KMUN Current • Spring 2024

by Susan Peterson Station Manager

IAM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE WORKED AT KMUN FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW. For the last 22 months, I have been the station manager. Being station manager has required every skill I have learned in past positions, including budgeting, being a solid co-worker, making good decisions, having boundaries, being kind and taking out the trash.

I have recently focused on human resources. Who thinks of nonprofit staff as being well paid, rested and eager? I do, every day. I am focused on creating a sustainable workplace. Last year, amidst all the birthday celebrations, was a crazy time to put in place a trial for a four-day, 32-hour work week, at 40 hour a week pay. It worked and is working well! We will be staying with this model as everyone is getting their work done in a timely manner and not interfering with the timetables of their co-workers.

Seeking Equilibrium

KMUN Staff and Work/Life Balance

We perform at a high level of output and still have a healthy work/life balance. And, I have noticed: Rested co-workers are more creative and work especially well with each other. Additionally, KMUN now has a human resource specialist advising me on the employee cycle, benefits, and volunteer management and support. We have focused on processes for recruitment, hiring, training and work/ life balance as we have hired five new staff.

Success is always a collaborative effort. Together, but not always at the

same time, we have worked to improve the quality of life for our region.

As a strong, stable, nonprofit radio station, we have provided education, entertainment and connection to listeners. And we are providing a very good place to work for the eight professional people who make up our staff.

As Station Manager, it is my privilege to stand next to and on the shoulders of the hundreds of people involved in our success, now and in the future. I am grateful to everyone.

COAST COMMUNITY

RADIO is Your Voice in the Lower Columbia Pacific Region.

STATION MANAGER

Susan Peterson

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jack Harris

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Keegan Fifer

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Viri Haugen

NEWS DEPARTMENT

Katie Frankowicz

Skyler Butenshon

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Emma Geddes

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Andy Eddy

BOOKKEEPING

Jennifer Rasmussen

ENGINEERING SUPPORT

Sunset Empire Ham Radio Club

Michael D. Brown

Gray Haertig

Bryan Huber

Michael Johnson

David Klann

Nevada Sowle

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

Dave Neys

THE VOLUNTEERS

KMUN is volunteer-powered, on-air and off.

TILLICUM FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Larry Scott, President

Todd Lippold, Vice President

Sturges Dorrance, Treasurer

Bonnie Lively

Mick Mortlock

Randy Vogt

The Tillicum Foundation Board of Directors meets every 4th Wednesday of the month at 5 pm. The meetings are hybrid, in-person and on Zoom. Meeting links: kmun.org/tillicumfoundation

COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD

Alex Carney

Neal Lemery

Natalie Mallis

Tita Montero

Laura Swanson

Sherry Zeilstra

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) evaluates KMUN’s programming on an ongoing basis and seeks to highlight opportunities for furthering the station’s ability to accomplish its mission. To learn more about the CAB and qualifications, visit kmun.org/about/cab

The Tillicum Foundation mission is to serve the Lower Columbia Pacific Region through commercial-free community radio programs and services that enrich life by illuminating the role of the arts, promoting cultural and educational growth, and bringing focus to current issues of local and regional public interest while providing a forum for diverse and under-served groups.

Want to help us further our mission? Get involved today! Visit kmun.org to learn more.

CONTACT US

PO Box 269

Astoria OR 97103

feedback@kmun.org

503-325-0010

The Tillicum Foundation is tax-exampt and all gifts, grants, and contributions to it are tax deductible to the extent of the law. KMUN broadcasts 5000 watts of power at 91.9 MHz from its main transmitter on Megler Mountain, 250 watts at 89.3 from a translator located in Cannon Beach, and 10 watts at 104.3 from translators in both Wheeler (104.3) and Astoria’s south slope (91.3). KTCB broadcasts 400 watts of power at 89.5 from Cape Meares, serving Tillamook County. The Tillicum Foundation also operates a second program service, KCPB, which broadcasts at 400 watts from Megler Mountain at 90.9 MHz.

Alyssa

by Jack Harris Program Director

IWOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AS YOUR NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR

FOR KMUN. Many of you know me through the station, as I’ve volunteered here since the late 1990s and served on the board. I’ve also been brewing and running breweries in the area for that long and we may have met over a beer. My wife, Dr. Tracy and I raised our son Toveri in Astoria, so maybe I’ve met you through the schools, Little League, or just living life in our close-knit corner of the world. I’m honored and thrilled to have this opportunity — but enough about me. I want to talk about why I took this job, and it is as simple as a life-long, passionate belief in the power of radio.

