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Be entertained this weekend with some great events that are sure to excite! An Evening with Viggo Mortensen at Panida Theater, Music Walk in Downtown Coeur d'Alene, Pippin at INB Performing Arts Center, Disgraced at Stage Left Theater, Live Music with Ron Criscione at Pend d'Oreille Winery, Sandpoint Contra Dance at Sandpoint Community Hall, and Jam Night at Emerge. In the mood for food? These events are sure to satisfy: Hills' Brewer's Dinner at Hills' Restaurant and Lounge, Chinese Food Cooking Class at The Culinary Stone, Sensational Soups Cooking Class at Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at SCC, and Beef Wellington Cooking Class at Gourmet Way. And to celebrate the great Martin Luther King, Jr., there's the annual MLK Day March in Spokane this Monday, January 16. To find out more about these and other events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS AN EVENING WITH VIGGO MORTENSEN Fri. Jan 13 & Sat. Jan. 14 Enjoy a special screening event at the Panida Theater with An Evening with Viggo Mortensen, featuring the highly acclaimed film “Captain Fantastic” with an introduction, along with a Q&A session, with the movie’s star Viggo Mortensen. Read more MUSIC WALK Fri. Jan. 13, 5pm Enjoy an evening of fantastic music, fine dining and friends in beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene. Visit participating restaurants, shops, businesses and galleries. This is a free family friendly event! Read more PIPPIN Thurs. Jan. 12 - Sun. Jan. 15 The show incorporates sassy choreography in the style of Bob Fosse and exciting circus acrobatics. The big top set and high-flying acrobats add to the spectacle, along with the knife throwing, hula hooping and gravity-defying balancing acts. Read more DISGRACED Fri. Jan. 13 - Sun. Jan. 29 Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize. “…a vitally engaged play about thorny questions of identity and religion in the contemporary world, with an accent on the incendiary topic of how radical Islam and the terrorism it inspires have affected the public discourse. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ~ Martin Luther King Jr. #newsletter

Your senses will be delighted during the coming week with events that are sure to entice. From great food and wine events, to concerts, there's so much in store. The Buty of Walla Walla Wine Dinner at Masselow's Steakhouse at Northern Quest, Hospice Wine Taste at Hayden Lake Country Club, Coeur d'Jazz Benefit Concert at Lake City Center, and JazzNIC Concert at North Idaho College. There's Montpellier Vineyards Wine Tasting at Little Italy's Wine Bar, Spokane International Film Festival, Pork Tenderloin Cooking Class and Himalayan Salt Block Class at The Culinary Stone, Brewers Series at Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at SCC, 2nd Annual Seed Swap at Coeur d'Alene Public Library, Inland Empire Sled Dog Races at Priest Lake, the AG Expo: Pacific Northwest Farm Forum at the Spokane Convention Center, and Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at Panida Theater. To find out more about these and other upcoming events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS WINE DINNER Thurs. Feb.2, 6pm Join Nina Buty of Buty Winery for a look into their winery and its use of modern-traditional techniques to craft full-flavored, unique wines. Chef Tanya will roll out the red carpet of cuisine with a six-course dinner tha includes scallops, charcuterie and bison. Read more COEUR D'JAZZ BENEFIT CONCERT Fri. Feb. 3, 7pm This benefit concert features the Pamela Benton Band. The evening includes a silent auction of local culinary experiences. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and a no-host wine and beer bar. Bring a partner or find one there and dance the night away. Read more HOSPICE WINE TASTE Sat. Feb. 4, 5pm The event is truly one-of-a-kind, bringing together major wine-makers and distributors alongside gourmet bites from critically acclaimed North Idaho restaurants and specialty food vendors. Read more JAZZNIC CONCERT Tues. Feb. 7, 7:30pm It is that time of the year when about 600 of the Inland Empire’s young “jazzers” come to North Idaho College to participate in NIC’s annual jazz festival “JazzNIC,” with a free concert Tuesday. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien #newsletter

There is no shortage of events in the area to get you into the Christmas spirit. Take a look! There's Taste Of Gingerbread at West Central Community Center, Christ Kitchen’s Gingerbread Build-off at The Davenport Grand Hotel, The Christmas Show and Dickens Carolers at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Elf the Sing Along at Panida Theater, Behold That Star at Trinity Lutheran Church, Traditions of Christmas at The Kroc Center, Yuletide Lighting Festival in Downtown Wallace, Holiday Art Show at Arbor Crest, Bring on the Night and Celtic Christmas by Affiniti at The Bing. Other upcoming events include: Jeff and Jeff at Emerge, Basel Cellars Winemaker's Dinner at Fleur de Sel, Artwalk in Downtown Coeur d'Alene, Gun Show at Kootenai County Fairgrounds, My Father Cigar Event at Little Italy's, and Concert 3 with the Washington/Idaho Symphony. To find out more about these and additional upcoming events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS TASTE OF GINGERBREAD Sat. Dec. 10, 10am Run, run, run as fast as you can … and enjoy a day of gingerbread decorating! Stop in between 10am and noon with your entire family and let your creative juices flow! Pre-constructed gingerbread house packages are $20 each; all the candy decor and frosting included in each package. Hot cider, coffee and cocoa provided. Sensory-friendly area available. Read more CHRIST'S KITCHEN GINGERBREAD BUILD-OFF Sun. Dec. 11, 10am Christ Clinic / Christ Kitchen’s Gingerbread Build-off is one of Spokane’s favorite traditions! Taking place at the new Davenport Grand Hotel in Downtown Spokane, the competition features the most talented bakery artists in town! Those in attendance get to decorate their own Gingerbread House, take a photo with the Gingerbread Man and friends and enter to win awesome prizes! Admission is free. Read more JEFF AND JEFF Dec. 9, 5pm Art. Music. Drinks ... Enjoy paintings by Jeff Weir and Jeff Spencer, handcrafted furniture from local artisans made fresh for the holidays, with special musical performances from the Sorensen African drummers and CDA Musical Arts students. This event is open to the entire family. Read more HOLIDAY ART SHOW Dec. 10, Noon Shop local this season at Arbor Crest's annual Holiday Art Show, and come enjoy wine paired with handcrafted creations from a dozen of our region’s most popular artists, with displays throughout the Wine Bar and the Cliff House. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie #newsletter

What better way to spend this last weekend before Christmas supporting local theatre and music by attending a play, musical or concert. These are sure to entertain: Christmas Carole The Musical at the Panida Theater, Traditions of Christmas at The Kroc Center, SuperPops 3: Holiday Pops at The Fox, and The Christmas Show at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Additional events include Small Artworks Invitational at The Art Spirit Gallery, Dickens Carolers at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, Future Song Foundation Benefit Concert at The Bing, and Japanese Cooking Class at The Culinary Stone. To find out more about these and other upcoming events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS CHRISTMAS CAROLE THE MUSICAL Fri. Dec. 16-18 Come and enjoy this energy-filled night on the Panida’s main stage as they host this holiday musical for the whole family. Based on the Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Read more TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS Fri. Dec. 16 - Fri. Dec. 23 This Radio City Music Hall style show inspires the hearts of audience members of all ages. With a cast of 70 people, spectacular sets, live animals, and more than 400 costumes, this is truly an experience you won’t want to miss. Read more SUPERPOPS 3: CELEBRATE HOLIDAY POPS Sat. Dec. 17 & Sun. Dec. 18 Morihiko Nakahara is creating the perfect blend of festive tradition, holiday fun and a dash of something special to celebrate the holiday season with this heart-warming performance. Read more THE CHRISTMAS SHOW Thurs. Dec. 15 - Sun. Dec. 18 Ellen Travolta and The Coeur d'Alene Resort are proud to present The Christmas Show. The Travolta sisters are back at it again! Don’t miss a night filled with music, laughter and stories celebrating the holiday season. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK "As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." ~ Donald E. Westlake #newsletter

It is hard to believe that The Onion was first introduced to Downtown Spokane 38 years ago and has been one of Spokane’s local iconic restaurants ever since. It is now the oldest and most respected locally owned and operated full-service Landmark restaurant in the Spokane area. Since 2001, Ken Belisle has been the managing partner for Landmark Restaurants. Landmark owns and operates both Onion Taphouse and Grills and both Frank’s Diners in Spokane. Today, Ken and his wife Christy, along with their regional manager Sonja Halverson, are setting the tone and pace of The Onion Taphouse facilities. The founder, Mr. Larry Brown and his wife Jan, are enjoying retirement but remain proud supportive partners. The Onion Taphouse and Grill continues to bring fresh, natural, local products to its guests over the years. With the explosion of local craft breweries, The Onion wanted to expand its taps featuring fresh local craft products. Thus, Area 51 Taphouse at The Onion was born. To accommodate the enormous amount of rotating inventory a 51-tap system would require, an extensive remodel was completed at The Onion’s north side location in December 2014, followed by the completion of the downtown location, which opened in December 2015. The Onion’s Area 51 Taphouse differentiates itself by supplying its customers with the finest on tap beverages daily by using a distinctive and massive 45-rotating tap handle “Fresh Sheet.” To handle this gargantuan daily task, Ken and Sonja entrusted full-time managing beer guru and longtime Onion crew member Bill Matthews with a full-time job of scouting, testing and coordinating the nearly 1,000 kegs they rotate through each year. In addition, their custom-built tap system allows The Onion’s “beer aficionados” to feature not only the finest and freshest ales and lagers in the market today, but barrel-aged barley wine, specialty beers, ciders, barrel-aged white wine, hard-alcohol spirits and even cask-conditioned gourmet root beer on tap. The combination brings a whole new array of flavors that many of their guests have never experienced before. With this level of product management sophistication, Area 51 is able to rotate 45 taps of fresh ale, while pouring cask-conditioned wines and even 100-percent nitro-pushed bourbon and seasonal spirits at the same time. Each product “vessel” is individually calibrated with the perfect blend of CO2 and nitro according to the brew master’s specifications. The brewers that sell to The Onion Taphouse know that the Area 51 tap system mirrors the same quality as the brewery itself. “To accomplish our goals, we just couldn’t settle for a standard off-the-shelf tap system,” says Ken. “We met with countless brew masters and equipment specialists before establishing what we needed our tap system to accomplish. In the end, Perlick