Some of the most interesting stories you'll see are about the neighbors, notions, and novelties right outside your door. Northwest Profiles explores the four states and two Canadian provinces that make up the KSPS neighborhood, discovering where to be and who to see...with Public Television.

For information about purchasing a previously aired program, check out the Northwest Profiles Archives.

May 2008

Friendly Enemy

In April 2008, the Spokane Community College Theater presented “The Friendly Enemy”, a musical by Gary Edwards of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. “The Friendly Enemy” tells the emotional story of Mike and Barbara Weber of Post Falls. The Webers met and married in Romania at the outset of World War Two. Mike Weber, born in New York, was then drafted into the Hungarian army, which was made part of the German army. So Mike, a U.S. citizen was forced to fight against the Americans. Much later, Barbara Weber chronicled their stories in her book, “Fleeing to the Friendly Enemy”. Her book became the basis for Gary Edwards’ musical. Northwest Profiles interviewed Gary and the Webers to find out more about their life during WWII, as well as the making of “The Friendly Enemy.”

http://www.edwardsmusicpublishing.com

Hidden Garden

Discover Spokane’s Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens by retracing its incredible 120 year old story… A story that takes us back to 1889 when the garden was first established, to its virtual disappearance, re-discovery and finally it’s complete restoration.

Pottery Maker

A Cheney man has made pottery his life for the past 30 years. Adam Scoggins works out of a studio in Cheney. There he makes traditional style pottery. His work is inspired by nature, birds, leaves and fish are everywhere in his shop. On the next Northwest Profiles see how this full-time pottery turns clay into works of art.

http://www.blueheronpottery.com

http://www.potteryplaceplus.com

Spring Steeds

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the majestic sight of stallions in Spokane means spring is upon us.  Each April, breeders from around the Northwest bring their stallions to town for an equine event like no other. The Stallion Showcase and Horse Sale is a sure cure for anyone with spring fever.

http://www.nonprofitnw.org/openhouse/

April 2008 

Art Project

Cheney school employee, Carl Schwenn collects western and Native American art and hangs it in Cheney school buildings.

Hand Crafted Spirits

Kent Fleischmann and Don Poffenroth are pioneers in an industry that is both old and new in Washington State. Distilling spirits produced with locally grown products, these fly fishing buddies have succeeded in building a business that caters to the discerning palate that thirsts for the finer taste sensations of quality hand crafted products.

http://www.dryflydistilling.com

Noodle Head Toys 

From good idea to successful business. Northwest Profiles spent the day with one of two brothers who started Noodle Head Inc. A Spokane Valley toy company that got its start in part after these two fathers watched their own kids at play and decided they could create and market better, more imaginative toys.  See what it took to get this family owned business off the ground and profitable in just five short years.

http://www.noodleheadfun.com  

Rare Air

Meet pilot and veteran antique aircraft restorer Addison Pemberton.  His latest work of art is a historic 1928 Boeing 40 biplane.  See how Addison, his family, and a team of dedicated volunteers returned this aviation treasure to the sky.

 http://www.pembertonandsons.com

February 2008

Hot Rods

A long time Spokane car builder has struck a chord with collectors-- turning 1930 Model A Fords into hot rods.  On the next Northwest Profiles we are in the garage with Rich Gortsema and his sons as he shows us what it takes to transform a classic car into an eye catching roadster.

Merrily Making Art

Experience the off center art work of Merrily Tompkins.

All Fired Up

Celebrate the history and heritage of the fire service at the Fire Memories museum near Cheney, Washington. Robert and Carolyn Green are your tour guides on this fascinating look at the profession of fire fighting.

http://www.firememories.org/

Passion for the Past

Hand crafted, built from the ground up, quality wooden boats. The Stancraft Company, a 75 year old North Idaho Institution, makes high-end sought after vessels that stand out in a crowded market by taking the best from the past and infusing today’s technologies to form a unique work of art.

www.stancraftboats.com

January 2008

Logan Magazine

A young Spokane woman who battled back from cardiac failure and a brain injury is the driving force behind a relatively new magazine. Logan Magazine, named after 22- year-old Logan Olson is getting ready to publish its spring issue. At first glance it looks like any other teen magazine with features on fashion and food, but get to know the young lady behind it and you quickly find out this publication has a powerful message. On the next Northwest Profiles meet Logan and her mother Laurie and learn how the magazine evolved and is now helping to inspire young people with disabilities.

http://www.loganmagazine.com

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Renaissance Replay

Visit Elizabethan England at Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire in Richland, Washington. The Northwest’s Queen of Renaissance Festivals features magic, music, puppets, dance, juggling and two full length Shakespearean era plays.

http://greenwood_players.home.comcast.net/~greenwood_players/

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Bach Festival 

The 30th annual Northwest Bach Festival takes place February 8th through 24th. And KSPS takes you behind the scenes to meet artistic director Gunther Schuller, hear from some of the guest artists and sample some of the greatest music of the baroque era.

http://www.nwbachfest.com/

Junior Cotillions: Learning Dancing and Etiquette 

In a world where our young people seem obsessed with shopping malls, video games and poor behavior, the National League of Junior Cotillions provides a place where students 4th grade through high school can have a great time while learning dance and social graces. Northwest Profiles visits the Post Falls chapter of the NLJC to see the instruction and the fun that takes place.

http://www.nljc.com

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December 2007

Sew Sisters

Travel to Washington’s wheat country and see how sisters Pam Soliday and Janet Nesbitt turned a century old carriage house into one of the nation’s leading quilt stores. Take a look inside the Buggy Barn – a unique quilt shop in the country.

www.buggybarnquilts.com

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All Shook Up

Meet the Shook Twins; Katelyn and Laurie of Sandpoint, Idaho. Hear their original, acoustic music served up with a modern, technological twist.

http://www.shooktwins.com

PET Project

Roughly 22 million people around the world struggle to get around because they have lost their legs, or use of their legs due to landmines, disease, or animal bites. Now, local volunteers, in partnership with an international organization are making mobility possible.   Volunteers in Spokane build what is called a PET--- which stands for personal energy transporter. The three wheeled device is literally changing lives in third world countries. On the next Northwest Profiles, meet some of these dedicated volunteers and get to know the people who are benefiting from the project.

www.petinternational.org

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Gingerbread House Display at the Davenport Hotel

Spokane Chefs and Architects join forces to build some amazing Gingerbread Houses in an “Iron Chef” type competition for charity.

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November 2007

Spokane-tiques Roadshow

Take a behind the scenes look at Antiques Roadshow’s visit to Spokane.

2007 Spokane Tour Web portal >>

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Band of Bombers

During the Second World War, the B-17, the B-24 and the B-25 were America’s backbone bomber aircraft.  Today, three of these warbirds are flying across America on a new mission: keeping history alive.  The Wings of Freedom Nationwide Tour is a unique, interactive traveling display that honors WWII veterans and promotes education of future generations about these aviation treasures and their flight crews.  www.collingsfoundation.org

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Blacksmith

The centuries old practice of blacksmithing is alive and well in North Idaho. On the next Northwest Profiles we travel to Cataldo to spend the afternoon with a true craftsman. Ron Washburn is a self taught blacksmith. See how he turns steel into art using traditional techniques along with a few modern twists.

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Horns Of Plenty

Since 1992, Spokane musician William Berry and his group, Clarion Brass have delighted audiences with original music and especially their unique brand of Christmas favorites. Meet William and discover his unconventional song writing process.

http://www.figarotunes.com

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