Three things we’ll be talking about this week

1. Last time Disney’s “The Lion King” came roaring into town, it became the biggest-selling event in Spokane’s theatrical history. The first Broadway production of the much-loved tale of the lion cub Simba and his adventures sold a record 117,000 tickets. The tale returns to the Spokane stage with the opening performance Wednesday at the INB Performing Arts Center.

2. Newcomers on the bench may outnumber experienced players, but the Zags are still favored to capture an unprecedented 10th consecutive West Coast Conference regular-season title this season. The GU men’s basketball season opens Saturday with the first home-court matchup against Mississippi Valley State at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

3. Is the worst over? On Thursday, economic consultant John W. Mitchell and Grant Forsyth, a professor of economics at Eastern Washington University, will discuss with the community the fate of the local business climate in 2010 and economic indicators during the 2009 Economic Forecast. The event is sponsored annually by Greater Spokane Incorporated.