We've built a shrine/temple/altar/magical mountain of knickknacks in KALW's front lobby. You can call it what you want, but we're honoring the amazing things that keep public radio alive, awesome, and meaningful.
We've gotten submissions from all around the Bay Area and beyond—from trinkets to valentine-ish tributes to favorite radio stars. We've highlighted a few of our favorite contributions thus far***:
1. The classic illustration of Audiograph producer Julie Caine who inspires sonic postcards from both iconic and secret Bay Area spots.
2. A film-noir esque silhouette of the one and only Roman Mars, KALW's golden child of experimental radio and podcast pioneering with his beloved show, 99% Invisible.
3. Photo of SF Comedian Marga Gomezin studio because she says donating to public radio "is like LOVING YOURSELF."
4. Rebecca Solnit was our first guest to KALW’s Shrine and chose a radio to represent “the beautiful act of listening, the world that pours into your ears as music and voices” at KALW.
5. A pillow of Carl Kasell (former official judge for Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!). Rest assured, this radio icon is a staple on our shrine, but MAYBE more importantly, in the NPR Hall of Fame.
6. The Porn Star mug. A scandalous KALW twist on a classic public radio staple.
7. This flower is growing from a very unique pot. KALW reporter Angela Johnston filled it with all of the old batteries from past reporting missions she's been on. From that "soil," many a beautiful story has blossomed.
8. This Dr. Science plaque was submitted by Audio Academy student Chris Hambrick, who listened to that show every morning on the way to school with her mom.
9. Crosscurrents unofficial diver mascot (the lego version) cozied up to our On the Air sign, because we go deeper every. single. day. in our news department.
10. KALW producer Ashleyanne Krigbaum contributed this Jollibee...ah...thing because it said it represented the "perfect type of weird" that represents the culture of public radio that she loves so dearly.
11."This Host Seems DRUNK" sign courtesy of Daniel Handler who guest hosted on Crosscurrents and has a deep respect for the talent we have around our studio.
12. This photo of former Talk of the Nation host Ray Suarez was brought to you by KALW station manager Matt Martin who remembers when he called into the show to ask a question of guest Camille Paglia. When she didn't answer the question, Ray followed up, saying "Let me go to bat for Matt!"
13. Those little pieces of paper are love notes sent in by visitors and volunteers to the station. Submit yours to kalw@kalw.org to get it on the shrine or go to our Facebook page.
***There's still a few more days of our fall membership campaign left, so keep the contributions coming and show your support for KALW by donating online or calling 1(800) 525-9917.