WPKN 89.5FM
NEWSLETTER
July 2015 
We invite you to participate, volunteer, contribute and celebrate WPKN.  Thank you for your support of community radio station- WPKN-89.5FM.  Celebrating 51 years of broadcasting.
To volunteer at WPKN please contact us at [email protected]





Note from Steve di Costanzo, General Manager
WPKN Fiscal Year Results July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015

Our treasurer John Rivera has completed and released the FY results to the board of directors and the staff at last night's meeting.   Our income increased 5% to $261,596.  On the expense side, there was a decrease of 19% to $223,351 yielding a net income of  $38,245. We had originally budgeted a $7,000 FY deficit so we are gratified with the results.  In fact, this represents a positive swing of more than $60,000 from the FY 2013/14 results.  I'm proud of the roles I played as GM on both the income front and the expense front.  And, of course, the roles played by the board of directors and the staff were vital to our results. Allow me to single out the important role played by Rod Richardson as our board chair.

 

I applaud the entire staff for their passion and re-commitment to WPKN. To my ears, every programmer seems to be bringing a bit more to their shows.   I've also used the term-
WPKN's resurgence. We are more visible and more relevant than ever before.  Our community engagement and partnering is paying off in multiple ways.  We have also never sounded better....and with the addition of roughly 15 'new' programmers with their respective POV's and genres,  we continue to bolster our programming.  Credit to Valerie Richardson for being so proactive in this programming process.  I'd also like to mention  music director Howard Thompson who continues to strengthen our ties with music labels and digital services. Also, the expansion of our public and community affairs as well as news programming is a major part of the WPKN resurgence.  We know there are many options available for entertainment, music and news- but we will continue to play up our WPKN competitive advantage of "Real People Real Radio".

Where I can, I continue to diligently pare down expenses. We've renegotiated our tower rental and saved 25% as well as cut our phone/internet costs substantially by moving to VOIP.  As our treasurer has reported, there is not much more we can do on the expense side- our sustainability must come on the revenue front.  This past year we saw a 64% increase in online donations (this includes our website and our-
sustaining supporter program-which we will focus on this year.  Our on-air fundraising, benefit concerts/events and underwriting revenues held steady. Grants increased 202% thanks to Newman's Own and
SpreadMusicNow.org and others .  We also benefited from our car donation program revenues which increased 207%.

We all thank you - our listeners and financial supporters.

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NEW!!  Summer '15 WPKN T-Shirt

 

Limited edition of 100 hand-screened shirts  

Designed and printed by Bridgeport designer & artist Liz Squillace

  

100% Ring-spun,  Yellow Cotton in a lighter summer weight

Available in: Small; Medium; Large; XLarge; 2XLarge

AND DON'T FORGET TO SPECIFY THE SIZE IN THE "ORDER NOTES" WHEN CHECKING OUT

 

Or send an e-Mail to: [email protected]
include the words "Summer 2015 T-Shirt"
and the size/s in your message (one item per size, per order)

Order Questions: Call 203-331-9756

 

 

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Coming next week.... 

 

 

  

 


 

 

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LITCHFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL
 

 

Here is a message from Director- Vita Muir

 

"Litchfield Performing Arts' mission is to educate and inspire young people to be confident, creative, expressive individuals through challenging programs in jazz music and the performing arts and to share the passion and magic of the arts with the wider community.

Litchfield Performing Arts is celebrating thirty-four seasons of service through the arts this year. The Litchfield Jazz Camp has been changing lives for 18 years by awarding $100,000 annually in scholarships to students in financial need. This year we need your help more than ever as a result of drastic cuts in available state funding.

 

Since our early days of classical concerts in my living room, Litchfield Performing Arts (LPA) has grown well beyond anything we ever imagined. Through the festival we reach audiences from all over the world. Through the Litchfield Jazz Camp we have been privileged to bring the best in jazz instruction to hundreds of students each year. With the help of generous funders, we have been able to bring integrated arts education to several thousand students a year through Project Poetry Live! and other educational programs. And, we see to it that first-class arts education opportunities are available to all, especially those who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

 

The undisputed centerpiece of the organization is The Litchfield Jazz Festival, a favorite of the public and critics alike. Over its 19 years, the Festival has had the honor of presenting jazz titans---musicians like Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Slide Hampton, Wayne Shorter and Toots Thielemans. We were also blessed to have heard with you some of the field's finest players just before they passed away-Tommy Flanagan, Ray Charles, Thomas Chapin, Tito Puente, and Stanley Turrentine. And, we have had the thrill of discovering the stars of tomorrow- Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Lizz Wright and Jane Monheit, to name a few."