from Milwaukee put together our amazing 51-tap system. This is the tap house the brewers drink beer in,” adds Ken. “At the North Division Onion, we even have a glycol Frost Rail designed by Steve Emtman’s construction team, Defender Development. The Frost Rail is built right into the concrete bar, keeping guests’ beverages the perfect temperature.” It may seem a bit overwhelming at first glance to make a selection from the 51 taps, the premium liquor bar with a large assortment of local small batch bourbons, and the huge range of craft non-alcoholic beverages, but it gives their guests the opportunity to stop in and try something new every day of the year! They also have a soda fountain featuring some of the best premium hand-dipped hard ice-cream milkshakes, floats and malts made the old-fashioned way. With all of the excitement surrounding the tap house, The Onion chefs also have their work cut out for them as they constantly seek fresh, natural, local and sustainable products from the Inland Northwest. Goal one has always been to exceed every guest’s expectations with thoughtful, kind service, excellent food made fresh and all served up in a fun, clean and exciting facility. Families are welcome throughout both locations, with banquet space and private dining areas available for a wide range of events. Both The Onion food and Taphouse menus are available to all guests. With so many restaurants to choose from, The Onion Taphouse and Grills are truly local treasures celebrating their 38th year in Spokane. The Onion Taphouse and Grill Downtown 302 W. Riverside Ave. 509.747.3852 North Side 7522 N. Division St. 509.483.3300 TheOnion.biz #businessspotlight #local #spokane #downtown #northside #foodandbeverage

At Kootenai Family Dental, patients receive more than just the best care in full-service family and cosmetic dentistry; they will find a caring and personal staff who genuinely cares about their patients’ wellbeing and who are willing to go above and beyond to best educate their patients when it comes to their oral health. Servicing North Idaho communities, they pride themselves as a full-service family and cosmetic dental office, providing care for all ages. Implants, complete smile restorations, crowns, veneers, dentures, partials and bridges, and Invisalign, as well as all of the normal preventative dental care provisions are offered. At Kootenai Family Dental, they recognize that all of their patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. The experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free and rewarding dental experience each and every time you visit their practice. Owner and doctor, Alexis LaRose, received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Loma Linda, California, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class and awarded a certificate of merit for achievement, proficiency and promise in the field of oral medicine. As there are constant changes in dental technology, she pursues continuing education offerings locally and nationally in order to stay at the leading edge of knowledge to ensure patients always receive the highest level of care. Associate Dr. Marie Smith also has a passion for helping people, and she is grateful that she is in a profession that allows her to have a direct impact on people’s lives and health. This is exactly what she is doing at Kootenai Family Dental. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, receiving her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Doctors Alexis and Marie ensure their patients get the best care possible. They interact and engage with their patients, creating real relationships, and offering all parties involved a rewarding experience. “It’s an amazing feeling, being able to work with people you genuinely care about, from our patients to our awesome team,” says Dr. Alexis. Alexis and her husband Nick, who manages the office at Kootenai Family Dental, moved to Coeur d’Alene four years ago from Billings, Montana. They were in search of a practice and found just what they were looking for at Kootenai Family Dental. They wanted to stay in the Northwest, to be part of a vibrant community and a place to put down roots and raise a family. They knew they had found home. “Not a lot of places offer the quality of life we have here,” says Nick. “We truly believe we found paradise. We love where we live.” The small town allows them to truly get to know the people in the community. They enjoy seeing their patients around town, which allows them the opportunity to further check in with them about their previous dental visit and making sure their oral health is thriving. “Our true purpose is to be servants to our community and patients, with the goals of getting our patients the care they need and to educate them on preventing avoidable issues,” Alexis says. On a daily basis, Nick and Alexis’ goal is to leave work each day looking forward to returning and working with their patients. And it’s their goal that their staff and patients feel the same way. “We want to make sure we work with a team that we love and patients that we love, and that they know that,” according to Nick. Dr. Alexis is an intellectual, but she is personable as well. When patients first meet her, they trust and connect with her. Alexis and the staff enjoy taking the time to make personal connections and relationships with their patients, which allows them to better serve their needs and know that in the long run, this truly makes a difference. When it comes to their youngest patients, they want to make the experience as pleasant as possible, and they do whatever they can to make them comfortable and happy. For no cost, parents can bring in their children 3 and younger for a Happy Visit, where they get to sit in the chair and the dentist does an informal checkup. This