Prior to becoming the program director for KMUN, I spent over 30 years making, selling, and serving beer. I can’t count the number of times that people asked me when I thought the beer fad would come to an end. That is when I would start talking about

The Power of Radio On Ephemera and Connection

the Code of Hammurabi, some of the oldest surviving written rules about beer making and taxation (of course) written almost 4,000 years ago. The point being that the beer fad had strong legs.

For those who might question the relevance of radio in our age of Wi-Fi, streaming, ubiquitous cell phone coverage, and individualized playlists, I can’t quite go back 4,000 years. I do wonder why anyone would underestimate a medium that has survived and thrived in 100 years of competition with television, cable, LPs, Cassettes, CDs, and now the World Wide Web.

The revolution may or may not be televised, but if you want to understand it, you’ll probably be listening to your radio. In a world that conflates faster and newer with better, listening to your radio can feel almost subversive. The radio that has sat on our kitchen counter for decades has never asked to be upgraded, has never needed a software patch or acquired a bug/virus that could empty our bank account. I have never had to remember a password to tune in, or spent time I will never get back trying to update my radio or manage my radio account. I turn it on and am treated to the instant gratification of jazz or folk or a local public affairs program.

The internet may offer an endless variety of choices, but endless choice is no choice at all. Endless variety is a contextless morass. I would most certainly always prefer a well-curated

Bob Goldberg Bonnie Lively

Brandon Mackley

bookstore to Amazon. KMUN is your well-curated source of entertainment, news, and information, and I see it as my job to keep it that way.

We are not Luddites when it comes to technology. KMUN relies on all sorts of it for administration, communication, documentation and dissemination. I love that we can expand KMUN’s range to include the whole world, which apparently exists beyond our listening area. I understand the popularity and value of timeshifting, and of podcasts. I am not naive to the growing expectation of “on demand” listening. It is important to remember that we provide live streaming, archived shows, and locally produced podcasts to complement our radio

broadcasts, not to drive them.

Radio is ephemeral. It is now. Radio is always moving forward. When your analyst tells you to live in the moment, radio is a great way to accomplish that. Radio has a magical ability to reach right into people’s souls and communicate universal truths like no other medium can. Having our own radio station gives us the ability to talk amongst ourselves about our-

selves and the unique place our airwaves reach.

Magic can be neglected and misused. It is our responsibility to make the best possible use of the opportunity our collective little station represents. I’ll never take for granted that it takes loving curation to keep the magic alive. Nurturing programmers to bring their best, mindfully evolving the schedule to present the best shows at the best times and responding to our membership will be at the forefront of my efforts as I settle into this role. Breweries don’t survive just because beer has been popular for a long time. Quality is what keeps you in business and I don’t see why radio would be any different.

Bruce Williams

Caleb Hernandez

Carol Newman

Carolyn Wells

Charlie Shumar

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

by Mick Mortlock Board Member

AS WE STRIDE INTO THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE OF

2024, the realm of media and broadcasting is undergoing a profound transformation. For KMUN, a community-focused radio station, the evolution of audience engagement and content relevance is paramount. In this quest for relevance and resonance, the KMUN leadership board grapples with a series of pressing questions that illuminate the path forward.

First and foremost, KMUN seeks to deepen its understanding of its audience. In an era characterized by diverse media consumption habits, discerning who tunes in, when they tune in, and what programming resonates most profoundly becomes crucial. By delving into audience demographics

KMUN Listens Back

A Community-Driven Approach to Media

and behaviors, KMUN aims to tailor its content to captivate listeners across every programming option.

Central to KMUN’s mission is the imperative to reflect and respond to the pulse of the local community. In a world inundated with global news cycles, identifying stories that strike a chord within the local fabric becomes paramount. KMUN endeavors to unearth the narratives that matter most to its audience, fostering a sense of community cohesion and connection.

Yet, KMUN also confronts the stark reality of a multi-generational audience divide. While older listeners may cling to traditional radio frequencies, younger generations embrace the convenience and accessibility of streaming platforms. Bridging this generational chasm necessitates a nuanced approach, one that blends traditional radio broadcasting with the dynamic realm of online streaming. Striking an optimal balance between these mediums ensures that KMUN’s content resonates with listeners of all ages.

