A Closer Look at Education

By Martina Fern

Many parents in Buffalo and Western New York are frustrated. It’s difficult to maneuver through the maze of information about education, especially when some of it is contradictory, confusing or downright misleading.

With the help of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, WNED | WBFO wants to change that. In December, we embarked on a new initiative, Focus on Education. In addition to in-depth information on our radio station, WBFO-FM 88.7, and live television broadcasts of town hall-style meetings on WNED-TV, there are also a number of outreach events in the community.

There’s an App for That

By Carlton N. Brock III

Did you know that you could now listen to Classical 94.5 WNED and WBFO-FM 88.7 on the go? Now you can on your smartphone with the new WNED ǀ WBFO apps. Currently, there is an app for all three of our radio stations, including WBFO HD-2 JazzWorks available free on Apple and Android devices.

 

 

 

 

 

Making a Difference

WNED | WBFO Buffalo-Toronto is launching a new multimedia initiative that recognizes area citizens who are

contributing to the betterment of Western New York.

"Making a Difference" will spotlight individuals who are going above and beyond to make Western New York a better place to live and encouraging others to follow their lead.

A Look Back at the State of the Union Address

Photo Credit: WBFO 

Before President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight, let’s take a look back on the fascinating facts about the iconic speech.

Check out the WNED | WBFO 2013 Digital Annual Report!

By Steve Karosik

This year, we decided to make our annual report something truly engaging for the general public, our stakeholders and staff. Going digital meant that we could include video, audio and links to make the experience of reading and navigating the report more fun and accessible.

Aside from the traditional financial information, you’ll find updates about our recent and upcoming television and radio productions, photos from community events, member testimonial videos, and even a warm welcome from our President and CEO and Chairman of the Board.

You can view the 2013 WNED | WBFO Annual Report on your computer, tablet, or even your smartphone. Feel free to share with family and friends!

Los Graduados (The Graduates)

John Craig, Ph.D., VP Education and Outreach

The period in which the country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, (Sept.15 to Oct. 15), has

come to an end for 2013. However, we continue to educate, enlighten, inspire and entertain through programming and are supporting a larger effort through the American Graduate program sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We are able to promote national programming through local outreach events such as an Independent Lens production called Los Graduados.

WNED/WBFO’s Year (So Far) In Photos

By Steve Karosik

In honor of today being National Camera Day, We’ve put together 10 of our favorite photos taken in 2013 around WNED/WBFO. It’s been a fun year of special events & everyday nuggets of joy, and we can’ t wait to see what the second half of the year looks like!

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

By Annmarie Dean / Artwork by Steve Karosik

One thing that’s a dead giveaway that summertime has finally arrived is ice cream!  Whether you are a hard ice cream fan or a frozen custard aficionado, it’s safe to say that everyone has their go-to cone that they can’t wait to order once the weather breaks.  We had a little fun with PBS, NPR and WNED|WBFO inspired ice cream flavors.  Thank you to the staff for their awesome submissions!

Welcome Back, David

By Annmarie Dean 

You may have noticed a familiar voice on the “Marketplace Morning Report.” David Brancaccio is the new host of the program which airs 7:50 and 9:50 a.m., Monday through Friday, on WBFO-FM 88.7. He has taken over for Jeremy Hobson who announced his departure in April. David is no stranger to Marketplace - he served as the European correspondent in London in the early 1990s and then hosted the program from 1993 to 2003. Since last July, he was the host of “Marketplace Tech.” David has also earned some of the highest honors in broadcast journalism, including the Peabody, Columbia-duPont, Emmy and Walter Cronkite awards.

American Public Media's “Marketplace Morning Report” focuses on the latest business news both nationally and internationally, the global economy and wider events linked to the financial markets. You’ll also find interesting little tidbits at the end of each broadcast, like this one from last week. Bet you can’t say Germany’s longest word ten times fast.

Not So Buried Treasure!

By Misty Harris

Photos by  Eileen Koteras

 

Did you make it to the WNED|WBFO Antiques Home Show? Were you shocked at the value of the vintage items you brought for appraisal? Tell us about your experience and check out a few of the items that stood out during this past weekend's event. Also, follow us on our Instagram page to take a peek at more fabulous finds and fun photos by WNED_WBFO (our user name) by using #ANTIQUESHOMESHOW, #WBFO, #WBFO or #Classical945WNED. Thank you all for coming and be sure to keep looking in your nooks and crannies for your buried treasure and bring them with you next year!

