Pledge Drive

It is pledge time at Spokane Public Radio! Everyone at the station is excited and anticipating a great upcoming pledge week. All the phones and equipment have been setup next to the studios for volunteers to accept pledges.                                                                                                      

“Where are the tote bags? I'm not leaving the premises without tote bags. I was promised tote bags and tote bags I shall have.” Kramer from Seinfeld
 

George is not bringing the Yankees to answer pledges and there are no tote bags, but SPR does have some great gifts to raffle off. Earlier this week I took some photos of the many superb items being raffled off to donors who pledge their support. Along with a bike and a one-of-a-kind sculpture, there are many other great items that will be raffled to donors.

The pledge drive starts tomorrow and will be running through October 27. I will be answering calls on Wednesday and look forward to receiving your pledges. I might just have to wear my puffy shirt. 

Picture of the Week

Do you think you know Spokane? Every Monday and during the pledge drive, “Making Noise” will feature a new photo from somewhere in the Spokane area. Take a guess and leave a comment by clicking the comments link below to show others your knowledge of the city.

Musical Musings

Today, I arrived at SPR earlier then normal to take pictures of Verne’s guest, Daniel Gaisford the cellist playing with the Gonzaga Orchestra this Saturday. Director Kevin Hekmatpanah also made an appearance, but had to leave quickly to teach a class. I grabbed the camera to take shots before he left, but before I could make it into the studio the on-air light flicked on. The red light above the door rattled my nerves. We have all had our phones ring at inappropriate times. I have visions of my embarrassing ringtone playing on the air when I’m taking shots of a guest. Instead of going into the studio, I waited patiently in the lobby and listened to the broadcast on the intercom until the next set of music played. Gaisford was talking to Verne about the amount of practice he does. “Now that I have the callouses I can practice six hours a day. That wasn’t true when I started, maybe a half an hour tops,” he told Verne. I played the saxophone growing up and getting me to practice even an hour (let alone six) was like giving a kid a shot from the doctor. The music started playing and I went into the studio and took the photos I needed and chatted with Gaisford. He was upbeat and was excited about his upcoming performance in Spokane. I know several members of the Orchestra, and had planned to attend, but Gaisford’s dedication sealed the deal. Monday, I will update “Making Noise” with my impressions of the performance. Check out the performance at the Fox at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

A New View

I used to joke about people driving hybrids. Driving a gas guzzling Jeep Wrangler it never crossed my mind that my commute could ever be considered environmentally friendly, until I started riding the hybrid Spokane bus.

Taking the public transportation for the first time to SPR was like reliving the childhood experience of taking the bus for the first time to school, but this time my parents weren’t there, so instead, I stood with strangers waiting for the #28 Nevada to arrive. My adrenaline really started pumping when I had to deposit a $1.25. The driver quickly grew impatient after my wrinkled bill was rejected time after time by the fare meter. Without notice, he gunned through the intersection to make the changing light. I held on for my life and was able to finally grab a pass and make my way to a seat. I finally made it to the station with time to spare--even after making a transfer downtown.

While meeting people at the station during my first week, I learned that Verne, Brian Flick, and others also use alternative transportation to get to work. Verne rides his bike in any kind of weather and Brian walks two miles to work every day. “I could get a gym membership and rarely go, or I can walk to work and ensure that I always go,” Brian told me.

With class in the afternoon at Gonzaga, I had to make my way back to campus. With the light turning green, the arriving bus quickly stopped for all the soon-to-be passengers. The driver opened the door and waved people on as through he had just stolen it and was prepared to finish the job by following the plot of the movie “Speed.” I then came to find out that the fare meter was broken and the ride was free. It was a spectacle to see old ladies giving “high fives” to each other while other riders with contented faces were discussing how great the day had just become.

I realized that day that taking the bus allowed me to take my eyes off the road and start seeing the minute things that my surroundings have to offer. In the past, I only used a bike for exercise and left all my commuting to the Wrangler, but now, taking a stroll downtown, using my bike, or grabbing a ride on the bus has opened a new “hybrid” way of thinking for me.

Bing!

Wednesday night’s are usually a slow time for downtown Spokane, but last night was unique. Sorry, AC/DC wasn’t headlining at The Factory last night, but at the Bing, Howard Berkes, a national reporter for NPR, was putting on a show.

Arriving late I was surprised that the only seats in the house were in the upper level. With the lights dimmed and the presentation already in full swing, it was interesting to see and hear Berkes present audio clips from past news stories. After playing several moving audio excerpts, he then presented insight. His explanations brought deeper meaning to the stories, and he even admitted that he was amazed about the new ability to present reports on the internet, which to him seemed to be a great way to involve the NPR audience.

