Greetings Earthlings. Once again, it’s time to checkout our CO2 emissions. We’re told they’re getting a bit out of hand. The average U.S. citizen is responsible for 19.8 tonnes per person per annum. Michael Despines, Climate Resilience Campaign Coordinator at Friends of the Earth joins us to talk about the climate bill in congress and other such mind-numbing matters. In the Enviro Show Echo Chamber we scope out the upcoming N30 actions, among other things. There’s the Quote of the Week to deal with as well as our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it’s time for…Revenge of the Critters! Another listener submission folks, but you’ll need to access to cyberspace for this one. Talk about being the butt of all elephant jokes!

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is a rerun of Al Gore’s call to action on the climate crisis: “I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants.” Well actually, Al…..there are! Where are you??

That’s a fitting segway into our Enviro Show E-Valley-uation segment and The Enviro Show, LLC’s proposal to blow the top off Mt. Tom! and dump it in the reservoir. Sadly, when we sent out our press release for that highly beneficial example of economic development for the Mt. Tom Reservation no one belived us! What’s THAT about??

Tom Neilson’s Mountain-top Removal song takes us to The Enviro Show Echo Chamber where we bring you back to the 350 Reasons Carbon Trading Won’t Work. Checkout our new interactive pages here. We had 100 people, from 6 continents and 13 countries working on the project. Back to the drawing board Senators Kerry & Boxer! Also, it appears that Ben Wright has Been Wrong about First Nations spiritual practices. The spokes for Environment Massachusetts seems to believe Native people don’t speak for themselves and that Wampanoag spiritual practices are ….”pure farce”? Checkout our response here. And finally, the EPA agrees to cut toxic emissions at power plants…..eventually.

Global Warming Remix by Avril Lavigne rocks us into our interview with Michael Despines. Then it’s on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, Nov. 18: 6 – 7:30: Springfield Public Health Council meeting, Pine Point Citizens Council, 335 Berkshire Ave. Springfield. Proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomess plant. Contact: plpare@comcast.net

Wednesday, November 18, 7-9 p.m. Forests of Wonder. Join Bob Leverett, co-founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Native Tree Society, as he takes us on a virtual tour of his favorite woodland haunts. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Thursday, November 19, 7 – 8:30pm. The Nature of New England. Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. A strong emphasis in the program is on the perceptions people have in favor of some groups of animals (like birds) at the expense of other equally interesting ones (like snakes). How various groups survive the winter season is also spotlighted. Call: 413.863.3221

Thursday, November 19, 7:30pm. Ramona Peters, “Columbus & Thanksgiving – A Native Perspective”. Leverett Town Hall.

Saturday, November 21, 1 – 2pm. Wild About Turkeys. Why were turkeys reintroduced into the area? What roles do they play in the ecological system as well as being Thanksgiving dinner? Come join Tasha Daniels, at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Call: 413.863.3221

Friday, November 27, All Day! Buy Nothing Day.

Monday, November 30. N30 is the 10th anniversary of the WTO shutdown in Seattle and is exactly one week before the climate talks in corporatehaven..err..we mean Coppenhagen. Stay tuned for an action in Boston.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 pm, The air permitting hearing for the Springfield Pioneer Renewable Energy Construction and Demolition Debris Incinerator at the Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield.

Enough! Next time it’s Nena Baker on the Body Toxic (no, it’s not some garage band….yet). Until then remember to listen to your Mother……ok?

Tags: Education and Social Issues Collective, Programmer's Notes

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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.

Tags: Collectives, Latest Station News, Meetings, Minutes, Programming, vfr

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Correction to last meeting’s (10/9) minutes: Vital Health was not denied, there was confusion of show names, Vital Health and Vibrant Living are separate shows with separate DJs; rather, Vibrant Living (Glen Brooks) was conditionally denied due to lack of meeting attendance and volunteer hours.

Show Re-Applications

• Vibrant Living Glenn Brooks has contacted his collective liason Derek and scheduled a meeting for Monday 10/26, says he plans to do fundraising. Derek will report on results of meeting. No consensus in the Committee on this show, show is Approved on a 3-1 vote.
• Another Perspective will be notified by his collective liason (Don) that his reapplication was denied by the Board so his show is off the schedule as of 11/1.
• Word, Sound & Power attended meetings and performed volunteer hours, Approved by consensus.
• Inside The Urban Bottom Line Denied by consensus due to no meetings or volunteer hours, Keely will notify him and encourage him to apply for Pay to Play.
• Hilltown Family Variety there was a miscommunication over volunteer hours, she has been doing some, meeting requirement waived and Approved on a 3-1 vote.
• Beat Clinicliason says he’s been going to meetings, Approved by consensus.
• Valley Melting Pot still in trial period, no decision made yet
• Mass Appeal Denied by consensus due to lack of meetings and volunteer hours, Music Collective liason should notify him his show is off the schedule as of 11/1
• At Home With Sidra she emailed saying she was discontinuing the show until next Spring, realizes she may lose her time slot and will deal with that, says she’ll happily participate in fundraising drive