 

 

One Small (Carbon) Step

By Misty Harris

Every year my high school alma mater does a national day of caring sometime in the spring.  During my tenure as an alum board member, I heavily participated in this annual event. One particular year we organized a cleaning project with one of the local parks here in Buffalo. So off I went with my rake (it was a BYOR event) and met up with several other “volunteer cleaners” early on a cold, rainy Saturday morning. We split up into groups of four or five and began cleaning our section of the park.  While raking, we picked up a lot more than just leaves. From bottles to things a little more on the dangerous side, we collected items that have no place on the ground. And while we and the other volunteers piled up garbage bags by the dozens, there was still lots to be done by the time my shift was over. I didn’t feel like I accomplished much but I did feel good about my efforts.

WNED/WBFO Haikus

By Steve Karosik

In honor of National Poetry Month, I tuned in to my inner poet and came up with a 5-7-5 syllable form haiku for each of our media outlets; WNED-TV, WBFO-FM 88.7, and Classical 94.5 WNED. I had randomly entered and won a haiku contest a few years ago, so when I heard about this opportunity, I figured it was time to bring out the ink and quill again.

New Kid on the Block

By: Annmarie Dean

WNED|WBFO recently welcomed Buffalo native Ashley Hassett to the WBFO news team. She has been assigned to the Innovation Trail, an initiative that focuses on innovation, technology and the economy of Upstate N.Y.

Movers, Shakers & Makers

By Misty Harris

Remember the phrase "You've Come Along Way Baby" (used of course to market a certain item)? Well, it definitely applies to the women in the new PBS series Makers: Women Who Make America. The program focuses on important and memorable moments in American history that were shaped and/or changed by women. Women like Gloria Steinem, Oprah Winfrey,  Faith Ringgold, Hillary Clinton and others who we will never forget. They faced and shut down scrutiny, prejudice, sexism and countless other hardships only to rise to the top and pave a way for women in generations to come!

Inauguration Day Coverage on WBFO-FM 88.7

By Megan Wagner

WBFO-FM 88.7 will carry a variety of in-depth Inauguration Day coverage on Monday, Jan. 21.

Tune in for live updates of Inauguration Day preparation during Morning Edition from 5 – 10 a.m.

From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., WBFO-FM 88.7 will provide live special coverage from NPR News. Steve Inskeep and Audie Cornish will host from the U.S. Capitol Building, where the swearing-in ceremony will take place. NPR will also have reporters amongst the crowd on the National Mall and along the parade route.

Coverage continues from 2 – 4 p.m. with NPR’s Neal Conan hosting and taking listener phone calls from 4 – 6 p.m. during All Things Considered.

WBFO-FM 88.7 will also air a one-hour NPR News Special: Inauguration 2013 Monday evening at 7 p.m.

Deck the WNED/WBFO Halls!

By Suzanne Kashuba
Signs of the holidays are popping up all over the WNED headquarters building in downtown Buffalo, as staff find creative ways to “Deck the (WNED) Halls.” If you were a mouse wandering around, here are a few of the holiday sights you would see. Fa la la la la … la la la la. Enjoy and Happy Holidays from WNED/WBFO!

New Rhythm to Saturday Night Blues

By Annmarie Dean

We have a new Saturday night blues host! WBFO welcomed Pat Feldballe on Dec. 8 with his first air shift. Pat actually started his career at WBFO in the 1970s and then worked at various radio stations in the Buffalo area. Not only has Pat voiced hundreds of local and national commercials, but he was also inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Music, and blues music in particular, is very important to me,” said Feldballe. “I look forward to returning to my roots on WBFO.” 

Did you catch Pat’s first show? What did you think?

Why NPR Music is Awesome

By Annmarie Dean

I really like NPR. Like a lot. And yes, I started listening to NPR before I landed a job at one of its member stations. I even read their blogs religiously; my personal favorite is The Salt (I learned all about the “chocolate” persimmon this week!).  Along with a love of all things NPR and food, there is also a huge spot in my heart that is reserved for music. I really enjoy new music from some of my favorite artists and being able to listen to full previews of new albums makes NPR’s First Listen a beautiful thing.

Election Day Coverage

Tune in to WNED-TV tonight starting at 8 p.m. as Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff co-anchor live gavel-to-gavel coverage of election results on PBS NewsHour.

Also, flip the dial to WBFO-FM 88.7 for full election night coverage from NPR and our local news team. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. this evening for full Election 2012 results.

The Beauty of Fall-A Photo Blog

By Misty Harris

We asked WNED staffers to pull out their cameras and/or camera phones and capture the beauty of fall. Take a look at what they snapped! Don't forget to share your photos of Western New York, Southern Ontario and Northern Pennsylvania with us at photo@wbfo.org.  We'll then consider your photo for the Listener Photo of the Week!