Valley Free Radio » vfr

2010 VFR Re-Application Form

Tony Shannon — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 06:12:24 +0000

2010 VFR Re-Application Form
Dates for re-application are June 18, 2010 till September 7, 2010.
The form will no longer be available after the cut off date.
All programs on VFR, even those wanting Pay to Play or currently are Pay to Play,
must fill out this form. The Pay to Play sections are now in the new re-application form.

What is Pay to Play?
Pay to Play
This option is for those folks who know they wont qualify for re-approval during the 2010 VFR Program Re-Application process.
* A show that is currently on the air may elect to become a pay-to-play show.
* Payment is required in advance quarterly.
* The fee for the year beginning November 1, 2010 is $125 per quarter
(Feb 1; May 1; Aug 1)
* There will be no scholarships for pay to play.

Terms of Pay to Play: Payment under this program does not include voting
rights and your program needs to participate in on-air fund drives. All
participants (programmers/guests/engineers/etc.) will comply with all
station policies and FCC guidelines.
Pay to Play programs do not need to pay the Yearly Membership Fee.
Pay to Play participation does not guarantee program air day or time.

You will find a link to the 2010 VFR Program Re-Application Form here: http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/resources/programmer-documents/

Thank You,
VFR Board of Directors

Valley Free Radio Quarterly General Membership Meeting Agenda /June 2010

Tony Shannon — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:57:18 +0000

The Valley Free Radio Quarterly General Membership Meeting will be
held:

Wednesday June 16, 2010, 7:00 PM
Media Education Foundation
60 Masonic St.
Northampton, MA 01060

Agenda:

Reapplication
Five year anniversary
Painting the studio
Pay to Play for all
Anti racism amendment

Announcement of Work Sunday – This Sunday, June 6

VFRWebCom — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:39:12 +0000

Announcement:

We will be holding a special station manager training this Sunday June 6^th, in conjunction with new programmer training. 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Also, work Sunday will be simultaneously doing valuable station work from 10:00 AM on through 4:00 PM. Come join us for cleaning and organizing, and possibly website work, repair and maintenance and much more. We need your help, support, involvement.

Questions: write, email the BOD: board@valleyfreeradio.org

The Slippery Critters Enviro Show

Enviro Show — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:17:10 +0000

Greetings Earthlings. Happy Air Quality Awareness Week! How’s that “Drill, Baby Drill!” working out for ‘ya? We’ll be looking into some of the slippery characters and their corporado friends responsible for the slippery critters in the unmitigated disaster in the Gulf of Mexico; that during The Enviro Show Echo Chamber. Research professor at the Department of Natural Resources Conservation, UMass Amherst, and leader of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Stephen DeStefano joins us to talk about those critters slipping through your yard. His recent book, “Coyote at the Kitchen Door” is making the rounds here in the studio. As usual, we’ll delve into some of the local news in our E-Valley-uation segment and do The Enviro Show Quote of the Week, but first it’s time for….

Revenge of the Critters! Sea Turtles aren’t simply victims of us four-leggeds ‘ya know. Tables turned on the little surfer girl!

In the Enviro Show Quote of the Week we turn to Rachel Carson once again:

“It is a curious situation that the sea, from which life first arose, should now be threatened by the activities of one form of that life”.

“Beds are Burning” by Midnight Oil takes us to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we go straight to Hell via the Gulf of Mexico. Opps! Sorry, wrong Hell. We meant to go HERE. The BP oil well blow-out disaster took the lives of 11 workers, but how many other beings will die? Will the Gulf Deadzone be ….um..deader? What about the effect of all those dispersants? And this: how about MORE OFFSHORE OIL WELLS! No? Then tell Obama to forget oil drilling off our coastlines! Finally, did MMS rubber stamp BP’s oil well operation? Would that be the same MMS that rubber stamped the Cape Wind corporate giveaway??

In our E-Valley-uation segment we focus on The Quabbin Walk scheduled for Monday, May 17 to Sunday, May 23. Will you be joining us on the Walk? Up a tree?

