Friday, December 26, 2014

Posted By on Fri, Dec 26, 2014 at 10:06 AM

HERE

Woman killed in Christmas morning house fire in West Central Spokane. (S-R)

Police deploy teddy bears to help children cope with traumatic situations. (KXLY)

How the regional railway system has dwindled in recent decades. (CdAPress)

ELSEWHERE

New effort to limit influence on state attorneys general. (NYT)

After Christmas, retailers preparing for big discounts, crowds and return fraud. (LA Times)

Ukraine and rebels trade prisoners as conflict continues. (BBC)


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Posted By on Fri, Dec 26, 2014 at 9:05 AM


Did you manage to make it through Christmas without any fisticuffs or shooting your eye out? Great! Then you'll be wanting to get out of the house, so take a look at our event listings and Staff Picks for what's happening in Spokane and beyond. 

No time? No problem. Here are some highlights for Friday, Dec. 26: 

COMEDY | The Blue Door Theatre is light on its comedic feet when it comes to themes for its comedy and improv nights, and Return of the Natives shows that dexterity off again as Return of the Natives welcomes a slew of funny people who have left Spokane back to town for one night of laughs. Talk about a great antidote to the post-Xmas blues. 

THEATER | The Modern Theater takes over The Bing Friday and Saturday for productions of the pioneering rock musical RENT. Read our story about the show, and then get thee downtown for the Tony-winning show. 

WORDS | Spokane graphic artist Manny Trembley will be at Merlyn's Friday from 5-7 pm signing copies of his new book, Under Where?, and doing free sketches for visitors. 

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Posted By on Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 3:02 PM

Santa has some unusual-looking reindeer this year: 

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Posted By on Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 12:53 PM

Just because a cop has “no doubt” that someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean that they are — legally speaking.

That’s the takeaway from a Washington state Supreme Court ruling handed down last week just in time one of the biggest drunk driving nights of the year.

The case involved Ryan Richard Quaale who was doing 56 mph in his truck in a residential area in Mead north of Spokane. According to the opinion’s description of events, Quaale turned off his headlights and gave chase when a state trooper attempted to pull him over. Quaale eventually gave up and surrendered to the trooper, who noticed a strong odor of “intoxicants” on his breathe.

The trooper gave Quaale a horizontal gaze nystagmus test to assess his sobriety. Someone subjected to a HGN test is asked to look at a pen or finger that is moved horizontally. If their gaze is shaky, it’s an indicator they are under the influence.

After failing the HGN test, the trooper booked Quaale on charges of reckless driving and attempting to elude. Quaale refused to take a breathalyzer test, but was still charged with a DUI.

After being tried twice, Quaale was found guilty of attempting to elude and DUI. However, an appeals court later reversed the DUI conviction because prosecutors relied on the trooper’s testimony that he had “no doubt” Quaale was impaired because he failed the HGN test. The Supreme Court agrees:

“Although an officer may testify that the test revealed signs consistent with alcohol consumption, the officer here cast his conclusion in absolute terms and improperly gave the appearance that the HGN test may produce scientifically certain results,” reads the court’s majority opinion.

Quaale will now have a third trial to determine if he should get a DUI.   

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Posted By on Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 11:05 AM


Welcome back to Weed Wednesday, your weekly dose of pot news. Wondering what this is about? Click. Looking for our previous marijuana coverage? Click. Got a question or tip? Email me at jaket@inlander.com.

The big weed news this week was the attorneys general of Oklahoma and Nebraska filing a lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Colorado’s voter-approved law that legalizes marijuana, reports The Cannabist. The central gripe of the lawsuit is that legal weed is flowing from Colorado into the two neighboring states where law enforcement is using more resources to chase stoners. The lawsuit argues that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, and the nation’s top court should strike down Colorado’s legalization ballot initiative.

Speaking of Colorado, a campaign is being mounted to get a measure on the 2016 ballot that would, if passed, prohibit sheriffs from denying concealed carry permits to people because of pot use.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that a medical marijuana delivery service that uses a smartphone mobile app is illegal.

New research from analysts at Morgan Stanley have found that teens are more likely to light up joints than cigarettes, which could have big implications for the tobacco industry.

Looking to have a green Christmas? The Cannabist has a recipe for a ganjabread house.

Joe Cocker died this week. R.I.P.

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Posted By on Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 10:33 AM


It's Christmas Eve, so chances are good you have some plans with your family. Chances are also good for many of you that you need something worthwhile to do to make that family time go better than sitting around and staring at each other over Aunt Ida's peanut brittle. That's where our extensive event listings and Staff Picks come in. 

Here are a few choice opportunities in the area for Wednesday, Dec. 24: 

SPORTS & OUTDOORS | Schweitzer actually has enough snow for skiers to hit the slopes, and Wednesday they can join Santa for some turns and a balloon parade. 