In pursuit of answers to these pressing questions, KMUN charts a course towards innovation and adaptation. Embracing data-driven insights and audience feedback, KMUN refines its programming strategies to align with the evolving tastes and preferences of its listeners. Through robust community engagement initiatives and partnerships, KMUN fosters a dialogue with its audience, empowering them to shape the station’s trajectory.

As KMUN navigates the complex terrain of audience engagement, one thing remains abundantly clear – the quest for relevance and resonance is an ever-evolving journey. By embracing change, harnessing technological advancements, and remaining steadfast in its commitment to community-centric broadcasting, KMUN stands poised to illuminate the airwaves with stories that captivate hearts and minds alike. In the realm of media, the quest for answers may be ongoing, but the journey itself is one imbued with endless possibility.

Clint Carter

Dave Neys David Paul Dayle Olson

Debbie Twombly Denise Reed

Donna Quinn E.J. Browne

Ed Johnson

Edward James Eileen Williams

Elizabeth Menetrey

Host Highlight: Bonnie Lively

Crossroads & Women’s Music

IT HAS BEEN SUCH A PRIVILEGE and a pleasure to program shows for KMUN/KTCB for over 25 years. I began taking the programming class in 1996 (?) as a way to connect with my new community after moving here from Cannon Beach in 1995. My first regular hosting was Shady Grove on Saturday evenings in the late 1990s and Women’s Music, Wednesday, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., once a month which focuses on all female artists new and old.

Shady Grove opened my eyes to the study of old time music from the Deep South and Appalachia and how those

artists influenced what we listen to today. In the early 2000s, my daughter, Heather, was hosting Crossroads, a new show on Saturday afternoons, focusing on an Americana mix of folk, country, blues, etc., and she asked me to join her on air. I have carried on alone since she became a parent in 2007. Heather and her husband, Sam Chapman, now host Sounds of Saturday Night, so we are truly a KMUN family!

I find programming a true performance art starting with picking the tunes and organizing them in a way that takes you on a journey. One of

Ellen Frye Ellen Levy

Eric Wheeler

Erik Thorsnes Friends of Willapa Nat’l Wildlife Refuge

my first teachers at the station, Elizabeth Menetrey, our program director at the time, (still hosting New World Beat on Friday nights) gave me some great advice. Take your listeners on a road trip: know when to accelerate, cruise through valleys, and slow down around corners. It’s my goal to give listeners that experience.

I also like thinking about what listeners might be doing. How can I fit into their day without becoming a distraction, give them something familiar to latch on to, bring back a memory, or just dance to a catchy tune. I always listen to my shows after they air to see if I’ve accomplished these goals. Getting into the listener’s position is a great way to critique myself and helps me improve, especially with mic breaks, which I try to keep to a mini-

mum. It’s about the music.

Crossroads begins with an upbeat tempo giving an energy boost for the Saturday afternoon. Some of my favorite artists are: The Mavericks, Leon Russell, Chris Smither, JJ Cale, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle, Brandi Carlile, and Chris Stapleton.

For Women’s Music, which follows Bedtime Stories, it’s a more mellow approach. For both shows, new and old artists are always on the menu. Some favorites for Women’s Music are: Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Nancy Griffith, Dar Williams, Eliza Gilkyson, Lucy Kaplansky, Natalie Merchant, Mary Gauthier, and a sampling of interna-

tional female artists as well. Female groups might include MaMuse, Bad Flamingo, The Be Good Tanyas, and Larkin Poe.

What a fun journey this has been. Thanks to every mentor and listener who has tuned in and given feedback, good or bad. Stay tuned to your Coast Community Radio station! It’s the best!!!

Hear Bonnie on KMUN:

Crossroads

Every other Saturday 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Women’s Music

1st Wednesdays (sometimes 3rd & 5th) 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Gary Sunderland

Geralyn Hurney

Heather Chapman

Heather Douglas

Isa Haverlan

“Thanks again for watching the river & appreciating the folks who work it.”

John

“I really enjoy the variety of music you provide the community.”

Todd

“Sonic Reducer; Scandinavian Hour; what’s not to love?!”

Gail

“...a heartfelt thank you for making this wonderful show happen. Arts Live & Local is such an informative program and such a huge and important part of KMUN and the cultural happenings in our region.”

