Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Blog

See It. Snap It. Win! - A Photo Contest

Mark Baker, CTA — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:13:02 -0700

Let's face it, we all like to win. I would like to win the lottery. I also make an effort to follow companies that give things away. I like raffles, Costco samples and especially free t-shirts. The only problem with my personal mission to win things is that I don't often win. Sad. Lucky for you, the odds in our See it. Snap it. Win! photo contest are in YOUR favor. The more creativity and personality you have, the more likely for you to be selected as a winner!

Here are a couple we like:

Here's how it works:
Send us up to five of your favorite photos from your most recent visit to the Spokane area, or if you prefer a video, send us a one minute max video clip with a narrative talking about why this is your favorite spot. Make sure to write a short blurb with around 50 words or less talking about your experience.

Make sure to include:

Your pictures or video (or both if you are super motivated)
Short blurb describing your experience
Your name
When you took the picture and where
Names of everyone in the photos/videos
Where you are from
Your address (so we can send you your prize)
Checked and signed terms and conditions text (located at the end of this post)

*Hint-showcasing excellent customer service as part of your experience will definitely help us in the judging process!

Purpose:
We want to use your photos and videos in our 13th Annual Inland Northwest Tourism Awards. We host the awards to recognize the region's tourism professionals for what they do and how it contributes to the amazing experience our visitors love to talk about. In a sense, your submitted media will be a testimonial for our professionals, showing them how they were successful in making the ultimate experience for you, the visitor, while you were here. The winning material will also be presented in a blog post showcasing your work!

Winners:
We will select a winner from each of these categories:

Outrageous Outdoors-pictures and a story showcasing a beautiful hike, a kayak trip, a mountain biking adventure, skiing, golf or an urban park experience.
Culinary, Wine, Beer, Spirits or Nightlife-a story about a great experience including a tasty meal with fantastic customer service,
Arts and Entertainment-any experience of a concert, show, First Friday Art Walk, exhibit, museum, sports event and so on.

Prizes:
A Grand Prize winner in each category will receive a $50 gift certificate to use at either The White House Grill, Oval Office or West Wing of the White House. These are three famous restaurants in the Inland Northwest that are known for their Mediterranean cuisine and mouth watering garlic dishes. Enjoy and get to work!

Submit your work by: Friday April 20, 2012

Three ways to submit your work:

Mail it to:
Attn: Visit Spokane Destination Marketing Dept.
801 W. Riverside, Ste 301
Spokane WA, 99201

Manually:
Email them to VisitSpokane@gmail.com -be sure to put "See it. Snap it. Win! photo contest" in the subject line.

Via Flickr:
If you have a Flickr account, log in and find our group titled See it. Snap it. Win! under our account page: Visit Spokane. Or simply click on this link: See It. Snap It. Win! Flickr Group

If you do not have a Flickr account, you can create one for free at www.flickr.com or send in your photos by email or mail. Remember that we still need some of your information in order to select you as a winner. So if you decide to use Flickr, make sure and write your info in a separate email or add the necessary information within the pictures information or comment field.

Ok. Ready? Go!

Please copy and sign this text into your email, print it with your mailed submission or include it with your Flickr photos. Thanks!

Terms and Conditions: See It. Snap It. Win!

As a non-profit organization, the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau seeks to economically secure new images of the Spokane region for possible usage by the Spokane Regional CVB for non-commercial purposes in promoting Spokane and Spokane County. The photos submitted remain the property of the photographer. We reserve the right to use the submitted photographs, videos and stories to promote our region on our website, blog, social media sites and marketing campaigns.

I have read and agree to the terms, signed: _____________________

I Get To Stay in a Suite? Sweet!

Mark Baker, CTA — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:09:44 -0700

I used to work at Northern Quest, so I thought I knew exactly what to expect from their hotel. Perhaps that's why I was shocked when I opened the door to one of their suites. Let me attempt to recap the first fifteen minutes of my stay. It is Friday night and I have just received my room key.

