Inlander 11/03/2022

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NOTE

Break out the nog because forecasters have called it. We’re heading toward the third straight La Niña winter, and it’s going to be a cold, wet season. That means one thing: snow. To ring in the powder, we bring you this SNOWL ANDER filled with all kinds of goodies. Looking for fun facts about your favorite mountain? We got them. Newbie on the slope? We have you covered, with tips on Nordic skiing and where to learn the ropes (on the rope tow). Whether you’re ringing the bells at 49 Degrees North, looking out for Santa Claus on Lookout, night skiing on Mount Spokane, running the Rowdy Grouse on Schweitzer, riding the gondola at Silver or getting really stoked about heading to Canada, this issue has you covered, beginning on page 23. Also this week, we bring you more winter sports, just not that kind. Our coverage of college basketball begins with analysis of every local team, including the Zags (page 51). In news, Daniel Walters looks into the bus- and bike-friendly future of North Division Street (page 10). And Arts and Culture Editor Chey Scott shines a light on Spark Central, the luminary arts nonprofit in West Central (page 16).

— NICHOLAS DESHAIS, editor

PEPPA PIG LIVE! PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE Saturday, December 3 First Interstate Center for the Arts

JOE BONAMASSA LIVE IN CONCERT Friday, December 2 First Interstate Center for the Arts

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE Friday, November 25 Spokane Arena

HOW WELL DO YOU THINK THE ZAGS ARE GOING TO DO THIS SEASON?

ANNA HERMES

I think we are going to do really well this sea son. We still have Drew Timme, we have some new players, and we got some great transfers. As a Zag, I think we are going to go all the way and win. Julian Strawther’s deep threes are fantastic!

AMELIA STABLER

I think it’s going to be a great season. I am a huge fan of GU basketball. Drew Timme is the best meme with his mustache.

How many games are you planning to go to this season?

I plan on going to every single game if I can get tickets. I definitely want to tent this year!

SAMSOM SIHEL

I am seeing a first seed regular season with multiple rounds into March Madness. We will definitely make it to the Sweet Sixteen!

How many games are you going to?

I am going to the first home game next week to start out strong. I need to get more into the spirit and get some Zag swag.

MEGHAN BROWN

I know the boys will do better than last year. A lot of returning players who were planning on leaving are back now, and I know it’s a hot take, but we need those returners. I live for Zag basketball, and it gets me through the winter.

KYLE THIEDE

The Zags are looking really sharp. They got some offensive weapons, and I think having last year’s season, although it was tough, this year they will rebuild and go forward with a new confidence. I think what Rasir Bolton has been doing in the community is inspiring, but I love to root for them all on and off the court.

INTERVIEWS BY CATE WILSON

GONZAGA

Persistence Pays

When voting is an obstacle course, we need to help each other navigate for the sake of democracy

BY TARA ROBERTS

My grandmother recently moved to my town in Idaho after decades of living in Washington state. She’s never missed voting in a major election, and she was deter mined to participate in her new state.

In Washington, she effortlessly voted by mail. In Idaho, things aren’t so easy. Because she no longer drives, Grandma enlisted me to help her navigate Idaho’s voting obstacle course.

First, I took her to the DMV to get an Idaho ID card. In Washington, she would have been registered to vote on the spot. Not here. Idaho is

one of only six states ex empt from the federal “mo tor voter” law that requires an option to register people to vote when they apply for or renew their driver’s li cense or ID. (We’re exempt because we offer Election Day registration — but so do plenty of motor-voter states.)

But she could just register online, right?

Those of us in Washington are fortunate to have mail-in voting, but that’s not the case in Idaho.

Nope. In Washington, she could have by Oct. 31. In Idaho, the deadline was Friday, Oct. 14, and we went to the DMV on Mon day, Oct. 17. Rats.

Idaho allows anyone to request an absentee ballot, which is great. If Grandma could have registered online, she would also have voted absentee — which is kind of a big deal for a person in her 80s during COVID, flu and winter-storm season.

But since the “not going extra places in person” ship had sailed, we picked a day to go to the county courthouse for regis tration and early voting.

It was snow-raining on Oct. 24, but Grandma and I bundled up and headed out to vote. After she pushed her walker up a steep, wet, cracked ramp at the courthouse, things went smoothly. The poll workers were friendly and helpful, making sure she had a comfortable place to sit and answering her questions.

I was happy to take my grandma to vote. But not every grandma has a granddaughter to chauffeur her, and not every granddaughter is a writer with a flexible schedule.

When I first realized my column would publish right before Election Day, I planned to write about all the reasons to vote. But through the saga with Grandma, I realized that no amount of cheering “Voting matters!” can get a person a ride to the polls or good weather or time off work or better ramps or a state that wants to make voting accessible to everyone.

Our story is just one little slice of the giant pie of obstacles that can come between an eligible voter and actually voting. So instead of another lecture on getting out the vote, what I’ll leave you with is a list of things folks with easier access can do to ease the path for our neighbors.

 In Idaho, if you have a car, offer rides to polling stations.

 If you’re an ace at public transit, help someone who isn’t find their way to the polls.

 Schedule time to register or vote together with friends.

 Babysit or handle other caregiving duties for someone while they vote.

 If you’ve got free time, read voter guides and trusted news sources so you can summarize for friends with less time. (Your local League of Women Voters is a great place to start.)

 Same thing with learning about deadlines and regulations so you can guide someone who is stressed, overworked or oth erwise less able to dedicate time and attention to complex rules. (Vote.org is a great resource.)

 Offer to help young people learn about voting — especially if they’re college students who might face confusion about where they can vote.

 Ask people you care about if they’re going to vote. (Re search shows peer pressure works!)

 If you’re friends with someone who isn’t sure about voting, have a kind and gentle conversation about why.

 If you’ve got a full day to spare, become a poll worker. Wellstaffed polling places make voting run more smoothly — and a familiar, trusted face might help someone have faith in the process.

 Advocate for changes that increase access to registration and voting. n

Tara Roberts is a writer and educator who lives in Moscow with her husband, sons and poodle. Her novel Wild and Dis tant Seas is forthcoming from Norton in 2024. Follow her on Twitter @tarabethidaho.

YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING GUIDE

DARLENE PIKE HOLLIDAY: Natasha Hill is smart, articulate and a refreshing change from CMR [Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the incumbent].

BOB GOERTZ: CMR is just a lackey to Kevin McCarthy, and he only cares about becoming speaker of the House no matter whose boots he needs to lick.

PATRICK HAYES: CMR is quite a good politician, rarely going out on a limb for anything and regularly touching base with the rural ele ments of the district. She’s very good at exploiting progressive positions which run counter to the district’s bias, Snake River dams for instance. She’s not a hardcore MAGA, but sufficiently servile to avoid a hard right challenge. n

CORRECTIONS

An article about Fabio Mechetti returning to the Spokane Sym phony as a guest conductor (“There and Back Again,” Oct. 20, 2022) misreported the capital of Brazil. It’s Brasília, which we would’ve known if we had an atlas in the office. The article also miscalculated the num ber of years Mechetti was previously the symphony’s conductor, because math is hard.

A caption for a photograph ac companying a story about this year’s Spokane County sheriff’s race (“Deputy Delinquency, Oct. 27, 2022) misspelled the name of one of the candidates, which we would’ve got right if we had only read the story directly below the caption.

An analysis of this year’s congres sional race in Eastern Washington (“A Blind Eye,” Oct. 6, 2022) incor rectly described where Rep. Dan Newhouse’s district is in relation to the one currently held by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. It’s to the west, because he’s a Washington representative and, turns out, Idaho is the only thing to the east.

We regret these errors.

Readers respond to Daniel Walters’ story about the this year’s congressional race (“Capitol Hill or Natasha Hill,” Oct. 20, 2022):

McMORRIS RODGERS

HILL

DIVISION

REVISION

BY DANIEL WALTERS

When Assistant City Prosecutor Michael Vander Giessen was an 18-year-old college student at Whitworth University, the new Spokanite made a classic boneheaded out-of-towner mistake: He tried to bike on Division.

It didn’t go well.

He survived the route from Whitworth south to the old Costco near the intersection of Cascade Way and Division Street, but biking down the hill on his return trip he heard a big pickup truck rumble up behind him. He recalls the driver screaming something at him and believes the guy tossed a bottle at him — Vander Giessen could hear the glass shatter.

“I thought, ‘This was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t be here,’” Vander Giessen recalls. “But I also felt a sense of violation: I felt like, ‘Well, what else am I supposed to do? Why is this so impassable by a bicycle?’ It sent a message to me at the time: Spokane doesn’t care about bicyclists.”

In fact, bicycling on much of Division, one of Spo kane’s major arterials, is technically illegal. After all, it’s the dedicated north-south route for freight traffic.

But Division isn’t just awful for wayward cyclists. It’s miserable for everyone else too. Motorists hate being stuck in an endless gauntlet of traffic lights or trying

to cross six lanes to get from one side of the street to another. Pedestrians hate walking beside the rumbling vehicles. Truckers hate the slow stop-start traffic.

“Division is a state and federal highway that is car rying traffic from not just the Spokane region, but all the way into North Idaho, all the way up to the border of Canada,” says Spencer Gardner, Spokane’s planning director. “Division sort of got caught in the crossfire.”

But when the north-south freeway, aka the North Spokane Corridor, to the east is finally finished, every thing could change.

The amount of freight traffic and just-passing-through traffic is expected to plummet. In fact, a computer model completed by traffic software company Iteris predicts that even though north-south traffic throughout the region is expected to leap by 37 percent from 2015 to 2040, traffic on Division and its one-way couplet partner, Ruby Street, is anticipated to actually fall by 8 percent.

For the region’s transportation planners, it’s a once-ina-city’s-lifetime opportunity for a wholesale makeover of one of the city’s biggest routes, stretching from downtown Spokane to past Whitworth, north of the city limits.

Since 2020, planners have been sketching out plans to reinvent Division, moving it away from an automotive

hellscape into something better for bus riders, pedestrians and even — on some stretches — cyclists. Last week the Spokane City Council voted to adopt the latest update of that regional plan, DivisionConnects, which outlines an official strategy for the arterial route, scheduled to be completed in 2029.

“It would be more oriented to local needs,” as op posed to freight traffic, says County Commissioner Al French, a longtime transit advocate.

“It’s a cool opportunity to make Division a more humane place,” says Colin Quinn-Hurst, a transportation planner with the city. “A place where people enjoy being. That’s the coolest aspect.”

Wait, the Inlander asks, does that mean Division is an inhumane place right now?

“Have you walked on Division?” Gardner jumps in, with a kind of rhetorical chuckle.

FULL STREETS AHEAD

Next year, the long-anticipated electric “City Line” bus rapid transit route is primed to launch, taking passengers with frequent and reliable service between Browne’s Addition and Spokane Community College in the Chief Garry neighborhood.

Local planners aim to transform Spokane’s busiest road — and maybe even save it

Imagine a Division Street that doesn’t seem like it’s trying to kill you. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO

Think of the DivisionConnects plan as the bigger and brasher sequel to the City Line.

Unlike the City Line, Division is slated to have exclusive “Business Access and Transit” lanes. These lanes will have two uses. Buses will have exclusive use of the lanes, but motorists can use them for making right turns while entering or exiting a busi ness. Ideally, it’s the best of both worlds.

“You don’t have the same impact from trying to widen the road, to put it in a transit lane or put in dedicated turn lanes,” says Karl Otterstrom, planning and development officer for Spo kane Transit Authority.

It lets buses travel faster without clogging up traffic or taking up too much street space with a traditional bus lane. These lanes would stretch for 5 miles — almost the entire corridor — from where Division crosses the Spokane River to the “Y” where the North Newport Highway splits off from Division.

The full route, from downtown Spokane to the Hastings Park & Ride north of Whitworth, would be served entirely by zero-emission buses. Those might be electric buses with charg ing stations like with the City Line, Otterstrom says, or they could be buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells or some other new technology.

Weekdays, buses will be available to catch every 10 minutes. Nights and weekends, buses on most of the route will run every 15 minutes.

For bus riders, that’s pretty good. As for people on bikes? The plans show them getting something they’ve been craving for decades along the Ruby couplet near downtown: a “cycle track” protected bike lane, physically separated from the roadway. With a decrease in traffic, there’s room for such a shared street.

“The couplet was where there was the most opportunity to be creative, just because there’s so much capacity with both of those streets running four-lanes each,” says Quinn-Hurst. That’s particularly ideal, he says, considering all the Gonzaga University students nearby.

The protected bike lanes won’t extend all the way to the Whitworth area where Vander Giessen was once menaced by a pickup truck. But that doesn’t mean cyclists are out of luck. Quinn-Hurst says the city has about 30 active transportation projects being developed simultaneously to the Division street re hab, including a network of protected bikeways and other bicycle improvements running parallel to Division.

French is brimming with optimism.

“What I anticipate is those that either rely on bike or rely on public transportation are going to love the new system,” French says. “I think those that are auto-oriented are going to love the system because they’re not fighting with semis and motorhomes.”

ROUND TRIP

In some senses, this is not a reinvention of Division so much as a back-to-the-roots reboot — a return to what the street once was.

In the early decades of Spokane, Division was the route of the Lidgerwood Park Electric Railway, a major north-south streetcar route that connected the railroad workers of Hillyard to the city center.

“That lower part of Division really became an important com mercial hub,” says Otterstrom, who is also a local transit history buff. All those pedestrians allowed businesses to flourish.

“Their wallet is accessible,” Otterstrom says. “They’re not confined to their vehicle.”

But times changed. Streetcars were discarded as the automo bile began to dominate. Division became both a highway and, eventually, a retail destination dotted with big-box stores like Costco and shopping centers like NorthTown Mall.

“In its heyday, it was a destination point,” French says. “All roads lead to NorthTown.”

But the advent of online shopping has meant that the autodependent retail has been struggling — Division has seen vacan cies pop up all along the corridor. Once packed parking lots are now prairies of empty pavement.

French recalls former Mayor David Condon fretting about what this kind of disinvestment could mean for the city.

Native American Heritage Month

“DIVISION REVISION,” CONTINUED...

“One of his big concerns was that the city of Spokane was going to be the hole in the middle of the doughnut,” French says. “That development would happen around the city, but there was no real investment inside the city.”

Similarly, Otterstrom recalls a city planning director approach ing STA in 2009, with worries that all the focus on enlivening neighborhood centers risked letting Division wilt and die as a commercial corridor. That hasn’t quite happened — NorthTown Mall still has tenants.

Still, Google Maps shows at least three different Halloweenthemed stores haunting the vacant husks of Division businesses this year alone, including the former Macy’s space in NorthTown Mall.

“Areas that are more reliant on automobile traffic are more vulnerable to those shifts over time,” Otterstrom says.

That’s where the bigger hope for this project comes in. Theo retically, transit can spur new development, and new kinds of higher density neighborhoods, the kind that look a little more like Kendall Yards or Browne’s Addition, served by cool restaurants and local coffee shops.

“They can enjoy life in a 15-minute walking area,” says Gard ner, the planning director, calling such a neighborhood vision “the newest fad when it comes to talking about cities.”

As for those big parking lots along Division that rarely get full these days? Gardner says developers might see some of that space as an opportunity to put in a new building, whether a new com mercial business or even more desperately needed housing with focus around the transit line.

There’s still a lot of ground to cover between now and when the North Spokane Corridor theoretically opens in 2028. STA has surveys open on their website asking about what the downtown section of the route should look like and where to put bus stops on Division. And some local politicians question the wisdom of such a plan, considering the mercurial timeline of the north-south highway, which was first envisioned in 1946.

“If that’s not completed by the time changes here happen, I think we’re going to see significant irritation,” City Council mem ber Jonathan Bingle said at the meeting when DivisionConnects was adopted.

Then there’s the challenge of paying for it: The new rapid transit plan already has $50 million dedicated from the state, but it will need to win at least $91 million in federal grants. What’s more, voters will have to renew local transit levies to pay for the rest.

But Otterstrom is optimistic enough to believe that the trans formation could even be linguistic

“We don’t have the same local vocabulary to understand what we can do to make transit matter. Advocates need words,” he says, noting that most Spokanites have limited experience with public transit outside of Spokane.

Otterstrom thinks the DivisionConnects project could do a lot for the city, including expanding our understanding of what riding your bike or the bus means. n

The vision for Division near the General Store. COURTESY SRTC

Your Ballot is Due

with the movement. He said he wouldn’t join the association if elected but thinks “a lot of their principles are good” and agrees with “most of what they say.”

BY INLANDER STAFF

At long last, election season is nearly behind us. Soon, we’ll never have to hear about inflation, Jan. 6, crime, abortion, or election security ever again, right? Until then, visit Inlander.com/Election2022 for all our cover age. And don’t forget to vote by Nov. 8.

CONSTITUTIONAL COWBOY SHERIFFS

There’s a growing movement of “constitutional sheriffs” who believe their authority to enforce and interpret law is the highest in all the land — superseding that of other elected officials and even the federal government. The right-wing move ment grew in prominence during the pandemic, and constitutional sheriffs have been vocal in their refusal to enforce gun laws, mask mandates and other laws they view as unconstitutional.

Richard Mack, the leader of the Constitu tional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, has said 300 of the country’s 3,000 sheriffs belong to his organization, but recent reporting from the Marshall Project found that many sheriffs who aren’t officially members still subscribe to aspects of its core philosophy.

During an October KSPS-TV debate, the two candidates for Spokane County sheriff were asked about the constitutional sheriff movement.

“Every citizen should be constitutional,” said Wade Nelson, not really answering the question.

John Nowels, who’s been endorsed by the outgoing Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, said he has concerns about the movement — particularly when it comes to the association’s policies on immigration and civil asset forfeiture. The as sociation’s website describes immigrants as “not assimilating into our culture as they once did.” The group views civil forfeiture — a controversial tool that gives law enforcement the power to seize cash and other assets from people suspected of criminal activity even if they aren’t convicted of a crime — as government overreach.

After the debate, Nelson said he was familiar

“If things are going to start taking away your individual constitutional rights, then as sheriff, that’s where you need to start deciding how you want to step in and mitigate those types of is sues,” Nelson said.

Nelson said protection orders and red flag laws are examples of things that raise constitu tional concerns. When asked if he would refuse to remove guns from people facing protection orders, Nelson said he doesn’t currently have an answer and would need to look at the legalities.

“It’s gonna be something we’re gonna look at pretty hard in our community on how we handle those,” Nelson said. (NATE SANFORD)

SHOES, BUT CHOOSE WISELY

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, agreed to one true debate with Tiffany Smiley, her Republican opponent, and it was in Spokane of all places. On Oct. 24, the two faced off against each other at Gonzaga University.

Neither came off as radical as their oppo nent caricatured. Murray talked about her work forging compromise with GOP senators like Lamar Alexander. And Smiley asserted that she “respects the will of the voters here in Washing ton state” when it comes to abortion, promising to ensure women have “affordable access to contraception and child care.”

But the most memorable moments came from Smiley, who lapsed into how-dare-you out rage against Murray.

“We watched Jan. 6 — and I had to describe to my husband who lost his eyesight serving our country what was unfolding. It was heartbreak ing for us,” Smiley said, her voice raising. “I want to ask you: Do you believe that me and my fam ily are a threat to democracy, Sen. Murray?”

“No one questions her beliefs in democracy or her husband’s fight for our country. Ever,” Murray responded, but went on to accuse Smiley of “misconstruing the intent of insurrectionists who were using their brute force to overtake the peaceful transfer of power.”

