March 2011 | Signal Newsletter | WSIU Radio

Vol. 4, No. 3: March 2011

Signal

An Online Newsletter from WSIU Public Radio

This Month on Morning Conversations

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arch 1 • Children and Media. David Kleeman of the American Center for Children and Media President and Dafna Lemish, chair of the SIUC Radio-Television (RT) Department, will discuss upcoming events to highlight children and how today’s media affects their place in society.

March 8 • SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng March 15 • Southern Illinois Healthcare. Local specialists will discuss why their services are needed in the region and what people need to know about it. Specialists include a new surgeon at The Breast Center, a bariatric surgeon, and others.

March 22 • Science Cafe! We’ll talk biofuels with Agriculture Economist Sylvia Secchi.

March 23 • American Cancer Society. Caleb Nehring will talk about the annual Colon Cancer Drive Through event.

This screening allows patients to pick up a non-invasive, preliminary test to help them start the screening process.

March 28 • SIU President Glenn Poshard

March 29 • Friends of the Cross. Members of Friends of the Cross will discuss what’s next for the iconic Union County landmark, including upcoming events and continuing renovation efforts.

Morning Conversations, hosted

by WSIU morning news anchor and reporter Jennifer Fuller, airs at 8:30am on Tuesdays and other weekdays, as scheduled, and repeats at 5:30pm.

Bald Knob Cross.

Photo: Jenna Richardson.

All Morning Conversations episodes are available on air and on our live stream www.wsiu.org/live. You can also find them on our podcast page at http://www3.wsiu.org/radio/ morningconversation.

We also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Michael Feldman is coming to Carbondale!

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had’Ya Know?

Hilarious host Michael Feldman is bringing his popular public radio series to Carbondale!

Produced by Michael Feldman.

Wisconsin Photo: Bill Fritsch.

Public Radio and distributed

by Public Radio International (PRI), the weekly comedy quiz show is coming to Shryock Auditorium at SIU Carbondale on Saturday, March 26. Doors open at 9am, with seating requested by 9:30. The live broadcast will air from 10am – noon.

This will be Feldman’s second visit to Carbondale. He hosted a live performance at Shryock in 1998. Special guests included former U.S. Senator the late Paul Simon of Makanda, then-teenage

violin prodigy Liesl Schoenberger of Cape Girardeau, Cobden Museum curator Patrick Brumleve, and Paul and the late Guy Renzaglia of Alto Vineyards.

This year’s live show will feature Feldman’s take on “All The Southern Illinois News That Isn’t,” along with interviews of local and other special guests, performances by local musicians, and more. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available at SouthernTickets Online.com, a service of SIU Event Services, or by calling (618) 453-6000 on weekdays between 12-5pm. Prices are $50 for Director’s Circle, $40 for Orchestra, $32 for in the Side/Rear Orchestra/Lower Balcony, and $26 for Upper Balcony.

ABOUT MICHAEL FELDMAN

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Feldman worked as an English teacher for eight years, drove a cab, and became

a volunteer DJ on Madison’s WORT-FM, hosting Thanks for Calling and producing his own show, The Breakfast Special. In 1985, Feldman launched Whad’Ya Know? at Wisconsin Public Radio. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee – 25 years of hosting Whad’Ya Know? – in 2010.

Feldman has released the CDs Whad’Ya Know? About the Classics; Why Not The Best of Whad’Ya Know?; Road Kill, featuring the best of more than 80 road shows; and the music CD Her Country: The Songs of Michael Feldman featuring Feldman’s lyrics and John Sieger’s music as performed by Sieger and The Skeletons.

Book titles include 1991’s Whad’Ya Know?; 1993’s Whad’Ya Knowledge?; 1995’s Thanks for the Memos; Something I Said? Innuendo and Out the Other, released in 2004 by the University of Wisconsin Press; Glad You Asked, released in 2006 by Triumph Books; and 2009’s Whad’Ya Know? A Bathroom Reader released by Sourcebooks.

UNICEF Children’s Day of Broadcasting life is like for young men and women growing up in Africa.

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SIU Radio is participating in UNICEF’s International Children’s Day of Broadcasting. The actual day will be observed on Sunday, March 6. This year’s theme is “Boys are... Girls are.”

WSIU Radio will discuss this special day on a special Morning Conversation with guests David Kleeman, President of the American Center for Children and Media, and Dafna Lemish, Chair of the SIUC Radio-TV Department. WSIU also will air three special UNICEF features about the work of students in Africa involved with UNICEF’s youth radio initiative. The students explore what

WSIU is also co-sponsoring a special forum on Gender Equity in Children’s Media hosted by SIUC’s College of Mass Communication and Media Arts. It includes presentations and screenings of children’s TV programs from around the world. Sarah Lewison of the Radio-TV Department joins Kleeman and Lemish for the event.

