Birthday, Building Project, Bash for Jazz and Justice

The local Pacifica Radio station, www.WPFW.org (89.3 on FM dial), has survived 30 years, through ups and downs. It hopes to leave Champalin Street in Adams Morgan for their very own place, and their kick-off fund-raiser combines many parties into ONE BIG BASH on December 15th 2007.

I am quick to inform you that I find some of their opinions on www.WPFW.org on the fringes, but their health, news, jazz and justice contributions are loved by many in the mainstream. After years of donating to the NPR stations (in New Hampshire and Washington DC/WAMU.org) I decided to check out this Pacifica Station. I volunteered a few hours over several weeks recently, and was glad for it. I met many local whites joining with minorities (a truly diverse and interesting bunch) to acknowledge what they get out of WPFW (89.3 FM).

Most of the donations and membership monies came in for the AMY GOODMAN NEWS MAGAZINE (at 8am weekdays, repeated at 6pm each evening) that has the odd title "The War and Peace Report." I disagree that news can be thus summarized; is it not news or worthy of Amy Goodman's special attention if we talk of labor strikes, cabbies' concerns and trade? I really think Amy Goodman's show might find an alternative to the subtitle of her news show "War and Peace Report." Gloria Minott, Askia Mohammad and Verna Avery-Brown do a fantastic job with local, national and international news, as a counterpoint (unintended?) to Amy Goodman.

Generally, however, the radio station has done much for Peace - inner peace and world peace. They bring news about events and also familiar news and unfamiliar opinions, perspectives and analyses. That is great for our democracy, especially in these times. So, if you have fewer qualms than admiration for such news dissemination and service to communities in the USA (and internationally) come out on 15th December 2007, at the Washoington DC Convention Center (lovely building on corner of New York Ave. near the NPR Offices and Marrakesh restaurant: Google DC Convention Center) and all that jazz and justice conversations with the high and less high, for $100. each.

Guests include the local station staff and volunteers, and Dick Gregory, Amy Goodman and Congressman John Conyers. Music will be jazzy and cutting edge, including Gloria Lynn (a New Yorker) and acapella group Sweet Honey in the Rock (they have a new CD promoting Education!) and the Station Manager (who will not sing thus keeping his day job, Ron Pinchback). No jokes about Ron or his name, now....I think he does a wonderful job as manager, especially welcoming all views from any side of the aisle or fringes each morning for 30 minutes, so long as no one thereatens violence or uses obscenities.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WPFW. If the Lord finds you deserving, you shall have your building, $100 per ticket, starting December 15th 2007.