Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Passport To Gold 2010 archive for Dec. 2009

TUESDAY, DEC. 29, 2009



The south facing wall of the new Group Health Exhibit Hall of the Spokane Convention Center reflects the city skyline May 11, 2006.  CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON The Spokesman-Review (Christopher Anderson / The Spokesman-Review)

Ready, Set, Spokane!

The south facing wall of the new Group Health Exhibit Hall of the Spokane Convention Center reflects the city skyline.When expecting guests from out of town most folks give their home an extra-thorough cleaning. Cobwebs are vanquished from corners, light fixtures shined, mirrors polished, and…

Continue reading this post »


MONDAY, DEC. 28, 2009




SUNDAY, DEC. 27, 2009

SATURDAY, DEC. 26, 2009

Mirai Nagasu--a 16-year-old Sensation

16-year-old Mirai Nagasu announced in May, 2009 that she was ending her three year coaching relationship with Charlene Wong and had chosen Frank Carroll—coach of Michelle Kwan and Evan Lysacek, both of whom he’d taken to the world championships—for the 2009-10 season. "At the end…

Continue reading this post »


WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 2009

TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 2009

Dick Button (Figure Skating Hall of Fame)

Dick Button

(photo credit Figure Skating Hall of Fame) How do you know you're a legend in a sport? For starters, when an athlete creates a signature move or style that goes on to become standard, that's a sure sign of a future hall of famer. However,…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, DEC. 21, 2009

FRIDAY, DEC. 18, 2009

Tanith Belbin and Harry Sladich in St. Louis at the 2006 US Championships.

Five Questions: Harry Sladich

Tanith Belbin and Harry Sladich in St. Louis at the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Photo courtesy of Harry Sladich. Harry Sladich is the president and CEO of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau. He and his team are hard at work preparing for…

Continue reading this post »

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2009

Jon Snyder and daughter Theo

Five Questions: Jon Snyder

Jon Snyder and daughter Theo. Photo courtesy Jon SnyderNewly elected Spokane City Councilman Jon Snyder and his five-year-old daughter, Theo, are eagerly anticipating the U.S. National Championships. Just don't expect Snyder to take a turn on the ice.Q. When was the last time you went…

Continue reading this post »


Johnny Weir

Three-time U.S. champion and 2008 World bronze medalist, Johnny Weir, at 23 years old, is not only a superstar with his natural abilities on the ice, but with his charming and flamboyant style and personality as well. At the age of 12, Johnny found he…

Continue reading this post »

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16, 2009


Mary Verner, Mayor of Spokane AKA Queen Mary (The Spokesman-Review)

Five Questions: Mary Verner

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner doesn't shy away from tough issues. In fact, even her adventures in ice skating have allowed her to incorporate a bit of her own "get up and keep going" philosophy.Q. When was the last time you went ice skating?A. "I went…

Continue reading this post »


 Ryan Bradley knows his long program worked. 
 (Ingrid Lindemann / The Spokesman-Review)

Ryan Bradley

Ryan Bradley hopes his return to Spokane is as successful as his last trip to town, when the skater captured silver and bronze medals at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Only now Bradley's goals are set even higher: to become a national, world and…

Continue reading this post »

TUESDAY, DEC. 15, 2009

Will Ferrell, left, and Jon Heder, stars of the new movie "Blades of Glory," pose after appearing on MTV's "Total Request Live" Monday.
 (Associated Press Photos / The Spokesman-Review)

Figure Skating's Best/Worst Songs

Professional figure skaters stake their performances and careers on musical decisions. For these brave souls, pairing the right song with the right routine can mean the difference between racking up a row of 10’s and having the glitter slapped off their skates on national television.…

Continue reading this post »


Dawn Picken

Five Questions: Dawn Picken

Dawn Picken, photo courtesy Dawn PickenDawn Picken is the director of Marketing and Communications for Greater Spokane Incoporated, Spokane’s regional chamber of commerce and economic development council. She's also a figure skating fan and the mother of a budding ice princess.Q. When was the last…

Continue reading this post »

MONDAY, DEC. 14, 2009


Karen Mobley, city arts director, and Jared Munstedt, an Arts Department intern, show off their plastic sheeting work on Thursday. David Govedare's Bloomsday sculptures  in Spokane were among several works in the city covered with plastic and stickers this week  to prompt passers-by to imagine their lives without art. 
 (Jed Conklin / The Spokesman-Review)

Five Questions: Karen Mobley

Karen Mobley, SR file photoKaren Mobley, is the city of Spokane arts director. Here, she takes time to reflect on the art of ice skating.Q. When was the last time you went ice skating?A. "The last time I went ice skating was on an ice…

Continue reading this post »


STA CEO Susan Meyer steps off a new hybrid bus Monday. The 29-foot coaches are fuel efficient and will cost less to maintain. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

Five Questions: Susan Meyer

STA CEO Susan Meyer steps off a new hybrid bus Monday. As Spokane prepares to once again host the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, lots of folks have ice skating on their minds. Some recall skating on frozen ponds or backyard rinks as children. Others…

Continue reading this post »

SUNDAY, DEC. 13, 2009

2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships



Blog Archives

Dec. 2009
29 28 27 26 23
22 21 18 17 16
15 14 13 11 10
09 07 05 03 01