New Show Applications

• The Booth, Think Metal and String Theory (3 diff. Music shows)—already Approved, waiting for scheduling preference info from Charles Marchand on these
• The Ability Dialogues Amma K. Hruby. Education & Social Issues. Already preliminarily approved, has not responded to liason (Don), phone number is now disconnected, no email, if anyone knows how to get ahold of her let Don know, otherwise he’ll send a postcard to her Easthampton address inquiring whether she’s still interested and what times she’s interested in.
• Vital Health Mindy Palmer-Fried. Education & Social Issues. Returning show, planning to attend refresher training, liaisons informed her of programmer requirements. Approved for trial period by consensus contingent on paying dues. Assigned Mondays 11am-11:30am slot by request, beginning 11/2. Don will notify her.
• Channeling The Muse Opeyemi Parham aka The Feral Physician. Education & Social Issues. Syndicated show produced at the public station in Greenfield. Approved by consensus, assigned Sundays 6pm-7pm by request, beginning 11/1. Don will check with Fidel re getting her show on automation.
• Dipen Bhetwal waiting for Charles on this one

Tags: Collectives, Latest Station News, Meetings, Minutes, Programming

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Strong Oak has left the station and won’t be doing her shows anymore

SHOW REVIEWS

APPROVED:

Melting Pot – new show, has been in contact with liaison about missing show. On a 3 month trial period. Still approved.

• Mo Radio
• Poison Ivy of the Mind
• Vegan Radio
• Mass Transition

NEED TO FULFILL REQUIREMENTS to gain approval:

(offer people who are missing volunteer hours to sign up for 4 hrs during fund raising week)

• Word, Sound Power – no recorded volunteer hours, attended last board meeting.
• Another Perspective – came to work day, needs meeting, Social Issues & Education collective liaisons will contact
• Words of Peace – Programmer was asked in the past to feature other voices than the one person the show features. She agreed but has not done so yet. Keeley has agreed to talk to her. The options that we will offer are either for her to feature more voices including some local, or syndicate show and we will decide time slot it gets aired.
• Urban Bottom Line – problem with ability to attend meetings. Matt will contact about volunteering during fundraising.
• Beat Clinic – Matt will call about meetings

DENIED:

• Mass Appeal – no volunteer hours, no meetings, no member dues
• SJ Mack is not re-applying
• Vital Health – no hours or meetings, Liaison will encourage them to do “Pay 2 Play”
• Mornings with Marla BB – reapplied for a new show, wants to do 1 Monday a month during a prime morning slot. Has not fulfilled volunteer hours or meeting requirements. Needs to fill out a new application if she wants a new show, and we advise that one Monday a month during a prime time slot is unlikely to get approved.

APPLYING FOR PAY 2 PLAY

• Twilight’s Poetry Pub
• At Home with Sidra
• Music of Flywheel

SHOWS THAT ARE NO LONGER ON THE AIR

• Soul Alive (Sun 12-6 am)
• Sings in the Night (Sun 8-10am)
• Mass Appeal (Sun 6-8pm)
• Beats, Breaks and Baseball (Sun 10-12pm)
• His Majesty’s Voice (Mon midnight-3am)
• Parapolitics (Mon 8-9am)
• TBA (Mon 9-10am)
• Colony Collapse (Mon 10am-noon)
• Rock, Folk & Press (Tues 2-4pm) (moving to Thurs 2-4pm)
• Parenting Possibilities (weds noon-1pm)
• Americana Shack B (weds 2-4pm)
• Marla BB (thurs 9:30-11:30am)
• Creation Discotheque (thurs 4-5pm)
• Norman Invasion (Fri 10pm-midnight)
• Air Ted (sat midnight to 2am)
• Wolfgang’s Rock Buffet (sat 4-5pm)
• Youth Commission (sat 5-6pm)

Tags: Collectives, Latest Station News, Minutes, Programming

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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

Tags: vfr

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Gangbe Brass Band – Remember Fela
Salah Ragab – Ole (Cairo Version)
Girma Bèyènè – Yebèqagnal
Geraldo Pino & The Heartbeats – Born to Be Free
Bobby Benson and His Combo – Taxi Driver (I Don’t Care)
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou – Ne Te Faches Pas
Manu Dibango – African Battle
Hugh Masekela – Rekpete
Badou Jobe – Love’s a Real Thing
Konono No. 1 – Paradiso
Keziah Jones – Coltrane Nko?

