This is the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Greetings to you wonderful volunteers and readers of the volunteer blog.
Glancing down at the date of the previous entry to this blog, I notice it's been a few weeks. So here goes, getting back on track.
I'm still hearing about what a great fund drive we had, and how much people enjoyed folks' "Pick 5" songs. And thanks cannot be given enough to each person who supported us and continues to support public radio in Kodiak!
December has always been an important and enjoyable month for me. As I stated before, I love Christmas and the music that comes with that. That's been the case since childhood. More recently, however, my wife and I began our courtship in December several years ago, we were married in December, my nephew (the first of the immediate family) was born in December, and now 2 more birthdays are added. On December 12, my wife gave birth to our first two children. Aldous James and Ivy Adele were born at 8:31 and 8:32 a.m. respectively, a few weeks early, but healthy as can be. They went home together 2 days later. Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at PKIMC for taking such good care of Heather, Aldous, and Ivy. So that's where my focus has been the last 2 weeks. This experience has been a vivid example of how supportive and awesome this Kodiak community is. Thanks to everyone for everything!
Many thanks to Mike, Pam, Jay, Fred, Jacob, Maggie, and you, volunteer, for picking up my slack here at the station while I was gone. I'm glad to be back at my desk and looking forward to working with you to meet your goals as a volunteer. There's now a KMXT Volunteer Twitter feed (@KMXTVolunteers), so click on over and follow for short and sweet volunteer updates.

Happy Holidays to you and your friends and family!

Matthew T

Membership Drive Redux

Wow!

That's about sums it up. This week was all kinds of fun and the pace was at times hectic. If you haven't checked out our Facebook page in the recent past (i.e. the last 7 days) do that now. There you'll find photos of all the folks who participated in our Pick 5, as well as their song list. Stay tuned to our website, all of the Pick 5 interviews will be put up there soon. This couldn't have been possible without our volunteers and the support of our listeners. I think we all heard some songs we haven't heard in a while (or ever), and it was a nice glimpse into the psyche of the Pickers.

December is shaping up to be a busy month! I suppose that's no surprise. Skate with Santa is coming up on Saturday, December 18, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Baranof Ice Rink. Ron and Sally will once again be spinning some holiday tunes for your skating pleasure. I'm looking forward to it. Tell your friends, and have them bring their children. Let's make this the most well-attended Skate with Santa yet!

Matthew T

December 1

Welcome December!
Seems like just yesterday it was November. I'm one of those people that love this time of year. I always have. Around the Martens household, in Pasadena, Texas in the 1980s, there was a rule that no holiday music could be played until Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure my mom would have started playing the Carpenters Christmas albums around Halloween otherwise. So there's a special place in my heart for holiday music. The album that seems to have always started our season was Light of the Stable by Emmylou Harris.

As young children, my brother, sister, and I thought the cover was odd, but then we'd hear the pop and scratch of the needle settling into the groove, and that familiar tune of the first song on Side A: "Christmas Time's a Comin'" would flood our senses. This album  and this song in particular have stayed at the forefront of my holiday music selection as I've progressed into adulthood. I bought the cd, and it had 3 additional tracks! Sweet.

Speaking of holiday music, it's beginning to trickle in here at the station. You can find it on the new music shelf in the studio, on the lower left corner. You'll know it by the red & green tape on the cds, and the little sign above it. :)

How about this Pick 5 train? The station has been a busy place, with lots of people coming in and going out, and meeting and mixing in the lobby. It's quite the example of "Getting to know KMXT" and how KMXT keeps us all connected. Wow! Folks have been donating their money to support what happens here, and we crossed the halfway point sometime yesterday! Our phone and on-air volunteers are donating that most valuable of resources: their time! Many thanks to you all for your continued investment in KMXT. Without you, this radio station doesn't happen! Keep up the good work, and here's to a happy holiday season!

Matthew T

First Day of the Winter Membership Drive

It's been quite active around the station today! 

