Buzz Bin

by Michael Bowen & r & & r & First, You Have To Love Yourself


Performance artist Amber Hawk Swanson spent $12,000 on an almost life-size doll that closely resembles herself, bought clothes and jewelry for "Amber Doll," then took the figurine to Las Vegas and married it.





The project grew out of a study of college women's attitudes toward feminism -- and ended up with the discovery that an entire subculture of people out there have serious relationships with their sex dolls. (At least hers has a bio-scanned face.)





You Quilt Me


At the River Park Square food court, people cram their maws with chow without taking the trouble to walk down the corridor to the Kress Gallery. Which is too bad, because through Sept. 30, the Kress is displaying quilts with beading and appliqu & eacute;s; with crows sitting atop planets; with flowers floating among the stars -- in other words, not your grandmother's quilts.





We're No. 18!


The Coeur d'Alene Golf & amp; Spa Resort is the 18th-best golf resort in the nation, according to a readers poll in Conde Nast Traveler. Not bad for a li'l ol' Idaho town, especially considering that the same publication placed the CdA golf resort at No. 40 in the entire world. On the other hand, for criticism of the Conde Nast methodology, visit blogs.usatoday.com/golfersworld.





Benefit Josh


Just about everybody who has visited Wild Walls in the last 10 years has benefited from Josh Jackman's knowledge of indoor wall climbing. Well, now it's time to return the favor. On July 27, Jackman was seriously injured by a drunk driver and will need to be hospitalized in Seattle for months. You can help by attending a benefit auction at Wild Walls, 202 W. Second Ave., on Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 5-7 pm. (Got anything to donate?) Call 710-5530 or 455-9596.





Bluebirds Fly


And you thought this year's fifth annual Garland Street Fair was just another collection of games, booths, bands and beer gardens. But the big draw this year is something that might be called a Judy Garland Karaoke Contest: Deliver the best rendition of "Over the Rainbow," and you'll win a dinner-movie-hotel package. The Street Fair (between Monroe and Wall) will be Saturday from 10 am-8 pm. Call 325-1500.