Blogroll: A glance at what Spokesman-Review bloggers have to say

Office Hours

By Kip Hill

May 7 – The 4/20 effect was noticeable for state recreational marijuana retailers, with the weekend of April 20 seeing the highest sales to date, according to statistics from the Washington Liquor Control Board, which will be renamed the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board under new state laws governing recreational and medical pot sales. State shops set a record on Friday, April 17, selling $1.76 million worth of legal marijuana.

Spokane County retailers also did well last month, reporting sales of more than $3 million, the largest monthly total since sales began last summer.

In Spokane County, retailer Greenlight continued its pace of outselling all other shops authorized under Initiative 502, reaching a half-million dollars in sales for the first time since opening in September.

Greenlight’s sales total of $517,032 fell just shy of Spokane Green Leaf’s record haul of $524,579 in August. Only three stores were selling legal marijuana when Green Leaf posted that total; Greenlight is competing against 13 other stores. If Greenlight’s trend continues, it will break that record in May.

Spokane Valley

By Pia Hallenberg

May 7 – Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard doesn’t really like to wear a tie, but he feels Valley residents deserve the respect a tie brings so he puts one on for council meetings. Over the years, he has collected hundreds of ties, and on Wednesday at the mayor’s State of the City address at Spokane Valley Mall he was sporting 1950s TV star Lucille Ball.

“The ties sometimes reflect how I feel,” Woodard said. “If I think I’m going to have a dog kinda day, then I may wear a Snoopy tie.” His colorful neckwear is often an icebreaker with constituents, and he’s determined to grow the collection.

“I’d love to add some Jerry Garcia ties,” Woodard said, “I don’t have any of those.”

Getting There

By Mike Prager

May 6 – Spokane Transit Authority reported that it provided round-trip  shuttle rides to 9,000 Bloomsday participants. In addition, regular buses hauled an additional 3,000 passengers during Bloomsday on Sunday.

That accounted for what the agency said is at least 20 percent of participants.

The most popular boarding spot was at the Spokane Valley Mall, followed by NorthTown Mall.