  

 

WPKN IS A PROUD MEDIA PARTNER of the Litchfield Jazz Festival

Festival line-up and info here  

 

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If you are coming to Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
 July 31st - August 2 at Dodd's Farm in Hillsdale stop by the WPKN tent and say hello!

 
 

WPKN IN THE NEWS

  • Look for the WPKN feature in the Connecticut Post this coming weekend! 

 
CT Post's Autumn Driscoll and writer John Burgeson
 

 

  • Seen in the New Haven Independent
an article on the recent live-remote from the Institute Library in New Haven of the HOME PAGE RADIO show featuring WPKN hosts Binnie Klein and Duo Dickinson.

WPKN Talks Books on Radio From Chapel Street  

 

 

 

 

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  DONATE YOUR CAR TO WPKN

Get Tax-Credit  

 

WPKN partners with a company based in San Diego called CARS. They work with community radio stations and other non-profits all over the USA. We've worked with them for almost a decade and have enjoyed an excellent relationship. You would be amazed how valuable this service is to WPKN. We regularly receive donation checks from CARS that they have received on our behalf from listeners just like you. WPKN receives 80% of the auction value and CARS receives 20%.  

 

 

Click on the KEY on our home page or call us at the number 877-WPKN-CAR

 

 

 

 

FAQ's

How will the car be picked up?

We will arrange to have your vehicle towed away at a scheduled time convenient for you. The vehicle will be picked up by a licensed tow company at no cost to you and will be taken to our sale location.

 

How long will it take to pick up my car?

We will contact you to schedule an appointment within two to three business days at the most. If you need your car picked up sooner, please call us toll-free at 877-WPKN-CAR or 877-975-6227 seven days a week. We may be able to make those arrangements as well.

 

How does the new law effect my tax deduction?

Donors will no longer be responsible for determining the deductible value of their donation. Instead, they will receive IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes if the proceeds from the sale exceed $500, stating the amount of the gross proceeds from the sale of the donated vehicle. The amount listed on IRS Form 1098-C will be the gross proceeds of the deductible donation.

 

Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?

Yes, our driver will issue a receipt at the time of pick-up. This is not your final tax receipt unless the sale of your vehicle does not exceed $500. This initial acknowledgement will indicate your name as well as the year, make, model and condition of the car you are donating. It will be your only receipt if your vehicle sells for less than $500. An IRS Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your car, provided your vehicle sold for more than $500. This will be your tax receipt for your charitable contribution.

 

How is the value determined on the vehicle donated?

The value is determined by the gross proceeds raised from the sale of the donated vehicle. You no longer have the burden of determining the value yourself.

 

What can I claim as a deduction?

According to the tax law effective January 1, 2005, if the claimed value of the donated vehicle exceeds $500, the taxpayer is limited to the gross proceeds of the sale.

 

What if my car is valued over $5000?

Effective January 1, 2005, you will no longer be required to have vehicles appraised. The value you may claim will be the amount of gross proceeds received from your vehicle.

 

Does my car have to be running to donate it?

In some cases we can take your car, running or not. However, it must have an engine and be towable. Contact a representative at 877-WPKN-CAR or 877-975-6227 to find out if your vehicle qualifies for pick-up.

   

 

 

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 WPKN Named #1 in Fairfield County   

 

    
   

 

 

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WPKN Releases FREE "WPKN Live" Worldwide for iPhone +  iPad  + Android

Go to wpkn.org and follow the home page links 

  

 

   

NOW available at the Apple App Store

Copy and paste or click below:   

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wpkn-live/id704986292?mt=8

 

WPKN has unveiled the new iPhone and iPad app + now the Android app.   The app is offered through the Apple 'App' store free of charge.  WPKN thanks the design services of Long Island native and friend of PKN, Patrick Serrano who volunteered countless hours of design and development time.

The WPKN custom app that allows for "live" listening and a quick tap entrance to our web site.

  

 

 

 

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