❤️ Your Monday Spokane Update

Good morning, Spokane!

New week, Lilac City, and it's been a long stretch for a lot of our neighbors. We're keeping this one close to home: the weekend's real bright spots, a couple of new places to eat, and indoor-friendly ways to fill the week. It's a hazy 86 out there today, so grab a coffee and settle in.

In today's Spokane Pulse:

Let's get to it.

— Laina & Lucas Wyland

Wildfire smoke is still hanging over the region, and the Clean Air Agency has an air quality alert up until further notice. Air has been sitting in the Unhealthy range for days and is expected to linger into the week, but smoke shifts fast, so check the live reading before you make plans, especially if you've got asthma or heart trouble, or you're out with little kids. Current conditions

⚾ The Spokane Indians gave Avista Stadium a reason to roar Saturday night, when Roldy Brito capped a four-hit evening with a two-out walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Eugene Emeralds 7-6. The win snapped a five-game skid, and it came right after Kelvin Hidalgo's three-run homer had knotted the game in the sixth.

🐴 When fire took a local boarding stable, Spokane showed up for the animals. WSU Spokane County Extension and county 4-H held a free tack giveaway Saturday for families who lost saddles, bridles, and blankets after roughly 60 horses were rescued, and paired it with a "Paws of Hope" pet-food drive for SpokAnimal. "The response from the Spokane community has been huge," organizer Kate McCloskey said.

🤝 If you're looking for a way to pitch in, several groups have made it easy to help families displaced by the wildfires. STCU is matching gifts to its "Here for Good" fund up to $100,000, and Second Harvest, SpokAnimal, and Caritas are all taking food, supplies, and volunteer time.

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Now Open

With the smoke lingering, we leaned toward indoor picks this week and marked the outdoor ones. Check the air before you head out.

Spokane Civic Theatre's young performers tumble down the rabbit hole in a family-friendly, air-conditioned take on the Lewis Carroll classic.

Reggae-rock heavyweights Dirty Heads and 311 co-headline the outdoor BECU Live stage, with Ocean Alley and Rome opening the night.

Bring a blanket for a free outdoor movie night under the Gesa Pavilion canopy at Riverfront Park.

More than 100 local vendors line Summit Parkway with food, handmade goods, and art along the river bluff.

A rotating lineup of Spokane food trucks sets up by the Howard Street Bridge for lunch in the park.

Eastern Washington football brings its first fall scrimmage to ONE Spokane Stadium, with Swoop, the cheer squad, and a postgame autograph session.

🎡 Spokane County Interstate Fair — the region's biggest fair returns to the fairgrounds with rides, rodeo, livestock, and a full week of fair food. (Sept 11-20)

🎸 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band — the blues-rock guitarist plays the First Interstate Center on his Ledbetter Heights 30th-anniversary tour. (Sept 17)

🎶 Big Thief — one of indie rock's most acclaimed bands lands at the Knitting Factory on their Somersault Slide tour. (Sept 26)

🎉 Valleyfest — Spokane Valley's free community festival brings its Hearts of Gold parade, hot-air balloons, and a car show to Mirabeau Point Park. (Sept 25-27)

🐶 Bluey's Big Play — the hit kids' show comes to life on stage at the First Interstate Center, and these family shows tend to sell out early. (Oct 1)

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