The Progressive Voice of the Mountains

In this historic election year, MAIN and WPVM are working on two critical and related issues:

*Solving the rural broadband problem and preserving Internet freedom

*Fixing the WPVM signal problem and expanding local voices on the public airwaves.

We need your help! Both of these battles to “Free the Airwaves” are happening NOW in Washington.

We need your tax-deductible donations to ensure that our voices are heard in Congress and at the FCC.

Please give today and help MAIN and WPVM continue our record of media reform achievements!

Current MAIN/WPVM efforts your dollars will support:

*MAIN is working with the Media & Democracy Coalition and the Wireless Innovation Coalition to get FCC approval in October for use of the vacant TV channels, which come available next February when TV goes digital. This spectrum is critical for solving the rural broadband problem and providing a high-speed alternative to the cable and telco duopoly.

*MAIN is working to pass the Community Radio Act in Congress, which would free the airwaves and allow WPVM to fix its signal problem - and allow more communities to launch low-power FM radio stations.

*MAIN is working to make Asheville a “Wi-Fi City” to boost economic development, small business incubation, digital job training - and to reach low-wealth, underserved neighborhoods.
*MAIN is perfecting one of the nation’s first alternative media business models based on a simple principle: Give citizens the option of spending their Internet dollars to support local, independent media.

More on MAIN

The Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) is a non-profit, community-based provider of wireless Internet services. Since 1996, MAIN’s public-service achievements include:

*the first local Internet access in 14 counties of Western North Carolina
*the first public Internet access in libraries and community centers in 12 counties of WNC
*recycled computers and free or reduced-fee Internet access for more than 400 citizens with disabilities
*helped create the local nonprofit fiber network, ERC Broadband
*boosted disaster-recovery efforts via a pioneering partnership with local ham radio operators
*is leading the fight in Congress and at the FCC for high-speed Internet access in rural North Carolina - and the nation
*a national leader in preserving Internet freedom and online privacy
*led the decade-long effort to create URTV, the first and only public access TV station in WNC
*returned local voices to the airwaves via radio station WPVM 103.5 FM -”the Progressive Voice of the Mountains”
*unique business model: allow citizens to spend their Internet dollars to support local voices, privacy, and community self-help.

To show our support for fellow volunteers at the station;  in honor of the hard work and dedication given by them, and to protest recent decisions unfairly made regarding the cancellation of “7 Layer Dip”,  Molly and Lucia have opted to host DROP BEATS NOT BOMBS this Saturday, August 30, 8-10pm, in silence.  

We will continue to play all your favorite beats and rhymes and will even be available for requests, but will remain silent hosts until further notice.  Our interview scheduled for this week with 1865 will be recorded and saved for another show. Please stream online or access our archive for a playlist.  Thank you for your love, support and listening ears.

Peace.

The Pack heirs have prevailed in their lawsuit against Buncombe County and Stewart Coleman. The Parkside Condominium project appears to be dead. Read the Mountain Express story here. Tune in to Making Progress: News for a Change Monday at 7 pm. for details and discussion of what happens next.

Today’s guest on Listen 2 Women will be The Edgy Mama, Anne Fitten Glenn, author of the weekly Mountain Xpress column of the same name.  Tune in from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28 to hear Shelley and Leah’s conversation with our own local Edgy Mama.  We’ll talk about kids and parenting, but also beer and who knows what else. 

The goal of Listen 2 Women is to be a forum for women’s voices.  If you miss the show live, check it out on WPVM’s archives page.  Just click on Listen 2 Women.

In solidarity with Gillian Coat , Simone ,  their show  ” 7 layer dip ” been abruptly cancelled, add the resignation of Jason , our manager at the station   , the Paris of the South radio hour is taking a leave of absence and will not be on the air next week until changes and new policies  in the structure happen .

At this moment the station  cannot guarantee and support “ freedom of speech”   and the community spirit  that I cherished since I  moved to Asheville 15 years ago.

This last show is dedicated to Gillian, Simone , and Jason and to all of you  who have by your  presence , voluntarism , devotion, passion  and commitment,  created a real community radio during my time (117 shows). On this last one you will hear the greatest French song ever written (with all its covers) ” With time , love goes away  ” by Leo Ferre   .

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE HOMAGE !(starting wed-midnight)

I love you all , au revoir et a bientot .

FRANCOIS MANAVIT (francois@redherringpuppets.com)

my very best,
Peter

Listen to the
Ooze Out Program
Tuesdays at 10 pm
on WPVM
103.5 FM Asheville

Leslie Keffer is an experimental composer currently living in Nashville TN. Hear her talk about all things glittery, magical moments and her forthcoming LP Give It Up, on Ecstatic Peace. Tune tis week for our exclusive interview with Caethua.

Download the Leslie interview here

Listen to the
Ooze Out Program
Tuesdays at 10 pm
on WPVM
103.5 FM Asheville

This program includes solid news stories in many categories–national, international, the wars(s), environment/health, etc. pulled from The GlobalReport.org website and made radio-friendly by our devoted team of volunteers. We guarantee you missed many (probably most!) of these are stories on your favorite mainstream media. Diverse voices and passionate progressivism at no extra charge! : Of special interest in this week’s program are:

• Bush covered up Musharraf ties with al-Qaida, Khan
• Study finds coastal dead zones spread globally
• Analysis: US role in Georgia crisis
• The Washington Post and the great disconnect
• Immigration snaring US citizens in raids

The weekly fresh show airs first at 5pm Fridays. Rebroadcast at 6:30am Saturdays and 7:30am Mondays. The show can also be heard as a stream or podcast anytime from the WPVM archives.