helps to ease their fears and to ensure they are prepared and confident for when it comes time for their first dental appointment. A big part of this visit is also to educate parents about how to best care for their kid’s teeth and avoid many future problems. Nick and Alexis are big advocates of Christian education, heavily sponsoring Lake City Junior Academy, and are very passionate about that. Recently, they performed their first smile makeover, in which people applied with written letters explaining how the makeover would better their lives. One lucky applicant was chosen and given a complete smile makeover; $20,000 worth of dental cosmetics all performed at no charge. They look forward to offering this service again in the future. At Kootenai Family Dental, they firmly believe that if they take care of their patients, everything else will take care of itself. Patients are the priority; everything else falls into place after that. Kootenai Family Dental Coeur d'Alene 1420 Lincoln Way, Ste. 200 208.664.8283 kootenaifamilydental.com #businessspotlight #local #coeurdalene #northidaho #medicalandhealth

The Spokane wine scene is truly a remarkable one. With more than 30 wineries, those looking to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting have many choices. Once you’ve decided on the winery or tasting room you will be visiting, be sure not to spoil the wine experience by inhibiting the true boldness and flavors of the wines by breaking any of the following rules. Yes, many women love to wear makeup, and the icing on the cake is applying that new lipstick you bought just to wear to your special day of wine tasting with the girls. Well, don’t! Lipstick, lip gloss or balms will taint the flavors of the wine. We all want to smell good before we leave the house, but take note, any artificial scent will interfere with the fragrance of the wine, so it is important not to spray perfume or cologne or to apply scented lotions, as this can overpower the unique fragrance of the wine. Fresh breath is important to all of us, but skip the gum and mints before a tasting, as their flavors will detract from your ability to taste the wine. In fact, winemakers have hinted that they won’t brush their teeth the morning they are tasting to see if their wine is ready to bottle! Do not rinse your glass with water between pours. Wine diluted by wine is far less disturbing to the overall taste than a water dilution. Be sure to drink plenty of water between tastings, especially if tasting at various wineries throughout the day. This will of course keep you hydrated, but it will allow your taste buds a chance to rest up before the next tasting. Many tasting rooms provide a tasting card to their customers. It’s recommended you follow this tasting card, as the winemakers know best how to present their products to allow the finest sampling. If there is a wine during the tasting that you simply don’t enjoy, it is OK to dump the remaining wine from your glass. Move on to the next sampling and continue to focus on the overall experience. Remember that many of our local wineries do not sell their products in retails markets. If you find a wine that you enjoy, buy a bottle. There is something truly romantic about popping the cork on your new favorite bottle of wine when it comes with the great memory of how you found it. Salut! #tipsfortasters #local

A beautiful five-minute drive from town will take you to Tony’s on the Lake, where diners will be treated to delicious Italian-inspired cuisine, fine wines and classic cocktails, and impeccable service, accompanied by stunning lake views from its deck. Opening back in 1952 as Tony’s Supper Club in a former brothel called Jeanette’s Club, Paul and Bonnie D’Alessandro purchased the restaurant in May 2004 and renamed it Tony’s on the Lake when they reopened it July 1 of that year. At Tony’s, Paul, Bonnie and their daughter Cheyenne have created a family owned restaurant, following a long tradition of cooking beginning with Cheyenne’s great grandparents, who immigrated from Tuscany in 1901. Executive Chef Cheyenne is a 2003 graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, also studied in Florence, Italy at the Apicius, and learned Italian cuisine from family members during her extensive trips to Italy. Her goal is to keep the food traditionally simple, preparing food the way she learned in Italy, hoping guests can appreciate the tradition that has gone into making their dinner. The menu offers many staple items, such as the house-pulled fresh mozzarella appetizer, house-made gnocchi and veal osso buco, all local favorites and most certainly worth a taste. Wines from Italy, Washington, California and Oregon grace the wine list, even offering their own private label cabernet and chardonnay from Coeur d’Alene Cellars, YNOT (Tony spelled backwards). If it’s a classic cocktail you’re in the mood for, Hadley Long, bar manager, and the rest of the bartending staff are well trained, and each drink is made with passion and care. General Manager Alicia Main joined the Tony’s family in June 2016 and brings nearly two decades of restaurant experience to Tony’s, with her most recent ventures managing Tito’s Italian Grill and Fire Artisan Pizza in Downtown Coeur d’Alene. The excellent service is a reflection of their experienced staff’s professionalism and their desire to help each other to make sure every guest feels like a friend or part of the family by the time they leave. If you appreciate great food and are looking for a romantic night out or an evening for the whole family to enjoy, Tony’s has a table waiting for you. “It is important to us at Tony’s that we are the place where life slows down and no one is in a hurry,” says Alicia. “At Tony’s you are family, and we want you to feel that way.” Tony’s On the Lake East Coeur d’Alene 6823 E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr. 208.667.9885 TonysOnTheLake.com #businessspotlight #coeurdalene #local #foodandbeverage #northidaho

