Wild Things on Tuesdays

We've got a host of wild things this Tuesday to listen to on 91.7 KAXE including John Latimer, Harry Hutchins, Bill Berg and  Marty Jacobson.  John gets Phenology reports from schools including Roosevelt Elementary in Virginia and Hill City Elementary.  Harry talks gray jays for A Talk on the Wild Side at 7:45 and Bill Berg is in to talk wildlife winter survival at 8:10.  Marty Jacobson sits in for Bobbi Kleffman on All Things Equine to talk about horse safety with kids.

What WILD THINGS are you seeing out there?  Send us an email or comment here!  Here's a recent phenology note we received from Aitkin:

While I was in the basement Sat. morning putting duct tape on my gloves before going out to cut some wood,  there came a scream from the kitchen where my wife had been baking “ there’s a bat in here”  she was no longer in the kitchen !! But there was indeed a bat in the kitchen and it was soon caught and placed outside where it froze.

 We have a story and a half home with full basement, fairly warm and cozy for us, but about once a year we have a bat appear that unnerves the Mrs. They must come from the attic but why this time of year?

Learning Ojibwe: Gisinaa

From Chelsea Annette's book, "Discovering the Little Brothers"


  Gisinaa: It's cold
 
 Listen

Gisinaa agwajing noongom: It's cold outside today

Click here for more editions of Learning Ojibwe.

Northland High School Senior from Federal Dam, Dylan Tonga

Dylan Tonga is the kind of kid that paves his own road.  Three years ago he picked up a guitar and over time has taught himself how to play the electric guitar.  With one official lesson under his belt and at least three hours of practice a day, Dylan hopes to start a more intense study of music in his future.  He also builds electric guitars and still plays clarinet in the high school band.

He recently auditioned for the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  You can hear our conversation and Dylan's playing here. 

Thanks for stopping by our studios Dylan!  We can't wait to hear what your life has in store for you!

The Edgy but Charming Sasha Mercedes

by Doug MacRostie

I would say that Sasha Mercedes was born to play music. Her style and intimate songwriting combined with her honest lyrics and passionate vocals, come across in a natural, powerful way. Sasha joins me in-studio this week on Centerstage MN to talk about her new record "Temporary Monsters", her first album backed by a full band.

Daughter of Dan "Bart" Bartik of Backroad, a legendary blues band from Grand Rapids, Sasha was born in a cabin in the middle of the Northern MN woods. Her passion for music has taken her all over the world; from going to Prague to become a rockstar, to teaching music in Macedonia, to dominating all 3 bars in Bayfield, WI.

Her songs sometimes cover serious, taboo topics and I asked Sasha about what inspires her, "I want to be able to write something that people can relate to. I’m just tired of listening to all this pop radio where they’re filling lyrical lines with ‘la la las’ or whatever, just taking all these short cuts. Songwriting is not about shortcuts. It’s about taking a story and putting it to music and people listening to it and being able to relate and enjoy it. I write 95% from personal experience."

Click here to see a video preview of her performing at the KAXE Studios.

In other news, a Bemidji hip-hop group was brought to my attention this week and we'll hear the latest track from Aurora Borialis the North Stars followed by Big Quarters, two brothers who spent some of their youth in Clearbrook, now operating out of the Twin Cities.

Plus, a preview of next week's hour long special! I went to see Two Many Banjos perform at Terrapin Station in Nevis and recorded an interview with Marc Gartman. We'll hear that conversation next week, along with highlights from their concert. And I'll start with the wonderful surprise of the evening: Colleen Myhre from Mahtowa. She is an excellent singer-songwriter with a beautiful voice. [Read more about that evening here].

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 Thursday afternoons at 4. Often featured on MNartists.org. 

Minnesotans Organize Rally for Public Broadcasting

Last Saturday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution eliminating all Federal funding for local public television and radio stations by a vote of 235-189.  On February 28th, the continuing resolution will be taken up by the Senate.  This funding is critical for public broadcasters.

There is a community rally for public broadcasting this Thursday (Feb. 24th) starting at 11am at the Cray Plaza in St. Paul including special guest Congresswoman McCollum. 

"We urge the Senate to reject this House action, and we hope the final decision on this matter will recognize the enduring value of public broadcasting as America’s largest classroom, its greatest stage, and its most trusted and comprehensive source of information for the citizens of the world’s greatest democracy" - Public Media Association president Patrick Butler

Get more information on this issue at 170millionamericans.org.

'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.

Fivesome: Young Golfers Learning the Game at Pokegama

This feature gets up close and personal with 5 young golfers. Produced by John Bauer of Northern Community Radio for Culturology on 91.7 KAXE.

Fivesome: Young Golfers Learning the Game at Pokegama
"This golf documentary is basically a way for me to live my life through these 5 young golfers. They truly love the game of golf as I did when I was their age. Their summer vacation is spent golfing, eating french fries and competing for candy bars. Golf is a privilege and I hope these guys grow to learn that. Getting to know them better assures me that they will." - John Bauer, Producer.

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