Today's Out and About - A Conversation with Artist Liv Hebert Watkins

 

Today on Out and About I am interviewing Liv Hebert Watkins. Liv is an artist whose work is currently featured at the Terrain Gallery - 628 N Monroe. Liv is talented in many artistic facets, including ceramic, painting and jewelry. 

Her installation - The Table is Set will be up until the end of the month. Her work has received a lot of press and I am really looking forward to talking with her. 

I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

 Out and About airs every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Turkey Vulture of Love bidding has started!!!!

 

Here is my painting, so far, for the Forest to Frame benefit for Spokane Art School.  I would say I am probably a little over 2/3 done. It is a 16 x 20 acrylic painting on sealed and gesso’d hardboard. It’s called Turkey Vulture of Love and it comes with an original poem about, well, the turkey vulture of love. You can bid on it here https://givebutter.com/c/forest-to-frame-2026/auction/items/1907486/bid. 

What have I been listening to, while I paint? I’m glad you asked. I have been listening to cassette tapes - the Blue Velvet Soundtrack, Marty Robbins, Mojo Nixon, The Cars, The Clash, Devo, etc. Some real “get in the head of the turkey vulture” tunes. 

If you want to read the poem, here it is. I collaborated with Nick the Beet in writing it and he is taking the credit for the words (it’s in our contract). 

Turkey Vulture of Love

To try and mend a broken heart 

Went I to the Forest of Finch 

Begging nature to do her part 

When a  flicker made me flinch

Laying alone was I - supine 

A rose petal rode the sky

Not from a branch of oak or pine

Released from heaven on high

Soaring smooth circles overhead

Dark form against gray so murky 

Found myself surprised - not dead

T’was a vulture best known as turkey 

In its strong beak he clasped a rose

Guess that’s from where the petal fell

The message seemed too on the nose

A tale he tried too hard to sell

Still his soaring  made me think of

Words, deeds I should have said and done 

Callousness that lost me my love

Teardrops fell with the setting sun

My sadness seemed to catch his eye

His holding pattern he did flee

He quit his current loop quite shy

And he landed right next to me

His presence gave me quite a start

The rose in his maw brushed my head

I tried to still my beating heart

And in my ear he clearly said

“I carry a rose in my beak

It has nothing to do with you 

It’s for my mate that I do seek 

She’s just broken out of the zoo

This flower’s hers to show my love

Sorry, I must not tarry on 

I stopped to circle you above 

Thinking you might be some carrion”

With that he rose off on his way

Giant wings with chicken’s feet

Which way he flew, I couldn’t say

As I moved quickly to my seat  

What I learned that day on forest lawn 

Turkey vulture, and me a winner

Grateful for my life, still I’ll be gone

When he brings his date for dinner

Nick the Beet

Haiku Friday May 15, 2026

 

I haven’t written

As I promised that I would:

No doubt, distracted.

Max Q

The ticks are fierce now

One attached to my right boob

didn't buy me lunch.

April

A very sad sight

All flat and desiccated 

Death of a house frog

Rikosan

Turkey Vulture Love 

Giant wings and chicken feet

Heart in its strong beak

Maeve

Yesterday's Out and About - WITCH HUNT - a conversation with burlesque performers Muffy Manslayer, Miss MastiKate and Ravenna Moon

Yesterday, I had a fun conversation with Spokane burlesque performers Miss MastiKate, Ravenna Moon and Muffy Manslayer. They were on Out and About to talk about this Saturday’s burlesque show - Witch Hunt. All proceeds from this “underground” event are going to organizations that help immigrants and victims of spousal abuse in our region. Sixteen performers will be spread out over three shows Saturday night at TRVST in Downtown Spokane. Each show is a little less than an hour. You can get tickets here.

We also talked about art, burlesque, politics, and how these beautiful people  became burlesque performers. When I was asked what my burlesque name would be, I was stumped! All I could think of was something having to do with liniment or a poultice. I played some music from The Green Warriors while I loaded up my PSAs and underwriter announcements. Love those Green Warriors! 

If you missed yesterday’s Out and About, you can take a listen here -https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260512_160000b.mp3

As always, thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today on Out and About - Muffy the Manslayer and a bevy of burlesque beauties - WITCHHUNT!!!!!

 

I will be interviewing stars of the Spokane burlesque stage today on Out and About. Muffy the Manslayer will be with me and I know she will be bringing along some of her friends.

This Saturday there will be three performances of Witch Hunt  at TRVST - in Downtown Spokane. This show will benefit immigrants and victims of spousal abuse in our region. I promise that presenting some burlesque on the radio will go better than my hosting of the now-defunct KYRS radio show The Mime Hour. 

As these burlesque icons proclaim - 

“Our government is terrorizing immigrants, criminalizing trans people, covering up sexual assault, supporting genocide and retaliating against political opponents. Everywhere you look, there's a witch hunt. But sometimes, the witches hunt back.” 

Sounds like fun to me! 