Townshend Cellar, like vines in a vineyard, has grown, matured and strengthened over the years. In the beginning, winemaker Don Townshend was producing just four wines with an annual case production of 1,000. Today, those numbers have increased to nearly 30 wines and 20,000 cases annually. Over the past year, there have been a few big changes for Townshend Cellar. Don and his sons, Brendon and Michael, reopened the tasting room on Green Bluff in July 2016, after more than a year closure. The tasting room is open weekends, Friday through Sunday, noon to 5pm and will be open year round. Also, the wine production facility was moved from its former location in the Spokane Industrial Park to a building closer to town, near Spokane Community College. Recently, Don has stepped back a bit from the family winery, while his sons have become more active in the daily management of the business. Michael manages the tasting room and marketing efforts, as well as the Diamond T Wine Club, which has been revived over the last few months. Brendon is managing the production side of the winery, overseeing all the processing steps of winemaking until the final product is bottled and labeled. He is also serving part-time in the Air National Guard. As for the patriarch of the family and business, Don is still assisting with the blending and giving the final nod of approval on all of the wines before they are bottled. He looks forward to being able to fully pass the baton to his sons in the coming years. Being in the family business has been a very positive experience, Michael says. From a young age, Don involved Brendon and Michael in the winemaking and business processes, which has allowed them to learn and develop new skills throughout their lives. “My biggest admiration for my father is for his work ethic that is beyond anyone’s I have ever met,” says Michael. However, trying to match this work ethic can be a difficult aspect of working together, which Michael admits can be exhausting at times. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to provide customers with some of Spokane’s best wines. The vintage reds are some of their favorite to produce, as these wines allow them to capture the essence of the specific varietal and vintage. There’s a “mad scientist” aspect of it, Michael says. “Blending red wine requires you to be able to hold on to positive characteristics of certain varietals or even as specific as individual barrels and combine them all together for something truly amazing,” he adds. It requires patience, time, and most importantly, an experienced palate. They continue to only use small oak barrels for aging, which Don has done from day one. This practice allows for very specific control of the wine from vine to bottle. T3, Vortex and Red Table have undoubtedly been the best sellers over the years. They have aided in defining the brand. These wines offer an approachable price point, making them affordable and easily accessible in the community. “We really take pride in being approachable as a business,” says Michael. “For the wine enthusiasts and for those just beginning to learn about wine, we hope that we can provide a great experience when our wine is served.” The motto at Townshend has been to create stellar Northwest wines at a price point that would allow everyone to enjoy a bottle or glass of wine with a meal and find a flavor they truly enjoy. Now that the Townshend Cellar team has settled in at their new production facility and the tasting room is reopened, they plan to focus on refining their operation and improving efficiency in order to ensure they continue to meet the demand for their product. Uncompromised quality is what Townshend Cellar is known for and has been dedicated to giving its customers since its very first bottle. Townshend Cellar Tasting Room Colbert - 8022 E. Greenbluff Rd. 509.238.1400 TownshendCellar.com #businessspotlight #local #spokane #foodandbeverage

A taste of something local. That is what you will experience when you visit Trinity at City Beach in Sandpoint. For the past 13 years, Trinity at City Beach, owned by Justin and Shaunavee Dick, has been one of the premier restaurants in the community offering a variety of timeless food, a beautiful view and superior customer service. Located inside the Best Western Edgewater Hotel since it moved there from First Avenue in 2009, Trinity at City Beach is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the exception of Christmas day. With a menu driven by their loyal customers, Trinity at City Beach is a place in tune with not only its customers but local purveyors as well. Several years ago, Justin became connected with many of the local farmers and has increasingly gone to them for fresh lettuce, vegetables and more, allowing Trinity at City Beach to offer the freshest local ingredients and support the local economy at the same time. In addition to using local purveyors for much of its food, Justin says they also offer wine from local wineries including Pend d’Oreille Winery and Small House Winery, as well as beer from Laughing Dog Brewery and MickDuff’s, coffee from Evan’s Brothers Coffee and spirits from Mill Town Distillery. “One can really feel the thriving community aspect of using local purveyors at our restaurant,” says Justin. Described as modern-American cuisine that is heavily French based, he says both his executive and sous chefs are classically French trained and put a modern spin on the classic dishes. “They are very open to new ideas,” says Justin of his chefs who can also accommodate dietary restrictions. “You can get as trendy as you want [in the restaurant business], but a few