Spokane County will be at the center of emergency response after a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake hits Western Washington Page 16
EDITOR’S NOTE
I’ve always been especially anxious about natural disasters. I credit this to growing up in a wildfireprone rural area, where my family experienced more than a few big blazes too close for comfort. As fire season has progressively worsened due to climate change in the decades since, I can confidently say that country living, paired with my deep-seated anxiety, is not for me. But that doesn’t mean I navigate life worry-free. Traveling to the West Coast, I try to suppress the perhaps irrational thought of, “What if I happen to be there when a big earthquake strikes?” And I still have an emergency alert app installed on my phone from a trip last year to Japan, a place I plan to return someday, just in case.
Fellow worriers can probably relate and may also experience a bit of panic while reading this week’s cover story, on how Spokane County’s emergency responders have prepared for the event of a massive CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE QUAKE along Washington, Oregon and Northern California’s coastline. While it’s stressful for anyone to imagine, there’s also consolation in knowing we are thinking about what to do when — not if — disaster strikes, whether it’s in our lifetimes or a century from now.
— CHEY SCOTT, Editor
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WHAT NATURAL DISASTER ARE YOU MOST WORRIED ABOUT?
FEDERICA MORESCHINI
I think global warming. I’m not from the United States, I’m from Italy, and there I can see more of the impact that [global warming] is having on the world. The level of the water is getting higher and the fires from the heat.
KIM FISHER
Currently it’s the Western wildfires. Locally, and all over the West.
DAVE DEGUCZ
Here I would say wildfires. Luckily we don’t have to worry a whole lot about other ones, but I’d say that’s top of mind especially in summertime, this time of year.
JEREMY ARMSTRONG
I think the coming heat with climate change, forest fires and such, it doesn’t seem like we can respond properly to them.
JONATHAN LENZ
I think in terms of our area, I’m most worried about the super cold era. Not the fact that it’s going to happen any time soon, but if it does, it just sounds absolutely horrifying and terrifying to deal with. If any natural disaster happens, what more am I gonna do about it other than just try and survive.
INTERVIEWS BY CASSANDRA BENSON 8/1/2024, MANITO PARK
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OVER 1000 WHISKEYS ON THE WALL & GREAT FOOD
During the week August 19-23 Democracy Now will air until 7PM on KYRS to provide an extra hour of special on-the ground coverage during the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Check here for updates and watch our extended daily two-hour broadcast, “Breaking with Convention: War, Peace and the Presidency.” Amy Goodman and the Democracy Now! team will head to Chicago, Illinois for the week of August 19th to report from the streets, to the suites, to the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
Long Days, Simple Pleasures
Even as the world seems harder and harder, summer still takes the gold
BY TARA ROBERTS
This summer has been full of joy and grief, adventure and confusion, excitement and exhaustion — and that’s just the internet for five minutes. But real life has been that way, too, for me and pretty much everyone I know.
As a writer, I find myself making lists amid the ups and downs: of things I need to do, of things I want to do, of things I want to remember, of things I need to hold onto. This is my list of things that have been carrying me through this summer:
Watching the Olympics. Team USA women’s basketball! Archers wearing funny hats! Sha’Carri Richardson’s smile after a race! Simone Biles doing literally anything! Pommel horse guy! It’s all glorious.
Watching the Olympics with my kids. And watching them appreciate the glory of people who excel at table tennis and kayak slalom and breakdancing and every absurd and amazing sport.
Looking at Olympics memes. This is literally the only reason to have the internet.
Watching the Olympics while yelling at the TV. Katie Ledecky swims faster because of me.
Ice cream and hugs and huckleberries and LeAnn Rimes and Olympics memes.
Yelling at the screen while watching The Bachelorette Unfortunately, those doofuses never listen to me.
Introducing my 15-year-old to yelling at the screen while watching The Bachelorette We’re discussing the perils of gender roles… and teaching each other colorful synonyms for “jerkface.”
Introducing my 15-year-old to “Ice Cream (Pay Phone)” by Black Pumas. He thinks it’s cool! My teen thinks my music is cool! Listening to “Ice Cream (Pay Phone)” by Black Pumas live In central Oregon on a hot July night with some of my best friends. Listening to LeAnn Rimes live. Wait, LeAnn Rimes? From when I was a kid?
Discovering that LeAnn Rimes is amazing. Like, really amazing! Also she is 41?! (Take a moment to process this, my fellow Elder Millennials.)
Discovering unexpected huckleberries while on a walk with my niece. Eating them off the bush and dropping them into a baseball cap and watching her eyes get big as she realizes what a treasure we’ve found.
Sharing any sort of berries I’ve picked myself. Even if I’ve picked them up off the table at the farmers market.
Sharing french fries with my husband. Especially when I said I didn’t want french fries but he bought a bigger container because he knew I’d want just a few… or more than few.
Sharing any sort of ice cream with anyone. And knowing that people I love will ask me to share it.
Sharing limited-edition Oreos with my 13-year-old. We give the chocolate-chip mint flavor an A+.
Stealing a pair of surprisingly comfortable slide-on sandals from my 13-year-old. We are in a brief, magical moment in which his feet are the same size as mine. Soon, soon, he will be bigger, and the sandals will be mine.
Taking an early-morning walk (in the pair of surprising comfortable slide-on sandals I stole from my 13-year-old).
Taking a slightly later-morning walk (with the dog and one of my favorite neighbors).
Taking an after-dinner walk (with the dog and my husband).
Taking a walk late at night (alone).
Running into wildlife while on a walk. A bunny on the path. A flock of cedar waxwings in a tree. A beaver along the creek. A heron that bursts suddenly from the cattails. Frogs, anywhere.
Running into a cold river on a hot day. And being the first to get my head wet.
Running into people I love at the coffee shop. This is why I go to coffee shops. That, and the pastries, obviously.
Getting silly texts from people I love. Especially ice cream recommendations and Olympics memes.
Getting comforting texts from people I love. And knowing I’m not alone.
Getting hugs from people I love. And knowing how much I needed them.
Getting hugs from strangers. And being surprised by how much I needed them.
Being surprised by how good and kind and patient and caring people are, even when it seems like we all should have run out of steam by now.
Being surprised at how beautiful the world can look, even when so many things conspire against beauty.
Being surprised at how good a hard summer can be. n
Tara Roberts is a writer who lives in Moscow with her husband and sons. Her novel Wild and Distant Seas was published in January. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @tarabethidaho.
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Building a Resilient City
Gonzaga’s Climate Institute plans to make Spokane more bearable during extreme climate events with help from a $20 million EPA grant
BY COLTON RASANEN
Spokane just experienced its hottest July ever, with recorded temperatures hitting higher than 90 degrees for 20 days in a row and seven days that were more than 100 degrees. While scorching, this heat wave hasn’t had the worst impacts the region has experienced in recent history.
In June 2021, Spokane endured a four-day stretch of triple-digit temperatures, which rose to 109 degrees at the height of the heatwave and killed at least 19 people, according to the Gonzaga University Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment. In many places in the city, the temperatures were even higher than the official record, due to a lack of shade and the urban heat island effect. So far this year, three people have died due to the heat, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
In addition to sweltering heat, the Inland Northwest is often plagued by wildfire smoke in the summer months, causing the region’s air quality to reach unhealthy levels of pollution. For example, as the Gray and Oregon road wildfires blazed through Spokane County last August the air quality got so bad that Mead, Spokane, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley and Cheney recorded some of the worst air quality in the world at the time.
Due to climate change, these extreme heat and unhealthy air quality events are expected to become harsher
and more frequent, says Brian Henning, director of Gonzaga’s Climate Institute. While climate scientists at Gonzaga can’t prevent these events from happening, they can ensure that the region is equipped to handle them more effectively.
To do that, the institute’s team plans to use a three-year $19.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce pollution and increase the city’s ability to respond to climate changes, especially in neighborhoods that have been identified as disadvantaged.
The grant, which is the largest federal grant Gonzaga has ever received, was awarded at the end of July as part of the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program, which was funded by the 2021 Inflation Reduction Act.
Overall, community change grants totalling $325 million were distributed to 21 different applicants nationwide, and Gonzaga was the only entity to receive one in Washington. However, more money could come to the region later, as nearly $2 billion was allocated for the program.
Using the grant money, Gonzaga’s plan is to install electric heat pumps in low income homes, create a Community Climate Action Fund to help groups working on climateresilience projects, and update community centers so they can provide support during extreme weather events, such as sweltering heat or polluting wildfire smoke.
HEAT PUMPS AND MORE
The funding Gonzaga’s Climate Institute received will jumpstart the Spokane Climate Resilience Project, which Henning says will build up the city’s infrastructure to help those most affected by extreme heat and wildfire smoke. To do so, the climate institute has partnered with the City of Spokane, Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP), and the Carl Maxey Center.
Of the $19.9 million grant, SNAP will receive $8 million to install electric heat pumps in at least 300 low-income homes in Spokane.
That may seem like a high cost for only 300 installations, but SNAP Director of Housing Services John Hoover says that’s a pretty fair price (about $26,666 per heat pump) for this type of cutting-edge technology.
“Like anything else, prices have just skyrocketed, so it is expensive,” Hoover says. “As [heat pumps] become more common practice, the cost will likely come down. We have to sort of get people to understand the importance of moving in this direction.”
Electric heat pumps can both heat homes in the winter and cool them in the summer, while reducing greenhouse gas impacts by taking the place of natural gas appliances. To work, the pumps pull heat from the air or ground, pass it through coils, and pump it inside or outside a building, similar to how a refrigerator works.
While the EPA has provided a list of “disadvantaged communities” to place the heat pumps in, Hoover says he’s not sure yet which neighborhoods may benefit. He says the heat pumps will all be placed in low-income singlefamily homes.
“If we can do more, we will do more,” he says when asked about the possibility of installing heat pumps in multi-family units.
Currently, Hoover plans to have at least 100 heat pumps operational within a year.
Spokane Public Library’s Central branch will become a “relief hub” under a new plan from Gonzaga’s Climate Institute. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
“BUILDING A RESILIENT CITY,”
The grant will also provide Gonzaga with $2.7 million to create a Community Climate Action Fund that will provide money to community organizations doing climate-resilience work. Additionally, the grant will enable the Climate Institute to provide scholarships to nine Spokane residents for Gonzaga’s Climate Action Planning certificate.
Another $8 million from the grant will be given to the city to create a network of climate resilience hubs and the Carl Maxey Center will receive about $900,000 to add itself to that network.
RESILIENCE HUBS
You might be asking, “What the heck is a climate resilience hub?” The answer is a bit complicated.
In the most basic sense, a resilience hub is a place where people can gather when the weather is extreme and their home doesn’t provide adequate support, such as a lack of air conditioning in the summer or heating in the winter.
On a deeper level, the Climate Institute has created a three-tiered approach to establish a network of community resources that will be able to respond when extreme climate events hit the Inland Northwest — so there are three types of resilience hubs.
The first tier includes “engagement hubs.” These are community centers that provide N95 masks and bottled water, alongside information on how to prepare for upcoming climate events, such as extreme heat or wildfire smoke. The grant will help establish 10 of these engagement hubs.
The second tier are called “relief hubs.” These operate in all the same ways as the first tier, but include more responsibilities including: serving as a daytime heating and cooling center; serving as a cleaner-air center; connect-
ing with both city and county emergency management; and the installation of solar panels, backup batteries and high-quality HVAC systems to provide assistance “off-grid” when extreme weather events occur and the power goes out. Five of these relief hubs will be created in Spokane with the EPA grant.
The third tier is “emergency hubs.” These will operate similarly to relief hubs, but provide additional support as overnight emergency shelters with space for food storage and preparation. None of these will be built with this grant.
Henning says he doesn’t know where the 10 engagement hubs will be created yet. But the five relief hubs will be established inside existing community centers and public libraries, including the West Central Community Center, the Northeast Community Center near Hillyard, the Central Library downtown, and the Carl Maxey Center and Liberty Park Library in East Central.
Four of those facilities are owned by the city, which is why nearly half of the EPA grant is being allocated to the city. Since the Carl Maxey Center is independently owned, it will be charged with turning itself into a relief hub.
HEAT ISLAND
Jillisa Winkler, executive director of the Carl Maxey Center, has always thought that Spokane’s East Central neighborhood was much hotter than those surrounding it. It wasn’t until she started working closely with Henning and the Climate Institute last year that she found out this was a verifiable fact.
“We always thought we knew that it’s hotter [in East Central] than in other places in town, like up by Manito Park, or other places that have better tree coverage than we do,” Winkler says. “It was amazing to see the actual data
that told us it’s actually 10 to 15 degrees hotter here and that can actually be mapped.”
The Carl Maxey Center has been working to address the issues that face Spokane’s Black community, especially in the historically Black East Central neighborhood, she says. When the opportunity to become a climate resiliency hub came up, Winkler jumped at the chance.
“It’s always been our goal at the center to fill in the gaps our community faces,” she says. “So, knowing that we’re in a heat island and knowing that we have less tree canopy than the rest of the city, we want to make sure that the center is moving forward as eco-friendly as possible.”
Currently, the center does what it can to assist the community. It provides water and allows folks to come inside the air-conditioned building to take a break from the heat. While the center offers these resources, it hasn’t been advertised as a place to get relief from extreme climate events, so few community members have taken advantage of it, Winkler says.
Before the center uses the EPA funds to become a relief hub, it will use another $95,000 grant from the Washington Department of Health’s Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative to install air quality monitors.
“This will be a first step to begin gathering more climate data that’s specific to East Central,” Winkler explains. “Then we can kind of build out a plan based on the data we’re finding.”
Assessing air quality in East Central is only the beginning. The next step involves community surveys about how people living in the neighborhood deal with extreme heat and wildfire smoke.
“You have to consider things like if people are elderly or if they have pets they can’t leave at home,” Winkler says.
To get the most complete answers, Winkler says that surveys will go out in four different languages and will be made available at community events held at the center. The surveys will likely go out in the late summer or early fall, she says.
Like the other selected relief hubs, the Carl Maxey Center will likely install solar panels and a backup battery to run during extreme climate events. But according to Winkler, since the center is still being built out (the east side of the building is not in use), exact plans aren’t known yet.
“We’ve got a couple options for what will work for the center, but we haven’t really decided yet,” Winkler says. “We have to figure out what’s going to work for the building and for our community.” n
coltonr@inlander.com
Spokane’s Central Library is regularly used as a cooling center. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
No Lodging
Medical Lake residents protest a homeless shelter rumor. Plus, chronic wasting disease found near Mead; and more than half of West Plains wells tested high for forever chemicals.
