Her Voice Still Haunts Me...In a Good Way

by Doug MacRostie

The band name Roma Di Luna translates to 'Gypsies of the Moon' - the name is a mish-mash of different languages and cultures; 'Roma' references the gypsy life-style and the sound in Eastern European folk music, and 'Di Luna' meaning 'the moon' in European and American cultures. This combining of cultures and styles serves as a perfect name to represent the unique and exciting sound that is Roma Di Luna, who take influences from all over the world and combine them into a new style of folk song story telling.

I am very excited to have Channy and Alexei Moon Casselle of Roma Di Luna on Centerstage MN this Thursday night at 6 on KAXE. Husband and wife, Alexei and Channy are the songwriting core of RDL. When I heard their debut release Find Your Way Home back in 2007 I was floored - such moving and compelling vocals with a genuine, bare-bones style of 'new old music.' For their latest release Casting the Bones they expanded to a full band which only served to enhance and elevate the sound further into new sonic territory. Channy's beautifully haunting vocals combined with Alexei's songwriting create a truly original sound that I look forward to talking with them about.

I've also got music from the highly anticipated Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank album Traveling Show which can be pre-ordered at HoboNephews.com. They definitely have a good thing going on and their new CD will be vying for my "MN Album of the Year."

Also, Mason Jennings forthcoming release Blood of Man has arrived at the KAXE Studios, and we'll hear a song off that. Mason has turned up the rock on this new album, but still has his distinct sound and style.

If you missed last weeks show, use these links to listen to my conversation with John Wozniak of Marcy Playground about the new CD Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage and you can listen to my conversation with Matt Ray and Rich Mattson about I.R.O.M.A. and the music scene on the Iron Range.

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. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.

Bloom & Doom: A Flurry of Phenology

The Phenology Show w John Latimer is almost 26 years old, covering the nature of our area. Or, as John says, "the rhythmic biological nature of events as they relate to climate." Phenology is a great example of the high quality, local program produced at KAXE.

This week on Phenology Plus we heard about the crashing Moose population in north-western MN with an unbelievable population decline: 20 years ago there were over 4000 Moose, today the number is estimated to be 84! Very sad news about such a majestic creature. Wildlife biologists aren't sure why this is happening and the research is ongoing; you can help by reporting any Moose sightings to the DNR by clicking here. Mark Johnson is a the Executive Director of the Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association and he talked with us about what he learned, click here to listen to that conversation.

A related issue is diseases that are carried by a rising Deer population that are deadly for Moose. The increased Deer population also has an effect on White Pine stands. Click here to listen to our converstaion with retired Forester Keith Matson; we asked if you can have Deer and White Pine too?

You can also use the following links to listen to John Latimer's Phenology Report & Phenology Talkbacks, and John and Harry Hutchins talking about the wild life they've observed during this late summer/early fall during A Talk on the Wild Side.

You can listen to previous episodes, get real time Phenology updates from John Latimer, check out nature videos and pictures and more at The Phenology Page at www.KAXE.org.

This Saturday on "Between You and Me"

By Jennifer Poenix

With Heidi Holtan on vacation in Alaska, Maggie Montgomery and I will be your hosts this Saturday on "Between You and Me." We'll be teaming up on a subject near and dear to both of our hearts: The Beatles!

We'd love to hear your stories, favorite songs, and anything else you want to talk about regarding the Beatles.

You can always leave your comments ahead of time by e-mailing comments@kaxe.org, or calling the Talkback Line: 218-999-9876, or you may join us live during the show by calling 218-326-1234.

"Between You and Me" is our Saturday morning mix of music and conversation, from 10am-noon.

Now Hear This! Recent Audo Highlights from KAXE

At KAXE.org we have twitter updates, YouTube videos, a photo album, 24 hour live stream AND audio highlights like:

All Things Equine and Horse Driving Today
Bobbi talked with Gloria Austin on Modern and Traditional Driving in America today. Gloria reviewed the similarities and differences between modern and traditional types of driving and spoke of the venues for each with explanation of competitions including the upcoming WEG (World Equestrian Games) driving competition. She also talked about types of classes and turnouts and about how to get started in driving. Hear more at All Things Equine.

Daddy's 10 Fishing Commandments
Robert Saxton, 'The Mini-Van Man," shared this audio essay on fishing culture with us on RealGoodWords, about taking his 3 kids out fishing earlier this summer.

Why Aren't You Naked on the Cover?
John Wozniak of Marcy Playground about the new album Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage from Centerstage MN w Doug MacRostie. Marcy Playground: http://www.marcyplayground.com/

Stereotypical Northern MN BWCA Discussion
Regular contributor Aaron Brown penned this radio satire for Between You and Me on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Check out Aaron's blog at www.minnesotabrown.com

Green Smoothie Challenge

Today on the Morning Show the topic was health. It went from exercise to wellness to making livable communities to green smoothies.

Geri stopped by and talked about her 40 day Green Smoothie Challenge - along with Jamie ... the most hard core green smoothie drinker around!

What's in a green smoothie you ask? ANYTHING you like. I made one today that had swiss chard, carrot tops, raspberries, banana and yogurt in it. Packed full of vitamins and nutrients. Plus I had to trudge to the garden for most of the ingredients (the banana tree is not in bloom yet) so I got some exercise to boot.

Here's a green smoothie recipe to try from Geri's blog:

1 cup spring salad mix
1 cup green tea
3 very ripe peaches
1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup ground pecans
2 cups pure juice (I made this in my juicer: 2 apples, 2 pears, 2 kiwi)

If you do not have a juicer, any 100% juice is a good choice.

Report Your Moose Sightings

We talked with Mark Johnson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, about what he learned as a member of the "Moose Advisory Committee". The Minnesota moose population is facing a lot of biological and natural threats, and has seen sharp declines in the Northwestern part of the state. While the decline has not been as dramatic in Northeastern Minnesota, biologists and others interested in moose populations are still concerned.

Mark indicated that we have a lot to learn about what is affecting the population, and one of the ways that you can help is to report your moose sightings on a special website. Please log your sighting(s) at http://www.nrri.umn.edu/moose/general/sightings.html

Read more about what's happening to moose in Northeastern Minnesota on the "Moose in Minnesota" website.

"The Cup" Comes to Grand Rapids

by Scott Hall

The Stanley Cup, professional hockey's championship trophy, came to Grand Rapids Wednesday, August 19th. Grand Rapids native, Alex Goligoski, is a defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins, this year's champions. Alex graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 2004, and played three years with the Gophers before signing with the Penguins. Hundreds of kids and families stood in line for hours to have their picture taken with Goligoski and the Cup. Here Zach Stejskal poses with the Cup, and Sydney Watland and Katherine Roy got Goligoski's autograph and souvenir pucks and sticks.





Alex signed autographs and posed for pictures non-stop.

Click here to see the pix in our Online Photo Album.