AIR WAVES

Welcome!

Dear Volunteers,

Welcome to the first issue of Air Waves, the new WAMU 88.5 monthly volunteer newsletter.

The mission of Air Waves is to create an informed, personal, and social monthly newsletter by and for WAMU 88.5 volunteers to build good relationships between volunteers and the station, volunteers with each other, and volunteers with the greater metropolitan area.

Inside each newsletter you will find station news, a volunteer profile, featured events in the metropolitan area, volunteer program information, environmental tips, and community outreach opportunities. Every effort is being made to provide information that is informative and speaks to the interest of WAMU 88.5 volunteers.

Keeping you, the volunteer, connected to WAMU 88.5 is of utmost importance. As Diane Rehm says, "You are the public in public radio." Without your service, we would not be able to continue to achieve the success that we do. Therefore, Air Waves is one method that is being used to enhance and streamline communication between the WAMU 88.5 volunteer office and you, the volunteers.

Over the past four months, the Volunteer Newsletter Committee has been working diligently to develop the best volunteer newsletter possible. The newsletter committee consists of three volunteers: Emily Rowan, Editor; Susan Ellis, Contributing Editor; and Marjory Sheldon, Contributing Editor. From the very beginning, these three women have taken the lead by setting a weekly meeting time, developing a mission statement, creating committee and newsletter guidelines, and compiling and completing a survey. I would like to thank each of these ladies for their hard work and dedication to this enormous task.

I encourage you to share Air Waves with family, friends, and colleagues. Your feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Thank you for your service and enjoy your new newsletter, Air Waves.

Yours in service,

Anthony Washington

Volunteer Service Coordinator

INSIDE WAMU 88.5

The Conversation

By: Susan Ellis

As you may have heard, WAMU 88.5 has just launched a new networking site called The Conversation. This is a meeting place where we can talk with producers, hosts, and reporters, as well as each other, about the broadest range of news topics imaginable.

The title of this new site reminds me of the excitement generated in the reviewing press when essayist Stephan Miller produced "Conversation: The History of a Declining Art." Reviewers share the concern that new, electronic, web-based, forms of communication, such as email and blogs, are strangling informed and thoughtful communication, let alone disseminating information that is just plain wrong. Other appropriate anxiety relates to the hollowing out of mainstream media, especially in the newspapers and on television.

Senior Web Producer Jason Novak built this site using a social networking platform, Ning. Within the first month, we had more than 500 WAMU 88.5 members joining in this new endeavor. The station also uses The Conversation to gather information volunteered from listeners to build ideas for future on-air content. Producer/Assignment Editor Meymo Lyons has an ongoing, featured conversation called "Have a news tip or story idea?" (Found under “Forum”). Ms. Lyons often responds to these in-coming ideas with the question "Can I get you to talk to one of our reporters on tape?" Already, the response to this feature has been abundant, including topics such as inequity of resources in our school system to preparations underway to add pay lanes to the beltway. Of course we will honor your request if you prefer to remain anonymous.

The main action of The Conversation falls under the tab “Forum,” of the ongoing discourses started by listeners, and organized by topic and logged chronologically. Members respond to ongoing conversations or choose to be alerted to new posts within self-selected topics. You facilitate your own interaction by choosing the 'follow' feature, which alerts you when new responses are posted. Some discussions begin immediately after a radio program ends, generating quick exchanges varying in topics as broad as the individual right to bear arms to picking the best Ethiopian restaurant in your neighborhood. On the other hand, there are also long, deeply felt, and carefully written postings which encourage the same thoughtfulness in response.

Since we have the ability to introduce a topic ourselves and start a new thread of ideas, there are as many varied benefits to this form of communication as there are individuals participating in it. Don't be shy if you are a beginner! There is easily accessible guidance. In short, we can all become editor-for-a day. To join The Conversation, go to conversation.wamu.org.

STEPPING OUT

Two favorite summer events from two of WAMU 88.5's own.

Jen Hitt, Music Director of WAMU's Bluegrass Country.

Planet Arlington World Music Festival

This late summer world music extravaganza includes performances by: Solas, a Celtic band of American musicians; Yang Ying, an erhu (Chinese violin) virtuoso; the Congolese-Angolan salsa stars Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca; and Lebanese vocalist Tania Saleh.

When: 4 - 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Where: Marine Corps War Memorial (“Iwo Jima” Memorial)

Web site: www.arlingtonarts.org/planetarlington.htm

Jammin' Java Open Mic

Jen says, "Jammin' Java's David Cotton runs one of the best Open Mic's I've ever attended. The sound quality is excellent. The performers are limited to two songs, which keeps things running smoothly. If you don't like a performer, you don't get sick of them."

When: Every Monday evening unless there is a show booked.