You could feel the anger vibrating through the air on Sunday, as more than 100 people gathered in Medical Lake for a press conferenceturned-protest to oppose a supposed homeless shelter plan by the City of Spokane. The event was held by Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper and Spokane County Commissioner Al French. Both expressed opposition to what they claimed were “recent efforts by the City of Spokane” to purchase the Pine Lodge facility — a former women’s prison in Medical Lake that is vacant and owned by the state — and turn it into a homeless shelter. But Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown says that’s totally false. She toured the facility last week, but says it was to explore the idea of using it “for our region’s public safety needs,” not as a homeless shelter. During the event, French presented emails showing Spokane Homeless Coalition administrator Barry Barfield pitched the idea of using the facility as a homeless shelter to city officials and invited them to a July 13 meeting. But the emails don’t show any concrete plan — or that Brown had direct involvement. On X, formerly Twitter, Brown said the news conference was a “campaign event,” and accused French of “exploiting fears” for political gain. (NATE SANFORD)
DISEASE DETECTED
Last week, Washington state recorded its first case of chronic wasting disease — a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose — making it the 35th state to deal with the issue. The disease was detected in a deceased whitetail deer near Mead in July, and confirmed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since the disease is always fatal and there isn’t a cure, it could have devastating effects on wild cervid populations if left unchecked. Fish and Wildlife created a Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan in 2021 after cases were detected in Western Montana. Under the plan, they will continue testing throughout the state to track the spread. While there is no evidence that chronic wasting disease can transmit to humans or domestic animals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends not handling or eating meat from an animal that looks sick or is acting strange. Fish and Wildlife advises hunters to have their game tested for the disease and to use gloves when handling animal carcasses. (COLTON RASANEN)
WELL, WELL, UNWELL
More than half of the private West Plains wells that were tested for toxic forever chemicals in March and June are unsafe for human health, according to Environmental Protection Agency regulations. On Monday, Aug. 5, the state Department of Ecology announced that of the 411 wells sampled around Airway Heights, 236, or 57%, had PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in concentrations higher than drinking water standards. Ecology is contracting with Culligan of Spokane to provide those homes with free monthly water delivery, and for homes outside of Culligan’s delivery area the state Department of Health purchased other water dispensers. More than a quarter of the wells tested — 111 of them — did not test positive for PFAS, and another 64 had PFAS below the drinking water standard. (SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL) n
LABOR DAY CONCERTS
Have one last fling with summer at the Spokane Symphony’s FREE Labor Day concerts! Bring a blanket and picnic basket and join family, friends, and neighbors in a joyful evening filled with music.
Come early and enjoy opening act: Patrick Dwyer
AUGUST 31 | 6PM
Comstock Park will have Fall Arts Preview Booths
SEPTEMBER 2 | 6PM
Sponsors: Bill & Gerry Sperling, Jennifer and Dr. Philip Ogden, ICCU
Medical Lake protestors held signs that said “Keep Spokane Problems in Spokane.”
The Inlander’s annual philanthropy guide highlights many of the region’s non-profit organizations and the di erence they’re making in our community. Don’t miss your chance to reach Inlander Give Guide readers!
Eastern Washington now has a dedicated federal attorney to address systemic issues and crimes affecting Indigenous people
BY VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ
After centuries of federal disenfranchisement of Native Americans, and years of advocacy by tribal leaders who’ve pointed out the alarmingly disproportionate crime rates affecting Indigenous communities, the Department of Justice has established a program to address systemic criminal justice issues.
Act (1887), which negatively impacted Native land rights by breaking up reservation land.
“I’d often hear our tribal leaders and our tribal elders talk about the impact the law has had on tribal nations and tribal people throughout the history of this country,” Black Horse says.
The deputy U.S. Attorney General issued a directive to U.S. attorneys in July 2022 to make meaningful change toward gaining the trust of Indigenous communities and increasing Native American public safety. Nearly a year later, the Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) regional outreach program was created.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, headed by Vanessa Waldref, was one of the locations selected to benefit from this new program. In May, Bree Black Horse, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, was hired as an assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute cases for the MMIP program.
Black Horse will work primarily out of the Eastern District’s Yakima office and cover the Northwest region, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and California.
Black Horse grew up in the Seattle area, and with her husband, an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe, has lived in Central Washington and previously worked for the Yakama Nation.
Growing up, Black Horse says she attended powwows and Indigenous art shows that reinforced her cultural heritage. As a young person, she paid attention to her elders’ discussions of the complex legal landscape affecting Indigenous communities, hearing about things such as the Boldt Decision (1975), which restored tribal fishing rights, or the Indian Removal Act (1830) and General Allotment
She positioned herself for a future fighting for those rights that were taken or challenged by laws, attending Seattle University School of Law and going on to work on issues including tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
She says encouragement from family and community members has given her strength and enabled her to take on tough cases and advocate for her community.
With over a decade in law working on Indigenous issues, Black Horse will now be a beacon for many others in her new role as assistant U.S. attorney to the Northwest, which began on May 2.
Waldref says she felt Black Horse was the perfect candidate for the new position focusing on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People cases due to her authentic voice and experience. Waldref says Black Horse provides a critical perspective in the Department of Justice, and will be able to help build trust with the community she is serving.
JURISDICTION
According to Margo Hill, an Eastern Washington University professor and member of and former attorney for the Spokane Tribe, jurisdictional issues have plagued the prosecution and resolution of crimes against Indigenous communities across the nation.
Hill says the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe (1978) that tribes do not have authority to prosecute non-Indigenous
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref (left) hired Bree Black Horse (right) to work on Missing or Murdered Indigenous People cases.
PHOTO COURTESY
individuals. That ruling has empowered individuals who feel they won’t face prosecution for crimes against Native Americans, she says.
“The complex jurisdictional issues in Indian country make it so criminals think they get a pass,” Hill says.
Determining who has jurisdiction over a case is complicated by the various types of tribal land, some of which is held in trust by the U.S. government for the use of the tribe as a whole or by allotment to individuals. Court rulings have prevented tribal governments from prosecuting crimes such as drug trafficking and crimes involving non-Natives, and major crimes are expected to be handled by federal agencies.
The Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office has jurisdiction to prosecute crimes involving federally recognized tribes in our area, including the Yakama, Colville, Kalispel and Spokane, Waldref says.
When Waldref found out about the Department of Justice starting the MMIP program, she says she knew, “We need to have one of these prosecutors based here.”
Waldref fought to have a position in Eastern Washington because she knew tribal leaders cared about the challenges in the region and wanted to address those concerns.
“We’ve really focused on building strong relationships with our tribal partners to invest our prosecutors in understanding how we can bring these cases effectively and build trust with individuals who are victims of crimes on tribal lands so that we can have effective prosecutions,” Waldref says.
RISK FACTORS
There are multiple risk factors that correlate with unresolved Missing or Murdered Indigenous People cases. Black Horse says domestic or intimate partner violence is often a precursor to missing person and homicide cases.
More than 84% of American Indian/Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, according to a 2016 study by the National Institute of Justice.
Hill says that better data collection has led to more transparency and accountability in Washington state. Washington has the second highest number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls cases, according to a 2018 research publication by the Urban Indian Health Institute.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Indigenous women experienced the second-highest rate of homicide in 2020, and the 2016-17 “Report on Sexual Violence” found that two in five non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native women had been raped in their lifetime.
Prosecuting those types of “precursor” cases can potentially prevent a missing person or murder, Black Horse says.
“In addition to the domestic violence cases — that will be a focus in terms of the precursor — human trafficking is another one, as well as crimes involving the physical and sexual abuse of children, and particularly here in the Northwest, narcotics trafficking has been shown to have a direct correlation to MMIP,” Black Horse says.
A 2023 report from the Washington State Health Care Authority found that drug overdose deaths are disproportionately affecting Native Americans, at a rate nearly four times higher than among white Washingtonians.
Hill says the fentanyl crisis is a scourge on Indigenous communities, but people like Black Horse, who understand federal Indian law, can work with state and federal authorities to grapple with these alarming issues.
The Department of Justice’s MMIP program hired 10 attorneys to help prevent and respond to Missing or Murdered Indigenous People cases in five designated regions. The program will collaborate with tribal liaisons and coordinate with stakeholders to identify cases to prosecute.
Black Horse says she is working to address disparities in the justice system with a focus on collaborative, victim-centered work.
“Generations of Indigenous people have experienced disproportionate violence. Generations of Indigenous people have mourned and continue to mourn a missing or murdered loved one,” Black Horse says. “But I really believe that our future generations don’t have to experience the same disparities, the same trauma, the same heartache.” n
victorc@inlander.com
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Twisted Earth Dining
Enjoy outdoor dining with a beautiful view at Twisted Earth Grill, open now for the season at Circling Raven Golf Club.
PLANNING FOR THE ‘BIG ONE’
The next Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake will be devastating; Spokane County will help rally resources and could become home to thousands of refugees
BY JACLYN BRANDT
On Jan. 26, 1700, one of the largest earthquakes in human history struck off the West Coast of the United States, causing a tsunami and significant changes to the coastline from southern British Columbia to Northern California. Scientists estimate the earthquake hit a magnitude 9 on the logarithmic scale that we now use to measure earthquakes. That would easily put it in the top 10 ever recorded.
Although the area was not widely populated at the time, scientists have pieced together what happened that day through geological and tree records, as well as a surprising source: Japan’s history. A tsunami also hit the eastern Japanese coastline that day. It wasn’t until the 1980s and ’90s that scientists realized that the Japanese “orphan tsunami” in 1700 was caused by a large earthquake in the Pacific Northwest.
“From that we were able to find out exactly the day and time of when Cascadia last ruptured here in
Washington state, which was on Jan. 26 in the year 1700,” says Corina Allen, chief hazards geologist with the Washington state Department of Natural Resources. “And then lo and behold, they were able to date trees from coastal Washington and find that they all died in the winter of 1700, which really corroborates that story.”
The earthquake was caused by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the faultline where the Juan de Fuca Plate moves beneath the North American Plate. The Cascadia Subduction Zone fault is 700 miles long, running from northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to Cape Mendocino, California. The movement of the tectonic plates causes a buildup of pressure, which means eventually another earthquake will happen in the same region.
“By looking at the geologic record and past tsunami deposits and evidence of land level change, we’re able to understand how frequently these large earthquakes
happen,” Allen says.
Emergency managers have been planning for that next earthquake for years, often dubbing it the “Big One.” Scientists estimate that similar quakes in the Cascadia Subduction Zone have happened every 200 to 1,000 years, and since the last one occurred more than 300 years ago the Pacific Northwest could be due for the next major change to the Earth’s crust.
The next Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake will likely be just as large as the last one, but this time an estimated 15 million people live in its path.
When it happens, buildings will collapse, roads and runways will crack, bridges will fall down, and means of communication in and out of the area will cease. The earthquake will instantly set off a tsunami that could reach parts of the Washington coast in as little as 10 minutes.
“It is absolutely a ‘when,’” scenario, says Chandra Fox,
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Fairchild is considered a secondary intermediate staging base for a Cascadia earthquake, while Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake will be the primary staging area.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone stretches from British Columbia to California. FEMA ILLUSTRATION
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM
BOOK BY GEORGE FURTH
DIRECTED BY MARIANNE ELLIOTT
deputy director at Spokane County Emergency Management. “When the Cascadia Subduction Zone breaks, when we have that seismic event, it will be hands down the worst disaster that the United States has ever seen, let alone Washington state. It will be worse than [Hurricane] Katrina. It will be worse than Superstorm Sandy. It will be the worst thing because we’ll be talking an area of impact from southern British Columbia through Oregon into Northern California. That’s millions and millions and millions of people.”
Those who survive the initial earthquake and tsunami may become victims of the aftermath. Beyond the aftershocks, roads could be undriveable, airports closed, and the destruction of transportation options will affect food supplies, water supplies, and the ability to get in to help or out to safety. It’s expected that many bridges along Interstate 5 and other main roads will be damaged or destroyed completely.
Gas pipelines are likely to sustain damage, with an expected restoration time from a few days for areas that are inland to weeks or months along the coast. Power outages are expected to be widespread within 100 miles of the coast across the entire Pacific Northwest. Water is not expected to be restored for three to seven months. Telecommunications (cell towers, cables and antennas) are expected to be knocked out for two to three months in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and even East Asia.
Eastern Washington will mostly be spared from the initial impact, mainly because of natural barriers between the west and east side of the state. According to Nathan Wood, a supervisory research geographer at the U.S. Geological Survey, the tsunami will likely enter the Columbia River Gorge but will quickly lose energy because of a sandbar under the river. The Cascade Mountains will also absorb much of the earthquake, so it won’t be felt as strongly to the east.
Because it will be spared the worst of the damage, Eastern Washington will need to take the lead for the emergency response in the aftermath of the quake, including taking in refugees from the destroyed and damaged areas and sending support to Western Washington.
“The impacts for us are going to be: How do we manage in the aftermath?” Fox says. “Spokane County is going to be one of the hubs for resources coming into the area.”
SPOKANE TAKES THE LEAD
Scientists have studied other 8 to 9 magnitude subduction zone earthquakes, including events in Chile in 1960, Alaska in 1964, Sumatra in 2004 and Japan in 2011. A 9.0 magnitude subduction zone earthquake could cause shaking for six to 10 minutes, hazards geologist Allen says.
“It’s an incredibly long duration of shaking,” Allen says. “They also [involve] very, very strong shaking because they are rupturing near the surface of the Earth.”
A 2022 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 10 Plan found that, if the earthquake and tsunami were to happen tomorrow, more than 13,800 people could die and 107,000 could be injured. The economic impacts in Washington, Oregon and California could exceed $70 billion.
For context, in the 1960 Chile earthquake, around 1,650 people died; in the 1964 Alaska earthquake, around 140 people died; in the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, it’s estimated around 280,000 died; and in the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, it’s estimated more than 20,000 died.
The Spokane County Emergency Management office is housed under the county sheriff’s department. The office maintains service contracts with all 13 municipalities in the county, and manages the county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and
Hazard Mitigation Plan. The county’s emergency management team plans for a broad list of natural hazards: wildfires, flooding, landslides, windstorms, severe winter storms, drought, volcanoes and earthquakes. Team members also plan for human-caused dangers such as domestic terrorism and transportation accidents involving hazardous materials.
Fox has been in emergency management for more than 25 years. For much of that time she worked on the state’s west side, which informs her understanding of the dangers of the faultline. Although there are plenty of Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake scenarios being planned for, no one can truly know what will be needed until the event actually happens.
Spokane County (and any other outside entities) will most likely not be able to help with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, due to roads and airport runways being destroyed as well as resources being severely limited. But it will become the state’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Washington’s catastrophic plan includes memorandums of understanding with Spokane County, Spokane Community College and the National Guard Readiness Center to use their facilities to reconstitute the state Emergency Operations Center in Spokane. It is currently located at Camp Murray outside Seattle.
It wasn’t until the 1980s and ’90s that scientists realized that the Japanese “orphan tsunami” in 1700 was caused by a large earthquake in the Pacific Northwest.
“The EOC is the place where all of the state agencies send representatives so that they can determine the resource needs,” Fox says.“Which is the best agency to fill those needs? And if we don’t have those resources, where are we going to source them from? And if we have to source them from outside of the area, how are we going to get them here?”
The state of Washington takes the faultline seriously and two years ago conducted the Cascadia Rising 2022 exercise to prepare for potential scenarios. The priorities immediately after the earthquake and tsunami include: critical transportation, mass care services, shelter, water and nutrition.
Responders will focus on the coastal impacts of the earthquake and tsunami; interior impacts, including damage throughout the I-5 corridor; sheltering displaced people; and coordinating local, state, tribal, and federal support from inland areas.
Much of the fuel (both gasoline and natural gas) in Spokane County comes from the east, which in itself will reduce negative impacts for Eastern Washington, but the area may be responsible for providing Western Washington with supplies.
“Before you can worry about getting commodities and supplies to individual people, you first have to have that broad understanding of what the situation actually is: How much damage do we have? What are our transportation corridors that are still passable?” Fox says. “We have lots of pipelines in the area, which could be a potential problem. My concern is are we going to have agreements with Idaho or even with Montana? Do we have the ability to regulate
the flow of traffic? Because there are resources and things that we’re actually going to need.”
EAST AND WEST
Planning for the different scenarios is an ongoing process — on both sides of the state. Rather than traveling to the west side of the state to help, those unaffected in Eastern Washington will be tasked with helping victims who arrive in the area. One potential scenario is a mass exodus of people traveling from the west to the east side of Washington, but with the destruction on the west side — specifically to roads and runways — it’s not clear how difficult it will be for people to get out. One crack in a road, bridge or runway can mean no travel in either direction until it’s repaired.
