Why Is KBXE?

by Scott Hall & Maggie Montgomery
[originally posted on 90.5 KBXE Notes]

There's much excitement and energy for KBXE, the new station Northern Community Radio is building to better serve the Bemidji and Bagley areas. Many people have come forward in Beltrami and Clearwater counties to help us with the planning, building and fundraising. Some listeners from other parts of the KAXE listening area have asked, "Why are you building KBXE?"

The answer is to preserve community radio in that region. Many new radio stations have been built in north central MN since KAXE first went on the air in 1976. It is getting harder to get KAXE’s 91.7 signal to Bemidji due to HD Interference and summer fades, and the signal will get worse because the FCC just gave radio stations permission to increase the power of their HD transmissions. In the case of 105.3, it's possible we could lose that signal altogether because it's in the commercial spectrum - which means a commercial entity could take the signal and we would have no recourse.

Northern Community Radio intends to preserve a signal for community radio in our region and has the financial resources to expand its service. Failure to act will mean loss of audience, and that will erode our financial support. KBXE will add energy, creativity and substance to Northern Community Radio’s programming, on both KAXE and KBXE, and on our websites and social media networks.

This is an opportunity to expand our mission to over 40,000 new people and several communities to the west, including people who don’t currently have access to a public radio signal, giving more people the opportunity to directly participate—the opportunity to create radio programs and other media using Northern Community Radio’s facilities. KBXE will be a regional broadcaster and an asset in its communities of service.

KBXE will broadcast at 90.5 and is the best solution to guaranteeing a reliable signal for those many loyal KAXE listeners. It will also enable us to reach people who may have never heard KAXE. This is an exciting opportunity and we hope you'll be involved.

We have a very active Publicity Committee that is planning monthly (or more) events - whether you'd like to share ideas, answer questions at an info table, want to help with construction, or just have a lot of energy to focus - please let us know, email kbxe@kbxe.org, or call 800-662-5799.

Holy Winds and Fits of Rage on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Pat Surface has been creating music in Northern MN for over 30 years and his new CD with The Boundary Water Boys is called Holy Wind - an album inspired by Pat's deep spiritual beliefs with a mix of original and interpreted material. What got my attention right away about this CD was the integration of Pat's religious beliefs with some classic songs. How do you feel about Bob Marley re-written to sing, "Stir it up...for Jesus, Stir it up..."? I got beaned by that curve ball... But when I told some of my co-workers about the concept of this album and some of the unexpected twists, Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" with the words of "Amazing Grace" got the most riled up response. Mark Tarner said, "what ever happened to 'Thou shalt not bear false witness'?" I'll ask Pat about these "holy-oldies" this week on Centerstage MN, Thursday night at 6. And I'll be talking with John Wozniak of Marcy Playground.

The first time I picked up an electric guitar I was 12 years old (I think)...it was my Uncles "Terminator" (that's all I remember of the name, my cousin might remember the brand...it had a built in speaker that got nice and distorted if you turned it up loud enough :D). Back in high school, one of the albums I sat in my room and learned all the songs on was the self-titled Marcy Playground. Not just "Sex and Candy", but amazing tunes like 'A Cloak of Elven Kind" and "Opium" (one of the best songs EVER). The unique sound and style continued to evolve on Shapeshifter (1999) and MP3 (2004). But I think my favorite album from Marcy Playground is the new release Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage, and I am SO excited to have John Wozniak on Centerstage MN to talk about it.

Guitarist and singer with Marcy Playground, John Wozniak's songwriting for the Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage is his most personal to date. Seriously, I want to ask him why he didn't put himself naked on the cover! There is lost love, found love, self-reflection and pure emotion presented with John's trademark soft-yet-intense vocals & melodic music which twists and jumps through life's experiences through the eyes of John. Marcy Playground songs often sound sad, but hopeful; and I'll ask John about his inspiration for songwriting, where the music comes from and what it's like opening yourself up and sharing in such a personal way.

