Signal eNewsletter | February 2011 | WSIU Radio

Vol. 4, No. 2: February 2011

Signal

This Month on Morning Conversations

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ebruary 1 • We start Black History Month with an In the Author’s Voice interview with Dr. Yvonne Thornton, M.D. (see photo right) Dr. Thornton the author of Ditch Digger’s Daughters, and now Something to Prove: A Daughter’s Journey to Fulfill A Father’s Legacy. The books chronicle her life with her workingpoor family and the legacy she hope to leave with her family.

February 8 • SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng February 15 • Southern Illinois Learning In Retirement Chair Helen Nall

February 22 • Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society members will discuss spring music events.

February 28 • SIU President Glenn Poshard Morning Conversations, hosted by Jennifer Fuller, airs at 8:30am on Tuesdays and other weekdays, as scheduled, and repeats at 5:30pm.

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 our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Love is on the Air at WSIU Public Radio Make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter for your family and friends while supporting WSIU Public Radio during our 15th Annual “Love is on the Air” fundraiser!

Send boxes of chocolates from The Chocolate Factory in Golconda to loved ones anywhere in the continental U.S., courtesy of Mail Boxes Etc. in Carbondale. Every order helps support your local public radio service on WSIU Carbondale, WUSI Olney, WVSI Mt. Vernon, and WSIU HD! Chocolates are available in half-pound boxes for a donation of $45, onepound boxes for donation of $60, and two-pound boxes for a donation of $100. Each box includes a gift card with the sender’s personalized Valentine message.

Secure pledges can be made online at wsiu.org/love or by calling 1-800-745-9748. Orders must be received by 1pm on Thursday, February 10 for delivery by Valentine’s Day. Learn more online at www.wsiu.org/love.

An Online Newsletter from WSIU Public Radio

WHAD’YA KNOW?

Coming to Carbondale

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any, irreverent, hilarious. Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know? is all of that and more.

Produced by Wisconsin Public Radio, distributed by Public Radio International (PRI), and hosted by Michael Feldman, the popular weekly comedy quiz show is coming to Shryock Auditorium at SIU Carbondale on Saturday, March 26.

Doors open at 9am, with seating required by 9:30am (no late arrivals). The live broadcast will air from 10am until noon.

“WSIU is honored to host the return of Michael Feldman and Whad’Ya Know? to Southern Illinois,” said Jeff Williams, General Manager and News & Public Affairs Director of WSIU Radio.

“This is the show’s second visit to Carbondale and to Shryock Auditorium, having hosted a live performance here in 1998,” Williams added.

“Whad’Ya Know? is a favorite with our listeners, and I couldn’t be more excited about the show’s return.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to see and participate in live radio at its best!”

The live show will take on a local flair, featuring Feldman’s take on “All The Southern Illinois News That Isn’t,” along with Feldman’s interviews of local and other special guests, performances by local musicians, and more.

TICKETS | 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 WORTFM, hosting Thanks for Calling and producing his own show, The Breakfast Special. In 1985, Feldman launched Whad’Ya Know? at Wisconsin Public Radio, which immediately attracted both critical acclaim and a loyal coast-to-coast audience.

SIRIS Volunteer Profile: John & Cheryl Jarvis

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eet volunteer readers, John and Cheryl Burke Jarvis. The couple recently moved to Southern Illinois in June 2009 from Texas. Cheryl has always listened to NPR/Public Broadcasting wherever she was living.

“I’m happy that Carbondale is a big enough town and University to have an NPR station,” Cheryl said. “I listen to NPR all the time and that’s actually how I heard about SIRIS.”

John appreciates what SIRIS offers to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. “If we can provide that service and allow them to hear their local news, so they know what is going on in their communities, I think that’s a great contribution,” John said.

John and Cheryl started volunteering with SIRIS in October 2010. Both journalism majors, they were looking for volunteer opportunities and thought SIRIS would be a good fit for their interests and experience. “I donate blood as often as I can and it’s a lot like SIRIS,” said John. “It cost you absolutely nothing, but it benefits many other people.”

“I feel like we are very lucky people,” Cheryl said. “We’ve been able to do a lot for ourselves, and I feel like we owe a little bit of that back. People have helped us along the way, and volunteering helps us to pay it forward.

We’ve got the time, abilities, and resources and we want to be able to share some of that with others.”

Cheryl also volunteers with Saint

SIRIS volunteer John & Cheryl Jarvis.

Photo: Jenna Richardson.