Many thanks to all who have pledged today, in addition to all of the members who took advantage of the early pledge option. Congratulations to Peggy & Chuck Morris who won the 20,000 Alaska Airlines miles drawing for early pledgers. Be sure to pledge and pay to get into the 60,000 Alaska Airlines miles drawing that takes place after the membership drive wraps up.
There have been lots of fun and interesting "Pick 5" songs today. It's always interesting to hear what songs mean something to other folks around town. We've heard tunes ranging from Hank Williams to Nine Inch Nails. It is a truly eclectic group of folks who support your local public radio station. Including our excellent volunteers! Thank you for your continued dedication and support! Keep listening!
Matthew T

Space Age Pop Big Band

Just received this album here at the station. Hope to hear it in a Spotlight soon, or maybe on another show. The debut album in Mr. Ho's Exotica for Modern Living album series. Stop by and take a listen.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here we are, and it's the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving. My hopes are that each volunteer has a most enjoyable Thanksgiving day. We're here at the station all day today, so stop on by and say hello. I look forward to putting a face with each name on the volunteer list. There are still plenty of spots available for phone volunteers next week. Answering the pledge phones is a fun way to get to talk to some fellow supporters of local public radio! Good times!
I grew up in Houston, Texas, and it was a public radio station there that I first heard Arlo Guthrie's epic "Alice's Restaurant". It was played in its entirety on Thanksgiving day. Thus began the Martens family's yearly listening to "Alice's Restaurant." And what to my wondering ears should appear... tomorrow afternoon on KMXT, we're broadcasting In Search of a Song, and Arlo Guthrie is a guest. He's also riding a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow. So for a song that mentions the Thanksgiving holiday in passing, Arlo Guthrie has become a Thanksgiving institution. I don't mind. My dad and brother went to see Arlo Guthrie & Family in Houston and said it was one of the best shows they've seen. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and don't litter.

Matthew T

Thank you to KMXT’s 2010

Run the Rock Sponsors

Marathon Level

* Mack’s Sport Shop

* A Balanced Approach * Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center

* Kodiak Community Health Center * Kodiak Print Master

Half Marathon Level

* Kings Diner, Inc. * Creighton Chiropractic

10-K Level

* KANA * Kodiak Daily Mirror

5-K Level

* Cost Savers * Kodiak Marine Supply * Kodiak Athletic Club

* F/V Miss Gina * Clarion Company * Java Flats

* Kodiak Island Medical Associates * Kodiak Island Brewing

* Safeway * Healing Harbor Body Therapy, Ron Gibbs

* Alaska Food for Less * Wells Fargo * Jim Arneson, DDS

* Skinny Raven Sports

* Arctic Physical Therapy * Walmart

* Cactus Flats Natural Food Store * The Rookery

* Orion’s Mountain Sports * Kodiak Diesel Services

* Cy’s Sporting Goods * Linda Butrey, OTR/L

Volunteer of the Year, Ron Sears

The Annual Meeting was a wonderful success. Thank you to Mrs. Kim and her staff for preparing another wonderful meal for the Kodiak Public Broadcasting Corporation membership. This is the 14th year the 2nd Floor has hosted our event.
Special recognition at the meeting went to Jim (Cowboy) Cobis, long time host of "The Peace Train" every Monday morning between 9 and 10 a.m. He will be relocating in the spring. Mark Herrick, on-air host and engineer extraordinaire was also thanked for his dedication and hard work. He has put in numerous hours working on our new HD program, being called in to help at all hours. Mark, Joe Stevens and Mike Wall have been working very hard to keep things going smoothly. We apologize for any gliches, the system is a work in progress.

Morning Announcer Mike Murray is moving on. He will be leaving the island and we wish him the best on his new island. Lori Siebe (me) is also moving on, heading south to spend time with family. I will be back on the island one day, and look forward to hosting a show every now and again then.

New to the staff, Jacob Resneck joins the news staff. Ron Sears is KMXT's Volunteer of the year for 2009. Ron serves on KMXT's Board of directors as well as filling in as host of Island Time and Jock of the Rock, this boy deserves a medal. Thanks Ron for your support of the station on the air and behind the scenes. (Pictured top Mike Murray and Bill BBQ masters at 2008 Run the Rock, Mark Herrick in the Engineering room at KMXT)

Present & Future KMXT Volunteers!

KMXT Volunteer Kevin Andresen hosted a marathon show over the Labor Day Weekend.
He got some help from future volunteers:
ChellaRae, Lacey & Taylor! You GO GIRLS
(....and you too Kevin...) !

A big, giant, humongous thanks to the volunteers who pulled shifts over the Labor Day Weekend. And more big, giant, gargantuan Thanks also to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped make a big success of the KMXT Waffle booth at the State Fair! Its no small thing to give up your time to make Frito Pies for your public radio station.... KMXT is LISTENER POWERED!

