KAXE Goes to the Third Annual Iron Range Earth Fest

by Scott Hall

The 3rd Annual Iron Range Earth Fest this Saturday in Mt. Iron has given us an opportunity to meet some of the people who will be demonstrating innovative things at the event. There is a strong and timely emphasis on energy production this year.  It's refreshing to meet people who are up to their elbows in research, development, and teaching about wind, solar and biomass energy sources.

In recent weeks, on KAXE's morning program, we've talked with the president of Silicon Energy, Gary Shaver.  Silicon Energy will begin manufacturing solar panels in Mt. Iron possibly as soon as this Summer. Silicon Energy is based in Washington state and uses new materials and processes they think will expand the potential of solar energy.  We also met Jesse Dahl who teaches solar energy classes at Hibbing Community College, and Dan Janisch, wind technology instructor at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College.  Both of these programs will have exhibits and demonstrations at Earth Fest. The Rural Renewable Energy Alliance in Pine River will have a program and exhibit as well.

There will also be workshops on beekeeping, bread baking, wine making, cooking with local foods, rain barrels, gardening, the art of basket making, and much more.  Exhibits and workshops will be at the Mt. Iron Community Center on Hwy 169, Messiah Lutheran Church next door to the Community Center, and Merritt Elementary School in Mt. Iron. While you are at it, stop by KAXE's booth in the Mt. Iron Community Center.

'Ranger In My Heart' documentary debuts Thursday

91.7 KAXE presents the debut of a new, hour-long audio documentary that tries to answer the question, “What does it mean to be an Iron Ranger?”  Award-winning producer Milt Lee visits with young folks and old-timers, retired miners and rock musicians, born-and-bred Rangers and “packsackers” to seek the essence of this special and significant region.

Ranger in My Heart debuts Thurs., Feb. 24, at 8 a.m. with additional broadcasts Fri., Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., Sat., Feb. 26 at noon, and Sun., Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.  KAXE is heard across the Range at 91.7 FM, in Bemidji at 105.3 FM, and in Brainerd at 89.9 FM.  The program will also be streamed live and archived at kaxe.org on the Culturology page.

Milt Lee

Milt Lee is a radio and film producer who grew up in southeastern South Dakota. His wife, Jamie, grew up on the Iron Range. Like most husbands, Milt had always wondered what made Jamie tick. At the same time, KAXE’s parent organization Northern Community Radio was interested in a documentary project about the Iron Range. The convergence of these two interests is the inspiration for Ranger in My Heart.

Milt takes an outsider’s look at the history, people, natural environment, attitudes, and culture of the Iron Range.  The documentary weaves together interviews, music and sounds gathered around the Range.  His interviews include local history sources like Dan Bergan and Aaron Brown as well as prominent area musicians like Matt Ray, Rich Mattson, and Aurora Baer.  A musician himself, Milt finds that he can interpret something about the soul of a people through the music they’re making.

Milt Lee has been producing documentaries for public radio since 1992.  With his writer and wife, Jamie Lee, they have done over 70 long form documentaries. Winners of 6 Golden Reels, the Lees continue to explore the inner workings of grassroots people leading regular lives and discovering the true wealth of America.

We the People [the Video]

From loving to brag about cold weather to believing in the power of local, community radio, we the people of Northern Community Radio need you.

From $5 a month to $1 a day, pledge your support at whatever level you can afford and keep independent radio strong in Northern MN. What do you believe?

Pledge online at http://www.kaxe.org
Or call 800-662-5799 / 218-326-1234

Listener support is our single largest source of funding and it's people just like you that make it all possible. Thank you!

How KAXE and KBXE Will Coexist

Thank you for your interest in 90.5 KBXE! We hope this will answer some of your questions about KBXE.

KBXE is a new, noncommercial community radio station that will serve people in Bagley, Bemidji and surrounding areas.

Northern Community Radio will own and operate KBXE, using the same structure that it uses to operate 91.7 KAXE in Grand Rapids (105.3 in Bemidji). This shared structure will help KBXE operate frugally. When you make a membership pledge to Northern Community Radio, you will automatically be a member of both KAXE and KBXE.

KBXE and KAXE will broadcast together. Each studio will create outstanding programming and each station will broadcast a regional signal. KAXE and KBXE will serve most of northeastern and north central Minnesota. Sometimes the programming will originate at KBXE and sometimes at KAXE, but everyone who listens to either station will hear all of it! We are looking forward to a great influx of volunteer energy from KBXE that will be heard from Fosston in the west to the hill overlooking Duluth in the east!