years down the road, it’ll be passé,” Justin says of his desire to offer timeless and consistent food while still being able to change it up with the seasons. In addition to a wide selection of wine and craft beer, Trinity at city Beach also offers a full bar. They often partner with local wineries to host wine dinners, pairing fine wine with each course of one’s meal—just one of many special events hosted by Trinity at City Beach throughout the year. With the quality of food and the breathtaking views, Trinity at City Beach is a perfect venue for holiday parties. If you have a large group, the bar or dining area is available to rent. While it is clear that Justin Dick and his staff are great supporters of the local economy with their choice of local purveyors, they also open their hearts and donate much back to the community they call home. Some of the many events they support throughout the year include the Scenic Half Marathon, the Long Bridge Swim and the Chafe 150, which raises money for children in the school district on the autism spectrum. “We also work closely with other restaurants like Tango to put on events such as the Heart Ball for Bonner General Health Foundation,” says Justin. And while many locals attend these events, many of them have tourists returning time and time again, something Justin and his staff look forward to, like reconnecting with old friends. One of the many things that add to the ambiance at Trinity at City Beach is the musical entertainment they offer. In the summer months diners are treated to live music Thursday through Sunday, and during the winter they can enjoy Bruce Bishop each Friday evening from 6 to 9pm. Justin, who moved to Sandpoint several years ago from Colorado, said he could not think of a better place to follow his passion. “We have an eclectic Inland Northwest cuisine among Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane,” he says, adding that customer service, fine cuisine and music are all intertwined to create a one-of-a-kind experience. “Food is only one part of a restaurant experience.” Trinity at City Beach is open Sunday through Thursday from 7:30am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 7:30am to 10pm. Trinity at City Beach Sandpoint 58 Bridge St 208.255.7558 TrinityAtCityBeach.com #local #sandpoint #northidaho #businessspotlight #foodandbeverage

Uva Italian, located in Downtown Coeur d’Alene, invites all of their guests to enjoy their high-quality Italian cuisine without the high price. The hospitable Italian family style dining experience is unrivaled in the area. Every menu item is made from scratch using Old-World recipes. A few items that can always be found on the menu are the chicken marsala, Steve’s baked pasta and salmon risotto; dishes that are hard to find anywhere else. The marsala is rich and creamy, and more buttery and gravy like than the traditional method. When it comes to each meal that is made and served to the guest, owner and chef Steve Van Zeveren gives nothing but the best, with the menu always evolving, always fresh. From the lasagna, meat sauce and marinara, to their Caesar dressing and tiramisu, it’s all made in house from scratch. The aromas and flavors speak for themselves. The pizza is simple but offers something different than what’s offered elsewhere. Made New York-style, the dough is made fresh daily, topped with their homemade sauce and the best ingredients, baked in their stone-deck ovens. Guests can’t help but notice the crust has a distinctive texture and flavor; crispy and chewy all in one bite. Heaven. The food is not only delightful, but affordable. “We want our guests to have a really nice meal in a beautiful yet comfortable atmosphere, all at a great value,” says Steve. The large wine bar offers a superb wine list, with each wine hand selected by General Manager Lisa Lopez. Like the food, the wine is high in quality but offered to guests at a great value. With 30 glass pours, the largest in the area, nothing goes to waste, as Lisa makes homemade sangrias, both red and white. Though they don’t have liquor, they make their own session cocktails using wine and beer. The cosmopolitans, made with white port, are a must try! Steve and Lisa host monthly wine dinners at the restaurant for up to 35 people, with specially prepared menus to pair best with the wines served. A wine club is in the works with different levels of membership, and they are in the process of renovating the back room and transforming it into a wine lounge. Uva treats each guest with the same great service. The restaurant offers 90 seats in the main dining room and side rooms, and 50 seats for private dining, with accommodations for meeting space. Steve, Lisa and the rest of the staff strive for one thing: to ensure each and every customer leaves happy. Through great food and wine, value, approachability and exceptional service, they are doing just that. Take a seat at Uva and experience it for yourself. UVA Italian Downtown Coeur d’Alene 309 E. Lakeside Ave. 208.930.0573 UvaCdA.com #businessspotlight #local #foodandbeverage #northidaho #coeurdalene

