December, 2010

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Winter Fun in and around Spokane, WA: Indoor Winter Activities in the Spokane Area

Monday, December 20th, 2010

10^th Anniversary First Night Spokane

The biggest New Year’s Eve party around happens in downtown Spokane. For just $12, you can experience an incredible array of arts and entertainment, topped off with a big fireworks show at midnight. The theme for this year’s First Night Spokane is “Imagine That.”

If you haven’t been to a First Night celebration before, you can’t miss Spokane’s tenth annual bash. Where else can you see community theatre, dance to a live swing band, go ice skating, ride a 100-year-old carousel, watch several dance performances, laugh at live improve comedy, take some dancing lessons, watch artists do things like pottery wheel throwing, marvel at the stunts of a snowboard rail jam, and listen to African drumming all in one night for just $12? There are just too many activities and performers to try listing even the highlights here, but you can download a schedule.

First Night celebrations are all about celebrating arts and entertainment in a family friendly, affordable festival. The entire family can find dozens of things to do, with plenty of kids’ activities. The event is alcohol-free, although adults are welcome to pop into the many local bars and restaurants that will be open nearby for a drink, and you don’t have to worry about any of the content being inappropriate for kids. To get in on the fun, just purchase a button for $12 ($15 on December 31) at one of many Spokane businesses, including Cenex Zip Trip Stores, Auntie’s Book Store, Riverfront Park Square (concierge desk), and Windemere real estate offices. Out-of-town visitors can purchase buttons with no fees through TicketsWest. Go to the First Night Spokane website for details.

Attend a Hometown Hockey Game

Looking for a night that is a bit more exciting and noisy than a dinner and movie? Come out and support the Spokane Chiefs. You can’t help but get caught up in the enthusiasm of the Chiefs’ Pacific Northwest fans. The Spokane Chiefs, who have won two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 and 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 and 2008, and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000, and 2008, are a Major Junior Hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Players come from all over the world and many are drafted into the pro ranks from the Chiefs. Home games are played in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, a 10,366 seat facility. Click here for a season schedule. Adult tickets range from $10–$19 and can be purchased by calling 509-535-PUCK (7825) or from TicketsWest at 800-325-SEAT (7328), or by purchasing online through TicketsWest.

Enjoy Local Talent in Great Theatre

Impress your date with play tickets and experience an evening of live entertainment while supporting local artists. Spokane boasts two major theatre companies: Interplayers Professional Theatre and Spokane Civic Theatre. Ticket prices for theatre in Spokane are substantially lower than other major cities, so take advantage of our big-city quality for small-town prices!

Interplayers, Spokane’s award-winning professional theatre, is producing two plays this winter. Opus, a new play by Michael Hollinger that has enjoyed immense popularity nationwide, showcases the story of a string quartet that fires its violist and replaces him with a young woman days before a White House performance. It runs January 20–February 5, 2011. Privilege, a heartfelt comedy about the privileged lives of two Upper East Side NY teens whose lives are irrevocably changed when their father is accused of insider trading, runs February 24–March 12, 2011. Tickets are available by calling 455-PLAY (7529). You can also purchase tickets through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT (7328) or www.TicketsWest.com. Prices range from $13–$22.

Spokane Civic Theatre is a national award-winning community theatre. This winter, you can see three plays performed by the troupe. Don’t Dress for Dinner is a riotous farce about a dinner in which marital bliss is not on the menu, and between the friends, lovers, caterers, and angry husbands, comic confusion abounds. This production runs January 14–30, 2011. Next, the Civic will perform the Tony-Award wining musical comedy The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a tale of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. The show runs January 28—February 7, 2011. The next show is another musical comedy: Nunsense, running February 18–March 6, 2011 and featuring an unforgettable variety show performed by the Little Sisters of Hoboken. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 325-2507 or through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT (7328) or www.TicketsWest.com. Prices range from $16–$32.

Copyright Spokane International Film Festival

Spokane International Film Festival, February 3–13, 2011

If you love independent and cutting-edge films, you can’t miss SpIFF. This is your once-a-year opportunity to see the very best feature films, documentaries, and short films that have been made around the world during the past two years but have not yet been commercially released for wide distribution right here in Spokane, WA. Some of the films might never be released on DVD in the United States, so this could be your only opportunity to enjoy some of the most talked-about films. They are the same films as those seen each year at the Cannes, New York, or Toronto film festivals.

But you won’t just see great new films from all over, you’ll also meet some of the filmmakers and performers. They share their own stories and anecdotes about the making of their films and answer questions from you the audience. The discussions are lively and educational and a favorite part of the festival for both filmmaker and audience. You can also take part in after-film receptions held throughout downtown Spokane.

Watch the website calendar for the upcoming schedule of events for the 13^th annual festival. Films will be shown at the AMC Theater at Riverpark Square and the Magic Lantern Theater, both located in downtown Spokane, WA.

