Oregon Public Broadcasting Wins Another Gracie Award

Last modified on February 28, 2007 02:37 PM

Oregon Public Broadcasting's Oregon Territory has won a prestigious Gracie Allen Award (also known as a Gracie). The weekly radio show, hosted by Christy George, took top honors in the Public Affairs category. For the winning show, George featured Oregon State University Marine Biologist Jane Lubchenco exploring the tidepools off Yachats, Oregon and discussing recent changes in the ocean that scientists believe are likely a result of climate change.

The Gracie Allen Awards recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media and is presented annually by the American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). Each year, the Gracies attract the best and the brightest in radio, television, cable and Web-based media. The Gracie winners will be presented their awards in June in New York City.

OPB also received a Gracie last year for "Outstanding Documentary – Mid-Length Format – Radio" for its audio-documentary The Undiscovered Explorer: Imagining York.

Hear the award-winning Oregon Territory broadcast

Writer's Almanac Airs Weekdays On OPB Radio

Last modified on January 19, 2007 12:50 PM

OPB is pleased to announce that beginning Monday, January 22, "The Writer's Almanac" will return to OPB Radio.

Listeners can hear "The Writer's Almanac" weekdays on OPB Radio during our broadcast of "Day to Day" at 1:30pm. Listeners can also subscribe to "The Writer's Almanac" podcast at opb.org/radio.

OPB Expands Its News Lineup With Two New Radio Programs

Last modified on January 10, 2007 09:35 AM

OPB Radio is expanding its news lineup with the addition of two shows to its morning lineup: Here and Now from 9 to 10am and World Have Your Say from 10 to 11am beginning Monday, January 15.

Here and Now, hosted by veteran award-winning broadcaster Robin Young, is a daily hour-long program that combines the best in news journalism with intelligent, broad-ranging conversation to form a fast-paced program that updates the news from the morning and adds important conversations on public policy and foreign affairs, science and technology and the arts.

World, Have Your Say is a groundbreaking, live global interactive program on OPB Radio weekdays from 10 to 11am and online 24/7. It invites listeners and online users to share their views and questions on key issues with a worldwide audience. The program features leading global figures, experts and correspondents who are also invited to take questions and comments from the audience.

"These programs are a superb addition to our news lineup," said OPB President and CEO Steve Bass. "I'm confident that these two hours of stimulating discussion will become must-hears for our very discerning audience."

OPB Radio's Classical Music Program Performance Today Moves to All Classical 89.9FM in January

Last modified on January 17, 2007 10:42 PM

All Classical 89.9FM will begin airing Performance Today January 15, 2007 immediately following the departure of the program from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB Radio) on January 12.

Spokespersons for both OPB and All Classical 89.9FM say that they believe the move will be a good one for a variety of reasons.

"All Classical 89.9FM has significantly strengthened its signal, providing non-commercial classical music programming 24 hours a day," said Steve Bass, OPB president. "They've done a remarkable job of building a fine classical music station and have become the preferred station for those who want classical music during most of their listening day."

"We warmly welcome Performance Today and Portland native, Fred Child to our airwaves," said Sarah Shelly, executive director of All Classical 89.9FM KBPS. "And equally important, we're encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and collaboration shown by the management team at KOPB. I predict great things ahead for both stations and for all public radio listeners," added Shelley. KBPS will broadcast Performance Today from 5-6pm weekdays.

According to Bass, the transition of Performance Today to KBPS also allows OPB Radio (91.5FM in Portland) the opportunity to strengthen its weekday core news and information service with high-caliber programs such as Here and Now and World, Have Your Say.

Here and Now, a news magazine featuring fast-breaking news, arts, entertainment and human-interest stories, will begin airing weekdays beginning January 15 at 9 a.m.

Directly following Here and Now, OPB will offer World, Have Your Say, a "ground-breaking, live, global-talk program from the British Broadcasting Company (BBC)," Bass noted. Together, the programs will complete the entire 9-11 a.m. broadcast slot previously filled by Performance Today.