Second Hour(6PM):

Antibalas – Out With the New, In With the True
Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Monkey Banana
Bembeya Jazz National – Dembate Galant
Professional Seagulls Dance Band – Afro Baby
Balla Et Ses Balladins – Limania
Nomo – Rings
Balla Et Ses Balladins – Ka Noutea
Konono – Kule Kule
Gyedu Blay Abombolley & The Steneboofs – Simigwado
Alemayehu Eshete – Eskegizew Bertchi
The Sweet Talks – Eyi Su Ngaangaa
Geraldo Pino – Power to the People

Third Hour(7PM):

J.Period & K’NAAN – Introduction to Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble with Cedric Im Brooks – Je Je
Tony Allen – Pariwo
J.Period & K’NAAN – Got My Dream (Messengers Remix)
Balla Et Ses Balladins – Soumbouyaya
Ouinsou Corneille & Black Santiago – Vinon So Minsou
Victor Owaifo – Igboroho
Artur Nunes – Zihna
George Akaeze & His Augmented Hits – Business Before Pleasure
Segun Bucknor – Who Say I Tire
Bhundu Boys – Manhenga
J.Period & K’NAAN – Music is the Weapon (Interlude)
Antonio Paulino – Kamba Ba Luamba
Le Super Borgou De Parakou – Congolaise Benin Ye
Sory Bamba – Porry

Fourth Hour (8PM):

Keziah Jones – Garan Garan
Docteur Nico & Orchestre African Fiesta – Pauline
Victor Uwaifo – Atete
Tony Allen – Morose
Leo Fadaka & The Heroes – Blak Sound
Duro and Jimmy Sholanke – Oriki
Bembeya Jazz National – Petit Sekou
Paulo 9 – Genro Ciumento
T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rhthmo de Cotonou – Yao-Yao
Oscar Neves – Mabele
Tunji Oyelana & The Benders – Ifa
Orlando Julius – Psychedelic Afro-Shop

Fifth Hour(9PM):

Femi Kuti – Do You Know?
Balla Et Ses Balladins – Bambo
Dr. Victor Olaiya – Omelemele
Segun Bucknor – Dye Dye
The Martin Brothers Dance Band – Ochonma
The Funkees – Ole
Os Bongos – Lena
Oscar Sulley & the Uhuru Dance Band – Olufeme
El Rego Et Ses Commandos –Se Na Min
The Ogyatanaa Show Band – Ageisheka
Bonga – Marika
Femi Kuti – Scatta Head
Orchestre Super Jheevs Des Paillotes – Ye Nan Lon An

Tags: Music Collective, Programmer's Notes

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Greetings Earthlings. Time to pay the piper AND prepare for upcoming Halloween festivities. Anne Peterman of Global Justice Ecology calls in with scary tales of the FrankenTrees!. But, even scarier than that: we pitch and pitch and pitch until YOU, dear listener, surrender to our siren call. Yes, we’re in a…..ahem….GRAVE situation here and need YOUR support! Valley Free Radio can’t continue to serve you with excellent award-winning shows like The Enviro Show without your contributions. If your reading this on our blog PLEASE go HERE and donate today. We’ll have more of that and some frightening news but first it’s time for…. Revenge of the Critters! Spiders in Texas build MONSTER WEB. Don’t get caught up in it!!

After we pitch, pitch, pitch for a spell we’ll lay The Enviro Show Quote of the week on you thus:

“The cloning of humans is on most of the lists of things to worry about from Science, along with behavior control, genetic engineering, transplanted heads, computer poetry and the unrestrained growth of plastic flowers” – Lewis Thomas

We may never get into The Enviro Show Echo Chamber what with all our begging for donations, but if we did we’d be sure to tell you about Bill Gates pimping for biotech! Of course, the BIG news is all the 350.org events all over the planet (not to mention all over The Valley!). Least we fall under the spell of certain hero worshipper types, bear in mind it was the people who made all this possible. No single person can save the world…..except maybe Clark Ken…..err…I mean, Superman. Also this: The Yes Men have been working overtime these days. The faux New York Post (ugh!) during the UN Climate Summit; the Chamber of Commerce media heist at the National Press Club, and now a DC costume part, just in time for Halloween! AND this: 350 Reasons Crap & Trade won’t work!

