Stories by Doug Clark for the Spokesman-Review

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Spokane’s new slogan ‘Creative by Nature’ is a lame and costly effort for The Lilac City

UPDATED: Thu., May 18, 2017

The Visit Spokane people want the rest of us to think that “Creative by Nature” is substantially better than the last dumb catchphrase, “Near Nature. Near Perfect.”

News > Spokane

Clarksville: Ritzville Triathlon is a trap-shooting, golf-playing, pin-knocking good time

Tue., May 16, 2017

The Ritzville Triathlon – like all of humankind’s finest ideas (spittoons, restroom condom machines, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity …) – was hatched inside a saloon.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Mothers Day with a firebrand

Sun., May 14, 2017

Only one thing to do when Mother’s Day arrives and you don’t have a mom anymore.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: I’ll sell you pre-fouled merchandise for at least as much as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

Thu., May 11, 2017

The express lane to my early retirement on Easy Street appeared in this fine newspaper the other day on our business page.

News > Spokane

Clarksville: A Jeep heard around the world and the man tasked with restoring it

Tue., May 9, 2017

The centerpiece of the greatest adventure story you’ve never heard rolled into Spokane on a recent clear Friday morning. The Jeep, a once-red 1966 CJ-5, now faded into the dusty rose color of an over-washed bandanna, sat perched on a flatbed trailer that Laurence Upton borrowed from a neighbor in order to haul it here from Yakima and show it to me.

News > Spokane

A renegade in the land of the big wheels

Sun., May 7, 2017

As I discovered Wednesday night, it’s not so easy being a two-wheeled renegade when the two wheels under you are hooked to a 49cc Honda Ruckus.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Bring back ‘The Ghosting’ for one awfully good night

Thu., May 4, 2017

“The Ghosting” is the best so-awful-it’s-wonderful movie ever made in Spokane.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Fear is getting lost in your elementary school’s boiler room

Tue., May 2, 2017

I’ve been scared a time or three in my life. The first time I saw the movie “Psycho,” say.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Spokane’s own End Times prepper turns inventions into profit

Sun., April 30, 2017

In these perilous days of malice and mayhem, does it really ever pay to leave the house without first pulling on a polo shirt that will stop a .44 magnum bullet at point blank range?

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: The Monroe Street ‘Road Diet’ will starve businesses

Thu., April 27, 2017

Buoyed by last summer’s success at nearly destroying downtown shopping through the random digging of giant holes in the pavement, the Spokane City Clowncil is now looking to see if they can wreck the commerce on Monroe Street, too.

News > Spokane

Fiddling genius Aaron Castilla is on his way

UPDATED: Tue., April 25, 2017

He was a stone-faced fireplug the day I met him, too shy to look me in the eye, too shy to crack even the slightest of smiles. Soon it became obvious, however. There was something special about 8-year-old Aaron Castilla.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: The case of the missing key

Sun., April 23, 2017

True, the little disappearances of life are not the end of the world. They’re not up there with murder, mayhem or misdemeanors. But as Eddie Heinen discovered, a common misplaced item can drive a guy crazy.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: This year’s birthday wishes went up in smoke

UPDATED: Wed., April 19, 2017

Yet another memorable birthday came and went and the wishes were a mixed bag.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Are you a true Zags fan? Take the quiz and prove it

UPDATED: Wed., March 29, 2017

Are you a Zags fan or just another bandwagon blowhard? Take Doug’s Bulldog quiz and prove your loyalty.

News > ID Government

Clarksville: Gravestone of Wallace’s founder returns to North Idaho thanks to restaurateur

Tue., March 28, 2017

With all due respect to Thomas Wolfe, it appears you can go home again. Sort of. Consider the strange case of Col. William Ross Wallace, who has returned to the North Idaho town he founded in the form of his tombstone.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Spokane magician Dave Womack, aka David DaVinci, is spinning showbiz into fame

Sun., March 26, 2017

David Womach had his sights set on a magic career since he was a teen and has achieved many of his dreams as he settles in Moab, Utah, for a new adventure.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Avista profits can buy lots of Reddy Kilowatt accessories

Thu., March 23, 2017

Hello and welcome to another installment of Ask Avista, the only forum that lets Spokane area ratepayers get straight answers regarding their power company concerns. OK. So let’s get energized.

Opinion > Column

Doug Clark: Spokane’s Cip Paulsen has gone from busted cocaine kingpin to legalized marijuana magnate

Tue., March 21, 2017

Doug Clark took a field trip to the old Costco building on Third Avenue and found a legalized pot bonanza run by cocaine convict Cip Paulsen.

News > Spokane

Clark: This group brings out the beauty in Spokane

Sun., March 19, 2017

Project Beauty Share is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with a straightforward mission of collecting donations of makeup, toiletries and hygiene items for women who lack the means to buy even these most basic necessities of life.

News > Spokane

Clark: Spokane’s new snow plowing plan includes holiday cheer, a pour of schnapps and the promise of Condon Coins

Thu., March 16, 2017

The Spokane City Council (aka “The Shady Bunch”) took some time away from listening to George McGrath on Monday night to unanimously vote in favor of launching a new-and-improved War on Winter. Winter, of course, has a habit of showing up around here every now and then, whether it’s been invited or not.