WSIU-Radio Broadcasts

City Candidate Forums

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he League of Women Voters of Jackson County and WSIU Public Radio are co-sponsoring candidate forums for the candidates running for office in Carbondale’s City Elections. All forums are open to the public and will be held at the Carbondale Civic Center. WSIU Radio will broadcast the forums and air repeats prior to the April 5 election (see below).

Mayoral Candidate Forum Wed, March 9 • 7-8:30pm (repeats on WSIU on 3/14 at 8pm)

Tue, March 1 • UNICEF International Children’s Day (Special Morning Conversations)

First Council Candidates Forum

Wed, March 2 - Fri, March 4, 8:30am & 5:30pm • Special UNICEF radio features by African students

Second Council Candidates Forum

Forum on Gender Equity

Podcasts of the forums also will be available online at www.wsiu.org. City elections will be held at polling centers around Carbondale on Tue, April 5. Polls will open at 6am and close at 7pm.

Tue, March 8, 3-6pm • Boys Are...

Girls Are...Gender Equity in Children’s Media. Location: WSIU Studio A, Communications Building 1065.

Mon, March 21 • 7-8:30pm (repeats on WSIU on 3/28 at 8pm) Wed, March 23 • 7-8:30pm (repeats on WSIU on 3/29 at 8pm)

SIRIS Volunteer Profile: Joan Listen

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eet volunteer reader Joan Listen.

In 1974, Listen moved to Southern Illinois to attend SIUC and from19751977, she worked at WSIU-TV as an office manager. When Vickie Devenport came on board as the new director of SIRIS, Listen became more familiar with the organization and liked what she heard.

In 2010, Listen decided to join SIRIS as a volunteer. “I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but I didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t explore my volunteer options,” she said.

“It’s hard for me to get around, but reading for SIRIS is something I can do.”

Listen added that MS can damage a person’s eyesight, and although her vision is fine, she views volunteering for SIRIS as a way to help others who can’t read for themselves.

“SIRIS is a lifesaver for people with visual impairments,” Listen says. “I understand what it’s like to be stuck at home a lot. If I

wasn’t able to read for myself, life would be really difficult.”

Listen says that the value of SIRIS’s services are immeasurable. “If you can’t pick up the daily paper or get on the Internet, where do you get your information?” she said. “There has to be a place where people with visual disabilities can get news about their communities.”

Listen says she finds her volunteer work with SIRIS to be immensely gratifying, which is why she encourages people of all abilities to get involved.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed with a lot of good things in my life, so I want to do what I can do to help others,” she said. “Volunteering is personally very rewarding.”

To make it easier for Listen, SIRIS makes it possible for her to record from home.

SIRIS volunteer Joan Listen.

Photo: Jenna Richardson.

“I know people who don’t have time to go into the office, but they can read on weekends or nights if they talk to Vickie,” she said. “Or, people who are physically unable to come to an office can still contribute by reading from home, like I do. It’s worth the time and effort, even if you can only read one newspaper.

Don’t let a disability keep you from volunteering in your community.”

To volunteer, call (618) 453-2808 or click on the SIRIS tab at wsiu.org.

Sponsor Profile: Carbondale Main Street

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arbondale Main Street is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and improve the downtown business district of Carbondale, Illinois, to connect residents to the city center and to one another, and to better the community in which residents live, work and entertain. Executive Director Meghan Cole notes that “Although dedicated specifically to downtown Carbondale, we are part of a larger state and national network of Main Street organizations.”

She further explains that, “Many people know of us through our community events, but what many people don’t realize is that we also are active in economic development, from tracking and matching available properties to working with developers, property owners, and citizens in an effort to bring in new businesses, as well as multi-level, multi-use modern buildings that will complement the downtown’s historic structures and keep the city center dynamic and thriving. We also are very involved in design, from granting money to businesses improving their facades to landscaping the downtown area.”

“A common misperception is that we are part of the city government, but we are a distinct nonprofit group, relying on contributing members and volunteers from the community, as well as some funding support from the City and downtown property owners.

For example, donated materials and volunteer labor, as opposed to City funds, are key to our successful Curb Appeal façade improvement program.”

Carbondale Main Street (CMS) is in its second year of providing general underwriting support to WSIU Public Radio. Meghan says, “CMS decided to help sponsor the stations because public radio is a great way to reach people who are informed and active in their communities…creative, civic-minded people. We believe that Carbondale Main Street and WSIU have a lot in common because we each help to build community and a sense of connectedness, and we each work to encourage volunteerism and civic engagement. It’s a good partnership.”

She adds, “We do enjoy the comments from people who hear about us on the radio, but we also regard our underwriting as a way to give back to the community by supporting an important resource. WSIU is here for everyone, and we’re lucky to have public radio in our community.

She and several Carbondale Main Street Board members are regular listeners to WSIU Radio. Meghan reports that “I enjoy the NPR news every morning and also on my way home from work.”

Carbondale Main Street is located in the historic depot building at 121 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901. More information is available by visiting the office, by phone at (618) 529-8040, or online at carbondalemainstreet.com.

