Beyond Bead Really Does Go BEYOND
Beading happens to be one of my favorite hobbies and addictions. I’m always on the lookout for a good quality beading shop to find supplies and ideas. Stopping by Hasting on North Division St., I discovered Beyond Beads. Beyond Beads (north) definitely goes BEYOND just selling beads. In addition to thousands upon thousands of beads sold in a wide variety, they also sell gift items, such as clothing and soaps, as well as showing a gallery of pieces that have been created by other beading artists. This is a shop that I have enjoyed visiting just to look though everything they have and view all of the items in the display cases without ever having to buy anything. But if I do need to make a purchase, they have everything I need from beads to findings right there. Beyond Beads North is located at 7452 N. Division St. They also have a location in the valley located at 12021 E. Sprague Ave., if you live closer to that area instead. Read the rest of Beyond Bead Really Does Go BEYOND »
For some people who take it very seriously: coffee is a way of life. My boyfriend’s father is very much this kind of person. He possesses a genuine passion for coffee and espresso beverages. With Christmas gifts on my mind, I immediately thought of him while walking past 4 Seasons Coffee & Gift Shop (222 N. Howard St). I’ve heard a lot about the shop from other people, but hadn’t actually walked inside of it before. I’d heard about it being an authorized fair trade business, so that sparked my curiosity even further. With gift-searching as a good excuse, I went ahead and went in. I was a little nervous because I’ve recently quit drinking coffee a few months ago for health reasons, and was afraid I would be tempted. But it turned out there was way more to this shop than just the coffee items on their menu. I ended up finding plenty of gifts for a lot more people than my boyfriend’s dad‚Äîeven non-coffee drinkers such as myself!
There’s not much that can beat the enjoyment of getting wrapped up in a good book. Reading is one of my most favorite past-times. I like to read during breaks at work, and later in the evening as I’m winding down for bed. There’s something a little more intriguing about absorbing written pages versus watching television. I’ll take a Gregory McGuire novel over CSI anyway. And I’d much rather get scared out of my wits with a Stephen King novel than watch one of his cheesy mini-series on the tube. I have several shelves filled with all different genres of novels, most of which I’ve already read. Some of the books I cherish too much to give up, but others, well‚Ķ once I’ve read them, I don’t exactly plan on reading them again any time soon. They just sit there collecting dust as I go to bookstores to buy even more copies. Pretty soon I’ll run out of room for all of them, so boxes of books will have to be packed away to storage. What’s the purpose in that? Then I discovered a great little store over by Kmart on Division Street. It’s called The Book Exchange. It appeared to be the perfect solution to my problem. I could bring in all of my old books there, and get store credit to exchange them for new reading material without having to spend a dime. 
A common misconception is that the coined term “arts and crafts” refers to gift items of a lesser quality because they are handmade. Artisan Wares is a gallery that is sure to prove any thinking along those lines as false. The immediate sense I felt upon entering the place was their sophisticated ambiance. There are hundred of items on display, but they are displayed in an orderly, correct manner. To just take it all in is really a breathtaking view. I have stopped in River Park Square to get a bite to eat in the food court. I had some time to kill before heading back to work, so I decided to finally stop in and see if the inside of Artisan Wares is just as beautiful as the outside. And the answer, of course, is more so. 
I love the Sweeny Todd Musical. I listen to the Broadway soundtrack daily. I saw the Tim Burton movie twice in theaters and bought the DVD as soon as it was released. I went to the Civic Theater production in the beginning of November, but as good as that was, I still had not had enough of the musical thriller. When I found out that the touring Broadway show was coming to the Martin Woldson Fox Theatre in downtown Spokane, I jumped at the opportunity and bought 4 tickets at $38 a piece. My boyfriend and I planned for an unforgettable double-date with my younger brother and his girlfriend. A night at the FOX is sure to be remembered for a long time thereafter. 
One of my girlfriends and I wanted to try something different for lunch this week, so she had me pick a place that I thought would be interesting. I decided that Cyrus O’ Leary’s had never bored me in the past, so we went ahead and dashed over there for our Monday mid-day meal. Turns out, nothing kills the Monday blue like a fun-filled atmosphere, great service, and delicious (inexpensive!) food. If I could get away with it, I’d drag someone along with me to eat at Cyrus O’ Leary’s every Monday‚Äîit proves to be an awesome way to energize the rest of the week. 
After my boyfriend and I got together I was able to be a part of one of his family’s favorite Christmas traditions. Every year they attend the Nutcracker ballet here in Spokane at the INB Performing Arts Center, an event that is usually followed by dinner and everyone getting to unwrap a nutcracker of his or her own. Up until now the collection of their Nutcrackers is massive‚Äîand every year it gets bigger and bigger. This will have been my third year taking part in this tradition, and I look forward to it even more each time. The first time I went and saw the Nutcracker, in 2006, I was amazed by the dancing, the costumes, and the set. The following year was relatively the same, but there were several subtle changes to the routine, cast, etc. that we delighted in pointing out. This year, for the 2008 Nutcracker, the changes were immense. The entire ballet was completely redone, everything from the dances and costumes, to the story itself. The INB chose to show the original Russian version of the ballet, and obviously, the theater budget had increased since last time. We all sat at the edges of our seats mesmerized by the beauty on the stage before us. Even the small children in the audience, usually more on the squirmy side, gasped “wow” with each changing set and dance. Even they were breathless. 