“DOT is becoming more willing to take a hard look at the realities of the transportation corridors,” Fox says. “Driving [on] I-90, you’ve got at least a dozen overpasses just to get out of the [Seattle] city proper.”
Because of the potential damage, the only first responders traveling in (at least for a while) will be military, with Fairchild Air Force Base becoming one of the most important centers of operation.
Fairchild is considered a secondary intermediate staging base for a Cascadia earthquake, while Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake will be the primary staging area. Because of this, the Department of Defense will also be an important partner with Spokane County and other agencies in Eastern Washington.
Thousands of residents in Washington and Oregon will not be able to receive outside assistance for days, weeks or even months. First responders and local police will be overwhelmed, with many coastal police stations expected to be destroyed or inoperable. Local first responders are expected to provide immediate support after the events, but there may be a shortage of help due to staff being impacted in the aftermath. Once first responders in Eastern Washington and Oregon are able to travel to the areas, they will help with relief, but it will take time for them to get there.
Affected residents are expected to be without utilities for at least 72 hours, with only local utility workers able to help. Repair to both electric and natural gas infrastructure is expected to take months or years.
“The best way to look at it is: How do you manage the needs of the people coming out with the imperative of getting the necessary response and recovery resources in,” Fox says. “Especially when there’s limited transportation corridors, which we know will happen.”
According to Fox, outside first responders will also arrive when they are able. But some outside help could actually slow the progress happening in the area.
“You will have people who will self-deploy, who just want to come help,” she explains. “If you’re going to come into this type of disaster area where the damage is this extensive, you need to be prepared there to fully take care of yourself. Because the Best Western is not going to be available to you.”
When roads are finally open, the government or other aid organizations may ultimately organize mass transit to other areas, which could cause a dramatic change in the population of Spokane County for decades.
“There will be areas that will be unlivable for who knows how long, and I don’t know what the movement of the population will look like,” Fox says. “If you look at Katrina as an example, there are still areas in New Orleans that have never been repaired. There are also areas in New Orleans that have been gentrified, so the people who originally lived there were evacuated out, they lost their homes, and they couldn’t afford to come back in.”
Fox explains that her office’s job after a Cascadia
Subduction Zone earthquake is to primarily provide support and assistance that the state Emergency Operations Center is going to need and secondarily to help mitigate any impacts on Spokane County residents.
“What type of strain are they going to be putting on our infrastructure? Are they going to need sheltering? Are they going to need fuel?” she asks. “That’s what we’re looking at in terms of tax to us.”
THE CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE
As scientists have pieced together the history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, they’ve found at least seven major earthquakes in the last 3,500 years, occurring anywhere from 200 to 1,000 years apart. The last one was 324 years ago.
According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, there’s about a 10% chance that a 9.0 magnitude earthquake will occur along the Cascadia Subduction Zone within the next 50 years.
Although the earthquake itself will cause a lot of damage, the potential for a tsunami is also a major concern. According to USGS research geographer Nathan Wood, the wave will show up at different times in different locations, because the fault does not run perfectly parallel to the coast.
“When the plate firmly beneath North America finally releases, it’s pushing the water column above it, and that causes the tsunami,” he says, explaining that the Juan de Fuca also moves under the North American plate at an angle. It’s known as an “oblique subduction,” meaning it doesn’t move underneath at a 90-degree angle, Wood says.
Some locations such as Crescent City, California, may be closer to where the fault starts to move and could experience a tsunami in as little as 10 minutes.
SATURDAYS | 11AM – 8:30PM
A layer of sand from the 1700 Cascadia tsunami can be seen in Oregon, covering the remains of a Native American fishing camp. USGS PHOTO
The Juan de Fuca Plate moves under the North American Plate. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ILLUSTRATION
“That [2001 Nisqually] earthquake happened and within 15 minutes, I-5 was a parking lot.”
The damage will depend on where along the fault the earthquake occurs. Corina Allen, the chief hazards geologist with the Department of Natural Resources, says the earthquake could happen on one area of the fault or along the entire fault. Or the earthquake could happen at the north side and “unzip” all the way down the fault, or vice versa. That will affect how the tsunami hits different places.
“If you’re on the Long Beach Peninsula, then you have 15, 20 minutes probably, and you’re talking about thousands of people,” Wood says. “You’re talking about something like 5,000 people in Ocean Shores that just won’t have enough time to make it out.”
The Department of Natural Resources has created simulations of potential tsunami impacts after the massive earthquake.
“The tsunami is generated instantly when the earthquake starts and travels out in all directions from the initiation point, from where the earthquake starts,” Allen says. “So it travels across the Pacific Ocean towards Japan, and it travels landward towards the Washington coastline.”
According to one simulation, after the earthquake starts, a tsunami could hit the coastline around the La Push area on the Olympic Peninsula in around 10 minutes and the southern Washington coastline in around 15 to 20 minutes. It would then travel through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, hitting Port Angeles in 45 minutes, Port Townsend in one hour, and then traveling through the Puget Sound toward Bellingham. In that scenario, it would hit Seattle about two hours and 20 minutes after the earthquake, then continue south toward Tacoma and Olympia.
Allen says that there will likely be very strong currents within the Puget Sound, some inundation in places like the Port of Tacoma and other low-lying areas like the Skagit Valley, and very widespread water inundating coastal communities in southwest Washington and major river valleys.
According to the 2022 FEMA report, 36% of Oregon and 42% of Washington coastal county populations currently live in the inundation zone. That does not include tourists or other visitors who significantly increase the population along the coast during the warmer months. Hundreds of miles of coastline would be subject to complete devastation.
“The event directly affects more than 140,000 square miles in three states, two FEMA Regions and parts of British Columbia, Canada. Indirect impacts are also likely in Alaska,” according to the FEMA Region 10 report. “The tsunami affects 27 counties and 17 tribes, including those along the Puget Sound and Columbia River. Additional tsunamis resulting from the initial shake continue for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours, causing inundation and strong currents along the outer coast and to coastline communities.”
INFRASTRUCTURE & AFTERMATH
The aftermath could multiply the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, depending upon the time of year
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
and location. Aftershocks, fire, hazardous materials spills, landslides and avalanches are all significant threats to the region. Allen says that although a subduction zone earthquake has never been recorded triggering a volcano, it’s not impossible.
For those in the earthquake zone, officials are also worried about aging infrastructure.
“Old bridges, old pipelines, old wastewater, all the old pipes that are out there,” are concerning, says USGS research geographer Wood. “Not every bridge is going to collapse, but it might be several days before they have engineers who are able to get out there to be able to look at the bridge and say, ‘Yes, we clear this one for travel.’”
And because many roads and bridges will be closed, the ones that remain open will likely be reserved only for emergency responders. Many un-reinforced (mainly brick) buildings that have no rebar or other retrofitting will crumble during the initial earthquake.
“When earthquakes happen, they shake all that mortar out, and then the bricks just fall,” Wood says. “There are still a lot of unreinforced brick buildings in the Northwest.”
Allen says much of the infrastructure in Washington was built before the widespread adoption of building codes around the state in 1975. The Cascadia Subduction Zone was not widely studied until the 1980s and 1990s, and earthquake standards for construction near the subduction zone and the Seattle Fault weren’t incorporated into Washington building codes until 2005. Many buildings built before then were not built to withstand a major earthquake.
“Even now we’re learning more and more about basin amplification. So there’s [building] codes that are constantly being adopted and adapted as we learn more about the potential shaking hazards from these large earthquakes,” Allen says. “And so exactly what will happen, we don’t know, but we can expect that there will be widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.”
“Seattle itself has done a lot of work over the last decade or so in addressing and mitigating their unreinforced masonry,” Fox says. “Most of Seattle is unreinforced masonry.”
After the earthquake and tsunami, the land will naturally drop at the coastline. How far will depend on
how close the land was to the faultline, but there are estimates that the Northwest coast could drop two to three feet in elevation.
“The Northwest coast will naturally just drop because of the seismic energies released,” Wood says. “You wouldn’t be like ‘I’m in freefall,’ but now your daily tides are going to be going in further than they used to go. We will lose some land, but we won’t lose it physically — it’s still there, but you’re going to lose it for use because you’ll get a lot more land sitting in the intertidal zone.”
EDUCATION
The states of Washington and Oregon have invested a lot in educating the public, especially those who live on the coast. Their education includes information on how tsunamis work, what to look for, and why you should have a supply of food and water for when they happen.
The education provided has emphasized the importance of go-bags and extra supplies. Fox stresses that each person may be responsible for themselves, at least for a while.
Longtime Washington residents remember the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually earthquake that occurred northeast of Olympia in 2001.
“That earthquake happened and within 15 minutes, I-5 was a parking lot,” Fox remembers. “There were so many people who had just immediately gotten in their cars and tried to go home, and that was a relatively small earthquake. [The Cascadia earthquake] truly will be the worst day that anybody’s seen, and it will be a generational recovery. It’s going to be a really bad day.”
Even for those who are training to respond, that practice doesn’t always happen in the rain or snow or in the middle of the night, and reactions will vary. That’s why it’s important to make a plan, and revisit it regularly to keep the details fresh and ensure supplies are handy.
“You’re trying to encourage them to do their preparedness because you don’t want them just to throw up their hands and say, ‘Oh it’s not going to matter,’” Fox says. “Well no, it actually does matter and it is important, and we need you to do it because the better prepared you are the more likely it is that you will have a positive outcome.” n
The nation’s first tsunami vertical evacuation tower was built by the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Tokeland, Washington. WASHINGTON MILITARY DEPARTMENT PHOTO
A Connecting Thread
New nonprofit the Finding Human Project explores the meaning of humanity through storytelling and exercises in empathy
BY CARRIE SHRIVER
Stories are powerful. In many ways, they allow us to slip behind someone else’s eyes and see a glimpse of their thoughts, emotions and experience. This shared perspective can forever alter how we view the world and those around us.
And everyone has a singular story to tell, including the small group behind the Finding Human Project. The Spokane-based nonprofit offers anyone a safe space to share their experiences and connect more deeply with others through storytelling, live theater and self-improvement workshops.
“I had the epiphany that story makes a difference and connects us. I fell in love with storytelling arts and acting,” says Diana Carson-Walker, the group’s co-founder and artistic director.
She and her husband, Sandy Brown, initially hoped to start their storytelling-driven nonprofit in England, but the COVID pandemic and their visas’ expiration scrapped the idea. So after moving to Spokane in 2022, they launched the Finding Human Project with the help of Carson-Walker’s friend, Kaileigh Hubbard, who brings past experience working for nonprofits and is now its CEO.
“There’s this continued divide in our communities of isolation that we’re noticing, especially after COVID and with the increase in technology,” Hubbard says. “There’s this growing lack of third spaces that bring people to-
gether to connect.”
The newest program the trio developed to help bridge this divide are called story circles, “a modern spin on what people have done forever of sitting around and telling stories,” Carson-Walker says.
Participants from different backgrounds gather in small groups of six to eight. A facilitator asks the circle to respond to a prompt, like “tell us about a time when you were really proud of your community.”
FINDING HUMAN PROJECT
Learn more at findinghumanproject.org
“It gets people into telling personal stories, instead of taking a stand on a soapbox,” Carson-Walker says. “[They] tell us a story of impact, and it creates a connection and it flows around the circle.”
Each participant has a chance to respond but doesn’t know when their turn will be, which keeps responses more spontaneous. Toward the end of a session, the circle reflects on the group’s overall narrative and is guided into weaving together a shared story reflecting it.
The Finding Human Project’s founders are working on setting up more story circle events at local libraries on a regular basis, and they hope to begin in the fall. They’ve led five story circles so far, and while the events weren’t initially envisioned as being part of the nonprofit’s
regular programming, the team decided to offer more due to past participants’ enthusiasm.
Carson-Walker also foresees conducting story circles for special occasions, for a fee.
“We’d love to offer it to families, like for grandma’s 70th birthday,” she says.
The Finding Human Project’s own story began while Carson-Walker was working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in California about a decade ago. In her role there, she worked with farmers on water conservation. The job was often disheartening.
“We weren’t making any real change,” she recalls. “If the agency disappeared, all of the changes would reverse instantly.”
As her frustration with the situation was mounting, Carson-Walker experienced a moment of revelation. One day she encountered a farmer who, unlike the others she’d met with, was suddenly eager to implement water conservation practices. She wondered why things were different this time.
It was because the farmer took time to listen to someone else’s story.
“Story brings us into a level that we understand and can sympathize, empathize, or just experience it,” she says. “We get swept into this story, and we identify with it
Finding Human Project founders Diana Carson-Walker, left, and Sandy Brown at the Shadle Library. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
instead of just being lectured at.”
Simultaneously, Carson-Walker was becoming more interested in the art of theater. Another revelatory moment hit when she read an interview with her favorite actor, David Tennant.
“[He] said, ‘I just get to play and tell stories for a living,’ and my brain exploded,” she says.
Soon after, in 2018, Carson-Walker and her husband decided to study theater at Coventry University in England.
“I had this idea of how therapeutic it was to tell and hear each other’s stories,” Carson-Walker says of her studies. “It felt like something was really missing in our culture.”
Besides story circles, the Finding Human Project is also preparing to debut an original play, called Hope in River City. It tells the story of Camp Hope, the large, now-defunct homeless encampment adjacent to Interstate 90 in East Spokane that at its peak in summer 2022 counted 600 people within a one-block border.
“This is a story that needs to be told,” says Brown, who was inspired to create the play as he watched Camp Hope’s story unfold in the local news and from seeing it firsthand.
“I had this idea of how therapeutic it was to tell and hear each other’s stories. It felt like something was really missing in our culture.”
The public’s reaction to Camp Hope, which was vacated in June 2023, “was biased from the beginning,” Brown says. “Some people thought, ‘Gotta get these homeless people off the street and into a place where they can’t be seen.’ And the other side was, ‘We want people to see the homeless and actually have some sort of empathy with them and understand that this is a complicated situation.’”
Brown collected stories of Camp Hope’s former residents from the media, by interviewing people working there like Julie Garcia of Jewels Helping Hands, and conducting story circles with nearby housed neighbors in order to show a complete picture of the camp’s impact.
“It’s very traumatic for the community,” Brown says. “It was a horrible situation, and I don’t know anybody who wanted to pretend otherwise.”
People working in the camp, he says, wanted “people [to] see the homeless for who they are, a complex river of people who have experienced trauma in their own lives, and just see them as people.”
For now, the play’s production is being funded by the Finding Human Project’s three co-founders, though they’ve applied for grants.
“We’re doing this as a labor of love,” Brown says. “We might hear that we get some funding, but [either way] we’re gonna keep going.”
Hope in River City is set to premiere the first weekend of November at Stage Left Theater in downtown Spokane.
“That’s what we all want, really, to be seen, and that’s why stories are so important,” Brown says.
In addition to the play and its story circles, the Finding Human Project is developing theater workshops to be offered on a sliding fee scale. Sessions in the works like “Taming the Inner Bully” tackles not holding yourself back, while “Rehearsing Compassionate Response” prompts people to reevaluate a time they didn’t handle something well.
“We tell stories all the time,” Carson-Walker says. “Doing it with more intent and compassion, I believe, has the power to make good connections and [make] big changes in the world.” n
MASCOTS ON THE PITCH
The Spokane Velocity and Spokane Zephyr soccer teams don’t have mascots, but we’ve got some ideas
BY INLANDER STAFF
This spring, the Spokane Velocity men’s soccer team began their inaugural season at ONE Spokane Stadium. Now, the Spokane Zephyr women’s soccer team is gearing up to begin their first season later this month, debuting on Aug. 17.