Spokane Visual Arts Tour, February 4^th and 5^th, 2011

Twice a year, Spokane museums, galleries, arts businesses, and alternative spaces for showing art such as non-profit organizations, restaurants, and shops welcome the public in to view a wide variety of great regional art. Participating businesses extend their hours on Friday night, February 4^th, and open up on Saturday, February 5^th to support the arts scene in Spokane. Like First Friday Art Walks in downtown Spokane, the Visual Arts Tour is a self-guided walking tour (pick up a free copy of The Inlander, available at many area businesses on February 3^rd, for your guide), but it is a much larger event. Come check out local art, meet artists, and enjoy treats and beverages provided by participating businesses.

Posted in Art, Events, Family, Holiday, Live music, Nightlife, Shows, Spokane, Sports | No Responses »

Winter Fun in and around Spokane, WA

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Downtown Spokane, copyright WorldNow and KHQ

When the temperature drops, do you prefer to head indoors or bundle up and play in the snow? Whether you like to hit the slopes or limit your exposure to the cold to trips from the car to another heated location, Spokane offers plenty to do and see.

Outdoor Winter Activities in the Spokane area

Riverfront Park Outdoor Ice Skating

On winter afternoons and evenings, adults and children alike of all ability levels walk through Spokane’s beloved Riverfront Park to enjoy one of the best outdoor ice skating rinks in the nation. You will see kids skating around with friends, skating students practicing spins and other figure skating moves in the center of the ice, couples holding hands, and very often a few pairs of smiling young people on first dates (this is a great first date). The Riverfront Park Ice Palace is open every day except Monday through February 27. The rink is covered, housed under the big pavilion area. Skate rental is available. See the website for times and prices.

If you are on the North side of town, you can ice skate at Eagles Ice Arena, an indoor rink just off Francis at 6321 N. Addison, open year-round.

Ski the Inland Northwest!

Take advantage of the Spokane area’s snowy winters and get outside for some good exercise. Six ski resorts are only a short drive away from Spokane: Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park (50 minutes), Silver Mountain Resort (one hour), 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (one hour and 15 minutes), Lookout Pass Ski Area (one hour and 30 minutes), Schweitzer Mountain Resort (two hours), and Red Mountain Resort (two hours and 30 minutes). Check out their websites for mountain stats; here are a few distinguishing features of each resort:

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Very conveniently located, just 28 miles from downtown Spokane, plus cheap ($15 round trip) bus service from Spokane on weekends and holidays

Forty nights of skiing, more night skiing than any other local resort

The Mt. Spokane State Park, which the resort is located in, also offers gorgeous cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, so non-skiers can have fun, too

The most you will ever pay for a daily lift ticket is $45 (weekend adult)

Children’s Choice Tubing Hill offers inexpensive day and night tube sledding with a rope tow for sledders of all ages

Silver Mountain Resort

Families can stay at the Morning Star Lodge and play at Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark

Scenic gondola ride up the mountain; no driving up hairpin turns on a mountain road

Snow tube park and world-class beginner’s area with a moving carpet lift

Cat skiing and snowboarding available

Adult lift ticket is $50

49 Degrees North Ski Resort

Great deal for beginners: EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 packages that include three lessons, three ski or snowboard rentals, and three lift tickets for just $109

Terrain Park for all levels of skiers and riders with rails, boxes, hits, and more

Free “mountain hosts” program features guided tours by experts to show newcomers around the mountain

Known for legendary tree skiing

Weekend adult lift ticket is $51

Lookout Pass Ski Area

Free ski lessons for kids on Saturdays (pre-registration required)

Average snowfall of 400” of light Northern Rockies snow

Usually has the longest season in the region

Two terrain parks, including the newly redesigned Exit 0 Park and the classic B-52, featuring a 1,111 foot long quarter pipe

Adult weekend lift tickets are a very affordable $35

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Scenic: from the top, you can gaze at three mountain ranges, Canada, and three states

Cat skiing and snowboarding available through terrain varying from open 20–30% slopes to steeper, old-growth forested terrain and glacier-carved open bowls

Snowmobile tours available

Idaho’s largest ski area, with 2900 acres and some of the best tree skiing in North America

Adult lift ticket is $65

Red Mountain Resort

Located in British Columbia’s famed “powder triangle,” with some of the best champagne powder in the world

Voted “Best Powder, Best Steeps, Best Trees” by Ski Canada Magazine and ranked “one of North America’s top ten expert resorts” by Forbes Traveler

Easy backcountry access to five back country peaks, plus cat and heli skiing and snowboarding available

Adult lift tickets are $64; consecutive days are less

Free or Nearly Free Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Opportunities

With this winter predicted to deliver above-normal snowfall to the Inland Northwest, you can count on great conditions for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the Spokane area. Below are some of the locals’ favorite spots. If you don’t already own snowshoes or Nordic skis, you can rent them from REI. Some locations require Sno-Park permits or a park entrance fee, so check before you go.

