George Washington slept here!

While doing some show prep for July 4th, I came across some interesting information.  I already knew that Westchester County figured prominently in the fight for our nation’s freedom because I learned about the Battle of White Plains in elementary school.  I’m also aware of the monument in Dobbs Ferry. I knew that property near the station was part of where army camps were set up, but what I wasn’t sure about was how WFAS fit into the mix.  

According to the people who researched the W3R (Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route), the wooded lot behind 103.9 WFAS is Site 13 along the 650 mile series of roads that the allied U.S. – French armies followed in 1781 to capture a British army at Yorktown, VA.  This victory marked a turning point in the revolution that ended in 1783.

There are many familiar points of interest along this route – from the grounds of the Bedford Village Elementary School (Site 1) to a location in front of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers (Site 15) and other locations in Tarrytown, Peekskil, Croton, Armonk, and more.  A detailed list, with a map, can be found here.

I already knew that 365 Secor Road was a special place.  I already knew that WFAS is and will always be Westchester’s heritage radio station.  I had no idea the winning spirit of the Revolutionary War was in our own backyard! 

A safe and Happy Fourth of July to everyone!

Thanks for listening:)

RIP Michael Jackson

The shocking and sudden death of Michael Jackson has stunned the world, dare I say – this seems worse than when Elvis Presley passed in August of 1977.  How chilling to read in Lisa Marie Presley’s blog that Michael thought his end would be the same.  I pray his tortured and fragile soul has found peace and my heart goes out to his family, especially his three children and his parents – no mother or father should ever have to bury their baby.

My father was the first person to buy a record for me.  It was The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.”  When I didn’t have my ear glued to the radio waiting for it to play, It was blaring from the family record player.  I’ve been a fan of Michael Jackson ever since.  Hearing the news of his passing Thursday was surreal, much like how I felt when I heard Elvis died.  Except this time I wasn’t on the Southern State Parkway on Long Island, I was at WFAS.  It was one the couple of times I got choked up on the air, and days later I’m still teary eyed remembering his music, his life, and his humanitarian contributions to the world. 

Last night, Carolann and her bestie Alexis were in Carolann’s room choreographing a dance in tribute to Michael Jackson and came out to the living room to show her dad and me their moonwalking.  It was then I realized the impact this man had…that my 13 year old daughter and her friends would be as devastated as music lovers who are decades older than they.  For those of you who always wanted to learn but never did, here’s a step-by-step tutorial with video.

Prisoners at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center prison in the Phillipines performed a choreographed dance to “Thriller” a couple of years ago.  Yesterday, they gave a mass dance performance in tribute to Michael Jackson:

I mentioned on the air today that there are so many “haters” out there writing vicious and vile things about a man who can no longer defend himself.  It’s hard to weed through the muck looking for the truth.  One man who has no reason to sugarcoat the truth or lie is Deepak Chopra, who’s written a very insightful post. 

I still have that 45 my dad bought me somewhere.  I should look for it.  I Want You Back.

Thanks for listening:)

To all the daddies:)

I can feel my dad all around me and I know he’s proud of my sisters and me.  To all the dads, especially our first time daddies, Happy, happy Father’s Day!

Thanks for listening:)

There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues

You can be safe, though!  Thanks to P.O. Peter Dandreano of the Greenburgh PD for the following summer safety tips:
 

Summer Crime Prevention Tips

 

Summer time is Vacation time

 Don’t let returning home from a nice vacation be a nightmare. Almost every 20 seconds a burglary is committed in the United States. Chances are the burglar was attracted to a home that was left in the darkness. Thieves look for “targets of opportunity”.

 There are many things you can do to avoid becoming a burglary victim, especially when you are going to be away from your home for extended periods.

§  Make sure you lock your doors and windows.

§  Stop all deliveries, or arrange for someone top pick up your mail, newspapers, and packages.

§  Arrange for someone to mow your lawn to rake leaves to give you home a lived-in look.

§  Use timers to turn lights and radio on and off at appropriate times.

§  Hide garbage cans out of view. Empty cans, when everyone else’s is full, can tell a burglar you are away.

§  Turn down the ringer on your telephone and the sound on your answering machine so a burglar will not be alerted to your absence by its ringing.

§  Call forward your home phone number to your cell phone.

§  Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway. If you leave you car at home, park it in the driveway rather than the garage. Have your neighbor move it occasionally so it looks like you are using it.

§  Leave your blinds, shades, and curtains in a normal position. Do not close them unless that is what you do when you are home.

§  Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you are away. Leave your vacation telephone number so you can be reached in case of an emergency.

General Home Crime Prevention Tips

§  Trim your bushes below window level.

§  Install motion sensors and  flood lights around your home.

§  Install proper locks on all door and windows.

§  Consider an alarm system and have it checked regularly.

§   Keep expensive jewelry and cash locked up out of master bedroom.

§  Notify the police department immediately if you see suspicious activity in the neighborhood. 

§  Attempt to ascertain a description of any suspicious person or motor vehicle.

§  Notify the police department if you receive a suspicious phone call.

CRIME PREVENTION UNIT

Greenburgh Police Department

188 Tarrytown Road

White Plains, NY 10607

Phone: (914) 682-5334 Fax:  (914) 949-711

 Thanks for listening:)

Tea Time with Nathan and Daisuke

Huh?  In a nutshell, it’s the name of my Fox Lane High School ASPIRE Broadcast interns’ radio show that will be aired on 106.3 WFAF, the simulcast station for 103.9 WFAS.  Normally you’d hear me, but on Saturday, the 13th, it’ll be Nathan and Daisuke from 4-7 pm.  If you’re on Facebook, look for the Tea Time With Nathan and Daisuke! event page.

Last year, I had my Katies, two delightful young women who shared a name but were unique in every other way.  They taught me many things about being a mentor.  They’ve completed their first year as college undergrads and I’m honored to have been a part of their high school experience.

This year it was time to give the guys a spin and what a ride it’s been!  They’ve put together an exciting show featuring great music and topics, an interview and live acoustic performance with TJay – an outstanding local talent, an epic scavenger hunt with cool prizes, The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, web comics, and more.  It promises to be, as Daisuke would say, “Zombie-tastic.”

I learned radio broadcasting from some of the top names in the industry and I’m very fortunate to have the resources to be able to pay that forward.  I enjoy educating young people about good radio broadcasting as much as I enjoy being on the air.  It’s been my privilege to work with these intelligent, creative, and witty young men.  No matter where life leads them, I will always be honored to have worked with them.  Thanks, guys!

Thank you for listening:)