Doug Clark

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Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Turn ‘County Crank’ sign prank into cash for food bank

Thu., Nov. 6, 2014

I have a hundred – do I hear $200? Yes. That’s two hundred.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: If elected, I will grumpily serve

Tue., Nov. 4, 2014

Today’s that special day when we – the “mad as hell and won’t take it anymore” electorate – will ensure our continued discontent by voting along the same old party lines, just like always. Welcome to Election Day 2014.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Self-taught man bringing back oldies

Sun., Nov. 2, 2014

In this world of gigabytes, downloads and digital this and that, George Ward is more at home with tuning eyes, vacuum tubes and condensers. Ward, 77, is an old-time radio man.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Mootsy’s takes 57th spot in Pabst Blue Ribbon sales

Thu., Oct. 30, 2014

As an Ingrown Empire lifer, I learned to accept the more modest achievements that come Spokane’s way. Seattle, for example, has a groovy Space Needle.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Spokane caricatures are standout Halloween options

Tue., Oct. 28, 2014

Halloween rears its haunted head Friday, and you know what that means. That’s right. Every Spokane-area bank, office and mortuary will be crawling with witches and vampires and the rest of them pretending to be Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: ‘Woman of the Year’ is too mild a description

Sun., Oct. 26, 2014

This probably won’t surprise anyone, but I normally don’t keep tabs on who wins the Business and Professional Women of Wenatchee’s “Woman of the Year” award. Welcome to Exception Day.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Political pollution is grime against nature

Thu., Oct. 23, 2014

Today we celebrate the winners of my Sign Gripe Contest, which rewards readers for picking the most hideous examples of real estate infected by campaign signs. Before getting to that, however, I would first like to name the contest’s undisputed loser.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Pot grower on the City Council will bring big changes

Tue., Oct. 21, 2014

This is a historic moment for Spokane government. It came with news that City Councilwoman Karen Stratton is running a marijuana grow operation with Chris Wright, her hubby and park board member, plus others.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Local plant aficionado vies for ‘Sexiest Vegan’ title

Sun., Oct. 19, 2014

We journalists pride ourselves on being nonpartisan, except, of course, when we’re not. Like now, for example.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: It’ll take a serious bout of ethics for legislators to lose their lunches

Thu., Oct. 16, 2014

Washington lawmakers have decided that there really is such thing as a free lunch – as long as they don’t gobble more than a dozen of them per annum. This shocker of a ruling came this week from the Legislative Ethics Board, which, I believe, is part of Olympia’s larger Office of Contradictions in Terms.

News >  Spokane

Meaty, cheesy bliss at Wisconsinburger

Tue., Oct. 14, 2014

If you grill it, they will come. Pardon me for adulterating the mystical message Kevin Costner heard in “Field of Dreams.”

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Condon will be a better-paid one-term mayor

Sun., Oct. 12, 2014

OK. Let’s pretend for a moment that you are a Spokane mayor planning on a second term. (Guffaws. Chortles. Giggles …)

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Family’s ad leads to stolen 63-year-old Jeep’s recovery

Thu., Oct. 9, 2014

The rescue of Runt the Stolen Jeep took place on a north Spokane side street as the Wednesday sun began to set. It was like watching a family reunion.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Musician squeezes out a paean to pot

Tue., Oct. 7, 2014

Many people are worried about what effect legalizing marijuana in Washington might have on kids. It’s a valid point. Although after what I watched on YouTube Monday morning, I’m actually more concerned by what the wacky weed is already doing to our seniors.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: It’s no big leap to say these frogs are frightful

Sun., Oct. 5, 2014

‘Ribbit!” Who knew that this is how the world would end.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Contest searches for signs of political placard pollution

Thu., Oct. 2, 2014

Raise your hand if you’ve ever voted for someone because of a campaign sign. Thought so.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: For a tennis player, I can be pretty quick with a keyboard

Tue., Sept. 30, 2014

Two scattered thoughts for a Tuesday: THOUGHT ONE – Proving my lack of judgment, I showed up at the Eastern Washington University tennis courts Sunday morning and played an exhibition doubles match with Steve Clark, no relation, who coaches the men’s team for my alma mater.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Tennis doesn’t deserve any backhanded compliments

Sun., Sept. 28, 2014

Looking to add seasoned alumni talent to his roster, Eastern Washington University’s new men’s tennis coach Steve Clark drafted me to play this morning at the EWU courts. That’s the Walter Mitty version, anyway.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Potties’ pot levels shouldn’t be a city priority

Thu., Sept. 25, 2014

I never bought that old argument about marijuana being a gateway to harder drugs. I thought it was just a scare tactic. Until now, that is.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: How to rid the STA Plaza of those pesky people

Sun., Sept. 21, 2014

There’s a rumble in our concrete jungle. Yes, fight fans, the battle’s over pedestrian turf rights outside the bus plaza.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Celebrities’ pompous pandemic reaches epic proportions

Thu., Sept. 18, 2014

I’m announcing my write-in candidacy for president today on a one-issue campaign guaranteed to win over all right-thinking Americans, be they Republicans, Democrats or members of parties Green and Tea. Put me in the White House.

News >  Spokane

Drive Your Studebaker Day draws classic cars, young-at-heart lovers

Tue., Sept. 16, 2014

Last Saturday was International Drive Your Studebaker Day. Missed it?

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Aunt’s moving photo captures soldier’s last homecoming

Sun., Sept. 14, 2014

A picture’s worth has been appraised at a thousand words. But the photograph  Lori Pence snapped of her nephew’s final homecoming speaks volumes. The mostly black-and-white photo shows a lone casket covered by an American flag in eye-grabbing red, white and blue.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Foreign travel is a breeze – just add money, phone and towel

Thu., Sept. 11, 2014

A sense of moral duty compels me to issue the following travel advisory to anyone who is thinking of traveling soon to an exotic foreign land like, say, Canada or maybe Hillyard. Drop whatever it is you are doing right now and go check the expiration date on your passport.

Opinion >  Column

Doug Clark: Come for the rides, stay for the real-life inmate exhibit

Tue., Sept. 9, 2014

It’s human nature, I suppose. Some folks will always see the toilet tank jail wine as half empty, while optimists like me always see it as half full.