Happy KSER New Year - 2013

Happy New Year from everyone at KSER.

We're honored that you've made KSER part of your listening habit in 2012 and we look forward to continuing to serve the Pacific Northwest in 2013.  We couldn't do it without your support.

We feel like all 365 days of KSER broadcasting in 2012 were highlights...but a few events do stand out more than others.  In October, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! came to Everett to support KSER and spoke before a standing-room only crowd at Everett Community College.

Amy Goodman at Everett Community College

In November we were honored to present the 5th annual KSER Voice of the Community Award Ceremony.  This year's awards were presented to the Snohomish County Music Project; MS Helping Hands of Edmonds and Lillian Ortiz-Self.

Roger Pawley; Jan Vance; Lillian Ortiz-Self

Every week of 2012, KSER's Ed Bremer featured local newsmakers and community leaders on Sound Living, weekday afternoon's at 4 p.m.  One of the top stories featured in 2012 was the closing of the Kimberly-Clark paper mill and the debate over what to do with the valuable water-front property.  A number of local leaders talked with Ed about the future of the Kimberly-Clark site, including Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson talked with Ed Bremer

You'd be amazed at the famous people who want to be interviewed by KSER's Ed Bremer.  In July, we had an in-studio visit from Ben Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin

Dozens of local bands and musical artists visited KSER during the year, including Left Hand Smoke; Sightseer; Northern Departure; Tony Lucca, Ian McFeron and a lot more.

In September, KSER's Sondra Santos was named a hero. Really! By the government, no less. The Snohomish Health District presented its Public Health Hero award to the host of KSER's morning news show for her weekly interviews on health issues in the northwest.

Suzanne Pate; Sondra Santos; Dr. Garry Goldbaum

Speaking of health, our own KSER doctors answered your questions every Thursday afternoon for 52 weeks in 2012. Primary Care Physicians Kasra Pournadeali, Rebecca Dirks, and Stacy Wells, have been answering listener calls live on KSER since 1998. This summer the weather was so nice, we actually moved them outdoors in August...to do a live show from the sidewalk on Wetmore avenue. Now that's taking the doctors to the people!

KSER's Sidewalk Doctor Show

In 2012 KSER's Jim Hilmar celebrated 15 years of hosting Frettin' Fingers, the popular Saturday guitar music show and KSER's Jeff Hofman, host of Dusties on Saturday afternoon, marked 25 years of doing public radio.

Jim Hilmar; Jeff Hofman

We started what we hope is a long-running new tradition this holiday season with the first ever Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater Kaddywompas Holiday radio show.  Tim and his crew are working on a few more specials...maybe more...for 2013.

Tim Noah

And, actually, 2013 is an important anniversary for our predecessor.  KRAB-FM started broadcasting 50 years ago.  One of the country's first true community radio stations started broadcasting as December turned to January in 1963. In 1991 KRAB became KSER and moved to Snohomish County. In 2003 we moved to our current location in Everett.

If you'd like to make sure that great independent public radio continues in the north Puget Sound, you can help with a donation. Most of our operating income comes from individual listeners like you.  It's easy to make a contribution.  You can go to our website KSER.org and click on the 'donate now' button.  We're a non-profit and your contribution is tax-deductible...a great way to get one more deduction before the end of the year.

Some people also take advantage of our easy-to-use automobile donation plan.  You can also do that online here. It's fast and easy, we do all the paperwork. And you may be eligible for a tax deduction.  Running or not, we'll be happy to help.

And if you accidentally left somone off your holiday gift list, you can support KSER and buy a nice gift for someone at the KSER Store.

So thanks for your support and thanks for listening to KSER.

And Happy New Year!