Young Kwak photos Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl and Police Ombudsman Bart Logue. T he ombudsman's powers are expanding. During a late Monday night meeting, Spokane City Council members voted 6-1 to give the civilian police watchdog power to directly investigate the chief of police. The ombudsman already had authority to investigate officers, but city code required complaints against the chief to go to the mayor for potential investigation. Council President Breean Beggs, who sponsored Monday's ordinance and was a force behind Spokane's civilian oversight of police, says the change aligns city code with the city charter language passed in 2013 when citizens voted to create the ombudsman's office.

https://www.inlander.com/news/spokanes-police-chief-isnt-happy-about-a-new-law-broadening-the-ombudsmans-power-to-investigate-26128616

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Lemon Bars Sunshine-yellow lemon bars are perfect anytime of year, really, but especially nice for Mother's Day. This gluten-free version features Cole's Blue Blend flour, and some hints to make your gluten-free baking a success, such as using a glass baking dish. Note that the crust needs to cool for 30 minutes before filling. Crust: 1 cup Cole's Blue Blend ⅓ cup sugar ¼ tsp sea salt 1 tsp lemon zest ¼ cup butter or dairy free butter Filling: 3 large eggs at room temperature 1½ cups sugar 2 tablespoons lemon zest ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice cup Cole's Blue Blend Make the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/recipes-gluten-free-lemon-bars-biscuits-and-chocolate-chip-cookies/Content?oid=25738104

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O ne of the newest additions to the bustling Papillon Building across from the Spokane Arena is Outsider, a contemporary American restaurant that seeks to provide diners with an experience they may not find frequently in the Spokane area. "The kitchen has counter seating for people to sit up there and watch," says executive chef and owner Ian Wingate. "I designed it to be like if you went to somebody's house and you sat up at the counter. It's nice because the guests can come up and watch what we're doing, and we can interact with them and talk with them.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/where-to-dine-outsider/Content?oid=25738116

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Jim Wood Eli Francovich at work editing a final proof of The Return of Wolves while he was in Alaska in 2022; he saw a wolf just one day before this photo was taken. I n July 2008, when a pack of wolves with pups was observed in north central Washington, it was the first time breeding wolves had been documented in the state since the 1930s. Their return sparked controversy, with ranchers concerned over the potential loss of livestock, while others cheered the return of the majestic predator.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/book-signing-wolf-country/Content?oid=25738121

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Contrast a moody palette with foliage to bring life to your space. N ot so long ago, the world of interior design was awash in bright white walls, beige drapes and pillows, and heaps of those sheepskin throws (you know the ones). The scene was militantly oatmeal, devoid of much color or big emotion. Well, now a dark cloud of brooding hues and moody paint colors — with names like "Stormy Monday," "Wine Dark" and "Shadow" — has rolled in, and interior designers are welcoming the sea change.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/rich-colors-and-sumptuous-textures-are-on-designers-minds/Content?oid=25738144

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Prosser Chamber of Commerce Plan a trip in September to see the Great Prosser Balloon Rally. I  love a spontaneous little day trip, but it's also nice to have a landing place. Packing for a one-night getaway takes just a few minutes, and there's no need to arrange for someone to water the plants. Throw your stuff in a backpack, and you're off. But where to go? J ust about two-and-a-half hours from Spokane, nestled in the undulating Horse Heaven Hills, is Prosser — home of more than 30 wineries and the self-titled "Birthplace of Washington Wines.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/head-south-to-explore-the-laid-back-town-of-prosser/Content?oid=25738416

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H elix Wines' presence in downtown Spokane dates back only to 2017, but the people behind the wine have been around the Inland Northwest for a whole lot longer. The Tucker family's connection to the Columbia Valley can be traced to the days of the Oregon Trail, which is what brought John and Susan Tucker to the fertile farmland outside what is now Helix, Oregon — about midway between Pendleton and Walla Walla — in 1883. Generations later, their descendants are still taking advantage of the region's ideal growing conditions.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/six-generations-worth-of-knowledge-of-the-land-can-be-uncorked-at-helix-wines/Content?oid=25738109

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Spokane Indians Opening Day Kick off spring by supporting the best minor league team around, our very own Spokane Indians. This game against the Eugene Emeralds marks the first game of the season and features all of the best things about baseball like hotdogs, fireworks and the four amazing Spokane Indians mascots: Otto, Doris the Spokanasaurus, KC the Stratotanker and Ribby the Redband Trout. Say hi and cheer loudly! Tue, April 11 at 6:35 pm, $8-$22, Avista Stadium. spokaneindians.com Throughout the month of April, try your hand at various forms of printmaking at the fifth annual .

