Round Up: ”Lose a Shirt, Keep a Coat”

“Parachute Days” is happening this coming Sunday, October 12. I hope to see you out there at Toby’s. Come listen to some music, enjoy some oysters, Mexican food, and/or pizza. Grab a beverage, dance with your pals, and generally enjoy downtown Point Reyes Station. All tickets at the door.  This is a benefit for KWMR as we navigate our future forward without our Federal funding. Big thanks to Gabe Korty, Chris Giacomini and all his amazing staff, and to the volunteers that make putting on events like this possible. The event is 2pm – 7 pm. Three bands (see below). It’s gonna be fun, and it’s supposed to be great weather!

It was 44 degrees on Monday morning, and at least 75 degrees by 2 pm. It is “lose your coat weather.” I remember these days well when I was in elementary school. We would walk the mile to school and in the morning I would put on my grey down jacket. It was a puffy before puffies were cool. That puffy was warm! By recess it would be t-shirt weather and by the time we walked home, it was hot. I would often arrive home without my grey jacket. Somehow we always got it back. I find that to be simply amazing.

You might be wondering how KWMR is doing with the federal funding cuts. Well, as of right this second we are doing ok. When we got to that point after everyone’s generous contributions I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Then on my next exhale I realized that this was to be an ongoing thing. Not only did we need to make our other ambitious fundraising goals, but we would have to achieve the same level of fundraising next summer. Daunting? Yes.

I believe it will take us a few years, if not three or more to stabilize after the defunding of public media. There are groups out there forming to fill the gaps, but nothing as substantial as the congressionally appropriated funds that fed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

So yay for us (thank you all), and now we roll up our sleeves, (or keep them rolled up) and continue on. We all feel the support of this community, and by that I mean all of West Marin from Muir Beach to Dillon Beach and inland, and beyond thanks to our streaming audio and the amazing KWMR app.

Yes, KWMR “lost our shirt,” a term meant when there is a substantial financial loss. But we are going to try really hard to not lose our coat on these gorgeous fall days.

Thank you for your support!

Amanda Eichstaedt
KWMR Station Manager,  Executive Director & Development 

P.S. KWMR Board Member Sharron Drake (Inverness Shakespeare and Sharron Drake Community Arts) is going to be showing “The Fog” at St. Columba’s the Friday before Parachute Days (10/10/25). Bring your snugglies and snacks (refreshments will be available for sale) to the amphitheatre for a fun night of local cinema! It starts at 6 PM.

P.P.S. There is a planned prescribed burn for the Gary Giacomino Preserve by Marin County Fire. This may occur as soon as October 15. Here is the flyer.

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