The “Climate Mash” will rock us to our E-Valley-uation segment where we may have some clips from the 350 Climate Action Carnival in Greenfield on hand. Maybe we’ll play one for each $50 pledge that comes in? That’s called…..what? an incentive? a bribe? We will, of course, have time for this: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more. Big news for our local Biomess from Princeton science geeks!.

“Biotech is Godzilla” by Sepultura takes us to our interview with Anne Peterman and the Attack of the Franken Trees! Everyone run for your lives! Then it’s on to the Bus Stop Billboard:

Thursday October 29, Noon. Billionaires for Wealthcare at Monarch Place, corner of Main St and Boland Way in Springfield. Monarch Place houses Health New England. (And Bank of America too!). Billionaires For Wealthcare describe themselves as “a grassroots network of health insurance CEOs, HMO lobbyists, talk-show hosts, and others profiting off of our broken health care system. We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure another decade where your pain is our gain. “Counter demonstration” called!

October 30, All Day. End Mountain Top Removal Day of Action. EPA Offices Boston and The Enviro Show just may have a local event in mind too! Go to www.mountainjustice.org/

Saturday, October 31, 1 to 2pm. Bats are Cool! Great Falls Discovery Center. Avenue A, Turners Falls. What do you really know about bats? Are they really the scary creatures that a lot of folks think they are? Come by and learn some very interesting facts about them and while you’re here, pick up a Halloween Treat!

Monday Nov 2, 6:45 p.m., Greenfield Appointments and Ordinance Committee hearing. Sewer use regulations. Greenfield P.D., High Street.

Tentative: Tuesday Nov 3 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Economic Development Committee Water supply Agreement Lease of space for Installation of Pump(s) at WPC Plane. Greenfield P.D.

Wednesday Nov 4 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Ways and Means Committee. Water Supply Agreement. Lease of Space for Installation. Greenfield P.D.

Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hike the Holyoke Range with Ted Watt. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Ted’s areas of special knowledge include plants and birds. Identification, inter-relationships, life histories and special adaptations of theliving things we find will deepen our awareness of the beauties and complexities of the natural world around us! Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Tuesday Nov 10, 6pm? Greenfield Town Committee Meeting. Greenfield Middle School (tentative venue). Matters related to Pioneer Renewable Energy on the agenda and most likely voted on. Check CCFC site for updates: http://www.greenfieldbiomass.info/

OK, was that a treat? What? You thought it was a trick?? Well, trick or treat, we’ll be back next time with A Friend of the Earth checking out the atmosphere. Sooo, if you’re going out for some Halloween fun remember….listen to your Mother.

Tags: Education and Social Issues Collective, Programmer's Notes

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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):

1. Bob Gardner (11)
2. Tony Udell (10)
3. Arjuna Greist (9)
4. Steve Cutting (8)
5. Steve Curylo (8)
6. Ed Russell (write-in) – Less than 5
7. 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.

Tags: Latest Station News, Meetings, Minutes, vfr

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Second Hour:
Soul Vendors – Death in the Arena
Alton Ellis – I’ll Be Waiting
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Blackboard Jungle Dub
Prince Hammer – Flash Your Dread
Sly & Robbie & Black Uhuru – Firehouse Special
Dr. Alimantado – Still Alive
Barrington Levy – Look Youthman
Burning Spear – Don’t Mess with Jill
Joe Gibbs & the Professionals – Fulfillment
Yabby You – Rock King Tubby’s
Scientist – Meteorite
Keith Hudson – Like I’m Dying
The Revolutionaries – Ragnampiza Version
Big Youth – 6 Dead 19 Gone A Jail
Sly & Robbie – Flight of Africa
Ranking Joe – We Have to Forward Home
Brentford All Stars – Race Track

Tags: Music Collective, Programmer's Notes

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Hilltown Families and Iron Horse Entertainment Group have partnered up to offer a chance to win free tickets to see adult venues in Northampton, MA for a PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT! You pay for the sitter, we’ll pay for the tickets!

This week we are pleased to offer a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to see the Playing for Change project perform at the Calvin Theater in Northampton, MA, on Friday, October 23rd, at 8 pm, presented by WGBY. Win the tickets and invite other parents to come with you for a night out on the town. Deadline to enter to win is Wednesday, 10/21/09 @ 7pm (EST). More details HERE.