Performance Today will be found not only on All Classical 89.9FM in Portland but also on KQHR 90.1FM in Hood River.

Starting January 15, The Writer's Almanac will be available via OPB.org.

Please refer to the directory below to find a classical music station nearest you.

Portland: KBPS 89.9FM (KBPS)
Salem: KBPS 89.9FM, KWAX 91.1FM
Corvallis/Albany: KWAX 91.1FM
Eugene: KWAX 91.1FM
Bend/Redmond: KWRX 88.5FM (KWAX)
Hood River/The Dalles: KQHR 90.1FM
Pendleton (LaGrande): KFAE 89.1FM
Florence (Yachats-Reedsport): KWVZ 91.5FM (KWAX), KWAX 91.1FM
Newport: KWAX 91.1FM
Lakeview: KLMF 88.5FM (JPR)

Performance Today Moves to All Classical 89.9 FM in January

Last modified on December 1, 2006 11:49 AM

On January 12, 2007, Performance Today will leave OPB Radio, the same day production of Performance Today shifts from NPR to American Public Media. Starting January 15, 2007, Performance Today will be broadcast on All Classical 89.9 FM in Portland and KQHR 90.1 FM in Hood River.

The move of Performance Today to KBPS provides OPB with the opportunity to further strengthen its core news and information service. Beginning January 15, OPB will introduce Here and Now, a news magazine featuring fast breaking news, arts and entertainment, and human interest stories.

Directly following Here and Now, OPB will air World, Have Your Say, a ground-breaking, live global talk program from the BBC.

Also starting January 15, the Writers Almanac will be available via OPB.org.

Please refer to the directory below to find a classical music station nearest you.

Portland: KBPS 89.9FM (KBPS)
Salem: KBPS 89.9FM, KWAX 91.1FM
Corvallis/Albany: KWAX 91.1FM
Eugene: KWAX 91.1FM
Bend/Redmond: KWRX 88.5FM (KWAX)
Hood River/The Dalles: KQHR 90.1FM
Pendleton (LaGrande): KFAE 89.1FM
Florence (Yachats-Reedsport): KWVZ 91.5FM (KWAX), KWAX 91.1FM
Newport: KWAX 91.1FM
Lakeview: KLMF 88.5FM (JPR)

Oregon Public Broadcasting Gubernatorial Debate: Oregon's Children, Everyone's Future

Last modified on September 21, 2006 10:46 AM

The two major candidates for Governor of Oregon will debate public policy issues specifically related to children and families in a live broadcast on the stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio on Thursday, September 28 at 1pm. The debate, sponsored by OPB, Stand for Children, Children First for Oregon and the Children's Institute, will also air live on KLCC in Eugene and Jefferson Public Radio in Southern Oregon, thus assuring statewide coverage. OPB TV will broadcast the debate on Thursday, September 28 at 9pm and Sunday, October 1 at 1pm.

OPB's Christy George will moderate the exchange between Governor Ted Kulongoski, the Democratic nominee, and Ron Saxton, the Republican nominee. Subjects discussed will likely include child health and welfare, early childhood education as well as K-12 education, and state budget priorities for children and families.

After the program, people can watch the debate, find out how the minor party candidates answer the questions posed to Saxton and Kulongoski and discuss the issues online at the OPB Web site. There will also be links to background information specifically tailored to the debate subjects by the partner organizations.

OPB Radio Documentary Wins a Gracie Award

Last modified on March 7, 2006 10:24 AM

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio has won a prestigious Gracie Allen Award (also known as a Gracie) for "Outstanding Documentary - Mid-Length Format - Radio" for its audio-documentary The Undiscovered Explorer: Imagining York.

The Gracie Allen Awards recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media and is presented annually by the American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). Each year, the Gracies attract the best and the brightest in radio, television, cable and Web-based media. The Gracie winners will be presented their awards at a dinner in June in New York City.