"Enjoy your stay and please let us know what you think about your room Mr. Baker" said the reservation clerk. I put my room key into the elevator and selected the fifth floor. How cool is this? My first time staying in 4-diamond hotel and I am in a suite! I push the door open and set my bag down, time to explore the digs. This room is twice the size of my college dorm room! Nice, but where is the bed? Do they seriously expect me to sleep on a pull out! Oh I see. There are two rooms and the door is eclipsed by that crisp flat screen. I walked into the bedroom, took off my shoes and launched onto the tall bed all in one swift movement. Wow, another pair of lounge chairs. One night is not going to be enough to sit in all these chairs. The blinds are closed, so I stand up and peel back the heavy curtains. Two walls of glass from floor to the ceiling offer a nice panoramic view. I am usually enthralled by shiny things so the sunlight hitting the mirror in the bathroom garnered my attention. No, I am not a weirdo that is obsessed with bathrooms and I would never plan on being excited about one, but this bathroom is legitimately awesome. There are two massive backlit mirrors hovering over modern dual sinks. A spacious glass enclosed 8-nozzle shower with digital temperature controls next to the jetted soaking tub with luxurious spa-like toiletries will serve as the perfect station for an evening soak and a bottle of wine. For once, I felt like a king.

Those fifteen surprised and childish minutes turned into a few hours of relaxation with a bottle of wine. Then I noticed what time it was, hung up the robe and headed down to the lobby. Luckily the casino is a twenty four hour operation. I'll admit, I am not the best gambler, so I went straight to Legends of Fire to pick out a cigar from their impressive collection. For the second time, I felt like a king. After cruising the casino floor for a while I called it a night and headed back to the room. Then I did something certainly out of character. I filled out the room service menu. One breakfast wrap, a delicious egg, potato, avocado, fresh salsa and sour cream combo plus a plate of biscuits and gravy, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee all to be delivered at 7:30 simply by hanging the menu on the door.

Clearly, I have been influenced. I have always considered myself, first and foremost, a tent camper and hostel vacationer but I may find it hard to pass up the undeniable pleasantries of class and service. Bottom line, go to Northern Quest. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Nourishing Yourself with Art for Lunch

Mark Baker, CTA — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:54:28 -0700

I usually grab a sandwich, soup or nuke leftovers and eat lunch at my desk. By the time lunch rolls around I'm too immersed and on a "roll" to get up and go outside. Today I was forced out of my chair by an important errand. As I drove back to my office it dawned on me that I had a brand new membership at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. Heck, I was already in my car, so with a five minute drive I found myself nourishing my soul with art for lunch. Seeing Impressionism: Europe, America and the Northwest was just extended to March 31 which means I will be back and back and back. My eyes couldn't drink the beauty of these revolutionary painters fast enough. Renoir's The Two Sisters and sculptures of dancers by Degas cannot truly be appreciated until you've gazed upon the real thing, not just a picture online or in a book. My favorite part of the exhibit was the four miniatures by Ivan Pokitonov, a Russian Impressionist previously unknown to me. His pastoral scenes were so vividly filled with light, texture and tiny detail that I was afraid the nice security guy was going to ask me to back up. I stared at the paintings for two enriching, amazing, relaxing and wonderful minutes. What have I been doing sitting sedentary at my desk while gorgeous art waits patiently to inspire and relax my soul? I can't wait to go back.

My Spokane Coffee Survey

Mark Baker, CTA — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:06:23 -0700

I drink enough coffee to drown a moose, so I consider myself an expert consumer. For years, my favorite drink has been a dirty chai, shots of espresso poured into a chai tea latte. I have frequented many coffee shops in my search for that perfect dirty drink. I found a different flavor and experience at every stop. So last week when I walked into Brews Brothers Espresso Lounge on a friend's suggestion, I was ecstatic that I had found an epic dirty chai!
I was so excited to share my finding with the world, and frankly I was shocked at their response. I was sure everyone would like my drink of choice and would want to know where to experience it. Instead I found I was out of touch and in my own sheltered coffee world. So just for grins, I created a brief survey to expand my thinking.