Tags: Programmer's Notes

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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

Tags: Music Collective, Programmer's Notes, vfr

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Tags: Music Collective, Programmer's Notes

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Board Attending: A. Sewell; T. Shannon; B. Harvey; K. Reason

Others Attending: T. Udell; B. Gardner; B. Gutowski; D. Prescott; E. Nash; C. Whitely (Preacha); A. Watts; S. Cutting

Meeting started at 7:04 pm with Introductions

Mayoral Debate Update

VFR in connection with NCTV is hosting a Northampton Mayoral Debate on Tuesday, October 13 at 7 pm in the Northampton High School Auditorium. The Panelists have been announced as Bill Scher, Natalia Munoz, and Neal McKenna-Donnelly. David Pakman will be the moderator. There is still opportunity for VFR folks to volunteer with this event either with flyering or at the event. Please visit http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/2009mayoraldebate/ for information about the event and to get involved, email mayoraldebate@valleyfreeradio.org

Volunteer Offering for VFR at Station

Eric Nash discussed an opportunity that has come to VFR for a worker to be provided via a state program for Senior Citizens. A person would be provided for about 20 hours a week to do clerical or other tasks as needed. The program pays the worker and no money is required of VFR. The person has volunteered with VFR in the past as a programmer and has good general knowledge of how things work. Members of the Board have signed the paperwork to get things moving but, if approved, the worker would not start until approved by the agency.

VFR Board Size Amendment to the ByLaws

Andy Sewell announced that at the beginning of the next General Membership meeting (Wednesday, October 21 at MEF) there would be a vote to amend the bylaws to change the number of Board members to 5 (from 9). Only VFR members in good standing, in attendance at the GM meeting can vote.

VFR Board Nominations

To date, 4 persons have stated they are interested in running for the Board of VFR; two current Board members will be staying on the Board (T. Shannon and K. Reason). Anyone (VFR member or not) can run for the Board by emailing: nominations@valleyfreeradio.org – nominees will be announced prior to the GM (Wednesday, October 21), however, persons can nominate themselves at the GM. Only VFR members in good standing, in attendance at the GM meeting can vote.

Grants for VFR

Bush-I asked if VFR would support him to apply for the Northampton Arts Council’s annual grant due October 15, 2009. Andy Sewell mentioned that NAC’s rules do not allow for consecutive grant awards, and since VFR received the award last year for the Memorial Day event in Pulaski Park, we would not be able to apply this year; however other grant opportunities are encouraged.

Fundraising Week (Sunday, October 25th – Saturday, October 31)

With the passing of the reapplication process, it has been agreed that the week before the new schedule, will be a week without normal programming, but with on-air fundraising. It was discussed that programmers could come in for their show and instead of doing their normal show, doing a fundraising show where a majority of the time is spent encouraging listeners to donate to the station. It was discussed that a printed schedule where VFR programmers could come to the station during hours other than their show to help fundraise (either helping the programmer already on the air at that time, or taking the station off automation to do live on-air fundraising). The automation computer will be programmed with fundraising announcements.

It was discussed that a group of people should get together to help plan this and provide programmers with materials and encouragement to help raise money during that week.

Bob Gardner volunteered to create a paper schedule people could sign up on to indicate times they can come in during the on air fund drive. Tony Udell volunteered to help organize as well.

Program Renewals

*** PLEASE NOTE *** Since the Programming Committee has not met for its final review (scheduled for this Friday, 2 pm at Cafe Evolution in Florence), the below comments from the Board are subject to the Programming Committee’s evaluation. As per the adopted process of Program Renewals, each program is required to be approved from BOTH the Board and the Programming committee.

Shows Approved

• Music of the Flywheel
• Active Ingredients
• Jah Love Music (Dan Rosen)
• At Home With Sidra (applied for Pay to Play, so review not necessary)
• Connecting the Notes
• Red Pill Politics
• Birth, School, Work, Death
• Cacophy Broadcast Network
• Word Sound Power
• Mo Radio
• Poison Ivy of the Mind
• Seeing Red Radio
• Underground Spiritual Game
• Mass Transition
• Vegan Radio
• Jah Love Musik in the Global Village (Bush-I)

Shows Conditionally Approved (requirements listed in parenthesis)

• Bread & Roses (all show personnel required to pay $25 fee)
• Mass Appeal (please pay $25 fee)