The Undiscovered Explorer: Imagining York aired on OPB Radio and on public radio stations nationally in February. Through a rich weave of music, interviews, performance and dramatic readings, this hour-long audio documentary, narrated by Danny Glover, tells the story of York, William Clark's slave and the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Claire Schoen produced and directed the documentary. For the past 25 years she has created award-winning documentaries in radio, film and video. Her works address a wide range of subjects including: environmental education, physical disability, communications technology, genetic engineering, nuclear proliferation and Jewish culture.

Claire's recent series, "Heart-to-Heart: Caring for the Dying" was broadcast on over 150 public radio stations. The series was honored by both the Gracie and the Clarion awards for Best Documentary Series.

Claire's previous producer/director credits include: "Mad River," an hour-long PBS documentary film about logging the Pacific Northwest Redwoods; "Voices in Exile," a four-part radio series about undocumented Salvadoran refugees, winner of the NFCB Golden Reel; "Is Our Fate in our Genes?", an hour-long radio documentary on genetic engineering, which was part of the series, "The DNA Files," winner of both Peabody and Dupont-Columbia awards.

Morgan Holm, director of News and Public Affairs at OPB, was the executive producer of The Undiscovered Explorer: Imagining York.

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio Adds Speaking of Faith to its Sunday Schedule in February

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio will add Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett - public radio's premiere national program about religion, meaning, ethics and ideas - to its Sunday broadcasting schedule starting February 12 at 7pm.

Speaking of Faith does not always have "religion" itself as a subject. Week after week, it grapples with themes of American life - asking how perspectives of faith might distinctively inform and illuminate our public conversation.

As host of Speaking of Faith, Tippett has been credited with creating a new way to discuss religion in America, first by probing her guests on the experience behind their own personal beliefs, then asking them to articulate the important ideas and relevant perspectives that faith can add to private and public life. The result illuminates how perspectives of theology, spirituality and ethics can enrich our common deliberation on topics in the news and in our lives.

Tippett is a journalist and former diplomat with a master's of divinity degree from Yale University. She is a graduate of Brown University, and a former Fulbright Scholar. Before creating Speaking of Faith, she consulted with a number of organizations, including the internationally renowned Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at Saint John's Abbey and University. Earlier in her career, she wrote and reported for a number of international news organizations, including the New York Times, Newsweek, the International Herald Tribune, ABC and the BBC. She is currently at work on her first book.

Speaking of Faith is produced and distributed by American Public Media.

Travel With Rick Steves Coming to OPB Radio

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Starting Sunday, January 8 at 2pm, Rick Steves, advocate of smart independent travel, will offer his advice to OPB Radio listeners. This fun, hour-long talk show, filled with practical information, will feature expert guests and call-ins from listeners with comments and questions.

"On the program we talk about our favorite travels in Europe, as well as travel anywhere in the U.S. and the rest of the world," said Rick. "We feature profiles of destinations and discuss general topics, as far flung as keeping healthy on vacation, bicycling trips, senior travel, finding chocolates, fear of flying, fear of going home and more."

After each weekly broadcast, listeners can visit Rick's Web site discussion boards and add to the conversation about the world. Rick calls it a place to "explore our world smartly, smoothly and thoughtfully."

Rick Steves has been an OPB TV favorite for a number of years. As host, writer and producer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe and best-selling author of 30 European travel books, he encourages Americans to delve deep into Europe and become "temporary locals." His readers and viewers - and now listeners - not only discover major cities, but also cozy villages away from tourist-trampled routes. He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe - and Europeans - for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.

Rick lives with his wife Anne, and two children, Andy and Jackie, in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington.

Carlos Kalmar and Symphony Launch Classical Season on OPB Radio With Brahms' Symphony No. 1

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio opens its second season of Oregon Symphony concert broadcasts on Friday, January 6 from 9-11pm with the powerful music of Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor. The concert showcases the musicians of the Oregon Symphony led by Music Director Carlos Kalmar. The broadcast kicks off a series of classical Oregon Symphony concerts that will be aired on OPB Radio the first Friday in each month for the next nine months.

