Volunteering at The Summit by Julie DiVitto with Margaret Slesnick as The Major Contributor

I have just a little summit volunteering experience, but I'm working on increasing that in 2009. What I have found so far is that it's fun, rewarding knowing you are helping out, and it's nice to meet fellow volunteers who love The Summit as much as you do. According to Margaret Slesnick, The Summit's Volunteer & Event Coordinator, "Our volunteers are the backbone of the station, for without them, we wouldn't be able to do all that we do. Our staff is small and we can't be at every event, particularly since some events are happening on the same day at the same time."

Here is a rundown of how volunteers can offer their time and talents, as stated by Margaret Slesnick:

There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The station has more events from springtime through summer, but volunteers are also needed to help with the fall and spring membership campaigns. Duties for volunteers include going on-site to various events in the community such as concerts, art shows, and non-profit events and working at our booth to help promote the station and give out promotional items. Volunteers also help with event set up and other event management needs. Campaign volunteers take pledges over the phone and help with the mailing of premiums. We also have people who "station sit" on different evenings and help with writing and editing Public Service Announcements (PSA's) or finding potential advertisers in publications, while they are on hand to assist with making phone calls if there are equipment problems during recording sessions.

Children are welcome to accompany their parents to assist with volunteering if the event is age appropriate. Typical shifts are 2-3 hours. We also have a volunteer reward program where perks are earned for volunteer time. We keep track of volunteer hours and you never know when you might receive something in the mail as our way of saying thanks.

I (Julie) have spent some time at the station with the lovely Marilyn Stroud. She is the Music Alive Coordinator. Marilyn was very friendly, and helpful in directing me in the task at hand for that day. Time flies when you're having fun, and I had a wonderful time. Marilyn told me that she enjoys helping with the membership drives, getting the premiums prepared and sent out to members after the membership drive is over, and helping out at various events in the community. Marilyn's enthusiasm is contagious!

If you have some spare time, go to The Summit website and click on the support button on the header, and then the volunteer button to find the Summit volunteer information form. It's time well spent. You'll be so glad you tried it.

HD Tuners and The Summit submitted by Scott

friday, january 16, 2009

Now that 91.3 The Summit has the HD Radio signal on air, it's time to enjoy the new sound on your existing receiver. Having looked at several tuners priced under $250, I decided to try the Sagean HDT-1X with my 6.1 surround system. Here are the specifications of this unit:

Features

Dimmable Graphic LCD Display turns off with unit.

Program Associated Data Services Displays Information such as: call sign, channel frequency, data rate, radio text, audio mode, service mode, signal quality, signal strength indicator.

Force Analog Mode

Split Audio Mode

Selectable Stereo/Mono Mode

IR Remote Control

Larger, Hardcase Remote
Spec
Built-in Player Radio
AM/FM FM 87.5-108

AM 520-1710

Hybrid and Full Digital Radio Reception

40 Memory Presets (20 FM, 20 AM)

FM RBDS function available with PS, PTY, RT and CT features

Connectors Optical SPDIF and Stereo-RCA
Dimensions 16.8" x 10" x 2.8"

Connecting the unit couldn't be easier, simply connect the included antenna, connect either the RCA jacks with the cords supplied, or as in my case, plug a SPDIF Optical cable. The optical cable not onlyy allows a single cable solution but avoids an analog-to-digital conversion before sending the signal to the amp. Now plug it into power (no external transformer required) and you're ready to go.

This tuner does an amazing job with the analog signal, much clearer and stronger than the standard tuner. It does an equally amazing job with the HD, allowing me to get a clear signal on both the HD channels from The Summit. To improve the signal evern more, I added a splitter to the rooftop television antenna which improves the signal quality significantly and now brings in 2 HD channels from WKRK in Cleveland Heights, which I have never been able to recieve on any tuner.

Another plus of this unit is something that has bothered me with almost every HD radio; it has a dimmable display that when the unit is turned off, the display backlight turns off. It's so nice to have a unit that doesn't force you to use it as a night light. When you are making any station or settings changes the display is at your selected display level and after 15 seconds dims. Very nice when you're relaxing in a dimly lit room.

Overall, this reciever will allow you to enjoy the great programing on 91.3 The Summit on your existing stereo or surround receiver at a reasonable price. Prices on this unit range from $149-275 at the time of this post.

For additonal information on this unit and to read other user comments check Newegg.com at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882720013&Tpk=hdt-1x
posted by scott at 9:45 am 0 comments
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Reconnecting With Alternative Archives

Way back in the early 90s, I listened to the Alternatve Archives program. It was two hours of fun, classic alternative music that was well worth staying up late for. Well The Summit's current Alternative Archives program, is just as great and twice as long! Rebecca Roberts is "Ms. 80s", and she, along with friend Peter, bring you back to your youth with four hours of the kind of music you'll hear on the HD2 channel. Maybe you'll hear some songs you've never heard before, or don't hear on a regular basis.

When I tuned in this past Saturday, I loved hearing Guadalcanal Diary, The Records, Anything Box, and The Farm. It was "Groovy"! Rebecca and Peter's conversations make listening all the more enjoyable. It's like a couple friends just dropped by to share some awesome tunes. During the week, if you think of something you'd like Rebecca to play, just send her an e-mail at miz80s@hotmail.com. She says there is no request too far fetched. Rebecca will search The Summit's vast library for what you'd like to hear.

Give Alternative Archives a listen Saturdays, 12-4 AM. You'll be glad you did!

Remember 89.1?

My husband John came to this great state of Ohio before me, so I can't take the credit for discovering The Summit or it's predecessor, 89.1 WAPS. I had never heard anything like this station. No commercials, not your run of the mill top 40 constantly being rehashed. This was fresh, unique, as they said themselves "Dare to be Different". The only downfall back then, very limited hours on the air. Aside from that, I was hooked.