Sponsor Profile: Dr. Isaac E. Davison, DDS In describing the wide range of his dental services, he notes that, “Actually, people may be surprised to know that we do offer implant placement, something that not many general dentists provide.”

Dr. Isaac Davison and Staff Photo courtesy of Dr. Isaac Davison.

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rom his offices in Du Quoin, Dr. Isaac Davison offers all aspects of general dentistry for patients of any age, from family and children’s dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, implants, restorative dentistry and appliances, extractions, and some oral surgery.

Dr. Davison acquired the practice from Dr. David Marsden in February of 2008.

Dr. Davison notes that, “I was born and raised in Du Quoin. In fact, I grew up as a lifelong patient of Dr. Marsden! The opportunity to come home to Du Quoin and establish my career in the same offices where I visited all those years has been wonderful.”

Dr. Davison is new to the family of WSIU Radio underwriters and helps to support NPR and local news as well as weekend entertainment programs. He shares, “I listen to WSIU all the time; it’s usually the only station on in my car. I decided that underwriting would be a good way to support the station that provides so much news and information to me.”

Reflecting on why he values WSIU Radio he explains, “I appreciate the unbiased views, stories, and perspectives that public radio gives. I also like that it offers a larger world view, one that other local media doesn’t have. I truly love southern Illinois, yet I also am interested in what is happening in other parts of the country and the world.”

When asked about community response Dr. Davison replies, “Well, I only began underwriting a few weeks ago, but I’ve

had some people tell me that they hear my announcements.”

“Frankly, the community visibility wasn’t my only goal – I very much wanted to support the station. I think that’s the reason individuals and businesses in the community need to get involved – to give back to WSIU for all that it brings to them and to southern Illinois.”

He adds that his experience so far has been positive. “WSIU made it very easy for me to get involved as an underwriter, which I appreciated.”

Musing about his favorite programs, he reports, “I listen quite a bit to almost everything, but I particularly like Car Talk, Morning Edition, This American Life, and I.” For more information, Dr. Davison and his staff can be reached at 1226 S. Washington Street in Du Quoin or at (618) 542-8832.

Celtic Connections host Bryan Kelso Crow.

Photo: Rachel Snow King.

Airs Saturday @ 7pm • Sunday @ 6pm March 5 • New Releases

Tune in this week for selections from the new releases of 2011, plus some tracks from 2010 CDs.

March 12 • St. Patrick’s Warmup

Our warm-up to St. Patrick’s Day features some of Ireland’s finest singers and players in an all-upbeat show.

March 19 • They Came From Cork

Ireland’s County Cork is home to some of Celtic music’s leading singers and instrumentalists, past and present.

This week we feature the likes of Jimmy Crowley, Mairtin de Cogain, Paddy Homan, Elizabeth Cronin, Jackie Daly, Patsy O’Brien, and Nollaig Casey, and her sister Maire Ni Chathasaigh.

March 26 • Old Favorites

This week’s program features tracks from not-quite-recent CDs, all the way back to some classic selections from past decades.

April 1 • New Releases

We start the month with a sample of songs and tunes from new and recent releases from Celtic performers.

Thank You, Underwriters!

Please join us in thanking the underwriters who recently began, renewed, or expanded their partnerships to make public radio possible: Arthur Agency, Carbondale Arts Connection of Central Illinois, Effingham The Bank of Herrin, Herrin/Carterville/Marion/Energy/ Cambria The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau Cherry Insurance Services, Inc., Carbondale The Design Gallery, Carbondale Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIUC School of Music at SIUC Touch of Nature Environmental Center at SIUC Leslie P. Williams, CPA, Murphysboro

For a complete list of WSIU sponsors and information about sponsoring WSIU programming, visit us online at www.wsiu.org or call (618) 453-4286.

“I’m a big fan of public radio.”

- Jan Collins, Marion, IL

’ve been listening to public radio for many years.

Iwhen I first became very impressed with public radio I was getting up at 4 in the morning and doing a sewing business while raising two small kids. I turned on a public radio station and heard the most wonderful series about Alaska. It made me a real fan of public radio.

Now I enjoy classical music, Morning Edition, and Garrison Keillor. I used to hate Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers from Car Talk, but I have gotten used to their obnoxious laughter and now find them delightful! It’s a very bad economy, as everyone knows, and public radio needs our support. If we can all donate throughout the year, it benefits a tremendous educational effort.

I’m Jan Collins from Marion, Illinois and WSIU Public Radio is Powered by Me.

What do you love about WSIU? Tell us and we’ll share it on the air, online, or in print!

Online • www.wsiu.org/you Email • you@wsiu.org

W S I U i s P o w e r e d b y Yo u ® WSIU Public Radio Communications Building 1003 - MC 6602 Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1100 Lincoln Drive Carbondale IL 62901 • 618/453-6101 • wsiu.org • wsiuradio@wsiu.org