Smiley repeatedly hammered home the theme that, after 30 years, Murray was a creature

Return your ballot by 8 pm on Nov. 8. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

Meaningless questions, bad-acting secret-keepers, outraged candidates, and more!

of Washington, D.C., not Washington state.

“Sen. Murray, you’re not the ‘mom in tennis shoes’ anymore,” Smiley declared, referencing a sexist line from a dismissive male legislator that Murray repurposed as a slogan during her first run for Senate, in 1992, which she won.

Except, as revealed by the Inlander’s telephoto lens from the balcony, Murray actually was wearing tennis shoes: a pair of gray New Balance sneakers. (DANIEL WALTERS)

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE

With control of the expanded Spokane County Commission on the line this Election Day, it’s no surprise that’s where a lot of money’s being spent.

Citizens for Liberty and Labor, which is primarily funded by firefighter unions, has gone hard against just two candidates: Republicans Al French and Michael Cathcart, who are both run ning for the commission. The group has spent nearly $117,000 to defeat French, and more than $45,000 against Cathcart. With $193,000 still sitting in the bank, expect attack ads to continue coming from this group.

French’s and Cathcart’s opponents, on the other hand, have yet to face PAC money spent against them. Instead, they’re reap ing the benefits of supportive outside money. Democrat Amber Waldref, who faces Cathcart, has had about $26,000 spent in support of her candidacy — from the firefighters group as well as Planned Parenthood and the progressive group Fuse Votes. Same goes for Maggie Yates, the Democrat facing French.

To be sure, French and Cathcart also have groups that have a stake in them. The national and state associations of Realtors, and the Spokane Home Builders Association, have spent big on both. French has had more than $56,000 spent in his favor from the groups, and Cathcart about $66,000.

But independent political action committees aren’t the only ones spending big. The top two fundraisers — and spenders — in Spokane County this year are the incumbent French and his challenger, Yates. French has raised $171,000, and Yates $191,000. (NICHOLAS DESHAIS)

MEANINGLESS QUESTIONS

Washington voters have a choice this year to repeal or retain two new state laws, one increasing the aircraft fuel tax by 7 cents per gallon, the other guaranteeing minimum per-trip pay rates, paid sick leave and worker’s comp benefits to rideshare drivers by charging an extra 15 cents per ride. Think hard, voter, because your vote matters. Strike that. In this case, your vote doesn’t mat ter. The ballot questions are a vestige of anti-tax crusader Tim Ey man, who helped create rules that say whenever the Legislature raises taxes, voters get to judge. So judge away, judgy voters, but know that these votes are nonbinding. Nothing will happen. Even the nonpartisan state voter guide hints at the utter meaningless ness of these questions. It contains no arguments, for or against, about the questions. (NICHOLAS DESHAIS)

BÉLA BLOCKED

When reporting on the troubles the Kootenai County commis sioners and county staff have been having with appointed county assessor Béla Kovacs (“Appraising Failure,” the Inlander, Sept. 29, 2022), we tried to find out how and why Kovacs left his longtime employment with Spokane County, where he was the purchasing director. Turns out, Kovacs really doesn’t want anyone to know the answer to whether he quit, resigned or was fired. Kovacs has filed a lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court in a bid to block records related to his dismissal from being released to the Inlander and another requester. He claims that the records are “exempt by statute, contain unsubstantiated allegations, are highly offensive,” that releasing those records would not be in the public interest and that, if they are released, would violate his right to privacy. Just a reminder: He was a public employee who is now a public official seeking reelection to a public office. Given that public officials have less of an expectation of privacy, the whole blocking-us-incourt thing definitely leaves us wondering what exactly he wants to stop the public from learning before they might see his name on the Nov. 8 ballot.

(SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL) n

Live Lounge Entertainment

Live Music is back at Coeur d’Alene Casino!

Every weekend, you’ll find live music at the Nighthawk Lounge with local bands playing past midnight. For a more relaxed vibe earlier in the evening, choose the option of live acoustic music in the Chinook Lounge.

Carli Osika

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 TH 6 PM - 9:30 PM

CHINOOK LOUNGE

Enjoy a night with Carli Osika performing a mix of country favorites, her own original country songs and a few of her favorite pop and rock covers

Chasing Eos

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 TH & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 TH 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE

Head to the Nighthawk to enjoy Chasing Eos, a cover band playing hits from 70s to the current day. They’ll have you dancing all night long

REIGNITING CREATIVITY

West Central creative hub Spark Central ramps up programming and expands its space to accommodate growth and demand

BY CHEY SCOTT

For many nonprofits, the return to a steady postpandemic pace has varied, at times slow and steady, and at other moments, more like a big bang.

Spark Central, the nonprofit creative learning hub in Kendall Yards, has definitely felt this up-and-down pace since Washington state’s COVID lockdown rules ended in mid-2021, says Margaret Starry, its donor and event coordinator.

More than a year later, though, Spark’s team has a better feel for what a post-pandemic world looks like.

As a result, Starry says, they’ve been reinventing public programs for kids and adults, and reintegrating the orga nization back into the community that it serves and that supports its work.

“It’s kind of like the hybrid work thing,” Starry says. “We started taking our programs out into the community in a way that we’re going to continue forever now. I think we’re seeing that there’s not just a need for us to be acces sible in the station like we were before; there’s a need for

us to be responding to the community where they’re at.”

“One of the things we’re doing after COVID is really trying to reconnect with the communities that made us what we are,” she adds. “And there’s two that are really key for us: One is the literary community, and another is the arts community.

One of Spark’s next big moves is introducing a new space connected to its main hub, or “Station,” as it’s offi cially named, with a First Friday art show this month. The new space, called the “Studio,” is adjacent to the Spark Sta tion, where Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile was located before it moved to a larger space down the street earlier this year.

“We’re looking for ways to fund capital costs to better outfit the space to accommodate both arts and musicbased programming,” Starry says. “We’re going to be transforming the space to have an art mural on the wall, carpeting, soundproofing curtains and guitar mounts so that there’s an open and accessible space.”

For the evening reception, local artists Karli Ingersoll

and Caleb Mannan are showcasing their paintings and prints, while Spark’s staff share their vision for its future. Fifteen percent of art sales that night will support those efforts.

Spark’s leadership team has long envisioned partaking in First Friday, downtown Spokane’s monthly arts recep tion where businesses and galleries debut new collections of local artists’ work.

“We’d been wanting to do a First Friday event, and we’d been wanting to highlight the space and its potential in some new way,” Starry says. “And Karli and Caleb had been working on the concept of a partnership show for a while.”

While the space at the corner of Summit Park way and the Adams Alley parking lot entrance may have appeared mostly vacant since Prairie Dog vacated in February, Starry says Spark moved in

Spark’s leaders Brooke Matson (left) and Margaret Starry. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

WE CAN TREAT CANCER

WI TH RADIATION BEAMS THE WID TH OF A HAIR. WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU FIND CHILDCARE.

It's called a linear accelerator, and it's used to treat cancer at MultiCare's Comprehensive Cancer Center. It's noninvasive, precision radiation capable of treating tumors anywhere in the body. What it can't do is provide emergency childcare. Which is why, along with precision cancer treatment, MultiCare partners with Vanessa Behan, giving parents a safe place to bring their children in a time of stress. Because healthy communities need more than health care. See how we're supporting communities at multicare.org.

We're here for you.

It’s time to gear up for winter! After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Inlander Winter Party is back Friday, Nov. 11 (4-9 p.m.) through Saturday, Nov. 12 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) at the Spokane Convention Center.

our Apex Cannagear booth. We will be there

ready to have some

“REIGNITING CREATIVITY,” CONTINUED...

shortly after and has already hosted several events there. She and Executive Director Brooke Matson also moved their desks in, and a storage area in the back is filled with supplies for Spark’s programs.

“We’re always running out of space here,” Starry says. “Since we do so many [weekly] drop-in programs… it has sometimes limited our ability in the past to do other programming at the same time.”

Building owner Greenstone Homes offered Spark a subsidized rate for the corner space. The company also allows Spark to occupy its main space rent-free, and Greenstone’s owners, father-son duo Jim and Joe Frank, helped found the nonprofit.

“We see Spark Central as an orga nization that really opens up the field of view for many community youth, in terms of the question of ‘What is pos sible for me?’” says Joe Frank, president and CEO of Greenstone.

“Everyone involved in Spark Cen tral has a different story, but most, if not all of them, come with a narrow scope of what is possible, and Spark works to expand those possibilities,” he says.

Spark Central was started in 2016 when two separate but closely related, young nonprofits merged: INK Art Space and Spark Center. INK was start ed in 2014 as a youth arts education program in downtown Spokane’s east end, while Spark was envisioned shortly after by Greenstone and other com munity leaders to create an education center for the historically underserved West Central neighborhood.

Since then, Spark has become an increasingly busy hub for both kids and adults who attend its free and lowcost programming via weekly drop-in programs (sessions currently include drawing, writing, role-playing and virtual reality games, and Minecraft), public computer and internet access, a small library, and other events centered on creativity, education and equitable access. Spark’s main aim is breaking down bar riers so its users, mainly youth, can “go anywhere from here,” as its motto states.

Over the past two years during the pandemic — and especially when Spark’s physical hub wasn’t able to safely host in-person programming — restructuring itself to safely access youth in West Central was vital, says Matson, its executive director.

When those kids couldn’t get to Spark to at tend Level Up, its free after-school programming, Spark staff took it directly to the schools, specifi cally Holmes and Audubon elementaries. The positive response from Level Up’s participants is evidenced by a waiting list that keeps growing.

“We need more volunteers for that program, but it kicked off well,” Matson says. “Now we’re really looking at doing more events and family drop-ins and programs in our Station to revitalize that part of what we do, and the First Friday art

show is part of that.”

Next spring, Spark is also completely reen visioning its main fundraiser event, Spark Salon, with a series of free, public events in the two months leading up to the April gala.

“We’re expanding [the Salon] so that it’s not just this thing that happens for one night that only high-level donors can come to,” Starry says. “It’s really saying to the community: ‘You matter to us, no matter what your contribution here is.’” n

First Friday with Karli Ingersoll and Caleb Mannan • Fri, Nov. 4 from 5-8 pm • Free • All ages • Spark Central’s The Studio • 1206 W. Summit Pkwy.

spark-central.org

Art by Karli Ingersoll (top) and Caleb Mannan.

TO THE ’TUBE

Six series free on YouTube: a ’90s workplace comedy, a cartoon from hell and a popular sitcom

BY BILL FROST

Last month, YouTube surpassed Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ and every other “pre mium” service as the most-viewed streaming TV platform. YouTube! Amazon poured a billion Bezos bucks into that Lord of the Rings show and y’all are watching cat videos? Hilarious. With this in mind, here are six series you can stream for free (with ads, of course) on YouTube in November.

YOUR PRETTY FACE IS GOING TO HELL: THE CARTOON 2022

As a live-action series, Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell (2013-2019) was Adult Swim’s most ridiculous Satanadjacent show. It depicted Hell as a mismanaged corporate office place, which feels so right, following Associate Demon Gary’s (Henry Zebrowski) daily fail ures to climb up (down?) the management ladder. The new Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell: The Cartoon lives up to the perverted legacy and adds scenes the microbudgeted original never could have pulled off.

LEXX 1997-2002

If Mystery Science Theater 3000 partnered with PornHub to remake Farscape, the result would be Lexx. The bizarro German/Canadian sci-fi series about planetobliterating starship Lexx and its “crew,” security guard Stanley (Brian Downey), undead assassin Kai (Michael McManus), robot head 790 (Jeffrey Hirschfield), and lusty love slave Zev/Xev (Eva Habermann/Xenia Seeberg) is sexy cult TV squared. Lexx runs from campy to dark to deadly serious, but never dull.

HIDDEN PALMS 2007

The CW’s long-forgotten teen drama Hidden Palms featured a cast of future stars toiling away in a fake “Palm Springs”: Tessa Thompson (Westworld, Thor), JD Pardo (Mayans M.C.) and Amber Heard (Heard v. Depp),

alongside TV vets Sharon Lawrence, Gail O’Grady (both NYPD Blue) and Leslie Jordan (R.I.P.). Hidden Palms was just The O.C. lite, but it was named one of the most offensive shows of 2007 by the Parents Television Council, which is… something.

NEWSRADIO 1995-1999

The Office may be the most popular NBC workplace comedy of all time, but NewsRadio perfected the format 10 years earlier. With a tight comic staff that included Dave Foley, Maura Tierney, Stephen Root, Phil Hart man, and pre-psychotic-break Andy Dick and Joe Rogan, the fictional WNYX was funnier and smarter than any AM radio station since WKRP. Even back in his NewsRadio days, Rogan played a conspiracy nut, so we really should have seen it coming.

THE KING OF QUEENS 1998-2007

Hear me out: The King of Queens was one of the great American sitcoms, and it still holds up today. Despite all of Kevin James’ other output (which includes his garbage follow-up Kevin Can Wait, the inspiration for the dark Kevin Can F**k Himself), this CBS series nailed it. James holds up his end, but it’s costars Leah Remini and Jerry Stiller (giving the hilarious, unhinged perfor mance of his lifetime) who bring it all home. Not even Scientology could stop The King of Queens.

ALF 1986-1990

An asshole alien life form (ALF) crash-lands on earth and moves in with a suburban family, despite his con stantly announced intentions to eat their cat? The ’80s were weird. ALF is far more fun to watch when you’re forearmed with the knowledge that the furry puppet’s co-stars hated working with him, praying for the show’s cancellation and sweet release from Sitcom Hell — ac tor Max Wright once even physically attacked ALF on set. Now you want to watch it, huh? n

THE BUZZ BIN

WILL THE SHARKS BITE?

Do you ever wonder why everyday objects in the world are a specific shape? Or why awkwardly shaped things never change, even though they could? Tim Loucks, founder of the Spokane startup SQUAREKEG did a lot of thinking about this, which led him to actually do something. While there are several reasons beer kegs are round, that shape isn’t always conducive to efficient storage, so he designed a box-like keg instead that’s already being used by restaurants and bars around the U.S. A square-shaped keg is still pretty efficient for the rest of us, though, so Loucks recently created a smaller, consumer variant called the SQUAREONE that’s both easily transportable and stackable in your fridge. Each mini keg has its own tap handle, too. But can Loucks convince some of the toughest potential investment partners — the five Shark Tank sharks — that square-shaped kegs are the future of beer? Tune in to Shark Tank’s Friday, Nov. 11, episode to find out. (CHEY SCOTT)

A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

The DC Extended Universe desperately needs a cohesive identity. Maybe that will arrive soon as writer/director James Gunn was just named a co-head of DC Comics’ film and TV unit, but to date there have been two distinct camps: awful, overserious grim dramas (Justice League, Batman v Superman) and delightful lively comedic romps (Birds of Prey, Gunn’s Peacemaker). The former mode simply doesn’t work, as the new BLACK ADAM once again illustrates. Even a charming turn by Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate can’t save this antihero tale of the superpowered and essentially invincible Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) from dragging. While some of the themes of foreign invaders being selective about helping are interesting, it’s hard to get caught up in such a self-se rious movie when the filmmakers don’t give you any reason to be invested in the titular character until a very late reveal moments before the climax. Lighten up, DCEU. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

THIS WEEK’S PLAYLIST

Noteworthy new music arriving in stores and online Nov. 4:

PHOENIX, ALPHA ZULU. The French pop rock kings cranked their Frenchness up to 11 by recording this new album at the Louvre’s Mu sée des Arts Décoratifs while it was closed during the COVID lockdown.

BOLDY JAMES, MR. TEN08. The prolific Detroit rapper’s third album of 2022 sees him teaming up with producer Futurewave and dropping lyrics with a casual gritty swagger that never feels desperate for attention.

FIRST AID KIT, PALOMINO. The Swedish sister indie-folk duo taps into some Fleetwood Mac-esque ’70s pop rock territory on its fifth studio LP. (SETH SOMMERFELD)

NewsRadio, the pre-Office office show.

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Light Sabers and Leitmotifs

BY E.J. IANNELLI

The composer John Williams could have retired at age 50 and still left an immense musical legacy. By that point, he had scored films like Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial — each so memorable that they transcended the silver screen. You don’t need to have even seen Jaws to recognize the threat contained in the alternating twonote pattern of its theme.

Clearly, Williams didn’t stop there. He continued working and celebrating birth days. Now in his 90th year, he’s since added memorable and award-winning film scores like Harry Potter, Home Alone, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, Memoirs of a Geisha, Angela’s Ashes and Saving Private Ryan to that already impressive résumé.

Fresh off a Halloween-themed concert featuring the music of Harry Potter, the Spokane Symphony is preparing to celebrate Williams with a Pops concert dedicated solely to the composer’s vast and varied body of cinematic work.

“If you stop somebody on the street and ask them to sing a tune from Star Wars or Jaws or Jurassic Park, chances are that the average person could hum some John Williams. There really aren’t any other com posers living today that I can think of that have that scope of influence in our popular culture,” says Amanda Howard-Phillips, the orchestra’s principal second violinist.

That “popular” aspect can occasion ally be a sticking point for some classical musicians, just as lovers of popular music are sometimes wont to assume that “classical” is aimed at a different kind of listener. HowardPhillips admits that there was a time when she herself might have dismissed Williams as “movie music.” Classical lite, in other words, not meant to be taken seriously.

“As I’ve aged, I’ve gotten so much more of an appreciation for his craft, for what a genius he is. Now that I’ve played his music a whole bunch in different orchestras that I’ve played in, as well as here in the Spokane Symphony, I can appreciate what great music it is and just how much fun it is to play,” she says.

Not that it’s any measure of his skill as a composer, but Williams can also be tough to play.

“A lot of his music is very difficult,” says Julia Pyke, a recent graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the orchestra’s new principal flutist. “In the new est version of the classic flute excerpt book by Jeanne Baxtresser, it includes several excerpts from the Harry Potter score. And, actually, [those pieces] are getting asked at auditions more and more these days, so it’s becoming part of the standard repertoire in that way.”

Howard-Phillips points to “Hedwig’s Theme” from the Harry Potter series as a deceptively pleasant piece of music that’s devilishly tricky for her fellow string players.

“It starts out with celeste, the keyboard instrument that sounds like ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies’ from The Nutcracker Then the violins enter, and it’s this sweeping, running figure — fast, fast notes up and down the scale, and it’s hard as heck. It should sound effortless and fleeting, but it’s wickedly difficult to make that sound easy. Yet that challenge is what also makes it fun,” she says.

A nother thing that makes Williams’ film music so potent is the way it taps into nostalgia. Some of that stems from its original medium. For anyone who recalls watching E.T., regardless of whether that happened to be on its initial theatrical re lease in 1982 or decades later on a streaming

service, the feeling of exhilaration when the kids’ bikes fly is invariably linked to both the onscreen action and the music that accom panies it. The same goes for Darth Vader’s appearance in Star Wars or when Indiana Jones pulls off another daring escape.

But Williams, as a further testament to his talent, has also proven himself adept at tickling that particular nerve.

“There was an element of nostalgia baked into [his music] by design,” HowardPhillips says. “He was influenced by Wagner and the idea of the leitmotif, this distinctive musical melody that goes with each char acter and evolves and changes as the story progresses. It really heightens the emotion and your connection with the characters.”

“I’m super excited to dive into so many of his film scores,” Pyke says. “This is my first real orchestral experience, and as I don’t have too much experience performing Williams’ compositions, I’m really excited to see what it’s like sitting behind the stand and playing all these. Especially the Star Wars.”

Howard-Phillips says that’s exactly how Williams can become a “gateway drug” — she chuckles at the term — to the wider classical music repertoire.

