December, 2009

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Celebrate the New Year with 30,000 Friends First Night Spokane, December 31, 2009

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

The biggest, most happening New Year’s Eve party around starts at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Spokane with an opening ceremony at the Riverfront Park Fountain. For one low admission price, you can attend all the arts events you can handle, including tango lessons, great local music, comedy, a masquerade disco ball, Rail Jammers performing skiing and snowboarding stunts in Riverfront Park, live visual arts demonstrations by local artists, and a lot more! This family-friendly Spokane event is great for revelers of all ages and tastes. If you would like to make a complete night of it, book a room now in a Spokane hotel. Stratford Suites is one of the best hotels in the Spokane, WA area, offering one- and two-bedroom suites, and you can take advantage of their Lincoln Towncar shuttle service to avoid the hassle of driving.

First Night Spokane is 100% fun and also 100% non-alcohol. Kids will never be bored with the many activities just for them, like Avista Kid’s Night Out “Land of Make Believe,” where kids can make crowns and hats for the masquerade parade, or Adventure Dynamics, with fun, challenging courses and fast-paced group games for the whole family. Oh, and your First Night admission button also gets you free ice skating and carousel rides in Riverfront Park all night long. Don’t miss the incredible fireworks show at midnight! There are just too many events to list, so check out the full schedule at www.firstnightspokane.org. You can buy your admission buttons at Spokane area Zip Trip locations as well as many local businesses for $12 in advance, $15 on New Year’s Eve; check the website for a full list. Kids under ten are free with a button-wearing adult.

Don’t forget your camera, because First Night USA, which builds support for First Night festivals all over the country, wants your photos. Send three to five of your favorite First Night Spokane images to info@firstnight.org. Photos will be featured on the First Night USA homepage and in the First Night USA gallery. Images must be in JPG format.

The concept of First Night started in Boston in 1976 when a group of artists decided to create an arts festival as an alternative to the usual New Year’s Eve parties. Now there are about seventy-five First Night celebrations in communities across the U.S. First Night organizers share a commitment to promoting the performing and visual arts as catalysts for unifying their citizens on New Year’s Eve (and beyond) through creativity, imagination, and participation. First Night, Inc. empowers these organizers to plan and produce festivals that reflect their particular constituents and celebrate their unique communities.

Spokane’s own First Night was launched in 2001 by the Arts Committee of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. The first year was a huge success, with over 15,000 attendees and 200 volunteers. The festival has since grown and expanded, with more and larger venues and an ever greater variety of activities for all ages. Last year, there were over 30,000 attendees and 900 volunteers. The overwhelming public support of this winter arts festival has catapulted First Night Spokane into the mix of major regional events. Most recent achievements include “Arts Organization of the Year” by the City of Spokane Arts Commission, and “Event of the Year” at the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards. First Night Spokane 2009 is sure to draw more people than ever, so if you would like to stay at the luxurious Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel or another Spokane area hotel/motel, you should book your room as soon as possible.

Posted in Spokane | 2 Responses »

First Night Spokane 2010

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Don’t miss the Ninth Annual First Night Spokane 2010 as Spokanites welcome the New Year and a new decade! The party starts at 7PM on December 31st, when the whole city will celebrate with a family-friendly, alcohol-free event. First Night brings businesses, artists, entertainers, and families out late in Spokane to celebrate another year’s beginning. To join in the fun, buy a First Night button ($12-$15) at any local Zip Trip store, the concierge desk at River Park Square, Auntie’s Bookstore or Bergman’s Luggage. Children 10 and under can attend free.

Anyone who wants a great party on December 31st should visit Spokane for First Night. Make the most of your trip with a hotel stay at Stratford Suites, which offers both short term and extended stays. take advantage of our shuttle to avoid the downtown parking hassle.

When you get downtown, find the event you want to attend by checking out First Night’s website. For the event, Spokane will be divided into four Party Zones, each with their own schedule. Headliners are Brothers from Different Mothers, two hilarious prop comedians; Ashe, a West African music and dance troupe, and the illustrious Archduchy of Alhambra, Adrian Empire, who will mystify and educate with a special tarot reading.

