Tuesday, July 28, 2015
We're currently working on our upcoming Beer Issue — hitting the streets August 20 — so the Inlander staff has beer on the brain a bit more than usual. Walk past some of our cubicles, and you might recognize the signs of a thirsty writer or editor.
After a little bit of reporting, it turns out beer is not only a delicious treat, it's a pretty significant part of the economy. Sounds like a great reason to raise a toast — cheers!
The folks at something called the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association today released a new study called "Beer Serves America: A Study of the U.S. Beer Industry's Economic Contribution," and in the report (put together by John Dunham and Associates), they break down things like how beer contributes to jobs and taxes both nationally and in each of the states. You can read the report if you want to get into the minutiae, but we thought there were a few noteworthy stats Inlander readers might be interested in:
- Overall, the beer industry generates about $252.6 billion in economic activity, which equates to about 1.5 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
- Based on data from 2014, beer is responsible for the existence of about 1.75 million jobs, ranging from the people working at the breweries themselves to all the suppliers affiliated with the industry — bottle and can manufacturers, cardboard companies, marketing enterprises and the like.
- The total number of breweries has grown by 2,290 in the past two years, most of them microbreweries and brewpubs. Residents of the Inland Northwest can certainly attest to that trend as our ale trail is growing like crazy.
- Nearly $50 billion in taxes is generated by the production of beer and other malt beverages (those hard lemonades, etc.), and those taxes make up about 40 percent of the price we pay for a beer.
- In Washington state, the beer industry generates nearly $3 billion in economic activity, and roughly 38 percent of the retail price of beers goes toward federal and state taxes.
- In Idaho, the beer biz generates about $460 million in economic activity, and roughly 37 percent of the price of each beer goes toward taxes.
HERE
The Spokane City Council votes to pair two "advisory questions" with Envision Spokane's initiative, over their objections. (Spokesman-Review)
Pot edibles can look like cookies or candy. Kids love cookies and candy. Cue the problem. (KXLY)
WSU snags a crew of UW researchers to look into public health concerns facing minority groups. (Spokesman-Review)
THERE
A third undercover video is released by the anti-Planned Parenthood group, this one with a former phlebotomist of a company called StemExpress. This release, like the others, includes both an unedited and an unedited version. (The Hill)
Obama could win a third term, says Obama. If Obama wanted to or the law allowed it, but Obama doesn't. (New York Times)
And now it's that season where the attorney of the leading Republican candidate for president says you can't be raped by your spouse and then threatens a reporter and then apologizes. #Trump (Washington Post)
Jon Stewart has the ear of the president — and more importantly, the president has the ear of Jon Stewart. (Slate)
HOUSING MAP
Here's a map of the United States by home value, which gets really squished around the Montana/Wyoming area. (Vox)
Monday, July 27, 2015
Just in time for Halloween, the Iowa metal band Slipknot — famous for wearing costumes all year round — comes to take over the Spokane Arena, October 20. The raging show leads up to the act’s Knotfest festival (sporting the tagline: "A happening that will awaken your darkest senses") in California just days later.
The band rose to fame in the late ’90s, around the same time as other nu-metal acts like Korn and Limp Bizkit, which Slipknot tries to distance itself from. The group, through many a lineup change and much time off, has gone on to pull in 11 platinum and 39 gold record certifications worldwide, and most recently many accolades for its 2014 effort, .5: The Gray Chapter.
Enjoying this heart-stopping, often terrifyingly dark music is more about the feeling the nine-piece evokes rather than the melodies, as it’s often difficult to distinguish between songs. But for avid local followers of the crew (and they were ranked No. 17 on this year’s Arena Bucket List, proving there are quite a few fans here), this band is sure to put on one of the most intense shows in recent Arena history. Suicidal Tendencies and Beartooth will open for the metal act, helping everyone let loose.
Tickets are $35 and $45 and go on sale Friday.
Check out the act's most recent single “Killpop” below:
Tags: Music , Iowa , Spokane Arena , Slipknot , Image , Video
GoFundMe
Ken Hopkins of the "Ken, Dave & Molly" morning show on KZZU was partially paralyzed in a recent biking accident.