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/events-spring-forward/Content?oid=25738130

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W hile Spokane's Looff Carrousel delights young and old just the way it is, for first-time children's book author Mary Carpenter it was a launchpad for inspiration. "I just thought it would be really neat to have the park come alive," she says. "The Carrousel and the history of the Carrousel is just so magical." In Ponies in the Park , written by Carpenter and illustrated by Mary Pat Kanaley, a young girl named Grace is disappointed to be stuck in the hospital overnight on her birthday. Unexpectedly though, magic dust, moonlight, and a birthday wish bring the historic Looff Carrousel and other sculptures in the park — the Bloomsday runners, Native salmon fishers, red wagon, garbage goat and a purple butterfly from Expo '74 — to life, and together they help Grace save a puppy in need.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/history-art-and-a-just-a-touch-of-magic-combine-in-a-childrens-book/Content?oid=25475697

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Erick Doxey photo Shauna Edwards O pening a brand new school can be nerve-wracking even in normal times, but by the time Lumen High School was ready to open in fall 2020, the downtown Spokane charter school for teen parents was facing the added challenges of a global pandemic. Lumen's founder and Executive Director Shauna Edwards, 40, had worked for years to get everything in place to open the school to its first students. In 2008, the former elementary school teacher and new mom was working on her master's in school counseling when she started the Spokane Young Lives program for teen parents.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/lumen-high-school-founder-shauna-edwards-seeks-to-empower-teen-parents-as-they-forge-their-own-journeys/Content?oid=25475701

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H ave you ever wanted to capture your vacations in a fun way to remind you of some of your favorite places you have been to? Why not frame maps to highlight the places you've visited, catalog the cities that you've lived in or document your bucket list reminders? Hanging your map art as a collage on a wall is an easy project. You can also accessorize the scene with globe-inspired lanterns for a colorful splash of interest. Map Art I was fortunate to be gifted some well-loved vintage atlases a few years back and have been happily using them for many projects since.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/creative-ways-to-document-the-geography-of-your-life/Content?oid=25475661

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EARTHEN INDIGO PHOTOS A stair railing by Ana Funderburk. F or homeowners who are looking to give their living space some individual flair, custom metalwork can be a way to achieve a satisfying and distinctive mix of form and function. Ana Funderburk is an Atlanta-born artist and former competitive chainsaw carver who began working with metal several years ago. Since then, operating out of rural Eastern Washington under the name Earthen Indigo, she's created hundreds of pieces — large and small, interior and exterior — for customers around the world.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/artistic-yet-functional-custom-metalwork-can-elevate-a-home-improvement-project/Content?oid=25475654

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T he art of using spices has been studied for as long as humans have been making foods. In fact, most herbs and spices found on modern grocery shelves have been used for centuries — or much longer. The historical use of spices transcends flavor, however, crossing into the realm of healing both the mind and body. Today we're fortunate to have access to both ancient wisdom and modern science to inform our food decisions, including how and where to use various herbs and spices. Ginger The plump root of the ginger plant is notorious for soothing an upset stomach, pregnancy-related morning sickness and even chemotherapy-related nausea.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/your-spice-cabinet-is-hiding-more-behind-its-doors-than-just-a-tasty-way-to-kick-your-next-meal-up-a-notch/Content?oid=25475608

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F or as long as Reece Carlson can remember, he's been something of a nerd. He says the same of his wife, Jackie. Together, they own Natural 20 Brewing Co. — the name is a reference to the best possible roll a Dungeons and Dragons player can have with a 20-sided die. The two realized their shared passion almost immediately upon first meeting, while out with a group of mutual friends for a night at the movies. "We were the only two single people, and we ended up sitting next to each other in the theater," Reece recalls.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/natural-20-brewing-co-brings-an-infusion-of-nerd-culture-to-spokanes-craft-beer-scene-with-new-downtown-taproom/Content?oid=25475638

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S pokane is such a vibrant community , and here at Inlander Health & Home we've always been dedicated to showing off this region's expertise in health and wellness, home design, and food. Starting with this issue, we're happy to inaugurate a new Lifestyle section (page 34) to explore those things that add a little extra bling to the mix — from beauty and skin care news to boutique shopping destinations and delightful getaways. We also want to highlight opportunities for you to get involved to help make the Inland Northwest a better place — either through donating your time and talent or through financial contributions.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/expanding-our-horizons/Content?oid=25475689