But something is missing.
Last September, we created an entire cover section of the Inlander dedicated to our local sports mascots. We take mascots very seriously here at the Inlander, so now that we have two professional soccer teams to cheer for, we think it’s high time they get mascots of their own.
Here are our suggestions. Take ’em or leave ’em, but we’ll be waiting for your calls.
ZEPHYRUS
It’s literally in the name. Zephyrus is the Greek god and personification of the West Wind. Spokane is in the West! And it’s super windy! In Homer’s Odyssey, Zephyrus is tasked with gently blowing Odysseus’ ship back to Ithaca (which doesn’t go exactly as planned, but that’s beside the point), a mighty task that only the strongest and most dedicated would be given. As long as you can find someone willing to run around in some ancient Greek garb, this might be the perfect, all-encompassing pick for the women’s team.
(MADISON PEARSON)
RUSH & HARPIE, THE G.O.A.T.S.
Sorry, fellow writers, the choice is obvious. We’ve got the Garbage Goat. We’ve got the 509 Syndicate. We’ve got Bo the Goat (Spokane County Interstate Fair’s 2024 mascot). The Velocity and Zephyr are basically begging for twin goat mascots. Need more convincing? Goats are super smart. Goats are super cute. They can also be straight up terrifying. Not to mention they’re literally the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. What more do you need? Names are a work in progress for sure, but I’d go with Rush and Harpie. Rush can be a ram for Velocity, fast, powerful and relentless. Harpie would be named for the Greek spirits of the wind, aka every single Zephyr player. Boom. Done. You’re welcome, Spokane soccer. Harnetiaux fam, I’ll look for an email from y’all. (ELIZA BILLINGHAM)
MR. VELOCITY & MRS. ZEPHYR
Picture it: Mr. and Mrs. Met but with soccer balls for heads instead of baseballs. Low-hanging fruit, I know, but it’s worked for the Mets so far. (MP)
FLEA THE CHILI PEPPER
Zephyrs are extremely underrepresented in the pop cultural sphere. But you know who has repped the zeph? Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Cali rock icons had a hit with 2002’s atmospheric “The Zephyr Song,” so perhaps the new Spokane women’s squad should lean into rocking out. A pepper mascot would convey the fun, spicy fire the team will hopefully bring to the pitch, and naming it after the band’s beloved bassist would make the pepper’s name easy to recall. This idea? I’m happy to give it away, give it away, give it away now…
(SETH SOMMERFELD)
ANTHROPOMORPHIC WATERFALL
Taking inspiration from Stanford University’s unofficial mascot, The Tree, the Velocity’s mascot could simply be a hastily made waterfall costume created and worn by a new super-fan every season. At Stanford, The Tree’s costume is made anew yearly by the incumbent Tree, letting students show off their creativity. I can see the flowy blue fabric with tiny trout decorations affixed to it already… (MP)
A LIVE MARMOT
Another low-effort suggestion, but hear me out: Marmots like to hang out on wide, grassy fields, and surely some of the species’ locals have wondered what the heck is up with the squishy green turf that recently popped up in their preferred habitat of the Spokane River’s banks. You know that storyline in Ted Lasso with the little greyhound mascot that got bonked by a ball on the sidelines, later to return wearing a tiny dog-sized helmet? It’s time for an official team marmot handler and an even tinier helmet for what could be the best opportunity a Spokane pro sports team may ever have to embrace the region’s beloved member of the Rodentia order. (CHEY SCOTT) n
THE BUZZ BIN
SAGA SIX
The SPOKANE ARTS GRANT AWARDS has funded six new proposals in its second round of grants for the year. The six new recipients received a total of $47,500 for projects in architecture, education, public art, festivals, dance and performing arts. All of the projects receiving funding will carry out their projects in the next 12 months. This round’s recipients include the American Institute of Architects Spokane, the Franklin Elementary APPLE Program, HeARTworks (pictured), Inspirations Dance Studio, Kindling Dance Productions and Re*Imagine Medical Lake. For more on each recipient, visit spokanearts.org. (MADISON PEARSON)
PERFORMANCES INCOMING
Gonzaga University’s MYRTLE WOLDSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER announced the lineup for its 2024-25 season last week and you’re not gonna wanna miss it. Starting in September and ending in April 2025, the lineup includes Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap (Sept. 22), the BODYTRAFFIC (pictured above) dance company (Oct. 19), Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico (Dec. 14-15), Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (March 6) and many more performances from dancers and stage actors alike. Visit myrtlewoldsoncenter.org to see the full schedule. (MADISON PEARSON)
THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST
Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online on Aug. 9.
RYUICHI SAKAMOTO, OPUS
Knowing his health was failing and his time was limited, the legendary Japanese composer sat down at his piano and performed this career-spanning collection of his work before his death in March 2023.
KING GIZZARD & THE WIZARD LIZARD, FLIGHT B741
Before rocking out at the Gorge (Sept. 14), the shredding Aussie psych rock band releases its 26th (!!!) album in the past dozen years.
OSO OSO, LIFE TILL BONES
When it comes to modern emo music, few come close to approaching the emotional ache with such clear-headed tenderness and intelligently acknowledged shortcomings as Oso Oso frontman Jade Lilitri consistently delivers. (SETH SOMMERFELD)
These guys want more friends!
Hungary for Change
Spokane artist Ildikó Kalapács’s Hungarian culture and love of dance inspire her work
BY MADISON PEARSON
Ildikó Kalapács has always wanted to help people.
She dreamed of becoming a psychologist when she was young and living in Szeged, Hungary. She saw the dysfunctional society she lived in and the stressors of her family life and wished she could somehow fix all of the problems herself.
“In Europe usually you decide very early on what direction you want to go,” Kalapács says. “If you want to go study as an intellectual or if you want to be a bluecollar worker. I wanted to help.”
Instead, she decided to follow her older sister and found herself taking the entrance exam for Szeged’s leading art high school. Kalapács was accepted. Around the same time, she became involved with a Hungarian folk dance group.
“We weren’t paid but we practiced twice a week,” she says. “Peasant dancers from other villages came and showed us their dances and their different attitudes toward life. That was a powerful connection for me. Living in socialist Hungary, most people couldn’t travel to nonsocialist countries unless they were diplomats or artists. So we traveled to many different countries to dance.”
In her current exhibition at Spokane Art School, Kalapács is combining her cultural background and love of nature into a solo show titled “Symbiosis and Coexistence.”
The artist’s paintings and sculptures feature prominent themes from Hungarian folk culture and nearly all of the pieces include some type of mushroom, a recent
obsession of Kalapács’. The combination of mushrooms and the human body represents the balance of human existence and nature.
Ranging from nude paintings to clay busts of people, the exhibition also shows off the human form, something Kalapács believes is important to highlight rather than hide.
“I’m a huge advocate of music and dance because it’s all about community and self-esteem,” she says. “I think in the U.S., people are not often comfortable with their bodies, so I think dance really shifts your focus from your body being just an aesthetic object to a tool that you can utilize.”
Kalapács and her husband emigrated to the U.S. in 1987, but she didn’t leave her home country’s culture behind. Her experiences in socialist Hungary inform her everyday life in Spokane and nearly every piece of art she creates.
“We couldn’t vote and we couldn’t protest,” she says. “It was a one-party government. It’s humiliating when you are not allowed to have input. Because I came from that era, it never left me, so I am very much an advocate of free speech. I wasn’t born [in the U.S.], but I have a very good life. I just want the best for everyone and I’m kind of fierce about it. You just have to take care of people.”
Many pieces in “Symbiosis and Co-existence” feature traditional Hungarian hand embroidery, a skill Kalapács learned as a young girl.
“We would sit for hours on end embroidering our outfits for folk dancing,” she says. “It’s so beautiful and I love incorporating it into my art. It’s a piece of my home.”
Her vibrant paintings of people in dynamic forms and the ceramic busts are accompanied by pieces of hand-stitched embroidery placed carefully onto various body parts, emphasizing the beauty Kalapács sees in the human body.
Kalapács aims to start discussions with all of her work, but especially with the pieces in “Symbiosis and Co-existence.”
“I combined my knowledge of dance and body language with how bodies and movement can be metaphors or allegories,” she says. “The different Eastern European embroideries paired with the mycelium mushrooms and the figure are just so beautiful together. They are very important to cultural identity.”
The natural world is well-represented in the show with themes of fire and water throughout. Kalapács says she incorporated themes of natural destruction because the topic is constantly relevant.
“I think it speaks to the fact that we need to save as much of the Earth as we can,” she says. “All I can do is put my ideas out there and how that people will relate to them. And if they do, it doesn’t matter. At least we discussed them. There is hope in that.” n
Ildikó Kalapács: Symbiosis and Co-existence • Through Aug. 30; Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm • Free • Spokane Art School • 503 E. Second Ave. • spokaneartschool.net
Ildikó Kalapács’ art carries powerful messages. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS
ANNIVERSARY
Cheers, Old Sport!
Arbor Crest celebrates the 100th anniversary of its Cliff House estate built by enigmatic inventor Royal Riblet
BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM
“Nothing has been invented that cannot be improved,” Royal Riblet wrote.
The 20th century inventor, tinkerer and salesman was probably referring to tractors, trams and bicycles. But nothing proves his words true like Riblet’s own estate.
One hundred years ago this year, Riblet bought a 75-acre property perched atop basalt cliffs hundreds of feet above the Spokane River. He called it Eagle’s Nest. In addition to a swimming pool, a croquet court and a life-size checkerboard, Riblet built a Florentine mansion teetering on the edge of the volcanic rock. It would be a home to him, his fifth, sixth, and seventh wives, as well as extravagant parties he couldn’t afford and patents he couldn’t sell.
The property fell to ruin in the years after Riblet’s death. But in the early 1980s, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars bought the historic Cliff House estate, as it’s now called. In the three decades to follow, the winery restored the grounds, buildings and crowds of visitors.
Under the current guidance of owners and winemakers Kristina and Jim van Löben Sels, local guests tour the grounds every day, while visitors from all over the world come to Arbor Crest for art shows, merlots, music and mezze plates.
The winery was just awarded second place in USA Today’s Readers Choice Awards for Best Winery Restaurant. Their tasting room features a Mediterranean menu created by chef Caleb Smith that has obviously turned heads.
What’s more, the award-winning team is planning a glitzy, glammy Gatsby-themed birthday party this Friday to celebrate the estate turning a century old.
“Celebrating something that has been here 100 years is exciting to me — that we’re still able to preserve it and keep it going,” Kristina van Löben Sels says.
Flapper dresses and bowler hats are welcome, she adds, but not required.
To get to the Cliff House, you first walk under the Gatehouse, an ivy-covered stone building with a great arch in the middle and turrets on either side. Riblet built it for a groundskeeper but then never filled it — either because he couldn’t afford a groundskeeper or, for privacy’s sake, suddenly decided he didn’t want one.
It was Riblet’s brother, Byron, who was more responsible with follow-through. Byron Riblet was the engineer and successful businessman behind the Riblet Tramway Co., which he built into the world’s premiere aerial tramway and ski lift manufacturer.
Though Royal had no formal engineering degree, he considered himself an inventor and entrepreneur. He built his office into a long stone wall on his new estate, topping it with a square clock (that no longer works).
Royal’s most famous invention was a “square wheel” tractor. The wheels weren’t actually square, but they were wrapped with a 16-segment track that allowed the heavy machine to move over rough terrain with less soil erosion. But Royal narrowly missed a
The Cliff House looms 450 feet above the Spokane River. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
contract with the military and was never able to sell his patent after that.
Despite the disappointment, Royal kept trying new ideas. He designed a square sprinkler system, a mechanical parking garage, a soupedup car and a personal aerial tram to carry people up to his house. He operated the tram sparingly, though, when visitors started worrying it was too dangerous.
In the early years of the Riblet estate, Royal hosted nearly 7,000 guests at the whimsical getaway. But as he got older, Royal became less inviting and more possessive of his inventions. The tramway was dismantled for good in the late 1950s.
Royal lived out his last 30-plus years with his seventh wife, Mildred Geiler, who was 32 years younger than him. When she died in 1978, the estate sat empty for years.
Arbor Crest’s founders Harold and Marcia Mielke — Kristina van Löben Sels’ parents — first started their winery in California in 1982. But they dreamed of moving back home to Washington to get an early start in a young wine industry.
“My dad’s family were farmers all over this area,” van Löben Sels says. “They really had that vision of bringing wine to this area”
Harold and his father had made cherry pie filling for the Hostess Bakery just 5 miles southwest of the Riblet estate. They were very familiar with the Cliff House.
“People always wanted to know what was there,” van Löben Sels says. “I hear stories that they would sneak in, coming up the rocks. But it was a private residence, so you couldn’t come and check it out.”
When the estate went up for sale in 1984, the fledgling winery “snapped it right up” and decided it would be Arbor Crest’s forever home.
Kristina van Löben Sels earned her degree in fermentation science at University of California Davis and then joined Arbor Crest in 1999. Now
its head winemaker, she focuses on producing minimally manipulated wines that showcase Washington fruit.
“Quality comes from the vineyard,” she says. “You want to show the terroir, the flavors that are coming from that vineyard.”
In addition to working with grape growers across the state, Arbor Crest has 3 acres on its cliffside estate dedicated to growing chardonnay, pinot meunier, pinot noir and pinot gris grapes. A view from their event tent looks across the vineyards down into the valley below.
While Arbor Crest hosts weddings, fundraisers and private events, the winery is open to the public year-round. Every afternoon, anyone can drive up to the estate to sample wines or see the square wheel tractor for themselves. From the rose gardens to the tram house, the Riblet playground hasn’t lost its wonder.
“When you come up here, you can be anywhere. You’re not just in Spokane,” van Löben Sels says. “It transports you. I love that.”
Today, the fanciful Gatehouse that Royal abandoned has not one but two purposes: providing offices for Arbor Crest staff, and being the namesake for a popular Arbor Crest red blend. Oh, and it’s the perfect photo opp for visitors.
For the estate’s upcoming birthday gala, a local big band will tour the decades through jazz, while guests immerse themselves in an experience strikingly similar to a true Gatsby soiree — glamour, drinks and their very own neighbors.
“It’s been an interesting evolution being here for 25 years and seeing what has happened to the property,” van Löben Sels says. “The property is definitely a community property. We love inviting everyone up to be a part of it and see what we’re doing.” n
ABOVE: Arbor Crest Wine Cellars co-owner Kristina van Löben Sels.
RIGHT: The winery’s ivy-covered gatehouse offers a dramatic entrance.
BORDERLANDS
Based on the colorful, madcap firstperson shooter video game, this action comedy finds a ragtag group of guntoting interstellar adventurers (Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black) battling for treasure on a bizarre planet. Rated PG-13
IT ENDS WITH US
Adapted from the best-selling novel, patterns of abuse are explored in this romantic drama where a woman raised in an abusive household (Blake Lively) is torn between her current partner who flies into fits of rage and her first love from childhood who’s returned to the picture. Rated PG-13
Sometimes you need to get away from the getaway...
REVIEW
Just Crazy Enough
Horror movie Cuckoo offers an unwieldy mix of scary and silly
BY JOSH BELL
It’s obvious from the moment that teenager Gretchen (Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer) and her family meet her father’s new boss, the alarmingly chipper German resort owner Herr König (Dan Stevens), that something is deeply wrong with this man. Gretchen’s father Luis (Marton Csokas) and her stepmother Beth (Jessica Henwick) seem completely oblivious to König’s sinister intentions, and even the skeptical Gretchen proves remarkably trusting at the wrong moments when König offers his help. But there’s always a certain menace hiding behind his eyes.