“If people listen to the Star Wars theme, then I could see how they might be tempted to listen to Holst’s The Planets or Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Good music has the power to move people emotionally, to make you excited, to make you root for the hero and to be scared of the bad guy,” she says.

“It just goes to show that good music is good music.” n

Spokane Symphony Pops 2: John Wil liams’ 90th Birthday • Sat, Nov. 5 at 7:30 pm • $47-$100 • Martin Woldson The ater at The Fox • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanesymphony.org • 509-624-1200

The Spokane Symphony dedicates its second Pops concert to John Williams’ film music

Everyone knows at least one John Williams’ tune.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT PHOTO

LA NIÑA’S “TON OF SNOW” IS ON ITS WAY

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

At the end of the day, a ski resort is only as good as its powder. No matter the natural beauty of the mountain, the design of the runs or the amenities of the lodge, a fun day on the hill for skiers and snowboarders still requires good snow.

Thankfully for 49 Degrees North, it’s looking like a very white winter. According to the mountain report experts at Unofficial Networks, the La Niña conditions pre dicted by NOAA led them to predict that the Chewelah resort will be one of the “20 Ski Areas That Should Get A Ton of Snow This Season.” Such wonderful weather should maximize the recreational potential for one of the oldest ski areas in the Inland Northwest (and the second biggest in Washington state by skiable acreage). It should also make it a destination for winter sport enthusiasts looking to take advantage of its 86 runs that mix treelined glades, powdery bowls and cross-country skiing trails. With so much space available, 49 Degrees North’s director of skier and rider services, Rick Brown, likes to joke, “Be ready to not stand in line!”

The 2021-22 season was one of big changes for 49 Degrees North, adding five new runs to the mountain and the first high-speed detachable chairlift in Eastern

Washington. There’s nothing as splashy this year, which is more about refining the new additions. Three of those new runs — Alpine Steel, Gunslinger, 10 Star — will be extended farther up the slope so that patrons can now drop in from Silver Ridge, not just Beaver Slide. The re sort’s snowmaking expansion, which went online last fall, was never fully operational in Year One, but it’ll now be working at full power, making it easy to fill the (hopefully spare) gaps in the projected strong snow season.

The resort also procured a new masticating attach ment for its PistenBully winch cat (affectionately nick named “Chop Chop”). The tool can chew up brush and stumps on steep slopes like Sluice Box and Last Chance. Less time spent hand-clearing runs like those gives the grounds crew more time to work on the upkeep of other trails. For skiers and boarders, this trickle-down effect translates to smoother terrain and runs being open earlier in the season than ever before.

ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME

The expanse of 49 Degrees North caters to all levels of skiers and boarders, and the mountain’s run layout is designed to not completely isolate skill levels from

one another. The unique arrangement of 49 Degrees’ beginner runs makes it an ideal destination for those first-timers learning to ski and snowboard. The resort’s easiest chairlift, Pay Day, which goes up Treasure Hill, is set apart from the high traffic areas. This alleviates fear issues associated with more advanced skiers and riders buzzing past them on a shared hill. Runs like Easy Slide and Gold Shoot are gentle, flowing, road-like routes that wind through the trees and feature big painted animals to further ease and entertain the kids.

The seasoned vets can take advantage of Chewelah Mountain’s elite glades skiing environment. Patrons often find fresh tracks by taking the West base’s Angel Peak and Silver Lode chair. The terrain tends to be a bit more challenging, including a good concentration of black dia mond runs, but there are often fewer people in that area, plus less direct sunlight, so fresh tracks can still be found sometimes days after a decent snowfall.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-timer, a slopes ace, or just a pal tagging along to grab some chicken strips and fries at the Boomtown Bar, 49 Degrees North looks to fulfill your winter wonderland dreams with a very snowy 2022-23. n

49’S RICK BROWN

FUN BIT OF HISTORY?

There is a really long-standing history of winter sports in the Chewelah area, particularly on Chewelah Mountain peak. The first lift — a rope tow — was installed in 1939. In terms of people coming up in an organized fashion and skiing on these slopes in this area, it’s been going on for like 87 years. It’s really one of the earliest in the Northwest, certainly in this area. And this will be our 50th year with our current lodge.

COOL TRADITIONS?

We’ve got bells that are kind of scattered around some different places at the resort, and it’s kind of a tradition as you’re skiing through those areas to ring the bells. We’ve got one in a tree area low on the mountain that newer skiers, and particularly kids, can access very easily. We’ve got one right near the top of Silver Ridge, which has been one of our most popular runs for a long, long time. We’ve got three bells out there right now. There are also some really cool hand-built birdhouses scattered all over the mountain. They’re all affixed to trees, and a lot of them have ski elements built into them; like they use ski poles for the little pegs for birds to be able to sit on. Some of them are very elaborate. You can see some of them from chairlifts, and some of them you have to be out skiing in the glades. They’ve been around over 10 years. So that’s kind of a cool, fun thing out there.

Rick Brown is the director of skier and rider services at 49 Degrees North.

It’s expected to be a powder-packed season at 49. 49 DEGREES NORTH PHOTO

WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN

What makes a good day a great day? Experiencing an inversion on Inspiration. Staying slopeside for easy access to the lifts. Chatting with a friendly local on the chairlift. Breathtaking views of Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley. Celebrating 75 years on Big Mountain with locals and visitors alike. We’ve got the skiing and all the ingredients to make your good day on the hill a great one. Plan your trip at SKIWHITEFISH.COM and save on lodging and lift tickets. We’ll see you on the mountain.

WHITEFISH,

LOOKOUT PASS

NEW TERRAIN, SAME SNOWY MOUNTAIN

BY WILL MAUPIN

The rain shadow effect caused by the Cascade Range to our west is dramatic and well known, but the same phenom enon occurs to our east as well. Located along the crest of the Bitterroot Range, where the mountains pull water out of the air at a rate that rivals rain-soaked Seattle, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area regularly leads the region when it comes to snowfall totals. The mountain averages over 400 inches of natural snow each year, and that number is expected to rise as Lookout expands upward.

After a soft opening of sorts last season, the Eagle Peak expansion will be fully open to all this year, thanks to a new quad chairlift installed over the summer. The expansion will nearly double the area open to skiers and snowboard ers.

“We’re going to be going from 540 acres to 1,023 acres, and we’re adding 14 to pos sibly even 16 new trails for this year, mostly strong-intermediate-to-advanced runs and some expert runs,” says Director of Marketing Matt Sawyer. “More snow, deeper snow, higher elevation. It brings us to a total of 1,650-foot vertical. We’re really excited about how it transforms Lookout and takes us into the next size category as a good midsized ski area.”

The Eagle Peak expansion will expand Lookout’s footprint on the Montana side of the border, though it is important to note that even though it will reach farther into the Mountain Time Zone, Lookout will continue to operate on Pacific Time.

In addition to the massive expansion, there are some small but notable changes coming to Lookout this winter. The parking area located just off I-90 has been expanded, and the stairs leading up to the lodge were widened to ease

bottlenecks. On the slopes, changes include regrading work on the beginner slopes in the learning area and an additional groomer added to the fleet.

“We do more grooming than most of the other ski areas do in terms of the percentage of our slopes that are groomed on a nightly basis. Our groomers do an exceptional job, and they love laying down the corduroy for people to enjoy,” Sawyer says.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEEL

Lookout has long benefited from its locally oriented approach on the slopes. Compared to some of the resorts, Lookout’s small and unassuming appearance belies the quality of the snow and skiing experience it provides to visi tors. With an expansion dramatically changing the size of the ski area, longtime fans may worry about the charm starting to fade.

“We’re not a destination with on-site lodging and built-up community and… not having that congestion that creates,” says Sawyer. “We’re located on the border of two states, so obvi ously attracting people from Missoula as well as Spokane. It’s just going to continue to have a hometown feel, but with a little bit more terrain for people to explore.”

Another aspect that helps Lookout maintain its nice, local vibe is the federally owned land upon which it sits. Future development on the mountain is a complex process compared to mountains located on private land.

“We’re in the U.S. Forest Service. This has been in the process of finalization for years. It’s been about a 10-year process, from when it was first initially proposed to the Forest Service to finishing up and opening up this coming win ter,” Sawyer says of the Eagle Peak expansion.

The Eagle Peak expansion at Lookout will open nearly 500 new acres of terrain.

PHOTO

Q&A

LOOKOUT’S MATT SAWYER

FUN BIT OF HISTORY?

“Lookout Pass is the oldest ski area in Idaho, having opened in December of 1935. Yes, we predated even the notorious Sun Valley, which opened in 1936. We also still operate the oldest free ski school in the country, which has been in operation every year since it started offering lessons to youth for free 77 years ago.”

COOL TRADITION?

“We do a fundraiser [this year on Dec. 22] where we collect ap proximately $20 from people that dress up in a full-on Santa suit. I mean top to bottom, they’ve got to look like Santa. They’ve got to have the red cap, the full coat, the pants, the black belt. They get a ticket for $20, and 100 percent of that is donated to local charities to buy Christmas gifts for the kids in the local region. It usually makes the news because you got somewhere in about 70 or 80 Santa Clauses skiing down the hill at one time.”

STAFF FAVORITE RUN?

“Most staff enjoy skiing the impeccably groomed run known as Gold because it is so wide, well groomed, and it brings you back to the Peak 1 Quad, which originates next to the parking lot on the front of the mountain. My personal favorite though is Golden Eagle Skiers Far Right on the front as it is steeper than Gold and also has a reputa tion for awesome grooming. We are not going to get into our favorite powder stashes…”

GOOD TO KNOW?

“Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area is one of only four ski areas in the U.S. that straddle two states. We have trails and lifts in both Idaho and Montana. Your phone will switch time zones as you cross the border [Lookout operates on Pacific Time].”

Matt Sawyer is Lookout Pass’s director of marketing.

LOCAL

MOUNTAIN ON A MISSION

BY WILL MAUPIN

Located just 30 miles and a one hour’s drive from down town, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is as local as it gets. The mountain’s proximity to the city has been attracting dedicated customers and curious beginners from Spokane and the wider region for decades. Don’t be fooled by the location, though, as Mt. Spokane strives to offer visitors an experience that feels truly out in nature.

“We are set in Washington State Parks. We’re very good stewards of the mountain and the state park, so we create a very authentic mountain experience,” Assistant General Manager Jodi Kayler says. “We also want to create a great skiers’ experience. So while you’ll come up here and it really feels like you’re in the mountains, it doesn’t feel like a resort, but you still have a great experience with good technology, good communications and great services here on the mountain.”

Aside from its location in a state park and its proximity to the city, another aspect of Mt. Spokane’s connection, and dedica tion, to its community is how it operates. It’s no coincidence that Mt. Spokane is regularly among the most affordable ski areas in our region, it’s baked into the business model itself. Mt. Spokane is the region’s only ski area licensed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Unlike last season, when visitors to Mt. Spokane saw the results of a million-dollar investment into upgrading the Illumina tor lift, visitors this year brings smaller changes spread around the entire mountain. Upgrades have been made to other lifts with a goal of providing smoother rides and consistent operation. There are improvements that may not be seen but certainly felt by visitors, such as an expanded grooming team and moderniza tion of communications systems. Others, such as an expanded menu, will be obvious enough not only to see, but taste as well. These are all part of the plan put in place by a still relatively new management team, entering its third season on the mountain.

“We have reinvented the mountain in the past three years through steady upgrades, and we worked on that again this year,” Kayler says. “Not only have we made these improvements over the past three years, but we now have a strategic plan going

into the next 10 years on really how to improve the mountain for generations to come. So when we look at improving the moun tain, we’re not just doing it year by year. We’re doing it strategi cally and intentionally so that the mountain is truly a pride point for the entire community.”

“We’ve made all these subtle improvements, and they all add up to huge improvements for our overall skier experience.”

SPOKANE’S SKI SCHOOL

Learning never stops at Mt. Spokane, which means it’s never too late to learn to ski. With programs for kids, teens and adults, Mt. Spokane offers courses with four sessions spread out over four weekends starting at $299 per person.

“We really do have an exceptional ski school, and… that is truly built into the core of our mission of teaching people to ski, and that’s why we really keep that at an affordable cost,” Kayler says.

Their offerings include more than just a chance to learn the basics. For the same price as beginner lessons, experienced skiers and riders can sign up for courses on tree skiing and backcoun try safety or techniques for freestylers to implement in Mt. Spokane’s large and popular terrain park.

A program popular with kids and parents alike is the moun tain’s Club Shred, introduced last season on Friday nights.

“Parents can drop their kids for a kind of mini learning activ ity where they get dinner and they learn, and then the parents can enjoy a Friday night out skiing. And it’s a very affordable program, so we’re going to be expanding Club Shred,” Kayler says.

Club Shred is open to kids ages 4 through 10 and runs Fri days from Jan. 6 through March 10. For $39, the kids will be oc cupied and supervised from 5 to 8 pm, allowing parents to take advantage of night skiing on Mt. Spokane’s 16 illuminated runs.

“We’re so close to town that it makes it super fun and easy to just come up here after work and get some night runs in,” says Kayler. n

Q&A MT. SPOKANE’S JODI KAYLER

FUN BIT OF HISTORY?

In 1946, the first double chairlift in the world was put into operation on the south face of the Mt. Spokane summit.

STAFF FAVORITE RUN?

There’s nothing better than early morning turns on the backside, off of Northwood. No matter if it is a powder day or fresh groom ers, Gary’s Glory is always an excellent ride.

GOOD TO KNOW?

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is a non profit organization and is set on Washington State Parks land. All profits are invested directly back into the mountain for future improvements.

MOST POPULAR MENU ITEM?

Breakfast Burritos are bomb! Our staff knows it’s the best way to start your day at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

Jodi Kayler is Mt. Spokane’s assistant general manager.

MT. SPOKANE

Mt. Spokane rises above Spokane and Spokane Valley. MT. SPOKANE PHOTO

STOKED FOR A STRONG, SNOWY SEASON

BY NATE SANFORD

Schweitzer, the largest ski resort in Washington and Idaho, recently added four new, beefy snowmak ing guns to its winter arsenal. The guns are there to provide more consistent snow cover in the early season and more consistent powder to glide down throughout the season. But if weather forecasts hold, skiers and snow boarders will have plenty of natural snow, too.

While snowfall across the Inland and Pacific Northwest has been a bit hit-or-miss in recent years, this season is projected to be a “pretty solid winter,” says Sean Mirus, Sch weitzer’s marketing and special events director. This season is shaping up to be the third La Niña year in a row, Mirus explains, leading to what’s known as a “triple-dip La Niña.” That triple dip means Schweitzer is going to see snow — a lot of it.

“I’m sure all of our skiers and boarders around the re gion are going to be pretty stoked about that,” Mirus says.

It’s not just snow that skiers and snowboarders have to look forward to. Schweitzer, a 2,900-acre resort perched in the Selkirk Mountains of North Idaho, is also upgrad ing its six-person high-speed chair lift to increase capacity and reduce wait times on the mountain. The lift is named Stella and runs on the mountain’s Outback Bowl.

“Skiers and riders on the mountain, when they go up the backside they’ll be able to get up that much quicker,” Mirus says.

People have been skiing at Schweitzer since the 1930s, but it wasn’t until 1963 that the mountain officially opened as a ski area. The resort has grown rapidly in the years since and has managed to escape the consolidation and corporate consolidation that’s gripped much of the ski industry in recent years, Mirus says.

“Schweitzer owns all the property that we operate on,” Mirus says. “And we’re independently owned and pretty proud of that fact.”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

There’s a ton of stuff to do at Schweitzer. With 192 named trails and 3,000 acres, you could spend an entire season at the resort and not do the same run twice.

For pro skiers, the mountain is especially known for its tree skiing and high-angle grooming, Mirus says.

At just over 2 miles long, the Little Blue Ridge ski run is the resort’s longest run and a good choice for intermedi ate skiers, Mirus says.

For beginners, the mountain also has plenty of mellow green runs. Mirus also recommends beginners sign up for the resort’s famous snow sports school, which offers pri vate and group lessons for a variety of ages and skill levels.

If you’re looking for a break from skiing and snow boarding, try checking out Schweitzer’s 100-yard tubing hill at Hermit’s Hollow. Some of the resort’s new snow making guns will be aimed at the tubing hill, making it accessible and well-powdered throughout the season.

The resort is also expanding its child care facilities by 15 percent this year. The mountain’s Children’s Center is a fully licensed child care facility for kids 4 months to 6 years old. It has a variety of indoor and outdoor programs for both visitors and the children of resort employees.

“The Northwest from Spokane to Sandpoint is just growing organically in a pretty drastic way, and we’re see ing visitation and interest in Schweitzer growing along with that,” Mirus says. “So we’re trying to get ahead of that growth so the experience at Schweitzer stays the same.” n

Q&A SCHWEITZER’S SEAN MIRUS

FUN BIT OF HISTORY?

The town of Sandpoint was founded based on the logging and the mills that came to this area at the turn of this century. Before Schweitzer was a ski area, this was all timberland just covered in forest. Just embracing the roots in our region is important to us. The new hotel, Humbird, is named after the original mill.

WEIRDEST NAME FOR A RUN?

The one that comes to mind isn’t a run, but it’s our newest food and beverage outlet that we just opened last winter. It’s called the Rowdy Grouse. In North Idaho and Washington, we have a lot of grouse, which are the birds that run around on the ground. We’ve had a couple of what I would call “rowdy grouse” that would literally run around on the ski runs and approach skiers and tap at them and be a little bit ornery. If you ask any of the locals around here if they’ve had an interaction with a rowdy grouse, I’m betting a good per centage of them probably have a story to go along with it.

MOST POPULAR MENU ITEM?

You know, we are in Idaho so probably the loaded baked potatoes at the Outback, which is one of our day lodges. You can only get to it via skis and snowboard. And then the noodle bowl up at Sky House, which is our top-of-mountain restaurant, where you can actually see into Washington and over into Montana and even up into Canada. A nice noodle bowl on a cold winter day definitely hits the spot.

Sean Mirus is Schweitzer’s marketing and special events director.

Schweitzer’s Stella chair can now take more skiers up quicker than ever. SCHWEITZER PHOTO

ONE-STOP WINTER FUN, ALL THANKS TO SOME JACKASS

BY MADISON PEARSON

Kellogg was initially famous for being the site of the Bunker Hill Mine, but when the mine closed in 1982 a mass exo dus occurred, leaving the town of Kellogg in the silver-rich dust like all other mining towns. Nowadays, Kellogg is home to Sil ver Mountain Resort, which includes Kellogg Peak and Wardner Peak, an alpine ski area perfect for local snow sports enthusiasts.

Getting to Silver Mountain is easy: Take a scenic drive along I-90 and, eventually, you’ve arrived at a prime destination for win ter sports in Idaho. But the scenic ride doesn’t end there. Once you’re ready to hit the slopes, hop onto North America’s longest gondola for a 3.1-mile journey to a full day of snowy adventures.

With more than 300 inches of snowfall annually, Silver Mountain is prepared for a white winter. Before the 2021-22 sea son started, the Silver Mountain team added two new groomers to its fleet of vehicles that maintain the perfectly sculpted slopes, and they’ve added one more vehicle for the 2022-23 season. Mar keting Coordinator Gus Colburn says the team heard great feed back from visitors about the terrain, so they decided to continue improving the condition of their terrain with the new vehicle.

The 2022-23 season features some exciting additions to the mountain. The first is the Jackass Snack Shack, which has been closed for the past couple of years. The shack gets its name from the original name of the resort area, the Jackass Ski Bowl. The Snack Shack is full of snacks (obviously), drinks and ample space to rest for famished visitors. This newly rebuilt pitstop is located at Midway Chair 4 and also includes a restroom. Additionally, Silver Mountain is also expanding its inbounds terrain with a new run off of Chair 2. The run is yet to be named, but the area

is chock full of naturally gladed terrain and is expected to hold a tremendous amount of powder.

