Doug Clark’s son can sing a better tune

You may know that SR columnist Doug Clark can sing and compose songs as well as tickle your funny bone with his bizarre view of Spokane. But did you know that his son, Ben, will beat his pop to the top of the charts? Ben, whose middle name “P’Georgio” is sheer Clarkian fun, is the lead singer for The Lashes, a Seattle sextet that’s getting regular rotation for its single “Sometimes the Sun” in Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle – and rave reviews for debut album, “Get It,” scheduled for release Feb. 21. Quoth AMG AllMusic: “Tight, exhilarating, edgy, and infectious, ‘Get It’ has got it all – a superb debut.” The reviewer called The Lashes sound, “stroppy pop for now people,” whatever that means. In his former life as a Ferris High student body prez, Ben formed a punk/pop band called The Stoics. But he couldn’t keep the band together when he moved to Seattle to pursue a music career. Two other Lashes band members hail from Spokane: Scotty Rickard on guitar and Nate Mooter on bass. For genealogists in the audience, Nate is the nephew of Paul Revere, the singer who had a hard time finding kicks, not the revolutionary horseman. Ben, Scotty and Nate are going places – literally. They’ll appear with the rest of the band on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” after the album’s release. At that time, the nation will get its first look at Ben’s signature wardrobe statement: four belts.

Grumpy old men

In the Spokane Club weight room last Monday, blogger JBelle/Notes from The ‘Kan EWA, overheard a coupla middle-aged men grousing about the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Grumpy Old Man No. 1: “What the hell is the deal with the Zag game?” Grumpy Old Man No. 2: “On ESPN2 tonight.” GOM1: “What’s ESPN2?” GOM2: “‘Nuther channel; you get it right there with the reg’lar one.” GOM1: “Hunh! What the hell?” GOM2: “Why is the game so late? Says it’s on at midnight!” GOM1: “That’s Eastern. 9 o’clock here.” GOM2: “Why’n’t they just say that?” GOM1: “What’s a Zag anyway? What happened to ‘the Bulldogs,’ like when we were there?” GOM2: “And since when did Gonzaga’s colors become red?” GOM1: “What the hell is going on over there?!”

Life did them part

A husband and a wife who were once gaga over each other wanted to make sure that death kept them apart. At least, that was the sentiment expressed in a classified ad in the current Nickel’s Worth: “2 burial plots on the aisle in Memorial Gardens, Government Way. Divorce forces sale, $1100” … Jeff Davenny/Post Falls is on a roll. With help from sons Christian, 12, and Matthew, 15, he won a family season pass by submitting the winning entry chosen from 300 to name the new ride at Silverwood Theme Park: “Panic Plunge.” Then, he won free concert tickets via a KXLY radio call-in contest. Powerball, Jeff? … Huckleberries hears there’s a December/October romance brewing in Post Falls, with roots in City Hall. Stay tuned … How wild is that idea by Idaho Senate Pro Tem Robert Geddes to conserve prison space by forcing jailbirds to sleep in shifts to make a bed go further? Crazy enough to be highlighted last week on the three-ring conservative online circus known as The Drudge Report.

Poet’s corner

Today’s a mess but you can bet/Things aren’t as bad as they will get,/Nor will your troubles soon disperse – tomorrow will be even worse.” The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“Carpe Diem for Pessimists”).

Huckleberries

The surname of new Eastern Washington U Prez Rodolfo Arevalo spelled backward produces a word that sounds exactly like “Oliveria,” phonetically speaking … “Only during Editorial Board meetings” – Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, responding to a question posed for a Huckleberries Online reader: “Has there ever been a time (during your tenure as governor) when you wished (former Governor) Phil Batt was still in charge?” … For those keeping score at home, the only Northwest city to make the National Coalition of Homeless Top 20 “Mean Cities” list was (drum roll, please) – Anchorage, Alaska, at No. 16. The meanest one? Sarasota, Fla. … Higgens Point/Lake Coeur d’Alene can be spelled two ways – and most pick the wrong one, with two I’s. However, Idaho Parks and Rec, which manages the popular boat launch east of Coeur d’Alene, has officially been spelling it Higgens since 2001, for good reason. That’s how the family that the point is named after spelled its name … A Berry Picker was wondering how anyone could afford a beautiful black Ford 350 rig she saw the other day when she noticed the vanity plate: “NO WIFE.”

Parting shot

Dunno if the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce attracted quality or quantity in its 11th hour plea for unbiased volunteers to judge one of the most important prep events of the winter in Coeur d’Alene – the spirit competition between Coeur d’Alene and Lake City high schools. But you’d think the Powers That Be at the chamber would have things organized enough that they wouldn’t have to send out an e-SOS two days before the big basketball Fight for the Fish. After all, the event takes place every year at pretty much the same time.