Growing up in Denver, a stone’s throw from Fort Carson Army Base, I know first hand about some of the Western stories Berkes mentioned in his presentation. The local news does a good job reporting on family members who have been impacted by the loss of a loved one, but nothing compares to the way Berkes audio clips captured children impacted by the loss of a father in Afghanistan.

The lights went up and the night concluded after a question and answer session. As I was leaving, it became apparent that the night brought a mixture of new and old, and I am not just talking about the audience. The Bing is a theater enriched by tradition. The presentation referenced the internet as a growing news outlet and used contemporary technology to exhibit what is considered, to some, old technology in radio. Berkes presentation highlighted a key point that no matter the medium in which the news is presented, old or new, it should be presented as complete, impartial, and as fair as possible. I became aware last night of the importance of radio as a news outlet. I receive my news in many ways, but, sometimes, you need the impact that radio provides.

Where in Spokane is Verne?

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Have you ever been the new kid on the block? Being the new kid at Spokane Public Radio so far has been an interesting experience. While making the rounds I met many great personalities at the station. Verne Windham, the on air host from 9am-noon on KPBX, was one of the people I ran in to. After talking with him for the first time I was amazed at how incredibly active he is in the community. For many people working as an on air host would be enough, but Verne does more. Let’s Follow him as he makes his way though the week:

Tuesday:
Morning: Jim Tevenan takes over for Verne on the KPBX airwaves - while Verne is busy working with camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d'Alene.

Night: “Orchestra” seems to be the theme of this day since Verne conducts for the Spokane Youth Orchestra and will also be rehearsing for the opening of South Pacific, where he has been recruited to play horn.

Wednesday:
For most, Wednesday is hump day. But for Verne, it’s just the beginning --

Morning: Jim Tevenan continues with Verne’s on air duties with a surprise special guest from the cast of South Pacific. NPR Correspondent Howard Berkes will be around to chat as well. Rehearsal for South Pacific continues where you will hear Verne playing his French horn in the 26 piece orchestra.

Night: Before the lights go down for Howard Berkes, Verne will be meeting and greeting with SPR members and answering questions at the Bing from 6:30-7pm. If you’re out on the town that night you might catch a glimpse of Verne riding his bike to perform at the INB at 7:30pm.

Thursday-Saturday:
Finally a regular day and time for rest (or so we thought):

Mornings on Thursday and Friday: Vern returns from his journey and is back in the studio hosting morning radio.

Night: South Pacific continues and so does Verne.

Sunday:
For many, it’s the day of rest but “Jam for Bread”- A benefit for the teen shelter Crosswalk will be emceed by “Mr. Community”: Verne Windham

While making this post it was hard not to check out Facebook for signs of Verne -- but I couldn’t help take a quick glance. There on “The Verne Windham Fan Club” page I noticed that not only does he have a following, his 184 admirers rival most people’s friends lists. And after he filled me in on his weekly schedule, it is not hard to see why.
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Hello! October Beginnings

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It's the start of a new month and along with that the seasons are changing. "Making Noise" is changing things up as well. My name is Evan Winiger and I am going to take over for Nicole as the marketing intern. In the weeks ahead, some exciting events are coming up at Spokane Public Radio. This Wednesday, NPR coorespondent Howard Berkes will be dropping by the station and also will be making a presentation at the Bing in the evening. I will be updating the blog every few days so stay close to your computer and hit that refresh button.
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Goodbye

You may be wondering why this blog has not been updated for a few weeks. Well, I'm back at school, beginning my junior year at Gonzaga University. Sadly, that means my internship at SPR has come to an end.

It's been a wonderful experience for me. I've gotten to write press releases, design ads, and even hear my own voice on the radio. I learned so much about what makes a radio station run smoothly. It's so much more than just the voices you hear from your car stereo. Behind the scenes many different people are organizing events like An Evening Under the Stars and the SPR Kids' Concerts, conducting interviews, calling sponsors, and managing publicity.

In addition, I had the chance to meet some amazing people in this position. Neesha gave me my first complete tour of the station. Nancy, the "comfort woman" for A Prairie Home Companion, always had a smile and a "good morning" for me. Amy, the sweet receptionist, helped me to find whatever I needed at the station - whether it was one of the staff, more paper, or a sugary snack to help me through the morning. Verne was always willing to let me bother him for an update for this blog, as well as making some incredible ice cream. Patrick was so much help with the promo for this blog and more importantly, didn't laugh at my timorous first attempt at recording. Then, of course, there was Shelley, who taught me everything from advertising design, to podcast uploading, to how to write a good press release.

In all, this internship was great fun and very intersting for me and I will miss my time at SPR. This blog will stall for a few weeks until a new intern takes my place. Thanks for everything SPR!