Then it’s on to our interview with Stephen DeStefano followed by a trip to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Friday, May 14 Day of Action in response to the Gulf Coast oil crisis. The price of burning fossil fuels is too high. From extraction to combustion, the oil industry poisons our communities, destroys ecosystems, and destabilizes the climate. Now is the time to stop offshore drilling dead in its tracks. Take action at: BP gas stations and offices, Federal Buildings or Offices of members of Congress. Go to: www.actforclimatejustice.org

Saturday. May 15 & Sunday, May 16. Training for Transition. The First Congregational Church and the Montague Grange in Montague Center. At the Training for Transition course, you will Explore how the Transition process increases community resilience in energy and other aspects of self-reliance. Call: 413-781-6045 x311

Monday, May 17 to Sunday, May 23. Beginning in North Orange going eastward toward Petersham and ending in New Salem, the Walk hopes to raise awareness that future survival of life on Earth for all species is being threatened by deforestation all over the planet. Call (413) 522-7505

Thursday, May 20, 5pm to 7pm. Compost and Rain barrel Distribution at the DPW, 125 Locust St., Northampton. Contact GREEN Northampton, info@GREENNorthampton.org or Karen at the DPW, 413-587-1570 x314

What a week for Mother Earth(groan). Next time it’s Forest Forensics with Tom Wessels. Tune in and remember: listen to YOUR Mother!

Next Training Day/Work Sunday

Tony Shannon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:16:45 +0000

Due to first Sunday being Easter, we are postponing both the training
and work Sunday to the following week.
Now, Work Sunday and Training Day is:

April 11th

Work Sunday: 11:00-4:00 PM

Midweek Politics with David Pakman – 03.03.2010

David Pakman — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:06:19 +0000

This Week on Midweek Politics with David Pakman / March 3rd, 2010

Total Running Time: 60:00

This Week’s Topics:

–Orly Taitz, the lawyer, dentist, and real estate agent at the head of the birther movement, joins us live.

–Matthew Rothschild, Editor of The Progressive, joins us live to discuss healthcare and surveillance of liberal activist and peace groups.

–Midweek Politics now available on Stitcher, an app for phones.

–The healtchare summit, including exchanges between President Obama and Eric Cantor, Lamar Alexander, and John McCain.

–Fact-checking the healthcare summit.

–Why Democrats should use reconciliation to pass healthcare reform, even though the bill itself has been watered down more and more, as a political move given that 2010 is already looking bad for them.

–Wrapping up the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, including final medal counts, and a sad but true sign about healthcare held up by a Canadian fan caught on camera.

–Republican legislator Bob Marshall says disabled children are God’s punishment for abortion.

–The activist group Atheist Agenda organizes a program to trade bibles for porn in San Antonio, and the results are hilarious.

–Senator Inhofe wants to investigate what he calls the global warming hoax after some parts of the US received plenty of snow during winter.

–Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons is caught in the Las Vegas airport with a woman named in his divorce papers minutes after denying she was with him, on the same plan as him, and returning from a trip with him in an amusing confrontation.

–Voters who switched to the Democratic Party to screw up the primary in 2008 at the request of Rush Limbaugh are now finding themselves in an unfortunate, but funny, situation.

–A JFK airport air traffic controller allowed his son to direct air traffic for a few minutes, and we have the audio.

–Audience emails about Joe Biden on Ash Wednesday, corporate personhood, and Scott Brown’s use of the Austin plane crash to play politics.

–Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dpakman

–Check out Midweek Politics TV: http://www.youtube.com/midweekpolitics

–Join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=259017165642

Midweek Politics with David Pakman – 02.24.2010

David Pakman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:03:07 +0000

This Week on Midweek Politics with David Pakman / February 24th, 2010

Total Running Time: 60:00

or right-click here to download for later

This Week’s Topics:

–Former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis joins us live.

–Glenn Beck’s show runs without advertisements in the UK due to everyone bailing out.

–Steve Doocey suggests all plane crashers/bombers look the same, quickly forgetting about the underwear bomber and the Austin plane crash.

–Fox News’ troubles continue, mislabeling JD Hayworth as Former CongressWOMAN, and using the word Presiddent’s, and fawn over Lou Dobbs.

–A Michael Savage clip triggers a google alert for David Pakman, and it is an internet troll with which we are familiar.

–UK journalist Kay Burley does not understand the ash on Joe Biden’s forehead on Ash Wednesday.