Here's a video of Gina Nordquist, Rob Wheeler and Marty Halverson of Chisholm's High Drama Blues live on Centerstage MN last week:


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.

What's New on KAXE

Sandy Carroll ... "Delta Techno"
Caetano Veloso ... "zii e zie"
The Apples in Stereo ... "Travellers in Space and Time"
Kaki King ... "Junior"
Harlem ... "Hippies"
Laura Marling ... "I Speak Because I Can"
Miggs ... "Wide Awake"
Bob Cheevers ... "Tall Texas Tales"
Read more on the Currents Playlist...

Notes From a Day at the New Ball Park

by Scott Hall

Here's the new statue of Rod Carew outside the Twins new ball park in downtown Minneapolis. It's a beautiful new park that I think will please most fans. Like Mariucci Arena where the U of MN Gophers play hockey, there are a lot of nice artistic and historical touches - photos, sculptures, architechture - that add to the experience of being there and people will enjoy checking out. Some, like this statue, are outside the park and don't require a ticket. The archtechture is more modern than some of the other new parks - lots of glass, steel, limestone, and brightness. We walked around the park and I couldn't find many places where you wouldn't enjoy watching the game. Even standing room areas have good views.

Outdoor baseball and this statue of Rod Carew reminded me of a game we saw in Met Stadium in Bloomington in 1977. It was late July or Early August, sunny and about 85 degrees. Rod was hitting about .385, and everyone was excited about his chances for hitting .400. Dennis Eckersley was the starting pitcher for Cleveland that day. Rod grounded out in his first at-bat. The he dropped a beautiful bunt for a single, singled to center another time and, in his last at-bat, lined a 95 mph Jim Kern fast ball on one hop to the left center wall for a double - 4 for 5. His average went over .390 that day. He finished the season at .388. Dave Goltz pitched and got the win, Lyman Bostock hustled a single to a double to everyone's delight, and I think Larry Hisle drove in a couple of runs. Twins had a good team that year but finished 4th behind KC, Texas and the White Sox.

We saw the two best hitters in baseball last Saturday. Below left, Joe Mauer at bat in the first inning. Moments later, he ripped a HR to deep center. Below right, St. Louis' great first baseman, Albert Pujols. He doubled to left off Kevin Slowey in this at-bat.
















The Cardinals were the first team I followed as a kid. There were thousands of Cardinal fans at the games this weekend. I'm glad the Cards are in the NL and the Twins are in the AL. I can root for both without upsetting MN family and friends. I would love to see them both in the World Series. Both have very good teams this year. I did have wardrobe concerns. I wore my Twins T-shirt and Cardinal hat. My wife, Frieda, approved, probably because the T-shirt is more noticable (left). At right is a view from the third-base line out to right field and beyond.

More Secure Computing 1: Don't Run Your Computer as "Administrator"

by Chad Haatvedt, KAXE's IT Connection

One of the most important security measures users can follow to protect their computers from outside attacks is the concept of "least privilege". This means, use an account on the computer configured as an ordinary user with only those rights and permissions you need to get your work done and no more.

For example, for most day to day work on your computer, you do not need to install software, configure network settings, customize your web browser, add/remove hardware, etc. You just need to browse the web, write documents, edit files, and other non administrative tasks. The least privileged user on an XP system is able to do these functions.

However, if you are using Windows XP at home or at work, it is likely that the account you log into your computer with has full administrative privileges. (This is especially true if you are not required to log into your computer. If it just starts up, you are the administrator.) Accounts with administrator privileges have the rights to fully control nearly all aspects of the operating system and software on the computer.

So, you may ask, what's the big deal? Why not have administrator privileges on my account?

The answer is really quite simple. If you are browsing the Internet, or reading emails, and you come across a site/message that has a nasty payload, that bad page or infected message has the same control over your computer as your current account. So, if you are logged in as a user with administrator rights, and you hit a web page with malware scripts to install software to your computer, it's likely to succeed.