Christl

Comments? Critiques? Fan mail? Send it all to feedback@kmun.org

We want to hear from you!

Explore the archive!

Special Thanks

To Troy Hill, who recently moved on from his role as KMUN’s Business Development Director. Troy coordinated the Current’s quarterly printing: we’d like to give him a hearty THANK YOU for all of his hard work, and wish him the best in his new endeavors! Sunny days and nighttime rain only -- beautiful blooms always.

kmun.org/podcasts

We would also like to thank Will Elias, who stepped in as interim layout designer for the Current for 2023. Thank you for wrangling our bylines and gutters in style.

by Katie Frankowicz News Director

OVER THE LAST few months, you may have heard some new voices bringing you local news on KMUN.

Say hello to Sophia Atkinson, a student at Clackamas Community College, who has joined the station as a news volunteer, recording news segments and helping with research.

Sophia has spent most of her life in Astoria. She is interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Sophia came to KMUN looking for an opportunity to gain some experience in the field, but she also has a strong interest in writing in general, art and history. She hopes to transfer to a four year university in the near future.

“When I first started recording for KMUN broadcasts, I realized I found it to be a very fulfilling use of my time,” Sophia says. “I am able to connect with the community around me in a new and exciting way. Hearing myself on the air for the first time was thrilling!”

Something New(s)

Fresh Voices for Local Reporting

The other voice belongs to Olivia Palmer, a relatively new reporter at The Astorian (one of KMUN’s key news partners) and a self-described “public radio nerd.”

For the most part, Skyler and I rewrite Astorian content for radio and just read it straight. Sometimes we’ll seek out additional audio on our own to spice things up. But it is a whole other world when a reporter like Olivia is interested in creating compelling radio features based off of her reporting for the newspaper.

Olivia has now worked with me to write, record and produce five or six news features. The topics have ranged from efforts to restore chum salmon runs to her most recent piece about inoperable weather buoys at the mouth of the Columbia River and the impacts on local fishermen and others on the water.

“As a newspaper reporter, it’s been fun seeing the way a story transforms when you transfer it from the page to the airwaves,” she says. “In radio, you only have so much time to tell your

story, so this work has been a great exercise in learning how to be concise and pack a punch with my writing.”

I am so excited about Olivia and Sophia’s involvement with the news department in particular. They are both fantastic to work with, and quick learners. They are curious and care deeply about the work they do. It’s fun to have more voices on the air, telling stories that would be difficult for Skyler and I to get at amid all our other duties.

But, the most satisfying part of this for me, is that KMUN can be a place for people who are considering a career in journalism or who are only recently launched into that career. I love that we are providing them with a place to learn new skills and experiment with other ways of telling stories and playing with voice.

All of this, I feel, really gets at KMUN’s core: building community; bringing different people, skills and resources together; and trying something new.

Tune in for local news on KMUN, inserted throughout the Morning Edition and All Things Considered hours: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. weekdays.

Jeannine Grey Jennifer Amaya Jerry Middaugh Jesse Wagner Jim Dott Jim Santee

by Keegan Fifter Membership Director

HEY THERE! By the time you are reading this, the Spring 2024 Pledge Drive will be quickly approaching!

This is a great opportunity to support your favorite little radio station. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity to keep things going. Every pledge drive, you’ve met the station with good will and a giving spirit. This wonderful KMUNity is a beautiful representation of the power of uniting towards a common goal. Thank you for being a part of it.

This will be my second pledge drive on staff, and I’m so excited to do it again! During the Fall 2023 Pledge Drive, I was absolutely blown away by your devotion and enthusiasm for community radio. You truly make a huge difference in enriching and expanding KMUN. I am thrilled to see again, first hand, our community’s willingness to give.

During the Fall 2023 Pledge Drive, listeners donated an incredible $68,000 to KMUN. As you may recall, it was an eventful one! The power went

Spring ‘24 Pledge Drive

A Great Time to Support Community Radio!

out, causing our backup generator to show its faults. Due to your generosity, enough money was raised to replace the generator, ensuring that we will be “on” even if the power isn’t. This equipment mishap turned into a beautiful example of how your support “generates” real results. Thank you for getting us there.

The Spring 2024 Pledge Drive will commence on Monday, April 8th and go until KMUN’s 41st birthday, April 17th!

