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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Another Morning Team Leaves The Local Airwaves

The morning team over at KEZE-FM, Jeff Connor and Darren Johnson, is the morning team no more.

They parted ways with the station earlier this month in what the station says was an “amicable” split. No word yet on whether Connor and Johnson agree with that adjective.

No reason was given for their departure, although maybe, and we’re just speculating here, the ratings might have played some part in it. KEZE was not exactly racing to the top of the ratings. In fact, it has been hurting in that category, finishing eighth in the most recent Arbitrons.

Tripp Rogers and Jeff Downz have been filling in on the morning show. Program director Larry Pearson said that the search is on for a permanent replacement team.

Spokane Arts Awards

The annual Spokane Arts Awards were announced Monday at the Spokane City Council meeting.

And the winners are:

Individual artist: Kelly Farris, the concertmaster of the Spokane Symphony, founding member and director of the Spokane String Quartet and the Spokane Chamber Music Association, and a professor of music at Eastern Washington University.

Individual benefactor: Katherine Gellhorn, the Swiss dynamo who has probably raised more money for the arts than anybody in Spokane. (See more about her below.)

Arts organization: The Spokane Children’s Theatre, the community treasure celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Business benefactor: Davis & Hosch Music Company.

Arts in Education: Joel E. Ferris High School.

Congratulations to all of these winners.

Accepting for Katherine is …

Katherine Gellhorn, unfortunately, could not be present at the ceremony because she was back in the hospital due to a recurrence of cancer.

However, she sent along a message of thanks, and she also specified that half of the award belongs to her longtime ally and companion, Bud Cox.

Gellhorn said she hopes to get out of the hospital soon. Even from her hospital bed, she is busy planning Opera Buffs trips months in advance.

Our best wishes go out to her.

Stupid DJ tricks

KZZU-FM Breakfast Boy Dave Sposito is at it again with his Tom Brokaw impersonation.

On Wednesday, he called O.J. Simpson at a number given to him by some San Diego DJs.

A man answered the phone and said the following three things before hanging up on Sposito: “Hello?” “You’ve got the wrong number” and “Sorry, you have the wrong number, and this isn’t Tom Brokaw.”

Over at KZZU, they’re convinced that this was O.J. on the phone. After hearing the tape, I’d say there’s maybe 30 percent chance it was O.J.

And even if it was, so what? Generous DJ tricks

Just to show you that radio stations are not all frivolous, here’s a roundup of some of the charity drives that radio stations are doing.

96-Hour Food Drive - KNFR-FM (The Frog) spent last week broadcasting live from a motorhome in Riverfront Park and collecting food for the Spokane Food Bank.

Three-Day Food Blitz - KDRK-FM (The Cat) broadcast live from the roof of Empire Ford Oct. 4-6 to raise money for the Spokane Food Bank.

Clothing Drive - KKZX-FM’s Radiomen, Jim Arnold and C. Foster Kane, broadcast live from Hico Village North on Saturday to collect usable clothing for the Salvation Army.

Expect to see many more of these drives as the holidays approach.

‘Friends’ of ‘Seinfeld’

Fans of the NBC sitcoms “Friends” and “Seinfeld” can now experience those shows among friends.

A weekly gathering for fans will be held every Thursday at 8 p.m. at McGowen’s Cafe in Auntie’s Bookstore, at the Liberty Building, 404 W. Main. A big-screen TV will be set up, and coffee and food is available (just like in Central Perk). There will be games and trivia contests.

The group is called “Friends of ‘Friends”’ and “Serious About Seinfeld.”

Everyone is welcome to show up. For more information, call Mathew Meeusen at 467-7846.

‘Peter Pan’ update

We’ve already told you that the Spokane Children’s Theatre is planning its biggest production ever with the musical version of “Peter Pan” Nov. 24-Dec. 1 at The Met.

Now we get news that they have landed three of Spokane’s best performers: Bobbi Kotula as Peter Pan, Patrick Treadway as Captain Hook and Troy Nickerson as Smee, Hook’s sidekick.

Tickets are already going fast. Call 328-4886 to reserve yours.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo