Bloglander

click to enlarge

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna will announce his run for the governorship tomorrow, the AP reports.

The state hasn't had a Republican governor since John Spellman, who left office in 1985, which may explain why McKenna is announcing so far in advance of the November 2012 election.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is in her second term of office and has yet to announce if she's running or not, even if there are a few Democrats on the sidelines waiting to hear her intentions. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, from Spokane, told The Inlander in February that she would make a decision on her political future sometime this spring. Puget Sound-area U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee is also expected to run.

Cancer causers clog crap-cleaner construction-- For now, permission to build a big new sewage treatment plant for Spokane County is being withheld. The concern of the Spokane Tribe is that no limit is set on PCBs -- potentially cancer causing agents. Those PCBs can infect fish, making them inedible. (SR)

Cougflation -- At Washington State University, despite efforts to increase revenue by dramatically increasing the number of students, tuition is going up 16 percent, over 5 times the rate of inflation. At the considerably cheaper Eastern Washington University, tuition is only increasing about 11 percent. (KREM)

Congressional creep -- By now, everyone knows that Congressman Anthony Weiner lied a whole lot about sending naughty pictures to young woman throughout the nation. As he finally admitted, he's carried on six such cybersexual relationships in the last three years. This link shows him lying, bald-faced and angrily, to an ABC News reporter. (ABC)

Cookware criminal -- A man is standing trial, accused of stealing but a single sheet of tinfoil. His confrontation with a Rite Aid employee went sour, and now he's being charged with first-degree robbery. Foiled again. (KXLY)

Karen Kearney is once again aiming for the Spokane City Council.

"These are serious times and they need serious people," says Kearney, who is running in District 3. To date, only Steve Salvatori has announced his intentions to run for the seat being vacated by Steve Corker, who is running to become the council's president. "I really wasn't going to do it. But people kept asking me."

Kearney ran two years ago in the same district against incumbent Nancy McLaughlin and lost by a wide margin. She says this time is different, mainly because of Salvatori.

"I've looked at his info. He doesn't know this district," she says. "What has he done for my district? Has he visited the schools? Has he gone to the women's and kids' free restaurant? What has this man done?"

But, she adds, she's planning on keeping the race civil: "He's my opponent. He's not my enemy." 

Asked to identify another candidate running for any contested seat in this year's city elections that she supports, Kearney was quick to point to just one: Mayor Mary Verner.

"I'm not endorsing anybody for anything except for Mary Verner," she says. "She's made some hard decisions. She's put in more than 100 percent. She's taken a cut in her salary. She's walking the walk in that way."

Kearney says she'll make her candidacy official tomorrow morning. This is the one week that candidates have to file with the elections office to get their names on the ballot. Other candidates that made it official this week were Verner, council president hopeful Ben Stuckart, mayoral candidate Mike Noder and Corker.

Bails out -- Even if your bail is substantially high, your payment to a bail bond agency, in the state of Washington, is pretty cheap. And after a man who paid only 4 percent of his bail murdered four police officers in Lakewood, legislators debated setting some sort of standard. Even 5 percent, where industry standard is 10 percent. But other legislators pointed out that big bails, by their very nature, hit the poor far harder than the rich. The legislation did not pass. (SR)

Stark mad, raving–  Friday night, a rave – which apparently still happen – was held at the Lincoln Center. One problem: The Lincoln Center only holds 700 people, and there were about 500 more who had purchased tickets. Some ravers didn’t take this too well – some proposed they swap “rave” for “riot” and by 10:40, the cops were called. Crowds inside and outside were sent home, which was lame for everybody involved. (KREM)

Grant this request – Already in Kootenai County, $15 million in the budget come from grants taxpayers don’t have to pay. County commissioners have hired a consultant to figure out how to bump that number even higher. (CDAP)

Border clash -- Soldiers fired upon Palestinian protesters who attacked the border fence near Syria. Protesters say engaging the soldiers is an intentional strategy for “ending the occupation” of Palestine. (NYT)

Late last Friday, 23-year-old musician and artist Bethany Mooter fell off her bike, suffering massive head injuries. Since then she’s been in the hospital and is making a slow but steady recovery, just recently beginning to open her eyes and speak.