Is it possible to grow enough food to feed your family in an urban setting? Yes! Don’t you need acres of farmland to produce enough to make a go of it? The answer is a resounding, “No!” More people in an urban setting are turning their hats toward the idea of small-scale urban gardening in a big way. As people are becoming more aware of the foods with which they choose to nourish their bodies, so they are shifting toward a start-to-finish approach to feeding themselves. Plant it, grow it, nourish it, harvest it, prepare it and eat it. Lather, rinse and repeat yearly. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that 800 million people worldwide grow vegetables or fruits or raise animals in cities, producing what the Worldwatch Institute reports to be an astonishing 15 to 20 percent of the world’s food. Doesn’t it make you want to grab a piece of the pie, knowing exactly where your food is coming from? “Sustainable” means the ability to continue something with perpetuity; to be able to uphold or maintain. It is possible to supplement a “grocery store lifestyle” or replace it completely within the confines of your own home located within a city lot. It takes careful planning and attention to placement of edibles, growing seasons and smart use of vertical space, but it is possible and is being done right now in cities around the world. Despite their relatively small size, urban farms grow a surprising amount of food with yields that often surpass those of their rural cousins. This is possible for a couple reasons. First, city farms don’t experience heavy insect pressure, and they don’t have to deal with hungry deer or groundhogs. Second, city farmers can walk their plots in minutes, rather than hours, addressing problems as they arise and harvesting produce at its peak. They can also plant more densely because they hand cultivate, nourish their soil more frequently and micromanage applications of water and fertilizer. There’s no need for a big green harvester within city limits; just a little elbow grease and the will to get it done! Let’s talk about that concept of vertical gardening. Many vegetables grow on vines. Vines will travel up and wrap themselves around the nearest hospitable host. If you make use of trellises, you can double your ground space just by growing up instead of out. Plant your vine vegetables in neat rows with a trellis between them and all of a sudden you’ve maximized your space and opened up dirt for the next crop. Each plant has a unique growing season. You can spread out the work by planting early season crops first. Root vegetables and hardy vegetables can be planted extremely early in the season, even before the danger of frost is past, if you cover them with straw to help insulate. Later on in the season, that straw will help mulch the beds, holding in moisture and making more efficient use of water. Lettuce and salad greens have a short growing season but can be harvested at intervals throughout the growing season. Plant early and harvest early to take maximum advantage of this delicate edible. Long-season crops, such as brussels sprouts, need to be planted early and then left alone until well into the fall. If your area is in danger of early frosts in the fall, portable hoop houses can be utilized to drop over late-season crops at night to insulate them from the dangers. Are you ready to benefit from a homegrown lifestyle? Imagine strolling through your garden beds and deciding what goes in your salad that night based off of what’s ripe. Imagine sending your children out to “grab a snack” off the vine. Fresh tomatoes, fruit right off of the tree or bush, snap peas, beans, carrots and more. The possibilities are endless. Are you more of a gourmet? A supplemental herb garden will give extra zip and zest to your dishes. There’s nothing quite like fresh rosemary and oregano in your spaghetti sauce or fresh mint muddled into your favorite drink. Some advice: If you don’t know if you can commit to turning your beautiful green lawn into an edible landscape, start small. Put in one or two raised beds, with well-tended soil, and two or three varied plants. Salad greens are a plant that gives immediate success, with its short growing season and ability to thrive under a variety of conditions. Throw in a few herbs, such as thyme and chocolate mint for variety, a tomato plant or two, and just go from there! If you can handle more, plant more. A popular favorite of gardeners is a salsa garden; tomatoes, tomatillos, pepper plants, garlic and onions all grown together with cilantro. When it’s ripe, harvest a little of each and blend it all together for a savory fresh salsa that will be the envy of your block party. When they ask where you got it, just say you “shop local.” #featurestory #local

The air is cool, the leaves are falling and there's yard work to be done. But take a break to attend a local event and help support your community. Decadence! A Spokane Chocolate Festival at The Flour Mill, Downtown Spokane First Friday, Elf Jr. the Musical at The Bing, and A Night to Remember at Bonner County Fairgrounds are just a sample of the events coming your way. Warm up with the Fireside Music Series at Arbor Crest, get cooking at The Culinary Stone with their Pizza and Calzone Night and Thai cuisine. Taste Wines of Italy at Vino!, and enjoy a multi-course Wine Dinner at Clover Restaurant. Fleur de Sel will be hosting its Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winemaker's Dinner next Thursday, November 10, so call to make your reservation today. To find out more about these and other upcoming events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS FIRST FRIDAY Fri. Nov. 5, 5-8pm Enjoy art and music throughout participating art galleries, wineries and breweries, and shops in Downtown Spokane for this month's First Friday. Read more DECADENCE! Fri. Nov. 4, noon-9pm Indulgence in all things chocolate. The event features chocolatiers, confectioners and chefs with creations both sweet and savory and your admission includes samples from every vendor! Read more ELF JR. THE MUSICAL Fri. Nov. 4 - Sun. Nov 13 CYT Spokane presents this fun family show based on the hit Elf, where Buddy the Elf embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Read more A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Sat. Nov. 5, 5:30-9pm Community Cancer Services hosts an extraordinary evening of wine tasting and fine food, with a silent and loud auction at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, with proceeds helping local cancer patients. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Fallen leaves lying on the grass in the November sun bring more happiness than the daffodils." ~Cyril Connolly #newsletter