MORE THAN SNOW

When asked what sets Silver Mountain apart from other area resorts, Colburn says it’s the variety of on-site activities. For ex ample, after a long day of tearing up the mountain, everyone de serves to rest their muscles. Silver Mountain’s Silver Cypress Spa offers massages that will unravel tired, worn-out legs and bodies, as well as offering facials for those who need some me-time while the skiers and snowboarders of the family enjoy their time on the slopes. Pamper yourself, you deserve it.

For those who don’t enjoy the cold or just want to switch up their winter activities, Silver Mountain has you covered. There are plenty of snow-free activities for kids and adults alike. Most notably Silver Rapids Waterpark, the resort’s year-round indoor waterpark with a lazy river, slides and multiple pools to choose from.

“The Flowrider is the main attraction,” says Colburn. “It’s perfect for people who just want to surf all day long or for people who want to surf after a long day of hitting the slopes.”

The surfing simulator puts out over 60,000 gallons of water per minute and moves at about 35 mph. Though it can be a bit intimidating at first glance, the Flowrider can be mastered in a few attempts. Start out body boarding, then move up to a stand ing position, and you’ll be riding the waves in no time.

Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes all day or sit back and relax, Silver Mountain has the perfect day in store for you and your family. n

Q&A SILVER’S GUS COLBURN

FUN BIT OF HISTORY?

When the resort first opened in 1968, it was originally named “Jackass Ski Bowl.” This is because of the origin story of the founding of Kellogg, Idaho. Legend says that a prospector’s donkey led him to a mine that was full of ore. So they named the resort after the donkey!

COOL TRADITION?

Every year we celebrate Jackass Day. It’s celebrated around the time of our anniversary, always in January. We go completely retro by making our lift tickets the price they would’ve been in the 1960s, and we get a birthday cake to celebrate our history.

STAFF FAVORITE RUN?

It’s gotta be Centennial, our longest run. On a bluebird day, nothing beats going down the wide-open run of the Centennial.

FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES?

We have an Easter egg hunt that takes place on the bunny hill and our beginner runs. Also, the waterpark is always fun for people with kids.

WEIRDEST NAME FOR A RUN?

Probably T2D2. It was named after four people who were responsible for bringing the gondola to the resort, they were on the gondola board. Two guys named Terry, one Duane and a Dale. Hence, T2D2. Another would be Tall Paul. There was a ski patroller whose name was Paul. He was tall. So, Tall Paul.

MOST POPULAR MENU ITEM?

The poutine. Gotta be the poutine. Drinkwise, it’s the Harry Nilsson, which is a Redbull concoction mixed with rum.

Gus Colburn is Silver Mountain’s marketing coordinator.

SILVER MOUNTAIN

The magic carpet at Silver is great for new skiers. SILVER MOUNTAIN PHOTO

WINTER’S GATEWAY SPORT

How to glide into the world of Nordic skiing with ease BY SUMMER SANDSTROM

Winter’s snow and frigid temperatures may bring an end to some sports that define the summer, but they open the door to many other outdoor sports and activities. One of these is arguably among the most fun and beginner-friendly of all winter rec: Nordic skiing, aka cross-country skiing.

“Cross-country skiing is sort of the entry for a lot of things in the winter because you can do it inexpensively, and you can do it on your own timeframe,” says Mark Beattie, a sales associate and technician at Fitness Fanatics, a longtime local bike and Nordic ski shop in Millwood. “It gives you the sense of motion on sticks, which then makes it easier to get into downhill skiing or other things.”

And it’s a gateway into a plethora of other winter sports, such as snowshoeing or backcoun try touring. So, if you try Nordic skiing and want to take on a sport with more speed or more con trol, you’ll already have learned some techniques that will make those other activities easier.

And unlike other types of skiing, which require steeper hills or sloped areas to go down,

you can Nordic ski almost anywhere. Beattie says the region offers some groomed areas, such as at Mt. Spokane or 49° North, that are great for starting out because the trails are already pre pared and don’t require you to go off trail at all.

Farragut State Park near Athol, Idaho also has good, flatter trails that are well suited for people just starting out, he says. Some golf courses in the Inland Northwest also allow people to Nordic ski on their fields in the winter.

Nordic skiing doesn’t require a big mon etary or time commitment, says Beattie. “If I go to a ski area and I spend $90 or $100 on a lift ticket or $200 if you go to one of the big resorts, I’m going to be there from dawn to dusk,” he says. “But I can go cross-country ski ing and I can spend 45 minutes or two hours and really enjoy myself, and I didn’t have to make a huge investment in either time or money.”

He also advises that people avoid overdress ing, especially when starting out, as you can get started in almost anything as long as you have somewhere to go to change or to dry out and

OH, CANADA, WE’VE MISSED YOU

I’ve lived almost my entire life within about 100 miles of the Canadian border and always spent as much time up north as possible. Of course, the sudden ar rival of the pandemic put an immediate stop to all of that. During the closure of the border, I missed everything about my trips up north, but above all the incredible skiing. That’s why when some good friends and I had the opportunity to make a trip to Revelstoke last winter, I jumped at the chance.

Located just about 6½ hours north of Spokane, REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT actually feels an eternity away. Boasting over 5,600 vertical feet of ski ing, it could almost be located in the Alps and is certainly worth the drive. For our trip, we chose the shortest path, which is an incredibly scenic drive.

Cruising north, we found ourselves admiring breath taking views of Slocan Lake as we passed New Denver and on to Nakusp, where we continued north along

Upper Arrow Lake. About an hour up the road, we reached the Galena Bay ferry landing, where BC highway 23 crosses the lake to Shelter Bay. If you’ve never crossed a Canadian lake on a BC ferry, let me tell you it’s an ex perience not to be missed and provides a welcome respite from the miles of driving. A word to the wise, however: Be sure to check the ferry schedule before leaving so you don’t have to spend the afternoon waiting at the ramp. After a few more miles of staring out the window at the spectacular water and mountain views, we found ourselves rolling into the town of Revelstoke.

IN WITH THE IDIOTS

Weary from the road, we stopped at an always bustling local joint, the Village Idiot. Featuring local beers on tap, great pizza, live music, cocktails and barstools created with vintage skis, this place feels like a spot every ski town needs to have. After a quick bite, we headed out to

meet up with friends and check into our rental house on the shore of Upper Arrow Lake, which is conveniently located near the access road up to the resort itself.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has an interesting his tory dating back over 100 years with the founding of a local ski club. Originally the attraction was a ski jump, and in 1921 during the Winter Carnival more than 3,000 spectators attended. Eventually a tow rope and ski runs followed in 1947, with a Poma lift added in 1961. These early activities took place on Mount Revelstoke, but in 1964 Mount Mackenzie Ski Hill was established at the nearby site of what is today the modern Revel stoke Mountain Resort. What we go there to ski these days, however, came to life in 2008, with funding from a group of Toronto investors. Today the resort features a staggering 5,620 vertical feet, 3,121 skiable acres and 34 annual feet of snow.

Mix “Revel” and “Stoke” together, and you get a classic Canadian ski experience BY JOHN GROLLMUS

Revelstoke is massive, with more than a mile of vertical drop.

Lookout Pass has always had the best powder—and this year there are 500 new acres of it. Our new Eagle Peak expansion means fresh terrain, 14 new runs, and a second quad chairlift. It’s an affordable family and friends ski day that’s easy to reach via I-90.

BUY YOUR SEASON PASS NOW AND SAVE!

GETAWAY

The following morning, we arrived at the Revel stoke village where one can find the only on-mountain lodging, the Sutton Place Hotel, along with a coffee shop, tavern, restaurant and a couple of gear shops. After a quick trip to the ticket window, we were off to load the Revelation Gondola and be transported to our day of shredding.

STOKE OR RIPPER? BOTH!

Soaring quickly through the air, we look down upon the hilariously named run Kill the Banker and finally unload at the upper mountain zone. For the uninitiated, the upper mountain zone is divided up between two chairs, the Ripper and the Stoke. The Ripper Chair services a lot of the more intermediate upper runs and offers great sustained groomers. The Stoke chair unloads at the high est lift access point on the mountain and services more difficult runs in the South Bowl area as well as access to the most extreme zone at Revelstoke, the North Bowl. After a couple of fairly challenging laps on the Stoke Chair, we chose to dial things up a bit and head into the North Bowl zone. With run names like Drop In, Mania and Discipline, we pretty much knew what we were in for, and it did not disappoint. From the ridge access entry point, we dropped in and found the type of steep and exhilarating skiing that really gets your blood pumping. For our late-morning ski session, we slid down to the Rip per Chair and lapped a few long sweet groomers before stopping into the Mackenzie Outpost for a midday break. This turned out to be the perfect stop off for a burger and brew with outstanding views of the valley far below, as it doesn’t require you to ski all the way down to the

lower mountain and keeps you up in the best snow. To wake up our legs after lunch, we loaded the Stoke Chair and headed right over to one of the longest runs avail able, Hot Sauce. This top-to-bottom run is so long its name changed five times; my beard turned gray by the time we arrived at the bottom.

A couple longer laps like this, and we were ready to put our skis to bed and swap slopeside stories over adult beverages while basking in the sun at the Revelation Lodge. Pro tip: British Columbia has zero tolerance for drinking and driving, and they also enforce that by using random roadblocks, so be sure to have a designated driver.

After a rest break back at the house, we headed into town for our dinner reservation at Paramjit’s Kitchen, which features a unique combination of Indian and German specialties. The restaurant came highly recom mended and did not disappoint. There are many excel lent choices for dining in Revelstoke, and we didn’t have nearly enough time to enjoy them all, but a few favorites from previous visits include the Taco Club, Chubby Fun sters (funny name, great food) and Quartermaster Eatery.

WAKE UP, IT’S GNAR DAY

When we returned to the hill the next morning, something strange was afoot. It turned out to be Gnar Day at Revel stoke, which is a celebration of the life of one of skiing’s all time great characters, Shane McConkey. There were loads of colorfully costumed young people all casually engaged in the game of Gnar, which Shane invented and features points awarded for things such as forcefully telling others to “Have a great day!” or telling a stranger “I’m the best skier on the mountain!” or even pulling off the highest

“OH, CANADA, WE’VE MISSED YOU,” CONTINUED...

scoring move in the game: skiing naked under the lift.

With all this going on around us, our day became less about the skiing and more about the laughs, but man were we ever entertained. I even got into the ac tion myself by calling my Mom while skiing down our last run, 500 points. Seriously, look it up.

After two incredible days of fun-filled skiing, eat ing and drinking, we were sad to head home, but my wife and I decided to take the long way and stop in Kelowna, which is a gorgeous waterfront city located in the heart of Okanagan wine country, featuring a 1.25mile paved waterfront trail, tons of shopping and some amazing dining options. We always enjoy stopping here on our trip home, as it really breaks up the drive and delays the realities of returning home to responsibili ties. If you choose to follow in our footsteps, I highly recommend dinner at Salt & Brick, our favorite local restaurant featuring small plates and an ever-revolving menu.

Our stacked-to-the-rafters-with-fun trip was made last winter in the ski season of 2021-22, when COV ID-19 testing and proof of vaccination was still required by the Canadian government. But for this coming season, all border restrictions related to the pandemic have been lifted, so what are you waiting for? n

John Grollmus is a lifetime resident of the Inland Northwest, local restaurateur and backcountry ski guide. He loves all things outdoors, food of every kind and, more than almost anything, skiing. John can currently be found living with his wife and favorite human, Kim, near Hope, Idaho.

The Grollmus party is all smiles in the gondola.

EVENTS

If you’re worried La Niña won’t be enough, pray for snow at Perry Street Brewing.

PARTIES PRAY FOR SNOW

As opening days approach and the air gets colder, winter sports enthusiasts pray that snow starts falling at their favorite mountain resorts so they can start hitting the slopes. Join some like-minded snow-lovers at one of two “Pray for Snow” parties happening in the Spokane area.

PERRY STREET BREWING is hosting their annual Pray for Snow party featuring a “Dance for Snow” contest, a photo booth and the release of PSB’s Haute Laps Hazy Pale. Earlier in the month, MILLWOOD BREWING COMPANY hopes for snow with raffles, lift ticket giveaways and ski movie showings in Spokane Valley.

— MADISON PEARSON

Snow Jam: Pray 4 Snow Party • Sat, Nov. 5 from 5-9 pm • Free • Millwood Brewing Co. • 9013 E. Frederick Ave., Spokane Valley • millwoodbrewery.com • 509-368-9538

Pray for Snow Party • Fri, Nov. 18 from 6-11 pm • Free • Perry Street Brewing • 1025 S. Perry St. • perrystreetbrewing.com • 509-279-2820

NOVEMBER

MT. SPOKANE JOB FAIR

Sat, Nov. 5 from 8 am-12 pm, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park Mt. Spokane is hiring for the 2022-23 winter season and looking for dedi cated individuals to join their team. Connect with hiring managers from each department. Ages 14+. mtspo kane.com

ANYWHERE FROM HERE

Thu, Nov. 10 from 7-8:30 pm, Gon zaga University Hemmingson Center Matchstick Productions’ 2022 ski film explores a world of opportuni ties through the eyes of a 12-yearold freestyle phenomenon. match stickpro.com/skitour

INLANDER WINTER PARTY Nov. 11-12; Fri from 4-9 pm, Sat from 10 am-7 pm, Spokane Convention Center

Kick off winter with regional resorts, retailers, factory representatives and winter-related vendors at this two-day celebration of the season of snow. The event also features the PowderKeg Brew Festival with over 40 local brews and ciders to sample while shopping at the show. winter party.inlander.com

WARREN MILLER’S DAYMAKER Sat, Nov. 12 at 7 pm, Panida Theater Kick off winter with Warren Miller’s

73rd annual film, Daymaker. Free your mind and leave it all behind as this film rewrites the rules of adap tive backcountry riding. panida.org

DECEMBER

MT. SPOKANE NIGHT SKI

Dec. 16-March 11, Wed-Sat from 3-9 pm, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Ski in the dark on Mt. Spokane’s 16-lighted runs. mtspokane.com

DRESS LIKE SANTA DAY

Thu, Dec. 22, all day, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area

Receive a highly discounted lift ticket if you dress like Santa or Mrs. Claus. All participants must also partake in the Santa Downhill. skilookout.com

YOUTH WINTER ADVENTURES

Dec. 21-22 from 9 am-4 pm, North east Community Center

Kids age 9-12 learn how to crosscountry ski and snowshoe the trails and forest around Mount Spokane State Park. spokanerec.org

SKI WITH SANTA

Fri, Dec. 23 from 1-4 pm and Sat, Dec. 24 from 12-5 pm, Schweitzer Ski beginner and intermediate runs with Santa and Mrs. Claus and col lect candy from them afterward. schweitzer.com

Party!

time to get stoked for snow. Inlander Winter Party is back! Presented by Horizon Credit Union, Inlander Winter Party is your chance to shop

of your favorite outfitters in one place, and geek out on the latest gear with manufacturer reps. The party also brings the mountains to you, so you can plan your next winter getaway. Best of all, you can do it all with a

beer in hand, as the PowderKeg Brew Festival is serving up 40+ craft

and seltzers. Grab a drink, shop, spin the prize wheel, putt

take your shot at the Horizon Snowball Toss or plant yourself at the Coeur d’Alene Casino stage for a non-stop lineup of bands serving

It’s

stoked for snow!

MEET THE

MOUNTAINS

PARTICIPATING REGIONAL RESORTS

Spokane is surrounded by so many epic ski and snowboard resorts, all within a day’s drive. But here’s your chance to visit a bunch of them in one place, as they will be on hand to help you plan your next epic winter adventure. And these resorts have been busy in the off-season, adding new highspeed lifts, opening up new terrain and developing brand-new ski-in-ski out options. At Inlander Winter Party, find out more about the apres-ski scene or kids clubs and childcare — whatever you need to know to plan your next getaway.

FREE LIFT TICKET

FOR THE FIRST 1,500 PEOPLE EACH DAY TO LOOKOUT PASS

New for the 2022-23 season, Lookout Pass has opened up Eagle Peak, with 500 acres of new terrain to explore. Buy your season passes now knowing you’ll have convenient lift access to this beautiful terrain this winter. The new trails offer a mix of intermediate, advanced and even expert runs. You’ll also find nice gladed areas below Eagle Peak’s 6,160-foot summit, which is 640 feet higher than the pre-2022 summit. More elevation means more and higherquality snow. The Chair 5 Quad will transport guests for 1,380 feet of vertical over a one-mile span; there will be 152 chairs on this lift. The New Eagle Peak Quad Lift should be ready by November 30, 2022. Enjoy awesome views of Northwest Montana and the Rocky Mountains, as well as Idaho and the Bitterroot Mountains. In addition to the new lift, Lookout will also be expanding parking and making improvements to walkways and decks around the current Day Lodge.

ENTER TO WINDON’T MISS A PLAY!

We’ll have plenty of TVs spread all around Inlander Winter Party and PowderKeg, showing the weekend’s big games, from the Zags on Friday afternoon to WSU, EWU and UW on Saturday.

We’re giving away the good stuff -- so sign up at the INLANDER booth and you’ll be entered to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes like a pair of Völkl’s Kendo 88 skis, an all-mountain freerider that’s super maneuverable even in the most challenging terrain, or score Rossignol’s jibsawinfluenced Jibfluence freestyle board. And that’s just the beginning. Stop by the Inlander booth to sign up.

with Winter Party ticket purchase only. Some exclusions and blackout dates apply. Limited to one per person.

WINTER GEAR SHOPPING

WINTER GEAR OPPING

If you’ve been itching to hit the slopes since those first autumn leaves fluttered to the ground, you’re in luck, because whether you’re in the market for a new snowboard or a fresh beanie, Inlander Winter Party is a great place to gear up; here’s what just a few of the vendors have to offer: Raised in the Inland Northwest, SHRED SPORTS owner Ben Owens has his finger on the pulse of what’s hot; lately he’s seen a surge in backcountry skiing and boarding. Shred store manager Ian Hume agrees: “We’re actively out there playing in the backcountry ourselves. We have all the safety gear you’d need to be out and self-reliant.” At Winter Party, Shred will highlight the best of their many brands, especially boots. “That’s one of the barriers to the sport,” Hume says, “people assuming ski boots are uncomfortable and have to live with a little bit of discomfort. They don’t have to do that anymore.”

THE GREAT PNW is the little regional apparel company that could, did and has now blown up. In fact, the retail brand collaborates with the Seattle Seahawks and Rainier Beer. Founder Joel Barbour says at Winter Party he’ll be showcasing a “new holiday line with all-new hoodies and tees, accessories and tons of new beanies,” including limited-run items only available at the event. As for those hot collabs, Barbour says: “Anything from our Smokey Bear collection goes pretty quick.” And yes, he’ll be bringing new Seahawks merch to the party.

Since 1976, SPOKANE ALPINE HAUS has been one of the leading winter sports and rec retailers in the Inland Northwest. Drew Harding, who owns Alpine Haus along with his wife Rachel, says they look forward to the return of Inlander Winter Party as a great way to introduce themselves to the community — especially all they offer to help kids. The lease program they run out of their South Hill shop allows people to get a start at an affordable price. They’ll also have a team of experts on hand to explain the benefits of the latest gear they’ll have at the show.

