8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL APRIL 19, 2017
KSOW-FM
Radio plans
benefi t concert
Cottage Grove’s FM
radio
station is not as
For The Sentinel
well-known as its AM
station, yet for the past
eight years KSOW Real Rural Radio volunteers have provid-
ed a non-commercial low power station at 106.7. The unique,
locally-produced programs refl ect the diverse talents and inter-
ests of its broadcasters and listeners.
Run on a shoestring budget fi nanced by community dona-
tions, the station is a resource for environmental information
and news reports on current national and international events.
It offers health and wellness programs, solutions for sustain-
able living and a wide selection of music genres.
Donnie Sevilla, one of KSOW’s founders, operates the sta-
tion from his rural property off London Road. He said in Janu-
ary an ice storm compromised their radio frequency amplifi er
when ice covered the antenna and caused the output transistors
to overheat.
“We’re still on the air but operating on reduced power,” Se-
villa said. “Rather than view this as a catastrophe, our board
sees this as an opportunity for community outreach as we seek
support to upgrade the station’s capacity and resilience.”
On Saturday, April 22, the Brewstation hosts the Earth Day
KSOW Benefi t featuring the Diane Patterson Trio from 6:30-
10:30 pm. Patterson, a singer/songwriter, is known for her
“Mystic Acoustic Rock for the Peaceful Revolution”, which
uses guitar, ukulele and voice to weave spirit and unifying
social commentary. The trio includes vocalist Sommer Mo-
selle and Finn Juhl playing percussion, accordion and kanoun
(Turkish autoharp).
The $4,554 fundraising goal is for a modern, more versatile
transmitter and antenna that has an internal safety system to
protect it from weather-induced damage. The new antenna will
improve the station’s broadcast range and energy effi ciency.
“We have a unique community asset and invite local busi-
nesses and organizations to help us reach our fundraising goal.
Saturday’s benefi t includes a silent auction and we need ad-
ditional donated auction items,” Sevilla said. “We are also
looking for station underwriters to provide fi nancial support in
exchange for on-air acknowledgement. This is a time of new
growth and community interest in KSOW-lp FM.”
For more information call 541-942-1067 or send email to
info@ksow.or
By Cindy Weeldreyer
CG EARTH DAY 2017 SET
I
t's a tradition that was started by for-
mer Cottage Grove Mayor Tom Mun-
roe. He called it, "Tidy the Town with
Tom." These days, it doesn't quite have the
same zing of alliteration but the intent is the same: give back to the
community and support local businesses.
The storm drains need to be cleaned, weeds pulled from the cracks
in the sidewalks, the sidewalks themselves need a power-washing
and cedar bark has to be added to the trees on Main St. Everything
needs a good cleaning and Cottage Grove Councilman Ken Roberts
is asking community members to come out and help this Saturday.
"If you can only donate an hour or two, that's fi ne. Come help,
give something back to the community and then go enjoy the festiv-
ities at Coiner Park," he said.
Roberts' clean-up is scheduled for three hours beginning at 9 a.m.
and he says part of the reasoning is to avoid asking people to choose
between donating their time to the effort and enjoying the Earth Day
activities planned throughout the day Saturday.
Volunteers are asked to report to All-America City Square Park
located across the street from Backstage Bakery on 7th St. Coffee
and snacks will be provided before groups head out to Main St. to
tackle a long list of projects.
The Cottage Grove High School Key Club will be out in force
to plant new fl owers in the planters that dot Main St. That effort
is seperate from the traditional fl ower baskets that hang through-
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
out the summer. New cedar bark will be
added to the trees on Main St. and even-
tually, the curbs and crosswalks will be
painted.
"I'm hoping to have everything ready
to go by Memorial Day," Roberts said.
The clean-up effort will kick-off Cot-
tage Grove's Earth Day celebrations.
Coiner Park will be holding events
throughout the day beginning at 10 a.m.
with a Native American blessing and
feature entertainment, food and ven-
dors. The event is scheduled to run until
4 p.m.
There will also be a city-wide tour
that will touch on several landmarks,
specifi cally. The tour of the Cottage
Grove Water Treatment Plant begins at
10:30 and includes a walk through of
the facility's water quality laboratory and computer control system.
At 12 p.m. Aprovecho is offering a tour to interested residents that
will introduce them to the non-profi t education center's community
buildings, naturally built houses, close-loop water system and wa-
tershed restoration projects. Closing out the day will be Kizer Creek
Farm at 2:30. Local farmers are responsible for the facility which
has been growing season salad greens for local restaurants since
last year. Visitors will learn more about the farms efforts to graft
and convert 450 orchard apple trees to cider varieties to produce
hard cider.
Interested residents can sign-up for tours at the Cottage Grove
Library at 700 E. Gibbs St. The
tours and transportation are both
free of charge.
Residents who fancy birding
can do so at the Cottage Grove
Reservoir at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
For more enviromentally-mind-
ed activities for the remainder
of the spring and summer, visit
coastfork.org to see how to take
part in clean-up fl oats and the
monthly Science Pubs.
Cause an Effect
Make the decision to make a difference this Earth
Day. On Earth Day and every day, the routine
choices we make affect our planet, so here are
some simple tips for choosing wisely:
• Reduce, reuse and recycle
at home, at work and at school.
• Shop for used goods, or look for items
made from recycled materials.
• Buy in bulk or multi-packs to
cut down on packaging waste.
• Look for Energy Star ® and WaterSense ®
labels on products like appliances
and plumbing fi xtures.
• Cut down on plastic bags by carrying your own
reusable shopping bag to the store.
• Properly dispose of recyclable items, electronics
and potentially hazardous materials.
• Always turn off lights and appliances when you
leave a room.
• Unplug your mobile phone charger when it’s not
in use.
• Walk, ride your bike or use public transportation whenever possible.
• Choose locally and organically produced foods.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Don’t top off your gas tank, as this lets harmful chemicals enter the air.
• Go to www.epa.gov/earthday to fi nd local volunteer opportunities and to learn more about steps you can take
to protect our planet.
Green your routine with eco-friendly choices from these local businesses:
Cottage Grove Sunshine General
Rosebud Mary Jo Garbage Service
Store
814 E. Main St., Cottage Grove
541-942-7174
2055 Getty Circle, Cottage Grove
541-942-8321
Pam’s Sunnyside
Greenhouses
Boyce & Sons
1704 W. Main St.,
Cottage Grove
541-942-7041
Landscape &
Building Materials
79149 N. River Rd, Cottage Grove
541-942-4664
824 W. Main St., Cottage Grove
541-942-8836
Cottage Grove
Sentinel
116 N 6th Street
Cottage Grove
541-942-3325