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I pass the smoothie bar and take the first door on the right. In a mildly cluttered little room, I enter a wooden box. As I sit there, I can see my reflection in the glass door — my left side bombarded by orange infrared light making my glistening visage look like something out of Blade Runner 2049 . And I am sweating . The temperature is 140 degrees in the sauna at Wellness Tree in the South Perry District. For $45, I'm spending roughly 35 minutes in the confines of the hot box seeking a healthier self.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/getting-hot-offers-surprising-health-benefits/Content?oid=25475595

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Young Kwak photo At Billie's Diner, farm fresh food is a top priority. T he West Plains is experiencing a surge in growth on many fronts. Home to Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane International Airport, two continuously expanding tribal resorts and — most recently — a massive Amazon fulfillment center, the area encompassing Spangle, Cheney, Medical Lake, Reardan, Davenport and Airway Heights has seen a boom in building of both homes and businesses. That's one reason McKenzie DonTigny decided to open Billie's Diner in Airway Heights in September of 2022.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/billies-diner/Content?oid=25475645

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Madison Hare Analisa Martin at The Glow Co says you can combat winter skin dehydration by using gentle cleansers. 'We don't want that squeaky clean tight feeling after cleansing," she notes. W hile winter in the Inland Northwest can be a stunning and picturesque time of year, the season's cold, harsh nature often brings its own set of challenges to our skin. "The cold weather just pulls the moisture out of everything, including your skin, so you can get dry, itchy and flaky," says Octavia Lewis, a master esthetician and the owner of Inter-Tribal Beauty in north Spokane.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/how-to-bring-life-and-radiance-back-to-your-skin-in-the-relentless-months-of-winter/Content?oid=25475677

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W hen she was executive chef at Eat Good Group's Gilded Unicorn, Mary Weaver was partial to the duck stroganoff. But since moving from downtown Spokane to Kendall Yards to run the Mediterranean-inspired Baba, she's become a fan of the pappardelle. Both are comfort foods — creamy, hearty, savory, flavorful — and both reflect Eat Good Group's approach to comfort foods with a twist. Consider Baba's breakfast pita, which Weaver describes as similar to a breakfast burrito. "But it's a very Middle Eastern take on it with the lamb sausage and chermoula and the tahini and the feta," she adds.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/mediterranean-inspired-comfort-food-is-on-the-menu-at-baba/Content?oid=25475621

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S oak up the last days of the snow sports season by learning the basics of snowshoeing during a guided hike hosted by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation department. Travel on snowshoe trails through the snow-covered trees and hills around Mount Spokane and meet fellow snow enthusiasts. Cost includes: snowshoes, poles, trail fees, instruction, guides and transportation to the mountain. Meet at Yoke's Fresh Market parking lot at 14202 N. Market St. Sun., Feb. 12, 9 am-1 pm, Mon., Feb. 20, 9 am-1 pm and Sat.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/making-tracks/Content?oid=25475649

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W hen it comes to a coughing dogs , it can be hard to tell if a trip to the veterinarian is necessary. Here's a good rule of thumb: If a dog is coughing for more than three days or is having trouble breathing, it's time to contact your primary care veterinarian. Chances are, if your dog is sick for more than a few days, one of a handful of viral or bacterial pathogens —characterized as canine infectious respiratory diseases or CIRD — is the culprit. Here's the lineup of the most common potential offenders: canine distemper virus, canine influenza virus, canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus and Bordetella bronchiseptica .

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/what-to-do-when-your-best-pal-is-sick/Content?oid=25475600

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M usic was Spokane artist Chris Kelsey's first love and still informs his ceramic art. "I drum, I pot, and I ride bikes," says Kelsey, who spent his young adulthood drumming in a Billings, Montana-area cover band before earning a bachelor's in art from Montana State University. He laughs, adding "that explains why I have back and shoulder issues." Kelsey is seated at his electric-powered pottery wheel inside Trackside Studio and Ceramic Art Gallery. He's hunched over, arms braced, resting wet fingers and hands on the clay.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/chris-kelsey-creates-functional-and-sculptural-artworks-out-of-clay-at-spokanes-trackside-studio/Content?oid=25475669