River Park Square, the Convention Center, City Hall, Auntie’s Books, River Front Park, the STA, several downtown banks, the Spokane Public Library, the Bing Crosby Theater, and many other locations will be hosting events that range from arts and crafts for kids (Avista Kids Night Out at the Spokane Convention Center), to a gospel choir (STA, 2nd floor), bonfires (Spokane Falls Blvd.), free carousel rides (Looff Carousel, River Front Park), North by Northwest’s 48-Hour Film Festival (City Hall), and so much more!

Your First Night button will also get you free admission to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture on January 1st from 10AM-6PM. You can enjoy the museum’s exhibits as well as special performances by a magician, a Bubblillusionist, and a dance company. Kids will have a blast!

Check out a full schedule and map at www.firstnightspokane.org. You can also enter to win many great prizes at the site, including a 32” HD flat screen TV.

Have a Happy New Year!

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US Figure Skating Championship Packages at Stratford Suites

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Championship Skating
Luxury Suite
Town Car Shuttle

Experience the nation’s elite figure skating stars and enjoy Spokane’s finest extended stay hotel.

Package includes one night stay in a luxury 1 or 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen, 50″ HDTV, and a round-trip Lincoln Town Car shuttle.

(888) 705-8877 or (509) 321-1600

frontdesk@stratfordsuites.com

www.stratfordsuites.com

Posted in Deals, Shows, Spokane, Sports | No Responses »

Do You Love Snow?

Monday, December 21st, 2009

You don’t have to travel far from Spokane to experience a great day on the slopes! Whether you are just learning or are an advanced skier/snowboarder, the Spokane area has the perfect winter adventure for you. Spokane visitors are delighted by the excellent conditions and short lines that residents enjoy all winter long. Make Stratford Suites extended stay hotel your base of operations and enjoy a warm, luxurious suite after a long day of play. There is plenty of room for all your winter sports gear in our spacious, beautifully appointed rooms.

Five ski resorts are only a short drive away from Spokane: Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, Silver Mountain Resort, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass Ski Area, and Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park (fifty minutes northeast of Spokane)

This nearby gem shares a mountain with a state park that boasts great cross country trails as well as backcountry snowshoeing. Mt. Spokane has five lifts and forty-five trails, plus a new tubing hill with a rope tow for those who just want to slide down the snow without a lot of work. For a moonlight adventure or a unique date, try night skiing or night tubing. For more information, go to www.mtspokane.com.

Silver Mountain Resort (one hour from Spokane, at Kellogg, ID)

If you or someone in your family likes to pull off tricks rather than smoothly flying down the slopes, this is your winter sports destination. Silver Mountain continually modifies the Quicksilver terrain park for a new adventure in jumps, rails, and hand tables every visit. Silver has seven lifts, seventy-three downhill trails, and tubing. If you stay at the resort’s Morning Star Lodge, you can even re-visit summer with Idaho’s largest indoor water park. Silver Mountain is easily accessible right off of I-90, and rather than dealing with hairpin turns up narrow mountain roads, visitors park and take a scenic three-mile gondola ride to the top. Go to www.silvermt.com for more information.

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (one hour and fifteen minutes north of Spokane)

The largest resort expansion in Washington state this year looms over the charming little town of Chewelah. Angel Peak, a sub-peak of the Chewelah Mountain crest, has just opened at 49 Degrees North, bringing the number of downhill trails at the resort to seventy-five (with six lifts). The lower half of the new peak is accessible by lift, but if you are ready for a challenge, you can hike up to the summit at 5295 feet. In addition to fine downhill skiing, including a wonderfully gentle run for beginners, 49 Degrees North boasts twelve km of cross country trails and a fun terrain park. Go to www.ski49n.com for more information.