–8 of 10 kidnappers for Jesus are release from a Haitian prison, and we wonder why the Pope is so offensive and far-fetched to evangelicals that already believe in virgin births, resurrection, the planting of dinosaur fossils by God to test their faith, and more.

–An overwhelming majority of Americans, regardless of political party, oppose the corporate personhood ruling by the Supreme Court.

–Analysis of the Austin plane crash, and Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s bizarre connecting of the crash to his election.

–Stimulus hypocrites: A handful of members of Congress that publicly opposed the stimulus, and then asked for a ton of money from it.

–The hijinks at CPAC, including the crowd going nuts for Newt Gingrich as he is introduced to the sound of Eye of the Tiger, and his statement about the secular, Socialist machine that is the Democrats.

–Bob Barr is shouted down at CPAC for mentioning a legal fact, that waterboarding is torture.

–Ron Paul wins a straw poll at CPAC for the 2012 presidential race.

–Colin Powell comments on Obama’s first year in office, and disagrees with Dick Cheney that Obama has made the country less safe.

–Tony Kornheiser is suspended from ESPN for his comments about reporter Hannah Storm.

–Audience emails about Evan Bayh, insulting Midweek Politics, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and the Westboro Baptist Church.

–Follow us on Twitter

–Check out Midweek Politics TV

–Join our Facebook group

Show Website: Midweek Politics with David Pakman

Board Minutes 1.6.10

Bill Baue — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:49:30 +0000

Valley Free Radio Board of Directors Meeting

Jan 6, 2009

Present: Tony Udell (chair), Bob Gutowski, Arjuna Griest, Shawn Smith, Charles Marchand, Tony Shannon, Preacha, Dana Prescott, Steve Cutting, Kathryn Reason, Bob Gardner (notetaker)

Tech Issues: there is no right channel sound emanating. May just be a connection problem. Continuing problems with automation downloading and file transfers.

Problem with playing PSAs from DJ computer.

Purchase requests: headphone purchases: no for present; Bob Gutowski will take

A look at current lot for repairs, and we will revisit

Recorder purchase: we will research a recorder that uses records on thumb drives [USB port]. New computer: we will try using one of the old STL computers, instead of purchasing. Air filter: only works on high or off; we will try to fix to low setting only.

Scent free: reminder will go out on listserves.

Programmers should note: Shows should remember to end their shows early, whether or not followed by a live show.

Board Meeting Space: Katherine will check out Forbes Library, and Arjuna will check out the Unitarian Church for future board meetings. [MEF room may not be sufficient as to IAQ* for a long time, due to new carpeting]. Friends Meeting House space on Center Street, Northampton, problematic in that front door has to be locked down at all times.

Fundraising: Shawn stepping down as Fundraising Coordinator, but willing to continue on fundraising committee. We need to find a new coordinator. Underwriting proposal:

Shows will be able to fulfill their volunteer hours by finding and negotiating underwriting for their shows. [approved] A volunteer is needed and wanted for replacing Shawn as fundraising committee coordinator.

Promotion: the first meeting of the promotionn committee will be on the third Wednesday of January, MEF, 7:00 PM. We will attempt to have all subcommittees meeting in that space that night [either in different corners of the room, or at staggered times].

Show Reviews: few shows had fulfilled requirements, which include volunteer hours, payment of 2010 member fees, contact information, signup for announcement listserve, etc. We switched to discussing new show compliance: only one has paid member frees,

[Doodlebug Junction], none had performed work, including attending meetings. Before more drastic action, it is referred back to Programming Committee for action by liaisons. We discussed requiring Board approval for new shows to start, without decision. Again to be taken to Programming Committee first.

*Indoor Air Quality

What’s The Scents In This?

Tony Shannon — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:28:28 +0000

What’s The Scents In This?
Remember,
Valley Free Radio is a

You may think, Oh, I don’t wear cologne or perfume.
However allot of deodorants, hair products, aftershave, hand lotion, soap, etc, etc,
Things you wouldn’t normally think about, contain fragrance.
Sometimes they can linger for days.
Some folks at VFR have serious reactions to these products.
Asthma, sinus disorders repeated infections, and some learning disabilities, to mention a few, can be triggered by the chemicals used in an effort to smell “good”. We buy into the advertising, without consideration to potential health risks.
Those that oppose fragrance restrictions feel their rights are being violated, what about the violation of personal air space for the person who has sensitivities? Wearing fragrances is no different than smoking; it should remain a personal choice used in personal air space, but not at the cost of someone else’s health.
We all share the same air space at VFR.
Please keep this in mind when coming to the studio.
Alert any guests coming in as well.

