2003 NEWS

11/14/03

Isabel Relief Deadline Extended

Today, Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens reminded residents who were impacted by Tropical Storm Isabel of important FEMA deadlines and alerted them to a change in the Individual Assistance deadline. The deadline to apply for Individual Assistance has been extended from 11/18/2003 to 12/8/2003. Residents should call 1-(800)-621-FEMA to apply for assistance.

• Deadline to apply for Individual Assistance [Homeowners, Renters, Business Owners] 12/8/2003

• Deadline to apply for SBA low interest loans for loss of property [Homeowners, Renters, Business Owners] 12/8/03 Call 1-800-659-2955

• Deadline to apply for SBA Economic Injury low interest loans [Business Owners] 6/21/2004

The Isabel Outreach Team is to help people affected by Hurricane Isabel get information about community programs and services that may help them to: reduce stress, learn relaxation techniques, and understand common emotional reactions to traumatic events.  More information on the team is available here:

11/9/03

"Crab Soup"!  Wow, What a Show!!!

If you missed "Crab Soup" at the Avalon Theatre in Easton last night, or couldn't listen to the show on WRYR, you missed a great evening of song, storytelling, music, poems, and crab pickin'.  Thanks to everyone who made the event a milestone for the Chesapeake Bay area.  "Crab Soup" was Tom Wisner's inaugural broadcast of a new show he'll be doing on a monthly basis on WRYR called "Chesapeake Country".  Check the Programming Guide for times and date.  Check out some pics from the event in the "Crab Soup" Photo Album.

11/6/03

"Crab Soup" Article in the Bay Weekly

This week's Bay Weekly features an article on the "Crab Soup" event to be held this Saturday, November 8, 2003, at 8 p.m., at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD.  The article details the event's performers as well as a quick bit on WRYR.  

*** If you can't make the event, you can listen to it live on WRYR-LP 97.5 FM ***

10/24/03

"Crab Soup" Article in the Baltimore Sun

Today's Baltimore Sun features an article by Tom Horton about the upcoming WRYR sponsored "Crab Soup" at the Avalon Theatre on November 8th.  

10/24/03

WRYR Featured in The News Media & the Law Article

WRYR is mentioned in an article about the Mitre study.  Armed with a new study debunking frequency interference, low-power radio stations are fighting to extend their reach.

10/16/03

WRYR & SACReD Present "Crab Soup" at the Avalon Theatre

On Saturday, November 8, 2003, at 8 p.m., WRYR-LP 97.5 FM, SACReD, and the Avalon Theatre bring you a unique evening of music, storytelling, and general folklore about our Chesapeake Bay.  "Crab Soup" will feature:  Tom Wisner, singer, storyteller, and Bard of the Chesapeake; Tom Horton, author of Bay Country and An Island Out of Time; Skipjack Captains; and Musicians, Singers and Storytellers from Smith Island, Tilghman Island, Kent Island and many Chesapeake Bay locales.  PBS will be taping the event for a documentary on Low Power FM radio.  Tickets are available at The Avalon Theatre box office and WRYR.

9/30/03

"The Battle to Save The Bay" on Inside Track this Saturday

Tune in to WRYR this Saturday at noon for a special two-hour edition of Inside Track  with Mike Shay.  This segment will highlight "The Battle to Save the Bay" and will start with a one-hour interview with the President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Mr. Will Baker, followed by a one-hour interview featuring Dr. Howard Ernst, author of "Chesapeake Bay Blues".  For nearly thirty years, Mr. Baker has lead the CBF, the largest not-for-profit conservation organization solely dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.  Dr. Ernst, a professor at the Naval Academy, is a Maryland newcomer who’s written the most talked about Bay book in years. "Chesapeake Bay Blues", early reviewers said, is “a wake-up call” and “insightful analysis of how the nation’s largest estuary fell victim to human greed, economic expansion, and pollution.” 

"The Battle to Save the Bay" was recorded this last week at the WRYR studio.

9/24/03

Hurricane Isabel Relief Information

In the wake of the devastation to our community from Hurricane Isabel, Cedar Grove United Methodist Church is preparing to assist those in need. 

Hot coffee and muffins will be provided each morning starting at 5:30 am.  Also, hot meals will be provided each evening from 5 - 8 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  These activities start today, Wednesday, September 24th and continue through Friday, September 26th.   Also available are resources for emergency housing.  If you know anyone in need of housing, please call the church office to make arrangements.