In order to help her family with medical bills, Bethany’s friends have gathered together to host several benefits at the Checkerboard Tavern (1716 E. Sprague). Tonight they kick off with a show featuring the Terrible Buttons in addition to a yard sale, barbecue and raffle, which will run through the weekend. If you can’t make the events but would like to help, you can make donations at the tavern.

For more information, click here, and to follow Bethany’s progress through her family’s blog, click here.

Pride Week isn't here quite yet, but the festivities are already starting. Here are a few we recommend.

Hands Across Monroe

Only 72 hours after a gay couple was attacked while holding hands on the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, news outlets reported that a flood of nearly 4,000 supporters went to the site to hold hands, showing their support for the couple and the larger LGBTQA community. On Sunday, June 5, from 7:30-8:30 pm, supporters are invited to hold hands and walk across the Monroe Street Bridge in Riverfront Park in solidarity with the community in Portland, and, as organizers say, “anyone who has ever feared holding the hand of the one they care for.”

Gay Spokane Pageant 

It’s time once again to crown Mr. and Ms. Gay Spokane for the coming year. They’re preparing for a year of helping others through their place in the Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane, raising money for educational scholarships open to anyone in the community, but let them party first. On Saturday, June 4 at the Spotlight Lounge (321 W. Sprague) ISCS presents the 2011 Gay Spokane Pageant, where the new royalty will be crowned and everyone will rejoice. Tickets are $20 and open only to those over 21. Doors at 6 pm, pageant starts at 7 pm.

Celluloid Closet (film)

The way LGBT characters have been portrayed in motion pictures has been absurd, comical, deviant — and that’s when they’ve been present in films at all. This documentary chronicles the transformation of these portrayals over time and the politics behind them,via clips, footage and interviews with those involved in the film industry, including actors like Tom Hanks and Whoopie Goldberg. The free 7 pm screening at AClub on Tuesday, June 7, will also feature a secret “theatrical twist.” It’s all-ages until 10 pm, when the after-party kicks in with music from Small Town Nation.

After NOW President Terry O'Neill and other leaders in the movement sent a letter to the White House demanding more female representation at budget talks, O'Neill noticed that McMorris Rodgers attended a meeting with the president and her compatriots in the House Republican leadership, John Boehner and Eric Cantor.

"She voted the straight party line against women's reproductive health and supported the Ryan budget to 'gut and cut' programs," O'Neill wrote on the website. "She has a zero rating from NARAL and near zeros from AAUW and NOW. She voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay bill, for goodness sakes. Wonder just how much she stuck up for women in that confab" at the White House.

O'Neill took everyone at the meeting to task for making women shoulder the burden after social services get cut.

"Women are the majority of recipients of vital public benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, childcare subsidies and other family friendly support programs," she wrote. "They are underpaid for the work they do and often hold down two or three part-time/near-minimum wage jobs while their spouses look for work. We cannot balance our budget or reduce our debt without understanding the effects of these cuts and slashes on the lives and livelihoods of our nation's girls and women."

Behold, the weekend of fests!  

ELKFEST just started and runs all weekend long, making Browne's Addition more full, more fun and more difficult to drive through than any other weekend of the year. You know where the little roundabout thingie is? That's where you'll find Elkfest. It's free. It's all-ages. It's awesome. 

Here's the schedule: 

TODAY

4:30 pm - The Camaros
6 pm - Folk Inception
7:30 pm - Blood Hot Beat
9 pm - SHIM

SATURDAY

12:30 pm - Mon Cheri
2 pm - Crickets of Cascadia (read our story about them here)
3:30 pm - The Sassmatrons
5 pm - Flying Spiders
6:30 pm - Real Life Rockaz
7:45 pm - DJ Stone Tobey
8:30 pm - Strength

SUNDAY

2 pm - Old Bear Mountain
3:30 pm - La Cha Cha
5 pm - Whiskey Dick Mountain (who recently won one of our Bands to Watch slots)
7 pm - Bully (featuring members of Dirty Sweet)
8:30 pm - Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside (read our review of their latest record, Dirty Radio, here)

ARTFEST kicked off a few hours ago just a few blocks away from Elkfest in Coeur d'Alene Park (the big one with the gazebo). And though the focus there is mostly art and artisans, there's a stage with music running all weekend. 

