New shows: Talking About Learning & Food For Thought
We're proud to announce two exciting and locally brewed additions to our talk show lineup.
Talking About Learning, airing Tuesdays 1PM to 2PM, is an interview show on education topics that will feature researchers, teacher, students, activists, entrepreneurs and more. The host, Shahar Link, has a BA in History from SUNY Binghamton, and an MA in the History of Science from Stanford University. Shahar wrote his Masters Thesis on the early history of IQ Testing, which was his first serious foray into educational history and thought. Subsequently, he taught History and Economics at private independent schools in California and New York, and 2 years ago Shahar founded Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, a tutoring company specializing in high school academic subjects and the SAT and ACT. Shahar is most interested in evidence-based pedagogical methods and the intersection of cognitive science and pedagogy. He is also very interested in alternative education; education and technology; education and values; testing and assessment; and more. He lives in Durham with his wife, Neva, and his 4 year-old son, Nadav.
Food For Thought, airing Tuesdays 4PM to 5PM, examines and discusses food from every angle. Topics include the origins of our foods, the effects of sit-down meals on family life, dining etiquette, immigrant cuisines, and much more. Keep an eye out for their show profile on our schedule to learn more about the three hosts.
Our latest show: Insight Out
We are excited to introduce our latest show, Insight Out, airing Thursdays 2pm - 3pm! Each week we get to know someone in our community who is making a real difference. Local heroes and heroines share with us their memories, dreams, reflections and aspirations. Join our host Tana Hartman as she strives to discover a better world, one person at a time.
Tana is a Board member at WCOM, the Treasurer for Balance and Accuracy in Journalism, and a Steering Committee member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). She completed Ph.D. coursework in history at Duke, and her varied work background includes clerking for Ronald Reagan, traveling Europe as a performer, and working at UNC Chapel Chapel Hill as an academic administrator. Her passion is advocating for environmental and economic sustainability, starting at the grassroots
Take a look at the guest roster, and be sure to listen in on 103.5 FM to hear from these fantastic members of our community.
May 23 – Vimala Rajendran, Local Legend and Restaurateur; Owner of Vimala’s Curryblossom Café in Chapel Hill
May 30 – Miriam Thompson and Vicki Ryder, Leading Activists with the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Participants in the Moral Mondays movement
June 6 – Audrey Layden, longtime Leader of WCOM and Host of Carolina Book Beat
June 13 - Robert Roskind, Ex-hippie and enlightened Entrepreneur; Owner of Oasis, a new coffee house and gathering spot in Carr Mill Mall
June 20 – Jenny Gadd, Triangle Director of Alberta Professional Services, Inc., Provider of group homes for individuals with mental illness
June 27 – Cathy and Jerry Markatos, longtime activists and founders of the local media watchdog group, Balance & Accuracy in Journalism
WCOM 103.5 Community Newsletter
Mission accomplished!
WCOM is broadcasting live from our new studios in The ArtsCenter, 300G East Main Street.
We opened to great fanfare in August and, a few months in, we're loving the new location!
A (belated) thanks is due to all our friends in Chapel Hill and Carrboro who helped make it possible. Stop by at the ArtsCenter to see live radio happening before your very eyes!
Right now, our sights are focused on renovations and soundproofing. We need to raise $2,500 to match a grant to renovate our production studio and to install window drapes in the broadcast studio, which will replace our brown paper covering.
Teaching the next generation of DJs
WCOM just taught a class at Carrboro's ArtsCenter! It is one of many opportunities that has grown from our exciting collaboration. And we have more classes coming up in the spring —Stories in the Air (radio drama for youth and teens) and Make a Radio Spot in 9 Hours, which runs in February and April. See the ArtsCenter website for more information.
Getting the word out
We have new stickers and decals with a QR code that will connect smartphones and tablets to a live stream of WCOM. Keep an eye out at the station for another batch of stickers (we’ve gone through one already!) and help us to get the decals all around town — ask your favorite local business or organization if they’ll display their WCOM pride.
A warm welcome to our newest additions
Our two newest shows, Bluegrass Breakdown and Dat Boy Red Radio, are off to a great start.
Tune in to Bluegrass Breakdown with Mrs. Bluegrass on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Bluegrass Breakdown explores the early roots of America’s music, from Bill Monroe to the second generation, and more contemporary and local bands. There are live, in-studio interviews and phone-in interviews, CD and ticket giveaways, trivia, historical tidbits and stories from 35 years in bluegrass.
And be sure to check out Dat Boy Red Radio from midnight to 2 a.m. late Tuesday nights (officially, Wednesday mornings!) for the best in local and independent music with your host and DJ, Dat Boy Red.
This is our first monthly community newsletter--we hope you like it! Please send any suggested content or photos for next month to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thanks for helping keep our 100-watt wonder strong and vibrant.
Warm regards,
WCOM Communications
Hello Carrboro! Hello Chapel Hill! Hello World!
Support Your Favorite Show and Help WCOM Get Drapes!
Click on Schedule to browse some of the most eclectic and stimulating shows available on the air today.
Help! WCOM needs to raise $2500 to match a grant funding the renovation of our production studio, and to replace our current brown paper window-covering with drapes in the broadcast studio.
Any amount you are comfortable giving will be greatly appreciated but if you make a $10 a month recurring donation or send us a check for $120 for a year-end tax deductible donation you can help underwrite your favorite show as well. Just add the program name on the "Donate Now" form under where it says "Dedication" or write the program name on the “For” line on the bottom of your check. Your favorite WCOM program host will mention your name on the air with a hearty
“Thank You Very Much”!
Don't forget - you can tune into some of the best programming there is wherever the internet is available through your smart phone, laptop or other magical device.
And give us a wave as you go by the front of the ArtsCenter in Carrboro!
WCOM featured in the news
See the latest Carrboro Citizen articles on our new collaborations with the ArtsCenter in the importance of community radio. Chapelboro.com took photos of our ribbon-cutting at our new location.
Get to know some of the hosts and shows at WCOM by taking a look at our recent feature in The Carrboro Commons.
Also check out their individual coverage of Radio Latijam and PsychTalk. Thanks to them for getting to know us and spreading the word!
LIVE from The ArtsCenter!
We have moved! WCOM is live on 103.5 FM from our new studios in The ArtsCenter, 300G East Main Street. Thanks to all our friends in Chapel Hill and Carrboro who helped make it possible. Stop by at the ArtsCenter to see live radio happening before your very eyes!
Carrboro Live! now broadcasts on Saturday nights from 8-10pm, featuring events live from the main stage at the center as well as pre-recorded live events.
We invite you to tune in to 103.5 or stream from this website to hear our more than 60 live, local music and talk shows. Thanks for joining "your voice in the community".
Please consider supporting our 100-watt wonder with a donation right now...
Orange County Arts Commission Grant
Orange County Arts Commission WCOM Grant
Many thanks to the Orange County Arts Commission for their generous $1500 grant. The Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse programs and projects. WCOM is very grateful for this grant that will help to upgrade our production studio.
Get to know us (WCOM cartoon video)
Hear a WCOM sampler
One way to catch up on a variety of WCOM shows aside from listening live online or on 103.5 FM is to find podcasts, but as part of a grant application process we came up with an introduction and sampler that gives new listeners a feel for some of our talk shows. Listen in here.