The couple hopes that SIRIS can help people feel more connected to the community.

Francis CARE, which is a no kill-animal shelter. “I volunteer every week where I help with their adoption events at Petco, and exercise, train, and care for the animals at the shelter. It’s much more time-consuming, but it’s something I have a passion for.”

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

Black History Month Specials Say It Loud: Great Speeches on Civil Rights and African American Identity

February 2 • 8pm Say It Loud traces the last 50 years of black history through stirring, historically important speeches by African Americans from across the political spectrum. It includes landmark speeches by Malcolm X, Lorraine Hansberry, Angela Davis, Martin Luther King Jr., Henry Louis Gates, and many others.

State of Siege: Mississippi Whites and the Civil Rights Movement

February 9 • 8pm Mississippi occupies a distinct and dramatic place in the history of America’s civil rights movement. No state in the South was more resistant to the struggle for black equality. Drawing on newly discovered archival audio and groundbreaking research on the civil rights era, State of Siege brings to light the extraordinary tactics whites in Mississippi used to battle integration and the lasting impact of that battle in American politics today.

Back of the Bus: Mass Transit, Race, and Inequality

February 16 • 8pm Many African American communities were weakened or nearly destroyed by highways built in the 1960s. Today, bus service to poor neighborhoods is cut in favor of more expensive rail.

Transportation Nation and WNYC American RadioWorks collaborate to present this new documentary about the fight for equal rights on America’s roads and transit lines.

Maya Angelou’s Black History Month Special

February 23 • 8pm Renowned poet Maya Angelou celebrates Black History Month in this one-hour special with discussions on film, the meanings behind African American comedy, and stories from her childhood, civil rights memories, and poetry. Guests include rapper Common, comedian Chris Rock, director Lee Daniels, and educator and activist Dr. Cornell West.

WSIU Radio Underwriter Profile: SIU School of Law Graduate Legal Studies

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he School of Law at SIU offers not only a Juris Doctor degree (the degree commonly conferred by law schools) but also the Master in Legal Studies (M.L.S.) Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degrees. According to Thomas C. Britton, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Graduate Legal Studies, this puts the SIU School of Law in select company.

Britton explains that, “We wanted to partner with WSIU Public Radio because the kinds of people who listen to WSIU are the people who can most benefit from the M.L.S. program - people who are well-educated and already actively engaged in their careers, and who seek to enhance their knowledge of legal issues to complement what they already do.”

Britton notes that, “Many other universities offering a Master in Legal Studies provide their program through the departments of Political Science. We are among only a handful of law schools that offer the M.L.S. through the School of Law, taught by law faculty.”

“We also believe it is important to support WSIU, and the School of Law overall has been a program underwriter for years. Public radio is important…It’s serious radio, radio for adults - no matter how old they are!” Laughing, he explains that “I’m always thrilled when I discover that my own children have left the car radio on, tuned to WSIU.”

The L.L.M is the first advanced degree for lawyers beyond the J.D. The M.L.S. degree is a post-baccalaureate for those who desire an advanced knowledge of law and the U.S. legal system, but do not wish to become lawyers, e.g., for people with significant career experience who wish to enhance their career or change career direction.

Britton reports a very positive response to Graduate Legal Studies’ sponsorship of WSIU Radio news and weekend entertainment this year. “Many people have mentioned learning about our programs through WSIU. I would recommend it to other departments and

SIU School of Law University Photo: Photocommunications

businesses as a good investment.

Working with WSIU lets people know you’re part of the larger community. It gets your name out into the region in a very affordable way.”

He himself is a longtime fan. “I love Car Talk, Michael Feldman’s What’Ya Know?, and all the other Saturday morning programs. WSIU news is important to me on a daily basis, and I’ve listened to Dick Estell read many books!”

Details about the SIU School of Law Master in Legal Studies (M.L.S.) and Master of Laws (L.L.M.) can be found at www.law.siu.edu or (618) 453-8980.

WSIU Radio Underwriter Profile: The Stage Company

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he Stage Company, now housed in the Varsity Center for the Arts in Carbondale, is a not-forprofit volunteer community theater providing live performance entertainment to Carbondale and southern Illinois. According to Craig Hinde, Stage Company President, the organization does not receive state or municipal funds but rather operates through ticket sales and private contributions.

Craig also notes that, “Many people don’t realize we now are in our 29th continuous season (which includes four plays in the main season and a summer family show)! Also, we’re always looking for new members who enjoy working in theater, donating time to create shows that the community appreciates. In addition to acting, there are many roles in

set design and construction, costuming, lighting and sound, acquisition of stage props and so forth.”