Writer/director Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo is the kind of horror movie that relies on its characters making frequently ill-advised decisions, blithely walking into situations that the audience easily recognizes as dangerous, because they don’t expect anything horrific to be happening at the quaint, remote vacation village that König runs in the Bavarian Alps. It’s about as quaint as The Shining’s Overlook Hotel, though, and it’s eerily underpopulated during the summer season. The ostensible reason that König has hired Luis and Beth and put them up in a lavish house near the resort is left purposely vague, and of course it’s not his actual motive for luring the family to this isolated location.
Rated R
work, she’s attacked by a strange woman who emits highpitched screeches and disappears by the time help arrives. Local police and doctors ignore Gretchen’s concerns, and Luis and Beth are far more focused on Gretchen’s mute young half-sister Alma (Mila Lieu), who starts experiencing unexplained seizures.
Cuckoo
Directed by Tilman Singer
Starring Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Marton Csokas
König offers Gretchen a part-time job at the resort’s reception desk, where she encounters even more odd personalities, including guests who seem to be in trance-like states. Late one night as she’s riding her bike home from
It takes quite a while for Cuckoo to reveal what’s really going on at the resort, and there are still plenty of unanswered questions by the end of the movie. The truth about the screeching woman and König’s diabolical plan is deeply silly, but Singer largely plays things straight, and he makes the movie’s ridiculous ideas into something unsettling and nightmarish. Stevens channels the disturbing intensity he brought to his role in cult horror movie The Guest with the playfulness of his offbeat characters in this year’s Abigail and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. He’s always fun to watch here, even — or especially — when König is behaving completely inexplicably. Schafer brings more layers to her role as the now-familiar horror protagonist who’s processing past trauma, in this case the recent death of her mother. Before anything scary even happens, Gretchen wants nothing more than to leave the resort and return to the U.S., and she copes with her grief by calling her old answering machine to hear her mother’s voice. She describes Alma to a co-worker as “my father’s daughter,” which is surefire foreshadowing that her eventual confrontation with evil will require her to embrace the family relationship she’s been rejecting.
That theme of familial reconciliation doesn’t carry as much emotional power as it could, since Luis, Beth and Alma get minimal character development. Luis is a distant, dismissive father, and Beth barely acknowledges Gretchen’s existence. There’s no sense of their background together or the history between Luis and Gretchen’s mother. Csokas and Henwick are both talented actors given very little to do here, and their characters get completely sidelined during the movie’s climax.
As the mute Alma, Lieu doesn’t go overboard with the standard horror-movie creepy-kid vibes, instead finding the genuine fear and confusion of a child who’s caught up in forces she can’t control or understand. Still, Cuckoo is all about the showdown between Gretchen and König, and it’s best when Schafer and Stevens spar with each other. Their final battle is suitably brutal, once the stakes are belatedly made clear.
The immersive, unnerving sound design and visual style make up for some of the narrative shortcomings, and the monsters lurking at the resort are often terrifying to behold even if the details about their existence don’t make much sense. That holds true for Cuckoo as well, which loses momentum the more that König divulges about his mission and the part that Gretchen’s family is meant to play in it. When Gretchen is faced with horrors beyond her comprehension, she’s startled and disoriented, and the audience is, too. As she learns what she’s up against, that initial sense of dread wears off, and while the threat is still looming, its intriguing, disquieting mystique is gone. n
Heisting for Dummies
The Instigators sends Matt Damon and Casey Affleck on the run for a fun, yet fleeting, caper
BY CHASE HUTCHINSON
There is a sequence midway through The Instigators, the second (and far superior) movie directed by Doug Liman to come out this year after his piss-poor Road House remake, that is so dynamic and delightful it took my mind back to the 1980 classic musical comedy The Blues Brothers. Specifically, there is a car chase that is played with such a similarly gleeful (if not quite as loose) style that you can’t shake the feeling it must be an homage. Much like how we saw Jake and Elwood Blues go on a madcap chase with cop car after cop car crashing into each other with increasing absurdity, The Instigator’s scene shares a similarly irreverent edge. Even as parts of the movie still stall out, the moments it crashes through chaos have charm to spare.
At the center of this chaos are two of the worst robbers ever put to screen. Rory and Cobby (Matt Damon and Casey Affleck) are troubled guys brought on for a job to steal money from the corrupt mayor of Boston, played by the always reliable Ron Perlman, on election night. Problems arise because the “brains” of the operation is a man named Scalvo, played by rapper Jack Harlow (still futilely trying to act despite last year’s wearisome White Men Can’t Jump remake). Scalvo gets key details egregiously, humorously wrong. Left holding the bag, Rory and Cobby must flee from not just the mayor and his supercop (Ving Rhames), but other criminals looking to capitalize on the catastrophe by getting the cash.
that remains the high point of the whole journey. As they weave a deadly dance through traffic while it seems every police department is chasing them, she provides the best punchlines of the entire affair as Donna tries to talk Rory through what he’s feeling. Indeed, any moment Chau’s on screen is where The Instigators sings. Alas, she is ultimately underutilized.
The Instigators
Still, the banter between Damon and Affleck keeps things moving along at a consistently humorous pace. The film is a little uncertain about how dark it wants to get, always pulling itself back from fully embracing what could be a truly mirthful and macabre ride to be more down the middle. The script, as written by Affleck and Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill), is at its best when it seems like it’s about to leap into being more of a wild farce. Namely, there is one uproarious shootout near the end where everything goes so off the rails you have to respect how it feels like you’re transported into a bizarro funhouse mirror world where a small army of police unleash a hail of gunfire without any restraint. Then again, this is America, so maybe that isn’t so strange.
Directed by Doug Liman
Starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau Streaming on Apple TV+
This is all pretty flimsy, yet still fun, nonsense that feels like it’s trying to do its best Soderbergh impression in the vein of something akin to 2017’s more solidly silly Logan Lucky. However, things get kicked up a notch when Rory’s therapist, Donna, gets thrown into the mix. Played by the excellent Hong Chau of this year’s killer Kinds of Kindness, she soon is taken along in the aforementioned car chase
There is little to get invested in on an emotional level in terms of Rory’s mental health or the halfhearted familial backstory that pushed him to take the job, leaving things a bit shallow. The whole film reveals itself to be quite narrow the longer you look at it. That The Instigators wraps itself up in a nice little bow with an emotional payoff not fully earned proves to be a closing miss, but it can’t take away from the hits it managed to land along the way. At the same time, that you’d rather take a drive with Jake and Elwood as opposed to Rory and Cobby is inescapable, no matter how quickly the latter duo speed on in their best attempt to look the part. n
Men will become inept robbers rather than go to therapy.
Donny and the Amazing Technicolor Vegas Show
Donny Osmond discusses bringing the variety of his career-spanning show to Northern Quest
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
No one has had a show business career quite like Donny Osmond.
That might sound like a hyperbolical statement, but in many ways the singer is a one of one.
As a preteen, Donny started his career singing in a family band with his siblings as the Osmond Brothers. They landed a gig singing at Disneyland only to be discovered by Andy Williams, who vaulted the crew to TV stardom on The Andy Williams Show in 1962. Donny would then embark on a very successful teen idol solo career that saw him grace the pages of Tiger Beat and turn out hits like “Puppy Love.” In the late ’70s he became a singing TV star alongside his sister with their popular variety program, The Donny & Marie Show. Decades later in the ’90s, the duo also had an Emmy-winning daytime talk show, Donny & Marie. They then began an 11-year Las Vegas residency at the Flamingo.
Donny himself is still crushing the casino entertain-
ment game, winning multiple awards for Best Show and Best Headliner from various Vegas publications within the past year for his current show at Harrah’s.
But that’s only the tip of Osmond’s pop-cultural reach. Beyond releasing scores of albums (19 solo LPs alone), he’s also made musical waves as the singing voice of Captain Li Shang in Mulan and became one of the most beloved performers in the title role of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Osmond played Joseph in film adaptation as well as over 2,000 shows on stage).
Even scrolling his IMDB page is a treat: Who else had their own variety show and guested on Friends, The Love Boat, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Hannah Montana, and a Weird Al music video? Nobody, that’s who.
But perhaps the most unusual aspect of Osmond’s full career is that he’s still gaining new fans. Young kids are turning up at his shows not because their parents
passed down their old music, but because Osmond has had wildly successful competitive reality TV turns. He won the first season of Dancing with the Stars and came in second in the first season of The Masked Singer (as the Peacock), allowing fans to find him as a current incredibly entertaining force rather than one relying on nostalgia from 50 or 60 years ago.
Before Osmond brings his award-winning Vegas show to Northern Quest Casino on Aug. 11, we caught up with the singer to chat about the variety of his live performance, having fans that span generations and… his rap game?!?
INLANDER: What do you enjoy about the Vegas show format? I know music trends sort of shifted away from the more traditional crooner type of show.
OSMOND: You probably have to see [my show] to understand why I’m kind of trying to open up the scope a little bit more, because it’s not just your traditional type of Vegas crooner show. It’s more of a hybrid of a pop show, rock show, Vegas show and Broadway show.
Of course it’s Vegas-y. I was so proud of the fact that we were just voted the Best Show of Las Vegas. So you’ve got to have that Vegas element, right?
And that’s why I’m spending the money bringing the entire show out, because I realize not everybody can go to Vegas. So I’m going to bring it out to the public. How
Donny Osmond is ready to bring Vegas pizzaz to Airway Heights. CHRISTIE GOODWIN PHOTO
do you bring the Best Show of Vegas out on the road unless you bring the entire production out? So my business manager is not very happy, because I’m spending a wad. [Laughs]
It’s not just a crooner show. That stuff is involved, but it’s a small element. But there’s so much else that goes into the show.
Like the dancing...
Oh, the dancing would kill you. I mean, it kills me. [Laughs] When you win Dancing with the Stars, people expect to see dancing.
That’s a bed you made.
I made it. I gotta sleep in it, man.
So is being able to mix and meld those elements — the theatrical, the early pop days, the dancing — what keeps things fun and interesting for you, especially when you have to run the show night after night when in residency?
That is exactly what the show is. It’s not a potpourri of everything. I can’t stand those kinds of shows where they just bring out the kitchen sink. It’s like... enough
But I have 60-plus years of show business experience, and I think I know how to put on a show. [Laughs]
I think people expect that crooner kind of show when they don’t really know too much about it, and then they come in and they just get blown away. And with not just the production, but with the amount of things that I’ve done over the six decades.
I do a rap in the show. And when I came up with the idea, and I told [the show’s director Raj Kapoor] about it, he started laughing. And I thought, “Well, that’s kind of rude.” And he said, “No, no! I’m not laughing about your idea. I’m laughing at the fact that I would spend money to watch Donny Osmond rap.” And so we came up with this 10-minute rap that covers six decades of my career and it’s backed up with video. And it gets faster and faster and faster. It’s become a fan favorite.
The show is laborious to do, but it’s also energizing because I live my entire life — 60 years of show business — in a couple hours every night.
While your live show is not a forced potpourri, I imagine it becomes one in a way because different people are gonna want to hear “Puppy Love” or a tune from Mulan or Joseph songs or see you dancing or so many things that you’ve done that they adore both in the distant past and more contemporaneously.
Exactly. You’re nailing it.
In fact, just as the tour started, I was at Harrah’s and these two little boys — 9- and 12-year-old brothers — were sitting in the audience and they had these T-shirts on that said “Peacock.” I mean, they don’t know who Marie is. They don’t know the Osmond Brothers. Andy Williams, who’s that? All they wanted was to see the Peacock from the first season of The Masked Singer perform. It was the cutest thing ever.
During the request segment of one show, this young lady requested an obscure album track from an album back in the 1990s. And I said, ‘How old are you?’ She says, “24.” I said, “Well, my name is Donny Osmond and I’m a singer, let me introduce myself to you.” And everybody started laughing. And she says, “No, no! I adore you.” I said, “But you’re 24 years old.” She says, “Eyes Don’t Lie is one of my favorite albums of all time and you’ve got to sing ‘Just Between You and Me.’” I said, “How do you know that song?” She said, “I listen to it every day.” So I brought her up on stage, and she sang it with me. The audience went crazy.
And then right after that, this little 14 year old girl requested songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I asked the 14 year old, “So did your parents bring you here?” She said, “No, I dragged my parents here.” It’s just fascinating.
So I gotta tell you, that request segment is so fun for me because I go from one extreme to the other musically: from stuff I did when I was 13 to this current album, and everything in between. n
Donny Osmond • Sun, Aug. 11 at 8 pm • $30-$364 • All
My first encounter with Willie Nelson was pretty much the same as every other fan of ol’ Shotgun Willie: I was an 8-year-old watching an episode of King of the Hill (OK, I might be a tad younger than the average Willie fan.)
The straight-laced, Reagan-adoring Hank Hill idolizes Nelson for his Texan heritage and love of the guitar and golf. A conversation between Hank and his preteen son Bobby encapsulates the dichotomy that is Willie Nelson:
“I like Willie Nelson. He’s got long hair. He’s alternative,” Bobby remarks.
“You take that back!” Hank retorts.
And therein lies the central charm of Willie Nelson — his ability to appeal to pretty much any demographic. He’s a cultural chameleon without trying to be.
Born in Abbott, Texas, Willie Nelson was raised by his grandparents. Willie’s grandfather gave him his first guitar when he was only 6 years old, and he wrote his first song at just 7.
Nelson and his family picked cotton in the summers, but Willie disliked picking cotton in the hot Texas heat. At 13, he started earning money by performing in taverns and honkey tonks, a job he’d continue throughout high school.
The early days of Willie Nelson’s career actually take place in Washington state. He started working for a radio station in Vancouver, Washington, and singing in local clubs. It was here in the Evergreen state that Willie Nelson recorded his first two songs, though neither was successful.
It was a frustrating beginning. Nelson eventually moved back to Texas and sold Bibles, vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias door-to-door. His career as a salesman was short-lived, though, and he took another shot at being a professional musician, moving to Nashville in 1960.
He had better luck this time around. By August 1961 he was signed with Liberty Records. And by 1962 Nelson released his first album, And Then I Wrote. For the next 10 years, he continued his career as a songwriter and recording artist, but by age 39, Nelson grew tired of the corporate music scene of Nashville, where musicians had little to no creative freedom. He moved to Austin, Texas, in 1972, where he planned to retire.
Thankfully, Willie Nelson did not retire. Instead, he found a renewed passion for music in the Austin hippie music scene. Nelson’s unique brand of country, distinguished by its folk and jazz influences, found a receptive audience of hippies and rednecks.
ting the Willies
Reflecting
on Willie Nelson’s musical influence and cultural legacy before he plays the Outlaw Music Festival
BY CASSANDRA BENSON
He was at the forefront of country’s newest movement: outlaw country.
Nelson’s ultra prolific songwriting (he released his 75th album, The Border, this year at age 91) allowed him to draw fans from both the traditional country and rebellious world. He became both an acceptable country artist for progressive folks who generally thought the genre to be regressive and the lefty hippie whom red-blooded, red state country fans could adore. Nelson’s music — and persona — can be considered a cultural middle ground that unites folks from all walks of life.
The key to Willie Nelson’s appeal and his success is this independent streak. Like in that conversation between Bobby and Hank Hill, there’s just something about him that strikes a chord between disparate groups of people.
