Don Chareunsy

Hard seltzer. Who knew the fizzy alcoholic concoction would experience a big rise in popularity in the last few years? And the over-the-top displays at the grocery store are inescapable.

The Spokane Symphony has established a Musicians’ Relief Fund to help orchestra musicians who need help to pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic. The public is invited to contribute to the new fund to assist local classical musicians.

For Clay Cerna, owner of Sweetbox Delivery and River City Kitchen in downtown Spokane, offering an “Eat Now, Pay Later Bagel Loan,” all bagels at 50% off and free rent in his new River City Kitchen commercial space through June, was a two-fold idea during this coronavirus pandemic. “My main goal is to keep my people working,” Cerna said last week. “Since we’re under quarantine, going to work for a few shifts gets my employees out of the house, and it helps keep us all sane.

Cosmic Cowboy Grill in River Park Square in downtown Spokane and Appleway Square in Coeur d’Alene has recalled its staff and reopened to offer grab-and-go, to-go, curbside and delivery options at its two area locations after receiving funding from the federal Payment Protection Program.

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is today, and with the world under siege from the coronavirus pandemic, there’s no better place than to celebrate social distancing and the Earth than in our own backyards.

The fourth-annual Crave Food and Drink Celebration, scheduled for July 15-19 at CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley, has been canceled.

Del Taco, with more than 580 locations across the U.S., is offering 10 of its Value Tacos for only $4.20. Why 10 tacos? Because who can eat just one taco on 4/20?

When the novel coronavirus pandemic became very serious more than one month ago, Dry Fly Distilling was one of the first to respond with an interesting product – the free Spokanitizer hand sanitizer (props for the price and creative name) – that became immediately popular.

We can’t have enough recipes during this novel coronavirus quarantine, and here to help this week is the Washington State Beef Commission with five easy recipes using beef and pantry and freezer staples.

It has been a roller-coaster ride for Share Farm, the young farm-to-door company founded and owned by local entrepreneurs Eric Kobe and Vincent Peak and James Beard Award-nominated chef and restaurateur Adam Hegsted.

Gary Norton, owner of Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park, sent a COVID-19 update -- “a message to our guests” -- this morning via email. Here is Norton’s message.

Performances of the award-winning musical “The Book of Mormon” scheduled for May 5-10 at the First Interstate Center for the Arts have been canceled.

Who killed Laura Palmer? Isn’t it incredible to think the question was first uttered three decades ago?

In last week’s Food section, members of Spokane and the area’s culinary industry shared their pantry essentials and why the items are necessary. Chefs Chad White and Ricky Webster also, unsolicited, shared recipes for their gluten-free meatloaf and sourdough pasta, respectively.

The Spokane Symphony announced this morning that “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert” with the Spokane Symphony has been rescheduled for Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, and tickets are available for purchase at spokanesymphony.org.

Several actors have portrayed the American president on the silver and TV screens, and some of them have received accolades for their depictions of the U.S. commander in chief.

The 50 Hour Slam for 2020, the annual event’s 10th anniversary, has been postponed to spring 2021, founder Juan A. Mas wrote in an email this morning. Here is his correspondence.

Country music singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert has announced rescheduled dates for her two remaining U.S. shows and the upcoming Canadian run of her “Wildcard Tour.” Her show at the Spokane Arena, originally scheduled for April 24, is now Oct. 8.

There are beloved movies you’ll stop to watch no matter what while flipping through the dozens of TV channels. It doesn’t matter if the film has just started, the breakup has occurred, or it’s about 10 minutes until the reconciliation, sealed with a kiss in the rain or snow, that wraps it all up.

Bridge Press Cellars owner Drew Padrta is shifting the focus at his winery to the musicians who headline his new event spaces. Padrta said, “I’m raising money for bands each week who are livestreaming from Bridge Press Cellars to try to give them a few extra dollars during this coronavirus pandemic.

Adhering to social distancing and the stay home, save lives order by Gov. Jay Inslee, but still have, ahem, burning culinary questions? Chef Josh, of no last name, will be live on Facebook Live today from 1-2 p.m. PT to answer cooking-related questions.

Despite the closure of the Las Vegas Strip, and the shocking photos of empty casino resorts along Las Vegas Boulevard being posted, the show must go on for headliner Mat Franco and the Entertainment Capital of the World’s deejays.

Comedian and actor Kevin James this morning has canceled his May 21 performance at Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in downtown Spokane.

It’s a few weeks into the stay home, save lives order, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to shop at the grocery store – first for toilet paper and paper towels and now reportedly for ice, soups, pasta sauce, eggs, milk and more.