This time around, our goal is $60,000. There are many ways to show your support. Donate online, through mail, give us a call, or come by the station! I am so excited to see what you will do this time. In addition to our $60,000 goal, I also hope to see 60 new members. Tell a friend or co-worker about

why you’re a member and ask them to join the KMUNity!

Also, a big THANK YOU to all of the Luminaries who have given their pre-pledge drive support. KMUN Luminaries are vital to lighting the way for a great pledge drive. Keep being luminous!

I’m thrilled to see all of the wonderful support that I know the KMUNity will bring this pledge drive. Do you want to play a part in reaching the $60,000 goal? Donate any amount from April 8th - 17th!

Immense thanks to all who see the magic in community radio and keep the station going strong.

You rock.

With love,

Keegan Fifer Membership Director

Kathleen Morgain Kati Claborn

Larry Scott

Laura Swanson

Linda Anderson

Lisa Smith

Liz Harris

Lyle Haataja

Lynn Hadley

Marcus Lucero

Marc Ward Margarita Cullimore

Earmark Your Donation for KCPB!

Tell us all of your favorite shows and hosts in the comment box when you donate at kmun.org

Host Highlight: Jon Tullis

River of Songs

ON FRIDAY MORNINGS

when I arrive at KMUN’s Tillicum House studios, I often peer out the Joanne Rideout Scenic Viewpoint picture window and see ships passing by upriver. From this vantage point I am reminded of what it means to live along the mouth of the great Columbia River, along our rugged coastline, among the tidal wetlands, and inland to the foothills of the beautiful Coast Range.

I want the songs I play on the radio to mingle with the turning of the tides, the sounds of gulls, and the smell of salt air. And whether local residents or folks just visiting who found us on their radio dial, I want those songs to resonate with my listeners and become a part of their experience here as well. That’s the idea.

The music complements and adds to the atmosphere. I mostly play songs that celebrate the strong sense of place here, and even speak to the power of the place. For the most part, these songs are filled with imagery of fishing boats, tall cedars, big rivers, little waterfront towns, sandy stretches of shoreline, and the wind on the water. The program starts each week with Greg Brown’s lovely version of Pete Seeger’s “Sailing Down My Golden River” and it rolls right along from there, featuring artists young and old. I am still sort of new to the DJ game, but I am finding my way and connecting with listeners. I love it.

Raised with a little Japanese transis-

tor tucked under my pillow at night, I have always been a lover of music and also a big fan of radio. As a young man back on the East Coast, I listened regularly to two quintessential folk programmers. While living outside of Philadelphia I’d tune in WXPN’s Gene Shay, and while living on the South Shore of Massachusetts I’d listen to Dick Pleasants on WATD, in Marshfield. Both of these guys introduced me to a lot of great music, and now that I think of it, they provided a great example for DJs: the importance of curating playlists, providing some context and commentary, but ultimately being champions of the songs and letting them shine and speak for themselves.

When I started at KMUN a year and a half ago, I was lucky to be assigned to study under the venerable Albert Smith, who generously took me under his wing, showed me the ropes, provided encouragement, and eventually shared the Friday morning timeslot with me. I have recently retired after a 38-year career at historic Timberline

Lodge where one of my most enjoyable tasks was producing live concerts. Having had the pleasure and honor to present a lot of my musical heroes, I enjoy featuring their songs on my program. You will hear from the likes of Bill Staines, Eliza Gilkyson, Peter Rowan, Mary McCaslin, Dave Mallett, John Gorka, Gordon Bok, Steve Forbert, Tom Russell, Jonathan Edwards, David Francey, Bill Morrissey, Jimmy LaFave, Oregon locals Tom May, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn, and many, many more.

River of Songs is on the air at Coast Community Radio and “making waves” each Friday. I hope you can join me. Welcome aboard!

Hear River of Songs, Fridays on KMUN, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Michael McCusker Michael Wilson

Mick Mortlock Natalie Mallis Neal Lemery

THANK YOU TO KMUN’S BUSINESS MEMBERS!

