAKING

AGES with

ASTROLOGY being

NATURES GOD

BUYING Estate Contents / Household Goods See abesdiscount.com or 509-939-9996

Do you need help with chronic pain or fatigue?

Or struggle with Anxiety or Depression?

Using my intuitive gifts, I am able to help shift these issues so you can feel healthier and happier.

For more information or to book a session go to:

GREENCASTLESOAP.COM 466-7223 | 203 N. STONE | SPOKANE

Ask about our free delivery!

TOTAL PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WORRY FREE PEST CONTROL AS LOW AS $19.95 PER MONTH

(509) 919-3161

MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE: 50% Off set up on set up on TPM 20% OFF one-time service

to advertise:

444-SELL

1

2

3

4

DOWN 1. Something a college junior has

6

7 15

17

18

20

21

22

23

30

37. Atlantic City machine 41. What a whale watcher may watch 42. Words of agreement in Shakespeare 43. Have an influence (on) 46. “Kampgrounds” chain 49. 1:11 ... or what is seen in 20-, 30- and 37-Across 54. In seventh heaven 55. Marketing space 56. “____ she blows!”

57. Shirt that might be fired from a cannon 58. Like sashes 59. Explorer Hernando de ____ 60. Word after bad or hard 61. Arizona city known for its red sandstone

5

14

24

ACROSS

SLEEP STUDY

LOCAL, INDEPENDENT AND FREE SINCE 1993!

208-714-4970 • 509-327-3700 • edenspokane.com

www.AnnieBryceson.com 509-280-1504

1. Peace Nobelist Yousafzai 7. Schlep 10. Longest-serving Israeli prime minister, familiarly 14. “A Perfect Peace” novelist 15. Brian in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 16. Michelangelo’s “The Creation of ____” 17. Group with five #1 R&B hits in the 1990s 18. SoHo events 20. Clothing tag phrase on tube socks or bucket hats 22. Some QB protectors 23. Aquafina competitor 24. Rx info 27. Kamala Harris’ college sorority, for short 30. Line, e.g.

35. Biggest U.S. union, familiarly 36. Live it up, slangily

Dirt Bike & Quad Rentals Adult & Kid Bikes Available

AUG 3 & 4 • 6-8PM CLASS $65

WWW.NATURESGOD.US ENERGY HEALING SESSIONS

VROOM, VROOM, VROOM! VROOM!

25

8

9

10

31

12

Earn up to $920 13

16 19

26

that a freshman usually doesn’t 35 2. ____ friends 3. Prospectors’ finds 37 4. “____ Death,” movement from “Peer Gynt” 41 5. Centers of activity 6. Ansari of “Parks and Recreation” 43 44 45 7. Greenery 49 50 8. Still below the horizon 9. “Well, I ____ hand it to you ...”

54 10. Religion with an apostrophe in its name 57 56 11. Longtime singing talent show, familiarly 60 59 12. Cry like a baby 13. Pings, maybe 19. ID in the form xxx-xx-xxxx 21. Wax-wrapped cheese 28. Longtime pitcher Jim with the 24. TV actress Dietrich nickname “Kitty” 25. Germany-Poland border river 29. Raisman with three Olympic gold 26. “The King and I” setting medals 27. Not a fan of 30. “That’s awful!”

11

WSU Spokane Sleep and Performance Research Center

27 32

33

34

28

29

THIS W ANSWE EEK’S I SAW RS ON YOUS

38. Piano’s 36, familiarly 39. Vandalizes 38 39 40 40. “Back to the Future” antagonist 42 43. In fashion again 44. Charlottesville sch. that 46 47 48 Tina Fey graduated from in 1992 51 52 53 45. Bright aquarium fish 46. Netflix’s “Sparking Joy 55 With Marie ____” 47. It may bring a tear to 58 the eye 61 48. 2018 CVS Health acquisition “ELEVEN AFTER ONE” 49. Canyon comeback 50. Exam for an aspiring atty.

31. Financial aid factor 51. Some body art, informally 32. Lovers’ clash 52. Four-time Emmy winner Falco 33. Actors McShane and McKellen 53. Deeply regretted 34. Latin word on a dollar bill 54. They might visit Earth: Abbr.

35. #1 36

JULY 21, 2022 INLANDER 55

Play where the big winners play.

2022 Entertainment Series Now on Sale!

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR!

TONIGHT

Yellow Brick Road THURSDAY, JULY 21 ST 7 PM | $30 & UP

Win a Tiny Home Valued at over $123,000!

SUNDAY, JULY 31 ST | 7 PM 1 PARK MODEL HOMES TINY HOME 20 CASH & EXTRA PLAY CASH WINNERS

Coeur d’Alene Casino is giving away a tiny home from Park Model Homes during the $150,000 Rock this House Giveaway!

On Sunday, July 31ST, 20 Coeur Rewards members will get to select a mystery key for a chance to win between $500 and $3,000 in Cash or Extra Play Cash. Then, the winners will get to try their key to see if they unlock the grand prize of a furnished Park Model Homes Tiny Home, valued at over $123,000!

Blues Traveler THURSDAY, AUGUST 4TH 7 PM | $50 & UP

Play your favorite video gaming machines starting on June 1ST to earn entries into the giveaway. Get one entry for every 750 points earned through July 31ST at 6:45 PM.

Must be age 18 or older to attend concerts.

Purchase tickets at cdacasino.com, the Casino Box Office, or through the CDA Casino App. Call 1 800-523-2464 for more details. For full lineup and details scan QR Code.

Advertised home is representative of the tiny home model and actual prize home may differ from the photograph in select features. See the Coeur Rewards booth, CDA Casino app or cdacasino.com for promotional rules.

W E LC O M E H O M E .

56 INLANDER JULY 21, 2022

CASINO

|

HOTEL

|

DINING

|

SPA

|

CHAMPIONSHIP

GOLF

3 7 9 1 4 S O U T H N U K WA LQ W • W O R L E Y, I D A H O 8 3 8 76 • 1 8 0 0 - 5 2 3 - 2 4 6 4 • C D A C A S I N O . C O M