Book Notes: Pictures tell mountain’s story

Mount Spokane is the star of a new pictorial history being released this month by Arcadia Publishing.

“Mount Spokane,” written by Duane Becker, features dozens of photographs that trace the mountain’s development over the years. It features photos of Francis Cook, who built the first road to the mountain and a cabin near the summit, the Civilian Conservation Corps crews who helped build Vista House, early ski patrol members and famous fans such as Bing Crosby.

Becker, a Spokane native, now lives in Elk, Wash., and is vice president of the Pend Oreille County Historical Society and Museum in Newport, Wash.

The slim volume will be available Aug. 20 and retails for $21.99. Look for it online and in area stores.

Bedtime Stories hit Spokane

Humanities Washington’s annual literary gala is branching out.

Bedtime Stories, a regular event on the Seattle social calendar since 1999, is coming to the East Side on Sept. 28. The Skyline Ballroom at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park will play host to Bedtime Stories Spokane: Red Eye.

The event, hosted by emcee Jess Walter (“Beautiful Ruins”), will feature area writers unveiling original short works based on the “red eye” theme. They include Kim Barnes (“In the Kingdom of Men”), Jim Lynch, (“Truth Like the Sun”), Shann Ray (“American Masculine”) and Nance Van Winckel (“No Starling.”)

For information on purchasing a table or becoming a sponsor, call Kari Dasher at (206) 682-1770, ext. 103, or kari@humanities.org. Any remaining tickets will go on sale in late August or early September. We’ll keep you posted.

Proceeds will support Humanities Washington, which brings cultural programs to Seattle, Spokane and across the state.