ACTIVISM

Columbia Riverkeeper

Friends of the Willapa National

Wildlife Refuge

Pacific County Immigrant Support

Wash Away No More

ANIMAL CARE & SERVICES

Animal Haven by the Sea

Astoria Grooming

Jack Russell Rescue

Riverdog Astoria

AUTOMOTIVE

Lum’s Auto Center

COMPUTER & NETWORK

Bridgesense.com LLC

Roland Schorr & Tower

CONSTRUCTION

B Ruff Construction

Beerman Creek Construction

Chinook Custom Concrete

Corey Harn Builders

Old World Renovations

FARM & COUNTRY

46 North Farm

Blackberry Bog Farm

Fred’s Homegrown Produce

Kingfisher Farms

LaNa’s Conscious Farm

West-Davies Farm

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Bank of the Pacific

Northwest Lending Group

Rosemarie Sibley Howell, CPA PC

Thrivent Financial

Wauna Credit Union

FOOD & BEVERAGE

42nd Street Cafe & Bistro

Astoria Coffee Company

Blue Scorcher Bakery and Cafe

Bowpicker Fish & Chips

Buoy Beer Company

Columbia River Candies

Columbia River Coffee Roaster

Fort George Brewery & Public House

Gaetano’s Market and Deli

Gathered Bakeshop & Market

Little Island Creamery

North Coast Food Web

Peaceful Ferments Brewing Co.

Salt Hotel & Pub

Tokyo Teriyaki

Wanda’s Cafe & Bakery

Xanadu Astoria

HEALTH CARE & SERVICES

Astoria Chiropractic

Clatsop Care Health District

Columbia Memorial Hospital

Kathleen Moore, Full Circle

Counseling

Lower Columbia Clinic

Rinehart Clinic & Pharmacy

Seaside Wellness Center

Tracy Erfling, ND

Tranquil River Day Spa

Watershed Wellness

HOME & GARDEN

Arcadia Organic Landscaping

Arbor Care Tree Specialists

Brim’s Farm and Garden

Hauer’s Lawn Care & Equipment

McEvoy Tile & Marble

Sigil Cleaning Services

LODGING

Adrift Hospitality

Beach Property Management, Inc.

Capt. Johnson House

Land’s End at Cannon Beach

McMenamins Gearhart Hotel

Sea Nook Cottage

Twin Gables Inn

PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Brownsmead Flats

Coaster Theatre

Finnish American Folk Festival

KALA Performance Space

Kim Angelis Music

Liberty Theatre

NCRD Performing Arts Center

North Coast Chorale

Rhythm Method

PERSONAL CARE

Simply Human Art

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Across the Bar Consulting

Beveridge Geo-Services

Environmental Consulting

Blair Henningsgaard, Attorney at Law

Bruce A. Norman Plumbing

Crag Law Center

Excalibur & Associates-WA, Inc.

Haglund Kelley LLC

Jack Russell Home Services

Oregon Natural Forestry LLC

Seaside Attorneys

REAL ESTATE

Andrea Mace, Realty One Group Prestige

Andrea Mazzarella, Vesta Realty Group

Astoria Real Estate Covert Properties

RECREATION

Northwest Women’s Surf Camp

RETAIL

Astoria Co-op Grocery

Astoria Soap

Astoria Vintage Hardware

Beach Books

Cannon Beach Book Compnay

Englund Marine & Industrial Supply

Fine Art Supply

Finn Ware of Oregon

Four Winds Canvas Works

Garbo’s Vintage Wear

Gimre’s Shoes Astoria

Godfather’s Books

Harmony Soapworks LLC

Holly McHone Jewelrs

The Kite Factory

Lucy’s Books

Old Town Framing Company

Phog Bounders Antique Mall

Short Wave Astoria

Sweater Heads

Time Enough Books

Walnut Studiolo Handcrafted

Leather Goods

VISUAL ARTS & EDUCATION

Appelo Archives Center

Astoria Art Loft

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Don Frank Photography

Dragonfire Gallery

Fernhill Glass

Greg Navratil Art

Imogen Gallery

Sally Lackaff Graphical Arts

Sou’wester Arts & Ecology Center

Wild Weed Studios

OTHER

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 168

Astoria Downtown Historic District Association & Astoria Sunday Market

CoHort Agronomy

Lewis and Clark Timberlands, Managed by Nuveen Natural Capital

North County Recreation District

Sea Kayak Baja Mexico

Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club

The Ship Report

Make sure to thank these fine folks for supporting KMUN!

Olivia Palmer Pam Trenary

Patty Marks

Paul Verano Pete Serafin

by Joanne Rideout Host & Producer

AS THE WEATHER IMPROVES WITH THE APPROACH OF SPRING,

there will be more people out and about, perhaps seeing ships pass by on the astoria waterfront. If you’re a keen observer of ships, you may have noticed that some ships go in and out of the river quickly, while others seem to take their time.