Lookout Pass Ski Area (one and a half hours from Spokane at the Idaho/Montana state line)

Here’s the salient point: Lookout Pass receives on average 400 inches of light Northern Rockies snow annually. This resort is known for legendary powder, early openings, and the longest seasons in the region. Officially, Lookout has thirty-four named runs, but that number only reflects part of the whole experience as skiers and snowboarders can play in acres of prime tree skiing and riding, and there are also twenty-five km of cross country trails. This popular winter destination has tripled in size since 2003, yet it is still the most affordable resort in the region. Go to www.skilookout.com for more information.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort (two hours from Spokane, eleven miles from Sandpoint, ID)

From the top, you can gaze upon three mountain ranges, Canada, and three states. The scenery at Schweitzer is breathtaking, but so is the night skiing that is offered all season long. It is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Nine lifts, ninety-two trails, thirty-two km of cross country trails, two terrain parks, plus open bowl skiing—what more could a snow lover ask for? Well, how about rare to non-existent lift lines? Or great events, including New Year’s Eve parties for adults, teens, and tweens? Schweitzer truly has something for everyone. Visit www.Schweitzer.com for all the details.

Posted in Recreation, Spokane | 1 Response »

Park and Fly in Spokane at Stratford Suites

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Guests park free while on an extended vacation. Package includes shuttle service to and from the Spokane Airport. Packages start at $139 for one night and $210 for two nights.

Reserve by calling (888) 705-8877 or (509) 321-1600 or email frontdesk@stratfordsuites.com

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See the Superstars of Skating in Spokane Before the Olympics! U.S. Figure Skating Championships, January 14–24, 2010

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

U.S. Figure Skating Championships, January 14–24, 2010

Next month, figure skating fans will travel to Spokane from far and wide to catch the nation’s most prestigious figure skating event. There are still a few tickets left to experience the competitions live at the Spokane Arena, but they are going fast. The championships will also be nationally televised live on NBC and webcast on icenetwork.com. Over the course of nine days, the event will crown twelve national champions in ladies’, men’s, pairs, and ice dancing on the senior, junior, and novice levels. This is the final event before the selection of the U.S. team that will compete eighteen days later in Vancouver, so do not miss this opportunity to see potential Olympic gold winners!

If you are travelling to Spokane for this momentous ice skating event, book your room now at Stratford Suites for luxury accommodations and outstanding hospitality. Hotels are filling up fast; when Spokane hosted the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, a record crowd of 154,893 attended, and this year will likely be even more successful.

Get Up-Close and Personal with the Ice Stars at FanFest! In 2007, Star U.S.A., which locally manages the championships, had the great idea of a community gathering place where fans, both Spokane natives and visitors, could meet the athletes during the championships. FanFest was so hugely popular that this time around it will be held in River Park Square, the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in downtown Spokane, to accommodate the crowds.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public and will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, January 15th and continue with an approximate schedule of 10 a.m.–7 p.m. every day until the final day, when festivities will continue until 11 p.m. or later. Check the activity boards for competition schedules, autograph sessions with the figure skating stars, and other fan events. Safeway, a sponsor, will host a food and beverage booth, and there will be entertainment and live broadcasts from KHQ and Dave, Ken, and Molly of 92.9 FM.

While you are hanging out at FanFest, you can see a movie at the AMC, enjoy fine dining at one of several great restaurants, get a new hairstyle for the holidays, view art in the Kress Gallery, and shop for just about anything! Check out Stratford Suites Shop and Stay Package, which includes a night or two at Spokane’s best extended stay hotel as well as a gift certificate to River Park Square.

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Take a Short Trip to Epic BC Powder!

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Red Mountain Resort

If you love skiing or snowboarding and live or travel around Spokane, look to the north for a nearby Canadian adventure that will rival any other in North America. Take a scenic 2.5 hour drive from Spokane to experience some of the best champagne powder in the world at Red Mountain Resort. Red Mountain Resort has been named one of the Top Ten Resorts of North America by Forbes Magazine, and it is quickly becoming one of North America’s most sought-after mountain destinations. Red is the closest Canadian resort to the U.S. border, and it is situated in British Columbia’s “Powder Triangle,” an area revered for incredible snow that stretches from Red Mountain Resort to Revelstoke Mountain Resort to Fernie Alpine Resort.

Red Mountain Resort

Why is the snow at Red so amazing? According to Jim Greene, Vice President of Red Mountain Ventures, the miracle of the area’s snow is due to low pressure storm system paths coming across Seattle and travelling across Washington and counterclockwise up into Canada. By the time the storm systems reach the powder triangle, are pushed up by mountains, and dump massive loads of snow, the snow is dry champagne powder, light and bubbly. Red receives about 300 inches of it annually.

Red offers an abundance of experiences for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, with five lifts and eighty-three runs on 1,800 acres and nightly slope grooming. But it is also a gateway to back country paradise, with lift service to 7,000 acres to explore right behind the resort. Coming up January 15–23, the 2010 Canadian Open Freeskiing Championship will be held at Red Mountain. Visitors are welcome to come out and watch!

Red Mountain Resort

In addition to world-class skiing and snowboarding, Jim points out that Red offers something that many other ski resorts in the region do not: “The big difference is that we are five minutes away from a real town, Rossland, with fun nightlife, shopping, and, above all, a big local population of skiers who are friendly and enjoy showing visitors around.” Rossland, population 3,200, is a historic mining town with plenty to do for the whole family: local artists’ shows, festivals, live music, golfing, museum and historic mine tours, and fine dining.

If you are staying in Spokane for a winter recreation vacation, check out the fully furnished comfort of Stratford Suites extended stay hotel, located close to downtown Spokane and the Spokane International Airport. Our spacious, luxurious rooms have everything you need for your base of operations.

Posted in Recreation, Sports | 5 Responses »

Spokane Holiday Traditions

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Things to Do: Fun Holiday Traditions in Spokane
Sparkling holiday lights, joyful singing carolers, ice skating in the park, and opulent Christmas trees are just a few of the sights to be seen in the heart of Spokane this season. The city offers an abundance of holiday traditions for you to experience, from celebrations of history to celebrations of modern culture. Below are just a few annual Spokane events to enjoy. All are family friendly.

The Nutcracker: A Magical Delight of Dance and Music
Let yourself be transported to a fantasy land of colorful characters, dancing sweets and snowflakes, and toy soldiers through the beauty of dance and music. The Spokane Symphony presents Peter Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker Ballet with nationally acclaimed Ballet Memphis and seventy local dancers for just four performances from December 18 to December 20 at the INB Performing Arts Center, so get your tickets soon! This year’s show includes new surprises added to this classic, timeless story. Tickets are available through TicketsWest (1-800-325-SEAT). If you are travelling to Spokane for the show, why drive home? Stratford Suites, the finest extended stay lodging in the Spokane area, offers beautiful, furnished apartment style rooms for you and your family, with the privacy of a second bedroom in every room.

Did you know? The first performance of The Nutcracker, in St. Petersburg, Russia, December 17, 1892, was disliked by critics and the audience. Subsequent productions went over a little better, but it wasn’t until George Balanchine, a master choreographer, created a new version in 1954 for the New York City Ballet that The Nutcracker really started capturing the hearts of audiences and became a holiday tradition.

Horse and Carriage Rides: Slow Trot Back in Time
Climb aboard an old-fashioned carriage drawn by handsome horses for a ride through downtown Spokane. Sponsored by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District and Spokane Teachers Credit Union, you can catch this free nostalgic ride at Main and Wall from November 27 through Christmas Eve, and the driver will even throw in free candy canes and coupons for local coffee shops. The carriage runs Fridays 3–8 pm, weekends 12–5 pm, and Christmas Eve noon–3 pm. Just show up; no reservations required! Go to the Downtown Spokane website for more information about this popular Spokane attraction.

Patsy Clark Mansion

Holiday Heritage Home Tour
Can’t get enough of Spokane’s rich architectural legacy? Then don’t miss the Spokane Preservation Advocates’ tour of three historic Browne’s Addition homes: the Patsy Clark Mansion, the Phelps House, and the Fotheringham House, on Sunday, December 6, 12–4 pm. Tickets are $15.00, and you don’t need to buy them in advance; just purchase during the tour at 2118 or 2208 W. 2nd Ave. Meet at noon in Coeur d’ Alene Park (on 2nd Avenue in Browne’s Addition). For more information, go to www.spokanepreservation.org or call 509-456-3828.