Shows denied renewal

• Air Ted (lack of meetings required; lack of volunteer hours required; encouraged to apply for Pay to Play)
• Valley Melting Pot (lack of meetings required; lack of volunteer hours required; encouraged to re-apply or to apply for Pay to Play)
• Inside the Urban Bottom Line (no fee; lack of meetings required; lack of volunteer hours required; encouraged to apply for Pay to Play)
• Another Perspective (encouraged to apply for Pay to Play)
• Words of Peace (lack of volunteer hours; lack of meetings; programming to review if this show is to be considered syndicated as it is not produced locally and has never had a live show)
• Vibrant Living (encouraged to apply for Pay to Play)
• Mornings with Marla (formerly Marla BB’s Blues) (lack of meetings required; lack of volunteer hours required)

To apply for Pay to Play, please visit: http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/resources/programmer-documents/

Read the material under ‘VFR Pay to Play Application’ and click the title to apply.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 pm

Tags: Board of Directors, Latest Station News, Meetings, Minutes, vfr

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Greetings Earthlings. Sick and tired of having your peace & quiet disturbed; having the fields & streams & critters trashed; the lakes and bays polluted and abused, all by off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and jet-skis? Kyla Bennett calls in to talk about off-road “wreckreation” and guys with little motors. In our “Meet the New Boss” segment: is Obama closing down on openness? As usual, we visit The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and the Quote of the Week, but first it’s time for….Revenge of the Critters! Fed-up stingray takes revenge on jet-ski rider!.

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we hear from The Irregular Times on an alternative to offshore oil drilling!. Also this from The New York Times: Paul Krugman on the Casandras of Climate. Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus? Well, it’s a two-fer again:The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes? (ok, so not The World, but at least some world leader-types!) AND, The Huge Mistake. We echo the award-winning Enviro Show (ahem!) with this: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more.

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week puts us back in the Wayback Machine and is spot-on with regard to that jet-ski guy in Revenge of the Critters:

“The squirrel that you kill in jest, dies in earnest.” – Henry David Thoreau

Time to “Meet the New Boss”. The editors over at The New York Times think they can see through Obama’s promise of transparency.

Then it’s on to our interview with Kyla Bennett. We’ll talk about off-road “wreckreation” and all those annoying mud-spattered ORV’s, dirt-bikes and woodland-trashing snowmobiles out there. Besides the environmental aspects of wreckreation, there are also issues of tresspass here in the Commonwealth.

OK, now let’s see what’s posted on the Bus Stop Billboard:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 7:30 PM. “EARTH 2100″ Or: Will America Collapse Due to Climate Change? ~An ABC-TV Special with animation, interviews, and documentary footage to be followed by a discussion with Hampshire College professors Elizabeth Hartmann, Michael Klare, and Steve Roof. HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE Franklin Patterson Hall, Main Lecture Hall. Call: 413-559-5563

Oct. 15, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. New England Forests Thruogh Time. Come here John O’Keefe, co-author of the book New England Forest Through Time. Dr. O’Keefe will share information on the present state as well as the history of our local forests. Great falls Discovery Center,2 Avenue A,Turners Falls. Call: (413)863-3221

Friday October 16, 7pm. FREE FILM: “CONSUME THIS MOVIE”. Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton. Discussion following. Consume This Movie takes a critical look at social injustice, peak oil, resource depletion, and our need to feel connected to each other through what we choose to consume. Info: http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/.

Saturday, October 17th, 2009, 10AM-5PM. Bill McKibben, Benjamin Barber and Alisa Gravitz speaking at First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Registration & admission. Call: (413) 528-1737

Sunday, October 18 beginning at 10 a.m. on Hadley’s historic West Street Common. The 5K Road Race (or 2 mile walk) to Benefit Kestrel Trust. Call: 413-549-1097

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 – 9pm. Screening of “Looming Crisis In Oil Depletion”: Richard Heinberg, nationally known authority on peak oil, describes the history of energy use from the dawn of agriculture to the present industrial and computer age, while offering solutions to the coming collapse of cheap oil. Sponsored by the Town of Amherst’s Energy Task Force, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, and the Pioneer Valley Relocalization Project (PVRP), the latter being an environmental group working in Amherst and the Pioneer Valley to educate on peak oil and global warming. Info: Steve Randall, 256-2130 or Rob Crowner, 253-6526

Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 pm. GREEN Northampton & WRSI are co-sponsoring a debate between Mayor Clare Higgins & City Councilor At Large Michael Bardsley in the auditorium at Northampton High School. It is scheduled to last 90 minutes and will include 30 minutes of Q&A with the audience and the candidates. Call: 413 584 8785.