TODAY

Until 4:30 pm - Brent Edstrom Trio (Jazz)
5 pm - Hoodoo Udu (Blues)
7:30 pm - Milonga (Latin)

SATURDAY

11 am - Master Class Jazz Orchestra
12:30 pm - Brad Keeler Trio (Blues)
2 pm - Nicole Lewis Band (Jazz/pop)
3:30 pm - Spare Parts (70s to present)
5 pm - Soul Proprietor (Urban Soul)
7:30 pm - Big Mumbo (Blues/R&B)

SUNDAY

11 am - Philip Boulding (Celtic harp)
12:30 pm - Riders of the Rockin B (Cowboy classics)
1:30 pm - Sammy Eubanks (Blues)
3:30 pm - EWU Jazz I Orchestra

SWAMP FEST — the unofficial Elkfest/Artfest after party that keeps you up, drinkin' and dancin' into the night — also starts this evening. We don't know the set orders, but tonight Groove Patrol, Real Life Rockaz, Tyler Aker and Amoe (of Space Movies) play. Tomorrow night you can catch Flying Spiders, Jesi B and the All Rights, Tyler Aker, DJ C-Mad play. And on Sunday, catch Simon Tucker, Zac Fairbanks and DJ Poncho P. Swamp Fest kicks off at 9:30 pm each night, costs $5 and is only for those of drinking age. 

But there are things other than fests happening, too, if crowds aren't your thing. 

NON-FESTS TONIGHT

A more than promising hip-hip shop is on the books tonight at Aclub, featuring Onry Ozzborne (of Grayskul), Iame (of Sandpeople/Oldominion), Void Pedal, Cloudy October, Gun of the Sun, Foot in the Door and Cruz the Kid. Definitely worth the $7 they're asking at the door. Gotta be 21. 8:30 pm. 

There's a little show going down tonight at the Checkerboard Tavern featuring Ian Miles and the band, the Terrible Buttons. Show at 9 pm. $5. Gotta be 21. 

Perhaps the most expensive show to ever hit the Hop! happens tonight, but there are lots of folks telling us that Brotha Lynch Hung, the nasty 90s rapper, is, like, so worth it. Check out our story on him here. Show — with a baker's dozen of opening acts — starts at 7 pm. It'll cost ya $27 at the door, so you might as well get your money's worth and go the entire time. All-ages. 

NON-FESTS SATURDAY

Hit up the Baby Bar after the Fests finish up for a show by the excellent local band, Myth Ship. Check out our review of the band's latest album here. Free. 9 pm. Gotta be 21.

Coeur d'Alene's the Long Ear, one of our favorite record stores in the area, is hosting a super cool benefit this weekend to help artsy kids go to college. It runs all day long tomorrow, starting at 11 am. Paw through the bins and support the show — which is $5 — for a great cause. 

NON-FESTS SUNDAY

And if you even have legs or a liver after all the dancing and festing you'll do in the days prior, make it down to Mootsy's on Sunday night for a show by Silver Treason and the Dusty 45s, who are splitting off from their tour with ADELE (yeah!) to come play here. At Mootsy's. Uh. That's amazing. Check out our profile of the 45s here. 9 pm. $6. Gotta be 21. 

Consider your weekend planned.  

In the 18th century, George Berkeley said, "To be is to be perceived." As I drove away from Riverside Park and the Living History Encampment staged for the Battle of Spokane Falls last Saturday, I was left to wonder: If re-enactors had no audience, would they still be playing out these roles?

My guess is yes.

click to enlarge

Civil War re-enactors performed five battles at Riverside State Park over Memorial Day weekend.

click to enlarge

A young woman watches the Battle of Spokane Falls unfold from afar. Re-enacting involves roles not only for soldiers, but also civilians who set up camp, organize townships, and recreate the daily practices of life in the 1860s.

click to enlarge

Soldiers lay dead on the battlefield. One re-enactor notes that while fighting, he becomes so consumed in firing that he forgets to notice the crowd.

click to enlarge

At the Mason-Dixon Township, two members of the re-enactment community meet at the water pump to chat about the day's events.