"OPB is pleased to again partner with the Oregon Symphony to make it possible for people in Oregon and Southern Washington to hear these performances," said Jack Galmiche, executive vice president and COO of Oregon Public Broadcasting. "This is a great opportunity for OPB and the Oregon Symphony to expand the reach of cultural programming to everyone in our listening area."

For the Symphony's 110th season and Kalmar's third as music director, Kalmar has promised a musical adventure featuring new interpretations of well-known masterpieces blended with the Symphony debut of many established symphonic works. "We are trying to create even more of an adventure in the programming this season," Kalmar explains. "I think adventure is very, very important for all of us, especially for the audience."

Kalmar and the orchestra begin the evening with Rossini's well-known Overture to "William Tell," whose many recognizable tunes include the cavalry gallop made famous as the theme to the television show "The Lone Ranger." The concert continues with a Symphony premiere of Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera's "Variaciones concertantes."

The second half of the concert is devoted to Brahms' much-anticipated first symphony, written over a period of 20 years. Dubbed "Beethoven's 10th" by critics of the time, this symphony pays homage to Beethoven's symphonic legacy in the final movement, whose theme closely resembles the "Ode to Joy" melody of Beethoven's ninth symphony (though without choir). The work also established Brahms as an undisputed master of large orchestral forms, from its powerful brooding opening to its joyous finale.

In addition to concerts, OPB and KPBS are collaborating to bring listeners interviews with musicians and conductors during the performance intermission, further enlightening the concert experience. The opening interview features Carlos Kalmar talking to KBPS's Shaun Yu about the music on the first program (Rossini, Ginastera and Brahms).

StoryCorps Comes to Portland

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

OPB invites you to be a part of America's largest oral history project ever -- StoryCorps. StoryCorps is a national project with the goal of inspiring Americans to record one another's stories in sound.

Over the next 10 years, StoryCorps plans to travel around the country to record over 250,000 interviews that document the everyday history and unique stories of grassroots America. These interviews will reside at the Library of Congress and may be broadcast on OPB and public radio programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

The national StoryCorps tour is sponsored by National Public Radio, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Saturn. Local sponsors of StoryCorps are Burgerville and Anthro Corporation.

More Information...

OPB Radio is Now on 91.1FM in Tillamook

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

OPB Radio can now be heard on 91.1FM in the Tillamook area.

Television viewers receiving KOIN TV, channel 6, using an over-the-air antenna (not satellite or cable), who experience new interference with their reception should contact OPB Audience Services at 503-293-1982 or toll-free at 888-293-1982.

OPB reception in the Manzanita, Nehalem & Wheeler areas on 106.1FM, and on 93.5FM in the Pacific City area, will continue.

OPB Radio Frequency to Change in Manzanita Area

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio has received permission from the FCC to change channels of its translator in Manzanita to 106.1 FM.

Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio has received permission from the FCC to change channels of its translator in Manzanita to 106.1 FM. This should improve OPB Radio coverage in Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Nedonna and Manhattan Beach, as well as mobile coverage on Highway 101. The change is scheduled to take place the week of May 2, at which time listeners should tune to 106.1 FM on their radio to receive the OPB Radio signal.

Last year, there was an issue in Manzanita and the surrounding area with interference by OPB's 105.7 FM radio translator on Neahkahnie to an adjacent frequency radio station in Garibaldi. OPB Radio was off the air for a period of time until the radio antenna was modified to reduce the problem. This new frequency will eliminate that problem and allow for improved coverage.

Getting To Know: April Baer

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Can you guess who on the OPB Radio staff would like to don a gold lame dress and sing torch songs in smoky bars?

Name: April Baer

Position at OPB: OPB Morning Edition host

Date and Place of Birth: 1973 Marysville, Ohio

Education: BA, Ohio State University

Career Highs: Hosting my own call-in show in Cleveland. Doing features for NPR was also fun.

Secret Ambition: To at long last don that gold lamé dress and sing torch songs in smoky bars.

