You probably already know that the distinctive programming on 104.1/KZSM.org emanates from a storefront in an historic downtown building at 216 North Guadalupe. Our volunteer radio hosts look out at the street as they talk and play music. Sound purists among our staff advocate broadcasting from the back room of the studio, away from the street noise, but they are inevitably overridden by sentimentalists who cherish the feeling of connection with the community. Those hosts tolerate the disruptions — the howls of emergency vehicles, the persistent throb of a boom car, or the shouts of a passerby arguing with a cell phone or with a voice only they can hear. The people chasing the bubbles from the shop next door or dancing to the music from our sidewalk speakers make it all worthwhile.
Besides connecting broadcasters visually to their listeners, display windows in a radio station have no real purpose. Ours are a decidedly mixed blessing, leaving us exposed to the liabilities of urban living, like the rock-thrower who assaulted several downtown businesses a few years ago. The hole he left scarred the face we present to the world until a construction company working across the street generously donated an extra pane of glass.
Our shopwindows have served some special purposes: one year fashion design students from Texas State showed off their original designs; more recently, we displayed the Community Radio Quilt, a colorful celebration of community radio featuring logos from stations all over the country.
But most of the time the windows contain a random collection of objects deposited there by the accidental movements of the earth. Of course, there are the antique radios drawn there by our Station Manager, who somehow attracts them. Microphones and other radio equipment appear from time to time, along with posters publicizing KZSM events and other gatherings.
Osito, a six-foot-tall teddy bear, dominates one window and refuses to leave, not even when strolling girls fall in love and want to buy him. He presides over our seasonal decorations, with a sombrero and a sarape for Cinco de Mayo, a patriotic shirt for the 4th of July, and of course a Santa hat at Christmas.
Feel free to drop by and wave at the DJ, say hi to Osito, or even donate something for him to wear. Or contribute some of your creative energy to decorate those windows — our eye contact with the community we serve.
