school(s)

We’re kicking off our second full season in style. Today for your musical pleasure is Broken Whistle (pictured above), the band that appeared as if out of the blue last year and had the entire market enthralled by their performance.

At 4pm, we’re going to be recognizing our market poster contest winners, August Nelson and Mason Brazill. These are the two students from local elementary schools (this year we held the contest in Spokane Public Montessori and Trinity Catholic) whose drawings are now featured on our posters and handbills. Each winner will get $15 in market tokens and a hearty helping of thanks. Come out and show these two young — and clearly talented — artists your support!

On the other side of the parking lot, master composters will be holding a composting demo. They’ve been gathering your lawn cuttings, leaves and kitchen scraps for weeks in order to show you how to turn it into nutrient-rich super-soil for your backyard garden. That will be ongoing, so you don’t have to show up at an appointed time. This activity actually marks the start of several weekly hands-on gardening how-tos — but more on that in time.

Right in the lower level of Knox Presbyterian, the Spokane Hope Christian Reformed Church (스포켄 소망교회) will be holding one of their Korean food sales alongside the market. That means you can get hot, freshly prepared, authentic Korean food just a few steps away — just follow the scent. Grab a bite when you’re done shopping and enjoy it outside on the lawn or at the picnic table. Incidentally, the Korean Church is scheduled to hold their hot food sale every week.

There are also so many info booths that we lost count. SNAP is supposed to be on hand as well as some representatives from Building Stronger Neighborhoods.

As for vendors — here’s everyone who’s scheduled to join us today:

• Alpine Bakery – A full range of baked goods, including gluten-free
• Awesome Possum – Handmade all-natural lotion bars and lip balms
• Chattaroy Cheese Co. – Farmstead goat cheese
• Country Buddies – Jams, salsas and more
• Courtney’s Crafts for Costa Rica – Handmade jewelry, scrapbooks and more
• The Farm Yard – Neighborhood-grown veggies, herbs and more
• The Father’s Table – Neighborhood-grown veggies, herbs and starts
• Food for All (aka Vinegar Flats) – Locally grown veggies and herbs
• Gourmet Foragables – Wild-harvest edibles including mushrooms & berries
• KC Creations – Beaded lanyards, leashes, earrings, photos and custom cards
• KJ Pottery – Handcrafted functional pottery for the home and elsewhere
• Jenkins Java – Cold- and hot-brewed coffee plus sodas
• Mama Torrez Salsas – Authentic salsas, pico de gallo and chips
• Mary Beauregard – Plastic canvas needlepoint
• Morning Sun Bakery – Cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes
• Orange Thyme – Natural balms, soaps, perfume oils, body butters and more
• Patti’s Pies – Homemade pies
• Petunia’s Marketplace – Flavored honey, candies, gourmet pasta and more
• Riverfront Farm – Locally grown vegetables from Project Hope Spokane
• The Scone Ranger – Sweet and savory scones
• Simply Sweets – Confectionery including baklava and brittles
• Song Sparrow Farms – Locally grown vegetables
• Vladimir Kuzmenko – Fruits and vegetables from the Yakima area
• Wash House Candies – Dried fruit, granola, seasonings, honey and more

We’re getting every last item in place so you can do a full, affordable grocery shop here. Jenkins Java will be selling half-gallons of milk from Spokane’s Family Farm. And Petunia’s will have meat from Ramstead Ranch plus eggs!

Later in the month — and possibly as early as next week — we’ll regularly have certified organic fruit (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples) from R.P. Guerrero Farms. As they’ll be traveling from their orchards in Quincy, they want to make sure they’ve got enough product.

Our regular chair masseuse, Rufino A. Zusimbo, was already committed to another event today, but he’ll be back in the usual “zen” spot on the lawn starting next week. We’ve also been getting some last-minute applicants, so you could very well see someone selling some lovely perennials there.

What’s Poppin’ Kettle Corn is confirmed to be with us starting on June 19.

And one more thing: Emerson-Garfield residents (and only Emerson-Garfield residents) will be able pick up dump passes worth $20 each. There’s a limited number, so get there early. We’ll be handing them out at the central market booth.

Looking forward to seeing you there!