You could call him an enigma, but he’s really not all that complicated. He’s just a man who stays true to himself, who doesn’t sacrifice pieces of himself to fit into a niche. He’s genuine, and that kind of integrity is priceless as an artist. Nelson’s ability to make his fans contemplate goes beyond his persona.
Sure, he’s old enough to be my great grandpa, but his music — like the man himself — has a timeless charm to it. His 1978 album Stardust, one of my favorites, showcases the full music-making capability of Nelson. He introduces his rugged takes on American classics like “Blue Skies” and “Georgia on My Mind,” while simultaneously combining pop, country, jazz and folk to create an album that exemplifies Nelson’s versatility.
Nelson’s multifaceted approach to life is aptly expressed on the new album, The Border, with the title track sung from the perspective of a disillusioned Border Patrol agent. The narrator describes the difficult situation at the border while also sympathizing with the immigrants attempting to cross. This type of introspection is more important than ever in an increasingly polarized political climate.
This week I’ll finally get to see Nelson ply his craft when he plays the Outlaw Music Festival alongside Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp at ONE Spokane Stadium on Aug. 9. And I’m sure I’ll be surrounded by the diverse spectrum of PNW inhabitants all blending together for a night full of music that unites. n
Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Brittney Spencer • Fri, Aug 9 at 5:30 pm • $60-$383 • All ages • ONE Spokane Stadium • 501 W. Gardner Ave. • onespokanestadium.com
Even at 91, Willie Nelson is still a uniting musical force. DWIGHT MCCANN PHOTO / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
COUNTRY KANE BROWN
Thursday, 8/8
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Carli Osika
J THE BIG DIPPER, Monke Business, Mama Llama, Timeworm
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Hoodoo Udu THE CHAMELEON, 2 Shadows CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds J COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Lucky Losers
THE LODGE AT CARLIN BAY, Kosh
NEATO BURRITO, Warm Static, Slow Walker, Glottis J RIVERSTONE PARK, Milonga, Dag Zaggenz
J STELLA’S ON THE HILL, Jason Lucas Band
THE JUNKYARD DRINKS & EATS, Terry Robb ZOLA, Scablands, Zack Pass
Friday, 8/9
AK ASIAN RESTAURANT, The Philosopher’s Daughter BIG BARN BREWING CO., Steve Scheen
J THE BIG DIPPER, MC Chris, Crunk Witch
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Fast Forward THE CHAMELEON, Blu Egyptian, Snacks at Midnight CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Whackamole
THE LODGE AT CARLIN BAY, Echo Elysium MILLIE’S, Heather King Band
MOOSE LOUNGE, Chasing EOS
J J NEATO BURRITO, Hayes Noble, Flyborne, Porch Spider
J J ONE SPOKANE STADIUM, Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Brittney Spencer
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Bright Moments
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs
SPOKANE EAGLES LODGE, Stagecoach West STUDIO 107, The Ronaldos J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Jessica Haffner
WHISPERS LOUNGE, Live on the Lake: Jojo Dodge
ZOLA, Jason Lucas ZOLA, Troubadour
Saturday, 8/10
BIG BARN BREWING CO., Joel Hauegn
J J THE BIG DIPPER, Reaping Fields, Violent Abuse, Room 13, Absent Cardinal
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Fast Forward THE CHAMELEON, Fever Dream
CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, The Cat Herd
CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA,
Inlander readers don’t need me to tell them that Kane Brown playing under the stars on Northern Quest’s BECU Live stage should be one of the best shows of the summer, because y’all have spoken for yourselves. Back in 2019, our readers voted the then-rising country star’s 2018 concert at the newly opened venue as the Best Outdoor Concert of the year. In the years that followed, Brown has become a full-fledged country superstar with even more hits like “One Right Thing,” “Thank God” and “I Love Country Music.” After packing ’em in for a Spokane Arena show last year, expect the denim cutoffs and 10-gallon hats to be out in full force as Brown looks to claim outdoor concert supremacy once again.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
Kane Brown, Locash • Thu, Aug. 15 at 7:30 pm
• $100-$190 • All Ages • Northern Quest Resort & Casino • 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights • northernquest.com
There might be no louder band in the world than Melvins, the intensely heavy Washingtonian sludge metal band that also paved the way for grunge. The group always delivers ear-splitting decibel levels of heaviness. So some might be surprised that Melvins’ famously cantankerous frontman King Buzzo is embarking on an acoustic tour this summer. Alongside Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle playing stand-up bass, KB will rip through solo material and Melvins cuts without the fuzzy crunching wall of electrified guitar noise. That said, don’t expect things to be soft. King Buzzo may be unplugged, but odds are he’s still on edge.
— SETH SOMMERFELD
King Buzzo, Trevor Dunn, JD Pinkus • Sun, Aug. 11 at 8 pm • $30 • 21+ • The District Bar • 916 W. First Ave. • sp.knittingfactory.com
Justyn Priest COEUR D’ALENE CELLARS, The Ronaldos THE DISTRICT BAR, Eva X, Licorice Chamber, 2Libras
J J GORGE AMPHITHEATER, Outlaw Music Festival: Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Billy Strings, Brittney Spencer IRON HORSE (CDA), Sonic Groove
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), Not For Nothing, The Requisite, Hell Motel
J KNITTING FACTORY, Shakey Graves, Atta Boy MILLIE’S, Heather King Band
MOOSE LOUNGE, Chasing EOS NEATO BURRITO, The Colourflies, Waves Crashing, Bloococoon
NOAH’S CANTEEN, Meghan Sullivan
J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Whack A Mole
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Zach Simms
RED ROOM LOUNGE, Live DJs
ROCKET MARKET, Indy & Taylor
SCHWEITZER, Kaitlyn Wiens
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, Zowie Bowie
ZOLA, Loose Endz, Lucas Brown
Sunday, 8/11
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS, Diego Romero Band
J THE BIG DIPPER, Midnight Drive, Annelida, Spooky, The Cetra
J COEUR D’ALENE CITY PARK, Soul Proprietor
J = THE INLANDER RECOMMENDS THIS SHOW
J = ALL AGES SHOW
J CRAFT & GATHER, Jerry Lee Raines
HOGFISH, Open Mic
J J KNITTING FACTORY, King Buzzo, Trevor Dunn, JD Pinkus
MOOSE LOUNGE, Keanu
J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Donny Osmond
J ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S, Austin Carruthers
J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin ZOLA, JoJo Knox
Monday, 8/12
EICHARDT’S PUB, Monday Night Blues Jam with John Firshi RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night
J STELLA’S ON THE HILL, The Ronaldos
Tuesday, 8/13
J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Sammy Hagar, Loverboy ROCKET MARKET, Kai & Friends SWING LOUNGE, Swing Lounge Live Music Tuesdays ZOLA, The Zola All Star Jam
Wednesday, 8/14
THE DRAFT ZONE, The Draft Zone Open Mic
J KENDALL YARDS, Rock the Nest: Heat Speak, Buffalo Jones, Homebrew Stringband, Wyatt Woods MILLIE’S, Keanu
J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Peter Lucht RED ROOM LOUNGE, Red Room Lounge Jam
J TIMBERS ROADHOUSE, Cary Beare Presents J TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, Dallas Kay ZOLA, Sidestep, Eric Kegley
Just Announced...
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), Opliam, Sept. 8.
J SPOKANE TRIBE CASINO, A Flock of Seagulls, Sept. 21. THE CHAMELEON, Derek Frank, Sept. 26. THE CHAMELEON, Shannon Curtis, Oct. 18.
J J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), MAITA, Oct. 25.
Coming Up ...
J COEUR D’ALENE PARK, Nu Jack City, Aug. 15, 6-8 pm.
J RIVERSTONE PARK, Justin James Band, Aug. 15, 6 pm.
J JAGUAR ROOM (CHAMELEON), The Red Books, Jerry Lee Raines, Aug. 15, 7 pm.
J J NORTHERN QUEST CASINO, Kane Brown, Aug. 15, 7:30 pm.
J THE CHAMELEON, ExZac Change & Matisse, CHRVNS, Estimate, Malik Colors, Aug. 15, 8 pm.
MUSIC | VENUES
219 LOUNGE • 219 N. First Ave., Sandpoint • 208-263-5673
ARBOR CREST WINE CELLARS • 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-927-9463
BABY BAR • 827 W. First Ave. • 509-847-1234
BARRISTER WINERY • 1213 W. Railroad Ave. • 509-465-3591
BEE’S KNEES WHISKY BAR • 1324 W. Lancaster Rd.., Hayden • 208-758-0558
BERSERK • 125 S. Stevens St. • 509-315-5101
THE BIG DIPPER • 171 S. Washington St. • 509-863-8098
BIGFOOT PUB • 9115 N. Division St. • 509-467-9638
BING CROSBY THEATER • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • 509-227-7638
BLACK DIAMOND • 9614 E. Sprague Ave. • 509891-8357
BOLO’S BAR & GRILL • 116 S. Best Rd., Spokane Valley • 509-891-8995
BOOMERS CLASSIC ROCK BAR • 18219 E. Appleway Ave., Spokane Valley • 509-368-9847
BUCER’S COFFEEHOUSE PUB • 201 S. Main St., Moscow • 208-596-0887
THE BULL HEAD • 10211 S. Electric St., Four Lakes • 509-838-9717
CHAN’S RED DRAGON • 1406 W. Third Ave. • 509-838-6688
THE CHAMELEON • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd.
CHECKERBOARD • 1716 E. Sprague Ave. • 509-443-4767
Last August, Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park was filled with the twangy sounds of the annual Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, a summer community staple for the small town. Days after the 2023 festival concluded, Waterfront Park was threatened with flames from the Gray Fire. Despite losing several trees around the park, the grassy amphitheater area was spared, so the festival continues on this year with a stellar lineup consisting of local favorites like Floating Crowbar and Monroe Bridge along with two special performances by New Dangerfield, a Black string band from New Orleans. Celebrate bluegrass, perseverance and renewal at this year’s Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival.
— MADISON PEARSON
Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival • Fri, Aug. 9-Sat, Aug. 11; times vary • All ages • $33-$64 • Waterfront Park • 1386 S. Lefevre St., Medical Lake • bluewatersbluegrass.org
PERFORMANCE NINE-CONIC
Shortly after the conclusion of the iconic ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, seven of its contestants, including newlycrowned winner Angeria Paris VanMichaels, are taking the stage in Airway Heights for a night of drag, art and stunning performances. Let’s get it all started shall we! Bask in the beauty of Plastique Tiara and Gottmik in one moment while being dazzled by dancing divas Jorgeous and Vanessa Vanjie in another. Attendees are treated to world-class performances by living legends Shannel and miss Roxxxy Andrews who is here to make it clear, full of tricks just like on Halloween, and is gonna show you what she can do. (If you know, you know.)
— COLTON RASANEN
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars LIVE • Sat, Aug. 10 at 8 pm • $40$230 • Northern Quest Resort & Casino • 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights • northernquest.com
OUTDOORS WE LIKE BIKES
Spokane’s bustling cycling community is coming together this Saturday for a slow, relaxing cruise through the city. With good tunes and beautiful scenery, the route takes bikers through the streets of Spokane and to a mini party halfway through the ride. If biking isn’t your thing, all wheels are welcome, feel free to skateboard or roller skate if that’s what ya dig. Starting (and ending) at Olmsted Brother Greens in Kendall Yards, head down there this Saturday, light up your bike with fun decorations and bike til you can’t bike no more with fellow cycling enthusiasts.
— CASSANDRA BENSON
Spokane Bike Party • Sat, Aug. 10 from 7-9 pm • Free • All ages • Olmsted Brothers Green, Nettleton St. and Summit Pkwy. • instagram.com/spokane_rides
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.
FOOD & DRINK LET IT GRAIN
Between acres of fresh hops and fields of heritage grains, Washingtonians live in beer dreamland. To celebrate, join YaYa Brewing for its annual Grainmaker Beer Festival. Breweries from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Colorado, and Baja Sate, Mexico, are all using grains grown in the Inland Northwest to create limited-edition pours that will only be available at the event. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ barley fund to support and promote future innovation with farmers, a brewers’ best friend. Tickets include five 9-ounce pours and a commemorative glass. Plus, pizza and wings from Sauced! is available for purchase. So tuck in, fill up and say thank you to your local farmers!
— ELIZA BILLINGHAM
Grainmaker Beer Festival • Fri, Aug. 9 from 3-9 pm • Ages 21+ • $40/$45 at door • YaYa Brewing Co. • 11712 E Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley • yayabrewing.com
THEATER CARNIVOROUS COMEDY
Little Shop of Horrors, despite the name, is full of hilarity (and horrors, too!). Follow the misadventures of the nerdy Seymour Krelborn, a florist assistant who comes across a mysterious plant. He names the plant “Audrey II” after his secret crush. Kelborn soon discovers this is no ordinary flower but a bloodthirsty creature ready to eat any human who crosses its path. As Audrey II grows to monstrous proportions, so does Seymour’s fame and fortune. With every drop of blood, Seymour inches closer to unraveling the plant’s sinister origins and its plans for global domination. With musical theater classics like “Suddenly Seymour” and “Skid Row,” this production will have you jumping out of your seat in more ways than one.
— FOPE SERIKI
Little Shop of Horrors • Aug. 9-18; Thu-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm • $60-$200 • Schuler Performing Arts Center • 880 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene • cstidaho.com
I SAW YOU
I HEARD YOU BEFORE I SAW YOU Your voice was like wind chimes pealing gently down Summit Blvd this morning. I caught up to you, long dark hair, aviators. You were eating fruit off a tree and sharing them with your brown dog. I asked you what they were. “They’re plums,” you singsonged, “they’re ripe and really sweet! Would you like to try some?” I declined, but wanted to tell you that you glow with joy when you look at your dog.
I SAW YOU
RICH That’s rich coming from a man who has been stalking me for over 10 years now!
I’m not the narcissist because I do indeed have boundaries and wouldn’t dream of online and physically stalking someone who has asked for me to leave them alone multiple times. You cannot have access to my emotions and read my thoughts any longer, so you resort to stalking me online. I am a very traumatized HSP who is on the spectrum and I am sick and tired of being treated as not being a human that is allowed to have boundaries, and allowed to say NO and walk away. I am not going to let you destroy me or my self esteem ever again. If I’m the narcissist then why am I the one running from a man that keeps stalking me and involved multiple people in his plot to destroy me emotionally when all I’ve done is try to make my walking away amicable and apologize for hurting you and ever being in your life. I want free of you !!!! I want you to go in peace, and for you to finally stop stalking me for good.
I want to be left alone and to not live in survival mode all the time because my fear of someone physically hurting me because of you!!!! Go away and stay away!!!!!!
CHEERS
COOKIE DEALER Cheers to the extremely friendly, and handsome, cookie dealer at My Fresh Basket on Tuesday 7/30. You were so nice! You wished me a great lunch and sent me on my way with a fresh cookie in hand. The interaction left me smiling all afternoon, there should be more people like you in the world!
THANKS TO KREM TV KREM, your promotion of diversity, equity & inclusion is appreciated. All of the Spokane communities can see themselves in your news staff.
ALLISON MARTINEZ KXLY Cheers to Allison Martinez for being a bright spot in a sea of doom and gloom. She consistently presents things in a positive way and has a delightful personality that lifts spirits in an increasingly dark world. Good on you, Allison. Keep it up!
