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.

Feeding Issues as Indicators of Underlying Problems

Dr. Molly Gunsaulis

Feeding difficulties in infants and young children are often the first visible sign of a deeper physiological or developmental concern. While some degree of variability is expected in early feeding patterns, consistent problems may point to oral motor dysfunction, structural limitations, or airway-related conditions.
Signs such as prolonged feeding times, difficulty latching, coughing or choking during meals, or refusal to eat certain textures can suggest more than just a fussy eater. These behaviors may be compensations for underlying challenges, including tongue-tie, high palate, or sensory integration issues.
Feeding challenges can serve as early warning signs of oral motor dysfunction, airway restriction, or neurological coordination problems. When a child is unable to create effective suction or manipulate food in the mouth, it often reflects dysfunction in the muscles or nerves that control swallowing and breathing.
In infants, unresolved feeding issues may result in poor weight gain and feeding aversion, while older children may exhibit behavioral symptoms related to mealtime stress. Beyond nutrition, these issues can affect speech development, facial growth, and sleep quality.
A thorough evaluation should assess the child’s oral structures, reflexes, and breathing patterns. Feeding therapists, often working alongside pediatricians, ENTs, and orofacial specialists, use detailed assessments to identify the source of difficulty and design interventions. These may include exercises to strengthen oral motor skills, modifications to feeding techniques, or referrals for structural correction.
Early recognition and interdisciplinary care can prevent long-term complications, ensuring not just nutritional adequacy but also supporting optimal growth and developmental milestones.

Building Strong Dental Habits Starts in Early Childhood

Dr. Ashley Ulmer

Laying the foundation for lifelong oral health begins in the earliest years of a child’s life. While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play a critical role in a child’s development, from eating and speaking to guiding permanent teeth into place. Caring for these teeth, and teaching kids how to care for them is essential.

Good dental habits that begin early are more likely to stick well into adulthood.
Parents and caregivers should begin brushing a child's teeth as soon as the first one appears. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. As children grow, encouraging them to brush twice a day helps make the habit part of their daily routine. Involving them in the process, letting them pick out their toothbrush, using songs or timers, and brushing together, can make it more engaging and less of a chore.

Regular dental visits should begin by the child’s first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. These early appointments are more than check-ups; they introduce children to the dental environment in a positive, non-threatening way. Preventive care and monitoring from the start can catch small issues before they become bigger problems.

Parents play a critical role not only in supervising brushing but in modeling good behavior. Letting children see adults brush and floss reinforces that dental hygiene is a normal, lifelong habit. Parents should also assist with brushing until children develop the dexterity to do it well on their own, usually around age 6 to 8. Checking for missed spots and reminding kids to brush the back teeth helps ensure a thorough routine.

Starting early with brushing, flossing, and routine check-ups doesn’t just protect baby teeth, it sets the stage for a lifetime of better oral health and fewer dental problems.

What starts as a parent-led routine can grow into a lifelong habit of self-care and confidence.

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.