KBCS Bids a Fond Farewell to Larry Lewin

For over three decades, KBCS DJ, Larry Lewin, chronicled a history of recorded folk music. Each week was a fresh page. Now the book is complete. On May 28th, Larry will step aside from Our Saturday Tradition, the Saturday morning folk music program he has hosted since 1988.

“Larry is exactly as you hear him, genuine, humble, warm—devoted to the music and the craft. He never misses an opportunity to learn and grow or to contribute toward the greater good. It’s difficult to imagine KBCS without his gentle, steadfast presence.” – Patrick Whalen, KBCS Program Director

A native New Jersey, Larry moved to Seattle in his 20s and embarked on a long career as a Boeing engineer, where he was involved in developing state-of-the-art fighter jets.

Drawn to KBCS by his long time interest in folk music he soon earned a slot on air. KBCS listeners have spent many a Saturday morning with Larry, his forthright and enthusiastic presence a reliable touchstone.

“It is bittersweet to see Larry move on. His work over the last 30-plus years provided us all with solace, comfort and enjoyment. He epitomizes the best of the Seattle folk scene and the values of Northwest Folklife. Thank you, Larry!” – Benjamin Hunter; musician, Creative Cultural Advocate, Artistic Director of Northwest Folklife.

Behind the scenes, Larry devoted countless hours to preparation, dutifully listening to every new release, taking careful notes, and scouring the vast KBCS folk CD library for songs living deep in his memory. There is a hand-written playlist for every show, filed carefully within an ever-growing set of three ring binders.

“Larry’s dedication is unsurpassed, especially when entering the brave new world of producing remote radio during the pandemic. With over three decades of hosting folk shows on KBCS, he is a trove of knowledge of all kinds of folk music. But putting together a good show takes so much more than just knowledge alone; it’s Larry’s taste in carefully choosing selections that made his shows filled with ‘sweet sounds.’”  Thank you, Larry, for all your years of bringing us great music!” – Jean Geiger, KBCS Folksounds host/producer

Please join us in celebrating Larry Lewin.

Notes of appreciation may be sent to dj@kbcs.fm or KBCS, ATTN Larry Lewin, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue WA 98007

Traumatic Effects of the Buffalo Mass Shooting

KBCS reporter, Kevin P. Henry interviewed two, local, Black mental health counselors. They discuss how Black communities and communities of color can be emotionally impacted and traumatized in hearing about these racially motivated incidents. Find out how this may play out among friendships and co-workers, and some suggestions on how to help. (more…)

KBCS Welcomes New Intern – Zoe Embler

You might say public radio is in the Embler blood, once upon a time, Zoe’s father Robert Embler was a host and producer for Tennessee stations WDXN 54FM and WAMB 1160AM/98.7FM. Zoe listened to local NPR affiliate station WPLN 90.3FM at least once a day throughout her childhood and still tries to tune in when she can via the magic of online streaming.

The Green Book Exhibit

The Washington State Historical Society hosts the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit of the Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibit in partnership with the Black Historical Society of Washington State 

The Black Historical Society of Washington State and Washington State Historical Museum  hosts an Author Talk and Book Signing with Candacy Taylor, Leading Green Book Scholar and Cultural Documentarian accompanied by the African American Writers Alliance on May 19, 6-8 pm.

The interview announced an event to come at Wa Na Wari centered around the Green Book in Washington State.  You can for that on their site for information on upcoming events.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women 3 – A Story of a Missing Mother

Carolyn DeFord is an enrolled Puyallup member and is from Nisqually and Cowlitz descendants. Her mother, Leona Lee Clare Kinsey has been missing for over 20 years. DeFord shares what she’s come away with from this tragedy with KBCS’s Yuko Kodama (more…)

Muslimahs Against Abuse Center

MAAC or Muslimahs Against Abuse Center is an organization dedicated to assisting victims of gender based violence.  Listen in on how this group can fill in spaces for those in need in our community. 

Other leaders to assist people who are going through domestic abuse are Somali Family Safety Task Force in Seattle’s Rainier Valley and Mother Africa in Kent.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call, chat and text the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233).

Producer: Firdous Khezrian (Special thanks to the South Seattle Emerald for inspiration for this story)

Photo: courtesy of Rahma Rashid

Bellevue College Earth Week: Conversations about the Climate Crisis

Bellevue College is hosting a series of Earth Week events. One of them takes place this Saturday at (10 am to 12:30 pm). 

Bellevue College retired faculty member, Kent Short will discuss how climate change impacts local outdoor enthusiasts.  Then, Bellevue College Emerita Wendy Pickering will facilitate a discussion on how to talk constructively about climate change with our friends and loved ones. 

Bellevue College hosts Earth Week:  Below are events that students and the public can register for.

The Power of the BTS/ARMY Relationship

BTS, the South Korean music group has taken the global music scene by storm, breaking records in numbers of albums sold and spun, twitter follows, number of fans, sold out concerts and much more. 

Their influence has been noted by many, including governmental officials who have tried to suppress BTS’s reach and image in public. This story looks at who they are, their work and social reach in partnership with their fanbase, ARMY.

Reuters graph of BTS/ARMY fundraising for Black Lives Matter

Producer: Yuko Kodama – special thanks to Sam Sullivan, Christine Marasigan, Nancy Yang, Candace Epps-Robertson, Laura Mundt, Angela Young and Sherry Lynn Reynolds Anderson

Photo: Ashley[epidemic]

Update from the Southern US Border

On the Ground in Poland to help Ukrainians Fleeing War

What’s happening on the ground in Poland where Ukrainians are fleeing to by the thousands? A local Sammamish resident and his brother are there to help.

Here is information on their project, Suitcases for Ukraine.

Producer: Yuko Kodama

Photo Credit: Lance and Thury Foster