Cedar Grove United Methodist Church is located at 5965 Deale-Churchton Road in Deale, Maryland. For additional information please contact the church office at 410-867-7417.

Please pass this information along to your family, friends and neighbors.

9/23/03

WRYR is Back On the Air!

Through the diligent efforts of our tech team volunteers, WRYR started broadcasting full programming again last night.  Thanks to all who worked hard to get us back on the air!  

9/22/03

Hurricane Isabel Knocks WRYR Off the Air

Hurricane Isabel did extreme damage to our Chesapeake Bay coastal communities.  Most of our communities just got their power restored yesterday.  Many of our volunteers are dealing with the difficult tasks of clean up, damage assessment and repairs.  We will all be helping them as much as possible.  Of less importance is the status of WRYR.  Luckily, our studio came through unscathed, aside from having no power.  And, although our transmitter, antenna, and other equipment were not harmed, our friends, Paul and Tracy, at Lowes Wharf Marina are dealing with a severe situation, with several feet of water on their premises and the associated damage that incurs.  We'll be helping them clean up and get back on their feet.  As a result, we are unsure of when we'll be getting back on the air, but we'll keep you posted.

This just in from FEMA:

Federal Emergency Management Agency Opens Disaster Recovery Center in Anne Arundel County

Federal and State Officials Available To Help Individuals and Businesses

Annapolis (September 22, 2003) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a Disaster
Recovery Center tomorrow at the Arundel Center in Annapolis to aid citizens in their recovery from storm
damage related to Hurricane Isabel. Federal and State Emergency Management officials will be represented
to assist people on the wide-range of programs and aid available through their agencies.

Some of the programs and aid include housing assistance, low-interest loans for individuals and businesses,
disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, free legal counseling and veteran's benefits. More
information on all of FEMA's programs can be found on their website at www.fema.gov.

Citizens must call the FEMA assistance telephone line at 1-800-621-3362 to register prior to coming to the
Disaster Recovery Center.

Disaster Recovery Center Hours of Operation

Tuesday, September 23 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24

Thursday, September 24

Friday, September 25 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 26

Sunday, September 27 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday 9/27-10/1 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

9/15/03

Associated Press Article on Prometheus Radio

This article by the Associated Press appeared in yesterday's Capital, as well as other AP outlets.  It covers Prometheus Radio's successful blocking of the new FCC media consolidation rules.  The story also has a small mention of WRYR.

9/4/03

Columbia Journalism Review Article on LPFM Features WRYR

The Sept/Oct issue of the Columbia Journalism Review includes an article on the latest issues regarding the new FCC media consolidation rules.  The story features Prometheus Radio and includes comments from Mike Shay of WRYR.  Also, follow the link to the Q&A session with Pete Tridish of Prometheus Radio.

8/29/03

NPR Story on LPFM Features WRYR

NPR aired a story today on Morning Edition covering the FCC's new efforts to step up LPFM station licensing to increase diversity on the airwaves.  The story features WRYR and includes interviews with some of WRYR's folks.

8/11/03

Mitre Study on LPFM Third Adjacent Channel Impacts

The Prometheus article below (7/13/03) refers to the Mitre Study which shows no potential interference problems from LPFM stations.  Now you can read the Mitre report for yourself.  Follow the link to the Mitre web-site or download the file (PDF format [4.6 MB]).

7/17/03

Blessing of the Fleet Festival Returns!

Once again, Discovery Village is hosting the historic "Blessing of the Fleet" on Parrish Creek.  Last year over 4,000 people showed up to celebrated the return of a lost South County tradition.  The "Blessing of the Fleet" Festival was by all accounts a huge success as thousands rediscovered the magic of the bay and our working watermen. This year's Festival promises to be every bit as exciting, so come on down.  Discovery Village has again teamed up with the Anne Arundel Waterman's Association and three local churches to recreate the historic "Blessing of the Fleet".  All Festival proceeds go to the Anne Arundel Waterman's Association, Participating Churches, and Friends of Discovery Village.

• August 9th from 11 am to 5 pm

• FREE Admission

• FREE Off-site parking; $5 Onsite parking

WRYR-LP will again be broadcasting live from Discovery Village to provide coverage of all the festivities. Stop by our booth, meet some of your favorite WRYR personalities and say "Hello".