There are some great events right around the corner ... Don't miss out! The week's big events include An Evening in Tuscany Benefit, Puttin' on the Glitz, the 13th Annual Pumpkin Ball, Emerge's Day of the Dead Fiesta. Other great community events include: Second Harvest Sustainable Cooking Demonstration and Wine Dinner, Salmon Comparison Dinner, Murder at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, Harvest Day at Dover Bay, Autumn Chili Cook-Off, Jones of Washington Wine Tasting, Pre-Barrel and Brats Tasting, 64th Annual Northside Harvest Dinner, Little Italy's Cigar Event, Boo Bash Costume Ball, Forty-One South's Browne Wine Dinner, and Live Music at Pend d'Oreille Winery. To read more about these and additional upcoming events, visit our FSA-sponsored online calendar. FEATURED EVENTS AN EVENING IN TUSCANY Fri. Oct. 21, 6pm A benefit for the Washington Idaho Symphony. The evening will include jazz combo and assorted Symphony entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, silent auction, live dessert auction and wine pull. Read more PUTTIN' ON THE GLITZ Sat. Oct. 22, 5pm Presented by Angels Over Sandpoint, the night features a fashion show, no-host bar, local cuisine, live and silent auctions, shopping, entertainment, dancing and plenty of other surprises! Read more 13TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN BALL Sat. Oct. 22, 5:30pm The evening features a gourmet three-course meal, dancing to live music, fairytale totes full of gourmet goodies, competitive pumpkin carving, live and silent auctions, raffles and other games. Read more DAY OF THE DEAD FIESTA Thurs. Oct. 27, 6pm Sample traditional-meets-modern dishes from the American Southwest, Latin America and Mexico and cast your vote in the Chef Cook-Off, and enjoy live performances, a costume contest, and silent and live auction. Read more QUOTE OF THE WEEK "When you learn, teach. When you get, give." ~ Maya Angelou #newsletter

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of The White House Grill and its garlicky goodness it has been dishing up to the Post Falls community. Raci Erdem, chef and owner, has been bringing the flavors of the Mediterranean to eager diners for two decades, and guests continue to fill restaurant seats to partake in the cuisine. The casual restaurant offers a comfortable and relaxed family friendly environment. Patrons of all ages are invited to take a seat at this fun and loud—but by no means obnoxious—restaurant. Mediterranean music fills the air, as does the aroma of garlic. Seafood, vegetables, pasta and lamb dishes fill the menu, complemented by a full bar featuring handcrafted cocktails, 12 beers on tap, an extensive wine list featuring many wines from Walla Walla, and a beautiful scotch list, hand selected by Raci himself. Raci looks forward to guests coming into the restaurant, not just for the food and drink, but to enjoy the overall experience The White House has to offer. “Our job is to put you in a great mood with some cool music, delicious food and awesome drinks, all for a great value that you won’t find at any chain restaurant,” he says. Every year since they’ve opened, The White House Grill continues to keep their seats filled. From day one, they have offered the same freshness, quality of food, good prices and fun environment. “Our goal is to continue just that and have another beautiful 20 years,” says Raci. In 2006, Raci opened his second restaurant—The Oval Office. Here, the cozy bistro-style eatery is loud and busy, bustling like a big-city restaurant with an upscale appeal. Patrons can enjoy small plates and entrees from around the world. Menu items like the baked brie in filo with spicy honey, to the Mediterranean-style clams are a must! Combined with the great steaks, seafood and ever-changing fresh fish selection, there’s something to appeal to any taste, and guests keep coming back for more. The menu stays consistent throughout the year, so guests know that the next time they return, they will always find the same great food. Here, guests will be treated to a full bar featuring great beer, wine and specialty cocktails. They offer an ever-changing cocktail list, and they introduce new martinis regularly. Unlike any other martini list, it features politically inspired specialty martinis. From the refreshing Obama’s Mama, made with Absolut Ruby Red with X-Rated, grapefruit and orange juice, The Hillary (you don’t have to trust her, just trust them), cold and tangy made with St. Germain, gin and sparkling lemon San Pellegrino, to the Trump Mule, a Moscow mule made with tequila instead of vodka. At The Oval Office, they’ll always love their tequila and Mexicans! There’s something on the menu for anyone looking for a good martini and a good time! The Oval Office is known for its happiest of happy hours in the Northwest, offered twice daily: 3 to 6pm and 8 to 11pm. With all martinis and appetizers offered at a fraction of the price, it’s the best time to head over to The Oval Office. The new community fireplace on the large outside patio can seat 12 around it. As long as it’s not raining outside, guests have the option to dine and imbibe outside. Plans are in the works to add a European-style awning, so guests can enjoy patio dining year round. This American bistro with a foreigner chef touch is reason alone to take a drive to Post Falls and make a visit to The Oval Office. Martini anyone? The White House Grill Post Falls 712 N. Spokane St. 208.777.9672 The Oval Office Bistro & Martini Bar Post Falls 620 N. Spokane St. 208.777.2102 WhiteHouseGrill.com #businessspotlight #local #postfalls #northidaho #foodandbeverage