It's About To Get Cheesy

This one’s a bit more food focused than previous editions, but I’m gonna start off showing some love to our friends in Coeur D’Alene cause they are deserving, there’s a ton going on, and the place just radiates ridiculous vibes. . . and you know it!

MAC. AND. CHEESE. FESTIVAL. STFU! Sheesh. . . I don’t think I need to sell you on gettin’ yo mf cheeeeeese on. I’m gonna just give you the deets and make sure you know where to go, who’s participating, and peer pressure you to commit. . . cuz who the hell doesn’t want an excuse to stuff their face full of mac and cheese. . . 

Here’s the 411 on how this bad boy’s goin’ down:

📍 Where: Downtown Coeur d'Alene—yep, the heart of CDA is about to turn into the cheesiest place on earth. Local restaurants, chefs, and food trucks all throwin’ down their most fire mac and cheese creations.

📅 When: January 18th. Mark your calendar, set your reminders, and maybe even schedule a cheat day… or cheat weekend, because this is the one event you don’t wanna miss.

🎟️ You Gotta Have: TICKETS. This little beauty lets you sample mac and cheese from participating spots around downtown, and it comes with tickets for beer and wine tastings because, duh, mac and cheese needs a sidekick.

💡 If You’re Smart: Dress warm, bring yo stretchy pants, and maybe skip breakfast. There’s an awards ceremony for the best mac, soooo… you’re basically a judge in a battle of cheesy greatness.

Are you really gonna pass up gourmet mac, some drinks, and bragging rights that you ate your way through CDA’s cheesiest festival? Didn’t think so.

I know I previously encouraged your new year’s resolution, but hopefully your new year’s resolution doesn’t include reshaping your diet. . . cuzzz some culinary fusion’s about to go down, and these cheesy, culinary epiphanies will make your taste buds cry happy tears 🤤. Here’s the lineup of chefs curating these masterpieces. 👇

• Anthony’s Restaurant – Edward Bartkowiak: Fresh seafood vibes with a side of Riverstone charm. Fancy cheese with a view? Yes, please.

• Avondale Bar & Grill – James Seidler: Seasonal, bold flavors that’ll make you rethink your comfort food choices.

• Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery – Ken Glessner: A distillery AND next-level mac? Say less.

• Compassion Catering – Nazzy Pearson-Muhammad: Allergy-friendly, soul-healing mac made with love and good vibes.

• Drummin’ Up BBQ – Daryl Kunzi: BBQ kings serving smoky, cheesy goodness. Pro tip: napkins required.

• Hula Pot – Vincent Fong: Hawaiian BBQ meets cheesy paradise. Tropical mac? Don’t mind if I do.

• Mac Daddy’s – Nick Bokarica: They started with three macs; now they’re dishing out 14 varieties. Big mac energy.

• NEWTech Bistro – Cynthia Monroe: Future foodies bringing fresh takes on cheesy classics.

• Oh Baby! Tex Mex BBQ – Mark Nehlich: Tex-Mex meets BBQ with a mac twist. Bold, spicy, and oh-so-good.

• Olive’s Pastry & Pies – Kelley Taylor: Sweet AND savory pies, but their cheesy magic? A revelation.

• Sierra Ranch Chili – Aaron Sierra: All-meat, smoky chili turned mac-tastic. No fillers, just flavor bombs.

• Sweet Lou’s – Brandon & Brie: Classic American eats with a mac creation that’s straight-up drool-worthy.

• The Olympia – Ryan Foti: Greek mac that’s been a family staple for almost 30 years. Opa!

• The Culinary Stone – Lesa LeBeau: Gourmet mac from a chef who once cooked for the Oscars. Fancy meets cheesy.

• The Snake Pit – Autumn & Viljo Basso: Locals behind Syringa and Bluebird bring their mac A-game.

• Vine & Olive – CJ Lopp: European-inspired mac with a Northwest twist. Classy AF.

• Westwood Brewing – Nicholas Hart: High-end pub grub meets cheesy perfection.

  This WHOLE THING’S GOT ME FEELING LIKE:

  

  Click here for more info.