Also be on the lookout for SNEVA SKIS’ made-in-Spokane line, with T.J. Sneva on hand. ROSSIGNOL, VÖLKL, ATOMIC and SALOMON will also have their latest and greatest, with factory reps to answer any and all questions. Need a hat? Check out LOCAL KNITS from right here in the Inland Northwest, or FINDLAY HATS out of Portland. LOCALS CANNA HOUSE will have CBDs to help with those after-ski aches, and R’NR RV CENTER can explain how a new rig can make for an epic season, as many resorts, including Schweitzer and Lookout, have dedicated RV parking. And NORTHWEST WINTERFEST, the ultimate winter light show, will be on hand with a taste of what to expect this year, while the Spokane Symphony Associates’ CHRISTMAS TREE ELEGANCE display will have you dreaming about which fabulous tree you can win this year.

ACTIVITIES

SNOWBALL TOSS

Challenge your friends and family to HORIZON CREDIT UNION’s snowball toss competition (think winter-themed cornhole). Win your first match and advance to the championship round where you’ll compete for the coveted Yeti scarf and other amazing prizes from Horizon Credit Union, including a $1,000 Airbnb Gift Card!

BIKE DEMO AREA

Stay strong in the off-season or power through the powder with a fat tire bike. The great folks from THE BIKE HUB are bringing an assortment of mountain bikes, cruisers, E-bikes and kids bikes so you or your little one can take a spin on their test track.

CLIMBING WALL

Experience the joy of indoor climbing at WILD WALLS’ 24foot climbing wall, providing a fun, safe and family-friendly environment for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

PUTTING GREEN

NO-LI BREWHOUSE & FLATSTICK PUB

There are only two rules at FLATSTICK PUB: Drink local and have fun. Given those guidelines, it’s no wonder Flatstick is pairing up with NO-LI BREWHOUSE, which is, of course, born and raised right here in Spokane. Find No-Li’s station, where they’ll be pouring the good stuff — both beer and seltzer. And right there, you’ll find one of Flatstick’s signature greens, where you can putt for prizes.

FREE LIFT TICKET

FRI

SEAN

Fri 11/11

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC STAGE

W

inter Party’s got it all — gear experts, reps from resorts all over the region, fun activities and beer. Of course there’s live music, too, and it all happens right at the

Resort and Casino’s music stage. There’s a full schedule starting at 5:30 Friday

at Noon on Saturday. Headliners the RUB and the Night Mayors anchor each

filled with the sweet sounds of the Inland Northwest.

FRIDAY

SEAN KAVANAUGH | 5:30-6:30 pm

Sean Kavanaugh is a solo guitarist/singer who writes and performs his own original songs as well as a multitude of covers, ranging from late ’60s classics to current hits across multiple genres. He is known for his jukebox-like system of taking song requests in real time from his extensive song list.

SATURDAY

THE RUB | 7-9 pm

The best apres-ski parties always include the RUB. Covering over a half century of nearly every song that everyone loves, the Inland Northwest’s beloved power trio’s performances are always an eclectic mix of titles and eras — originals and improvisations.

IAN NIXON | Noon-1:15 pm

Spokane local Ian Nixon is a recent addition to the talented music scene in the Pacific Northwest. Raised on musical theater and punk rock, he now takes those inspirations (and many others), blending them into acoustic renditions of both original and covered tunes.

NATHAN CHARTREY | 1:45-2:45 pm

Nathan Chartrey is a local singer/songwriter and producer based out of Spokane. His mixture of acoustic percussion folk and Hip-Hop brings something unique and exciting to the local scene, with influences ranging anywhere from Jack Johnson to Eminem. Expect a broad selection of unique but well-known covers.

SHAWNE STRATTE & LUCAS BROOKBANK BROWN | 3:15-4:15 pm

This dynamic duo of piano and guitar features two of Spokane’s most prolific local performers. Both songwriters incorporate a wide range of influences, melding genres to make sounds that range from sultry soul to jazz-drenched blues to straight-up indie-folk.

THE NIGHT MAYORS | 5-7 pm

Birthed from a weekly Tuesday night residency at ZOLA, the Night Mayors have rapidly staked their claim as one of the Inland Northwest’s premier party bands. Groovy horn lines, harmony-rich vocals, a funk-laden backbone and sizzling organ and guitar are all at the core of this six-piece funk/soul unit.

TAP IN!

Laughing Dog Brewing

LumberBeard

Millwood Brewing

Mountain Lakes Brewing

No-Li Brewhouse

No-Li Seltzer

Pear Up Cider

River City

Winter Party also puts the thriving local craft beer, cider and seltzer scene on display, with the PowderKeg Brew Festival. Grab a taste from longtime industry leaders like No-Li Brewhouse (which will be pouring both beer and seltzer) and newcomers like Uprise Brewing; there are more than 40 drafts to choose from. And at Winter Party, the beauty of it is you can take your pint along with you throughout the show, from the shopping to the activities to the Coeur d’Alene Casino live music stage. Check out the tasty offerings here in these pages.

Pawprint

PILSNER

Czech style pilsner that is light in color but full of herbal and spicy flavors with a hint of floral notes.

Man’s Best Friend

IPA

Showcasing the Citra hop for bittering, flavor and aroma. This single hop IPA displays soft bitterness and is extremely drinkable!

Unleashed AMBER

A marriage of American and British ingredients create an Amber that is aromatic and not overly hoppy or malty.

Hair Of The Dog

SCOTCH ALE

Rich and malty with a distinct caramelized sweetness, this big, and slightly boozy scotch ale has a traditional smoked wood character.

BREW FESTIVAL TERMS TO KNOW

IBU:

STOUTED FROM THE BOTTOM

AMERICAN STOUT

The flavor profile on this beer is bold and roasty with an aroma of dark chocolate.

LUMBER LIGHT

LAGER-AMERICAN

Light, crispy and crushable. Perfect for a day on the slopes or a

by the bonfire.

FLAVOR NUGGETS V8

IPA-NEW ENGLAND HAZY

Version 8 of our hazy IPA series.

with Azacca, Sabo and Idaho 7 hops. As always, a tropical and easy drinking hazy.

MÄRZEN MÄRZEN

A traditional Oktoberfest beer that tastes like warm bread fresh from the oven with a nice clean bitterness on the finish.

IBU: 25 ABV:

20 ABV: 5.8%

IBU ABV

INTERNATIONAL BITTERNESS UNIT is the standard scale for measuring the amount of hops-inspired bitterness in a beer. For example, a hoppy beer like an IPA will have a very high IBU rating, like a 75, while a malty beer, like a stout, will usually (but not always) have a low IBU rating at around 30.

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in a given brew. A beer or cider with 5% ABV is equivalent to a 10 proof alcohol. In other words, the higher the percentage, the stronger and more inebriating the drink.

PONDERAY,

SPOKANE, WA

Tieton

TAKE A SPIN

Every tasting package comes with a spin on the PowderKeg Prize Wheel with swag from our participating breweries, sponsors and the Inlander. Keep in mind that anything can happen at the Winter Party, as back in 2019 one enterprising lad used a clever subterfuge to have his girlfriend “win” her engagement ring via the Prize Wheel. Lucky spin, indeed!

Our hosts at the Spokane Convention Center and Levy have some special items to keep your belly full through all the shopping and PowderKegging. Look for the Upper Falls Bistro at the window on the west wall, just below the massive Ben Joyce art installation, along with Bavarian pretzels with a dark beer cheese sauce at their portable food station.

pub grub

AT UPPER FALLS BISTRO

Fleischklobchen (meatball) Sandwich

Reuben Sandwich and Frites

Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and brown mustard

Das burgers served with caramelized onions on a pretzel bun and smothered with a beer cheese sauce

FROGNUT PORTER

ROASTED PORTER

A west coast style roasted porter with hints of chocolate and co ee coming through, but we tossed in some roasted coconut that simply takes your tastebuds to the tropics.

MINOR THREAT HAZY IPA

HAZY IPA

Super juicy with a BIG citrus note is what Chinook, Citra, Simcoe & Mosaic bring to the dance. But it’s the finish from dry hopping with Mosaic and Citra that pulls you into this pint of goodness!

PURPLE YETI HUCKLEBERRY BLONDE ALE

COAST ALE

MILLBILLY IPA

A

A

FUGGLEPANTS

ENGLISH PALE ALE

Brewed with traditional English Malt and English Fuggle Hops grown in the Palouse Valley, and conditioned on English Ale Yeast, this is a real “Pint of Bitter” with the Flavor of Spokane.

SAINT HELEN’S

INLAND NW IPA

This IPA is brewed with locally sourced hops and barley and conditioned on an American Ale Yeast, bringing the true terroir of Spokane and the Palouse Valley to a perfectly balanced IPA brewed in and for the Inland Northwest.

of Mt Spokane huckleberries.

with

STOKEY COFFEE STOUT

Conditioned on Stokey Blend coffee beans and cold brew coffee from Swell Coffee Company in the Spokane Valley, this is a Stout that truly arouses the stoke in all of us and prepares us to hit the mountain snow and end the evening around the fire with friends!

WORD TO YOUR MOTHER

VANILLA CREAM

Brewed in the traditional Cream Ale style with flaked corn in the mash, and conditioned on madagascar vanilla beans and a traditional English ale yeast, this beer will make you reminisce childhood days of sipping on cream soda at the fountain... but rest assured it finishes crisp and delicious like a true craft ale!

IBU: 55 ABV: 5.9% IBU: 105 ABV: 6.3% IBU: 24 ABV: 6.5% IBU: 40 ABV: 6.2%

SPOKANE, WA mountainlakesbrewco.com

SNOWGAZE

COLD IPA

This light-hued IPA is brewed with lager yeast to give it a crisp, refreshing body and clean finish. Double dry hopping this beer with Cashmere hops creates subtle lemon, tangerine, and stone fruit notes, and lends secondary flavors of coconut and pineapple to round out this complex Cold IPA.

IBU: 10 ABV: 6.5%

PORCH GLOW AMBER ALE

Our house yeast takes center stage in this slightly fruity, highly drinkable amber ale. Give it a shot and you’re in for a hint of chocolate malt, the perfect hops-malt balance, and a gentle, lager-like body that finishes crisp and refreshing.

WRECK THE HALLS WINTER STOUT

In collaboration with Visit Spokane and Merry & Magical! A classic stout brewed with five types of darkroasted malt to lend notes of brown sugar, dark chocolate and vanilla. A warming, well-balanced holiday stout.

HUCKLEBERRY LEMONADE

HARD SELTZER

This Huckleberry Lemonade is sweet & tangy, making it the perfect northwest refresher...A little something for the other side of your sweet side.

100 calories and 2g

IBU: 50 ABV: 6%

BIG JUICY

INDIA PALE ALE

This hop-forward, golden-hued IPA starts with a light malt foundation, then we pile on the tropical fruit and bright citrus flavors with Citra, El Dorado, Belma and Azacca hops. As you might guess, this one’s big, juicy and fruity, nicely balanced with just a touch of mellow bitterness.

PINA COLADA

HARD SELTZER

Pineapple and coconut mix with juicy peach for a sweet spin on a tropical favorite.

140 calories and 3g of sugar & carbs

IBU: 10 ABV: 5.0%

IBU:

SNAP A SELFIE IN STYLERELAX (AND SHOP)

AT THE SHRED LOUNGE, FEAT. MILLWOOD BREWING

The experts at Shred are bringing all the latest ski and snowboard gear to Winter Party, along with all the apparel you need for carving pow and looking good doing it. Find jackets with the technical prowess to actually keep you warm, and work with their experts to find boots you aren’t desperate to take off

after a long day of owning the slopes. And all this in an apres ski environment. Shred has partnered up with Millwood Brewing Co. to bring the bar to their booth. The beer will be flowing, the game will be on, and river views add to the ambiance. The Shred Lounge just might ruin regular shopping for you forever.

HYPED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The VISIT SPOKANE team will also be sharing free copies of their brand-new Merry & Magical Spokane Holiday Magazine to help you map out a plan to make amazing holiday memories. And over at the NO-LI station, try their festive Merry & Magical Brew, special for the 2022 holiday season.

CRANPEARY CARAMEL

CIDER

Embrace the season with tart cranberry perfectly balanced with smooth caramel. Winter notes infused with a delicious pear blend.

HOPPIN’ PEAR CIDER

A hopped up, crisp finishing pear cider. Using both infusion and dry hopping allows this low sugar alternative to bring the best from cider and beer.

WATERMELON PEAR

CIDER

Let summer happen anytime. Enjoy juicy watermelon refreshingly blended with pure pear. Refresh with flavor not sugar.

Visit Spokane invites you to get your dance moves ready and capture Inlander Winter Party memories at the MERRY & MAGICAL VIDEO BOOTH, right inside the PowderKeg area. Electric Photoland’s technology makes you feel like you’re the star of your own music video. Receive your video immediately via text or email so you can share it on social. #lovespokane #visitspokane #inlanderwinterparty #merryandmagicalspokane #electricphotoland

GINGER PEAR CIDER

A balanced addition of ginger contributes to a sharpened pear flavor that makes this perry great for any occasion.

WA pearupcider.com

ABV:

VB STOUT

BRITISH IMPERIAL STOUT

We take our British Style Imperial Stout and age it in Bourbon Barrels from DryFly Distilling. We then condition the beer on three pounds of hand scraped vanilla beans from Madagascar. Notes of dark chocolate, caramel and dark dried fruit dance around your pallet. Super smooth and delicious for any occasion.

RIVER CITY RED RED ALE

A we bit malty, crisp and clean. With notes of biscuit, caramel, sweet bread, and a touch of roast. Extremely drinkable and approachable for anyone. Cheers!

GIRLFRIEND GOLDEN ALE

KOLSCH STYLE ALE

Our take on the Kolsch, this beer is sure to quench your thirst. At first smell, notes of lemony citrus, light bread, and earthly floral tones grab your attention. A subtle touch of grain sweetness with a crispy finish. Great for multiple pints any day or night.

LAND SQUID IPA

NORTHWEST STYLE IPA

A throwback to days past, Land Squid IPA is our version of the NW Style IPA Loaded with Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial hops, Land Squid is sure to grab your tatention and transport you to 2006. Dry and hop forward with notes of grapefruit, pine resin, slightly floral and a touch of alcohol sweetness. You’ll want more than one!

IBU: 40 ABV: 8% IBU: 20 ABV: 5.6% IBU: 20 ABV: 5% IBU: 60 ABV: 7%

SPOKANE, WA rivercitybrewingspokane.com

APPLE SPICE

HARD SELTZER

Ever tasted an Apple pie in a can? Enjoy a unique new flavor that screams Fall! A crisp apple flavor accented by a hint of cinnamon! It’s sure to be a favorite this time of year.

HUCKLEBERRY

HARD SELTZER

Few things represent what a quintessential PNW summer berry should be more than the great taste of a rich, ripe, colorful wild Huckleberry or its uncultivated cousin – the blueberry. Given all the Blueberry flavored options already out there, we felt we wouldn’t be doing our job if we failed to create this unique Montana-style Huckleberry flavor.

WILD BLACKBERRY LEMONADE

HARD SELTZER

Deliciously fun - each classic lemonade flavor combines PNW wild blackberry and wild strawberry flavor with our clean, craft spiked seltzer taste for a refreshing twist on the traditional summertime lemonade experience.

FRUIT PUNCH

HARD SELTZER

Each deliciously fun Spiked Punch flavor is crafted with delicious blends of ripe tasting, PNW wild berry and other fruit flavors. Each new punch flavor, Wild Berry and Fruit Punch is 85 calories, 0 sugar, 0 carbs, gluten free and Keto-friendly.

ABV: 4.2%

CRANBERRY

CIDER

Our proprietary blend of cider apples and carefully selected cranberries marry to perfection in route to a well-balanced, slightly tart offering. We blend fresh pressed cranberry juice into an already upbeat blend of fermented apples. Bold and bright on the palate with a cinnamon finish.

IMPERIAL CIDER

This “Imperial” Cider comes in at 8.4% ABV! The high-octane is tamed by a touch of sweetness with tart finish. Fruity, citrus notes of grapefruit and mandarin are liberated from the local apples we press to make this cider.

Truly, a cider fit for royalty.

ABV:

HUCKLEBERRY

CIDER

Tieton Cider Works is dedicated to showcasing the fruit our region has to offer. Our Huckleberry Cider is the perfect blend of Northwest mountain range berries blended with locally grown Washington State apples. Slightly sweet on the front with a tart finish.

BOURBON BARREL PEACH

CIDER

Juice from hand-picked Washington State peaches and apples is married with rich bourbon barrels to give this cider a deep vanilla and plum character. The perfect balance of sweet, ripe peaches and tartness of green apples. A touch of oak tannin finishes this cider off perfectly.

ABV: 6.9% ABV: 8.4% ABV: 6.9% ABV: 6.9%

STATIC WAVES

HAZY IPA

Waves of Sabro and El Dorado hops explode out of the glass showcasing a tropical, fruity utopia with notes of coconut, papaya and pineapple. Soft, pillowy, and Hazy.

PILSNER LAGER

This German inspired pilsner is cold conditioned in horizontal lagering tanks allowing delicate aromas of wild flower and honey to shine. Bright, crisp & clean.

GUAVA GOSE FRUITED SOUR

Gose style kettle sour brewed with pink Himalayan sea salt and freshcracked coriander. Fermented on pink guava to provide a delightful bright ness with a tropical, fruity aroma and a gentle tart finish.

BRIGHT SIDE IPA

IPA with Citra, Simcoe & Mosaic hops. This modern American IPA is light bodied with notes of fresh citrus & stone fruit with a dry, crisp finish.

SEATTLE, WA

FLUFFY PUFFY SUNSHINE

A true to type NEIPA hopped with Citra and El Dorado for heavy notes of tropical fruits and a soft body from loads of oats in the mash bill.

IBU: 15

BY & BY MILK STOUT

A milk stout base including over five separate malts. Conditioned on cinnamon sticks and chocolate for a flavor that reminds one of flannels and fireplaces.

KERRS LAGER LAGER

100% Genie Pilsner base for a super light and crisp beverage. Lagered for over a month for refreshing notes of straw and slight citrus.

SOPRANO KETTLE SOUR

A rotating kettle sour series, this time conditioned on blueberry and peach puree. Produced over the course of 48 hours, this beer is light and approachable but definitely livens up the taste buds.

YAKIMA, WA

tietonciderworks.com

10

The Gonzaga men’s basketball team returns a quartet of big-name upperclassmen in Drew Timme, Rasir Bolton, Anton Watson and Julian Strawther, but it’s a stable of sophomores who could push the Bulldogs to that elusive national championship.

“Those sophomores are going to have to have huge jumps. I mean, I would think that will kind of be the key to our season is how successful those guys can be,” says Assistant Coach Brian Michaelson. “They did a nice job understanding those roles that they had on last year’s team, and I think they understand that their roles are significantly different this year. Now they have to carry a big part of the load, and that’s something that they all want and that they’re eagerly looking for.”

Nine of the 16 players on Gonzaga’s roster are sopho mores. Of those nine, five have already played meaningful minutes in a Gonzaga uniform.

Washingtonians Kaden Perry and Nolan Hickman, along with five-star recruit Hunter Sallis, joined the team as true freshmen last season, and all got minutes in reserve roles. Ben Gregg has already spent two seasons in the program, having graduated from high school early to get a jump start on his college career, but is still listed as a sophomore this year thanks to the COVID-plagued 2020 season not counting against players’ eligibility. Dominick Harris played in 25 games as a freshman two years ago before missing all of last season with a foot injury and taking a medical redshirt.

