KSPS drops in on some fascinating Northwest neighbors — get to know the unique people, places and happenings that make this diverse region ‘home.’

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June 2009
premiering Thursday, June 25 @ 7pm/8mtn

Bronze Beauties

Wildlife artist Chester Fields has an eye for eagles. Since 1985, this sculptor from Spokane has been creating majestic masterworks in bronze using the beloved Bald Eagle as his primary subject.

www.chesterfieldsbronzes.com

It’s all about the game

It’s the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the World and it’s turning 20 years old. Discover the story behind Hoopfest Spokane’s home grown celebration of summer, community and the game of basketball.

http://www.spokanehoopfest.net/

Living Machines

Jack Dollhausen knows something about tinkering. With a mind geared for Engineering and Math, and a knack for compositing wires coupled with integrated circuits and resistors, this would-be artist has grown through the years to include unique and often humorous creations that literally interact with the viewer.

http://www.wsu.edu/~jackdoll/

Spokes Man

Gary Dagastine of Post Falls, Idaho sells and services recumbent cycles. He also customizes the cycles for people with disabilities.

http://www.nwrecumbentcycles.com/

May 2009

Centennial Steeds

Since 1909, Spokane’s Looff Carrousel has touched lives of people young and old. Northwest Profiles examines the history and legacy of the carrousel.

http://spokanecarrousel.org/

Chess-Mates

Chess is one of the world’s most popular games, played by millions around the globe. Visit the 2009 Washington State Elementary Chess Championships in Spokane and watch kids compete in this royal game.

http://www.spokanechess2009.com

Aunt Sophia’s Legacy

With a familial background in the world of confections, Carol Measel has carved out a business that is based on a recipe from her Aunt Sophia, a chocolate dipper and former employee at the Davenport Hotel. The Bruttle, a soft peanut butter brittle has become their signature in a line of gourmet candies that Measel says “once you try it, you just can’t eat one.”

http://www.bruttles.com

Reach For the Future

Four years ago six adults had a dream to provide college tuition for an entire class. That dream is starting to come true for 47 students. They're second graders now but in ten years everyone could be college bound. All they have to do is graduate from high school. Meet the people behind this ultimate scholarship program and hear from the students who face a brighter future.

www.reachforthefuture.org

April 2009

Fresh-Picked Fun

What happens when you combine fresh picked fruit with a fun run for the whole family? You get a sweet celebration called the Cherry Pickers Trot and Pit Spit. Since 1978, the growers from Green Bluff, Washington have been producing this fruity festival that kicks off cherry season.

www.greenbluffgrowers.com

Junk For Joy

Artist David Jacobs uses trash to create whimsical sculptures and haunting digital images. David’s youth was spent in Coconut Grove, Florida where he was “raised by a coven of beatniks”, David flourished in creating visual art. David’s family moved to Spokane, where he now wanders through vacant lots, photographing trash and turning the photos into ethereal imagery.

www.screamingsiren.com

Roller Derby

Forget about football and hockey a new contact sport is getting lots of attention in Spokane but this contest is just for the ladies. The Lilac City Rollergirls are drawing crowds with a whole new style of roller derby. We hit the tracks with these tough as nails women to find out what it takes to succeed in the outrageous world of roller derby.

www.lilaccityrollergirls.com

Hand-Crafted Spirits

Resurrecting an industry that died in Prohibition, two fly-fishing buddies have caught worldwide acclaim for the spirits they produce at Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane.

www.dryflydistilling.com/

February 2009

Feast of Feats

As summer begins in Edmonton, so does the annual FEATS Festival. The festival celebrates all styles of dance through performances, workshops and more.

www.abdancealliance.ab.ca

Frosty Festival

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Winterfest in Deer Park, WA.

www.deerparkchamber.net

Photo Finish

Discover the creative world of “Alternative Photography,” through the artistry of Kay Langland, a Missoula, Montana photo artist whose work merges her love of photography with her passion for metal work.

www.kaylangland.com

English Coffee

Simon Craven-Thompson is a coffee roaster in hot pursuit of the world’s best coffee beans. Meet this espresso entrepreneur and find out why since 1993, Cravens Coffee has been roasting some of Spokane’s best specialty coffee.

www.cravenscoffee.com

January 2009

AmeriCan Artist

Meet the talented Terri Austin-Beech. From her home in Calgary, Terri uses edges and shadow shapes to create her own unique style. See how she went from teaching school in California, to painting award-winning watercolors in Canada.

www.austinbeech.com

Big Bamboo

Doug Buskirk, owner and operator of Old Bob’s Rods of Anaconda Montana has found a niche. He’s someone who has discovered what is important in his life and is able to share it with others. His passion? Bamboo fly rods “Nothing has the feel and the strength and cast ability of bamboo”. He builds, restores and repairs people’s treasures with the desire to give someone something that they can treasure, whether they want a show piece that will sit on a wall, or a functioning work horse that is meant for the stream.

www.oldbobsrods.com

Eyes on Eagles

Like the swallows of Capistrano, bald eagles descend on North Idaho year after year. The majestic birds draw crowds of eager onlookers during their brief winter visit. On the next Northwest Profits--we'll bring you the wonder of this American icon-- from the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Rock This Way

Rock and roll is not just for guys. At Rocker Girl Camp, young Canadian ladies learn how to play, compose and perform rock music. The camp was founded by B.C. blues artist Rachelle Van Zanten, and is staffed by working women musicians.

www.rockergirlcamp.com

November 2008

Sensei-tional

Meet Spokane karate teacher, Sensei Teruo Chinen. Born in 1941, Sensei is still going strong, personally teaching the karate style that loves; Go Ju. Also featured in the profile is Mary Roe, who has studied with Sensei for over 35 years.

http://warabay.clearwire.net/teruo_chinen.htm

Seeds of Change

Community gardens are sprouting up in vacant lots all over west central Spokane. Connie Copeland-Malone and her husband Patrick are the pair behind project hope, but it is inner city youth who make the harvest happen.

Sprint Boat Spectacular

Twice a year, Webb’s slough in St. John Washington hosts a racing event packed with speed and excitement that draws spectators from near and far. Sprint boat racing is fairly new to the Palouse and offers an action packed affair that is fun for the whole family.

http://www.webbsslough.com/home.html

Wildlife Wonderland

Chester Mjolsness retired from the lumber business and became a top-notch trophy hunter. For 30 years, Chester travelled the world in search of exotic animals to display in his hometown of Sundre, Alberta. Today at the age of 89, he continues to actively hunt around the globe. The Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife Exhibit is home to nearly 150 animal mounts and has been described by many as the finest wildlife museum in North America.

http://www.museum.sundre.com

Lynn Veltrie hosts the 22nd season of Northwest Profiles

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