waiting on a friend

It's sort of like hiking with someone who doesn't walk as fast as you, but they are carrying the water - you are thirsty until they show up - so it seems that the venerable radio4all.net is back in action. So go and drink deeply of the new radio free school show - http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=26610 and remember Henry David Thoreau's "If a man does not keep pace with his companion, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer..."etc (This would, I am sure, apply to other genders as well.

tangled webkinz and seeking the source

Hamilton area listeners will be treated to a NEW radio free school show this week, after several weeks of repeats due to computer problems - on the subject of computers we are now running on Kubuntu open source operating system (with a special thanks to Mark Wade for the constant support getting it set up and running)

This week's show features the kids exploring computer use and the Webkinz phenomenon, a song (welcome to the machine, pink floyd) and a field recording made by Evelyna during a Hamilton Naturalist Club hike to the source of Spencer Creek. Download the show here.

We are having trouble reaching the radio4all.net site to upload the show for our web listeners, not sure why we keep getting a DB error. We will monitor the situation and get the show to you ASAP

infrastructure requires funding

Dear Radio Free School listeners and supporters,

We have come to the point (February) in the annual cycle of nature when, as Randy's theory goes, people get their hair cut; but that's not why we are writing.

It is time for the annual fund-raiser at the mighty CFMU 93.3 fm in hard working Hamilton Ontario.

CFMU is one of those wonderful community places where alternative voices can be found, and where Radio Free School has been making our volunteer contribution for the past six years.

There are not many places where you will hear children taking an active role in creating media, so Radio Free School is proud to be a part of the effort to allow children to share their views, and for listeners to explore the ideas that form the basis of the show's theme: unschooling (or home-schooling, life-learning, self-design, etc.) CFMU makes it possible for listeners (both on airwaves and over the internet) to engage with alternative ideas (and music).

Community Radio relies on volunteers to produce the shows, and they also rely on listeners to take an active role in supporting the station. So once a year we come to you to request support in the form of a donation towards CFMU's goal of $21,000 dollars. So please give what you can (suggested donations $20)

All the money pledges goes to operating the station and buying equipment which then benefits the volunteers at the station.

When you make your pledge, please include "Radio Free School" in the subject line so the station bean counters know we have support out there in the community!

Thank you for supporting community campus radio and our show Radio Free School.


Thanks, from Beatrice, Randy, Madeleine, Evelyna and Bronwyn!


HOW TO DONATE TO CFMU
PRE-PLEDGE
Write a cheque to "CFMU-FM" in any amount you can afford
Write "Radio Free School" in the subject line
Send it to
CFMU-FM, Room B119, MUSC
McMaster University, Hamilton ON L8S 4S4
You can call the station at 905-525-9140 ext 27208 if you have any questions

ON-AIR
During the week of March 1 to 7, 2008 the on-air fund-raising takes place
You can call in a pledge any time during the week at 905-528-9888.
Radio Free School will be on the air live Wednesday March 5, 2008 at 12 noon to 12:30pm
Call us then and we will take your pledge over the phone.
Pledge Line 905-528-9888

CFMU regrets that they cannot issue receipts for Income Tax purposes.

KNOW SHOW

Radio Free School has been stymied by the loss (temporary) of our computer used to edit the show. It's been in the shop since last week. Once we get it back we can start catching up on lost time, and the kids are raring to go with some shows of their own devising.

We will also be running the computer on a linux system, so a bit of a learning curve will undoubtedly take place.

Thanks for your patience, we'll keep you in the know!

astonishing: bronwyn vanishes!

Gateway to Fairiedom?
By Ernest Wright, Dundas Globe News

A magic portal accidentally discovered in the woods of Dundas by nine-year old Bronwyn Hayes has the small Ontario town in Southern Canada abuzz.

These astonishing photos by Bronwyn's father, Denver Hayes seem to prove the existence of magical gateway to invisibility.


"It's not actually a portal, in the sense that it doesn't seem to lead anywhere," suggests eminent scientist Dr. James Quon, "but it is a very rare example of a fairie haven point."

Quon's multi-disciplinary research team, based at University of Southern California (Berkeley) have found only one other such "fairie haven point" (or FHP) , the other one on the west coast of Ireland, near Doolin, on the emerald Isle, now a major tourist attraction.

The Dundas FHP is just east of a tree, bent in an elegant arch, near a small wetland. A busy walking trail passes within several metres of the site.

"We have no means to seek them out, other than just these sort of accidental wanderings," says a thrilled Quon. FHP give no clues as to their existence, which some mythologists link to the "little people" or fairies, also known as leprechauns, making such findings extremely significant for study.

FHP's are theorized to have been special hiding places for fairies to elude pursuers. Fairie sightings are still occasionally reported in Ireland and northern parts of Europe and the British Isles, but very few have ever been reported in Canada.

Bronwyn's experience was nothing special, according to the young girl. Having no idea that she had vanished from sight, and that her answering calls to her worried parents could not be heard, she was unperturbed by the fuss.

Her parents say they only saw and heard her when she emerged back from under the suspected FHP.

"One second she was there, then gone. We were so relieved when she came walking towards us," says Denver.

Interestingly, the Irish FHP was discovered by another girl, named Bronwen.

Dr. Quon's team was on site only hours after the event, with the area cordoned off by police to keep the throngs of onlookers at bay.

another pressing affaire

Yay! Another small press fair, this time back in Hamilton, for the first time at the Sky Dragon Centre (27 King William St). The fair is Friday, February 8, 2008 starting at 6:30pm.

A handbill created by prolific local illustrator Gord Pullar even has a special mention of Kitty Corner.

Oui, Kitty Corner creator Bronwyn Kay will be there, as well as works by her sisters Madeleine (Curdled Way) and Evelyna (Poetry) who are elsewhere that evening performing with their band Faceless Gimmick. The Radio Free School gang diversifies...

The small press event will also feature the official launch of the SkyDragon ZINE LIBRARY!

So come down and check it out.