What I Found

I found that virtually no one likes a dirty chai. Only 52% had even heard of a dirty chai and only 25% surveyed had tried one. Then, the most shocking of all was that 0% of my tasty test group listed the dirty chai as their favorite drink. Wow.
Aside from my personal disappointment, I did get some pretty awesome data to share. Here are some of the highlights:

97% drink coffee.
These shops rated the highest for a dirty chai:
- Atticus Coffee & Gifts
- Brews Brothers Espresso Lounge
- Thomas Hammer Coffee
- Starbucks
- Tully's
- Rocket Bakery
The most popular drinks:
- Any type of latte (the overwhelming majority)
- Americano
- Mocha
The five highest rated coffee shops in Spokane:
- Starbucks
- Atticus Coffee & Gifts
- Dutch Bros. Coffee
- Brews Brothers Espresso Lounge
- Thomas Hammer Coffee

So there you have it, a taste of how our town likes its coffee. I know that people don't drink my favorite dirty chai much, which I interpret as my taste being ahead of the curve.

If you are interested in my questions and/or you would like to take the survey, go here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L3ZYBRF

5 New Year's Eve Events For You

Mark Baker, CTA — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:13:33 -0700

This New Year's Eve, don't settle for watching the ball drop on tape delay from New York City. Come join me downtown for First Night Spokane, the biggest party around. Make sure to check out the Event Schedule and Map on the First Night website. If you enjoy music, dancing, food, art, ice skating, fireworks and comedy, grab your First Night admission button for $12 and experience 40 venues and 200 performers! If you wait, the buttons are $15 on New Year's Eve, so get one now.

If you are looking to dance in the new year, head over to the Hawaiian Dance Party at Simply Dance Studio. For $5 enjoy Salsa lessons followed by Latin dancing starting at 8:15 and continuing till1am. Simply Dance Studio is located at 820 W Sprague Ave.

For live music, a fantastic prime rib buffet and over $25,000 in prizes purchase your tickets for The Lincoln Center's Bling! In the New Year. Tickets range from $50-$100 and you must be 21 years or older only.

Start the year off right with the Spokane Symphony: New Year's Eve with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The show starts at 7:30 at the beautifully restored Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. This amazing performance was so popular last year that it sold out, so make sure to get your tickets for the whole family. Tickets are $22-$27 for adults and $16 for children.

At Northern Quest Resort and Casino, Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot! will be tearing up the stage. The show has been rocking Europe and Japan for months and has finally made it to Northern Quest for their New Year's Eve extravaganza. Tickets are $150 for the December 31st show and can be purchased from the Tickets West website or at 1-800-325-SEAT.

There you have it, five incredible events that put Spokane on your map for New Year's Eve. Come check out some of the events and feel free to tell me how I "nailed it" with 5 reasons why Spokane rocks December 31st.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping at the Flour Mill

Mark Baker, CTA — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:25:00 -0700

It's not always easy being a guy. In what I'm sure is typical guy fashion, I waited until three days before Christmas to do ALL of my shopping and for some reason, it worked out for the best. With an idea in my head and a recommendation from one savvy boss, I headed to Spokane's Flour Mill to snag some eclectic gifts for my mom. Knowing what I know now, I am ashamed that I have lived in Spokane for seven years and have never considered the Flour Mill as a gift buying option. I have been there before but I tend to be somewhat aloof when I am hungry and headed for Clinkerdagger or Queen of Sheba, so this particular experience was a surprise.
I started in Chocolate Apothecary. For those of you who have not finished shopping, I suggest you drop everything and go right now for some last minute gifts. Luckily, I was in early enough to miss the crowd and decided to indulge in a "Spicy Maya" Drinking Chocolate. This is no ordinary hot cocoa. They melt fancy chocolate chips with milk, and for the Spicy Maya that means chocolate infused with cayenne and chile. It was fantastic. I also needed a couple shots of espresso, and they gladly obliged my caffeine addiction. I hand selected an assortment of truffles which took me a good fifteen minutes as there were so many to choose from. I have an awesome picture of the ones I bought, but unfortunately I can't share it with you because my mom does read my blog posts. After leaving Chocolate Apothecary,I walked next door to The Kitchen Engine. I sometimes dream about baking, so this store struck a chord. I frothed over the fancy knife wall and the comprehensive collection of ceramic baking dishes and for a moment regretted holding the chocolate I already bought. Then I remembered my Spicy Maya experience. I can get baking supplies for my mom next Christmas.
Just across the way is Wonders of the World where I immediately found about thirty awesome gift possibilities. This eclectic store has hand carved furniture, unique jewelry, art and much more. With a time constraint on my mid-day shopping I had to cruise through pretty quickly, but I had some time to snap a few pictures and to make a mental note to go back and spend some time exploring all the cool things. On my last day of Christmas shopping, I learned some valuable lessons.