Weirdest Job: Definitely my two-year stint at a public access cable channel. An exercise in democracy - warts and all.

Favorite Books/Authors Recently Read: "Little Dorrit" Charles Dickens; "Life of Pi" Yann Martell; "If On a Winter's Night a Traveller "Italo Calvino; "The Tin Drum" Gunter Grass

Favorite Films: "The Philadelphia Story," Dead Man, "Wings of Desire," "The Hudsucker Proxy," "Barton Fink," "O Brother Where Art Thou?" or almost anything else by the Cohen Brothers

Earliest Political Memory: My mother taking me to a 'choice' rally in Columbus. I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8. Then-governor Dick Celeste and his then-wife Dagmar spoke. They were an amazing husband-and-wife team, not unlike the Clintons - although their meltdown was much less spectacular and sordid.

Best Interview: Two come to mind:

1. A guy who was organizing Cleveland's Guerilla Queer Bar movement. He and about 50 GLB friends would "invade" strategically chosen straight bars on Friday afternoons. They weren't making noisy statements or anything - just hanging out and having a good time. This was waaaaaaay before the gay marriage issue became hot. I thought it was a brave and inventive stab at integration and understanding. Also, it was clear he was putting fun first. Politics really should be more fun.

2. Pete Cary was Cleveland's first black TV reporter. He was not the most obvious man on the front line of civil rights, but hearing this guy talk about the things he had to put up with in a non-integrated newsroom was incredibly moving. And the way he faced the challenges could teach anyone a lesson in patience, dignity and class.

Most Interesting Interview: Hands down - Robert McNamara when he was doing the book tour for "Argument Without End" which he wrote about going back to Vietnam and meeting with his former adversaries. He's come into a remarkable and intense state in the last act of his life. Actually you can skip my interview and go see Errol Morris' excellent documentary, "The Fog of War," to get the full effect.

Most Challenging Interviewee: The author Susan Sontag. She eats nice little reporter girls for breakfast. But I still love her books.

Most Fun Interviewee: The Reverend Ivan Stang of the Church of the Subgenius. Praise Bob! Stang is the co-founder of a freewheeling fake religion that worships a square-jawed, fictional icon names J.R. Bob Dobbs. Stang's manner is one part Jimmy Swaggart, one part George Carlin. Hilarious.

Story You Wished You Had Covered: The 2002 race riots in Cincinnati. There is very little to prevent other American cities from boiling over the way Cincinnati did that spring. Looking at the lives of the disenfranchised - especially African-Americans in Ohio - I am still mystified about why it hasn't happened more often.

Favorite Music: I'm all over the road. I like some pomo rock, a lot of country and roots music. Working in Cleveland gave me an appreciation for jazz. But the stuff that's closest to my heart is I'd call salon music - Blossom Dearie, Paolo Conte, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Gillian Welsh, Billie Holiday … music that reads like a good book. I'm also very, very hot for the Kronos Quartet and their interpretations of Phillip Glass. The one area where I'm running a deficit is club music. I have no idea what people are dancing to right now. I guess it's something to do with my sleep schedule.

Least Favorite Music: Whatever sells.

Favorite Recording: Probably Stevie Wonder's "Fulfillingness First Finale." It's got everything! Love, religion, politics and some great beats.

Favorite Musicians/Groups: Morphine, Johnny Cash, Laurie Anderson, MeShell NdegeOcello, Jimmy Scott, David Byrne, Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

Favorite Music as a Child/Young Adult: Country!!! I've got a photo you will never see of me at age four, wearing Mickey Mouse ears, underwear and little else, singing "I Walk the Line."

Hobbies: Cooking, knitting, drinking, oops I mean reading. Moderate hiking and biking. I love movies, too.

Four Fantasy Dinner Guests: Edna St Vincent Millay, my friend Larry Collins, Tallulah Bankhead, and Mark Sandman, the late great lead singer of Morphine. Make sure he sits next to me.

