It’s like the Valley’s version of Browne’s Addition

I love Millwood. Sometimes the paper mill makes the vicinity smell like poo, but as soon as the wind changes, I’m right back to loving everything about this West Valley neighborhood.

Today I was in Millwood to visit my friendly credit union. Yes, there is a credit union in Millwood. It’s across the street from a taxidermist and right next door to a hair salon which is next door to an art gallery which is next door to a yoga studio …

This is what makes Millwood so cool. It really has just about everything you could possibly need (even a place to stuff your family’s cat) within walking distance, plus it’s right on the river, lush with old-growth trees and chock-full of quaint little houses (and a few iffy apartment buildings, but who wants to be a Negative Nancy?), unique shops, a farmer’s market and even a major grocery store.

So anyway, today, I was walking down the street to get to the credit union and I spy this poster in the window of the adjacent hair salon and I’m like, “Sweet! Millwood Daze!” And then I’m like, “Dang! I’m going to be out of town.” But now I’m like, “I’m going to tell everybody about this neighborhood celebration so they can get down here and check out one of the Valley’s coolest places to be.” So that’s what I’m doing.

Saturday there’ll be a 5K run at 9 (talk about a great way to experience the neighborhood up close and personal!), a pancake feed (not sure what time, but if you show up around 8 you’ll probably find something to eat), games for the kids, live music and even a free evening showing of Babe (behind the Rocket on Argonne).

Come as you are, (seriously, this is one laid-back berg, so don’t worry about getting gussied up) walk around and see what’s going on. Check out the dance studio, the golf shop, the bike shop, the music shop, the Rocket Bakery, the Old Mill Tavern (one of my Top 3 Spokane Dive Bars), Bottles and whatever else you happen to stumble upon. Get some ice cream at the Corner Door Book Store and be sure to take a minute to look at the owner’s original velvet paintings. OK, I don’t know if they’re actually on velvet, but they are, well, unique and in my opinion, begging for a velvet canvas. (Let me know what you think.)

Have fun getting dazed!

You’ll find Millwood just north of Sprague, off Argonne.