Brown on the Air: Circle of Life

Originally, "Between You and Me" on 91.7 KAXE was going to take a hiatus for Saturday, June 28, but the independent public station's summer fund raiser has been extended through Saturday so they are scrambling to put together a new show. The new topic is "cycles of life," based in part on my column of June 22. That column will be featured as my weekly contribution to this call-in/music program hosted by my friend Heidi Holtan.

It's always fun to consider the cycles (or, for Lion King fans, circle) of life: where we are, where we're going and whether or not we'll be back here again. It's also important to consider the cycles of media. Commercial newspaper, TV and radio are suffering. The Internet is surging, but volatile. Only community nonprofit stations like KAXE can whether the storm -- both on the air and online -- but KAXE depends on you. Be a member! You can listen from anywhere in the world and you'll be glad you did.

Meantime, tune in to "Between You and Me" between 10 a.m. and noon on 91.7 FM in northern Minnesota or streaming online at www.kaxe.org.

Brown (not) on the Air: Join KAXE!

"Between You and Me," the KAXE program for which I contribute weekly essays, is taking a one-week hiatus at the conclusion of the independent public station's spring fundraising drive this Saturday. Instead of listening to my inane ramblings, I encourage you to join or renew your membership in KAXE right now. You can do it online at http://www.kaxe.org/ or by calling (218) 326-1234.

Remember, KAXE is the last great hope for the free media. It's a 100,000 watt station with local news, music for all tastes, community involvement and all things good about the medium of radio (and Internet, for that matter). It's something that we in Northern Minnesota (and anywhere else, by way of the WWW) are lucky to have and should support regardless of our political ideology, musical taste or ethnic origins. Believe me, they take all kinds.

Join!

Help a Range family this weekend

This Saturday night, March 1, there will be a fundraiser for an Iron Range family at the Hibbing VFW. The Kempas experienced tremendous joy and a terrible scare all within one week last year. Just six days after Ben and Katie welcomed their first daughter Aunika into the world, Katie suffered an almost fatal brain aneurysm requiring intensive medical care. She survived and is recovering heroically, but you can only imagine the staggering medical bills they face.

I went to school with Ben and Katie, graduated with Ben and can tell you these are good, hard working folks who could use a little help. Friends and family are hosting a spaghetti fundraiser for Katie on Saturday, March 1 at the Hibbing VFW. Dinner is from 4-7 p.m., followed by a dance with live music by Whiskey Johnson from 7-11 p.m. There will also be silent auctions and raffles during the evening. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3.50 for kids. If you only want to go to the dance, it's $2. All proceeds go to the Kempa family.

Donations can also be made at any US Bank to the Katie Kempa Benefit Fund.

Read more at the Kempa website.