A
n interesting thing happened in 2020: While many businesses took massive hits that will in some cases prove to be the death knell for companies, applications for new businesses skyrocketed across the country in the second half of the year. Applications for new employer identification numbers required for companies to hire employees hovered around 860,000 per quarter in 2018 and 2019, according to Census data, then surged to 1.6 million applications in the third quarter of 2020 and another 1.1 million in the year s last quarter. What s more, despite the pandemic, venture capital firms invested a record $130 billion in U.S. companies, according to CB Insights, which analyzes startup and economic data.
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alentine s Day is here, but why settle for flowers, or flower, when you can infuse your romantic holiday with some great cannabis-infused gifts? Here are three to consider when shopping for your significant other this February. MAKE SOME INFUSED
MOCKTAILS
Local producer Dogtown Pioneers line of Ray s Lemonade infused beverages are on the top shelf of the cannabis drink market. With a range of flavors from traditional lemonade to blood orange and raspberry, they ve got you covered no matter what kind of cannabis mixed drink you re craving. Ray s Lemonade is available at most dispensaries in our region. Head to your favorite with your special someone, grab a flavor that sounds good and make a trip to the grocery store to pick up some mixers. Muddled lime and tonic water for the blood orange? Why not? A coconut cup for your bottle of tropical kush? Sure! The possibilities for your Valentine s drink menu, infused with weed and romance, are endless.
Young Kwak photo
BACK TO THE MOVIES
Movie theaters in Washington are still closed, but now you can replicate the experience. The Magic Lantern Theatre is reopening for private screenings, allowing up to six people from a single household into their 33-seat theater. It s $99 to rent the screen, and you bring your own BluRay or DVD. The Lantern, meanwhile, will supply the popcorn (don t skip the real butter) and concessions, and you re welcome to bring in food from the restaurants located in the Community Building. To set up your private screening, email magiclanternevents@gmail.com. (NATHAN WEINBENDER) Young Kwak photo
I SAW YOU
Red String: I could write a poem, or a sad song. I will refrain from both and try aimlessly to move on. The pain had subsided, I had accepted our fate. Then you held held me in your arms and I saw the look on your face. Oh what a story did it tell. It pulled me from my ignorance, how blissfull it was. Pretending you do not care, and felt nothing for me. Yet, I dare not say a peep. (At least not to you.) What else is a girl to do. BTW, in case you have not noticed. I STILL F -ING LOVE YOU! Holy hell, I must move on from you. I beg the question how, if time and distance did not do the trick. I feel I may always be stuck with this empty aimless wish. Remembering that gentle kiss from years ago. Oh how I wish my heart would let you go.
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was in the Navy and we were on a destroyer, we were out at sea, so I was talking to these guys. This one guy I ll never forget his hometown: He was from Fitzgerald, Georgia. I gave them a ski lesson on the fantail of a destroyer, Gerry Fitz FitzGerald says, laughing while we sit drinking coffee one cold morning at Lookout Pass. He demonstrated the lesson: OK, hold your feet here. And now walk forward. OK. Keep your hands out here. It was hysterical, but they were into it. A longtime Spokane resident, Fitz has been coaching ski racing for over 50 years and during that time he s coached well over 500 kids. He s greatly respected and admired throughout the Pacific Northwest ski racing community.