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Erick Doxey One of Jess' recent projects was adding a decorative molding to frame the fireplace and painting the portion below mantel in Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black. W hen Jess and her husband , Mike, decided to renovate their home in the Spokane Valley in 2019, she began documenting the journey on her social media. "I just started sharing the process, and one thing sort of led to another," she says. Now Jess, under the name _thewelldressedhome, has 103,000 followers on Instagram, nearly 200,000 on TikTok and 1.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/for-jess-davis-working-from-home-was-not-a-pandemic-side-effect-in-fact-her-home-is-her-work/Content?oid=25475726

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Adaptogens are a broad category of herbs and plants thought to have medicinal qualities. As the name implies, they aim to help your body adapt – usually to stress, but also to ailments like fatigue and exhaustion. Various adaptogens have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. There are dozens of different types, but holy basil, ashwagandha, ginseng and astragalus are some of the most common. Renu Sinha is a Spokane surgeon who trained at some of the top U.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/can-herbs-plants-and-mushrooms-beat-back-the-stress-of-modern-life/Content?oid=24382480

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Search for a "local" coffee company in the Inland Northwest and you're likely to find plenty of roasters with tasting facilities, as well as places serving those brands, and retail outlets for your favorite beans or ground coffee. DOMA Coffee goes one step further with its line of instant coffees that make it even easier (and faster) to brew a cup of coffee literally anywhere you have access to hot water. They're "ideal for dawn patrol ski hikes, fishing or any camping situation," says company co-founder Rebecca Hurlen Patano.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/doma-coffee-adds-line-of-instant-coffees-for-that-fresh-brewed-flavor-wherever-you-may-be/Content?oid=25066861

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Making yourself a salad can be a quick and simple daily task or the creation of an inspired masterpiece. It's important for your salad greens to provide a nutritious foundation so you can get the most out of your salad. While most leafy greens are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, folate and iron, each type has its own unique features. Iceberg Lettuce This juicy, pale-colored lettuce makes a great crunchy base to a salad. Its crisp leaves create a refreshing balance with heavier toppings, like that of the bacon-covered timeless wedge salad.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/toss-up-a-bowlful-of-nutrition/Content?oid=25066797

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Erick Doxey photo Rob and Chelsea McFarland at HoneyLove Homestead in Medical Lake. "Bees are the gateway drug to mushrooms," says Chelsea McFarland, who lives on Medical Lake acreage she and husband Rob call HoneyLove Homestead. The comment is a total non sequitur, unless you know that the couple's startup mushroom business, Far Land Fungi, sprouted from their intense interest in beekeeping. Roughly 10 years ago, when they were living in Los Angeles pursuing careers in tech and media, the McFarlands became interested in bees.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/two-local-beekeepers-embark-on-a-journey-growing-mushrooms-as-far-land-fungi/Content?oid=23938349

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Smart speakers are handy accessibility tools. Technology can be a powerful ally in making every home accessible to all its residents at any stage of life. If you've ever fumbled for the light switch with an armful of groceries, for example, you'll appreciate lighting activated by motion sensors. Portable versions, such as rechargeable LEDs, can be placed nearly anywhere; they might be used to illuminate a change in step elevation that could be difficult for some to navigate. Or when that same technology is employed in your faucets, even the littlest members of the household can wash up unassisted.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/why-yelling-at-your-house-can-be-a-very-good-thing/Content?oid=24382570

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Mike Beiser Founders Melissa Sanders and Mike Pearson share a love of chemistry and wine. Melissa Sanborn and her husband, Mike Pearson, have combined their mutual love of growing things and drinking wine into a fruitful business. "Being in the vineyard and growing the grape that people will eventually enjoy in their glass is really rewarding," says Sanborn. "I don't think either of us would do this if we couldn't have a hand in growing the grapes we use." Born and raised in Spokane, Sanborn moved to Moscow in 2001.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/the-owners-of-colters-creek-revived-a-nearly-defunct-vineyard-and-now-share-the-fruits-of-their-labor-with-a-new-generation/Content?oid=24382534

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As an instructor at Spokane Community College's Inland Northwest Culinary Academy, Duane Sunwold thought he was healthy enough, although tired. But his fatigue, followed by a horrific migraine and extreme facial swelling was actually his body declining into kidney failure. "I always call it my midlife crisis," says Sunwold, who 20 years ago was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). His doctor prescribed medication, and while restricting salt was an obvious countermeasure, an SCC co-worker and registered dietician, Erin Clason, suggested he switch to a plant-based diet.

https://www.inlander.com/spokane/applying-creativity-to-restricted-diets-fuels-duane-sunwolds-culinary-artistry/Content?oid=24382519

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