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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2016)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 Page A-9 KXCJ comes live to CJ by the end of 2016! Annette McGee Rasch IVN Senior Contributing Writer After three years of organizing and fundraising, the local effort to build a radio station to serve the Illinois Valley is in the backstretch. Before the end of 2016, KXCJ 105.7 FM will be on the air! Located on Cave’s Highway, a few blocks up from Chevron, KXCJ-LP is expected to have a signal that ranges from the edges of Selma to O’Brien, and will include Downtown Takilma. “Spiral Living Center is looking forward to launching a community radio station powered by local volunteers,” said Spiral Living Center Executive Director Debbie Lukas. “We hope people will tune in to KXCJ to hear local news and weather, community announcements, interviews, many types of music - including live music from local bands - and much more.” KXCJ’s motto is: “Community-based radio by, for, and about the Illinois Valley” and organizers say KXCJ will offer varied programming presented by voices from all walks of life. “You hardly ever hear from community elders and youth, and we want these folks to speak for themselves,” said Keeeth, KXCJ Station Manager. “I attend a lot of community meetings where it’s commonplace to hear people talking about elders and teenagers, but how often do we actually hear from them directly? And overall, we’re certainly looking forward to wide variety of voices on our all-volunteer air staff, and we hope that disc jockeys (DJs) will organize debates and do interviews on topics that are of interest to folks all-around the Valley.” KXCJ will also feature an “on-air bulletin board,” where people can send an email to the KXCJ website about events, lost animals, golden anniversaries, birthday parties, personal accomplishments and more. Organizers have drafted various policies for the station and are currently editing a KXCJ-LP Volunteer Handbook. Soon, training will begin for volunteer DJs, teaching them how to use the equipment, and importantly, to be sure they understand the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) regulations as well as KXCJ’s own rules. “We want to engage anyone who is serious about wanting to become part of our program,” Keeeth said. “We aim to be inclusive, and because of that, we have policies in place to prevent the station from becoming a soapbox for any particular group of people,” he added. “For example, while our polices allow for brief mentions of peoples’ spiritual practices in the context of interviews, announcements and music, the volunteers will be obliged to avoid religious proselytizing, again, because we are aiming for inclusivity. There are many kinds of religious and spiritual traditions being practiced in the Valley and they all have other outlets.” As far as politics goes, Keeeth said there will be “all sort of expressions” on the air within the context of public affairs, current issues, interviews and topics of relevance to Valley residents. The Valley-based Spiral Living Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the FCC license holder for KXCJ- LP. “The FCC’s LPFM licenses can only be given to 501c3 organizations, tribes or religious institutions,” Keeeth said. Thus KXCJ will be a noncommercial, nonprofit radio station, similar to Jefferson Pubic Radio. This means that KXCJ can present basic announcements for local businesses, like hours of operation, location and what they sell - but there cannot be any specific product advertising. “You can’t make comparative statements, like ‘We serve the best pancakes in the Valley,’ or, ‘Come down this weekend for our 50 percent off sale,’” Keeeth explained. “However businesses will be able to underwrite certain programs, which means listeners might hear, ‘This show has been brought to you by Taylor’s Sausage.’ And, plenty of noncommercial announcements about the businesses can be made, like hours of operation, location and what they sell.” “One big reason KXCJ went the noncommercial route is economics. Our station license is awarded free of charge by the FCC , whereas commercial licenses trade hands for up to tens- of-thousands-of-dollars, if not millions, which would price our effort right out of existence,” Keeeth explained. As it is, getting KXCJ off the ground has been an expensive venture. “We’re in the final stages of fundraising to secure a transmission site, tower and equipment. Local support has been tremendous,” Lukas said. A recent fundraiser at the Dome School brought in close to $700 in donations. As of January, volunteers raised just over $32,000, including $7,300 in grant income, according to Lukas. She explained that most of this money came from local public support in the form of donations and participation in numerous fundraising events. So far, $25,500 has been spent: including $1400 for the KXCJ website; $14,500 for tools and equipment; $780 for insurance; $3850 for rent; and about $1,200 on utilities, printing, postage and office supplies. Other costs have been incurred related to the renovation of the KXCJ office and studio. This leaves about $5,000 in the bank. None of the money has been spent on wages, because everyone involved is a volunteer. “Right now we’re researching the best combination of transmission gear and tower location that is affordable for us, that will allow us to cover as much of the Valley as possible with the 100 watts of transmitter power that the FCC allows us,” Keeeth said. “Although computer modeling allows some good ideas to be explored and compared, we won’t really know the real footprint of our signal until we begin broadcasting.” Keeeth explained that 2016 is the last year on KXCJ’s three-year construction permit, so the station must be on the air by the end of December. “The exact date of the KXCJ launch will depend on how many people step up to donate time, talent and money. It’s up to the community.” To become a DJ, people can access and fill out a “program proposal form” on the KXCJ website, and it will go to the KXCJ steering committee. People can also pick up this form at the KXCJ table at the CJ Farmers’ Market, every Friday, 4-7 p.m. To get involved or to get a question answered, call 541- 512-KXCJ, go online at www.kxcj.org, or email keeeth@kccj. org. dancefarm’ers Market (Photo by Laura Mancuso, Illinois Valley News) RiverStars and dancefarm Players entertain a crowd at the CJ Farmers’ Market, Friday, May 6 at Jubilee Park. No celebration at Out n’ About this year It is with mixed emotions that Out ‘N’ About Treehouse Treesort is canceling it’s annual 4th of July Intreependence Day celebration this year. Due to the immense popularity and influx of attendees it has become too big of a liability to continue hosting such an event. We would like to thank everyone who has been a faithful supporter of our event over the years. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this year! Sincerely, Out ‘n’ About Treehouse Treesort Sunrise Featuring Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass for double choir and string orchestra Kate Campbell, Music Director Saturday, May 14 at 3pm Bridgeview Community Church 5181 Holland Loop Road, CJ Tickets available at Washington Federal Bank reception desk, 135 S. Redwood Hwy., CJ $12 General Audience, $5 Under 12 For more information visit www.3RiversChorale.org or call 541-479-6577 i.V. e xCaVatinG LLC E DWARD P ODOLL Selma, OR Office: 541-597-2485 Septics Cell: 541-660-1798 CCB# 181530 DEQ# 38491 House Pads Logging Land Clearing Road Construction Monday-Sunday: 6aM-8pM JP Auto & Metal Recycling New Parts - Used Parts -We Buy Scrap Metal- Certified Scales 29910 Redwood Hwy Cave Junction, OR 541-592-3691