Thank You,
Tony Shannon
VFR Board of Directors

P.S.
How to Be Fragrance Free

http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html

General Membership Meeting Minutes 12-16-09

Tony Shannon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:54:10 +0000

Valley Free Radio
Dec 16, 2009
General Membership

Present: Tony Shannon (chair), Ed Russell, Preacha, Chris Elliott, Bob
Gutowski, Dana Prescott, Bob Gardner (notetaker).

Announcements: next board meeting at Friends Meeting House, first
Wednesday in January.

Quarterly Meetings of General Membership: proposal was to amend
bylaws, which previously mandated monthly general membership meetings,
to require at least quarterly meetings. Board will set the date and
time. Dollar limit for board spending stays the same, except for
emergencies, such as replacement of critical equipment. Target
months: Oct, Jan, April, July. Approved.

Membership definition (bylaw change): A member in good standing is any
volunteer or programmer who has performed four hours of work in the
previous month, or 12 hours of work in the quarter, and has paid
membership dues, as approved by the organization. Passes.

Committee Reports: Tech Comm- automation computer is “crappy”, or the
sound card is bad. Democracy Now did not play on Thursday—problem
with the automated loading from Juice. We will try putting in the
soundcard from old STL computer into automation computer to address
distortions. The STL computer will also be setup to try running
automation. Fundraising Committee (no member present) but we set the
next two pledge drives: 1st- April 25th Sunday thru May 1st; 2nd-
first week in September. Promotion & Marketing: third weds of January
20th first meeting. Finance Committee: We have 6190.95 in our three
accounts combined [Paypal, checking & savings]; Programming Committee:
needs one or two coordinators. Chris Elliott was elected as
programmer coordinator. Underwriting: see separate minutes. Ideas at
meeting: if shows want to line up their own, they should communicate
with underwriting committee, so that 10 shows don’t walk into Turn it
Up to ask about underwriting. Also, Tony is suggesting having a
generic underwriting message that actually doesn’t mention the show
“the following hour is sponsored. by_____.” Board Report: next board
meeting will begin reviewing old and new shows, addressing compliance
issues All members are urged to post their work hours. We also are
planning a tour of other low power community stations; interested, non-
board members are welcome to join us.

Pay to Play: shows approved for pay to play may now either pay in
advance quarterly or bi-annually [$125/qtr, $225/half-year] or can
subscribe weekly or monthly via Paypal [$10/week, or $40/month].

LPFM mini-conference: postponed till later meeting.

Quarterly Compliance Checkup

Tony Shannon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:39:33 +0000

Quarterly Compliance Checkup

Taken from the last board notes:

Quarterly compliance checkup [all shows]: first review period—Oct thru Dec, Shows will be reviewed at January meeting.

Thank You,
Tony Shannon

1/6/10 VFR Board Meeting Change Of Usual Space

Tony Shannon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:33:49 +0000

1/6/10 VFR Board Meeting Change Of Usual Space

This weeks, Wed 1/6/10 VFR Board Meeting is being held at:

Friends Meeting House
43 Center St.
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060

In the Social Room. 7pm – 9pm

A writing group will be meeting about the same time in Room #3.
So remember to keep it a little quiet please.

Remember programmers, meetings now count as work ;)

Thank You,
Tony Shannon
VFR Board of Directors

NEW Off-Air Volunteer Hours Reporting Form

Tony Shannon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:31:03 +0000

Since the vote on the new programming policy, there is now a NEW Programming Off-Air Volunteer Hours Reporting Form to go with that.
It’s available here: http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/resources/programmer-documents/
Click on the sentence that says, Programmers Off-Air Volunteer Hours Reporting Form.
It will open up to the correct form.
Under current policy, 4 hours in one month or a minimum of 12 hours in 3 months is required.
Remember meetings count as work now.

