Buzz Bin

by Inlander Staff


Bouvier Boulevard? -- The New York Times asked a provocative question this week: "As goes The Simpsons, does the nation go, too?" Leaving aside the awkward phrasing from our Newspaper of Record and the larger cultural implications for the moment, the article addressed the outing of Marge Simpson's sister, Patty (Bouvier), on national television last Sunday evening. In the episode, Patty introduces her girlfriend while Homer performs weddings for same-sex couples after Springfield legalizes gay marriage to boost tourism. Gazing at the love-struck Patty and her lustrous lilac hair got us thinking - maybe we should adopt her as the spokesperson for Spokane's nationally touted gay Epcot Center. We can be on the cutting edge of cultural tourism. As goes Springfield, so goes Spokane, the original Lilac City. Remember, you heard it here first.





A Coupla Chicks, White or Not -- Interplayers has come up with an amusing, inventive way to publicize their upcoming production of A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking. The professional theater company is looking for a few good women to sit in the Post Street window of the Burlington Building for an hour or two on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 3 pm and 9 pm. All that's required is a willingness to, well, "sit around talking." Bennies include not only free tickets to the play, but also "talk time" refreshments from Ben & amp; Jerry's.


Interplayers is looking for an enthusiastic and diverse pool of volunteers - for more information call the Interplayers box office at 455-PLAY. A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, by John Ford Noonan, opens on March 3 and runs through March 26. The display window is already up and open for takers.





Not a Forgotten Book -- Here's some great news from the local publishing front - before the University of Idaho Press folded last year, Random House swooped in and bought the rights to Spokane author Linda Lawrence Hunt's Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America. Now, Auntie's Bookstore is celebrating the re-release of Hunt's stunning nonfiction account with an event at the Davenport Hotel's Isabella Ballroom. Since our interview with Linda (still available on our


Web site, www.inlander.com under "Incredible Journey"), the book has gone on to win three major awards, including the National Willa Cather Award, the Pacific Northwest Bookseller's Association Award, and the Washington State Book Award. Not to mention earning a place on Auntie's "one of our bestselling books of ALL TIME" list. The reading takes place Feb. 28 at 7:30 pm. Call 838-0206.





Publication date: 02/24/05