Go to the Flour Mill first. I could have done all my shopping for the year in one day and made my friends and family very happy.
Leave more time for skiing next year. Who needs three days to shop, now that I know I can do it in one place!
Make sure to enjoy a cup of Drinking Chocolate from Chocolate Apothecary on a regular basis, because frankly, it just makes your day better.

Still struggling to find a few gifts in the last days before Christmas? Make a trip down to the Flour Mill. It's a quick walk from downtown through Riverfront Park, at 621 W. Mallon Ave.

Snow is Here

Valeta Sweet, CTA — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:28:40 -0700

Recently I've had an itch and not the kind of itch you can scratch this early in the season. I have been earnestly waiting for the snow to fall and finally, it did. Schweitzer opened the earliest they have in twenty five years. The other reason I have been itching is because I had to wait for the Fed-Ex guy to deliver my new skis, then wait some more for my new skis to get mounted. Finally I had assembled all my gear, and trust me there's a lot. I found that 49 Degrees North had the best early snow base and it helped to have a "ten dollar off" coupon and only an hour drive. So I packed up my skis, poles, massive backpack, camera gear, music and GPS and headed for Chewelah. (That last sentence makes me realize why I am always broke, but on the bright side, the Spokane REI is doing really well.)
I couldn't have dreamed up better conditions for early December. With less than a dozen ski bums on the slopes, it was rare to see anyone outside the lodge. Add in the perfectly clear skies and temperatures just below freezing, and it turned out to be a pretty solid day. The coverage was decent, the slopes were fast and my face hurt from smiling for ten hours. I also figured out that I should be doing some ski leg workouts, but who has time for that when you have dozens of Youtube skiing videos to catch up on?
So while most people complain about the cold weather coming and commuting in the snow, imagine me doing my nightly snow dance and remember to find some of your own inspiration from winter.

Celebrate Best of Broadway

Dana Haynes, CTA — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:29:47 -0700

Bigger isn't always better. That's why we live in Spokane, right? Big cities often mean big traffic headaches, big prices and big problems. In medium-sized Spokane we enjoy vibrant arts and entertainment at a level much more expected in a larger city. As I sat in the INB Performing Arts Center on opening night of Come Fly Away, I enjoyed the tunes of ol' blue eyes and the kind of dancing only attempted by professionals. Fabulous, toe-tapping, incredible music and dance. All 80 uninterrupted minutes of the show were exhilarating!

Spokane is celebrating 25 years of Best of Broadway. Crazy to think for two and a half decades, Broadway shows have been coming to Spokane. The numbers tally more than two million people who have experienced a show at the INB. Next, Young Frankenstein takes the stage December 15-18. Beauty and the Beast takes over the INB January 26-29 and the Tony Award winning Best Musical In the Heights, April 12-15. Several other shows hit the stage too and the season ends with Mary Poppins June 12-17. Wow! Do you know how many other cities our size would love to have that kind of line-up? Sure, we have the facilities to host these shows, but more important, we have a great local company called West Coast Entertainment that's the vision behind the magic of Broadway in Spokane.

Many would say we're lucky to have such big-city entertainment right here in medium-ville. I don't think its luck, its love. Many people have worked tirelessly over the last two decades bringing Broadway to Spokane. We are a marvelous city boasting a sophisticated arts and entertainment tradition. Best of Broadway proves it!

Spokane Rocks

Valeta Sweet, CTA — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:58:49 -0700

An osprey just landed on top of the flagpole at the historic Davenport Hotel. And the fact that I can look out my downtown Spokane office window and see that seems pretty damned cool right at the moment. It's the first of November and admittedly, I've been feeling a little blue about any number of things including the fact that my garden has gone fallow, my dahlia tubers need wrapping, I just heard the first forecast with snow in it (arriving Thursday), I haven't gotten to ride my bike much lately and now I'm doomed to slog along in the snow with my much heavier studded mountain bike tires. Alright... I was hurtling, headlong into a little self pity party... until that bird perched on that flagpole outside my window.