Of that group, the player tasked with the most critical role is Hickman, who is replacing Andrew Nembhard as

Gonzaga’s Sophomore Surge

BY WILL MAUPIN

the starting point guard. Nembhard was a steady hand who orchestrated Gonzaga’s attack, ranking top-two nationally in offensive efficiency (points per 100 posses sions) in both his seasons in Spokane.

“People are underestimating the loss of Andrew. I think he was such a quiet guy that he never got the recognition that he deserved. He was incredibly vital to our program these last two years. I don’t think that that’s something you replace with one person. So it is going to be slightly more by committee than last year was,” Mi chaelson says. “With that being said, Nolan is clearly our point guard, and clearly he will have the biggest owner ship role in that.”

Hunter Sallis will also be part of that point guard committee supporting Hickman. The 6-foot-5 wing aver aged 4.3 points in 13.6 minutes per game a season ago. A high-level athlete, Sallis is much more of a scorer than a facilitator, but he is more than capable of taking some pressure off of the team’s primary ball handlers. On the other end of the court, expect to see him ratchet up the pressure on opponents.

“A sophomore that’s going to play a ton is obviously Hunter,” says Michaelson. “He’s really, really improved his ball handling and his shooting. He’s had a really good fall scoring the ball, but Hunter’s defense is gonna be super impactful for this team.”

While those two work out on the perimeter, the Zags will also have a handful of sophomores banging around in the paint. Ben Gregg and Kaden Perry, both from the greater Portland area, were just outside the

primary rotation last season, averaging between six and seven minutes per game. With star big man Chet Holmgren off to the NBA and out of the Zags’ picture, there should be more room in the frontcourt for Gregg and Perry to carve out roles.

At 6-foot-10 with a nice shooting touch, Gregg gives the Zags versatility as a floor spacer in a way the other bigs on the roster don’t provide. The 6-foot-9 Perry, on the other hand, is a powerful and athletic player who has drawn comparisons to former Zag Brandon Clarke for his abilities around and above the rim. The ques tion with Perry is his health, as he’s recovering from a back injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season.

Another sophomore question mark comes in the form of sweet-shooting guard Dominick Harris. Part of the so-called “tricky trio“ recruiting class of 2020 with Jalen Suggs and Julian Strawther, Harris missed last season with a foot injury and still wasn’t cleared for full contact play until early October. During his freshman campaign, he flashed that he could be a catalyst for the Zags both defensively and from behind the arc.

“Those are two things in today’s modern basketball you might argue the two most important things, 3-point shooting and on-ball defense,” says Michaelson. “And he can bring those at the highest level, especially when he’s healthy.”

The Zags are a team loaded with stars, but to reach their ultimate goal they’ll need some of their sophomores to step up and shine as well. n

The Zags’ Final Four hopes might come down to the second-year players becoming stars

Guards Hunter Sallis (left) and Nolan Hickman are key to the Zags’ hopes. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS

Full-Court Press

A quick look at some of the Inland Northwest’s college hoops programs before the 2022-23 season tips off

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

MEN’S TEAMS

GONZAGA BULLDOGS

There’s a lot of déjà vu for the Zags this season. Again, they’re national championship contenders (ranked No. 2 in preseason polls). Again, Drew Timme returns and is the favorite to win national player of the year. And again, the team will only be judged by NCAA tournament results by most onlookers. With Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton and Anton Watson also return ing, plenty of sophomores with potential like Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis, and transfer guard Malachi Smith (who won the Lou Henson Award, as the best mid-major player in the country last season) the team has enough firepower to be cutting down the nets in March. But, again, only time will tell. Game to watch: Nov. 20 vs. Kentucky at Spokane Arena (ESPN)

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

Coming off their best season in a decade, which ended with a trip to the NIT semifinals, WSU hopes to finally return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007-08. CBS analyst Matt Norlander has tabbed Senegalese center Mouhamed Gueye as the breakout player in the Pac-12 (he’s first team preseason Pac-12). Head coach Kyle Smith looks to keep that momentum go ing and fill the Tommy Lloyd-shaped hole in Inland Northwest international recruiting, landing two starters from France’s under-18 national team (Ky

many Houinsou and Maël Hamon-Crespin) plus another Senegalese standout in 7-footer Adrame Diongue (ESPN’s No. 43 ranked recruit). Throw Tennessee transfer guard Justin Powell into the mix and you’ve got the makings of a team that could be fighting for an at-large NCAA tourney bid come February. Game to watch: Dec. 30 vs. UCLA (Pac-12 Network)

EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES

It’s all about building the program for second-year EWU coach David Riley. The Eagles are only picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Sky, but there are positive building blocks in place. Ellensburg redshirt sophomore guard/forward Steele Venters was an ace behind the arc last season, finishing sixth in the entire nation in 3-point shooting accuracy (43.2 percent), and is a preseason All-Big Sky pick, while English forward Ethan Price was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year for 2021-22 (averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds per game while leading the team in blocked shots). The Eagles certainly aren’t going to be a pushover this season (possibly even being in the conference contender mix come Big Sky tourney time), and are shaping up to be a force in the Big Sky in the seasons to come.

Game to watch: Nov. 21 vs. Washington State at Spokane Arena (SWX)

IDAHO VANDALS

It’s a make-or-break season for head coach Zac Claus, who enters the final year of his contract with a 14-66 record against Division I opponents. After losing their top two scorers, the Vandals will need to lean on senior guard Rashad Smith for leadership. Claus brought in a whopping 10 new players (six transfers, four freshman recruits) — including Seattle Pacific (Division II) star guard Divant’e Moffitt and Northern Kentucky forward/center John Harge — in hopes of adding a much needed boost to a program picked to finish second to last in the Big Sky (only ahead of Idaho State). Ummm… at least Idaho football is actually good this year?

Game to watch: Jan. 16 vs. Montana State (ESPN+)

WHITWORTH PIRATES

Following a season that saw the Pirates make the NCAA Division III tourna ment, coach Damion Jablonski has a bit of a roster overhaul on his hands. Kaylynne Truong will be key for GU. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO

While leading scorer JT McDermott returns, Whitworth also welcomes a mas sive infusion of new talent via a nine-player recruiting class, including former Division I starting guard Michael Smith. A tough nonconference schedule that features multiple ranked teams should put the Pirates to the test (Whitworth received votes themselves, but didn’t quite crack the preseason Top 25), but the squad will hopefully extend their 20-game home winning streak in the cozy confines of Whitworth Fieldhouse and use that home cooking to propel the team to another tournament appearance.

Game to watch: Dec 21 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor

WOMEN’S TEAMS

GONZAGA BULLDOGS

In terms of familiarity, this year’s Zags squad will certainly be led by the Preseason All-WCC guard combo of twin sisters Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong. But the Bulldogs ceiling will likely come down to a newcomer — Utah grad transfer sharpshooter Brynna Maxwell. The Gig Harbor native was a former Pac-12 All-Freshman team honoree and has already been tabbed as a preseason candidate for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award. With reigning WCC Sixth Woman of the Year Yvonne Ejim set to be a force down low, GU — picked just outside of the Top 25 in the preseason AP Poll — looks poised to roll through the WCC and possibly make a deeper NCAA tournament run.

Game to watch: Dec. 17 vs. BYU (SWX)

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS

The Pac-12 is an absolute gauntlet when it comes to women’s hoops. So when you see that the Cougs were picked 7th in the preseason conference polls, that doesn’t mean this year’s squad won’t be very good (heck, they still received a vote in the preseason AP Poll). Junior Kiwi shooting guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and senior Rwandan center Bella Murekatete both were named to their respective watch lists for the best player in the country at their positions. After two straight NCAA berths, coach Kamie Ethridge is committed to making March basketball a regular tradition for WSU.

Game to watch: Feb. 3 vs. Stanford n

801 E. Desmet | Free guest parking on 3rd floor | 509.313.6860

Chef Chats: Daniel Gonzalez

were like, “How do you know how to do this?” I watched my grandmas make this stuff forever.

BY CARRIE SCOZZARO

In the late 1990s, Daniel Gonzalez was a three-sport athlete at Ferris High School determined to leave Spokane after graduation.

But instead of baseball, Gonzalez pursued culinary studies at the Art Institute of Seattle, followed by stints in such venerable Western Washington spots as Cafe Campagne and Le Pichet, both French-style fine dining restaurants. He also spent three years in Seattle at the for mer 1200 Bistro & Lounge and worked as a private chef, which enabled him to go to Europe, including Spain.

In 2007, when 1200 Bistro closed, Gonzalez re turned to Spokane, fathered a son and worked his way through the region’s evolving culinary landscape, from the Davenport Hotel to South Perry Pizza. He spent six years at Adam Hegsted’s Eat Good Group, including the Wandering Table.

Last fall, Gonzalez and longtime partner Monica York launched Kismet restaurant in the Hillyard neighborhood, highlighting the Latin flavors of Gonza lez’s upbringing with dishes like elote, arepa cakes and empanadas. This year, Inlander readers voted it “best new restaurant” in our annual Best Of readers poll.

Now that Kismet has its first year on the books, we chatted with Gonzalez for our recurring chef Q&A series. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

INLANDER: Give us the highlights of how you got here, from your education, influences, events or em ployers to significant moments.

GONZALEZ: I took a couple of food classes in high school as a joke so I could have a snack in the middle of the day. I really liked it. People were amazed I could make all these cakes and all the stuff we were making. And they

Before [I left for] culinary school I got to see a class, and it was [pioneering French chef] Jacques Pépin, and he was making potato croquettes, and he was doing it out of a piping bag and cutting them. Every single one of them was identical, and I was like, “Dude, I want to be that guy.”

Who helped you get where you are today?

My mentor Chet Wallenstein [from 1200 Bistro & Lounge, also Microsoft founder Paul Allen’s personal chef]. It was the farm-to-table thing before it was a thing. Adam [Hegsted] has so many irons in the fire. It was a very eye-opening experience of what Spokane could be.

The support of Monica. My mom and dad. I always tell people my dad’s my hero in the way that he does things and all the sacrifices he made to make us have the life we had. But my mom has always been the glue that kept us all together. They had me when they were really young, and they didn’t give up. They were 15. We didn’t have a lot of money so we spent a lot of time doing fam ily things together.

What essential tool and/or technique do you use most often?

Pressure cookers are amazing, and I never really thought that I would be a pressure cooker guy, but they’re insane if you can figure out how to marinate something and manipulate the flavor and throw it in one of those pots and it’s done in three hours instead of 12 hours. They’re so efficient and not very messy.

What’s a really cool thing you do, or still love about your work?

Butchery. I can take apart anything.

What’s your favorite thing to eat from your own menu?

It’s the “whettos” [tacos] for me here. A lot of the time it’s tamales because I can heat up a tamale and eat it quick. Put an egg on it! Tamales go with everything.

Where would you travel just for the food, and why?

I would go back to a time when avant-garde started and you can go into French kitchens and see 120 cooks making these meals. Like where [French chef Auguste] Escoffier invented the brigade system, just to see what it took to make it a well-oiled machine. And I want to go back to Spain with Monica.

What might you be doing if you weren’t in the culi nary industry?

I love professional sports … baseball. I could geek out and be a statistician like nobody’s business. I’m the nerd that carries the scorecard to the games.

What advice do you have for someone going into the industry?

You’re in for a long haul. Be immersive in everything you do, but also be a fly on the wall. Go to those places where the learning curve is high. Even if you have to wash dishes for a couple of weeks before you hold a knife. Culinary school is great — it’s a foundation — but that is not where I learned nine out of 10 things that I learned. It’s like culinary jargon is a foreign language and you’re going to school to learn that language.

And just be ready to fall on your face every now and then. It happens. Take it on the chin. I made a lot of mis takes, but trying to make it so you don’t make the same mistake over and over is very important.

What’s next for you, five or 10 years down the line?

If I open up another place, it’s going to be something simple. For me I wouldn’t be above a place that served burritos in a bag at 4 o’clock in the morning. I would [also] like to have a 10-seat kind of sit-down thing, and I could cook for those people and do it three or four times a week. That would be fine as long as we were making money; sustaining so that other people had an opportu nity to have a job, and giving back to [Spokane].

I don’t want to line cook forever. I don’t want to get burned out. I love cooking, but I want to take time that doesn’t necessarily involve food. Burning out is very, very easy to do in this industry. n

The chef behind Kismet restaurant in Hillyard reflects on his journey from sports to the food world

Chef Daniel Gonzalez and his partner Monica York opened Kismet in fall 2021. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS

FRIENDSHIP IS WAR

BY CHASE HUTCHINSON

The playwright-turned-filmmaker Martin McDonagh has always been adept at molding the misery and mirth of life into melancholic works of cinematic reflection. It began with his 2004 silly yet somber short film Six Shooter, about a man taking a train home after a loss. McDonagh expanded many of these elements into a feature with the magnificent In Bru ges in 2008, which accompanied two hitmen taking a trip where they grappled with their respective lives and their proximity to death. Then there was 2012’s Seven Psycho paths, where he created his most sly and explosive story, centered on a dognapped Shih Tzu of all things. This was followed by 2017’s Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, about a mother seeking justice in a cruel world, which was fantastic in isolated moments though incomplete in others.

Through all of these films, even when they didn’t fully connect, McDonagh proved to be a storyteller whose ability to thread the needle between the tragedy and comedy of life was unparalleled. With The Banshees of Inisherin, McDonagh has crafted a work that manages to be his most focused while also soaring as his most emotionally expansive. It is not just his best film to date, but one of the best of the year.

Central to this is the reunion of the In Bruges duo of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, who are each more understated here, though give similarly multifac

eted performances. Farrell is Pádraic, a lonely man who spends most of his days either with his animals or at the sole pub on the gorgeous yet isolated fictional Irish isle of Inisherin. Gleeson is his friend Colm, a musician who hungers for a greater purpose in both his art and life. Set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War in 1923, the film explores what happens when Colm decides to cut Pádraic out of his life. The reasons he provides for this are initially vague, leaving Pádraic humorously confused and then increasingly frustrated with his longtime friend. When Colm warns him that any attempts to even speak to him will result in him harming himself by cutting off his own fingers, the escalation that takes hold of the small world they inhabit foretells a more profound sense of sadness. They don’t always have the words for it, but we come to realize that underneath all the laughs is a truer observation of how each man is teetering on the edge of becoming lost.

Don’t be mistaken, the film is uproariously funny in how it elicits humor from the simplest of places. Pádraic’s sister Siobhan, played by a pitch-perfect Kerry Condon of Better Call Saul and the aforementioned Three Billboards, delivers one such moment when she informs Colm that “you’re all feckin’ boring” as an expression of her exas peration. Both she and the troubled local lad Dominic (played by The Killing of a Sacred Deer’s Barry Keoghan, who steals one key scene alongside Condon) inhabit

diverging storylines that are not the main focus but are just as thematically rich. All of these characters are like people you run into on the street though, rather than forget them, you come to know each so deeply that you love them completely, rough edges and all. Their pain becomes yours as well.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

Rated R

Directed by Martin McDonagh

Starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon

The civil war happening across the way, referenced in passing conversations by characters as they go about their days with distant explosions echoing, is absolutely integral to understanding this tragicomedy. McDonagh, while rather overt in making clear the split is a stand-in for the fighting happening right next door, brings it to life with such well-realized characters that it plays as a poetic parable. That Pádraic and Colm were closer than just about anyone makes it all the more painful to see their sudden schism. Even if the laughs may fade, the humor goes hand in bloody hand with the tragedy unfolding before them. A life of sadness, internal and external, is depressingly, existentially funny. As the film looks on the characters from above, struggling alone to make sense of it all, it arrives at a truth at which one can only laugh at in order not to cry. n

ALSO OPENING

ARMAGEDDON TIME

Writer/director James Gray mines his own childhood for a coming-of-age drama about a Jewish boy from Queens during the ’80s dealing with his family (Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Anthony Hopkins), racism direct ed at his Black friend, and private school. Rated R

ONE PIECE FILM: RED

The 15th film in the wildly popu lar anime series (this entry is the highest grossing film in Japan in 2022, spending 11 weeks at No. 1), again follows pirate cap tain Luffy. This time he finds out a world-famous, mysterious pop diva is actually his childhood friend and daughter of fellow pirate Shanks. Rated PG-13

Questions of legacy loom behind the laughs in The Banshees of Inisherin’s hilarious and haunting tale

Gleeson and Farrell brilliantly quarel in Banshees.

HistoricAL Fiction

normal. For example, when a young Yankovic is having a dinner table conversation with his parents about wanting to write parody songs, his dad (Toby Huss) becomes enraged at the pros pect before his mom (Julianne Nicholson) shuts down the conversation by saying (with a straight face), “We agreed it would be best for all of us if you just stop being who you are and doing the things you love.”

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

There’s a point during Weird: The Al Yankovic Story where “Weird Al” Yankovic as the narrator delivers the following line with all the serious gravitas found in one of those typical awards-bait music docs: “Was I a parody singer? An original artist? The most dangerous assassin in the world?”

If you’re only looking for the actual life story of the king of parody music, you won’t find any thing resembling that with Weird. If you’re OK with a zany fanfic version of Weird Al’s early heyday in the ’80s penned by the man himself and director Eric Appel, then one can have an extremely fun time with Weird

The story follows Yankovic (Daniel Radliffe) growing up in an repressive household, only to pick up the accordion, start replacing lyrics in popular songs with funny ones, and eventually becoming the biggest recording star of all-time (yes, in the fanta sy world of Weird, Yankovic is someone who can sell out Madison Square Garden for 25 straight nights and is far more successful than the acts he parodies). Along the way Al gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood), portrayed as a fiery jezebel who will do anything for money and power.

While making fun of the exhaustingly tropey genre that is musical biopics isn’t a novel idea, the approach Weird takes maximizes the silliness. The wonderfully satirical Walk Hard broke down the cliches extremely well, almost winking at the audience every time it over-the-top mocked an overwrought trope like childhood trauma (in Walk Hard’s case, one’s brother getting sawed in half). Comparatively, Weird sort of goes through all the traditional beats as if it were a serious musical biopic, but fills all those beats with truly absurd things that the characters treat as totally

In the world of Weird, instead of the “intro duction to drugs” biopic scene, Al gets taken to a high school party… only to find out it’s literally a polka party, where all the teens know the names of polka greats, some girls are in Bavarian polka outfits, and he gets peer pressured into play ing the accordion in front of his peers. Director Appel never allows the characters to have a self-aware moment of how strange all these oc currences are, which allows the zaniness to only ramp up as the film progresses.

The lack of seriousness in every aspect of the film carries over to the actors, who seem to be having a total blast with the campy lunacy the script offers. Radcliffe devours the titular role with an appropriately misplaced solemnity — as if he were an actor in an Oscar-bait role. This only heightens the humor when the highs are treating the writing of “My Balogna” like divine inspiration and the lows find him in Jim Morrisonlike drunken stupor, about to “whip it out” on stage… his accordion, that is. Wood is a treat as the over-the-top manipulative Madonna, who desperately wants Al to parody one of her songs so she can become a bigger star. She essentially acts as the devil on Yankovic’s shoulder, leading to kidnap pings, drug cartels and other shenanigans.

The film is also a cameo smorgasbord, espe cially for comedy nerds. In one scene, comedy disc jockey Dr. Demento (Rainn Wilson) invites Al over for a backyard pool party jam-packed with famous faces playing iconic stars from the era — what good ’80s pool party wouldn’t include Andy Warhol, Alice Cooper, Pee Wee Herman, Elton John, Wolfman Jack, Gallagher, Divine and Salvador Dalí, after all?

