On Saturday, from about noon to 7 p.m., the Harvester Restaurant in the small town of Spangle, about 20 minutes south of Spokane along U.S. Highway 195, will be transformed into a bull-riding mecca. More than a dozen cowboys and cowgirls will show the world what it’s like to be a real-life Urban Cowboy.

Don’t let the name ruin the fun: Pig out in the Park isn’t all about the pigs. Or the meats. In fact, in the food festival’s 40 years in Spokane, some might consider it decidedly vegetarian-friendly, with mounds of desserts, appetizers and all things deep fried, including mac and cheese.

Jody Zellman, 31, is one of 10 artists Spokesman-Review readers will soon put through the wringer. Beginning Wednesday, they’ll vote to select a comic strip that sees permanent play in the Spokane funny pages, either daily or in Sunday circulation. Unlike his competition, Zellman is the only artist from Spokane – or Washington, for that matter – and the only artist who’s “independent.”

Like an 18th century sailor mapping out a series of Caribbean islands on a rum-running escapade, vegans and vegetarians will often ping-pong around a city bouncing from store to store in search of their preferred plant-based fix. A true first world problem.