That osprey (which is actually a super amazing indigenous fish-hawk with two sets of eye lids!) reminded me all over again of just how cool it is to live and work in Spokane. More days than not, the sky is brilliant blue. (Like today.) Deer and moose, eagles and osprey, and even the occasional cougar and bear sneak into the city's parks and neighborhoods. Class III+ whitewater is three (no kidding, three!) minutes from my parking space. The Centennial Trail, some 37 miles of it, is two blocks away and the Trek cruisers we use for quick commuting are right outside my office door. The cool new Cougar Crest Tasting room, plus a couple of hip new restaurants, Fraiche and Rex's Burgers & Brews, just opened across the street. We have Nordstrom and the infamous "Half Yearly Sale" is only a week away!
My list could keep going like a bad direct response TV ad ("but wait... there's more!!"). But today I'll settle for saying Spokane rocks. And it just took a little poke in the shoulder (or virtual peck in the eye) to remember it.

Go! Fight! Win!

Teresa Ide, CTA — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:02:09 -0700

Well folks, there's no denying it - it's officially football season! I've dug through my closet to find the jerseys of my favorite teams, have my Fantasy Football league all squared away and there's plenty of ice cold beer in the fridge. I am ready! And because of my love of football, I'm a lucky girl to live in Spokane and be so close to some great universities. That allows me to watch lots of live game day action. I mean really, what's better than College Football Saturday?!

First up, my Alma Mater - Washington State University! Born and raised a diehard fan of the Cougs, I make a point to take the hour and fifteen minute drive to Pullman, Washington (directly south of Spokane) on game days and watch my team play in Martin Stadium. There's always great tailgating in the Hollingbery Fieldhouse just steps away from the stadium and in all the RV Parking Lots around campus. Or stake your claim on a few bar stools at The Coug and hang out with all the students prepping for game time. The games are always a total blast so get your tickets early and support the #1 ranked offence in the nation (AKA the Washington State Cougars!)

Next on the list is WSU's neighbor to the east - the University of Idaho! The Vandals are a great football team and all home games are held in a sweet enclosed stadium called the Kibbie Dome. There's tons of game day action going on with their active Greek system, U of I's Alumni Association events and as always, lots of RV parking and tailgating! Be sure to get to campus early, stock up on some silver and gold gear and show your Vandal pride. Cheer on this WAC team by heading to their next home game in Moscow, Idaho on September 24!

Then we have last year's big-time champs - the Eastern Washington Eagles! You might be surprised to know that this Cheney, Washington team went out National Champions last year and pose a threat to opposing teams this year, too. Students have made it a tradition to stop by Eagle's Pub (formerly known as Showies!) for a snack and a pint of Eagle's Pub Brew before kickoff. There are just four home games at Roos Field this year on their bright red turf so make sure you get your tickets soon!

And finally, Whitworth University! As Spokane's only school within city limits with a football team, the Pirates are a great group to watch. This Northwest Conference team plays on the Whitworth University campus in the Pine Bowl under the direction of Coach John Tully (and named NWC Coach of the Year in 2001, 2006 and 2007.) Join the students and cheer on Whitworth for their next two home games on September 24 and October 8. Go Pirates!

So when you come to visit Spokane this fall, make sure you have time for a local college football game. Or if you'd rather watch your favorite team from a local watering hole, check out this blog about some of the great sports bars in the region!

Hunter Orange and Hiking Boots

Teresa Ide, CTA — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:14:00 -0700

Believe it or not, it's almost September. Doesn't that just blow your mind?! It seems like it was only yesterday I was planning all my lazy days at the lake and enjoying lunches on the grass in Riverfront Park. And even though we still have a few weeks of warm weather, I can't help but get excited to dig up my bird hunting vest, clean my shotgun and set out on a pheasant hunt!

Now, let's clarify a couple things just to make sure we're on the same page here. Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I own my own shotgun (a Remington Pump Action 12 Gauge, to be more specific). And you got it - I like to hunt. But in addition to all that, I also love shopping, sipping on wine and a good pedicure now and then (I mean really, who doesn't enjoy a good pedicure?!) Anyway, what I'm trying to get at here is that the Spokane region is ripe with experiences for all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. And let me tell you, we've got some incredible places to go hunting! (And some great spots for pedicures, too!)