Weird certainly will hit home more with Weird Al devotees, as it’s littered with references to his catalog and career, but the sheer comedic commitment should still land with a broader audience. It’s fitting that a man who spent his illustrious career replacing words in songs for comedic effect would also be eager to replace the facts of his life to get even more laughs.

A silly made-up romp, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story eschews actual biopic territory

WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY

Not Rated

Directed by Eric Appel

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood Streaming on Roku

Daniel Radcliffe has a blast as the king of musical parody.

Maria Full of Grace

Portland’s MAITA has channeled a perpetual longing into one of the best indie rock albums of 2022

BY SETH SOMMERFELD

“One should either be sad or joyful. Content ment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.” This line comes from legendary play wright Eugene O’Neill’s Marco Millions, but it could just as easily be pulled from a hyperliterate review of MAITA’s new album, I Just Want To Be Wild For You

The record finds the Portland indie rock band’s namesake Maria Maita-Keppeler yearning. What exactly she’s yearning for varies over the course of the LP’s 11 tracks, which only makes her singer/songwriter dexterity shine brighter.

“That is definitely my bread and butter — figuring out a moment of yearning and then trying to write about it,” says Maita-Keppeler. “It’s the same as with any other plot. If you think about a book or a play or scene, noth ing’s really happening unless a character wants some thing. There’s a desire that’s trying to be fulfilled. And I feel the same way about songwriting and about emotion.”

“The moments that I’m most inspired by are when there’s desire,” she continues. “And I think that desire only exists in the presence of absence or distance. So those are the moments that I feel the most like writing about. When I feel very content, I don’t feel particularly like I need to write about it.”

While the seeds were there on the band’s contem plative 2020 Kill Rock Stars debut album Best Wishes, MAITA flowers into full bloom on I Just Want To Be Wild For You. Maita-Keppeler’s razor-sharp songwriting can’t be

easily pinned down. The retro smokey, loungey creep of “Loneliness” captures the feeling of not fully wanting to take a person back, but longing for that lost sense of com fort. There are moments of desire for sheer release, like the outro coda on “Ex-Wife”: “Someday I’ll drive to the ocean and scream.” She can craft a cleverly biting, tonguein-cheek “love” song about her smartphone (“Light of My Life (Cell Phone Song)”) or peel back layers of faded distance to turn a fingerpicking meditation into an anthem pining for a return to wild passion (“Wild For You”).

From her viewpoint, Maita-Keppeler is particularly pleased with how the two-part song “You Can Sure Kill a Sunday, Part I & II” came out. The back-to-back tunes tell both sides of the same clashing relationship — one a hyper indie rocker about overthinking, the other a slow twangy ode to trying.

“I’ve really, really loved playing the songs live because I feel like they truly represent the full range of what we do as a band. It’s like the loudest, most crazy rock and roll moments with this very sensitive side,” she says.

“From the beginning, I knew this was going to be a two-part song, that was just the impetus behind wanting to write either of these in the first place — just to repre sent two views of something that seems very innocuous. The fight was not an important fight by any means. It wasn’t created over any large, important reason. It was just a miscommunication or some friction that became bigger and grew and got legs. I just thought it was really

interesting to explore the same day from two perspec tives, and I knew that that’s how it was going to be, and it allowed me to really try to think of the two opposing perspectives, both in like viewpoint but also in energy.”

While Maita-Keppeler excels at songwriting when she’s singing from the perspective of a character seemingly distant from herself, she still must find an empathetic and emotional connection to what she’s writing about. It’s tough for her to write unless the songs come somewhat naturally, and she’s not oblivious to being the narrator hiding behind the various lyrical masks.

“At the end of the day, you are really only able to write from your own perspective,” Maita-Keppeler says. “So even if you think you’re embodying somebody else, it is still your eyes and your ears that are processing everything. So what I think ended up happening was that both [“You Sure Can Kill a Sunday”] songs do capture things that I experienced inside of my brain, but they’re just different sides of [me].”

Listening to I Just Want To Be Wild For You’s “Road Song,” which dwells on the strain of the touring routine (with a refrain of “we just wake up, drive, get to the bar, drink / talk to strangers, soundcheck, try to sing, try to sleep”), one might come away with the impression that Maita-Keppeler loathes the musical road life. But when chatting about the topic without instrumental backing,

INDIE ROCK

Get floored by MAITA. TRISTAN PAIIGE PHOTO

she’s thrilled I Just Want to Be Wild for You songs are translating live (she was apprehensive they wouldn’t) and much more enthused about making the towns.

Perhaps that’s in part because the arrival of Best Wishes in May 2020 naturally meant touring was a pan demic no-go, an undoubt edly frustrating experience when one’s debut LP is gar nering praise. MAITA wasn’t even able to play shows east of the Rockies until this sum mer, so the rush of meeting fresh fans helped sweeten the touring experience, even as the live music landscape has become increasingly difficult for independent artists over the past couple years.

“I do think there is still a lot of apprehension,” Maita-Keppeler says. “I think it’s a really hard time to be a musician right now — there’s a lot of people touring, and not as many people going to shows. But I feel really, really fortunate that the fans that do show up to the show, are really sweet and great people, and the connection they have with the music is very genuine, sometimes in a way that surprises me. And I find that no matter how big or small the crowd, knowing that there’s even one person in the crowd that feels that way makes me want to make the show matter to me and makes me want to do the very best we can to play re ally well.”

It’s not easy out there. The yearning will never fully dissipate. But as author Merle Shain once wrote, “One often learns more from 10 days of agony than 10 years of contentment.”

So maybe it’s not just yearning. On I Just Want to Be Wild for You, MAITA is learning. n

MAITA, Atari Ferrari • Fri, Nov. 4 at 8 pm • $10$12 • 21+ • Lucky You Lounge • 1801 W. Sunset Blvd. • luckyyoulounge. com • 509-474-0511

MAITA, Desolation Horse • Sat, Nov. 5 at 8 pm • $12$15 • All ages • Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse • 420 E Second St., Moscow • eventbrite.com

Living Well in the Inland Northwest

Health HomeFood Family People

To advertise in the next issue, contact: advertising@inlander.com 509.325.0634 ext. 215

FINANCE FOR OLDER ADULTS

FREE WEBINAR

If you or a loved one are considering senior living, we know the financial aspect can be overwhelming.

Sullivan Park Assisted Living Community can help you navigate the financial uncertainty and anxiety surrounding senior living with a free webinar on Tuesday, November 29 at 3 pm Pacific time hosted by Emily Schwarz, Vice President of Sales for Elderlife Financial Services.

Sign up for the free webinar at prestigecanhelp.com For more about our community and resources, call (509) 924-5555.

Sullivan Park Assisted Living Community 421 South Adams Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99216 prestigecare.com/sullivanpark

ROCK THE SMASHING PUMPKINS

J

J

RECOMMENDS

ALL AGES SHOW

Thursday, 11/3

CHECKERBOARD TAPROOM, Weathered Shepherds

SHOW

POP POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

The late-’80s/early-’90s alt-rock boom still survives, as this bill makes evidently clear. Led by the mercurial Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins created some of the era’s most indelible hits that still completely hold up decades later (“1979,” “Bullet with But terfly Wings,” “Tonight Tonight,” etc.). Jane’s Addiction started out as edgy outsider artists only to take that freaky style mainstream with the Lollapalooza festival and tunes like “Jane Says” and “Been Caught Stealing.” (Make sure to show up early, as the show’s opener, Poppy, serves up a sugar-coated metalcore spectacle.)

— SETH SOMMERFELD

The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, Poppy • Wed, Nov. 9 at 6:30 pm • $49-$779 • All Ages • Spokane Arena • 720 W. Mallon Ave. • spokanearena.com

CHINOOK STEAK, PASTA & SPIRITS, Kosh

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Kosh

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Steven King

THE MASON JAR, November Open Mic

J QQ SUSHI & KITCHEN, Just Plain Darin

ZOLA, Desperate8s

Friday, 11/4

BACKWOODS WHISKEY BAR, John Pitcher

THE BEE’S KNEES WHISKEY BAR, Pamela Benton: StringzOnFire!

J THE BIG DIPPER, Paloma, Carmen Jane

BIGFOOT PUB, Whack A Mole

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Karma’s Circle

CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Steve Livingston

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Carli Osika

CURLEY’S, The Happiness

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Steven King

IRON HORSE (CDA), Pastiche

JOHN’S ALLEY, Biddadat and General Mojos

J LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, MAITA, Atari Ferrari

MOOSE LOUNGE, Haze

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Chasing Eos

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Son of Brad

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Scott Taylor and the Endless Switchbacks

J PONDEROSA BAR AND GRILL, Mel Dalton

THE RIDLER PIANO BAR, Just Plain Darin

Saturday, 11/5

219 LOUNGE, B Radicals

BACKWOODS WHISKEY BAR, The Black Jack Band, John Pitcher

J THE BIG DIPPER, Blistered Earth

BIGFOOT PUB, Whack A Mole

BOLO’S BAR & GRILL, Karma’s Circle

CHALICE BREWING CO., Son of Brad CHAN’S RED DRAGON ON THIRD, Tuck Foster

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, Carli Osika

CURLEY’S, The Happiness

J DAVENPORT GRAND HOTEL, Steven King

J J GABRIEL’S GUITARS, Gabriel’s Guitars: Grand Opening

IRON HORSE (CDA), Pastiche

JOHN’S ALLEY, Hardwood Heart

J KNITTING FACTORY, Chelsea Cutler, Ayokay, Arden Jones

J LEBANON RESTAURANT & CAFÉ, Safar

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Hot Club of Spokane

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Tryone Wells, Brendan James

MOOSE LOUNGE, Haze

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE (CDA CASINO), Chasing Eos

OSPREY RESTAURANT & BAR, Echo Elysium

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Brad Keeler

J PONDEROSA BAR AND GRILL, Okay, Honey

J J UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF THE PALOUSE, MAITA, Desolation Horse

ZOLA, Blake Braley

Sunday, 11/6

CURLEY’S, Into the Drift Duo

J DAVENPORT GRAND HOTEL, Steven King

To be honest, “Here’s a popular song you know, but it’s covered in a different style!” has become an oversaturated wasteland on YouTube. But back when arranger/pianist Scott Bradlee founded Postmodern Jukebox back in 2011, the concept was still novel. By taking modern pop hits and figuring out how they’d sound as jazz standards, swing tunes and other pre-’70s retro genres, Postmodern Jukebox became an internet sensation. Who isn’t at least a little curious about what it sounds like when you mix Billie Eilish with tango, the White Stripes with New Orleans jazz, Harry Styles with ’60s jazz lullabies, Radiohead with vintage soul or Taylor Swift with Motown? While plenty of fly-by-night content creators have followed in their footsteps, the skilled musicians of Postmodern Jukebox still deliver nostalgia fusion better than anyone else.

— SETH SOMMERFELD

Postmodern Jukebox • Sun, Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm • $20-$30 • All ages • Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox • 1001 W. Sprague Ave. • foxtheaterspokane.org

Tuesday, 11/8

JOHN’S ALLEY, Jeff Crosby

J KNITTING FACTORY, Machine Head

LITZ’S PUB & EATERY, Shuffle Dawgs

J J BONES MUSICLAND, As You Are: Aspen Kye, Yester Isle

J J MARTIN WOLDSON THEATER

AT THE FOX, Postmodern Jukebox

J SOUTH HILL GRILL, Just Plain Darin

J J WASHINGTON CRACKER CO. BUILDING, Vote for Survival Fest

Monday, 11/7

BABY BAR, Nicholas Merz, BaLonely, The Moon

J THE BIG DIPPER, The Ongoing Concept, Fallstar, The Undertaking!, Meadows

RED ROOM LOUNGE, Open Mic Night

LUCKY YOU LOUNGE, Glen Phillips

ZOLA, Brittany’s House

Wednesday, 11/9

J HISTORIC DAVENPORT HOTEL, Steven King

J PEND D’OREILLE WINERY, Dwayne Parsons

RED ROOM LOUNGE, The Roomates

SOUTH PERRY LANTERN, Pat Sim mons

J J SPOKANE ARENA, The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, Poppy

ZOLA, Runaway Lemonade

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

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

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

CRUISERS

CURLEY’S

EICHARDT’S PUB

208-263-4005

FIRST INTERSTATE

FOX THEATER

1001

509-624-1200

IRON HORSE

IRON

JOHN’S

KNITTING

LEFTBANK

LUCKY

DRINK BRAG(GOT) ABOUT IT

Spokane’s craft brewers always have something creative brew ing, literally and figuratively. Beyond the hop-forward IPAs most of us know and love, these folks are regularly whipping up new concoctions in order to stand out from one another and offer something refreshing and new to fellow beer nerds. Take braggots, for example, a honey-infused beer (its cousin mead, meanwhile, is made with just fermented honey and water) with ancient origins that are the focus of this annual, one-day event hosted by Bellwether. The North Spokane brewery has been making braggots and other styles inspired by medieval brewing techniques since opening back in 2015. Alongside a whopping 10 different braggots by Bellwether’s team, a dozen other breweries with honeyed creations fea tured at the fest include For The Love of God, YaYa, Natural 20, Mountain Lakes, Hop Chaos and Humble Abode.

— CHEY SCOTT

Braggotfest 2022 • Sat, Nov. 5 from 1-10 pm • $25 • Bell wether Brewing Co. • 2019 N. Monroe St. • facebook.com/ bellwetherbrewing

WORDS ORC-HESTRATING ROMANCE

You might know Travis Baldree as the audiobook narrator behind Will Wight’s Cradle series. Or perhaps from his TikTok videos. Either way, Baldree’s debut novel, Legends & Lattes, is the warmhearted, D&D-esque fantasy book that you didn’t know you needed. The book’s protagonist, a barbarian orc named Viv, is hanging up her sword after years of promoting bloodshed. She’s done raising hell, and she’s ready to open her own coffee shop. Follow Liv as she embarks on a new journey to realize her full potential and learn a bit about herself along the way. Meet with Baldree and celebrate this new novel of high fantasy and low stakes at Auntie’s this Mon day. The new paperback edition of the book, available for preorder, features a special, never-before-seen bonus story.

— MADISON PEARSON

Travis Baldree: Legends & Lattes • Mon, Nov. 7 at 7 pm • Free, RSVP required • Auntie’s Bookstore • 402 W. Main Ave. • aunties books.com • 509-838-0206

COMMUNITY YOUR RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT

You’ve received your ballot in the mail. Now what? Opening your midterm election ballot can be intimidating if you haven’t exactly kept up with recent political happenings, but this local event is trying to eliminate that problem. With ample local organizations in attendance and a plethora of resources at their disposal, voters are going to walk out of the Voting for Survival Fest feeling more informed and more confident. Play ballot bingo, win prizes, step into the photobooth, and listen to live music all day while engag ing with activists and nonprofits dedicated to voter education. There’s even a kids zone, because it’s never too early to become an informed voter and learn how to actively participate in the democratic process.

— MADISON PEARSON

Voting for Survival Fest • Sun, Nov. 6 from 12-9 pm • Free • Washington Cracker Co. Building • 304 W. Pacific Ave. • fb.me/e/2eY7LCR93

VISUAL ARTS NOVEMBER GEMS

Eastern Washington University’s Chris Tyllia is known for using clay to make pieces that look like gems or rocks. Similarly, he uses 3D computer modeling “to create simulated photographs of objects to further obfuscate genuine from fabricated, and question the inherent values of each,” according to his artist’s statement. Puzzle out Tyllia’s imagery (pictured) at Saranac Art Projects, where he is showing art alongside EWU colleague Lisa Nappa throughout November. Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery, meanwhile, is known for ceramics, but this month features beverage coasters made and do nated by area artists to benefit Project Lift Up, which supports local students struggling with hopelessness. A new First Friday spot to put on your list this month is Spokane Civic Theater, where artwork by former employee Peter Hardie is on display in the lobby, including some of his set design drawings.

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

First Friday • Fri, Nov. 4 from 5-8 pm • Spokane; locations vary • Details at firstfridayspokane.org

OUTDOORS DOG POWERED FUN

Even without snow on the ground, the region’s most passionate dog sledding fans are eager to get a head start on this traditionally wintertime sport. The upcoming Spokane Dirt Rondy, a two-day “dog-powered event” along the sce nic trails of Riverside State Park, is a fun twist on this time-honored sport. The annual “rondy,” or rendezvous, is hosted by the Inland Empire Sled Dog As sociation on the first weekend of November, attracting dryland “mushers” from around the region. Contestants can compete with various vehicles like carts, scooters and bicycles, and canine teams from two to eight dogs, to traverse the snowless course’s distance options ranging from 1.6 to 5.5 miles total. The lack of snow on the ground won’t stop the dogs, participants and spectators from enjoying this fun-filled race, so bundle up and see what it’s all about.

CATE WILSON

Spokane Dirt Rondy

Sat, Nov. 5 at 8:30 am and Sun, Nov. 6 at 8 am

$15-$25 • Riverside State Park, Seven Mile Airstrip • 7904 W. Missoula St.,

Mile Falls

iesda.org

I SAW YOU

HOOAH DELIVERY GUY Bummed you’re gonna be gone on assignment for a while and not delivering to me. Maybe when you come back you can show me your lime green truck. Don’t die. ;)

CHEERS

PURPLE HAIRED LADY My car died in the middle of the intersection on 29th and Lincoln, and you and your kiddo stopped to make sure I was OK and stayed with me so I wouldn’t be alone. I didn’t get to sincerely thank you like I wish I could have. Just in a panic, I left so quickly after that guy jumped my car. But you saved me from a breakdown, and I appreciate you so so so much! It’s people like you who make me still have hope. Your kid has someone real special raising them.

A LITTLE KINDNESS GOES A LONG WAY

Thank you again, Josh of the silver Silverado in the parking lot of the Safeway at Trent and Argonne on Oct. 24. When you took time out of your day to help get my Crosstrek battery going again, your compassion did more than help me get on my way in a warm car — it gave me a sliver of hope for humanity at a dark time. It had been a difficult and sad day, and your random act of kindness felt like a bit of grace when I most needed some.

Hooray for the Orange Boy and His Minions Let’s hear it for T. Smiley and her efforts to keep America great. TS is showing us we

don’t need honesty and integrity to keep America great. We don’t need people in our leadership that have an understanding of economics. Let’s go back to the good old days when we didn’t have Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. Back to the days when the Ohio River would catch fire. Back to the days of lynchings and burning down businesses of non-whites. America will be great if we just do what the orange boy from New York City and his minions like TS tells us to do.

VOTE INFORMED Cheers to democracy! As Americans we have the privilege of electing our government officials. Vote informed! Read the platforms for every candidate in each party. Make sure you understand what they are proposing. Get out a dictionary if you have to. If you feel the other party’s candidate is more qualified. it’s OK to vote for them. Your vote may be anonymous, but it is still influential.

WARM RESPONSE IN OUR HISTORIC

NEIGHBORHOOD Yesterday a friend and I went door to door advocating for the Historical Cannon Streetcar initiative votes.

I was so impressed with the response of my neighbors. I am often reluctant to open my door to someone unfamiliar. We were greeted by everyone with smiles and warm conversations. I love this beautiful historic neighborhood and am so proud of the wonderful people that live here. Thank you to my neighbors who were so welcoming and generous with their time.

JEERS

RADICALS OR RACIST? I’m not going stand by and let Cathy McMorris Rodgers get away with her obviously racial ad where CMR calls two ethnically dressed females “radicals.” This political ad is so un-American yet blatantly exhibits the true nature of this candidate and obviously her constituents. Why the local TV stations agreed, financially to show this abhorrent ad is almost unbelievable.