The bulk carriers, those ships that tend to wait in the anchorages here off Astoria and elsewhere on the river, may be here for a week or longer. They’re handling cargoes like corn and wheat that take longer to load. But the speed demons of the maritime world in terms of cargo handling, by far, are the car carriers and container ships.

It’s easy to recognize these ships: the car carriers are odd-looking: big and blocky with high sides, to accommodate many decks of vehicles inside. Container ships give themselves away because of the tall stacks of contain-

The Price of Abundance

Restless Lives of Cargo Mariners

er boxes piled on deck, destined for trains and trucks on land.

Car carriers typically breeze into port, unload their cars, complete paperwork and other protocols and then head back downriver again. A recent car carrier here spent just 15 hours in port. With container ships, they are loaded and unloaded by huge cranes at the dock. After completing necessary procedures, they too are off again.

That doesn’t allow much downtime for tired crews who just spent two weeks or more crossing the turbulent Pacific to get here from Asia. Those ships will typically come into the river and leave less than 24 hours later.

That is the work life sailors signed on for when they took the job: months of

continuous work followed by months off. But it’s a far cry from the slower, bygone age of shipping when young men could get a job on a cargo ship and see the world.

With tight security, visiting sailors in port rarely get the chance to go anywhere off the ship, especially since the pandemic.

So when you see a car carrier or container ship passing by on the river or at sea, send them your best wishes for safe passage, and a good night’s sleep along the way.

We owe these and all mariners so much. It’s because of them and their difficult, dangerous work, that we have an almost endless selection of merchandise available to us in stores and online, an astonishing abundance that we tend to take for granted.

Hear the Ship Report on KMUN weekdays at 8:48 - 8:58 a.m., and anytime at shipreport.net

Peter Hurney

Randy Vogt

Reid Johnson

Retta Christie Ric Wallace

Dawson

Roger Rocka Sam Chapman

Sherry Zeilstra Skyler Wells

by Andy Eddy Business Development Director

MY NAME IS ANDY.

Some of you around town know me by the name “Beard” or Andy Beard. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 12 years now. Originally from the East Coast, I grew up in a cold and snowy town in northern New York. I moved to Philadelphia, Pa., in 2005 to pursue work in the TV, film, and advertising industries.

In 2011, I, along with some friends I met at the downtown Trader Joe’s, pedaled our bicycles from Philadelphia to Astoria. It was an epic cross country adventure that took us to strange, unique, and some of the most beautiful places we had ever seen. It was November 3rd in 2011 when I arrived here in Astoria on my bicycle, soaking wet, four months to the day from when I started the trip.

New Business

Andy Eddy Joins the KMUN Staff

Well, I had never seen so much rain before in my life. After some time, the rain didn’t bother me — especially if I had a warm cup of coffee and a view of the Columbia River.

After living in Astoria for a few years, I moved to Portland, Ore., and then later to Bellingham, Wa. Astoria called me back in late 2019 as my wife Sarah and I moved back to open a small business called Gathered Bakeshop and Market. Now, in 2024, I am starting a new adventure as the Business Development Director here at KMUN. In my spare time, I enjoy biking, writing, and film, listening to records, and hanging out with my wife and our two cats, Buttercup and Lucile.

Contact Andy today to learn more about how your business can support KMUN. You can reach him at the station by calling 503-325-0010, or email andy@kmun.org

Slab Slabinski Sophia Atkinson

Steven Amaya

Teresa DeLorenzo

Teresa Retzlaff Thron Riggs Tita Montero Todd Lippold

Did you miss the 2024 FisherPoets Gathering in February? Fear not! The FisherPoetry Archive is here for you. There you’ll find links to both audio and video recordings of Gatherings past, for your eternal enjoyment. thefisherpoetryarchive.com

RECENT KMUN DJ FAVORITES

View complete DJ playlists, new & old: kmun.org/playlists

Right Back To It

Waxahatchee (2024)

From The Start Laufey (2023)

Will Anybody Ever Love Me? Sufjan Stevens (2023)

Tugboats

The Brother Brothers (2017)

Going Across the Sea

The Horsenecks (2021)

Sonata in E Major L.420/K.531 Sergio & Odair Assad (2005)

Mail your completed puzzle to PO Box 269

before

to be en-

tee shirt! Include your full name

phone number to qualify.