Generous Sponsors of KMXT's 4th Annual Run the Rock Race

MARATHON LEVEL

A Balanced Approach

Providence Kodiak Medical Center

Kodiak Print Masters

Mack’s

HALF-MARATHON LEVEL

Skinny Raven Sports

10-K LEVEL

Kodiak Daily Mirror

KANA

5-K LEVEL

Cost Savers Kodiak Athletic Club

F/V Miss Gina Clarion Company

Safeway Java Flats

Orion’s Kodiak Island Brewing Company

Wells Fargo The Rookery

If you would like to become a sponsor of the Run the Rock Race call KMXT at 486-3181, we would love to talk to you.

KMXT's 4th Annual Run the Rock Race

Start training now for one of KMXT's healthiest fund raising events of the year! Not only do you support your favorite public radio station, you also are invited to a spaghetti feed the night before the race, a BBQ right after the race and you get a T-shirt* of your very own to commemorate the event! Sign up at 58 Degrees North, Kodiak Athletic Club, Orion's, at KMXT or online at:
http://kmxt.org/run_the_rock/


*Group rates do not include a t-shirt.

GOING AWAY SHINDIG for "DAT" This Sunday!

PLEASE COME BY KMXT SUNDAY AT NOON
TO WISH "FARE WELL" TO "DAT"
of "DIS, DAT and D'OTHER" Fame!

DAT, aka Paul Smith has been a longtime Sunday afternoon favorite on KMXT and we'll miss his great humor and music on the airwaves as well as his involvement in the community.

Mike Wall will be BBQ'ing BRATWURST at KMXT Sunday (8/22) at noon.
Hope you can stop by!

THANK YOU PAUL!

Volunteers for KMXT table at USCG Welcome Event!

Another BIG THANK YOU! to KMXT's WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS!

Would you like the chance to support KMXT and welcome incoming USCG folks to Kodiak?
On Wednesday, August 11th from 1- 5 p.m. KMXT will have a table in the Coast Guard Gym
as part of the "Welcome Fair"~

We'd love to have you on-board to meet and greet, let folks know about our station
and help recruit volunteers for the station.

Please call Lori (a day or two ahead of the event) if you'd like to help set-up
a loverly KMXT welcome display!

Thanks so much!

Wes and Elisabeth Hanna are here for a visit!

KMXT and Kodiak Mirror Alumnus Wes Hanna and his wife Elisabeth are in town! You are invited to a barbecue pot luck at the Nimetz Gazebo starting at 3:00 pm on Friday the 23rd of July. Elisabeth and Wes look forward to this chance to visit with friends. All are invited. Come for food fun games and dancing. Music provided by St. Innocents Academy. Bring a side dish to share, meat to grill, (grill provided), and a friend to enjoy the day. Stop by and just say hi or hang around for a while. Please feel free to pass this along to any and all who might be interested. For more information call Andrea Anderson at 486-2000

KMXT Your Public Radio Station!

Nate and Josh Fitzgerald gearing up for their on-air shift at KMXT! Wearing the newest KMXT attire, in fine style.

PAAAAARTY!

Please Join us THIS Saturday (June 26) at 6PM
for a GOING AWAY (sniff) SHINDIG~
in honor of Dave Boschee, Jared Griffin and Nick Barshay: a trifecta of talent!

PLEASE COME AND JOIN US IN SAYING
"THANKS" AND "HAPPY TRAILS" to these fine men!

We appreciate you so much and will miss you much too!

This potluck hootenanny takes place at KMXT~

Mr. Whitekeys Rescheduled for July 16th and 17th

KMXT Presents Mr. Whitekeys and the Fabulous Spamtones: Whale Fat Follies, has been rescheduled for Friday July 16^th and Saturday July 17^th.

The show will be held at El Chicano’s Restaurant and Cantina. Ticket holders for the cancelled show may drop by the KMXT studios at 620 Egan Way to exchange tickets or receive a refund.

Tickets for the July show are available at KMXT, The Treasury and El Chicano’s. Thank you for your patience with this delay and we look forward to a great show in July.

HD2 and HD3 Increasing the programming on KMXT 100.1 FM + HD

Click on the title of this article to go to the schedule of incredible programming now available on KMXT 100.1 HD2 and HD3! Once you pull up the schedule, just click on any show name to go directly to their site and get information about the program! It is amazing! Three Public Radio channels are now available here on Kodiak Island! Yes, you need an HD radio to hear these two new channels. Stop by the station to check out the radios we have available here, or order one via catalog or the internet. If you have questions, we would love to answer them. Give us a call at 486-3181 or stop by our offices at 620 Egan Way. Good listening

Rain or Shine, KMXT had Bear paw waffles!

