All posts in the topic TRUTH TO TELL Weds. Dec 3 KFAI: "Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students" (Short link)

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TRUTH TO TELL



WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 - 11:00AM

"FM 90.3/Minneapolis-106.7/St. Paul and STREAMING LIVE AT KFAI.org

"SMART INVESTMENTS IN MINNESOTA'S STUDENTS"

TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with Growth & Justice
senior staff about that organization's report and proposal for
investments in Minnesota's public education system"Smart
Investments in Minnesotas Students." We'll ask them how anything
ambitious can be done in a climate of contracting revenues and rising
deficits. And we'll ask some others how they think this might work in
any climate.

GUESTS:

DANE SMITH - President, Growth & Justice

 ANGIE EILERS - Senior Policy Director, Growth & Justice

 OTHERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

And we want your thoughts and questions about what to do about
education investment. CALL IN: 612-341-0980

AND LOOK! WE'RE MORE POWERFUL!
November/December 2008, Volume 2, Issue 10



In this Issue
KFAI Network - November/December 2008
KFAI Welcomes News Director Ahndi Fridell
Georgia Cady Brings Audio Delight
30th Anniversary Party Was a Blast
Quick Links
KFAI Website
Program Archives
Become a Member
Send Comments
KFAI Network - November/December 2008

KFAI Signal Upgrade and Digital Conversion Complete

Final approval from the FCC to "Flip The Switch" on KFAI's digital
signal and power increase was granted on Friday, November 14, 2008,
and KFAI's Chief Engineer, Dan Zimmermann, turned on the 900-watt
transmitter Sunday, November 16, 2008.

With the new signal project complete, KFAI's 900-watt directional
antenna on top of the IDS Tower has significantly increased coverage
at 90.3 FM to the east and southeast of Minneapolis. Signal coverage
has also increased somewhat to the west, northwest, north and
northeast of Minneapolis, though not as strongly as to the east and
southeast. Listeners report improvement in areas such as Richfield,
Bloomington, Golden Valley and Plymouth. We have also heard about
improvement in some areas of Columbia Heights, while other areas of
Columbia Heights have not improved. You can view the signal coverage
area here. We would like to hear more reports about the 90.3FM signal
and its reach. To make a report on KFAI's new signal coverage, call
612.341.3144, ext.33. When leaving your message, be sure to include
the exact address and zip code of the location from which you listen
to KFAI.

In addition to our higher-powered FM signal, KFAI now has a digital
HD signal which can be heard on HD radio receivers. At present, over
1800 stations in the US are broadcasting HD radio.

The digital signal is crystal clear and has the ability to carry an
additional programming channel. KFAI is in the planning stage for the
second channel.

Next steps for signal upgrade include repair of KFAIs translator at
106.7FM. Due to old and failing equipment, the 106.7FM translator is
currently sending out a signal at 70% power. A new digital translator
will be installed in St. Paul that will return 106.7FM to 100% of its
regulated power. So if you are having trouble hearing us in St. Paul,
you will soon be
able to hear us clearly on both frequencies!

Thank you to Board of Directors President Jeremy Nichols and Program
Director Adam Mehl, who contributed to this report.

Special New Signal, New Member Drive December 3rd - 5th

KFAI is non-commercial, listener-supported radio. Many listeners have
given generously to support community radio in 2008, but some folks
have not had a chance, yet. In honor of the new signal, and to lower
expenses for the new transmitter, KFAI will hold a special "New
Signal, New Member" drive for three days in the first week of
December. Wednesday, December 3rd, through Friday, December 5th, KFAI
volunteers will invite new members to join the station, and lapsed
members to come back in 2008 if they missed the chance in earlier
drives. This is a one-time, special opportunity to celebrate growth
at KFAI, and have some fun for folks who are planning on year-end
giving. Tell your friends who may not have become members yet in 2008
to tune in!

KFAI also has a New Member Challenge Fund for this short drive. If
you are interested in donating matching dollars to the New Member
Challenge Fund, contact Pam Hill Kroyer by email, or by phone:
612.341.3144, ext. 22. All contributions are welcome.

KFAI Annual Meeting & Social December 12th

Mark your calendar on Friday, December 12th, for the KFAI Annual
Meeting, to be held in the evening at the Open Book Building on
Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. The KFAI Annual meeting features
refreshments, a chance for KFAI volunteers and members to get
together, and a short report on the state of KFAI. Watch for another
message with more detail the week of December 8th.

Wish List

KFAI has this wish list:

One new or slightly used black and white printer
New or slightly used digital flash recorders
New or slightly used office chairs
Sharpie markers and ball point pens
Contact Janis Lane-Ewart with leads on these items.

Thank you to Bob Sidenberg for the donation of energy and talent to
build shelving at KFAI. The shelves are beautiful!

Thank you to Andy Driscoll for the donation of a printer in great
condition and a new ink cartridge.


News

KFAI Welcomes News Director Ahndi Fridell

by Pam Hill Kroyer Ahndi Fridell

KFAI welcomed Ahndi Fridell as the station's new News Director the
first week of October, about one month before the election. Ahndi
began her full time tenure October 6th, after serving as Interim News
Director for three weeks and as Co-News Director in 2001.

With less than a month to put her team together, Ahndi directed
comprehensive coverage on the night of the elections, with reporters
stationed across the Twin Cities in locations such as the Minneapolis
Urban League and on city streets; speaking with people from Minnesota
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, to unique voices of citizens who
planned to not vote on Election Day.