Historic Campbell House Holiday Tour
From November 27 through January 2, one of Spokane’s most famous mansions, The Campbell House, is decorated in authentic turn-of-the-twentieth-century Victorian Christmas style. The English Tudor Revival home is one of many gorgeous houses in Spokane designed by renowned Spokane architect Kirkland Cutter. The owner, Amasa Campbell, made his fortune in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. He and his wife, Grace, settled in the wild west mining town of Wallace, Idaho, but moved with their young daughter, Helen, to the more secure Spokane after labor disputes twice caused the Coeur d’Alene Mining District to be placed under martial law. The guided, informative tour showcases the beautiful, ornate home, the typical life of a wealthy Spokane family over one hundred years ago, and the typical life of the servants of such a family. During the holiday season, you will also learn about holiday traditions of the time.

Helen Campbell donated the house to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society after her mother’s death in 1924, ensuring its preservation. It is located next to the MAC museum (tour tickets are available at the MAC registration desk) in the historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood; while you are there, take a little stroll of the surrounding blocks, which hold several other well preserved historic homes. Visit the MAC website for viewing hours, or call 509-456-3931.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace

Ice Skating and More in Riverfront Park
If you thought the scenic 100-acre park on the Spokane River was just for summer, think again! Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace is one of the best outdoor skating rinks in the nation. You can make a day’s adventure out of your visit with a go-around on the hand-carved wooden critters of the beautifully restored hundred-year-old Loof Carrousel, a game of indoor mini-golf, and a holiday film on the giant screen at the IMAX Theatre. Discount package tickets are available: go to the ticket counter under the big Pavilion at the park, visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com, or call 1-800-336-PARK for details.

Christmas Tree Elegance
The completely restored historic Davenport Hotel (10 S. Post Street) provides a luxurious, lovely backdrop for Christmas Tree Elegance, a seasonal celebration presented by Washington Trust Bank and produced by the Spokane Symphony Associates. From December 1–12, you can view uniquely decorated trees donated by local businesses in the mezzanine of the dazzling Davenport. Events include a tree lighting ceremony, Spokane Symphony Soiree concerts, Gala Dinner Dance, and a raffle drawing to win a tree. Proceeds benefit the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. For more information, go to www.spokanesymphonyassoc.org or call 509-458-8733.

Your Holiday Traditions: Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel is the Perfect Solution
Do your holiday traditions include visitors from outside the Spokane area? The friendly staff of Stratford Suites, conveniently located just five minutes from the Spokane airport and ten minutes from downtown Spokane at 11808 W. Center Ln., Airway Heights, will take excellent care of them! Guests will enjoy luxurious, home-like accommodations with a full kitchen, a second bedroom that allows for ease and privacy when travelling with children, and a 50-inch HDTV in every room. We understand that details make the difference between an OK Spokane hotel stay and an outstanding one. Think pillow top mattresses, down pillows, all leather furniture, executive style shuttle service, and free high-speed wireless internet. Call 509-321-1600 or 888-705-8877 to reserve your room!

Posted in Events, Shows, Spokane, Travel | 2 Responses »

travel spokane

the essential guide to spokane :: presented by stratford suites

December, 2009

...now browsing by month

Celebrate the New Year with 30,000 Friends First Night Spokane, December 31, 2009

First Night Spokane 2010

US Figure Skating Championship Packages at Stratford Suites

Championship Skating
Luxury Suite
Town Car Shuttle

Do You Love Snow?

Park and Fly in Spokane at Stratford Suites

See the Superstars of Skating in Spokane Before the Olympics! U.S. Figure Skating Championships, January 14–24, 2010

Take a Short Trip to Epic BC Powder!

Spokane Holiday Traditions

the essential guide to spokane :: presented by stratford suites

December, 2009

...now browsing by month

Championship Skating Luxury Suite Town Car Shuttle

Championship Skating
Luxury Suite
Town Car Shuttle