But, if you are operating as a user that does not have rights to install software, and hit the same page with malware on it, it is less likely to successfully exploit your system. Is it bulletproof? No, but it will thwart some (many) attacks.

There are some drawbacks in operating with less than administrator rights, most notably the need to switch user accounts to perform tasks that require higher privileges. But it's worth the hassle to help protect your system.

I especially recommend this route for shared computers. If you want to keep that computer running smoothly, don't let everyone have full control of the computer. Set it up with printers, software, networking, etc, and then create "user" accounts for everyone. They'll have what they need to run the computer, but will need to ask permission or request your help to make significant changes.

Don't forget to keep the Administrator password handy, because if you lose it, it's a pain to get control of the system without it.

You can learn more about configuring accounts in Windows XP here.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Provide More Protection

These operating systems provide users with a little more security by separating elevated privileges from regular user accounts. Windows Vista/7 employs a process called User Account Control that lets you operate as a regular user, but prompts you for credentials to authenticate with elevated privileges to perform certain operations. While this is not a perfect system, you should not bypass or try to circumvent it.

Two Turntables and a Microphone

On the first Monday night of every month, something magical happens at the KAXE Studios. And it has nothing to do with pharmaceuticals, hallucinogens, or unicorns... Something that defies the modern mindset of iPods on random...it's Vinyl Night from 7-10pm. That doesn't mean you have to wrap yourself in plastic to listen to the radio...just listen to the radio, plastic optional (as usual) and enjoy the warm wobble, scintillating scratch and perfect pops of of DJ the DJ with the elusive Bebo with all vinyl tonight On the River.

Legislative Newsletter from State Representative Larry Howes of Walker

Larry sent this newsletter before the Legislature recessed for the Easter break. I think it's a good review of some recent things going on in St. Paul. My guesses on the trivia question are Chuck Knoblauch, Kirby Puckett, and ??? - Scott Hall

From Larry:

The Legislature passed two bills Monday before members scattered to all four corners of the state for Easter/Passover break.

The first bill that passed is repassage of a bill to erase approximately one-third of the state’s $994 million deficit; it’s the first phase in a three-step process to balance the books as mandated by the Constitution.

There was a lot of heavy debate as Phase 1 was considered, but when the dust settled we approved a plan to reduce spending by $312 million. Cuts were made to local governments, public colleges, agriculture programs and more. The largest cut is a $105 million reduction in Local Government Aid.

This plan was negotiated between Democrat leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. It’s not a perfect bill and Rep. Pat Garofalo and I were the only members of the minority party to vote “yea.”Because the negotiations were conducted in good faith, I felt we should honor the process.

In any case, we still have a budget gap of more than $600 million to fill. The final two phases will address Health and Human Services, and K-12 education. Debate could become even more contentious since those areas represent about 70 percent of state spending and are areas that tend to bring out the emotions.

The Legislature also passed a jobs/taxes bill Monday. It encourages “angel” investors to help start-up companies and create jobs, promotes historic building renovations, and provides JOBZ incentive for the Ford plant to continue operating in St. Paul.

The legislation also included tax credits to aid Mall of America expansion, which could quickly result in numerous jobs through two new developments at the mall worth more than $200 million.

These various programs are paid for by repealing the state’s low-income motor fuels tax credit. Savings from the elimination would be approximately $30.1 million. This bill was not perfect, but it passed by a wide margin and is a step in the right direction by reducing government spending to help erase the deficit. I will continue working to help improve our business climate, where our tax structure still has a lot of room for improvement.

I used to include trivia questions in each of my e-mail updates and figured I’d throw you a baseball one today since the Twins open the 2010 season Monday at the Angels. Here it is: In 1992, for the first time in franchise history, three Twins players scored at least 100 runs.Who were they?

I’ll have the answer for you next week.

Have a blessed Easter or Passover holiday and I hope you are able to enjoy plenty of time with friends and family.

Until next time,

Larry