The INW Aerospace Game is Taking Off ✈️

Well, ‘bout time Spokane levels up in the aerospace world–recently, Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing and Materials Center or better known as AAMMC secured a whopping $50 million funding boost from the Department of Defense. Here’s why that’s important. . . For starters it helps our local economy in a massive way while making the dream of a world-class aerospace testbed and training center a reality. With the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Tech Hub award and massive industry support, our region is taking its spot on the global stage for advanced aerospace innovation.

So this ain’t just about planes–it revolutionizes how they’re manufactured–and this testbed will dial in on lightweight composite parts like ribs, doors, and bulkheads to help the U.S. churn out 40,000 new, fuel efficient airplanes over the next decade–and that’s happening right in our backyard. 

Plus, everyone’s getting into the mix: NASA, Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace, and even local schools like Gonzaga are all in on the action. Senator Maria Cantwell nailed it: “America is handing the baton to Spokane.” The hub will not only boost our local economy but also cement Spokane’s leadership in solving global aviation challenges.

So yeah, Spokane isn’t just on the map—it’s shaping the future of flight. Watch this space, folks. Big things are happening. Here’s the rest of the story. 🛩️

Buzzkill or not? I’ll let you decide: 

I don’t hit the sauce all that often nor do I stay up past 1:00AM anymore, but I’ll spill the tea on this one anyway–or should I say, Cocktail. City leaders are tossing around the idea of restricting late-night alcohol sales downtown to curb those "totally preventable" alcohol-related shenanigans. Sorry, kids no more 2:00 AM bottle grabs at the nearest convenience store and get used to hearing more, “Sorry, slick, you’re cut off until the sun’s back up.”

The move is aimed at cutting down on the fights, accidents, and general chaos that ignites after the clock strikes midnight–and sometimes destroys the unreal vibes at Monterey Cafe (IYKYK). While some folks are cheering this on as a smart play for safety, others are throwing side-eye at what they see as yet another nanny-state buzzkill. On second thought, best not to end the night looking like 👇:

Spokane’s late-night crowd has its fair share of wild cards. . .yeah we know, ‘Captain Obvious’, but will this actually make a dent in the drama? Or is it just gonna push the party elsewhere? One thing’s for sure—your late-night Gatorade run won’t hit the same if you can’t snag a six-pack with it.

Stay tuned, Spokane—here’s the full story.

Speaking of Exercising My Drunken Rights. . .

Alright, a hearty winter brunch goes hard… and you know it. It’s only right that I plug a few spots I think are worth hitting. Obviously, some of the big hitters like The Yards, Frank’s Diner, and Bruncheonette slap, but I thought I’d give you the skinny on five spots potentially outside your usual Sunday morning rotation:

Little Euro: If comfort food is your love language, Little Euro is your soulmate. Here’s why: 👉 Danish Aebelskivers, Swedish Crepes, Potato Pancakes… I’ll stop there because it’s enough to let your imagination run wild. While my heart lies with their Valley location, you South Hillers are in luck—they just opened another spot on Grand. 👀

Crimson Hearth: I earn one gold star every time I make the pilgrimage here with my grandma to secure “favorite grandson” status. She customizes everything (on the side, naturally) and insists on calling the “Randy Bacon” by name. Cringey? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%. The rustic vibe and the wood-fired breakfast dishes (the chicken fried steak is my pick) make it a vibe. Don’t sleep on their beignets either.

House of Brunch: Get ready to destroy their chicken and waffles. It’s the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Roscoe’s, so yeah, I’m basically the sheriff of chicken). Dudes, it’s a hell of a game plan to crush a plate and make your influencer girlfriend happy. Just look away when the phone eats first. Also, their mimosas slap, but if you’re feeling spicy, I implore you to try the Hasta Mañana. Thank me later.

Remedy: Brunch with a rooftop view? Yes, please. Remedy doesn’t just serve food; they serve vibes. Their Eggs Benedict game is unmatched, and the cocktails? Absolute perfection. Whether it’s sunny or snowy, Remedy makes your brunch feel like a mini getaway. Pro tip: their spicy brunch options hit different—you’re a fool not to tap in.

