Buzz Bin

by Michael Bowen & r & & r & You Can Get There From Here ...


You've been promising to skate or ride out to the Idaho border, but there's that gosh-darn (and literal) roadblock just west of Argonne. No more excuses: After nearly two months, the water and sewer lines are in place and the Centennial Trail blockage is no more. Pedal east, young man.





... And Though You Can't Get to Hogsmeade ...


Alert Potter-philes wrote in to inform us that Harry first receives the Marauder's Map from Fred and George Weasley in Prisoner of Azkaban -- not in Chamber of Secrets, as we so foolishly reported -- and what's the matter with us, anyway, do we have leaky cauldrons for brains, or were we just not paying attention to what is merely the greatest and most stupendous publishing event in all of recorded history?





... You Can Join Dumbledore's Army


The Harry Potter Alliance is hosting podcast-dinner parties nationwide featuring Harry and the Potters along with some awesomely intelligent talking heads for the purpose of broadcasting what regular folks can do about genocide in Darfur and about Wal-Mart's treatment of its employees. Visit www.mugglenet.com and www.waldemartwatch.com or call the HP Alliance's founder, Andrew Slack, at (617) 943-9434.





Give to the Givers


For families with kids who eat school breakfasts and lunches during the school year, summer is a difficult time. "We're experiencing such an influx of new families in need that our food pantry has gone bare," says Adrienne Brownlow, executive director of Spokane St. Vincent de Paul. There's an urgent need for cash donations, nonperishable foods and even fresh produce from home gardens. Drop off your donations at 722 N. Regal St. (near Trent Avenue), visit www.SpokaneSVDP.org or call 535-2491.





La Dolce Sweeta


Spend Friday evening under the stars at Arbor Crest sipping Tuscan wines, savoring Tuscan appetizers and blissing out to Tuscan (?) jazz. It's a Spokane Public Radio fund-raiser from 6-10 pm. Tickets: $37; $32, KPBX members. Call 328-5729.





The Unknown Blueprint


Also on Friday night, at 7:30 pm at Sandpoint's Panida Theater, take in a new documentary about the creativity of blue-collar workers. Tickets: $5. Call (702) 622-0412.