7/13/03

Study Shows No Interference Problem from LPFM

Prometheus Radio reports on the results of a study by the Mitre Corporation that shows that LPFM stations do not pose any potential interference problems with full power stations.  Hopefully, this will open the door for many new LPFM stations in urban areas.

6/29/03

WRYR Denied Right to Record Public Meeting

The Baltimore Sun published an article on Anne Arundel County's lack of public notice of meetings and violations of state law regarding the requirements.  It also notes that the County denied WRYR-LP the right to record a public meeting for future broadcast.  The Capital also had a short piece on the issue.

6/22/03

Lighting Strikes - Ouch!

Once again Mother Nature has taken it upon herself to wreak havoc on our little station.  As you may have noticed, we were off the air for a little while and are currently intermittent in broadcasting our signal.  A week or so ago, our transmitter site took a direct lighting strike and fried a few circuits on our equipment.  We thought we had it all repaired and back in action, but we're still ironing out a few bugs.  Thanks for your patience!

5/22/03

We Bid Farewell & Good Luck to Eric, Our Program Director

Eric Funk, who has been our outstanding Program Director, as well as the host of Cafe Eclectic, is pulling up stakes to make his fortune out in the mountains of Colorado.  Eric has done an excellent job of developing WRYR's programming talent, fathering our automation system, and building our musical library.  It is with great sadness that we say farewell, but we know he'll still be a part of WRYR, reaching out and touching us through cyberspace.

3/13/03

WRYR at the NFCB Annual Community Radio Conference

Jeff Crespie, host of My Favorite Things on WRYR Sunday nights, has been granted a scholarship to participate in the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Annual Community Radio Conference in San Francisco.   Jeff will proudly represent WRYR-LP at this national gathering of the community radio delegates.  The conference is held from March 19 - 23, 2003.  The scholarship will cover all conference fees and WRYR is honored to have been chosen to receive this grant.  For more information on the NFCB, check our "Links" page.

3/6/03

Story on WRYR in the Bay Weekly

WRYR's own Annette Najjar, who hosts "What Will We Hear Today" on Thursday afternoons, has authored a great story on our radio station which is in this week's Bay Weekly.

2/28/03

WRYR in the Washington Post Again

The Washington Post yesterday reported on an FCC public forum in Richmond, VA to discuss radio and television station ownership limits.  The article mentions WRYR and quotes our own Mike Shay.

2/26/03

Rebroadcast of Tom Wisner Live on WRYR

We will air a rebroadcast of the February 13th live performance of Tom Wisner at the WRYR studio on Thursday March 6 from 8 - 10 pm.   Mark your calendars and enjoy this great event again or for the first time!   See below for details on Tom Wisner.

2/10/03

Tom Wisner Live in the WRYR Studio & On The Air this Thursday!

We invite you to join us for a very special WRYR event: Tom Wisner performing live in our studio Thursday February 13th beginning at 8:30 pm.  Enjoy a compelling evening of Chesapeake Bay music and storytelling!

Tom Wisner's Biography:

Tom Wisner (http://www.wfma.net/wisner.htm) is a native of the Chesapeake watershed, is a singer, songwriter, and educator devoted to raising awareness of the spirit and beauty of place. He is the recipient of the Maryland Governors Citation as well as excellence awards from the University of Maryland and from the President of the United States for the unique quality of his work to preserve the Chesapeake Bay using song and stories in education programs for all ages. On January 17, 2003, at the 18th Annual WFMA Benefit Weekend, the World Folk Music Association presented Tom Wisner with the 2002 John Denver Memorial Award.

Another Baltimore Sun Story on WRYR

Today's Baltimore Sun is running a story on WRYR-LP in the Anne Arundel County section.

1/11/03

WRYR Oval Stickers Now Available!

If you'd like a WRYR oval sticker, or send us a note.  Address and phone numbers are on our home page.

1/9/03

PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer LPFM Story (Including WRYR!)

Here are links to the video and audio files containing last night's piece on LPFM that aired on PBS' News Hour with Jim Lehrer, which includes clips on WRYR-LP.

WRYR-LP 97.5 FM radio is owned and operated by WRYR Community Radio, Inc.