Ahndi pursued a life in journalism and community involvement before
she came to KFAI. She has a degree in Political Science and
Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Masters in
Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, focusing
on Environmental and Energy Policy and Economic Development. Ahndi
says she had forgotten how much she loved radio journalism until she
started volunteering with KFAI in 1999.

"I love our focus on local news and community and I feel fortunate
that we can cover the major news stories but also do things a little
differently," she says about the KFAI newsroom. "I really respect
KFAI's mission and I hope I can do it justice as the leader of the
news department. Every day it is great to walk into this station
because I meet so many brilliant, fascinating, strange, fun people in
this job."

Ahndi also relishes the teaching capacity KFAI has through the news
department, "I love to teach people how to be reporters and gather
sound and edit a good story. It is such a great feeling to see them
progress from being totally overwhelmed to really competent
reporters," she adds.

Like so many folks at KFAI, her non-radio life is full and varied.
Ahndi is married to Satish Kalale, and they have three sons, Aditya
(8), Akshay (6), and Rohan Thej (4). She also trains and competes in
sprint triathlons.

If Ahndi could interview anyone living for the KFAI news, her first
choice would be President-elect Barack Obama. Her second choice would
be Fidel Castro, because she says, "he has lived about three
lifetimes' worth of fascinating and world-shifting experiences."

Tune in to the KFAI evening news Monday through Thursday, 6pm, to
hear all the fascinating and sometimes world-shifting people Ahndi
brings to the KFAI airwaves.


Music

Georgia Cady Brings Audio Delight

by Jessica Folker

Don't just experience pleasure, experience Sonic Pleasure.

So goes the credo of Georgia Cady, host of "Sonic Pleasure," KFAI's
home for 1960s and 60s-inspired rock, garage rock, psychedelic, and
electronic music. The Beatles, Elliott Smith, Joni Mitchell, Frank
Zappa and the Grateful Dead are just some of the artists who join
Georgia and her listeners Monday mornings from 2-5 AM.

The pursuit of sonic pleasure has been a life-long pursuit for this
audiophile. Read more about Georgia's music finds by clicking here.


Community & Culture

30th Anniversary Party Was a Blast

by Rebecca Lane

Charlie Parr, Dakota Dave Hull, Peter Lang, Sherry Minnick
On Saturday, November 8th, the Eagles Club in Seward neighborhood was
the site of a very special evening celebrating KFAI's rich history
and bright future.

Station friends came out in full to the neighborhood hang-out,
occupying both the available seating and the dance floor that
surrounded the stage. All were treated to a rocking and diverse line-
up of major local talent including Dakota Dave Hull, Charlie Parr,
Lonnie Knight, Peter Lang, Sherry Minnick, Bob Douglas, Charlie
Maguire, Mister Rolls, Nikki & The RueMates, Nirmala Rajasekar, and
the International Reggae All Stars who closed the bash and sent the
crowd out on a very celebratory vibe. So charged was that last set,
people were moving tables in an effort to create more space on the
dance floor!
Young Dancers
The night also showcased the strong and loyal bond listeners have
with the station. Jeremy Nichols - President, Fresh Air, Inc. KFAI -
has been on board since the beginning and recalls seeing people
representing every year of the 30 years. "There were at least least
four former station managers, and many former programmers, staff
members, and board members. All of our current staff and most of the
current board were there, along with dozens of programmers and
hundreds of KFAI supporters."

History was made when the crowd commemorated the recent signal
upgrade. As described by Jeremy, "Janis Lane-Ewart invited all the
programmers to the front for a ceremonial throw the switch gesture.
We all raised our arms as we 'threw the switch' in celebration. It
worked. A week later we put our new 900 watt signal on the air."

Events such as this could only come from a collaboration of
passionate and dedicated people  the musicians, the Eagles Club,
KFAI staff/volunteers/supporters  all came together to cultivate a
truly wonderful gathering of past, present and future. Thanks to all
who turned out and helped to raise $2,000 in support of KFAI!

Congratulations KFAI family! Here's to the next 30 years!

Thanksgiving Season Change

Poem by David Boyd

It's time again. Those colors that blend. Leaves mixed with snow.
Somewhere to go...I know--to Thanksgiving Dinner. Are we all winners?
Let's hope, and cope, and be thankful for this day.


Mission Statement

KFAI is a volunteer-based community radio station that exists to
broadcast information, arts and entertainment programming for an
audience of diverse racial, social and economic backgrounds. By
providing a voice for people ignored or misrepresented by mainstream
media, KFAI increases understanding between peoples and communities,
while fostering the values of democracy and social justice.

KFAI, Fresh Air, Inc., is supported, in part, by contributing
members, volunteers, underwriters, corporate giving programs, area
vendors and businesses, anonymous donors; funds of The Minneapolis
Foundation (an anonymous fund, David and Katherine Moore, Joyce
Prudden and Michael Shoop, Moore Family Fund for the Arts, and the
Helen E. and Daniel T. Lindsay Family Fund); Women's Foundation of
Minnesota; Trillium Corporation; Bush Foundation; the 1261
Foundation; Sundance Pay It Forward Foundation; the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting; AMPERS, a network of Independent Public Radio
stations; and Community Solutions Fund donors.




KFAI Fresh Air Inc. | 1808 Riverside Avenue | Minneapolis | MN | 55454

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