Where: 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA

Web site: www.jamminjava.com

Stephanie Kaye, Producer and Reporter for Metro Connection and Art Beat.

D.C. Comedy Fest

This unique brand of theater is on a mission to celebrate top notch, truly uninhibited, 'comedy-that-is-not-afraid-of-politics'. It features established and budding new talent groups, both local and national.

When: August 7 - 9

Where: A variety of venues in D.C. and Northern Virginia

Web site: www.dccomedyfest.com/dccf/home.html

The Skin of our Teeth

The Rorschach Theatre brings its characteristic fearlessness to this Thornton Wilder play set in a fantasy world where modernity and the ice age are happening in sync (along with episodes from Roman history and Genesis). Director Rahaleh Nassri hopes the play will express the value of human work and creativity in spite of the human tendency to destructiveness. "I love Skin of Our Teeth, because I think at its heart, it reminds us of how good and brilliant we can be (and often are),” says Stephanie.

When: July 10- August 10

Where: The Rorschach Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center, Georgetown University

Web site: www.rorschachtheatre.com

BE GREEN

Global Warming & Energy Conservation

By: Emily Rowan

Do you feel frustrated that there is little you can do, as an individual, to help combat the big issues of global warming and energy conservation? Although global and national policies and legislation are key to creating a sustainable future for our planet, grass root support is also critical. We can all help by starting with small steps personally and encouraging our friends, families and communities to do the same. Taking a baby step can help get us motivated by feeling there are immediate actions we can take that make a difference. These habits will often result in individuals and communities moving on to implement bigger changes that will make an even greater impact. Here are three ways we can immediately change our behavior to make a difference.

1) Always keep lint traps in our household appliances clean, most importantly our clothes dryers. Clean the lint trap after every use, and lower energy consumption and energy bills at the same time.

2) We are in those wonderful summer months when fresh produce is readily available from local stands and farmers' markets. This is a prime time to reduce energy costs by buying our fruits and vegetables locally. A few of the markets available to us in the immediate area include Dupont Circle, MacArthur Blvd., Tacoma Park, and Eastern Market on Capitol Hill in the District; the Courthouse market in Arlington; the 32nd Street Market in Baltimore; and the Howard County Market in Columbia, Md.. One of the many websites available to locate the market most convenient to you is www.freshfarmmarkets.com. You can even volunteer to work at one of these markets by emailing lizfalk@freshfarmmarkets.com. Besides reducing transportation energy consumption by both farmers and shoppers, supporting our neighboring farmers helps our community's economy.

3) One of the bigger impacts our household habits can have on energy consumption is taking the outdoor weather into consideration when deciding whether or not to draw the shades. On cold sunny days, we should open our window coverings to let the sun warm our homes. Conversely, during our hot and humid days we are experiencing now, we should close our window coverings, especially on the south and west sides, to keep our homes cooler.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council's The Green Home Guide www.greenhomeguide.org

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Welcome to our new volunteers!

Desta Abraham (Newsroom), Susan Ellis (Volunteer Newsletter) Mari Lou Garon (Diane Rehm Show), Brittany Miller (Front Desk), Kathy Nestyby (WAMU Ambassadors), Lolly Stuart (Front Desk/Underwriting), Marjory Sheldon (Volunteer Newsletter), and Andrew Shapiro (Special Events).

Volunteer of the Month

Barbara Luchs

By: Emily Rowan

Having served at WAMU 88.5 for nearly 20 years, Barbara Luchs is a treasured volunteer at the station. She most often helps Lucy Horn, Member Service Associate; Andrea Travis, Manager of Special Giving; and, as we all do, Anthony Washington, Volunteer Service Coordinator. Filing, shredding, sorting PSAs (Public Service Announcements) that come in through the mail, and answering phones during membership drives comprise the main duties that Barbara performs, but she is always willing to pitch in to do whatever job needs to be done.

A native Washingtonian and a graduate of Vassar College in Drama, Barbara has been involved with the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in various capacities since 1977. To try to list the non-profit organizations she has worked for would take pages, but at the present she is still active with the D.C. League of Women Voters, the Friday Morning Music Club Chorale, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, and various neighborhood planning councils for children and youth, among others. Not surprisingly, Barbara is the recipient of numerous awards for her multiple efforts in creating a better quality of life for all people in the District.

Barbara learned to love radio as a child at her father's knee, and she intends to stay involved with the air waves as long as she is capable. May we all be so active and involved with our communities when we turn 85 years old. Thank you, Barbara Luchs!

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 13               WAMU Ambassador Training, 6:00 p.m.

