Return to this issue main page

Return to main archive page

Radio Van Zandt. Come in please

By Tara Nelson

The community of Van Zandt, with less than 500 people, historically under served by public transportation and communication infrastructure, has recently received new bus service from Whatcom Transportation Authority to its community center and has plans to build a low-power FM community radio station at the Van Zandt Community Hall, across the street from Everybody’s Store on SR 9.

Holly O’Neil, project coordinator of the South Fork Community Radio project, is looking forward to getting her non-profit station,KAVZ, 102.5 FM, off the ground. She said the Van Zandt Community Hall Association filed for a non-profit community radio station with the Federal Communications Commission in the spring of 2001 when they had a limited amount of openings for non-profit community radio stations.

The application has been approved, she said, and their goal is to start broadcasting by April 1, 2006. But before they can receive a permit, O’Neil said the group will be required to upgrade the hall to state requirements such as building wheelchair ramps to make the building handicap accessible. She said the group is also still looking for funding. “We very much need generous donations to get this on the air, she said. “We need to raise about$20,000 within the next few months to meet our goal and this community is one of the lower income areas of the county so we really appreciate every little bit of help with dollars to buy the equipment.” She also said the station is looking for programming volunteers a swell as help during the Sunday work parties.

Current plans for programming include a local band, a Nook-sack storyteller, elementary kids interviewing elders about local history, music from Texas, tips on gardening in Eastern Whatcom County and poetry. O’Neil said in an area typically unplugged as a result of prohibitively expensive cable television and Internet, a community radio station could be a cohesive force for the population of the South Fork Valley.

It would also likely provide an educational and cultural outlet for community members as well as the area’s high school. Jason Streubel, pastor at the River of Life community church, agreed. “We’re all excited about the radio,”he said “The South Fork Valley is so unique and the (radio station)will connect a lot of people who perhaps wouldn’t connect with each other otherwise,” he said. “Anytime you can bring people in your community together that’s a good thing.”

For more information about donations or to get involved with KAVZ’s Sunday work parties, call 592-2716. In other Van Zandt news, residents are now able to enjoy the convenience of a new bus route. Whatcom Transportation Authority recently modified route 72X to stop at Van Zandt’s community center five times daily.

The added bus line is part of an overall expansion and improvement of the WTA’s countywide service, and includes routes to areas previously not served. Rick Nicholson, director of service development at WTA, said he hasn’t seen rider numbers yet but he did say that people are using it every day. In addition, he said expansion of that service is possible in the future, but it all depends on demand.