Section A • Page 12
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, January 19, 1999
KU station pumps up wattage
By Ezra Sykos
Kansan staff writer
It is no secret that KJHK is hungry for power.
Since 1995, the student-run radio station has attempted to increase its signal power from 100 watts to 3,500 watts, but bureaucratic obstacles, including those from KU administration and the Federal Communications Commission, have held up this process.
But at last, the station's hunger may be satisfied.
By the end of February, the station should be pumping out 2,900 watts at 90.7 on the FM dial, increasing KJHK's potential audience from 100,000 to 1 million listeners.
The station's current 100-watt signal barely covers all of Lawrence. After the wattage increase, the signal should range from the Kansas-Missouri state line to halfway between Topeka and Manhattan.
Although the station does not sell air time, Gary Hawke, KJHK general manager, said that more power would result in more financial donors to the station.
pick up the station and it will increase the amount of high school students who can be recruited to the University. Hawke said.
In addition, students at the KU Medical Center will be able to
The FCC authorization played a large role in delaying the process, he said.
After convincing University administrators that the increase in power was the right thing to do and after filing a formal proposal to the commission, two other radio stations from Ottawa and Emporia applied to broadcast in the same area as KJHK.
The stations argued that KJHK's increase in power to 3,500 watts would interfere with their plans to start new, religious-based radio stations.
After a year of compromising with the two organizations, KJHK finally received permission to raise their signal power to 2.900 watts.
Rachel Kesselman/ KANSAN
"Luckily, both applicants were really helpful," Hawke said, pointing out the fact that the groups legally could have asked for a payoff.
involvement at KJHK.
Michael Erb, director of sports at KJHK, has observed the struggle for a stronger signal during his five-semester
Erb said KJHK sports coverage would be unique in that it would be the only station in the Kansas City metro area to cover women's basketball.
"We can make that a centerpiece in attracting listeners," he said.
Hawke has spearheaded the project and, despite past last-minute problems, is confident the changeover will occur early
this year.
"Every hurdle to its completion has been leapt," said Hawke, who began campaigning for the wattage increase four years ago.
The project, which includes the purchase and installation of a transmitter, a transmission line and an antenna, will cost about $50,000, which will come from student media fees. Those fees are paid during enrollment.
Committee recrafts proposed arts center expansion
New budget adds $1 million to city's renovation project
By Ezra Sykes Kansan staff writer
The proposed expansion and renovation of the Lawrence Arts Center once again has been resculpted.
donations and grants.
Mayor Marti Kennedy's Arts Center Advisory Committee voted unanimously Jan. 7 to back a $6.7 million package that would include the purchase of extra land for expansion.
The new budget is a $1 million increase since the last proposal for the arts center at 200 W. Ninth St.
Because the city already has agreed upon a fixed contribution of $3.625 million toward the project, the arts center will be responsible for raising the rest of the funds through
Ann Evans, the center's executive director, said that she thought the budget increase was necessary and that she was optimistic about the center's ability to raise the $3 million needed.
"It's better to raise the money than to have the program suffer." Evans said.
The previous budget required a reduction of the performance area and the exclusion of a clay studio.
David Dunfield, architect for Glenn Livinggood Penzler Architects, said that balancing the program with budget constraints in any project like this was difficult and that having two clients — the Lawrence City Commission and the arts center — also made things complicated.
Evans said the architects had done a wonderful job in designing the project, especially with all the obstacles they had encountered. "The solution is wonderful on their part."
Evans said.
John Gaunt, member of the advisory board and the dean of architecture and urban design at the University of Kansas, said the project was difficult because of its compressed site, but compelling because of its proximity to Massachusetts Street and the Carnegie Library.
"The solution is wonderful on their part,"
Although the budget has been decided, other questions remain.
The center expansion and renovation involves the Carnegie Library which is on the list of National Register of Historical Places.
The local Historic Resources Commission has reviewed the plans and now state preservationists must do the same.
Dunfield said the state's reaction to the desim would be hard to predict.
The project, which was originally set to be finished by 2000, could be delayed for an unspecified amount of time, Evans said.
The Righteous Babe delivers once more
By Matt Cox
Kansan music man
Ani DiFranco's new offering,
Up Up Up Up Up Up, delivers
attitude and original musician-
ship to create what folk/rock
should be.
The main aspect of this record that I really love is the ability of DiFranco to write genuine lyrics. She sugar-coats nothing and never relies on clichés to get her through a writer's block.
The album begins with the lyrically intense "Tis of Thee," in which DiFranco illustrates the problems of the U.S. government through stories of unfairness. The music is equally engaging. Although the chord progression is nothing new, DiFranco adds some diminished and augmented notes in those progressions to make the changes as unpop as possible. Still, the song jumps out and grabs you by the ears and says, "Listen!"
I went on listening only to be disappointed by the next two songs Virtue and Come Away From It. Virtue, although lyrically stimulating, doesn't get going on any musical pace; it is too abstract for its own good. The guitars drone on for too long and the production lacks creativity.
UP UP UP UP UP
Artist: Ani Difranco
Kansan Rating: A-
Come Away From It adds a chorus of women for an introspective effect, but it doesn't overshadow the fact that the song lacks the musical variety to support the eight-and-a-half-minute length. The album soon got back on the creative track with Jukebox, a song that hints at hip-hop, but stays faithful to a folk/rock groove.
Two shining gems on this record are Angry Any More and Hat Shaped Hat. The former delivers a heartfelt message to her father and the latter creates a lighthearted and upbeat mood, which would brighten anyone's day. The songs are two different entities that grab the listener no matter how short the attention span.
Overall, I am impressed with this record. I am not a follower of Ani DiFranco, but I have to say she has great musical talent and it shines on most of the album. The only backtrack is the rambling of two songs. This album comes out today and I urge you to give it a listen, even if you aren't a fan.
Red Lyon Tavern
A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence 944 Mass. 832-8228
The Kansas and Burge Unions are looking for "Garden Art" for the Kansas Union Atrium
Please bring a color photo or slide of artwork to the SUA Office, Level 4, Kansas Union by Friday, Feb. 5, 1999. Completed application must include name, phone number, address, size of artwork and its media. Donated art and artwork priced up to $200.00 will be considered. A committee will vote on applications. Slides and photos can be picked up after March 8, 1999 in the SUA Office.
Save up to $20