I think one of my favorite spots to go upland bird hunting is at Miller Ranch just an hour southwest of Spokane. They're a pheasant preserve which means you don't need to have a hunting license to go! We always call a week or so ahead and reserve our spot. They have their land divided into large stretches and when you get there, they ask you how many birds you want them to release on your reserved area. After all the birds are released, it's time to slap on my bird hunting vest (covered with hunter orange, of course!), lace up my hiking boots, grab my trusty shotgun and we're off! Our black lab, Carlos, comes along to sniff out the birds for us and we have a great time throwing some lead in the air. It's always a total blast (no pun intended)!

P.S. If you've never seen a pheasant up close, they have such beautiful feathers! Check out this photo.

The College Student's Guide to Spokane

Teresa Ide, CTA — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:20:01 -0700

There's no denying it, the time has come and I'm going to be... (gulp) a senior in college. Where the heck did the years go?! But I'm ready to tackle my fourth and final year at Gonzaga University and go out with a bang! After living in Spokane for three school years (and one awesome summer!), I've learned a thing or two about living it up in the Spokane region.

Freshman Year: I was without a car. Bummer, right? Nope - not in Spokane! My friends and I (with the help of a sweet pair of walking shoes) set out to explore our new whereabouts. Many afternoons were spent exploring running paths, the Centennial Trail and downtown Spokane where I solemnly vowed to try a new eatery each month. Luigi's gnocchi became a slight addiction... yum! And movies at River Park Square afterwards became a ritual.

Sophomore Year: Feeling a little more comfortable with my new surroundings, it was time to branch out and be adventurous. First up, Green Bluff for Apple Festival! And nothing fuels my donut obsession like fresh, pumpkin donuts. So delicious! Another great weekend adventure was Scarywood at Silverwood Theme Park just 45 minutes out of downtown in North Idaho. It was chock full of Halloween glory. What better way to release mid-term stress than riding the creepy coasters and dodging attacking zombies!

Junior Year: Outdoor shenanigans were the name of the game. Mini camping trips and floating the Spokane River became routine, but I must admit - I never thought I'd go snowshoeing and snow caving at Mt. Spokane... and needless to say, I absolutely loved it!

So with it being my senior year, my roomies and I kicked it off by experiencing our first night out on the town before classes began. We danced the night away and had a great evening at MarQuee Lounge! Since we all love to run, discovering the Flying Irish Running Club was the perfect fit and it's safe to say my weekends will now begin with Thursday evening jogs and post-run celebrations with a pint at O'Doherty's (and maybe one of their righteous salmon sandwiches!) Who's with me?

It's still a mystery as to what new adventures I'll find myself in this year, but since Spokane always
has tons of fun stuff to do, I'm sure I'll be busy making lots of new memories!

Singing Songs and Sipping Syrah

Teresa Ide, CTA — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:03:12 -0700

Last Sunday, I was in serious denial of my weekend coming to a close. In need of one final hurrah, I rounded up my roomies to enjoy a night of good music, wine and dancing. And Arbor Crest Wine Cellars was the place to be! For only five bucks, we enjoyed their Sunday Summer Concert Series and it was a steal of a deal! Local bands come out and play everyone's favorite tunes ‘til the sun goes down - from rock n' roll and country to swing, jazz and blues. Plus, there's a new band every week!

Parking in the shade of the cherry trees, we grabbed a handful of fruit and trekked on up to the concert area. And the place was packed! Happy picnickers surrounded us enjoying their spread of wine, cheese and crackers. Yum! We snagged a shady spot, laid out our picnic and bought ourselves a bottle of Arbor Crest's Cliff House White. Super refreshing on such a warm evening!

Not only does Arbor Crest offer yummy wines, but since it's perched up on a rock, we coul really enjoy the view. I could see all of Spokane Valley! The High Street Band rocked the winery with their funky attitude, neon suits and the dancing never stopped - Conga line anyone? We had such a great time. What a perfect way to end the weekend!

So, if you like wine and good times, round up your friends and family and come on out (but remember - no one under 21). These Sunday evening concerts only run through September so be sure to see one before the summer is over. Cheers!