Craig explains that the Stage Company decide to become a WSIU Radio underwriter because, “A high percentage of our patrons listen to WSIU so we feel we are efficiently reaching current patrons, as well as potentially new theater goers…[and] we share values in that both organizations are not-forprofit, community-based groups offering entertainment and information to encourage a richer cultural environment.”

In reflecting on the outcomes of this partnership, Craig notes that “We haven’t done a statistical survey, but we receive many anecdotal comments from people who have heard our underwriting announcements and interview segments.

I would recommend underwriting to others because it is a way of showing support for a valuable community asset (WSIU), but at the same time, getting your name in front of the public so you become associated with good things that are going on in our region.”

He adds that, “Public broadcasting offers important programming which is not available elsewhere. It adds immensely to a well informed cultural community. And a well informed cultural community adds value to our lives.”

In reflecting on his own personal enjoyment of public radio, Craig says “I enjoy about 90% of the programming on WSIU-FM and I can’t think of another media outlet I can say that about. I enjoy local newspapers, but I don’t read anything close to 90%…I enjoy commercial television, but not 90% of the programming. I enjoy going to movies, but no where near 90% of what is being offered. So I believe WSIU Radio is a great value!”

More information about Stage Company performances and volunteer opportunities can be found online at www.thestagecompany.org, or by visiting them at The Varsity Center for the Arts, 418 S. Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, (618) 549-5466.

C Saturday @ 7pm • Sunday @ 6pm February 5 • 20th Anniversary Special We’re celebrating 20 years of Celtic Connections! Enjoy our monthly roundup of new and recent releases, plus a whole lot more (see article at right for more details)!

February 12 • Songs of Love and Courtship We celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with songs of love and courtship from the Celtic and British Isles traditions.

February 19 • What’s New From Scotland?

What’s new from Scotland? Tune in this week to find out, as we sample vocal and instrumental tracks from recent Scottish releases.

February 26 • From the Record Shelf We’re going all vinyl this week as host Bryan Kelso Crow selects favorite tracks from some 200 LP record albums on his shelf.

Thank You, Underwriters!

Please join us in thanking the underwriters who recently began, renewed, or expanded their partnerships to make public radio possible: 9th Street Grill, Mount Vernon Arts Connection of Central Illinois, Effingham Attitude Designs, Carbondale Big Muddy Film Festival at SIUC Budslick Counseling & Psychotherapy Services, Carbondale Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center, Paducah Chocolate Factory, Dixon Springs Forbes Financial Group Illinois State Museum Southern Illinois Art Gallery, Whittington Kiwanis Noon Club, Carbondale Mail Boxes Etc., Carbondale Neighborhood Co-Op Grocery, Carbondale Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIUC Dr. Sujatha Rao of Hem-Onc Care, Carbondale SIU Event Services for Southern Lights Entertainment Women for Health & Wellness, Inc., Carterville

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.

Jennifer Fuller Appointed President of INBA

ongratulations to Jennifer Fuller, who was recently elected President of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) Board of Directors.

She will complete the term of former-President Melissa Hahn, who left the position to take a job in state government. Fuller previously served as Treasurer and Vice-President of the Board. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television from SIUC and a Master’s in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Celtic Connections 20th Anniversary Special Saturday, February 5 • 7pm

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appy birthday, Celtic Connections!

Produced by WSIU Radio and hosted by musician Bryan Kelso Crow, an associate professor in Speech Communication at SIU Carbondale, Celtic Connections has been entertaining audiences with traditional and contemporary Celtic music from around the world since February 3, 1991. It’s now heard on nearly 150 stations in 30 states!

In this 20th Anniversary Special, Crow will present a mix of new releases and excerpts from the past 20 years-worth of “Album of the Year” winners, along with portions of interviews with some of those performers.

Crow also promises a few surprise tracks and a repeat of the first song he ever played on the program, “My Irish Molly-O,” which inspired the name of his daughter.

Governor’s State Budget Message WSIU Radio and WSIU-TV will air live coverage of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s Budget Message to the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, February 16 at noon, followed by analysis and commentary. Illinois Public Radio and the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council are providing the live coverage to stations statewide. NOTE: WSIU-TV will air repeats of the Budget Message at 10:30pm on February 17 and on WSIU World (8.2, 16.2) on Thursday, February 17 at 7pm and Saturday, February 19 at 8:30pm.

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