You're not too late to enjoy the soup of the day being served at the Saranac Public House, which brings to mind images of Guadalajara or the beaches of Puerto Vallarta. Then, of course, you could just amble next door and catch a movie or two at the Magic Lantern. I just might see you there. Tell Jonathan I said hi.

It doesn't really matter what the calendar says; everybody knows that Spokane's summer officially begins on ArtFest weekend!!! So pull out those flip flops and update your sunscreen supply because summer's just two-ish weeks away!

This year's ArtFest runs June 1-3 … and as an added bonus, you'll get to enjoy the festival's rebelious little sister, ElkFest, which happens just up the street at the Browne's Addition roundabout.

It's so close I can taste it.

Hungry? Want to buy something to fill the picnic backet with? Then head on over to Cassano's Italian Grocery, which sits at the corner of Mission and Napa. Besides picking up some decent pasta, and other Italian groceries, the subs they make there are clearly easy on the wallet. With all that sun shining out there this glorious Saturday, you might give Cassano's a try.

Or just fly to Italy. I know a cool little place sandwich just off the Piazza della Signoria …

If you're walking by the skywalk level, just off River Park Square, drop by Auntie Annie's Pretzels. I did and was rewarded by a free sample bite of an almond pretzel by by Ashley, pictured above. My brother scored a pepperoni. We both passed on the jalapeno. But I'm sure it was delicious.

And, yeah, it was free.

On those days, I suggest you make a stop at Chattee's, and order a Pork Chop Sandwich, which is pretty much a deep-fried pork doughnut topped with pickles, onions and mustard.

FYI: I grew up on these sandwiches and my heart is still in relatively decent working order … of course that's probably because I always order my high-calorie meat-on-a-bun meals with diet soda, and at Chattee's you can get Diet Dr. Pepper! Pork doughnut + Pepper = Perfection.

It's a little late for me to be writing about what I did on Friday, which was First Friday. But then the show that I took in at the Chase Galley is going to be continuing through July 6. So, yeah, the First Friday opening is over. But the show goes on.

The exbiit I'm referring to involves four artists: Ellen Picken, Kathleen Secrest, Jessie Lee Rasche and Betty Hageman. The paintings range in theme and style and offer a little something for everybody. My tastes run to the work of Secrest whose pastels and oils — at least in this show — reflect the natural settings of the Inland Northwest, as you can see in the above photo.

I could wax on about Secrest's work. But Jennifer Larue wrote a piece in the print edition of The Spokesman-Review that explains things far better than I ever could. It's enough, I think, for me to say simply — go to the show. The Chase Gallery is open Monday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Of course, the Chase Gallery is only one of many First Friday sites. The next event is set for June 1. I'm planning to be in Seattle to attend the Seattle International Film Festival, but if I were here … better believe I'd be in some local gallery, sipping wine and enjoying the art.

Get yourself a glassful of 'Rita at Agave. Try to Cilantro Jalapeno, just for fun.

This is one fantastic way to eat more fruit. Yeah, they're jello shots. But they're jello shots made in fruit rinds. So, you know, they have to be good for you.

Get yours at Sergio's Cinco de Mayo party tonight. They're amazing. I know because I made them (with the help of my trusty amiga, Colleen).

Headed for the store to get some coffee, right? Well, what you see in the photo above is a good way of getting full coffee taste with half the caffeine. It's a 4 Seasons Coffee product, which you can get at your neighborbood Rosauers for just $7.99 a pound. As I did yesterday.

Of course, if you want to get it served up just about perfectly, head for Atticus. And say hi to owner Andy.

Good news! We've extended the deadline to enter both of these Silverwood contests! Kids wanting to illustrate their vision of what Silverwood Theme Park would like in the next 25 years, or write a short essay describing why their class deserves a picnic now have until Wednesday May 16.

For more details on the art contest or to submit a drawing visit http://www.spokane7.com/reader-photos/silverwood-theme-park-future/

For more details on the essay contest or to submit your own visit http://www.spokane7.com/reader-documentsets/why-my-class-needs-picnic-silverwood-theme-park/

Two of the jobs that I've labored at since leaving the print edition of The Spokesman-Review have involved business. For a while, I taught business communication courses (mostly I focused on the communication part, not the business). And for the past couple of years, I have worked for an online business news organization that reports specifically on how government action (and, yes, inaction) affects business.

So I was particularly interested to learn that a business-themed movie will be playing at 7 p.m. Monday at the Magic Lantern. Titled “Gasland,” the film is a documentary look at the practice of hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — which involves, according to Wikipedia, the introduction of pressurized fluid into rock layers “to release petroleum, natural gas (including shale gas, tight gas and coal seam gas), or other substances for extraction.”

It's a controversial process, one that critics say causes water and air pollution and even, in some cases, earthquakes. Proponents say the process allows oil producers to extract previous hard-to-reach energy reserves, providing new sources of oil, natural gas and the rest, all of which has obvious benefits to the economy.

In the “Gasland” publicity packet, the producers explain that “director Josh Fox learns from people who live near 'fracking' sites about illnesses, hair loss and flammable water. He travels the country plunging ever deeper into a web of secrets, lies, conspiracy, and contamination.”

The screening is a benefit for KYRS, Thin Air Community Radio. As always with such community presentations, a post-screening discussion will be held. For further information, call 747-3012.

As I drive around Spokane, I try to keep my eyes open. I'm not always successful, because listening to my radio, talking on the phone, texting in between (or during) calls, watching the console-mounted DVD player, debating the relative worth of Apple products with any of my PC-owner passengers, eating lunch (especially ribs from Chick-N-More) and, in general, searching the sky for what has proved to be an elusive spring sun … well, paying attention to the road is kind of a hassle.

No wonder Spokane drivers never let me merge in front of them.

Still, as I was driving down Hamilton St. near Gonzaga University last night, I spied the above billboard message, which has to be one of the most varied of mixed advertising messages I have ever seen. Or even imagined.

Just thought I would share. Now, where's that chicken wing?

OK, looking for some good pub names. Here is my nomination for one of the best.

I've always loved Top 10 lists. That is, until such compilations became a whole genre in themselves: The top 9 things you need to do when you visit downtown Ritzville, for example. I made that up, but it's an example of how silly such lists can be.

Still, when someone with the stature of Roger Ebert offers up a list of what he considers “The Greatest Films of All Time,” you have to listen. Click here to access it.

I have a few qualms. For example, I'd substitute “The Godfather” for “Apocalypse Now” (and under any circumstance, I'd include only “Apolalypse Now: Redux,” not the version that was originally released). And I might try to find a spot for something by John Ford.

But I heartily endorse the inclusion of Terrence Malick's “The Tree of Life.” I consider it one of the most ambitious stabs at cinematic art made in my lifetime.

Thanks to my friend Nathan Weinbender for sending me this link. I will now desist from kidding him about being a fan of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

Ah, the summer of 1988. The year of my Sweet 16. The summer I failed my driver's test twice. The year Joan Jett brought I Hate Myself for Loving You to the charts. The summer Silverwood first exposed us to don't-ride-this-if-you-have-a-heart-condition fun. It's hard to believe 25 years have passed. Even harder to believe it took me three times to pass my driver's test.

Anyway, this weekend marks the opening of Silverwood's 25th year, and to celebrate they're offering tickets $19.88 each. Buy your tickets online or at the gate. Boulder Beach won't open until later in the summer, and that's probably a good thing, considering you need to wear a swimsuit to play in the pool.