Inlander readers know Ken Hopkins. For that matter, so does much of the Inland Northwest thanks to his role as part of the "Ken, Dave & Molly" morning radio show on 92.9 FM, KZZU, a gig that earned Hopkins and his cohosts the honor of Best Radio DJ or Team in our 2015 Best of the Inland Northwest issue.
Now Hopkins can use our readers' help recovering from a horrific biking accident that left him, at least for now, paralyzed from the chest down. News of the July 13 accident arrived today via the unveiling of a GoFundMe page dedicated to helping Hopkins.
On the page, Hopkins relays his situation since the accident two weeks ago:
As of now, I am left without the use of my legs and I have no feeling from my mid chest down. I do have full use of my arms, hands and neck muscles and am hopeful for the return of other functions once the damages heal and swelling returns to normal. The last 2 weeks have been filled with every range of emotions and tears. I have never before found myself in a position where recovery status is not measured by days or weeks, but my months. It will be a long journey just to get myself in a position to function in the world.The money raised will help Hopkins' family make the needed changes to his home and hopefully speed his recovery. Hopkins plans on returning to the KZZU air, according to the GoFundMe page, and the station is intent on reconfiguring the studio for him when he's ready to join Dave and Molly again.
Once again, anyone interested in helping Hopkins and his family can donate to the cause via the Support for Ken Hopkins and Family GoFundMe page.
As we shift gears from July to August, there are plenty of great opportunities for getting out and about throughout the region. You can see all the Inland Northwest has to offer in our event listings, and consider what our writers think are must-go options in our Staff Picks.
Here are some highlights of the week ahead:
Monday, July 27
OPEN MIC | The LeftBank Wine Bar welcomes local singer/songwriters to its Monday Night Spotlight, hosted by Carey Brazil and offering a cash prize to the audience's favorite artist of the evening.
Tuesday, July 28
WORDS | Auntie's is hosting a Mystery & Thriller Writing Workshop for interested readers and aspiring authors, hosted by author Jenny Milchman and starting at 6 pm. Free to the public.
FILM | The Garland Theater continues its Summer Camp 2015 film series with the ol' 80s chestnut Dirty Dancing. Here's a reminder of the power of the Swayze:
Tags: What's Up? , Image , Video
HERE
Embattled Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing is now being targeted by Washington state Democrats. (Spokesman-Review)
The Pacific Northwest's emergency planners say they're ready for The Big One. (Spokesman-Review)
After an accident during a bike ride, Ken Hopkins, member of the smash hit "Dave, Ken and Molly" morning crew at KZZU, is in the midst of the long rehab struggle. Here's his gofundme page.
THERE
The New York Times investigates slavery on Thai fishing boats. (New York Times)
The play, Speech and Debate, loosely based on the Jim West scandal, is getting turned into a Kal Penn movie. (AV Club)
Mass deportation actually a pretty popular position among Republicans. (Washington Post)
The tension between gay rights and religious freedom is increasing. (The Atlantic)
A CRITIC SCORNED
No, movie critic A.A. Dowd did not call "Accidental Love" a "comedic masterstroke," despite with that the DVD cover would lead you to believe. So Mr. Dowd pens a letter of objection. (AV Club)
Tags: Morning Briefing , News , Image
Friday, July 24, 2015
Marshall McLean Band is just one act playing the South Perry Street Festival on Saturday.
A bevy of music awaits throughout the region this weekend. Go get ya some!
FRIDAY
Tonight, the Big Dipper plays host to Acoustic Fest, featuring Tyler Lang, Gary Cook, Aleisha Simpson and a cast of seemingly thousands more.
Land of Plenty continues tonight The Bartlett, a creative convergence of visual art and music that tonight features Cami Bradley, Lemolo, Anna Tivel and Abby Gundersen.
And this weekend seems a great opportunity to scope out the Red Lion Hotel at the Park concert series, which is featuring Soul Proprietor Friday and Bakin' Phat on Saturday. Read about the series and see the full lineup right here.
SATURDAY
The South Perry Street Festival has a slew of the best local Spokane bands all in one spot Saturday playing all day long starting at 1:30 pm. Real Life Rockaz, Silver Treason, Dead Serious Lovers, Mama Doll, Water Monster and Marshall McLean (one of our Bands to Watch 2015) are all the bill, so take a stroll, ride your bike—do whatever you need to do to get over there.
