Discover the Vibrant Charm of Spokane, Washington

Spokane, Washington, is a city that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with stunning natural beauty, crafting an ideal living environment for families, professionals, and adventurers alike. Known for its stunning Riverfront Park, Spokane offers residents a daily invitation to wander along the scenic Spokane River, which beautifully showcases the city's commitment to maintaining pristine, accessible green spaces.

With a rich cultural tapestry, Spokane serves as a bustling hub for arts, entertainment, and history. The vibrant downtown is teeming with eclectic eateries, unique boutiques, and an array of art galleries marking Spokane as a cultural epicenter in the Pacific Northwest. The historic Fox Theater and a packed calendar of events at the Spokane Arena ensure you're never far from world-class entertainment.

What truly sets Spokane apart is the spirit of its community, where friendly neighbors and welcoming attitudes create an inclusive atmosphere. The city’s seamless blend of culture, nature, and human warmth makes Spokane more than just a place to live—it's a place to thrive. Whether you’re hiking a trail, enjoying a local festival, or savoring local craft brews, Spokane invites you to make memories and call it home.

Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their Impact

Dr. Molly Gunsaulis

Understanding Tongue-Ties and Their Impact

Tongue-ties, clinically referred to as ankyloglossia, occur when the lingual frenulum—a small fold of tissue under the tongue—is unusually short, thick, or tight. This condition restricts the tongue’s range of motion and can impact several developmental functions, particularly in infants and young children.

Most often identified in infancy, tongue-ties can interfere with effective breastfeeding. The tongue’s restricted mobility may prevent infants from latching properly, leading to inadequate milk transfer and symptoms such as maternal nipple pain or infant weight loss. In such cases, lactation consultants are often the first professionals to identify the concern.

When untreated, tongue-ties may contribute to speech articulation issues, oral hygiene challenges, and even sleep-disordered breathing. As children grow, the condition can manifest in difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, particularly those requiring elevation of the tongue. It can also make routine tasks like licking, eating, or maintaining dental hygiene more difficult due to limited tongue movement.

Diagnosis is typically made through a clinical examination that evaluates tongue function alongside observable physical characteristics. Providers may use assessment tools to score tongue mobility and determine functional limitations. It’s essential to differentiate between a visible frenulum and one that functionally impairs mobility, as not all visible ties require intervention.

Treatment, when deemed necessary, often involves a procedure called a frenotomy or frenuloplasty. These outpatient procedures release the tie and are frequently accompanied by therapeutic support, including feeding therapy or myofunctional therapy, to retrain proper tongue movement and promote optimal outcomes.

The Significance of Open Mouth Breathing

Molly Gunsaulis

Open mouth breathing is more than a simple habit; it often signals a disruption in the body's normal respiratory function. While it may occur temporarily during illness or congestion, chronic open mouth breathing can indicate deeper structural or functional issues involving the airway, nasal passages, or orofacial muscles.
In children, this breathing pattern frequently stems from nasal obstruction, whether due to allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or anatomical deviations. When the nose cannot function as the primary airway, the body compensates by breathing through the mouth. Over time, this compensation becomes habitual and can impact facial growth and oral development.
Chronic open mouth breathing can lead to long-term changes in facial structure, dental alignment, and sleep quality. The tongue, instead of resting against the palate, sits low in the mouth, which can result in a narrow palate and elongated face. These changes may increase the risk of crowded teeth, speech difficulties, and disrupted sleep.
Left unaddressed, open mouth breathing may also contribute to behavioral and cognitive symptoms related to poor sleep, such as difficulty focusing, irritability, and daytime fatigue. In many cases, children with sleep-disordered breathing exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD.
Comprehensive evaluation is essential to identify the root cause. Treatment plans often involve a team approach, including pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, and myofunctional therapists. Restoring nasal breathing not only improves oxygen exchange but also supports proper growth, development, and long-term health.

Why Reducing Sugar Frequency Protects Your Teeth

Dr. Ashley Ulmer

Sugar is a leading contributor to tooth decay, and understanding how it interacts with your mouth can help you make better choices for your oral health. When sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth, it produces acids that attack the enamel, the outer protective layer of your teeth. Over time, repeated acid exposure wears down this enamel, creating tiny openings where cavities can form, grow, and sometimes reach the inner structures of the tooth.

Frequent snacking or sipping on sugary drinks keeps your teeth under a near-constant acid assault.

It's not just about how much sugar you consume, it’s also about when and how often. When you snack throughout the day or slowly sip sugary beverages, your mouth has less time to recover between acid attacks. Each exposure extends the window in which your enamel is vulnerable, especially if oral hygiene is delayed, inconsistent, or rushed after meals.

One way to reduce the damage is to enjoy sugary foods and drinks only during meals. When you eat a full meal, your mouth produces more saliva, which helps rinse away food particles and neutralize acids. Drinking water instead of soda or juice between meals can also make a meaningful difference by diluting and washing away sugars, reducing acid concentration and helping maintain a stable oral environment.

Good brushing habits matter too, especially in the evening when saliva production slows and plaque can settle overnight. If you’ve consumed something sweet, wait about 30 minutes before brushing to avoid damaging softened enamel. Flossing and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps keep bacteria in check and strengthens tooth surfaces.