Rock, Folk, Press Veteran’s Day Commeration Special

Steve C. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:08:37 +0000

The show will feature clips from Award Winning Producer/ Director Lexy Lovell’s new documentary “The Good Soldier” which tracks the progress of 3 Veteran’s returning home from three Wars: WWII, Vietnam and Gulf War One as they attempt to assimilate in to society. The excerpt was presented on Bill Moyer’s Journal this past Friday 11/6. It packs a powerful antiwar message. The film itself will be released to the general public Wed 11/11 Veterans’s day. Hear clips here first. Our show will also feature excerpts from a Bill Moyers editorial in which he challenges a Washington Post editorial of 10/30/09 that calls the US presence in Afhanistan a “neccesary war.”
Moyers calls for institution of a draft to make the military call up which Obama will inevitably announce soon more equitable.
Hear it here first on the Rock Folk, Press Issues Show Tues 11/10 – 2:00 -4:00 WXOJ-LP 103.3 Northampton,MA

Programming Meeting Minutes 11.2.2009

Derek Goodwin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:41:51 +0000

In Attendance: Derek Godwin, Don Persons, Keely Malone, Tony Shannon, Warren Odess-Gillett, Bob Gardner, Jaqueline Maidana, Ed Russell

Next Meeting will be Wednesday December 9th from 6-8pm at VFR

Scheduling Updates

Antidote Radio – Katherine is thinking of changing her time. Only other weeknight slot available would be Friday from 7-9pm, which we will offer her.
The syndicated show Media Matters will be replayed at noon on Wednesdays
Ed Russell’s show Active Ingredients will be repeating on Sundays from 8-9:30am
The syndicated T.U.C. will be aired Mondays from 8:30-9pm

New Show Proposals

Think Metal is going to air on Thursday’s from 3-5pm
Doodlebug Junction (Tom Dietner) programmer has paid membership dues and been trained. Does he need to sit in on existing shows? Wants evening slot from 7-9pm. We are offering him Sunday from 7-9pm.
Popular Influence (Allen Watts, Max Pearl) electronic and dance music, wants Thursday from 9-11am. Music liaison should check to see if they have been trained.
Valley Tango was previously produced on VFR by Jacqueline Maidana who wants to return with the show. We can give her Wednesday from 10am-noon slot. Wants to be (re)trained, will be put in touch with Tony Udell. Otherwise approved.
Folk to Funk, Rock to Rag (Beth Jezyk) Music liaison will be asked to talk to her about available times.
Bob Gardner suggests we air the syndicated Woodsong Old Time Radio Hour on either Sunday from 1-2pm or Friday evening from 7-8pm if Antidote Radio does not move to that time.
All Acoustic by Steve Cutting. Keely will talk to Steve about available times after Antidote Radio and Doodlebug have been assigned times. Steve’s preferences in order of choice are Sun 7-9pm, Friday from 9-11pm, and Saturday from 6-8pm.

Deadline for Pay to Play payments was November 1st. Vibrant Living, At Home with Sidra and Tommy Twilight need to pay before they go on the air again.

The Arts & Culture Collective is down to four shows. Jacqueline Maidana is going to take over as liaison. Keely will get the collective’s contact info to her.

Show Reviews: Bob Gardner requests that all new shows be reviewed after three months. Programmers are urged to update their volunteers and meeting attendance monthly. All forms are available on Programmer Documents Page. All programmers should be on the VFR announcements email list as well, available on same page.

New Volunteer Jobs Needed: Broadcast Schedule Bulletin Board at station needs updating, also programmer contact information (database?) needs updating.

Derek Goodwin will be leaving for the winter, will syndicate Vegan Radio while he is gone. Education and Social Issues Collective will have a meeting to elect a new liaison.

BREAKING NEWS: Enviro Show, LLC proposes mountaintop removal for Mt. Tom!

Enviro Show — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:54:31 +0000

A proposal to remove the top few hundred feet of Mt. Tom in Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke, MA was made public today by the Enviro Show, LLC. Mr. Glen Ayers, spokesperson for the company stated: “We are not sure exactly what important geologic materials are buried deep inside of Mt. Tom, but it could be something that is needed somewhere in the world, and who ever needs it should not be concerned about the impacts that blowing off the top of this mountain will have on our local environment.”