JEERS
JOB WELL DONE, BOYS Cheers to the TWO Spokane PD cars who sat at the light on the corner of Francis and East Cozza Drive, and watched as a woman in a vehicle with expired tags messed around on her phone while in the lane to turn left on Division, who held up all the other traffic, and then blatantly ran the red light after I honked at her. The officer in the front car looked right at me with a blank look when I had my hands up with the “what the hell” expression I gave to him. They saw what happened. They just didn’t care enough. I will remember this when there is an initiative on the ballot for more funding for Spokane PD. Maybe half your current funding should be shifted over to Spokane FD. Big red seems to be doing more, and a better job, lately than the ol’ black and whites. Square yourselves away.
LOOK UP, MAN! How many of you in Spokane remember when Michael Baumgartner, as a state legislator, would go around downtown with a WSU ball cap jammed on his lowered head so he wouldn’t have to
engage anyone? Oh yeah, I’m gonna vote for that guy!
BUFFET REVIEW We took your review to heart and went to one of the buffets you recommended and that was our first mistake. Nothing was fresh, barbecue pork was soaking in water, all the vegetables
to your private conversations. It feels like an attention grab to me. Poor self-esteem at its finest.
RE: PETTY POLITICIANS I agree with last week’s Jeer. Signs blighting the landscape and TV commercials don’t earn my vote, nor does rumor-spreading and name-calling.
were soggy as well as the salad products. The meat products were like leather. My wife spit out the crab with the first bite. The bathrooms stunk of urine and were filthy. Please before you review a restaurant, go there to find out what the food is really like and if it’s really worth $20+ per person and this place is not worth it even if it was free.
POOR DESIGN All the work done on 16th Ave. and Highway 195 is a poor design. The street is designed for people to travel west off Highway 195 onto 16th. There is even a left turn lane off Highway 195. There is only one single lane west bound. People are still using that intersection as if it were never changed. It’s difficult to turn left onto 16th when others are turning left onto Highway 195 from the only single lane there. I realize people are distracted while driveing BUT that intersection is clearly NOT marked very good at all. SO JEERS to the design at Highway 195 and 16th.
FOR THE LOVE... I was just at a grocery store/big box store/doctor’s office/ sporting event/coffee shop (in other words it happens EVERYWHERE), having to listen to someone else’s conversation on speaker phone. Can anyone explain this to me? What is the motivation behind having a personal (albeit always casual) conversation that everyone around you must suffer through? Personally, I don’t want to hear about what’s for dinner, how Muffy did at her track meet or what the doctor said about your ingrown toenail. On a good day, it’s rude and disrespectful to those within hearing distance. On a bad day it’s narcissistic beyond belief. When you’re at home or in your car knock yourselves out, but please stop subjecting the public
Politicians are servants of the populace. To earn the fame, fortune, and power of political office they must demonstrate what GOOD they have already accomplished for the community, and describe what GOOD is in their ability to accomplish in the future.
HOMELESSNESS FROM THE HOMELESS I’m a lifelong citizen of the fine city of Spokane, 43 years, the Hillyard area. I’ve read lots of opinions on the ever growing homeless issue in my city but not one from an actual current home deprived person so I’d like to be the first. I actually agree that the mess, public drug use, litter and no respect for property and law are inexcusable. It’s not a dwelling issue it’s drugs and alcohol and lack of programs to train and teach these citizens to get back on their feet. Jeers to the Spokane police department for violating these people’s constitutional rights by impounding or stealing property and vehicles because of the missfortune of being poverty stricken. How does that help them get back on their feet? Setting them even further behind. Shame on you Spokane you can’t just sweep people under the rug. We have the right to survive, we have the right to pursue happiness. Those sliver spoon dwelling South Hill people looking down their noses at the homeless trash can’t eat their steak and salmon dinners if they have to look at those disgusting street rats so torture and exile the less fortunate so you can sleep at night. You cowards couldn’t even survive one night on the streets. Money isn’t wealth. Knowing I can live outside without a KOA campground and a $250,000 home on wheels makes me feel bad for you rich arrogant cattle! We are the strong ones. If all the buildings fell and all your money turns into worthless paper wonder who will be the weakest link.
Punishing U.S. citizens for being poverty stricken is not only morally wrong and prejudiced it’s against the law. Give us your poor tired weak and hungry, remember? Or do you forget all your schooling?
PROTEST ALL YOU WANT It doesn’t change the fact that Israel is winning the war against Islamic terrorists.
LIFE ALTERING BROWNIE BUZZKILL Shame on YOU, big killjoy, for spouting such ugly comments about a legitimate expression of joy that was so happily submitted by a young first-time visitor to Spokane! Who are you to make the rules for the Cheers section and what makes an “extraordinary moment” (your own words)? People can cheer about whatever the heck they want, and my daughter’s friend chose to send a compliment to this paper that she only just learned about, and was so delighted to hear it had been published. No way will I let her know of your insulting, grudgy piece of flotsam. Get a clue; people love finding random, unexpected happiness. I heard for days about that brownie! My daughter, also a relative newbie to the area, showed her friend around and sent her back home with a wonderful impression of Spokane’s places and people. Thank god they never came across your type -- someone with nothing better to do that poop on others’ parades. How sad that something this nice upsets you so much.
PAVILION CONCERT GESTAPO Why spoil such an incredible venue with an army of petty tyrant rent-a-cops? After two shows at the Kettlehouse in Missoula coming home felt like being sent to a minimum security prison. n
EVENTS | CALENDAR
BENEFIT
SIP & SHOP FUNDRAISER Socialize and shop a curated collection of home decor, gifts, food and more. Proceeds benefit Rescue4All. Aug. 9, 10 am-6 pm and Aug. 10, 10 am-6 pm. Free. Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside. rescue4all.org
15TH ANNUAL BACKPACKS FOR KIDS
The Salvation Army Spokane is distributing 4,000 new backpacks with school supplies to local students in grades K-12. Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Aug. 14-15, 9 am-4 pm. Free. The Salvation Army Spokane, 222 E. Indiana Ave. makingspokanebetter.org
STICK N’ STEIN A beer tasting fundraiser to support youth hockey featuring a variety of craft brews. Aug. 15, 3-9 pm. $35-$100. Eagles Ice-A-Rena, 6321 N. Addison. sticknstein.eventbrite.com
COMEDY
BOB THE DRAG QUEEN Bob is the winner of season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Aug. 9, 7 pm and Aug. 10, 7 & 9:45 pm. $35-$50. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub. com (509-318-9998)
HALF AND HALF In the first half of the show, Blue Door improvisers entertain with a series of short-form games driven by audience suggestions. For the second half, they delve into more in-depth scene work. Fri at 7:30 pm through Aug. 30. By donation. Spokane Children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia. bluedoortheatre.org (509-328-4886)
IMPROV An all-ages improv session hosted by John Connelly. Every Wednesday at 5:30 pm. Free. Pend Oreille Playhouse, 236 S. Union Ave., Newport. pendoreilleplayers.com
MOMS UNHINGED Lisa Jane, Andrea Marie and Jody Carroll perform comedy about motherhood, midlife crises, marriage, divorce and other topics. Aug. 14, 7 pm. $30. Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. sp.knittingfactory.com
DARRELL HAMMOND Hammond is the second-longest-running cast member and current announcer on Saturday Night Live. Aug. 15, 7 pm, Aug. 16-17, 7 & 9:45 pm. $20-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com (509-318-9998)
JEFF TRACTA Jeff performs over 100 celebrity impressions and is best known for his Donald Trump impersonation as seen on America’s Got Talent. Aug. 16, 8 pm. $28-$48. Spokane Tribe Casino, 14300 W SR Highway 2. spokanetribecasino.com (877-789-9467)
COMMUNITY
DRIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM: 1970S CARS Learn about the changes in the world that heralded a new era of auto making in the United States through automobiles of the 1970s. TueSun from 10 am-5 pm through Sep. 14. $8-$12. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org (509-456-3931)
100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CLIFF HOUSE Celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Arbor Crest’s Cliff House Estate with a Great Gatsby-themed gala featuring live music and wine. Aug. 9, 5-8 pm. $65. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N. Fruit Hill Rd. arborcrest.com
EDUCATORS’ DAY Classroom teachers, art teachers and homeschool par-
ents are invited to walk through Art Salvage’s material giveaway area and select free creative materials. Aug. 10, 11 am-3 pm. Free. Art Salvage Spokane, 610 E. North Foothills Dr. artsalvagespokane.com (509-798-9039)
THE HIDDEN GEM FEST A one-day festival with local music, food, vendors, holistic services, mine tours and workshops. Aug. 10, 10 am-noon. Free. Crystal Gold Mine & RV Park, 51931 Silver Valley Rd. thehiddengemfest.com
SANDPOINT ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR A two-day fair featuring artwork, food and more. Proceeds support the Pend Oreille Art Council’s programs. Aug. 10, 9 am-5 pm and Aug. 11, 9 am-4 pm. Free. Sandpoint. artinsandpoint.org
SUMMER DANCE MARKET This market takes attendees on a world tour of dance. Watch and learn dances from expert and enjoy a variety of foods, crafts and local vendors. Free. Sat from 5-9 pm through Sept. 28 in the Wall Street Alley. Downtown Spokane. downtownspokane.org
TOUCHMARK SOUTH HILL CAR SHOW
An annual car show featuring 80 classic cars. Elvis impersonator Ben Klein performs and lunch is available for purchase. Aug. 10, 10 am-2 pm. Free. Touchmark South Hill, 2929 S. Waterford Dr. (509-960-2324)
CDA FLEA MARKET A market with over 45 vendors including vintage and antiques, local handmade goods and artisan food. Second Sundays through October 13 from 10 am-3 pm. Roosevelt Inn, 105 E. Wallace. cdaflea.com
CONVERSATION WITH A TIBETAN
NUN Geshe Delek Wangmo, Buddhist scholar and practitioner from Dolma Ling Nunnery in India, shares her life as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. Registration is required. Aug. 11, 10 am-2 pm. By donation. Sravasti Abbey, 692 Country Lane. sravastiabbey.org (509-447-5549)
BONNER COUNTY FAIR Attractions of this year’s fair include EXTREME Bronc Riding (Aug. 14), dirt biking by Octane Addictions (Aug. 15), a demolition derby (Aug. 17) and traditional events including ag displays/competitions, vendors, food and more. Aug. 13-17. Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd. bonnercountyfair.com (208-263-8414)
GRANT COUNTY FAIR A traditional fair with carnival rides, games, livestock and food. Aug. 13-17. Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Drive NE, Moses Lake. gcfairgrounds.com
CEDAR THE HIGHLAND COW: STORY AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS Kids and families are invited to meet Cedar the Highland Cow, hear her story, and make some fun crafts. Aug. 15, 9-10:30 & 11 am-12:30 pm. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org
PEND OREILLE COUNTY FAIR & RODEO Featuring a livestock show, rodeo, vendors and live music. Aug. 15-18. Pend Oreille County Fairgrounds, 419152 State Route 20. pocfair.com
ART FEST An art show and sale featuring 20 artists. Also features children’s activities, musical entertainment, artist demos and more. Aug. 16-17, 12-7 pm. Free. The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N. William St. thejacklincenter.org
NORTH IDAHO STATE FAIR This year’s fair theme is “Fun Galore” and features a variety of family-friendly entertainment and attractions. Aug. 16-25; daily. Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way. NISFair.Fun
DOG DAYS OF AUGUST Bring your dog and enjoy a day filled with local vendors, pet portraits, raffles and more. Aug. 17, 10 am-3 pm. Free. Mulberry Market Co., 17325 E. Sprague Ave. mulberrymarketco.com
FILM
GARLAND FREE KIDS MOVIES Screenings of free kids movies every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 11 am. See website for details. Free. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
SUMMER FAMILY MATINEE SERIES
A free screening of a kids movie. See website for movies. Tue-Thu at 1 pm through Aug. 22. Free. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org
SUMMER OF STUDIO GHIBLI: KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE An Englishdubbed screening. Aug. 10, 2 pm. $5. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999: THE SIXTH SENSE Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, starts treating a young boy who encounters dead people and convinces him to help them. Aug. 9, 5 pm, Aug. 10-11, 7:30 pm. $5. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org
SPOKANE VALLEY OUTDOOR MOVIE: RATATOUILLE Watch Ratatouille and participate in crafts and other activities before the movies begin. Aug. 9, 6-10 pm. Free. Mirabeau Point Park, 2426 N. Discovery Place. spokanevalley.org/ outdoormovies (509-688-0300)
GARLAND FREE SUMMER MOVIES Free movies at the Garland Theater every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. See website for details. Free. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org (509-327-1050)
SUMMER OF STUDIO GHIBLI: MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO An Englishdubbed screening. Aug. 14-17, daily at 2 pm. $5. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.org
THIRD THURSDAY MATINEE: MON ONCLE ANTOINE Set at Christmas, this story takes place in the Asbestos Region of Quebec and follows a teenager working for his uncle. Aug. 15, 1 pm. $7. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First. northwestmuseum.org
FOOD & DRINK
BBQ & BANDS Live music by Carli Osika. Dinner is barbecue ribs. Aug. 9, 5-7 pm. $20. The Culinary Stone, 2129 N. Main. culinarystone.com
RIDE & DINE SERIES Enjoy a scenic gondola ride, live music and a barbecue meal. Fridays from 3-7:30 pm through Aug. 30. $8-$63. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com
BREWSFEST Enjoy the offerings of several craft breweries and cideries from the Inland Northwest. Tickets include a scenic gondola ride, event entry and six drink tickets. Aug. 10, 1-6 pm. $44-$65. Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave. silvermt.com
SUNDAY BRUNCH CRUISES Enjoy a brunch buffet with a full-service, no-host bar while on a cruise around Lake Coeur d’Alene. Sundays at 11 am through Sep. 1. $60-$73. The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second. cdacruises.com (208-765-4000)
RIVERFRONT EATS A food festival featuring local food vendors and live music. Tuesdays from 11 am-2 pm through Aug. 20. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.org (509-625-6600)
HISTORICAL TOUR & SUPPER CLUB
Learn about the history of Commellini Estate on this guided tour followed by a family-style Italian meal. Aug. 16, 5-8:30 pm. $85. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commelliniestate.com
ALES FOR THE TRAIL Taste craft beer, wine and cider from local and regional brewers to raise funds for the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Aug. 17, 3-8 pm. $5-$60. Coeur d’Alene City Park, 415 W. Mullan Rd. nictf.org ((208) 769-2300)
NATIONAL LENTIL FESTIVAL An event celebrating Palouse lentils with cooking demos, samples, kids activities and more. Aug. 17. Free. Reaney Park, 460 NE Morton St. lentilfest.com
MUSIC
BLUE WATERS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
A three-day festival featuring bluegrass bands and tribute performances. Lineup includes Monroe Bridge, Floating Crowbar, and more. Aug. 9-11. $33-$64. Waterfront Park, 1386 S. Lefevre St., Medical Lake. bluewatersbluegrass.org
MUSIC FOR OBSERVATIONS A threepart music series pairing electronic music with the Jewett Observatory’s open viewings of the night sky. Aug. 10, 9 pm. Free. WSU Jewett Observatory, Pullman. jasoneanderson.net
JENNIFER STOEHNER Stoehner plays classical and contemporary songs on
the piano. Aug. 13, 5-7 pm. Free. Pend d’Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar. powine.com GET LOUD IN THE LIBRARY: A NIGHT OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC Three local bands/groups showcase different forms of traditional music. Featured groups include Spokane Taiko, Coeurimba and Lokomaika’i. Aug. 17, 7 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main. spokanelibrary.org
SPORTS & OUTDOORS
RIVERFRONT MOVES: BARRE Barre3
Central leads a 60-minute total body workout featuring small and large range movement sequences. Aug. 8, 6-7 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com (509-625-6600)