Does anyone remember The Friday Night Block Party on 89.1? The host would put together blocks of 3 or 4 songs related by artist or subject, often suggested by listeners. I remember a cool block of James songs that included a couple concert recordings. It was sweet! Sometimes you had to wait for the last song of the block to figure out the connection between the songs. Another block I recall started out with They Might be Giants' "The Guitar", then a rocked out version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (sorry I don't know who did that, maybe Buckwheat Zydeco). The block was completed by REM's "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight". Cool stuff there. Anyone have an 89.1 memory to share?

Loving the Fresh New Music

My family and I have moved around a little since we first became WAPS/Summit members, so when you lose something you love, you try to find a way to fill the void. But I have found, you can't find a replacement for The Summit, it's not possible. We searched local radio channels in PA and TX to no avail. We tried satellite radio. I loved it at first, but I was getting stuck in certain decades or genres. I did like to check out the current alternative rock satellite channel to try to keep up with new music, but it's not often that the kids are not with me, and it was not censored. We never knew what we were going to hear next (not in a good way). I knew about The Summit streaming online, but unless I'm near my computer, I don't hear it.

Happy ending in sight, we moved back to the Akron area, we no longer have or need the satellite radio expense, so we dropped that. They had a Rolling Stones channel but no Beatles channel, what's up with that? For two years now I've been listening to The Summit whenever possible. Summit membership is the best musical investment you can make.

Right now, I hear Regina Spector with Ben Folds, what a great song it is. I can't get enough of Delta Spirit. When I first heard "Trashcan", I thought "Wow! They are good!" You cannot be in a bad mood when you here that one or their latest "People C'mon". I am not a huge Snow Patrol fan, but "Crack Open the Shudders" I love. There's Coldplay's "Lovers in Japan", Amy MacDonald's "This is the Life" which follows the first song I've heard from her "Mr. Rock and Roll". I also like what I've heard so far from Of Montreal. Last but by all means not least, how about The Pretenders? I love their new album "Break Up the Concrete" for it's raw, edgy, straight to the point rock, and then there is the beautiful song "Love is a Mystery". There is something new for every music lover's taste on 91.3.

Here's to Liz Mozzocco, Summit Music Director, for hooking us up with all the great new music on 91.3!

Hibernian Connection for the Irish Music Fan

It's impossible to take a nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon!!! I love the international hours on the Summit and must say this weekend's Hibernian Connection was fantastic. If your a fan of the Levelers, the Pogues, and the Alarm, then get ready to a rockin hour. I personally think U2 did a better job of Sunday Bloody Sunday than Ignite's cover, but it was good to hear a different version.

The Irish really know how to rock . Thanks for a great program Eric!!!

Checking Out World Cafe

I don't usually take the time to listen to World Cafe on The Summit, which airs weekdays from 6-8 am, but I did today. Normally from 6-7 I'm packing lunches and making sure everyone that has to leave by 7, is awake, has eaten, and is ready for school/work. It's a bit chaotic most days. Then from 7-8 it's a more leisurely pace of watching the news with my youngest son, (when the news is appropriate for him), and maybe we have some time for VH1 Classic, (if appropriate). At 8 we switch on 91.3 The Summit and we have a game of "guess which artist Mr. Bill Hall will start his day with.

This morning I had a listen to the last half of World Cafe, and I really enjoyed what I heard. Especially a Decemberists tune about England. I have already known and liked their song "Valencia". The next song that really grabbed me, I thought for sure was another cut from the David Byrne / Brian Eno album, but was surprised to find that it was Akron's own Joseph Arthur. Just being back in the Akron area for two years, I definitely need to study up on the local artists.

Why I Listen to 91.3 The Summit

10. Commercial free adult-alternative music.

9. Friendly on-air hosts who actually like the music they play, and share their vast musical knowledge. I especially enjoy listening to Heather Burns, weekdays from noon to 4pm. She's even nicer in person.

8. Family friendly. It's safe for my kids to listen to 91.3. They hear of new artists before most of their friends, and they appreciate the music those new artists grew up with.

7. Extensive music library that spans 5 decades and multiple genres. The Local Music Spotlight keeps you in touch with great area artists like Pete Nischt, The Woovs, Joseph Arthur, and many more. Other radio stations don't come close to the fresh new music, or older great music that's played everyday on The Summit.

6. Member supported. Being a member of 91.3 The Summit is like being part of a big family of music lovers with excellent taste.

5. Diverse programming: The International Hours on Sundays (Italian Hour 12-1 pm), That Rhythm Those Blues, Reggae Rhythms, DIY Radio, Alternative Archives, Radio Sandbox...

4. Summit member events: exclusive concerts, soundcheck parties, fun gatherings.

3. Bill Hall's Buried Treasure Tracks from his above ground basement in Bath, and his Saturday morning Life & Lyrics show (this guy knows his music!)

2. The Beatle Break with Jim Chenot (this guy knows The Beatles!)

1. 91.3 reaches out to Akron and it's surrounding communities with dedicated, caring volunteers and staff wherever needed (Habitat for Humanity, Music Alive...)

*I ran out of numbers, but not to be left out is important community info, The Concert Calendar, Earth & Sky, World Cafe and so much more, including two HD channels. HD2 plays the music from the early days of 91.3 and it's predecessor 89.1, from the late 70s thru early 90s.

Welcome to Summit Blog

Hi fellow Summit members & listeners!  Welcome to Summit Blog, where you're invited to blog about 91.3, music, or whatever you'd like to share with The Summit community.