I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

 Out and About airs every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Haiku Friday - May 8, 2026

Little worker bee, 

Toiling among the petals 

On a gray May Day. 

Max Q

Planting the onions 

After forty years farming 

Can’t hoe a straight row

Rikosan

Dad, the car won't start

The phone call from a daughter

That gets dad moving

Bill

I have a big bruise

Over the back of my leg

No idea why

Maeve 

Yesterday's Out and About - Forest to Frame with Trevor Finchamp, Old Man Bernard and Baby Billy

 

Yesterday, I had a conversation with Trevor Finchamp about Forest to Frame. Taking place on May 16th, from 10 am to 4 pm at Finch Arboretum, this festival will feature artists working outside to create works that will later be auctioned off to benefit the Spokane Art School. If you enjoyed Brush on the Bluff, you will enjoy its successor - Forest to Frame.

Little did Trevor know that Bernard, an elderly gentleman, and Billy, a baby, had followed him down to the show. They announced their presence with some banging on the studio glass. I looked up and there they were. These two have called in to the show before and they always have interesting perspectives that they are eager to share. 

If you missed yesterday’s Out and About, you can take a listen here -https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260505_160000b.mp3

As always, thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today's Out and About - Forest to Frame with Trevor Finchamp

 

This time of year, we usually talk about Brush on the Bluff, an outdoor art festival, at Polly Judd Park, where artists paint, sculpt, or otherwise create to raise funds for the South Hill Bluff trails. This year things are a little different. Brush on the Bluff is no more, but the same kind of activities and fun are now in a different venue with a different name - Forest to Frame. The new venue is Finch Arboretum. This event will take place on May 16th. Just like old times, there will be food, activities for kids and artists doing their thing. And, as usual I will be out there painting. The money raised will go to benefit The Spokane Art School. 

Today on Out and About, I will be talking with Forest to Frame organizer Trevor Finchamp. Last year, when we talked about Brush on the Bluff, we had a baby call in (Billy) and also, at the other end of the age spectrum, Bernard gave us a call. Trevor has reassured me that they are not going to call in today, This morning, though, I feel an ominous, well, feeling that this is not as reassuring as it sounds. 

I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

 Out and About airs every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Haiku Friday, May 1, 2026

 

Haiku Friday - May 1, 2026

Little skill, less luck:

You bet I had to earn it - 

Double you tea eff! 

Max Q

Friends gather around

While one struggles to arise

Wow, is the boss pissed

Bill

Sonically transformed 

Disappear into birdsong

Twelve keys in the trees 

Rikosan

May Day, Labor Day

Is the same date, except here…

Our Fascist snowflakes

Maeve 

Yesterday's show - Kelly Adams from the Spokane DSA...

 

Yesterday, I had a conversation with Kelly Adams, co-chair of the Spokane Democratic Socialists of America. I learned a lot and found out that the DSA is not a political party! We had a very fun discussion about politics and talked about what people can do to make a difference during these dark times. Kelly had great advice about how folks can easily  participate in this upcoming May Day. I was really interested in how the DSA has been coalescing with labor unions to help workers in our region. The time sure flew because there was no shortage of things to talk about! 

If you missed yesterday’s Out and About, you can take a listen here - https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_2604128_160000b.mp3

As always, thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today on Out and About - Kelly Adams from The Spokane Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)...

Political parties have been at the center of The United States’ civic life since our nation’s inception. Parties have dwindled and died with new organizations evolving to take their place. Today is no exception. The Republican Party has been transformed from a mainline political party into a Fascist cult, while the Democratic Party seems to be gaining a new life from embracing more traditional American values like democracy, equality and freedom.

These transformations came from forces outside the two main political parties. In the case of the Republican Party - strong influences from Russia and other kleptocratic entities seem to be driving the train, while the Democratic Party seems to be yielding to the strong influences coming from the wisdom of its citizens. 

We’ve seen this transformation in the Democrats who are winning elections over Republicans. For example, nationally, Bernie Sanders is a true populist and, as a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, his popularity is undeniable. Same with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But what about here, at home? Is the concept of Democratic Socialism having an influence on non-Fascist candidates? Well, luckily, to answer these questions, Spokane has its own local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) - an organization which supports the ideals that AOC and Bernie embrace.

Today on Out and About, I will be talking with Kelly Adams from the Spokane DSA. I have wanted to learn more about the Spokane DSA. Maybe you have too. If so, you will want to tune in!

I will also be telling you (as usual) when and where all the pro-democracy demonstrations will be taking place this week

Thank you to my underwriters - Boots Bakery and Eastern Washington University.

Out and About airs every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Haiku Friday - April 24, 2026

And time slips away

On another pretty day

‘Til nothing gets done.

Max Q 

For this waterfall,

Time stands still, everything stopped

Until the spring's warmth

Bill

Why care who is king

When the air smells of flowers 

Buzzing with new life 

Rikosan

Potato angel 

Doth guard the holy tot bin

“Flee Bandit Randy!”

Maeve