MUSIC EVENTS & CONCERTS | In case you missed our Bloglander post about the event, St. John's Cathedral is helping celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the famous World War I Christmas Truce with a carillon concert

THEATER | In a somewhat related event, The Bing is hosting a one-night-only performance of All Is Calm, a play about that night on the battlefield when enemy soldiers put down their arms and shared a little holiday spirit. Read our story about the production right here, and you better hurry if you want tickets. 

We'll be taking a pause from the What's Up Today? blog for Christmas, but we'll be back to help you make the most of our community on Friday. Cheers!

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Posted By on Wed, Dec 24, 2014 at 10:08 AM


HERE

Police searching for suspect after Tuesday night stabbing in North Spokane. (KXLY)

After community outrage, horrible person returns iPad stolen from disabled man to become slightly less horrible. (KREM)

Idaho State Police kick out people parked along highway to watch bald eagles at Lake Coeur d’Alene. (S-R)

THERE
Some Idaho hospitals to be penalized for safety standards. (Idaho Statesman)

VA clears debt of veteran dying of brain cancer. (Seattle Times)

Oregon employers brace for wage hike, healthcare changes and legal pot. (Oregonian)

ELSEWHERE

Teenager with gun killed by police in St. Louis area, sparking new concerns of unrest. (Post Dispatch)

Sony to release “The Interview” streaming on demand at YouTube, other sites. (NYT)

U.S. prepares to ramp up transfers of prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay. (WaPost)


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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Posted By on Tue, Dec 23, 2014 at 12:05 PM

On Christmas Eve in 1914, during World War I, a true holiday miracle took place in the trenches of Messines, Belgium, when a temporary, unofficial truce was decided in honor of Christmas Day. Gun fire and explosions ceased as British, Belgian, French and German soldiers shook hands and exchanged holiday wishes. These men caught in the midst of war came together over coffee, tea and chocolate, joining in a chorus of "Silent Night" — a harmony that would echo long into history. 

Now, a century later, carillonneurs (aka bell ringers) in 11 different countries around the world commemorate that remarkable truce on its 100th anniversary. Spokane's St. John's Cathedral is one of 78 carillons participating in the worldwide recognition of the Christmas Eve Truce, with Carillonneur Jonathan Lehrer — winner of the 2010 International Carillon competition — leading the cathedral's 49-bell carillon.

The historic, 90-year-old St. John's Cathedral begins the carillon concert on Christmas Eve, following its family Christmas Eve Eucharist at 4 pm, and again at 9:15 pm, prior to the Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist. 

The ringing of the bells are open to all, and St. John's invites the Spokane community to join together in holiday spirit similar to one the expressed by the soldiers a century ago. 



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Posted By on Tue, Dec 23, 2014 at 11:15 AM


Even during the week of Christmas the entertainment biz is trying to find its way into your wallet with new music and DVD releases, and we're here to help you separate the good from the bad every Tuesday. 

MUSIC
Not much in the way of new music this week, with one notable exception. You got the funk? Funkadelic is releasing its first new music in 33 years on CD Tuesday (it came out digitally a couple weeks back), and First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate has all the usual suspects you want from a Parliament/Funkadelic release—George Clinton leading the charge, contributions from Sly Stone and a slew of bad mofos. Here's a tune called "Ain't That Funkin' Kind of Hard on You:"


MOVIES & TV
Remarkably, there are two worthy indie flicks newly released this week that you should consider for some holiday viewing. 

The Trip to Italy is the follow-up to The Trip, in which British actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play exaggerated versions of themselves, bouncing through travel hotspots, exploring fine cuisine and lodgings while delivering their best Michael Caine impressions (among others). The original took them through their native Britain, while the follow-up leads them to, yes, Italy for visits to Pompeii and Sicily. 
Pride stars some seriously great actors (Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine) in a true story about a group of gay and lesbian activists who join forces with some rough-and-tumble striking miners in mid-80s England. Pride was nominated for a Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) Golden Globe. 

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Posted By on Tue, Dec 23, 2014 at 10:10 AM


Every day on our site, you can find a huge number of events happening in the area, as well as Staff Picks to help guide you to the best of the best. 

If that's still too much scrolling for you, we can help. Here are some highlights for Tuesday, Dec. 23: 

MUSIC EVENTS & CONCERTS | Looking for a wee twist on the same ol' Christmas songs delivered the same ol' ways? This show could be for you—Clarion Brass: This Is What Christmas Sounds Like promises "quirky" takes on the tunes from Spokane's brass badasses. 

FILM | The Magic Lantern is hosting the premiere of Manhandlers, made entirely with local actors by Spokane filmmaker Adam J. Pitzler. 

FILM | It's Totally Tubular Tuesday again at The Garland, and this week the theater is showing the modern classic A Christmas Story. Sure, you could wait for the 24-hour marathon on TV two days later, but why pass up the chance to see the goods on the big screen for cheap?

Here's the trailer: 



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Why We Explore Deep Space @ Camas Wellness Center

Sat., July 26, 6 p.m.
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