Most Significant Event in Your Lifetime: Newswise? Probably 9-11. Personally, I think it was the death of my grandmother.

Hot Topic You Could Care Less About: Reality TV.

Most Unusual Job: Soda Jerk (three years in college)

Most Unforgettable Person You've Ever Met: He knows who he is.

Number One Pet Peeve: People who don't notice that the way they live affects others.

Worst Radio Blunder: Long story: This has to do with a live interview with a correspondent in Havana around the time of the Elian Gonzales flap. Sometimes you just have to know when to stop.

Favorite Radio Personality: Brooke Gladstone, the co-host of ON THE MEDIA. Her show is super-concentrated formula NPR... so smooth and brainy. I love Scott Simon, who taught me that radio journalists don't have to be alcoholic, ill-dressed, and bitter (not as though that's stopped some of us... ) And of course Ira Glass. The man revitalized a generation of radio people. Also NPR reporter John Burnett. I wish I could write like him.

Best Thing About Your Job: Meeting all those people! Also, it's nice always being on the leading edge of the day.

First Job: Pool girl at my grandparents' condo.

Best Vacation: The Lost Weekend in New Orleans! I'd love to tell you about it but I'd have to kill you.

One Thing Most People Would be Surprised to Know About You: I am not - repeat, NOT - a morning person.

The Oregon Symphony on OPB

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

You can now enjoy the Oregon Symphony's 2004-2005 Season — conducted by Music Director Carlos Kalmar — the first Friday of every month on OPB radio from 9-11p.m. starting January 7 with Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony No. 6.

Learn more about the Oregon Synphony

Getting To Know: Pete Springer

Last modified on January 31, 2006 09:31 AM

Which OPB staffer has the secret ambition of photographing
the Oregon National Guard troops in Iraq?

Name: Pete Springer

Position at OPB:  radio/television producer; OREGON TERRITORY producer

Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon

Education: Bachelor's degree in biology

Career Highs: Photographing Oregon National Guard soldiers during the first rain in six years outside Sharm el Sheik, Egypt

Secret Ambition: To photograph Oregon National Guard soldiers in Iraq

Weirdest Job: Planting trees for Louisiana-Pacific in the redwood clearcuts of northern California. We were paid every week by a guy who carried around a pistol and a briefcase full of cash. He would fire the pistol in the air before paying us to make sure we all knew it was loaded.

Favorite Book(s)/Author(s): Cormac McCarthy, “Suttree”; Jack Kerouac, “On the Road”; Vince Welch, Cort Conley, Brad Dimock, “The Doing of the Thing: The Brilliant Whitewater Career of Buzz Holstrom”

Favorite Film(s): “American Beauty,” “Pulp Fiction” and “The Sopranos”

Earliest Political Memory: Hearing my brothers talk about the bullet-proof shield Gerald Ford used during a speech in Portland

Best Interview: William Sullivan, a popular Oregon guidebook writer

Most Interesting Interview: A female wild-land firefighter who was a smokejumper, hotshot and strike team leader on the B&B fire. She slept on the bare ground instead of using a sleeping pad to keep from going soft.

Most Challenging Interviewee: Any MOS (man on the street) or VOS pops!

Most Fun Interviewee: Getting my dog to bark for a story about pet ownership (hey, that’s an interview of sorts ... )

Favorite Musician(s)/Groups: The Who

Hobbies: Backpacking, canoeing, snowshoeing and gardening

Four Fantasy Dinner Guests: Shirley Manson, Liz Phair, Neko Case, Bill Clinton

Hot Topic You Couldn’t Care Less About: “wardrobe malfunction”

Worst Radio Blunder: Mixing up the names Noah Adams and Neal Conan during a pledge break!

First Job: Delivering the Oregon Journal by bicycle after school

Best Vacation: Hiking 100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail from Mt. Rainer to the lava fields south of Indian Heaven Wilderness with my black lab

One Thing Most People Would Be Surprised to Know About You: I make recipes from Sunset magazine on a regular basis.