MAX at Mirabeau 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley
12-ounce USDA Prime Peppercorn Steak with a four-pepper crust and brandy demi-glace, served with herb roasted potato and vegetables, paired with a selection from a wine list that has been recognized as the class of the region.
Why you’ll love it
One of the most popular dishes at the award-winning restaurant, it features a blend of four peppercorns and spice, then caramelizes and sears this USDA Prime grade steak to the guest’s specifications. The finish is a French cream demi-glace reduction. The whole nature of the dish is created by a three-day simmering process of roasting veal bones in-house to create an intense, flavorful stock, which gives the base for the finalization of the sauce and the tantalizing overall flavor.
Then there’s the wine. Wine Spectator recognized MAX at Mirabeau with its “Best of Award of Excellence,” the only restaurant in the Inland Northwest to achieve the distinction (four others received Awards of Excellence, one level lower). Featuring wines from Washington, California and Oregon, as well as popular MAX house wines resulting from local partnerships, the Spokane Valley restaurant has become known for an extensive wine list that is the class of the region.
MAX’s wine experience takes center stage on the first Wednesday of month (subject to temporary gathering restrictions put in place to combat COVID-19). On these Wednesdays, a local artist and regional winery are featured for a reception that includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
A complete wine list, menu and information about events is available at maxatmirabeau.com.
Customers of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District will be required to annually hire a Washington State-certifed Backflow Assembly Tester to verify all residential, multifamily and commercial connections are protecting the customer and community’s water supply.
The importance of backflow plays a vital role in events such as the November 2019 boil order. The District determined that one possible cause was from fall sprinkler blowouts. However, prior to the boil order, LLSWD was in the process of strengthening the existing backflow program to roll out in 2020. The official language was adopted via resolution by the Board of Commissioners in January 2020.
“We have always prided ourselves on being one of the very few non-chlorinated water systems in the area, and we want to remain one,” LLSWD General Manager BiJay Adams said. “In order to do that, we need adequate protections of our system. The main component of that is stringent backflow protection.”
The test itself can only be performed by a Washington State-certified Backflow Assembly Tester, and a list is available on the District website. Many irrigation companies are certified and may include this service as part of a spring system startup. Prices vary, but the average cost is around $45.
Upon receiving a passing test, the certified tester will submit results to the LLSWD. Adams said notices of the testing requirement will be included with monthly bills in April, May and June. If the District doesn’t receive a backflow test report by June 30, the District will shut off water service, which includes a shut-off fee, until a test report is received. The requirements for backflow testing will go into full effect in 2021. This allows one year for customers to install or repair backflow devices.
The hope is not just to avoid another boil order, but protect residents from bacteria, pesticides or any other contaminants entering the customer’s water service or public water system.
“These tests ensure the water system is properly protected and that you and your neighbors continue to receive safe drinking water,” Adams said.
To administer the program and provide education to customers, LLSWD hired Cody Riggs as Cross Connection Control Specialist. With questions, contact the District at backflow@libertylake.org or 922-5443. More information is also available here.
Improvements 2020
ESLLIC PHASE 2 LLSWD consolidated with the East Side Liberty Lake Improvement Club in 2016, and a first phase to bring that water system to standard was completed in 2018. An 83 percent forgivable award of $2.2 million was granted by the Washington State Department of Health in 2019, funding work this year to construct 3,538 feet of water main and improve 37 service connections, mostly along Neyland Avenue. Outside funding sources mean LLSWD customers are not paying for any portion of this project or the Greenridge project below.
GREENRIDGE SYSTEM After LLSWD formalized a water system consolidation with the Greenridge Homeowners Association in 2019, it immediately sought funding to help make improvements to the water system. Phase 1 improvements include a new 141,000-gallon reservoir (constructed in 2019) as well as modifications to the existing booster station and construction of new water main, with work continuing in 2020. The project is being paid for by a $2.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Health.
Clinic Supervisor Kiara Ficklin said the practice has quickly grown from two to eight providers, and an additional provider works part-time to provide a same-day alternative to urgent care for the clinics’ patients.
The team that has emerged is close-knit and dedicated to the greater Liberty Lake community, Ficklin said. The eight providers include:
Ben Jaderholm, DO Drawn to family medicine because of his love of treating patients of all ages, from children to seniors, Dr. Jaderholm loves to hike, bike and camp the Inland Northwest with his wife and daughter.
Andrew Odle, MD With special interests in dermatology, adult medicine and geriatric medicine, Dr. Odle spent a season studying medicine on the Caribbean island nation of Grenada. He completed his residency at Eisenhower in California.
Daniel Flores, MD A family medicine physician with more than 20 years of experience and training in California, Dr. Flores is pleased to bring his expertise to the Liberty Lake community.
Amber Collier, FNP As a family nurse practitioner, Collier has 20 years of nursing experience with direct patient care. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing at Gonzaga University.
Kristy Whitney, ARNP Another Gonzaga-trained family nurse practitioner, Whitney believes in providing information to empower patients to make great decisions for their care.
Magdalena Haigh, MSN With a focus on individually tailored care, Haigh loves the contribution nurses make in the lives of patients. Outside the practice, she loves skiing, road biking and traveling.
Tracy Schwartzman, ARNP Schwartzman has 20 years of hospital nursing experience, with 10 years as the nursing OB coordinator. Her strong background in women’s health continues to be a focus in her family practice. She also received her master’s from Gonzaga.
Roger Hanson, MD A University of Washington graduate, Dr. Hanson trained in pediatrics and family practice and loves practicing medicine with the Rockwood Liberty Lake community.