If you're in the mood for a little roadie, head south to the Palouse Music Festival. The small town rolls out the welcome mat for a party in the park featuring local and regional talent of all styles. Go a little further south to Clarkston and you can be Rockin' on the River with Collective Soul.
Over Sandpoint way, the Sandpoint Summer Sounds has a "special crazy days" edition in store, featuring Backstreet Dixie and more.
Hogfish in Coeur d'Alene is hosting Blackwater Prophet, Northern Stakes and AAI.
SUNDAY
If you need a little raucous rock come Sunday evening, the Knitting Factory will take care of you with the Theory of a Deadman show. Here's a new vid from the band:
HERE
A Spokane bar owner was indicted Thursday for defrauding local banks over nearly a decade. (Spokesman-Review)
Changes to the Washington laws regulating medical marijuana kick in today. (KXLY)
Coeur d'Alene has a whole lot of fancy cars to check out this weekend, and probably a lot of midlife crises on display as well. (CdA Press)
THERE
Turkey is going to allow the U.S. military to use a base in the country in the war on ISIS. (New York Times)
Another lone, white male went on a shooting spree, this time at a screening of Trainwreck in Louisiana. (Washington Post)
The Dunkin' Donuts CEO thinks a $15 minimum wage for workers is "absolutely outrageous." (CNN)
DUH
World Wrestling Entertainment has dropped arguably its most popular wrestler ever from its Hall of Fame after tapes featuring Hulk Hogan hurling racist phrases instead of large men went public. (Daily Beast)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
It was pitch black on the stretch of Post Falls roadway when Jeremy Rogers and Aaron Cameron mounted their dirt bikes shortly after 1am Monday morning. The two had been drinking — IPA beers for Rogers and martinis for Cameron — and their motorcycles didn’t have headlights nor they helmets. A few moments later, neighbors heard a colossal crash and ran outside to find shoes and motorcycle parts strewn across the roadway.
The pair had crashed into one another head on as they raced up and down the hill. Both men were injured, with Cameron’s life-threatening head injury so serious he was transported to Seattle by helicopter. In his report, Post Falls Police Officer Daniel Koontz notes the safety violations: lack of headlights, driving under the influence. But the helmets that could have prevented the head injury? Not required by law in Idaho.
Cross the border into Idaho and it won't be long before you see a motorcycle rider without a helmet. Some riders even stop at the state line to remove their head protection. These fearless individuals aren't lawbreakers: Idaho is one of many states that doesn't require adult riders to wear helmets. There was a time when mandated helmets were the norm. In 1976, 47 U.S. states required helmets. By 2006 that number had shrunk to 25. Now it is a scant 19. Washington is in the helmet-mandated minority and study after study shows that our lives and brains are safer for it.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Some states require motorcycle riders to protect their brains with helmets, but lots don't
A CDC study found that of the 4,502 people who died in motorcycle accidents in 2010, 12 percent weren’t wearing helmets in states with universal helmet laws. The Idaho Transportation Department found that 54 percent of the 117 riders killed in motorcycle crashes between 2010 and 2014 weren’t wearing helmets.
Tags: mews , safety , motorcycle , driving , traffic accident , recreation , News , Image
Gordon Grant, the almost-30-year Spokane police officer, is somewhat of a local celebrity. Grant grew up in Spokane (he went to Ferris High School), and despite his youthful ambitions to find a law enforcement job elsewhere, he landed back in Spokane after a year playing football in Canada. Ask a long-time Spokanite about Officer Grant, and they might tell you about having him as a D.A.R.E officer or talking with him at Cops 'n Kids, the community event he's organized for the past 22 years. But one story you might not know about Grant starts with the desktop image on his computer.
It's of Grant with his arm around Samuel L Jackson.
"Just chillin' with my homeboy," Grant says, showing off the picture one June morning.
When Jackson was in Spokane filming 2006 flick Home of the Brave, he needed someone to drive him and his crew around town. He specifically asked for someone who was intimately familiar with the city. He wanted someone who knew where to go and, more importantly, where not to go.
Tags: Spokane Police , Officer Gordon Grant , Samuel L. Jackson , Home of the Brave , For Fun! , Image
Moonshine: Artisan Night Market & Moonlit Movie @ Commellini Estate
Wednesdays, 5:30-10 p.m. Continues through Aug. 27
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