click to enlarge

Anna Flores, from Lynnwood, Wash., fans a fire that cooks dinner at their camp in the Mason-Dixon Township. Her husband has always loved history and she became interested in civilian life after attending their first re-enactment over 20 years ago. When their children were grown and moved out of the house, they took to the road for events. They've been re-enacting for five years.

click to enlarge

Heather Sturgill, a family-medicine residency coordinator in Oregon, is teased by her fellow re-enactors for revealing her pantaloons. Once a soldier in battle, Heather stopped fighting when she became pregnant with their son, who has been "living history" since he was 4 days old. For her, re-enactments are a family affair. She says it's easier to distance herself from her real personality when her mother (also a re-enactor), whom she refers to as "Mrs. Wolford," is present at events.

click to enlarge

Members of the Seventh Tennessee Infantry stand at attention while a Confederate officer makes his rounds.

click to enlarge

Captain Rick Montoya, a fifth-year Company Commander of the Seventh Tennessee Infantry, keeps watch over his ranks during an officer inspection. For him, reenactment is about history and shooting guns. He emphasizes that the confederate re-enactors today are "not a bunch of racists and bigots. I'm Hispanic, and we've had black men on our side in battle." He says, "This is a weekend of playing Cowboys and Indians, only now we're adults, we wear uniforms, and ... we're somewhat organized."

click to enlarge

A "deserter," an infantry member who defected to the Union side during battle, is hand-tied and taken to a field for death by firing squad. One soldier notes, "This is Tennessee Justice," as screams of "Shoot the Traitor!" and "Let him rot!" are heard from the crowd.

click to enlarge

Civil War firing squads were historically comprised of six soldiers — five with guns that contained only gun powder and one which fired a real bullet. All soldiers were ordered to shoot to kill, but no one knew whose weapon contained the bullet. It was a tactic used to prevent guilt amongst the troops.

click to enlarge

A young Confederate soldier rides horseback into battle. Cavalry horses are trained specifically to work around gun-fire.

click to enlarge

Gun powder, a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal, lingers on the lips and teeth of David Tipton, a third-year re-enacting veteran. Powder is torn with one hand and the mouth from a packet during battle, then packed into pistols with dry cream of wheat for weight, instead of bullets.

click to enlarge

ABOUT WANDERLUST: The photo series is a 60-day visual story-telling project that explores the seemingly ordinary places, people and things we experience everyday. It's about being curious and asking questions. It's about wanting to know more about the world around you and seeing it from fresh perspectives. If you have ideas on where I should wander, drop me a line: amyh@inlander.com.

click to enlarge

But we’ve gotanswers. Not really for the parking situation (Buses! Bikes! Feet! Use ‘em!) but for theboozing.

Here are some nearby spots you can hit when you're in a beer crisis or just need an adventure.

TACOS TUMBRAS (1325 W. Second Ave.) recentlyopened a delightful cantina area in their already delightful restaurant. Itslocation is but a couple blocks outside of Browne’s, which makes it a perfect pitstop on Elkfest weekend. The cantina is cheery, painted just as brightly as the rest of the restaurant, and you can still score their authentic (and super-cheap)food in the bar area.

Also, our research has shown that the whopping 32 oz. “ballenas”of Pacifico available in the Tacos Tumbras cantina are roughly 266 percentmore fun than the 12 oz ones. We encourage all to replicate our study.

In the same direction, but a couple blocks north, is ANDY’S (1401 W. First Ave.), a fine little joint with a full barand tasty food. It, too, is just right outside Browne’s and best reached byusing the pedestrian bridge at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and South MapleStreet, by the fire station.

In another direction entirely is THE SWAMP TAVERN (1904 W. Fifth Ave.). They’ve got a rad back patio with afire, funky lights and, most importantly, beer. The selection is vast, and it’sonly a few blocks from the festival on the other side of the train tracks. Justlook south for the giant yellow andblack sign that reads: “TAVERN.” (Sunset Junction is also nearby.)

Also, please don’t die trying toget across Sunset Highway.

If you'd rather just stock up on 40s, buy them at the sweet SUNSET GROCERY (1908W. Sunset Blvd.) and drink them in the bushes before heading back to the center of the universe at Cannon and Pacific.

Have fun, and enjoy all the music and art this weekend. Oh yeah, and the drinking. WHOOOOO!