Learn to Paint While You Drink

What if you had the chance to savor the most delectable wines, while contemplating some of history's most famous classical artwork? Let me do you one better. What if you had the chance to hold the brush in your own hand, painting those renowned paintings while sipping local brands of Merlot?

Local artist group Van Gogh and Merlot are experts at holding these sorts of events. Their mission statement promises to help "individuals participate, share, and express themselves artistically"...all while holding a glass of vino in your hand and flourishing that little pinky. The idea was to help people understand that art is not reserved for those few blessed with true talent. Art is about expression, and Van Gogh and Merlot know just how to help you get those thoughts onto the canvas.

Classes are held in groups of 5-25 students, depending on day, price, and theme (some classes include live nude models, so parents beware). All artistic materials are provided, and drinks and snacks are typically up to the client (in other words, bring your own beer, my friends). Venues include Spokane's Luxe Coffee House, complete with a wine and beer bar; the Pasadena Ridge down in Spokane Valley; and pretty much anywhere with room for a canvas stand or two!

So! If you've a hankerin' for a drink, and you're feeling mighty da Vinci-ish, visit the Van Gogh and Merlot website, or take a look at the Facebook page to grab some inspiration.

Spamalot

Ever seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail? You know, the comedy classic that retells the legend of King Arthur and his search of the Holy Grail. The one that displays no shortage of nonsensical spoofs, preposterous fart jokes, and zany insults. The one that, despite its absurd appraisal of 5th-century history, has acquired a fantastic cluster of fans.

The Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre has taken it upon themselves to bring this entertaining film to a whole new level. Spamalot, as they've dubbed their musical based on the comedic masterpiece, will be playing July 26-29 and August 2-5. The show isn't exactly appropriate for the young'uns, but the Coeur d'Alene Theatre assures that children 13 and older should be alright.

Because of the popularity, tickets aren't cheap: $40 for adults, $36 for seniors, and $26 for appropriately-aged children. But we've been promised it's worth it. If you need more proof, check out the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre here!

14 is the Magic Number

What do cherries and renaissance garb have in common? The month of July, apparently, because that's when all the good stuff seems to be happening. Go crazy at Green Bluff's Cherry Picker's Trot and Pit Spit, the annual cherry festival that spans two weekends and carries a bunch of extra surprises. Music and food vendors will be accompanying the sweet fruit adventures, and take a look at all the extra cherry recipes that will be floating around that day, too. July 19 will even be offering burgers and hot dogs, and if you're still up for it, a 5K run through the beautiful orchards (walkers are welcome, too).

And for you lovers of gypsies and jousting, don't forget to check out the Northwest Renaissance Festival in Nine Mile Falls. This festival runs for a whole month (weekends only) from June 25 to July 22 and sets you in England, 1522 AD, in the Village of Pleasance. If you dig battle armor and pipe music and cute little jesters with bells on their shoes, then this is the place for you. Authentic food, music, and goods will be available, so I expect to see you all there. For more information, check out their website or keep an eye out for ads all throughout Spokane.

Mobius Science Center

"Energy creates. Energy propels. Energy transforms. E=MSC."

Mobius Science Center (MSC), where free exploration of all things electronic, scientific, and wondrous is not only allowed, but encouraged. Expected to open for business on August 3, 2012, the official grand opening of this up-and-coming science museum is scheduled to happen sometime in early September. That's when the throngs of brooding high school students, science enthusiasts, and childlike parents will converge on Mobius. Why, you ask?

Uh, because of the Robotic Surgery station, of course. Complete with medical highlights, a one-a-kind interface, and role-play opportunities, this automaton creation will give even R2-D2 a run for his money. Not impressed yet? How about practicin' your jump shot at the Jump Time station. Show off your game, photograph that soon-to-be-famous action pose, and check out the scoreboard.

MSC will be featuring 75 various types of interactive exhibits, and more than 150 activity stations. Visitors of all ages can be sure that something will captivate their minds, exercise problem-solving skills, and create everlasting memories that will keep them coming back for more.

Located at 811 West Main Avenue in Spokane, Washington (right across from the Riverfront Mall), you can call 509.443.5669 for more information on Mobius Science Center, Mobius Kids Children's Museum, or Mobius Spokane in general. Sign up for memberships, summer camps, outreach programs, or learn about the scholarships offered.

Dig It!: The Secrets of Soil

Picture it: you as a young child, digging holes in your backyard, sifting through grass and dirt and worms to achieve whatever goal your creative imagination conjured up. In those tiny piles of dirt that you built, it probably never occurred to your young mind that there were more living creatures in any one pile of dirt than there are humans on this earth. From the obvious critters like slugs and snails, to the tiny microbes like heterotrophs and autotrophs, there's lots of goodies down in that soil.

Don't get freaked out yet... All those living organisms, and more, are thoroughly explained at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC). The MAC, as it's so lovingly called, has an amazing interactive exhibit created by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. 4,000 square feet display the intricate systems of the soil, and how this overlooked ecosystem supports nearly every life form on earth. In addition, viewers of the exhibit will have the chance to learn about how soil corresponds with nutrition, global food production, climate change, and even animation for multi-media (who knew?).

The MAC will be showing off this exhibit until September 22, so dig deep and get dirty! For more information visit the MAC personally, or call 509.456.3931. Take a virtual tour, or find out about the Teen Interpreters helping out for the summer!

4th of July Events

I can already see it: couples and families spread around the flowing waters at Riverfront Park. The delicious aroma of grilled meat, pastries, and and other edibles wafting its way enticingly past my nose. The sound of barking dogs, children's laughter, and park rides as they tilt and whirl with their trusting riders. And later on, of course, the sky will light up with the annual Larry H. Miller Fireworks Display in bedazzling colors that thunder through the air.

This is what the annual 4th of July Celebration at Riverfront Park can offer you. Wednesday, July 4 brings in the Spokane Jazz Orchestra beginning at 11am. The Numerica Credit Union Free Children's Meadow is a place for the kiddies to run crazy. Combine all of that with greasy, delicious foods, more great music, arts and crafts, park rides, and other family events, and you can be sure that Spokane will be celebrating the holiday in style. The aforementioned fireworks will light up around 10:30pm, so make sure to get some great seats. Admission and viewing of the fireworks are free, but for a couple of extra bucks ($8 to be exact), you can reserve a special place.

For more information on rides, events, or reserving a spot, ring up 509.625.6601, or visit the Riverfront Park official webpage.

The Spokane Books Blog

If only there existed a place for local Spokanites and Chenians to go for their Inland Northwest tips, answers, and advice for all things literary. Cue in the Spokane Books Blog, created for, determined to, and focused on providing a resource that zones in on books, bookstores, and of course, cafés, that are prime candidates for our love of literature.

This charming, informative blog is run by Eric Iannelli, a longtime blogger who also runs a personal page, Diderot's Diary. It seemed to him that, despite the obvious culture that Spokane offered to its inhabitants, there was a serious lack of information about the cozy little bookstores or no-frills coffee shops with big squishy chairs to sink into for a good read. Up steps Iannelli, providing, for perhaps the first time, a place where book lovers of the Inland Northwest could gather for those precious necessities.

Iannelli's blog carries more than a list of books to check out, or links to local discount bookstores; you can be sure to gather personal opinions about the various blog posts. There's no lack of sarcasm and honesty, but as much as he gives, he welcomes it and more in return. Check it out, read up on it, and let us know what you think!