Thank you to all who helped out at the KMXT Crab Festival Booth. The theme "Rain or Shine" was very appropriate this year. As it is most years, actually. Don't forget the drawing for the HD radios from the Spring Fund Drive and the Round trip Alaska Airline tickets, Kodiak-Seattle will be on the air, Friday June 18th at 12:30.
You can still enter the drawing for the airline tickets! You receive one entry in the drawing for every $25 you donate to KMXT by Thursday, June 17th.

The Crab Festival is just around the corner!

The Kodiak Crab Festival begins Thursday, May 27th and runs through Monday, May 31st. KMXT will be serving up our yummy Bearpaw Waffles again this year and we need your help!
Stop by the station or give Lori a call to sign up for a shift in the booth. Rather not be out in the public eye? there are on-air shifts to be filled too. I look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon! Let's hope for a sunny Crab Fest.

Mr. Whitekeys Shows Cancelled

We just got some bad news: Mr. Whitekeys has to postpone his two concerts in Kodiak this weekend due to a family illness. Stay tuned to KMXT on how to get a refund for your tickets, or if you want to hold on to them for when the show will be rescheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

JOIN THE FUN VOLUNTEER FOR THE KMXT FUND DRIVE NOW!

KMXT NEEDS YOU! The Fund Drive begins Monday, May 3rd stop by and sign up to help with phones, with call outs, have fun and be a part of your favorite radio station KMXT! Stop by 620 Egan Way or call 486-3181 now!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to the following KMXT volunteers who braved weather and traffic to help our school kids safely cross the road this month!
Don Fox
Nick Szabo
Stephanie Love (As seen on the front page of the Kodiak Mirror)
Pat Szabo
Jeanette Blalock
Kate Loewen
Jim Cobis
Mike Rostad
Deb Engvall
Sally Troxell
Claudia Anderson
and Cecil Ranney
You all Rock! Thank you!

FreeForm Blogspot and FaceBook!

Creator and host of "FreeForm", Mike Sirofchuck, has two new ways for you to be involved with the show. Check it out!

http://kmxtfreeform.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116262848392201&ref=ts

Speaking of Winners!

You can be an all around winner when you renew or become a new member of KMXT!
KMXT's Spring On-Air Fund Drive begins Monday, May 3rd. Receive one Alaska Airlines Milage plan mile for every dollar you give to KMXT and be entered in a drawing for 2 Round Trip tickets to Seattle.

Double your chances to win the tickets by paying your pledge before the Fund Drive starts. Go to http://kmxt.org/ and hit the donate now button, stop by 620 Egan Way and pledge in person or give us a call at 486-3181. for every $25 you give you will be entered twice in the drawing. Pledge after May 2nd and you will get 1 entry for every $25. As always you will receive one Alaska Airline mile, for every dollar you give to KMXT.
Be a part of this win, win situation! You could win 2 RT tickets Kodiak - Seattle, and you definately win the great feeling you get from supporting your favorite public radio station, KMXT!

KMXT ComFish Raffle Winners!

Thank you to all the KMXT volunteers who helped man the KMXT ComFish Booth and to all those who stopped by to say hello and learn about the new exciting stuff going on at KMXT. Here is a list of the winners in the drawing.

One of three Soft Shell Grunden Coats and Eat Fish Caps from Kodiak Marine Supply
1. Marty Owen
2. Laura Johnson
3. Cecil Ranney
iLuv HD Radio: Marilyn Davidson
Mustang Personal Flotation Device from Kodiak Marine: Tom Kjera
Pair of Mr. Whitekeys Tickets: Jim Cobis
George Foreman Grill From Sutliff's True Value Hardware: Elinor Poll Ramos
Thank you for your support!

KMXT Presents: Mr. Whitekeys "The Whale Fat Follies"

Back by popular demand: Mr. Whitekeys "The Whale Fat Follies"! Two shows at El Chicano's Restaurant and Cantina, Friday May 14th and Saturday May 15th! Both shows at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at El Chicano's, The Treasury Downtown on the Mall and KMXT for $25 each.

KMXT Radio Kodiak Alaska

KMXT is now officially on Facebook! Check it out and become a fan. We are populating the page with awesome pictures, event information and more. Stay informed about the latest happenings at KMXT. Plus we want your feedback about, well, whatever you would like to give us feedback about. Keep it tuned to KMXT 100.1 FM and thanks for listening.