Mt. Spokane State Park is a cross country skier’s paradise, with 300 inches of snow per year on average and 25 kilometers of groomed trails. There are also plenty of trails that are excellent for challenging, deep powder snowshoeing.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is beloved by snowshoers and cross country skiers of all abilities. It is mostly flat and open, a landscape of channeled scablands, wetlands, and small lakes. There are plenty of trails to follow, or you can just make your own way.

Columbia Plateau Trail: Easily accessible from Cheney, WA, Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is a 130-mile-long rail-bed trail that traces the 1908 original path of the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railroad. The level, mostly flat trail is currently open from Cheney to Lincoln County. It is not as scenic as the parks mentioned above, but it is easy and perfect for families. Strong snowshoers might be bored by this one as there are no good hills or opportunities for exploring off trail.

Centennial Trail: The Spokane Centennial Trail is connected to the North Idaho Centennial Trail for 60 miles of paved cross country skiing and snowshoeing possibilities. There are access points all along the trail; just pick the kind of scenery you want to enjoy! One great place to snowshoe if you are in town and want a quick getaway to nature is the section of trail behind Spokane Falls Community College. You can park at the Military Cemetery trailhead located just off Government Way to access this portion of trail in Riverside State Park.

Eagle Watching at Lake Coeur d’Alene

In December and January, you can seize a rare opportunity to watch bald eagles just off shore in lovely Wolf Lodge Bay, in Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This is due to the kokanee salmon of the lake spawning and dying starting in November, providing a plentiful source of food for the eagles. Thousands of people brave the bitter cold for this regional tradition of viewing the majestic raptors feeding and just generally looking impressive while sitting on a branch or pole. It doesn’t cost a thing; just bring warm clothes, a thermos of hot cocoa, and your binoculars. Click here for a brief article with tips on viewing. To get there, take US-90 east from Coeur d’Alene for eight miles to Wolf Lodge Bay (exit 22), then south on Highway 97 for three miles.

During Coeur d’Alene Eagle Watch Week, from December 26 through January 1, 2011, the Bureau of Land Management will be on hand at the Mineral Ridge Boat Launch and Mineral Ridge Trailhead, located in Wolf Lodge Bay, to teach about and assist you in observing the bald eagles. Educational displays and telescopes will be set up for the public to enjoy.

If you prefer to watch the eagles from the water, you can go to the Coeur d’Alene Resort to board a cruise ship. The ships go to isolated quiet bays where you can observe our national symbol in its natural habitat. Reservations are required, and tickets are $19.75 for adults, $17.75 for senior citizens, $11.75 for children ages 6–12, and free for children 5 and under. Go to the Coeur d’Alene Resort website or call 800-688-5253 or 208-765-2300 ext. 21 for more information and to register. If you are hungry when you come back, try one of the resort’s excellent restaurants.

Posted in Coeur d'Alene, Dining, Events, Family, Recreation, Spokane, Sports, Travel | No Responses »

Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah from Stratford Suites

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah

We wanted to thank you for being a part of making this a wonderful year for Stratford Suites. Thanks to your business, we have been able to grow and hire new people. You have made it possible to provide jobs in these difficult times. If you were a new guest this year, we are blessed to add you to our list! For all of you that returned, thank you for your continued business and loyalty!

Our Assistant General Manager, Louise, and her front desk staff Paula and Kristin, have been with us almost since our opening; Chastonie and Clint are more recent additions. Sara, Jackie, and new hires Peter, Hillary and Anna round out the dedicated Housekeeping Department. We would be lost without our new maintenance man Dave who literally can fix anything and is ready to help any guest wherever he can.

All of us want to thank you for staying at Stratford Suites and allowing us to serve you. Additionally, we would like to give a special thanks to the guest:

That informed us that hot water was plumbed to the commode in his suite. He said that he had really appreciated it on cold mornings! We are not sure how many others had enjoyed this unintentional “amenity”.

Sincerely,

The Stratford Suites Team

Posted in Holiday, Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Posted in Deals, Events, Spokane, Sports, Travel | No Responses »

Eagles to Play Bison in Quarterfinals for a Shot at the National Championship

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

For the first time ever, Eastern Washington University football will play North Dakota State on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. If the EWU Eagles win, they will be in the semifinals and just one game away from a national championship. The Eagles, ranked #1 in the nation, have already accomplished the highest national ranking in the school’s history. This will be their fifth visit to the quarterfinals.

Saturday’s game will be produced by ESPN and aired live on SWX in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Game time is Saturday, December 11, 12:35 p.m. at EWU’s red-turfed Roos Field. You can purchase tickets through the EWU website or by calling TicketsWest at 1-800-325-7328. Prices range from $10–$20, and RV/tailgating passes and 2011 season tickets are also available. Current season ticket holders have until December 9 to purchase their playoff tickets and retain their own seats, and after that those seats will be available for the general public to purchase. Tickets for Eastern Washington University students are $5 each and will be available at the Athletic Ticket Office at Reese Court (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Ticket information is also available by calling 509-359-4339.

Posted in Events, Spokane, Sports | No Responses »

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