A TIFF SHY ON HER GRASP OF ISSUES “Do you believe ME and my husband are a threat to democracy?” I object to having someone representing my state who does not grasp proper grammar rules. I am so embarrassed for her. But the real red flag is that she does not understand the complexity of the issues. When asked about the climate, “My agenda for economic recovery calls for immediately unleashing our natural gas

and oil pipelines.” This is NOT a climate approach. Most grade school kids could tell you increased use of fossil fuels does real harm to the environment. The last thing we need is someone rolling back hard won progress we’ve made to protect our climate. Let alone someone who can’t talk real good and comes across as an angry ignorant Karen. Tiffany, go do some

(against a man you admit had violent and just generally jerky tendencies) and you compare him to another candidate who stated [somebody should kill a deputy’s ex-wife]. Candidate defending his wife vs. candidate who “joked” he wants someone to kill [someone else’s] ex-wife. Badly done to try to make them seem equally problematic.

away with as a business! Here we are living in the second-fattest country in the world, according to some research, and we provide scooters to mostly kids that some other research has stated are the most out of shape of ANY generation. Walking across the pedestrian bridge, the only one open as the other languishes in forever repair, down from the condos on the Northside of

reading and try to make yourself better informed before you open your mouth.

RE: CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS Trust me these a**holes will be coming for your birth control, Social Security and Medicare next. Meanwhile they’ll give another tax break to the wealthy. And this coward will go along with anything they put to a vote. Vote for anyone but her.

MAELSTROM ON THE RADAR If the polls are accurate, sane and rational Americans in practically every state will have to shelter in place to survive the results of the 2022 election. Perhaps our only hope is that a horrible maelstrom WILL be unleashed when hordes of Trump puppets are voted into office. Maybe this is what it will take for an Appalled Majority to rise up and turn back the red tide. Unfortunately, the question for now is whether the next two years will be the end or a new beginning for American Democracy.

JUST STOP! Our biennial political hack claims she kept the schools open. The Teachers and Staff who did were vilified, harassed and threatened at school and home. She claims she supports the Police except the five dead and 140 wounded Capitol Police. Our local columnist hack wants morality taught in schools. Look no further than worshipping at the Altar of the Reputin Party of Trump.

DEPUTY DELINQUENCY Your article talking about the candidates for sheriff was poorly done. You implied both candidates were problematic. Then you went on to compare a candidate zealously defending his wife

SCARY POLITICS Cathy McMorris, your TV ad is disheartening. You claim you want to import energy from Russia and China. Russia who started a war with Ukraine and has killed thousands of innocent people; they even bombed a school and a hospital. And China has been trying to see if they can get a nuclear weapon to reach the U.S. Maybe you should rethink your platform, Russia and China are not our allies, they were Trump’s.

YOUR IGNORANCE (AND TERRIBLE PARENTING) IS SHOWING It was Sunday, the last official day of the Spokane County Interstate Fair. My son and I get in (a super long) line for the very first ride he chooses. He says he likes the loud music they play during the ride and it “even goes backwards!” It’s about 1 pm or so, and the sun’s beaming right down on us. Then here you (and your 2 sons) come after just getting off of the same ride we’re waiting in line for. You clearly know the woman a few people ahead of us in line and you start chatting with her while your sons go to the back of the line. You then make some sort of agreement about your son going with her and her daughter as you call him up to you. My son (the curious 8-year-old patiently waiting his turn in line) watched this whole thing go down and his shoulders slouch a bit, and he shakes his head ever so lightly. He was bummed out that you just cut us in line. You should take some parenting classes.

SCOOTER PLAGUE Those friggin scooters cluttering/blocking our sidewalks — polluting our river! Why does Spokane allow that kind of detrimental situation that NO civilian company could ever get

the river, one surveys the wonderful water sounds so peaceful to hear. BUT one sees one more (of the many) scooter thrown into the water. Aren’t those scooters tracked? You’re telling me that as lazy as the general public is that after someone has just walked away without ANY thought as to putting it out of the walkway someone else just picks it up — they look kind of heavy — and launches it into the river? The person that just rode it must be on some sort of record? That would be a nice place to start with the retrieval costs. Would kind of make people think twice about wanting their name on the use record if they knew they would get a second bill for pulling their just rode scooter out of river. But that would cut into the envelope amounts on Friday, and we can’t have that! n

NOTE: I Saw You/Cheers & Jeers is for adults 18 or older. The Inlander reserves the right to edit or reject any posting at any time at its sole discretion and assumes

COMEDY

JOHN CAPARULO “Cap” has appeared on The Late Late Show and Chelsea Late ly. Nov. 3, 7:30 pm, Nov. 4-5, 7:30 & 10:30 pm. $18-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

BEFORE IT’S IN THEATRES An all-im provised version of a movie based off of the promo trailer. Fri at 7:30 pm through Nov. 25. $8. Blue Door Theatre, 815 W. Garland Ave. bluedoortheatre.com

KENAN THOMPSON’S ULTIMATE COM

EDY EXPERIENCE A comedy contest to find the best comedian in the state. Nov. 9, 8:30 pm. $20-$30. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedy club.com (509-318-9998)

JASON MEWES The actor, podcaster and stand-up comedian isbest known for playing Jay of Jay and Silent Bob. Nov. 10-11, 7:30 & 10:30 pm. $25-$35. Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague. spokanecomedyclub.com

HASAN MINAJ The stand-up comedian performs for WSU Fall Family Weekend. Nov. 11, 8 am-10 pm. $70-$75. Beasley Coliseum, 925 NE Fairway Rd. beasley. wsu.edu (509-335-3525)

COMMUNITY

FALL HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW A craft show with holiday wares. Nov. 5,-6, 9 am. Free. Shadle Park High School, 4327 N. Ash St. shadleparkboosters.com

FALL INTO PERRY A celebration of the South Perry District with a raffle, ven dors, specials and live music. Nov. 5, 11 am-7 pm. fb.me/e/1Y4De1v6a

INLAND NW TOY SHOW CLASSIC The show includes over 75 exhibitors selling collectable vintage toys. Children 12 and under free. Nov. 5, 9 am-4 pm. $5-$10. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. spokanecounty.org

FAMILIES & POLITICS WORKSHOP Learn how to preserve family bonds while staying true to your personal and political values. Registration encour aged. Nov. 6, 2-4:30 pm. Free. Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburgh St. spo kanelibrary.org (509-444-5300)

FRIENDS OF PALISADES ANNUAL MEETING Topics discussed include the future of Spokane parks and the Open Space master plan. Nov. 6, 3 pm. Free. John A. Finch Arboretum, 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. friendsofpalisades.com

SPA HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS Celebrate those who’ve con tributed significantly to the preserva tion of Spokane’s cultural heritage. Nov. 6, 6 pm. Free. Montvale Event Center, 1017 W. First. spokanepreservation.org

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT The Spokane County Courthouse is illuminated green to support military veterans and raise awareness about challenges that veter ans face. This event includes the post ing of the colors, a keynote speech and a meet-and-greet with Spokane Indians mascot, KC the KC-135 tanker. Nov. 7, 4-6 pm. Free. Spokane County Courthouse, 1100 W. Mallon. spokanecounty.org

YWCA SPOKANE: DOMESTIC VIO LENCE ACTION MONTH Programming to increase awareness about the preva lence of domestic violence in our com munity, inspire action that is focused on creating lasting change and encourage community-wide participation. Upcom ing sessions on Nov. 7, 9-0, 14, 16-17. Free. ywcaspokane.org

GETTING REAL ABOUT HOMELESS NESS IN SPOKANE Gavin Cooley, Ben Stuckart and Chris Patterson discuss how Spokane can learn from the fail ures and successes of other US cities and make significant progress toward reducing homelessness. Nov. 8, 6-7 pm. Free. Central Library, 906 W. Main Ave. spokanelibrary.org (509-444-5308)

FILM

TOTALLY TUBULAR TUESDAY A weekly screening of a throwback film. Tuesday sat 7 pm. $2.50. Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. garlandtheater.com

AMELIE Presented by the Moscow Film Society as part of their “That’s Amore” series. Nov. 9, 7-9 pm. $7. The Kenwor thy, 508 S. Main St. kenworthy.org

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA From his hideout beneath a 19th century Paris opera house, the brooding Phantom schemes to get closer to Christine Daae. Nov. 9, 7 pm. $5. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. panida.org (208-263-9191)

MATCHSTICK PRODUCTIONS SKI

MOVIE: ANYWHERE FROM HERE Ex plore a world of opportunities through the eyes of a 12-year-old freestyle phenomenon. Nov. 10, 7-8:30 pm. $10. Gonzaga Hemmingson Center, 702 E. Desmet Ave. matchstickpro.com/skitour

FOOD

SILVER OAK CELLARS WINE DINNER Silver Oak’s award-winning wines are artfully paired with an exclusive, sixcourse menu by Beverly’s culinary team. Nov. 3, 6-9 pm. $225. Beverly’s, 115 S. Second St. beverlyscda.com

GNOCCHI COOKING CLASS Commellini Estate’s executive chef teaches how to create gnocchi from potatoes. Nov. 4 and 5, 6:30 pm. $75. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr. commellini.com

PIONEER DAY CELEBRATION A dinner of beef stroganoff with noodles and green beans with bacon. Nov. 5, 5:30 pm-midnight. $25. German American Hall, 25 W. Third Ave. germanamerican society-spokane.org (509-954-6964)

POWDERKEG BREW FESTIVAL This festival includes 40+ varieties of local brews and ciders to sample while shop ping the Inlander Winter Party vendor show. Nov. 11, 4-9 pm and Nov. 12, 10 am-7 pm. $10-$12. Spokane Convention Center, 202 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. win terparty.inlander.com (509-279-7000)

MUSIC

NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE FALL JAZZ CONCERT The NIC Jazz Ensemble and Cardinal Voices perform fall music se lections. Nov. 3, 7:30 pm. Free. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave. (208-769-3276)

SYMPHONY OUT & ABOUT WITH MEA GAN GILLIS An evening at Spark Central with timpanist Meagan Gillis. Nov. 3, 7-8 pm. Free. Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy. spark-central.org

THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS: LED ZEPPELIN IV The group recreates the album Led Zeppe lin IV live in its entirety. Nov. 4, 8 pm. $25-$32. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. bingcrosbytheater.com

CONSERVATORY CONCERT SERIES: EVENING IN THE GARDENS OF SPAIN Matthew Goodrich performs a selec tion of Spanish piano music in Little

Carnegie Hall with special guest Melody Puller. Nov. 4, 7 pm. $15-$30. Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, 110 Main St. sandpointconservatory.org

WASHINGTON-IDAHO SYMPHONY A performance spotlighting composer and Fullbright Scholar-in-Residence Yii Kah Hoe and WIS principal horn Martin King. Nov. 5, 7:30 pm. $10-$25. Univer sity of Idaho Administration Building, 851 Campus Dr. wa-idsymphony.org

SPOKANE SYMPHONY POPS 2: JOHN WILLIAMS’ 90TH BIRTHDAY The show features music from Williams’ most popular movie soundtracks, including Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and more. Nov. 5, 7:30 pm. Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. spokanesymphony.org

JAZZ COMBO CONCERT Multiple stu dent jazz combos perform blues, bebop, fusion and R&B music. Nov. 7, 7:30-9 pm. Free. Kimbrough Music Building, WSU Pullman. music.wsu.edu

EWU COMPOSERS FORUM CONCERT A concert featuring various student com posers. directed by Jonathan Middleton. Nov. 8, 7:30 pm. Free. EWU Music Build ing Recital Hall, Cheney. ewu.edu/music

GATHERING OF THE BANDS This con cert features performances by local middle school musicians led by director Dr. Gary Ciepluch. Nov. 9-10, 7 pm. Free. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave. nic.edu/music

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SPOKANE CHIEFS VS. PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS Promotional events include Boomer’s Birthday Bash. Nov. 4-5, 7:05 pm. $12-$30. Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. spokanechiefs.com

MILLWOOD BEER MILE RUN Run 1/4 of a mile then drink another beer until four are consumed. Nov. 5, 2-3:30 pm. $45. Millwood Brewing Co., 9013 E. Frederick Ave. millwoodbrewery.com

RACE TO FEED OUR VETERANS This 10th annual 5k winds through Riverside Memorial Park. All proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels Spokane. A Nov. 6, 10 am. $25. Riverside Memorial Park, 211 N. Government Way. mowspokane.org

INLANDER WINTER PARTY Kick off winter with resorts, retailers, factory representatives and winter-related ven dors. Nov. 11, 4-9 pm and Nov. 12, 10 am-7 pm. $10-$12. Spokane Convention Center, 202 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. win terparty.inlander.com (509-279-7000)

THEATER

EXILE A retired military man returns home for his high school reunion. ThuSat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm through Nov. 6. $10-$25. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. spokanecivictheatre.com

CABARET A provocative gender-bend ing musical set during a political move ment threatening basic freedoms. Nov. 4-5, 7:30 pm; and Nov. 6, 2 pm. $10-$22. Hartung Theater, 875 Perimeter Dr. ui daho.edu/theatre

DRACULA The Count and his loyal band of groupies set their sights on London. Nov. 4-6 and 11-13; daily at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $10-$15. The Kenworthy, 508 S. Main St. moscowcommunitytheatre.org

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES A jukebox musical comedy based on the

book by Roger Bean. Nov. 4-5, 7 pm. $20. Chewelah Center for the Arts, 405 N. Third. chewelahcenterforthearts.com

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Shakespeare comedy is transported to present-day New Orleans. Nov. 4-12, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $10$15. Gonzaga Magnuson Theatre, 502 E. Boone. gonzaga.edu/theatreanddance

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Montana Shakespeare in the Parks performs all 37 plays in 90 minutes. Nov. 10, 7 pm. Free. Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. panida.org DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID A mu sical version of the classic Disney film. Nov. 10-12 and 17-18 at 7 pm; Nov. 19, 2 pm. $10-$12. Ferris High School, 3020 E. 37th Ave. ferristheatrearts.com

THE NAVIGATOR Anne Morrow and Charles Lindbergh navigate life’s tri umphs and tragedies in the public eye in this collaboration between the Civic and Spokane Playwrights Laboratory. Nov. 10, 7:30 pm. By donation. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spo kanecivictheatre.com (509-325-2507)

26 PEBBLES A heartbreaking docu drama about gun violence in a small town. Nov. 11-19, Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Thu at 5 pm and Sun at 2 pm. Eastern Wash ington University, 526 Fifth St.. Cheney. ewu.edu/theatre

VISUAL ARTS

CRISTA ANN AMES: MISAPPROPRIATE MYTHOLOGIES This exhibition gives a new spin on feminine monuments and sculptures from art history. Nov. 4-26, Thu-Sat from 4-7 pm. Free. Terrain Gal lery, 728 N. Monroe. terrainspokane.com

FIRST FRIDAY Art galleries and busi nesses across Spokane host receptions to showcase new art. Nov. 4 from 5-8 pm. Free. firstfridayspokane.org.

FRANK GAIMARI An exhibition high lighting pieces from the artist’s blackand-white series. Nov. 4-30, Tue-Sat from 1-7 pm. Free. Terra Blanca Winery, 926 W. Sprague. terrablanca.com

ILDIKÓ KALAPÁCS’ STUDIO ART SALE Paintings and sculptures for sale by lo cal artist Ildikó Kalapács. Nov. 4, 5-8 pm. At 804 W. 12th Ave.ildiart.com

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT An exhibi tion of local native artists who create art around the idea of native land acknowl edgements. Nov. 4-Dec. 3; Fri from 4-7 pm, Sat from 10 am-3 pm. Free. Gon zaga University Urban Arts Center, 125 S. Stevens St. facebook.com/GUUAC

NEICY FREY: CLOUD IMMERSION

Large canvasses explore color, composi tion and subtle texture with a modern edge. Nov. 4-Jan. 1, Tue-Sun from 10 am-5 pm. $7-$12. The MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. northwestmuseum.org

MEGAN MARTENS-HAWORTH: ONE AND THE SAME Paintings, drawings, and ceramic sculptures. Gallery open by appointment from Nov. 4-30; reception Nov. 4, 5-8 pm. Free. Kolva-Sullivan Gal lery, 115 S. Adams St. tracksidestudio.net

ORNAMENT & SMALL WORK SHOW

This annual show features small art and ornaments by local artists. Nov. 4-Dec. 23, Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm, Sat from 10 am-4 pm. Free. Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland. spokaneartschool.net

PETER HARDIE Landscape paintings of Spokane. Nov. 4, 5-8 pm. Free. Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St. spo kanecivictheater.com n

Bazaar Day In Cheney

Is Back Live

Saturday, November 5th Five Churches to Visit!!

Congregational Church 9am - 1pm Soup Lunch, Raffle, Baked Goods 423 N 6th Street

Church of the Nazarene 10am - 4pm Gifts, Crafts, and Food 338 Betz Rd

Emmanuel Lutheran Church 9am - 3pm Property Liquidation. Everything must go 639 Elm Street

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 9am - 2pm Crafts, Baked Goods, Gift Items 460 N 5th Street

United Methodist Church 9am - 1pm Crafts, Gift Shop, Baked Goods, Cookie Bar, Raffle 204 4th Street (4th & G)

A

TO YOUR

Inlander

From Spokane to Albuquerque

A longtime Spokane cannabis retailer expands south for the lounges, reusable packages and low taxes

BY WILL MAUPIN

With three locations around Spokane, Cinder has long been one of the region’s most prominent cannabis retailers. Last month, the company opened a fourth store in a city distant from the Inland Northwest: Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Inlander spoke with owner Justin Peterson and Chief Operating Officer Ted Robinson about the differences between the market in New Mexico and the market here in Washington. Their responses have been edited for clarity and length.

INLANDER: What was it about New Mexico, and Albuquerque specifically, that you found attractive?

PETERSON: I lived there for a year in the ’80s, so I thought it’d be great to go back, but the other big piece was in Washington we have limitations. Although we were the first state along with Colorado to come online, there were a lot of heavy limitations put on us where we’re not able to sell things that aren’t related to cannabis in the stores. New Mexico had a much broader approach. We’re allowed to sell anything except for alcohol.

Are there any other major differences between the regulations here compared to in New Mexico?

ROBINSON: In Washington, we’re barred from participating in the full spectrum of the industry. The

long-term view in the industry is that the multistate operators that are vertically integrated are the ones that are going to survive because they’re controlling their production and quality coming into their stores.

PETERSON: Their tax structure [in New Mexico] is significantly more lax. Their taxes are 12 percent currently, compared to our 37 percent. Another big piece that they allow is consumption lounges. I think that’s a huge thing. People want to be social, people want to go out, you know?

If you could pick one thing from New Mexico to be implemented in Washington, what would it be?

PETERSON: The ability to do bulk. They do what they call deli style where there’s a bulk display of unpackaged product. Somebody can come in and order $30 worth of a strain. Down there we’re able to use reusable bags and containers. It gives people the exact weight right then and there so that people aren’t questioning, “Is this exactly 3.5 grams?” It is a huge reduction in packaging.

ROBINSON: Coming back to the vertical integra tion, we’re able to launch another company down in New Mexico outside of our retail stores, Cinder Indus tries, which is a packaging and production company. We’re controlling quality, we’re controlling the product selection, we’re taking a middle person out of that transaction. n

SHOP LOCAL

Employee Sammy Jefferson at the downtown Spokane Cinder CHIANA McINELLY PHOTO

RCW

Senate Bill

HB0001 Initiative

State

preempt

possessing, using, distributing and

under federal

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 intox icating effects; there may be health risks as sociated 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

consult the Washington State

Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.

NOTE TO READERS

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