August 25 - 28       The Kojo Nnamdi Show Live from the Democrat National Convention

September 1 - 4    The Kojo Nnamdi Show Live from the Republican National Convention

September 10       Community Dialogue Luncheon – 'Local Economy Life Style Changes'

September 18       Community Council Meeting

October 18 – 25    Fall Membership Campaign

(All events are located at WAMU studios, at 4000 Brandywine St., N.W., Washington, D.C., unless otherwise noted. 202-885-1200)

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

By: Susan Ellis

Whether or not I have a long or short summer break to spend scampering in the grass, summer always gets to me in a special way. The penetrating, long hours of heat and brightness, the sprouting and maturing, the drying out and withering create in me a mood to celebrate and join in. I find the progression of seasons most powerful in the summer. This is a good time for all of us to focus on outdoor, conservation-related community outreach programs, but it can be hard to choose which ones. This list represents just a few of the panoply of organizations available to us.

Audubon Naturalist Society is the oldest organization dedicated to conservation in the DC-metropolitan area. Its mission is to promote stewardship of the local environment through education in order to raise citizen awareness of biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Volunteers are needed to help with office work, learn to monitor water quality, or lead educational tours among other things. www.audubonnaturalist.org

The Nature Conservancy's mission is as bold and broad as you can get for an environmental entity. Its goal is to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The ways we can help them are equally diverse, including recycling unusual items to helping monitor their land holdings. Once on the website, it is easy to find the myriad of ways you can help in your geographic and global community. www.nature.org

The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail (CC Trail) is organized to develop and support the trail for which it is named. The CC Trail is a shared-use, broad pathway from Georgetown to Silver Spring suitable for walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers that has been built on the abandoned rail bed of the Georgetown Branch of the B&O Railroad. It is amazing to discover this beautiful, wooded, and peaceful passageway that winds through the heart of the D.C. metropolitan area. Volunteers are needed for trail maintenance, trail publicity, or other Coalition efforts. www.cctrail.org

Prince William Soil and Conservation District (PWSWCD) encompasses all of Prince William County. Its mission is to provide leadership in the conservation of soil, water, and related resources to all Prince William County citizens through technical assistance, information, and education programs to youth and adults. The PWSWCD plays a role in the larger objective of improving water quality not only in local watersheds, but also in the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay Watersheds. To this end, the PWSWCD has developed an Adopt-A-Stream program where a group or organization can 'adopt' a local park or neighborhood stream, lake or river. It is worth visiting PWSWCD's website to see the myriad offerings they make available to county residents and the general public. www.pwswcd.org

VOLUNTEER VOICES

Well Dunn Catering

By: Marjory Sheldon

Have you ever wondered where those famous WAMU 88.5 membership drives get all that delicious food? WELL…Well Dunn Catering is one of the many in-kind food donors that contribute to the station. They have been serving the WAMU 88.5 community for more than 12 years at a variety of events numbering from 50 to 100 people in and out of the station.

Steve Dunn and Ric Marino are the co-owners. The company was founded in 1981 in Steve's D.C. apartment as he followed his passion for cooking for friends around his kitchen table. Ric joined Steve as his partner in 1995 after being a loyal client for years in his career as a lobbyist and campaign fundraiser. On their winning team are Sandra Sanzetenea, general manager; Jose Parada, executive chef; and Katie Troyner, sales associate. The main office is located on Capital Hill, but Well Dunn Catering is definitely wired-in all over Washington. The White House, the Supreme Court, and the National Gallery of Art are a few of Well Dunn Catering's clients, but rest assured that your private party will receive the same treatment as the D.C.'s V.I.P. crowd. Their top priority is SERVICE…both customer service and community service.

Both Steve and Ric are WAMU 88.5 fans from way back and feel passionately about supporting public radio. Therefore, they are happy to donate bountiful feasts for our hard working volunteers. Not surprisingly, The Splendid Table is a favorite show of the Well Dunn team. Steve's favorite food quote is: "Talk does not cook rice." Ric's favorite food quote is: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." When asked what is one of the hottest items ordered for a WAMU 88.5 membership drive, Ric replied, "Diane Rehm loves our fried chicken!"

WELL DONE and THANK YOU!

Well Dunn Catering, 510 11th Street, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003, (202) 543-7878 www.welldunn.com

SUBMISSIONS

Every issue of Air Waves will feature an article written by one of our volunteers, as well as other rotating monthly topics. The subject matter for volunteer submissions is completely open to your ideas. Remember: the newsletter is time sensitive, so general calendar-related comments must have dates kept in mind.

All submissions must be made in MicroSoft Word format either in the body of an email or in an attachment to an email. Submissions should be sent to Emily Rowan, Editor, at wamuedit@gmail.com. All articles will be subject to the judgement and editing of the WAMU 88.5 volunteer newsletter staff.

Next newsletter: September 4, 2008. Submission Deadline: August, 20, 2008.