Spokanlandia in the spring

Bashing your hometown seems to be a popular activity among some Spokanites.

Not me.

I’m an unabashed Spokane fan. In fact, one of the best gigs I get as a freelancer is writing about our city for Alaska Airlines in-flight magazine. The feedback I get from folks who see my byline when they fly is fun and universally enthusiastic – until recently.

It’s one thing for natives to bash Spokane, but when Oregonians do it, well that’s another thing entirely.

A couple of weeks ago, Bill Oakley, co-executive producer for the TV show “Portlandia,” picked up a copy of Alaska Air magazine during a flight. The publication failed to impress.

In particular, he took issue with the Spokane section and posted a picture of the story on Twitter with my byline prominently displayed. Oakley wrote, “This is the kind of thing you find in the Alaska Air in-flight magazine and it’s like a 20 page ‘special section’!” Cindy Hval, SR Read more.

Is your hometown worthy of a 20-page special section in an airline magazine?