Limiting sugar isn’t about eliminating pleasure, it’s about reducing frequency, supporting your enamel, and protecting your long-term oral health.

Even small changes to when and how you consume sugar can significantly lower your risk for cavities.

How to Identify Nut & Bolt Strength by Markings

Tanner Chaffin

When working on machinery or structural projects, understanding nut and bolt strength is essential for both safety and performance. A bolt may look sturdy, but its true capacity is revealed through bolt strength markings stamped on the bolt head. These markings are not decorative; they provide critical information about a fastener’s load capacity and intended use. Choosing the correct grade ensures that hardware performs as expected under stress, while using the wrong one can result in costly or even dangerous failure.

Most steel bolts used in industrial or construction settings display a head marking to indicate grade. These numbers, letters, or patterns identify specific strength ratings measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) or megapascals (MPa). For example, a Grade 5 bolt is considered mid-strength and is widely used in automotive and machinery applications. It usually features three evenly spaced radial lines on the head. A Grade 8 bolt, on the other hand, is a heavy-duty option with six radial lines. This higher grade is designed for demanding situations such as suspension systems, structural connections, and equipment that must withstand vibration and high stress.

Matching a bolt’s grade marking to your project’s load requirement helps prevent dangerous hardware failure. This simple practice ensures fasteners are chosen based on proven ratings rather than guesswork. A bolt without a clear head marking should never be assumed to have high strength. In most cases, unmarked steel bolts are of the lowest grade and are suitable only for light-duty applications where the risk of failure is low.

It is also important to consider nut and bolt strength together. A high-grade bolt paired with a low-grade nut creates an imbalance that reduces overall capacity. Nut markings, like bolt strength markings, provide clues about compatibility. Ensuring that nuts and bolts match in grade and rating helps maintain consistency and prevents failure under stress.

Reference charts are essential tools for identifying and confirming hardware strength. These charts list grades alongside their head marking, tensile strength, and common applications. For example, when heavy machinery requires extra durability, a Grade 8 bolt provides far greater strength than a Grade 5 bolt. However, in many cases, a Grade 5 bolt is sufficient and more cost-effective. By using these reference charts, builders and technicians can balance safety with efficiency.

Different grading systems exist worldwide, which adds another layer of complexity. In the United States, SAE grades such as Grade 2, Grade 5 bolt, and Grade 8 bolt are common. In metric systems, bolts are marked with numbers such as 8.8, 10.9, or 12.9 stamped as part of the head marking. For example, a metric 10.9 bolt has a similar strength profile to an SAE Grade 8 bolt. Recognizing both SAE and metric bolt strength markings is especially important when working with international machinery or replacement parts.

Material type also matters. Many steel bolts use standard radial lines or numbers for identification, but stainless steel bolts often follow different conventions. Some stainless bolts may not show traditional head marking symbols but instead use letters or alloy codes. Assuming these are weak simply because they lack radial lines can be a mistake, making reference charts and material knowledge even more important.

Even with the correct grade, proper installation determines whether a fastener performs as intended. Over-tightening can stretch a bolt past its yield point, while under-tightening reduces clamping force. Using a torque wrench, following manufacturer instructions, and respecting the rated capacity of each bolt ensures that both nut and bolt strength is preserved. For critical applications like aerospace, construction, or automotive work, correct torque matters as much as choosing the right grade.

In environments with vibration or fluctuating loads, selecting the right fastener becomes even more important. A Grade 8 bolt is often recommended for high-impact or high-stress conditions because it resists shear and fatigue better than lower grades. Meanwhile, a Grade 5 bolt is perfectly suited for many general mechanical uses, offering strength without unnecessary cost. Understanding the differences helps avoid under-specifying or over-specifying hardware.

Ultimately, the ability to read and interpret bolt strength markings is a skill that protects both people and equipment. A small detail, like counting radial lines on a bolt head, provides insight into whether it belongs in a light-duty repair or a heavy-duty structural project. By selecting properly graded steel bolts, pairing them with matching nuts, and cross-checking every head marking with a trusted chart, workers can reduce risk and ensure long-term reliability.

Workforce & Industrial Development

Located in eastern Washington, Spokane has become a strategic center for industrial growth, advanced manufacturing, and logistics in the Inland Northwest. Its position along major transportation corridors—including Interstate 90, US Route 2, and the BNSF and Union Pacific rail lines—enables efficient distribution throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Canada. Spokane International Airport further enhances connectivity for both cargo and business travel.

Industrial vacancy rates in Spokane remain tight, with continued interest from companies seeking modern warehouse and manufacturing space. Recent developments, such as the Playfair Commerce Park and the Spokane Business & Industrial Park, are expanding the region’s industrial footprint and attracting new investment.

Workforce development is a regional priority, with Greater Spokane Inc. and Spokane Workforce Council providing tailored training and recruitment services. Spokane’s robust network of technical colleges and universities, including Spokane Community College and Eastern Washington University, ensures a steady pipeline of skilled workers for manufacturing, logistics, and technology sectors.

Washington State offers a variety of incentives to support business expansion, including sales and use tax exemptions for manufacturing, as well as customized workforce training through the Job Skills Program. The City of Spokane also provides local incentives and site selection assistance to streamline the process for industrial projects.