Cowgirl Boots and a Country Concert

Teresa Ide, CTA — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:57:34 -0700

Billy Currington came to Spokane's Knitting Factory Concert House last week. It was a dream come true if you ask me! And if you don't know who this country singer is, you're really missing out (unless you don't like country music or nice looking men.) Anyway, my sweetie and I slipped on our cowboy boots, grabbed our tickets and got to Mixx Nine One Sixx (the bar attached to the Knitting Factory) early to fill our bellies with food and drinks before the show. Their menu is full of tasty dishes and the bar has tons of good brews on tap (along with a nice selection yummy mixed drinks.)

An hour before show time, the doors opened and we flooded into the concert house. After propping ourselves on the upper deck by the railing, we were promptly greeted by an amazing server who was ready to take our order. The cool thing about this music venue is that it's so intimate, you always feel super close to the bands! When Uncle Kracker came on, the crowd went wild! Not only did he play some great tunes but he was really funny, too! Soon, it was Billy Currington's turn and boy, he sure sang his heart out! He even played my very favorite song, Good Directions. We had so much fun!

So, if you're ever in Spokane and get the itch for live music, definitely go to a concert at the Knitting Factory Concert House - you'll have a great time!

(Oh and check out his tweet about Spokane!)

Discovering da Vinci!

Teresa Ide, CTA — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:47:26 -0700

I used to think that museums were buildings with dark rooms filled with boring stuff from people who died like 400 years ago. But the Leonardo da Vinci: Man - Inventor - Genius exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (also known as ‘the MAC') totally proved me wrong. I had heard so many awesome things about the exhibit, so I grabbed our intern (she totally rocks) and we set off to see it for ourselves!

T. Time: We started our museum experience doing what girls do best - shopping! The museum has a great shop and it was filled with lots of funky da Vinci t-shirts, tons of books, toys, cards and lots more. We got our green exhibit entry stickers, slapped them on our shirts and headed down the stairs to start our journey through the exhibit!

krazykels: And so it began! Off we went and with the help of the funky, Vitruvian Man direction signs (how clever!), we reached our first stop - the timeline room. A short and sweet introduction video was playing, so T. Time and I grabbed a seat and launched into the world of Leonardo. The room was filled with stunning art reproductions and you could've fooled me - they looked like the real deal! After learning about the life of Leonardo, we were ready for the first exhibit... military machines!

T. Time: Ah yes, this room was full of all kinds of crazy contraptions! Leonardo had a huge interest in anatomy and he even modeled some of his war machines after animals. He designed a tank that operated like a turtle shell! We saw this again after going into the next room full of da Vinci's flight inventions. He studied the way that birds flew and took their wing structure to develop lots of flying devices for humans. He sure was one smart cookie!

krazykels: That he was... and so are the teens that work inside the exhibit! Those kiddos knew lots of fun trivia about Leonardo. Did you know he wrote everything backwards? It's still a mystery why... but a handy dandy factoid, nonetheless! He also broke away from the standard egg tempura paint that everyone else used and tried basic oil paint instead. This let him blend colors together and create his magnificent masterpieces (even though he only actually finished 16 paintings!) We even received at-home recipes for the paints. T. Time, I hope you're feeling crafty!

T. Time: Craftiness is not my strong suit, but I'll give it a try! The last room of the exhibit held all the hands-on mechanical models which meant one thing - play time! I think we pushed, cranked, turned and pulled on just about everything in there! It was a great way to end the exhibit. I walked away from the museum thinking about how Leonardo da Vinci was way more than the guy who painted the Mona Lisa. He was a smarty pants who invented lots of things that we still use today. Who knew!?

krazykels: I agree! The Leonardo exhibit definitely impressed me and all that hands-on interaction made my experience tons of fun. I even learned a few things! Not only is the exhibit truly outstanding, but the MAC is an awesome venue in a great location (smack dab in the middle of Spokane's beautiful Browne's Addition.) I love that area! I can't wait to see what other exhibits the MAC will bring... I know I'll be there!

If you want to see the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit in Spokane, you'd better get a move on! The exhibit will wave goodbye to Spokane on Labor Day. You can get your tickets at the door and be sure to check their website for hours and more info!