KBXE will operate from studios at 305 America Ave. NW in Bemidji, in space leased from Harmony Food Co-op, adjacent to their new grocery. KBXE’s tower will be located between Bemidji and Bagley, to cover both communities with a strong signal.

The best way you can help build KBXE is to give generously to the building fund. Your capital pledge can be paid over a 3 to 5-year period. KBXE has to be ON THE AIR by MARCH 2012, or we will lose the license. Time is of the essence!

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this project.  We always want to hear your questions and comments. 800/662-5799 or comments@kbxe.org.

Sincerely, Maggie Montgomery, General Manager, Northern Community Radio

The Women of Roller Derby

The Women of Roller Derby is an intimate view into the life of derby girls. Produced by Doug MacRostie of Northern Community Radio for Culturology on 91.7 KAXE.
 

The Women of Roller Derby
Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby has exploded across northern MN, with the Babe City Rollers in Bemidji, and the Iron Range Maidens. Derby is a very physical sport, known for hard hits and short skirts. Producer Doug MacRostie wondered, ‘who are these derby girls, and what draws them to this sport?’, and it isn’t who he expected. Doug set out to find a dominatrix derby girl, and instead discovered The Women of Roller Derby.

I Hulk said, "That was awesome and dare I say I got a bit teary. Which says a lot since I hate crying and being emotional!". Sarah Whalin' said, "I. M. Hulk, Olive Mayhem, Piece MakeHer, Vroom Vroom and the others give such an accurate portrayal of what it means to be a derby girl, it will give you goosebumps! Totally amazing. Go Maidens!!" and Butterscotch Bitch told us, "I was just sitting in my car the last 20 minutes listening. I wish I had my skates with to wear at work...".

Preflash Gordon, online manager of the North Star Roller Girls, said, "KAXE in Northern Minnesota does a documentary on derby women ... and by golly, it's like listening to This American Life! Absolutely fantastic! Give it a listen, or download the MP3 and podcast it later. Brilliant stuff. Congrats to Douglas MacRostie and everyone who made this wonderful show."

Read more about The Women of Roller Derby:
"Roller Derby Rockin' Northern MN" on 91.7 KAXE Notes
"Talk Derby to Me" on Doug MacRostie's Macedelic Studios

Photo donated by Jimmy Digital of the Sioux City Roller Dames.

WoRD was made possible with support from the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Sela Oveson: Her Music's In My Bones

by Doug MacRostie.

I have been quoted saying "Sela is one of my favorite MN musicians - she has a fire that burns within her, a voice that's powerful and songs with meaning. She sings in a unique style that can carry you away to the heart of her music." She was "a wonderful surprise when I had her in-studio" and "The music scene in Northern MN is a much better place since she embraced her creativity." And all of that was before she even released her first full-length album!

I am very excited to welcome Sela Oveson back to Centerstage MN to talk about her debut album "Rogue Lightning." It's powerful stuff. As a solo artist her music is already commanding, but she invited many of her favorite Iron Range musicians to join her on this CD. When a song starts with her delicate guitar and then a bass note slides in, a drum pounds and you hear the pull of a violin the music wraps around you, inviting your mind to sail through the great unknown. Sela has captured Rogue Lightning in a bottle.

Sela will be performing with the Roxie Magistrate on Thursday, Dec. 23rd for a Christmas Special at the MN Discovery Center in Chisholm, starting at 6:30. On Friday, Jan. 15th, she'll be at the I.R.O.M.A. Masquerade Ball at the MN Discovery Center in Chisholm starting at 7pm. And Tuesday, Feb, 9th, Sela Oveson is hosting a CD release party for “Rogue Lightning” at Brewed Awakenings in Grand Rapids starting at 5pm. 

We'll also hear new music from Todd Clouser. He is a Minneapolis musician who recently moved to Baja, Mexico and mixes elements of 70's rock with modern jazz defining his own genre of instrumental music. And we'll hear another song from Mason Jennings new acoustic CD "The Flood." Also Pieta Brown and The Sunny Era.

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls Saturday nights at 11 & Wednesdays at Noon, and on WTIP in Grand Marais Thursdays afternoons at 4. Often featured on MNartists.org.