The proposed operation would remove the top part of the mountain with explosives to get at the deeper, economically important geologic
materials. Ayers said the Old Growth Forest and the excess overburden from the blasting could be bull-dozed and dumped into the Whiting Street Reservoir which is conveniently located down hill, providing plenty of capacity for spoil materials and any associated toxic wastes that the mining will generate. The project is seen as a boon to economic development in the region.

Ayers noted that “Immediately next to the Mt. Tom State Reservation is the Mt. Tom Power Plant on the banks of the Connecticut River, which gets its coal from mountain top removal operations in Central Appalachia, burning 1,200 tons every day to generate CO2 and 146 Megawatts of much needed electricity. That coal is delivered by 80-car long trains, directly from the mines in places like Rawl, West Virginia”. Ayers says that mountain top removal has become an accepted practice and that it will benefit the community through the creation of jobs and eventual recreation
opportunities on the leveled area.

“This represents a good business opportunity”, says Ayers. “We are looking for smart investors, and expect the State of Massachusetts and the Patrick Administration to fully support this important effort to improve the economy of the Pioneer Valley. Public lands are special places that should be used to benefit society, industry, and the local economy. Such uses have a long and proud history in the Valley.”

The Enviro Show, LLC, plans for this site include creating a large flat treeless expanse that will better support future development
opportunities. Some ideas that may be pursued on the reclaimed site are community or private football and athletic fields, golf courses,
cross-country skiing, community gardens, parkland and open space, and solar panel arrays, making this proposal a truly “green” opportunity. Its win-win-win for everyone!

######

For more information contact Glen Ayers at The Enviro Show, LLC

October 21, 2009 GM Minutes (Annual Meeting)

VFRWebCom — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:14:48 +0000

October 21, 2009 General Membership Meeting (MEF Community Room – 60 Masonic Street)

Meeting began at 7:05 PM

Attending: Andy Sewell, Ed Russell, Arjuna Greist, Bob Gardner, Dana Prescott, Charles Merchand, Courtney Whitely (Preecha), Rikk Desgres, Tony Udell, Steve Cutting, Joel Saxe

Announcements: The Vote to renew the membership dues was pushed to the next GM – Wednesday, November 18.

AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS (amending number of board members require for Board of Directors) vote:

After discussion to change the proposed amendment language for clarity and to foster more participation; a vote was held to amend the bylaws:

“The size of the board shall be no less than five (5) and no more than nine (9) members.”

VOTE: 9 for; 1 opposed; 1 abstained – amendment passed.

Annual Board Election for new Board of Directors (serving beginning November 2009).

Candidates with submitted desire to serve: Bob Gardner; Steve Cutting; Steve Curylo; Tony Udell; Arjuna Greist

No additional persons at the meeting voiced desire to run.

**Reminder that a nominated person, including write-ins, must receive a minimum of 5 votes to obtain a board seat. All nominees receiving 5 or more votes will obtain a Board seat, if one is available. Board seats are based on plurality, meaning the person with the highest number of votes is appointed to the first available seat, then the next highest number of votes, until all seats are filled, or until no more nominees receiving 5 or more votes are left. **

Two Board members from the last Board who have a year left to serve are remaining on the Board (Tony Shannon and Katherine Reason). Due to the above passed Bylaw amendment, setting the board size to no less than 5; no more than 9, there are no less than 3, no more than 7 board seats available.

Voting Results (listed by highest number of votes obtained):

Bob Gardner (11)
Tony Udell (10)
Arjuna Greist (9)
Steve Cutting (8)
Steve Curylo (8)
Ed Russell (write-in) – Less than 5
Joel Saxe (write-in) – Less than 5

The Board of Directors of Valley Free Radio, as of November 1, 2009 is:

Tony Shannon, Katherine Reason, Bob Gardner, Tony Udell, Arjuna Greist, Steve Cutting, Steve Curylo. The first Board Meeting will be Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 7 pm at MEF. Board positions (co-chairs, clerk, other roles) to be determined at that meeting.

For ease of transition, both new board members and the most recent years’ board members will be on the board mailing list (board@valleyfreeradio.org). Board members leaving the board as of November 1 will be removed on November 1.

Congratulations to the new board members.

Pledge Week discussion

A discussion of the upcoming pledge week (Sunday, October 24 – Saturday, October 31) was initiated. There was scheduled to be more organizational meetings, but who was organizing, attending, and at what location was not clear. It was believed that an organizational meeting would be held Thursday, October 22 at 4.30 pm at the station – but that was not confirmed.