Pinoy Radio, On the air with Jun

Farewell Party at KMXT for Board President Lisa Polito

Lisa we hate to see you go! But we understand, your new job and being close to family makes your move to good to pass up. Thank you for all you have done for KMXT over the years as an on-air host, volunteer and more recently as Board President. We all wish you and Bill the best in your new endeavors. Everyone is invited to join us Wednesday March 17th at 6:00 p.m. here at KMXT, to say Aloha to Lisa and Bill.

St. Mary's 5th Graders Record Essays

A group of 5th Graders from St. Mary's stopped by the KMXT studios Wednesday to record essays they wrote on the topic of the American Dream. General Manager, Mike Wall provided production assistance for the group. You will be able to hear the essays, in the near future on the KMXT website. Excellent job kids!

It Is Good To Be Back On The Rock!

Spring time in Alaska, it isn't shorts weather but it beats living with the crowds. Thank you to all who helped out while I was away. Nick Barshay, you are awesome! My trip has made me appreciate the little things, the big things, well everything. So this wintery weather is not so bad. I am also reminded of what an incredible station we have here. Kodiak being the small town that it is, offers you a unique opportunity to be a part of your Public Radio Station. Stop by and say hello, whether you have been a volunteer for years, months, weeks or not yet, we would love to see you. Located at 620 Egan Way, right next to the High School, our doors are almost, always, open. Volunteers check out the Volunteer schedule for the latest shifts available. I look forward to hearing from you all soon. Thanks again to everyone for your help while I was away. It is good to be back. Lori

Open Shows

Lori is expected back on Wednesday.

Thank you to those of you who have signed up for air time, Mike S, Nate and Josh, Tia, and Kevin.

We still have open shows this week if you are looking for some on air time.

Morning show is open for Tuesday and Wednesday

Friday Night Rock and Roll

Saturday Morning Classical

Enchanted Island

Saturday Afternoon

Variety Hour

Thanks for all of your help.
Our On-air Volunteers make KMXT special.

Week of March 8

Hey Volunteers:

Lori is still out of town, so we need your help to fill open board shifts.
If you are looking to get some on air time, this is a great opportunity.

The morning show from 9-10 is open Tuesday through Friday, great shift if you have limited time, only one hour, or are available in the morning.

Spruce Tip Brew is open Wednesday Evening (7-9).

There is no Meeting on Thursday, so we have an open format, if you have that special show that you've always wanted to air (7-9).

Friday Night Rock and Roll is Open for anyone who wants to kick out the jams. (9-midnight)

Saturday Help is definitely appreciated
Early Classical (6-9 am)
Enchanted Isle (9-noon)
Afternoon Board Shift (noon-3)
Variety Hour ((3-6)

E-mail Lori if you can help, or drop by the station and sign up on the control room door calendar.
We Really appreciate your help.

Thank you.

Winter Olympics Begin February 12th

Check this out, it is the website for Team USA.  Read on:

On February 12, the world will gather to watch top athletes from around the globe compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Athletes from Team USA, who have been training their entire lives will take the stage to represent our country. I'm writing with the hope that you could share the news about Team USA with the readers of Kmxt Volunteer Blog.

Anyone who registers on Teamusa.org will have access to the latest info and will receive exclusive updates throughout the games. I've put all that information including some very cool Team USA widgets and banners into this social media news release here:

http://teamusanews.org

SUNDAY JANUARY 31st

In Memory of Mimi Rosenn 3-16-1948 to 1-11-2010

Mimi Rosenn was KMXT's 2009 Volunteer of the Year! Mimi went above and beyond in giving her time to the station over the past few years. As host of Thursday Night Classical, The World Show and filling in where ever needed, she was wonderful. On her own initiative Mimi organized the World Music Library, into a DJ friendly order. It is so much easier to find specific music in The World Music library now. Thank you Mimi for your dedication and commitment to KMXT, you are AWESOME!

Mimi you will be missed.

On-Air Volunteer Training at KMXT

KMXT ON-AIR Volunteer Training

begins February 2nd!

Is 2010 the year you will go on the air with KMXT?

On-air Training begins Tuesday, February 2nd and runs through Saturday, February 20th.

Learn about radio production, music and broadcasting.

To sign up stop by the KMXT Studios at

620 Egan way, call Lori at 486-3181