Audio Astrology with Lady Litha

AR IE S 3/21 - 4/19 T his is your official per mission to slow down. Rest should be your top pr ior it y a s you t ransit ion toward an energet ic summer. Wind down your evening s w it h Evening Ja zz to set t he mood.

TAURUS 4/20 - 5/20 Money makes t he vorld go ‘round, and you’re no except ion. Make your summer dreams a realit y by a ssessing your habit s now. Tune in for Freakonomics to get into a moneyw ise mindset.

GEMINI 5/21 - 6/20 You may be chasing down more hope t hese days. Dig into creative endeavors t his spr ing to color in your sense of self and place in t his world. Make Unchar ted Waters your soundt rack du jour.

CANCER 6/21 - 7/22 It’s leap-of-faith season, Cancer. Express your goals to others, and you’ll find t hat t he leaps are shor ter and breezier each t ime. L ear n how ot hers leap by listening to Bioneer s.

LEO 7/23 - 8/22 Your work life is about to shift, whet her by a new project, fresh perspec tive, or f ull career change. W hichever it is, be ready. Ground yourself in t he now w it h t he energet ic Scratchy Vinyl Show.

VIRGO 8/23 - 9/22 Your rout ine-dr iven comfor t zone is safe, but you might love what’s beyond, Virgo. Step out of t he familiar and be delighted by t he results. Tr y somet hing new w it h Disco Af ter Dark to start.

LIBR A 9/23 - 10/22 Ideat ion is your spr ing t heme. Take ever y opport unit y for brainstor ming you can, and t ake good notes. They’ll come in handy ver y soon. Tur n on T he Niche to get your wheels t ur ning.

SCOR PIO 10/23 - 11/21 You may be facing complex financial decisions. Take care to protect yourself, and don’t be afraid to follow your gut. Keep your hor izons broad w it h t he New Yorker R adio Hour.

SAGI TARIUS 11/22 - 12/21 You’re likely itching to do more than just spr ing cleaning t his year. Har ness t hat energ y to invigorate your space wit h a new layout. Keep motivat ion high w it h La Mezcla on t he dial.

CAPR ICOR N 12/22 - 1/19 T his is a wonder f ul t ime to admire and ack nowledge t he posit ive connect ions in your life. Tune in to Poems for Company, choose a poem, and send it to someone you love a s t hank s.

AQUARIUS 1/20 - 2/18 Distract ion may plague you t his spr ing. R at her t han fight it, allow yourself to follow new t rains of t hought, and maybe even lear n a bit about yourself. Take some T.M.F. w it h you for luck.

PISCES 2/19 - 3/20 Money and possessions are often fluid and amorphous in your life, lit tle fish. Now ’s t he t ime to face them directly, or else fall into t he same old mistakes. Plug into Gospel Train for high spir it s.

KMUN SEEKS VOLUNTEER DJS who want to enlighten and delight-en the listeners. Inquire within (or email jack@kmun.org)

LOCAL BIRDS, looking for harmonies. Poke head out of window and whistle for more information.

LOCAL NONPROFITS NEEDED for future radio collaborations. Email emma@ kmun.org to talk about upcoming opportunities.

I SAW YOU: sitting on the bank of the river, eyes closed, heart open. Teach me your ways.

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DID YOU KNOW that there are people out there who don’t listen to the radio? Isn’t that wild? I just can’t fathom it.

ISO: Activist-leaning folk music enthusiast, to host biweekly radio show. Is it you? Email jack@kmun.org to apply.

I DROPPED $20 a few years would like to buy a new 10 gallon hat.

YOU LOOK NICE TODAY. I hope you feel nice, too.

SUBMIT YOUR WISHES to

The Tillicum Foundation stands firmly against racism and inequity in all forms.

In our programming and administration, we pledge to continue the work of pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in ways that reflect, represent, and serve the truth and complexity of our communities.

We hope that you will join us in this effort to create a more just future. Visit kmun.org to get involved.

KMUN and KCPB broadcast throughout the unceded lands of the Cayuse, Chehalis, Chinook, Clatskanie, Clatsop-Nehalem, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Siletz, Umatilla, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Willapa peoples. Visit native-land.ca to learn whose land you are on, and how to support Tribal projects and initiatives in your community.

KMUN is your community voice in the Lower Columbia Pacific region.