Friday, October 23, 6pm-11pm. No Biomass Autumn Harvest Dinner & Dance. At the Russell VFW on Route 20 in Russell. This is a community fundraiser to benefit the Concerned Citizens of Russell. Dinner, dancing, raffles, cash bar, homemade salads & desserts, and just a great time with friends. For more information or to volunteer please call Debbie Hoppe at 862-4035.

Friday, October 23, 7pm. FREE FILM: “BLIND SPOT”, Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street, same building as Woodstar Café, Northampton.
Discussion following. Blind Spot investigates peak oil – the links between the energy we use, the way we run the economy, and the effect
it has on the environment. Info: http://www.northamptoncommittee.org/.

Saturday, October 24, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM rain or shine. Greenfield Climate Action Carnival. “350″ Day will be held at Greenfield High School (off Silver Street, off Federal) Family fun with games, art projects, clowns, music, food vendors, interactive educational booths, parade in GHS neighborhood, free Bart’s Ice Cream and more! Call: Sandra Boston 774-5952 or Becca King 773-7004. Climate Action Carnival is part of a worldwide effort launched by Bill McKibben to raise awareness of the science of climate change and the urgency of taking action……sort of…

We are so out of here once again. Next time: Franken Trees. Just in time for HALLOWEEN!! We’ll go out with “Snowmobile Driver”, almost as scary as Halloween but not nearly as much fun. Soooo, remember: when your’re out at night on your bike, wear white and…..LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!

Tags: Education and Social Issues Collective, Programmer's Notes

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Download the original episode.

Original version broadcast on Thursday, August 7, 2008 8 PM EST

Program Length – 59:58

Tags: News and Politics Collective, Programmer's Notes

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Greetings Earthling. What’s the state of our state environmentally speaking? Massachusetts State Sen. Stan Rosenberg calls-in with the details. Lots to cover, take the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act for instance! In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we review the recent climate actions in New York & Pittsburgh. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Rep. Steve Kulik seems ready to save the old-growth in our Commonwealth. We’ll lay the Enviro Show Quote of the Week on you, return to our new “Meet the New Boss” segment, and tour the Bus Stop Billboard, but first it’s time for…. Revenge of the Critters! Who put the Bee in baseball? Was the swarm fed up with the astroturf?

The Enviro Show Quote of the Week is from David Susuki:

“The human brain now holds the key to our future. We have to recall the image of the planet from outer space: a single entity in which air, water, and continents are interconnected. That is our home.”

We open up The Enviro Show Echo Chamber to the words of Rep. Steve Kulik. It’s good news/bad news for the old growth trees in the Commonwealth. If only our VFR Time Machine was in working order, we might save those old trees on Mt. Wacchusetts the Crowley’s destroyed years ago! And this: Pirates raid UN sideshow!. The Climate IMC reports that a well-endowed Greenpeace did a monster banner hang at the G20 in Pittsburgh (why do THEY get all the nice toys??). Finally, our Enviro Show Blog Bonus Specials! Star Wars for Idiots!. And that faux New York Post the Yes Men put out during the UN Climate Summit.

We return to our “Meet the New Boss” segment with another disheartening look at Obama’s EPA & U.S. Fish & Wildlife. Yes, we thought he could!

After we talk with Stan we’ll scan the Bus Stop Billboard:

Wednesday, September 30th, 6 pm. Springfield Stop Biomass meeting at Arise. Email: michaelannb@gmail.com

Saturday, October 3, 10am-4pm. NESEA’s “Green Buildings Open House”. Contact: Pamela Lester, 413-774-6051, x14, plester@nesea.org

Saturday, October 3rd Massachusetts Power Shift (MAPS) is pleased to invite you to our leadership and organizing training at Amherst College. MAPS is a coalition of college students from across the commonwealth, but we are reaching out to communities as well because we know that strong climate legislation comes from people of all types working together. Join us at 10:30 at Amherst College’s Converse Hall (right by the PVTA stop) in the Red Room. Training will run until about 5pm. Call: 914-589-9539

Sunday, October 4, 1-4 p.m. LOST AND FOUND: NAVIGATION, MAPS, AND COMPASS. This workshop will be based outdoors so we can practice our new skills; please wear clothes and footwear suitable for hiking. Appropriate for adults and children age 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. West Street, Amherst. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Sat & Sun, Oct 3rd & 4th?, Hurricane Season. Doors open @ 6:45pm. Showtime 7:00pm. The Northeast American School of Dance, 25 Main Street Northampton, MA. Info at: hurricanseasontour.com

