| |
Daily Digest
Ever think you'd see that price again? This was taken in Stamford but there are reports some North Adams' gas stations are that low as well. |
Like to Write?
 Passionate about local sports? Into the environment? Obsessive about local meetings?
Let your neighbors know what's going on in Berkshire County! iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
Got Flu?
Track its spread through Google! |
| Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how. |
ObituariesWhat's Playing
It's teen vampire love in the new film "Twilight," based on the best-selling series by Stephenie Meyer. |
Sales FliersColumnists | Independent Investor
|
Other StuffRelated Stories |
| |
FM Station Kicks of Semi-Annual Fund Drive - October 24, 2007
GREAT BARRINGTON - Volunteers at WBCR-LP, the low-power FM radio station headquartered on Main Street, say their ongoing fund drive is the most critical one yet in the station's three-year history.
The community radio station's semiannual fund drive began Oct. 22 and continues through Oct. 28.
The more than 100 on-air programmers, in addition to volunteers who help keep the station running behind the scenes, are counting on this fund drive to generate the needed capital for WBCR-LP's anticipated move from its current studio beneath the Pink Cloud Gallery to the Granary Building on Rosseter Street.
They also seek to raise the funds required to file for and receive a full-power FM license from the Federal Communications Commission, a move, which if successful, would give Berkshire County its only full-power FM station and increase the listenership of Berkshire Community Radio by thousands.
The station broadcasts on 97.7FM and can also be accessed through a live stream on the World Wide Web at www.berkshireradio.org.
WBCR-LP has come to terms with landlord Joan Ackerman and is already paying rent on the Rosseter Street space but requires a successful fund drive to pay for the costs involved in renovating the space and moving the entire broadcasting facility. The new studio will be larger, finally giving the station room to house its substantial music library, meeting space to conduct its business on-site, and handicapped accessibility.
"We want to let people know that that this is a very critical time for this station. We're doing things we've never done before," said Serene Mastrianni, co-chair,am with Laura Checkow of the fund drive and also co-host of the award-winning WBCR-LP discussion program "Radio 2 Women."
"We really want to highlight the critical fact that this is a do-or-die kind of fund drive. There's a sense of urgency around it," she continued.
Another benefit of the new studio space would be the ability to use the Mixed Company theater upstairs for broadcast events.
"We're hoping it'll be like cultural center and attraction for people in Berkshire County and especially South County," Mastrianni said.
The FCC's upcoming move to make additional FM frequencies available for full-power broadcasts is typically a once-in-a-generation opportunity and may not be repeated again in the foreseeable future.
WBCR-LP must spend thousands of dollars up front to apply for a license and, in anticipation of a successful application, is also starting to raise money to upgrade to full power, including acquiring and mounting a new antennae for the radio broadcast, during a set amount of time or else lose the opportunity.
The goal is $21,000, the highest yet for a WBCR-LP fund drive. The most recent drive in March surpassed its goal of $14,000 by raising $18,000 in donations from the community.
"We're going to be really encouraging people to come down to the station," Mastrianni said. "One of the fun things we're doing is if you want to contribute and be part of the program you can come to the station and be part of the action. We're really trying to bring the community into the fund drive and give them the opportunity to go on the air live."
WBCR-LP is the only fully community-supported radio station in the region. One hundred percent of its operating funds come from community donations, with the bulk raised by two fund drives annually and additional income arising from benefit events and concerts as well as the sale of WBCR-LP merchandise, including "WBCR Live Volume 1," a CD compilation of songs recorded live. Listeners who donate $35 during the drive will receive a copy of the CD. WBCR-LP is seeking community organizations that would like to offer "incentive grants" that kick in if and when the station raises its goal of $3,000 on a given day.
Each of the station's previous fund drives have met or exceeded their targets, Mastrianni said. |
|
Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter
|
