On a stick: You can put almost any food on a stick, and wooden skewers come in a variety of lengths. You can layer tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella balls with a balsamic dipping sauce for a traditional caprese treat, or mix it up with juicy blackberries, basil, and cheddar cubes (courtesy of Tina Vandenheuvel on Facebook). You can also stack cooked chicken pieces, roasted jalapeno halves, bacon, and pepper jack cheese for a deconstructed popper meal. Serve with ranch dressing. 

In a jar: Cold soup and salad are a perfect picnic combination. Try a raw, sun-cooked tomato soup. Combine soaked sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped fresh tomatoes, minced garlic, and fresh herbs in a jar and set in the sun, covered, for 3-4 hours. Season, run through a blender, pour into jars, and top with a drizzle of olive oil or chunks of avocado. Layer salad ingredients in another wide-mouth jar, starting with wet ingredients like chopped tomatoes and dressing and ending with greens on the top. Include some cooked quinoa or a nut and seed mix for added protein. When you’re ready to eat, just shake, open, and enjoy.  

Fill your cup: Whether you’re packing for two or a larger family, it helps to pre-mix creative drinks and just pour. I make my own simple and shrub syrups, from “Shrubs: An Old-Fashioned Drink for Modern Times” by Michael Dietsch, and mix them with soda water and ice in an insulated travel mug. Just be careful when opening—the carbonation builds up with heat! You can also steep some sun tea on your back while hiking to your destination. During quarantine, we also discovered how easy it is to make cocktails to go in a bottle, jar, or mug. Just keep in mind that some parks don’t allow alcohol.

Orginally published as “Get Out & Picnic” in the July-August 2020 issue.

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The park is dedicated to the rivers and fish of the Methow Valley and to Native Americans who have called the valley home for generations. The art depicts the original Native American inhabitants of the area and draws attention to the challenges native salmon face navigating hydroelectric dams downstream. A meandering path with nine large boulders along the way symbolizes the nine dams Methow River salmon encounter on their own journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Methow Valley. The park was officially dedicated in October and visitors should plan to stop and enjoy this new public treasure on the way into town. 

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Sing Opera at Hot August Nights, Get a Free Ticket the Next Main Stage Opera

Ever dreamed of becoming a famous opera star? Ever wanted to receive a free ticket to a night out at the opera? You can do both!

During Spokane Opera’s Hot August Nights, Aug. 4 and 6, starting at 5:30 PM, Spokane Opera will video anyone who wants to sing “opera”, and in exchange, they will receive gift certificate for a free ticket to Spokane Opera’s next main stage opera production at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox. All ages and abilities welcome! For more information, visit http://facebook.com/SpokaneOpera.

Hot August Nights is Spokane Opera’s free night of music under the stars. The show begins at 7:30 pm August 4 at Mirabeau Meadows in Spokane Valley, and again August 6 at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Hot August Nights, sponsored in part by the Spokane Parks Foundation, brings a mix of opera, operettas, and musical theatre to Spokane.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or low-rise chairs. Pack a picnic dinner and drinks (no refreshments are available during the show). Bring plenty of water!

For more information on Hot August Nights, the videos, or Spokane Opera, send an e-mail spokaneopera@spokaneopera.org, or call 509-533-1150. To arrange interview or for background information, e-mail Sam Fletcher, Eyecatch Studio, at Samuel.fletcher@me.com or call 509-995-9174.

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The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department has hired a non-profit firm, GP RED, to help conduct an ambitious comprehensive planning process.  The intent of this project is to create a sustainable parks and recreation system for future Spokane residents. The meetings/workshops will take place on July 13, 14 and 15 at various locations throughout the city.

Monday, July 13, 2009 – Southside Senior Activity Center Ballroom, 3151 E. 27^th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Two Locations
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – East Central Community Center Gym, 500 S. Stone St., Spokane, WA 99202
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – North East Community Center, 4001 N. Cook, Spokane, WA 99207

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Browne Elementary School Multipurpose Room, 5102 N. Driscoll Blvd., Spokane, WA 99205
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m

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