Tuesday, October 6, 9:30 AM. Blowin’ in the Wind: Managing Renewable Energy Siting Conflicts (1-Day Workshop), Focusing on Massachusetts, this seminar will provide participants with strategies for addressing the conflicts that arise as communities wrestle with the dual objectives of land conservation and new investments in renewable energy. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. 464 Abbott Avenue, Leominster. Call (978) 840-4446

Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The Impact of Climate Change on Our Forests, What We Can Expect and When. Join the Friends of Robinson State Park in welcoming Dr. Frelich and Bob Leverett for this rare opportunity to hear them speak about forests, locally and globally. Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main Street, Agawam. Call: (413)568- 9379

Oct. 15, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. New England Forests Thruogh Time. Come here John O’Keefe, co-author of the book New England Forest Through Time. Dr. O’Keefe will share information on the present state as well as the history of our local forests. Great falls Discovery Center,2 Avenue A,Turners Falls. Call: (413)863-3221

One final note: The Stop Spewing Carbon signature drive is critical for the ecological health of the Commonwealth. We need to collect 100,000 signatures by Nov. 16 from Massachusetts registered voters and we need YOUR help. If we get the needed signatures we can get a question on the ballot in 2010 to limit CO2 emissions from biomass incinerators. Go HERE to learn more.

That is all……except remember….listen to your Mother!

Tags: Education and Social Issues Collective, Programmer's Notes

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next meeting (final show re-application decisions): Oct 9th at 2pm at Cafe Evolution

This is the 2nd consecutive meeting in which we review programmer re-application proposals. We did not assign any show time slots, only approval or denial of show proposals. Although we did give yes or no verdicts to each application, there is still time left for programmers to fulfill station requirements in order for their show to be approved or denied for the next year. Shows below are categorized by the verdict and the requirements that need to be completed for the final approval of each show. Also note that these are just the Programming Committee recommendations to the board, who will make the final decisions.

SHOWS THAT WERE APPROVED (Volunteer hours and Meeting Quota Met):

• Bread and Roses (News & Politics)
• Music of the Flywheel (Music)
• Connecting the Notes (Music)
• Birth, School, Work, Death (Music)
• Cacophony Broadcast Network (Music)

SHOWS THAT WERE (Temporarily) NOT APPROVED (Need to fulfill Meeting Attendance Quota): Collectives are encouraged to have meetings at time in which their programmers can attend to get their meeting requirements. Programmers who are having trouble fulfilling their meeting requirement should contact the liaison of their collective.

• Jahlove Music (Music)
• At Home with Sidra (Education & Social Issues) – (there was some discussion about meeting requirements for at-home parents, but the requirement stands for now)
• Red Pill Politics

SHOWS THAT WERE (Temporarily??) DENIED

• Air Ted – no meetings attended, no volunteer hours

NEW PROGRAM PROPOSALS (time slots pending upcoming schedule makeover)

• Spirit in Action & Song of the Soul, 2 syndicated programs that are Quaker based, proposed by Johanna Halbeiseu. Approved.
• Vital Health Radio weekly 1/2 hour covering health news. Approved.
• Dipen Bhetwal (music show) apparently applying from Pakistan, might be spam, Charles Marchand is going to attempt to contact.
• The Booth (Steve Guzman) music, hip hop, rap. Approved.
• Think Metal (Chris Elliot) Approved.
• The Feral Physician Opeyemi Parham – holistic health program. Question about wether she wants to do show live or rebroadcast the show she produces in Greenfield. Approved
• String Theory (music) Approved.
• Vital Health – wants to come back, her show name is possibly still in use by Glen (Ayers?), who took the original show over when she left.

REPROGRAMMING

• Ed Russell brought a proposal to re-broadcast Active Ingredients on Sunday mornings at 8am, a slot that is currently open. This sparked a discussion about the merits or playing shows more than once per week rather than the automation music. We tended to agree that it would be beneficial to the station. One idea was to have each collective responsible for a certain number of hours that would be available for rebroadcasting their shows. We decided to defer discussions and decisions to a future meeting, seeing as our hands are currently full with programming re-applications.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Don Persons is in dialogue with Amma Lovejoy about her show proposal
• Megha is leaving for 6 months, her program will not be airing
• Youth Commission is out of Mayor’s office, the students from last year have graduated. Decision to wait for Mayoral elections to find out if the new Mayor will want to continue the program.
• We discussed ‘product endorsement’ issues brought up by discussion of local chocolates on the ‘Voice of Reason’. Decided that in this instance it was not out of line with station guidelines, since it was about lifestyle issues related to the DJs chemical sensitivities.

Tags: Collectives, Latest Station News, Minutes, Programming, vfr

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