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
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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