CITIZEN SCIENCE Collect samples to view under the microscopes, or borrow supplies and a community log to look for numerous species of birds that call the woods home. Aug. 9, 10 am-2 pm. Free. Pine Street Woods, 11915 W. Pine St., Sandpoint. ebonnerlibrary.org
FIT KIDS DAY A morning of active play including an obstacle course, parachute games and an inflatable slide. Aug. 9, 9 am-noon. Free. Shaw Middle School, 4106 N. Cook St. ksps.org
COEUR D’ALENE TRIATHLON Options for the annual race include an Olympic distance triathlon, the scenic sprint and a duathlon. Race starts/ends in downtown Coeur d’Alene on the city beach. Aug. 10. $120-$220. cdatriathlon.com
HOUSEPLANTS 101 Learn the basics of taking care of houseplants. Aug. 10, 2-3
pm. $10. Ritters Garden & Gift, 10120 N. Division St. 4ritter.com (509 467-5258)
SPOKANE BIKE PARTY A slow cruise through the city on a flat and easy route. Jam to tunes and party on your bikes, boards and skates. Aug. 10, 7-9 pm. Free. Olmsted Brothers Green, N. Nettleton St. and Summit Pkwy. instagram.com/spokane_rides (360-510-8335)
SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER CRAYFISH
COLLECTION EVENT The Riverkeeper has teamed up with scientists from the University of Idaho to monitor local crayfish for mercury. Join the group for a day of activities. Aug. 10, 1-3 pm. Free. People’s Park, 2500-2834 W. Clarke. spokaneriverkeeper.org
SPOKANE INDIANS VS. VANCOUVER
CANADIANS Promotions during this sixgame series include Yoke’s Family Feast Night (Aug. 14), Back to School Night (Aug. 16), and more. Aug. 13-17, 6:35 pm and Aug. 18, 1:05 pm. Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St. milb.com/spokane
SPOKANE VELOCITY VS. NORTHERN COLORADO HAILSTORM Regular season game. Aug. 13, 6 pm. $21-$41. One Spokane Stadium, 501 W. Gardner Ave. spokanevelocityfc.com
RIVERFRONT MOVES CARDIO DANCE Jazzercise leads a cardio dance class. Aug. 15. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com
MOONLIGHT PADDLEBOARDING: BADGER LAKE Paddle Badger Lake at dusk and through the night. Meet at Finch Arboretum. Fee includes equipment, guides and transportation. Aug. 17, 6-10 pm. $59. John A. Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. my.spokanecity.org
SUMMER ROOFTOP YOGA SERIES A one-hour yoga class taught by The Union on the Davenport rooftop. Aug. 17, 10 am. $35. Historic Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. davenporthotelcollection.com
WINTERIZING YOUR GARDEN Learn how to prepare your garden for winter. Aug. 17, 2-3 pm. $10. Ritters Garden & Gift, 10120 N. Division St. 4ritter.com
THEATER & DANCE
PIPPIN A mysterious performance troupe tells the story of a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure. Thu-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm through Aug. 18. $25-$30. Stage Left Theater, 108 W. Third Ave. stagelefttheater.org
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Flower shop assistant Seymour pines for co-worker Audrey. He discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey II, which feeds only on human flesh and blood. Thu-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm through Aug. 18. $62$192. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 880 W. Garden Ave. cstidaho.com
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS LIVE Contestants from season nine perform, including Angeria, Jorgeous, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Vanessa Vanjie and more. Aug. 10, 8 pm. $40-$230. Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd. northernquest.com
XANADU JR. Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, is on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the
first Roller Disco. Aug. 10-18; Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $15-$28. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spokanecivictheatre.com
ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL A collection of original short plays directed by local directors. Aug. 16-18. Aug. Pend Oreille Playhouse, 236 S. Union Ave. pendoreilleplayers.com (509-447-9900)
MONTANA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS: THE WINTER’S TALE When Leontes’s pregnant wife, Hermione, succeeds in persuading Polixenes to stay, Leontes becomes suspicious that his wife has been unfaithful with his friend. Aug. 17, 5 pm. Free. Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Rd. shakespeareintheparks.org
VISUAL ARTS
BETWEEN BORDERS: FOLKLIFE THROUGH THE COEUR D’ALENES An exhibition featuring folk and traditional artists from the region. Wed-Sat from 9 am-3 pm through Sep. 4. Free. Chrysalis Gallery, 911 S. Monroe St. theartchrysalis. com (509-991-7275)
MILES TOLAND: DREAM RECALL Surrealist paintings by painter Miles Toland. Daily from 11 am-6 pm through Sep. 2, 11 am-6 pm. Free. Entropy, 101 N. Stevens St. explodingstars.com (509-414-3226)
THE GREAT NORTHWEST WOOD SHOW & SALE An open exhibition and retail event for both established and emerging wood artists. The show presents a range of wood pieces, from traditional to avantgarde, including wall art, kitchen utensils and decorative items. Thu-Sun from 10 am-6 pm through Sep. 29. Free. Dahmen
Barn, 419 N. Park Way, Uniontown. artisanbarn.org
ILDIKÓ KALAPÁCS: SYMBIOSIS AND CO-EXISTENCE Kalapács blends Hungarian folk culture, themes of environmental preservation, identity and more in her work. Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm through Aug. 30. Free. Spokane Art School, 503 E. Second Ave. spokaneartschool.net (509-325-1500)
IN THE MEAN TIME Artists Carrie Scozzaro, Daniel Kytonen, Emma Noyes, Helen Parsons, Kay O’Rourke, Lance Sinnema, May Kytonen and Tracy PoindexterCanton showcase art in which they’ve incorporated words and language inspired by literature and current events into the work. Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm through Aug. 31. Free. Terrain Gallery, 628 N. Monroe St. terrainspokane.com
INLAND NORTHWEST JURIED LANDSCAPE ART EXHIBITION This juried display seeks to present the diversity and dynamism of contemporary artistic activity in the Inland Northwest while celebrating the relationship between art and the local landscape. Mon-Sat from 10 am-4 pm through Aug. 24. Free. Jundt Art Museum, 200 E. Desmet Ave. gonzaga.edu/jundt (509-313-6843)
DEBBIE HUGHBANKS: FEATHERS & FUR The local artist shares her love of animals and art with a collection of creatures in pastel, acrylic, scratchboard and mixed media. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through Aug. 3. Free. Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington St. spokanelibertybuilding.com (509-327-6920)
MARY FRANCES DONDELINGER: A LOVE LETTER TO COEUR D’ALENE Art
that encapsulates the beauty and spirit of Coeur d’Alene. Wed-Sun from 11 am-6 pm through Sep. 1. Free. The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave. theartspiritgallery.com (208-765-6006)
THOMAS CRESSMAN The metalsmith and jewelry artist from Mead creates wearable, sculptural art and jewelry that reflects the natural world. Daily from 11 am-7 pm through Aug. 31, 11 am-7 pm. Free. Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington St. potteryplaceplus.com
RE: PRESENT A collection of painting by various artists made with high regard for presence in the moment. Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm through Aug. 29. Free. Third Street Gallery, City Hall, 206 E. Third St., Moscow. (208-883-7036)
TRACKSIDE STUDIO SALE Gallery partners, Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen clean off their shelves and showcase pieces old and new that are marked down. Wed-Fri from 11 am-5 pm through Aug. 30. Free. Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net
VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE A 360-degree digital art exhibition featuring the work of Vincent van Gogh. Thu-Mon from 10 am-7 pm through Sep. 30. $21-$41. Exhibition Hub Spokane Art Center, 808 N. Ruby. vangoghexpo.com
VEILED NOTIONS A group show featuring Helen Parsons, Susan Mattson, Mary Frances Dondelinger, Randy Palmer and Chris Bivins. Wed-Sun from 11 am-6 pm through Sep. 1. Free. Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman. theartspiritgallery.com
ZHENYA AMPLEYE: NOTHING BUT SWEETNESS, BONEYNOSE KNOWS The Ukraine-born artist displays unique
watercolor paintings. Fridays from 6:308:30 pm through Aug. 23. Free. KolvaSullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. mobile. kolva.comcastbiz.net
STRANDED SPINNERS DROP-IN Bring your own fiber arts project and share space with other artists or come to observe and learn. Each session starts with a demo. Aug. 10, 3:30-5 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
CREATIVE CHRONICLES: SUMMER ART
JOURNALING Participants experiment with mixed media, explore diverse artistic techniques, and create unique and meaningful entries in their journals. Aug. 12, 2-3 pm. Free. Indian Trail Library, 4909 W. Barnes Rd. spokanelibrary.org
HEARTISTRY: ARTISTIC WELLBEING
A relaxed and inspiring environmnt for self-discovery. Participate in basic artistic concepts and activities or respond to a mindfulness prompt. Every Tuesday from 3-5 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org
MINI FIGURE PAINTING Bring your own miniature to paint in a group setting and learn a few tips from others. Geared toward teens and adults. Aug. 13, 5-7 pm. Free. Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St. ebonnerlibrary.org (208-265-9565)
OPEN STUDIO Stop by The Hive to see what current Artists-In-Residence are up to, and tour the building. Every Wednesday from 4-7 pm. Free. The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. spokanelibrary.org
PEBBLE PAINTING: CREATE A SCENE Create a scene of your own design on a wood background with rocks and pebbles that you paint. All supplies provided.
Ages 10–17. Aug. 14, 11 am-noon. Free. Deer Park Library, 208 Forest St. scld.org FRIDAY NIGHT PAINT: SUMMER VACATION Paint a watercolor postcard from summer travels: a half-timbered house from Germany. Aug. 16, 7 pm. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
WORDS
DROP IN & WRITE Bring works in progress to share, get inspired with creative prompts and spend some focused time writing. Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org (509-279-0299)
HARMONY WRITERS GROUP A writing group focused on memoir and craft. Meets every other week on Thursday from 5:15-7 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org
NEW FICTION BOOK CLUB Discuss How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid at the August meeting. Aug. 8, 6-7 pm. Free. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com
CHELSEY BYRD LEWALLEN: CLOTHING ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS Author Chelsey Byrd Lewallen presents a discussion of her new book, Clothing Alterations and Repairs: Maintaining a Sustainable Wardrobe. She’ll also host a repair cafe with darning, mending and patching supplies so participants can experiment with their own alterations and repairs. Aug. 9, 11 am. Free. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. spokanelibrary.org
DANIEL TIGER STORYTIME Enjoy themed stories, songs and interactive
activities. Aug. 9, 10:30 am. Free. Indian Trail Library, 4909 W. Barnes Rd. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5331)
LECTURE ON DARK MATTER Professor Shane Larson from Northwestern University in Chicago discusses dark matter and energy. Aug. 9, 7:30-9 pm. Free. Spokane Astronomical Society, 8616 N. Lehman. spokaneastronomy.org
WRITE TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY WRITING SESSION Write alongside and receive advice from local author Sharma Shields. Aug. 10, 10 am-noon. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)
BROKEN MIC A weekly open mic reading series. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm; sign-ups at 6 pm. Free. Neato Burrito, 827 W. First Ave. bit.ly/2ZAbugD
POETRY AFTER DARK EWU MFA students lead discussions about craft elements, style and form in poetry. Every second and fourth Wed of each month from 7-8 pm. Second and Fourth Wed. of every month, 7-8 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME PLAY & LEARN Share books, songs and fun. After storytime, spend some time in open play with learning activities. Every Wed from 10-11 am. 10-11 am. Free. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry. spokanelibrary.org
NAMWALI SERPELL: THE FURROWS Discuss The Furrows by Namwali Serpell at this book club meeting. Aug. 17, 10:30 am. Free. Indian Trail Library, 4909 W. Barnes Rd. spokanelibrary.org n
Washington led the way in legalizing recreational cannabis, but still doesn’t allow delivery.
POLICY
Cannabis Conundrum
Washington has fallen behind when it comes to cannabis policy
BY WILL MAUPIN
Washington was the first to legalize recreational cannabis back in 2012. Voters approved Initiative 502 with 55.7% in favor. It made Washington, along with Colorado, which voted to legalize recreational use at the same time, a trailbreaker when it comes to cannabis.
Washington was progressive back then. We aren’t anymore.
We’ve basically been stuck in the mud ever since.
Almost half of the country has followed suit since Washington and Colorado broke through to legalize cannabis. As of now, 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized recreational cannabis, and more than half of the nation’s population lives where recreational cannabis is legal.
But in once trailblazing Washington, we live with cannabis regulations that are over a decade old.
In Washington, you cannot deliver cannabis. Other states now allow an UberEats style of cannabis delivery. Not here.
In Washington, there are no weed bars. It is legal to possess and consume cannabis, just like alcohol, but you can’t serve it like a cocktail. That is, for some reason, illegal.
In the state that pioneered legalizing cannabis, we still treat cannabis the way we did in 2012 even though it is now 2024. We went from leading the way to being incredibly behind the times.
Washington’s conservative cannabis laws made sense once upon a time, when the state was breaking new ground, but now we are left behind. Two dozen states have followed our lead in legalizing cannabis, and many have gone even further.
Our neighbors to the south in Oregon allow cannabis delivery.
In Washington, you can have alcohol delivered to your house. You can’t have cannabis delivered though.
In New Mexico, you can visit a cannabis lounge and smoke weed like you would drink beer at a bar. In Washington, no luck. As far as our state is concerned, the only place you can consume cannabis is on your property behind closed doors.
Washington is a shining beacon when it comes to cannabis policy in many ways. Our state’s regulations have almost entirely eliminated the illegal market. In that regard we’ve done fantastic work.
Otherwise, we’re a decade behind.
Once upon a time, Washington laid the groundwork for cannabis policy in the United States. It did a good job, too. But in the decade since, we have fallen behind. Other states are now not only pushing boundaries, but succeeding in their policies.
Washington, meanwhile, flounders as if it is still 2012. n
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NOTE TO READERS
GREEN ZONE
BE AWARE: Marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older under Washington State law (e.g., RCW 69.50, RCW 69.51A, HB0001 Initiative 502 and Senate Bill 5052). State law does not preempt federal law; possessing, using, distributing and selling marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In Washington state, consuming marijuana in public, driving while under the influence of marijuana and transporting marijuana across state lines are all illegal. Marijuana has intoxicating effects; there may be health risks associated with its consumption, and it may be habit-forming. It can also impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Keep out of reach of children. For more information, consult the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.
Be aware of the differences in the law between Idaho and Washington. It is illegal to possess, sell or transport cannabis in the State of Idaho. Possessing up to an ounce is a misdemeanor and can get you a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine; more than three ounces is a felony that can carry a fiveyear sentence and fine of up to $10,000. Transporting marijuana across state lines, like from Washington into Idaho, is a felony under federal law.
Publishing IDs
Portion out
Lavender relative
Captain Hook’s first mate
Smartphone function
1980s timekeeping fad
Like J, in alphabetical order
SAVOR A TRUE LOUISIANA BOIL!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH | 4:30 PM – 8 PM
Enjoy one-pound crab, half-pound shrimp, half-pound crawfish, half-pound clams, sausage, red potatoes and a corn on the cob boiled in a Louisiana broth. Served with cornbread and coleslaw. Join us outdoors near the Spa Tower hotel entrance.
Hurry! Tickets are limited.
$50 (Advance Purchase) | $55 (Day of the Event)
Advance ticket purchase highly recommended. Tickets will include designated entry times and the supply of tickets is limited. All ages are welcome.
Reduced ticket pricing for children is not available at this special event. Serving sizes are based on uncooked weight estimations.