Among the items discussed, a few key items were determined:

An option for processing Credit Cards would be obtained.
Any premium offered to listeners making donations must be provided by and delivered by the programmer offering the premium.
Programmers are not required to do non-stop promoting the fund drive during their slot time, but as much as possible to encourage listeners to either call in or pledge online.
Volunteers to be a Day Captain for each of the 7 days of the pledge drive would be helpful in encouraging programmers to be in the station to help raise funds (more details below).
The Voice Mail of the office line and the Automation Computer should be adjusted during the entire week to help promote the Pledge Drive.
A Special Web Page on valleyfreeradio.org should be developed for the Pledge Drive.
A Pledge Week goal of $7,000 was suggested (more details below).

Bob Gardner displayed a chart that broke down each day into 4 slots and asked people to volunteer to be present during the times to be on-air to promote the Pledge Drive. The time slots were: 8 am to Noon; Noon to 4 pm; 4 pm to 7 pm; and 7 pm to 11 pm. PLEASE CHECK THE CHART IN THE STATION TO SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT – MANY SHIFTS WERE CLAIMED AT THE GM, HOWEVER MANY MORE ARE OPEN.

Day Captains are responsible for getting volunteer programmers to fill in the slots for their day. They will also be responsible for getting all Pledge Information at the end of the day.

The Following people agreed to be Day Captains:

Sunday (still Open)
Monday (Arjuna Greist)
Tuesday (Steve Cutting)
Wednesday (Andy Sewell)
Thursday (Tony Udell)
Friday (Still Open)
Saturday (Bob Gardner)

Since the Pledge Goal is $7,000 – each day goal is $1,000 and each slot goal is $250.

The Pledge Drive will end at Midnight, Saturday, October 31.

Door Code Change

The door code will be changed for both the outside building door and the station door effective Midnight, Saturday, October 31. The new door code will be provided to the Programming Committee, the Collective Liaisons, the Board and the Trainers. Programmers should receive the new door code from their liaisons on Sunday, November 1.

November Training / Work Day

Sunday, November 1 is the monthly Open House, Work Day and Training Day. All programmers are encouraged to attend.

Budget Discussion

Bob Gardner circulated a basic budget example to open discussion.

The discussion covered various avenues of income including the pledge drive (an possibly two such drives a year); expansion of underwriting; grants; the Pay-to-Play programmer option; and membership dues.

If all lines of income were developed well, it may open the feasibility to provide a small salary for a half-time station manager who would take on some daily duties as well as serve as a center point for station activity and communication.

Much discussion was had about this idea; but in general it was agreed that a center person would be a great step for the station and would address many of the ongoing issues in the station and the VFR community including training, equipment health, community awareness, station organization and many other areas.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Jah Love Music 10.14.09 10AM-12PM Playlist

seeingredTony — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:40:27 +0000

First Hour:

Lone Ranger – Badder Dan Dem
Augustus Pablo And King Tubby – Forever Dub
Burning Spear – Zion Higher
Dillinger – Jamaican Collie
I Roy – Still Waters, Psalm 28
Twin Roots – Know Love
U Roy meets King Tubby’s – Creation Dub
Johnny Clarke – Love Up Your Brothers and Sisters
Jacob Miller – False Rasta
Ranking Joe – Honest Living
Scientist – Lab Explosion
Prince Fari – Kingdom of God
Prince Jazzbo – Good Memories
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – One Step Dub
Errol ‘Flabba’ Holt – My Brethren
Prince Fari & the Arabs – Bass Ace
Mikey Dread – Love the Dread

Second Hour:

King Tubby – Tubby’s at the Control
Trinity – Samson the Strongest Man
Tommy McCook & the Aggrovators – The Night Rose Of Sherron
Keith Hudson – I’m Alright
Prince Hammer – Legalise (Discomix)
Tappa Zukie – Jah Speak in Dub
Dr. Alimantado & U Brown – Satta in the Park
The Silvertones – Early in the Morning
Owen Gray – Reggae Dance
Sugar Minott – Hang On Natty
Rosalyn Sweat & The Paragons – Blackbird (Singing)
Ja-Man All Stars – East Man Skank
Cornell Campbell – Righteous Rastaman
Jah Thomas – Landlord
Junior Reid – Black Man Seed
Dennis Alcapone – Riddle I This
Gregory Isaacs – Sweeter the Victory
Sound Dimension – Real Rock

