Greetings Spokanites, Inland Northwesterners, and folks from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond!!!

Since about 2005, Spokane has seen a revival of the music of our own jazz royalty. That's right - Bing Crosby and Mildred Bailey have NOT been forgotten, nor has the culture that goes along with them. That's the culture of great live music and entertainment, delicious food, dancing, and LIVING WELL in spite of the doldrums of everyday life.

We now have an annual festival in Think SWING! as well as several local bands giving our region the opportunity to celebrate our history and our national dance, helping us celebrate LIFE on a regular basis.

But we still need your help to really put this scene out into the public eye, encouraging more folks to head out to take in our local culture, sign up for swing dance lessons, and so on.

You can help us do this by VOTING for your favorite swing band in the Inlander's Best of Reader's Poll! You can also vote for your favorite restaurants, venues, outdoor arts festivals, and so many other local businesses, all of whom will benefit from the recognition the Inlander provides through its annual awards extravaganza, which is driven by YOUR VOTE!

Naturally, I'd love it if you voted for HOT CLUB OF SPOKANE, so step right up, and cast your vote today! If you need a paper ballot, those are still available at The Inlander downtown, or head over to this address to vote conveniently online:

Vote: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=12BRKU2SJ7YU_2f_2bEiS2ULSQ_3d_3d

Thanks for listening, and also, thanks in advance for voting!!  Please share this message with your friends and family as well.