Jimmy’s Down The Street: If you’re in CDA, Jimmy’s is the spot for diner nostalgia done right. Their cinnamon rolls are basically the size of your head (and arguably better than therapy). Their portions? Unapologetically massive. Whether you’re craving a classic scramble or a pancake stack that feels like a hug, Jimmy’s never misses. If it’s good enough for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, it’s good enough for you.

Planning a wedding??? 

If so, you might as well stay out in CDA this weekend. Nspire is throwing down with a wedding show that’s pulling out all the stops. Hell, if you double up on the mac and cheese fest, squeezing into a tux or gown might feel like an Olympic sport—but hey, at least you’ll leave inspired, right? Oh, and did I mention? There’s a fashion show.

We’re talking vendors galore: venues, attire, catering, DJs, cakes, florals, rentals, photographers, planners… the whole enchilada. Who knows, you might leave with your wedding plans locked and loaded in one fell swoop. So, if you’re ready to tie the knot—or want to drop a very unsubtle hint to your whipped boyfriend—head to the resort and soak it all in.

Now, to the fellas reading this alongside their girlfriend or fiancée and feeling their blood pressure rise—relax. I get it. All three of my sisters have gotten married, and I’ve seen firsthand how they “consulted” their now-husbands, only to end up making the executive decisions anyway. Trust me, just go with it. Nod a few times, say “that’s beautiful,” and make it a date night. Wrap it up with a Dockside Gooey or a trip back to the Mac & Cheese Fest (or both, if you’re feeling wild).

Reminds me of a bit from my old coach Leach (RIP Pirate).

Skiers – I’m Talking At You: 

I’m definitely all about keeping things local, but last week I was up in Canada for a week and my goodness, if you’re trying to get away for the weekend, and make things a bit more price effective, then let me tell ya, the US Dollar is strong and the Canadian Dollar? Well. . . I think this graphic gets the point across. 

Moral of the story: There are absolutely unreal ski spots just north of the border. If you’re a skier, here are a few gems you need to check out—each with a charming town to match:

Red Mountain (Rossland B.C.): Only a couple of hours from most of us, this spot is like stepping into a skier’s paradise. Over 3,800 acres of skiable terrain means there’s something for everyone—from wide-open groomers to tree runs that feel like your own private playground. The Rossland vibes are laid-back and welcoming, with killer après options. Don’t miss Rafters, their iconic lodge bar that’s practically legendary.

Big White (Kelowna B.C): Big White lives up to its name with its massive terrain and legendary snow. Champagne pow, perfectly groomed runs, and a family-friendly village that you literally could spend a couple weeks at without ever needing to leave. The night skiing here is next-level, so you can keep carving long after the sun goes down–but hey, if that doesn’t blow your hair back, the city of Kelowna is amazing. Actually, it’s very similar to Coeur D’Alene, but instead of tree lined mountains, and hills–they chose to substitute vineyards. . . that’s my hint to say, they have a pretty killer wine scene. . . so don’t walk. . . run up there. 

Fernie (Fernie B.C.) I was just up there last week, and I felt like I just pulled back on one of the best kept secrets in North America. . . the Fernie valley is as legendary as suggested on their website. Something like six massive snow bowls to choose from, DEEP POWDER. Plus the downtown is sneaky fun–kinda like seeing that cute quiet girl who hasn’t made a peep in class at a party and you find out she’s the energy you’ve been looking for. . . quick rec – hit Loaf. Crazy good Italian food. . . Gnocchi’s Fire. . . Do it. 

Oh, and don’t forget your passport, or you’ll be doing the walk of shame back from the border. Let’s not sleep on our local champions either—here’s how our backyard ski mountains are looking:

• Schweitzer: Base: 64” | Summit: 85”

• Lookout Pass: Base: 32” | Summit: 52”

• Mt. Spokane: Base: 42” | Summit: 73”

• 49 Degrees North: Base: 36” | Summit: 124”

• Silver Mountain: Base: 59” | Summit: 72”

With some juicy La Niña weather systems headed our way, we’re in for a hell of a ride. Powder hounds, paradise is coming to you this time.

Alright, friends. . . I’m done here. . . I’ll be in touch next week!