2009 Mayoral Debate

VFRWebCom — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:11:23 +0000

Valley Free Radio, WXOJ-LP 103.3 FM, in conjunction with Northampton Community Television hosted the 2009 Northampton Mayoral Debate, sponsored by Herrell’s Ice Cream and theLeague of Women’s Voters of the Northampton Area. The 2009 Northampton Mayoral election candidates, Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins and City Councilor Michael Bardsley, and a three-member panel were moderated by the national talk radio host of Midweek Politics, David Pakman. The debate was held at the Northampton High School Auditorium on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, beginning at 7 pm.

The debate was also supported by community groups including Commonwealth Center for Change (C3), Pioneer Valley Young Democrats, and many others. The event was taped live and will be re-broadcast every Wednesday beginning at Noon.

The entire debate is also available here:

2009 Northampton Mayoral Debate

About the Panelists:

Bill Scher is the host of The LiberalOasis Radio Show on WHMP, the Online Campaign Manager at Campaign for America’s Future, the author of “Wait! Don’t Move To Canada!,” and a regular contributor to Bloggingheads.tv and The Huffington Post.

Natalia Muñoz is founder and editor of La Prensa of Western Massachusetts,www.LaPrensaMA.com. She is also a co-founder and senior partner of Dewberry Muñoz Communications, a multi-cultural communications and marketing company.

Neal McKenna-Donnelly is a senior at Northampton High School. Outside of school, he runs for the varsity cross country team and works at a local web design company.

About the Moderator:

David Pakman is the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio and television program Midweek Politics. He is also Managing Director of Vivid Edge Media Group, a marketing and video production company based in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Hilltown Family Variety Show Harvest Moon Episode (10/10/09)

Hilltown Family Variety Show — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:36:50 +0000

Listen Now

HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
10/10/09 PLAYLIST

Peace pumpkins during harvest time. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

Saturday from 9-10am
WXOJ LP – 103.3 FM – Valley Free Radio
Northampton, MA

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family – “Go Waggaloo” [Go Waggaloo] Music
Neil Young – “Harvest Moon” – [Neil Young: Greatest Hits]
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family – “Big Moon” [Go Waggaloo] Music
Jim Clark – “Harvest Moon” [Buried Land]
Dog on Fleas – “The Moon Song” [When I Get Little]
King Harvest – “Dancing in the Moonlight” [Dancing in the Moonlight]
Asylum Street Spankers – “Shine On Harvest Moon” [Mercurial]
Father Goose – “Gypsy in the Moonlight” [It's a Bam Bam Diddly!]
Dan Zanes & Friends – “Moonlit Town” [Catch That Train!]
Jim Armenti – “You Just Can’t Kill a Good Idea” [The Great Pumpkin Roll]
Bob Dylan – “Country Pie” [Nashville Skyline]
Uncle Rock – “Break a Few Eggs” [Plays Well With Others]
Station Id: The Harmonica Pocket [www.harmonicapocket.com]
Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could – “Pie” [Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could]
Pete Seeger – “Wonderful Friends” [At 89] Music
The Band – “King Harvest” [The Band: Greatest Hits]
Laura Doherty – “Uncle Ukulele’s Band” [Kids in the City]
Station Id: Steve Weeks [www.steveweeksmusic.com]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Click here to read the history of the song “Shine on Harvest Moon”
Find out more about the Westhampton Library Project here.
Click here for Jim Armenti’s album, The Great Pumpkin Roll.
Click here to see the Great Pumpkin Roll video from a previous Westhampton Fall Festval.
The Westhampton Fall Festival will happen on Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2009 at 12:30pm in the center of town. (Free) Pumpkin roll happens at 4pm.
Check out the Ashfield Fall Festival this weekend.
Win Free Tickets to see Dan Zanes
Family concert on October 18th in Northampton with Uncle Rock and the Playthings, his first local appearance by his great trio, the Playthings. Check out Uncle Rock at http://www.unclerock.com — it’ll be a great time. Sunday afternoon at 2:00 (1:30 doors) at the Iron Horse (downtown Northampton).

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