G-Town Radio community web broadcaster grows to 22 shows and a full-time hire

Last week, G-Town Radio, the upstart Germantown-based Internet radio station run by music and radio enthusiast Jim Bear announced that it’s picking up steam.

According to a news update announcing a $5,000 funding drive, in 2011, the organization was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (hence, the drive), it launched its documentary project Sounds of Germantown and its looking to hire a full-time worker in 2012.

The organization also expanded programming and partnerships:

Every single candidate for City Council’s 8th district came in for interviews and we partnered with WHYY’s Newsworks to present and broadcast a debate between all seven democratic candidates. Our live programming also increased to twenty-two shows each week covering a broad array of topics from under exposed music to personal finance to social justice.

We’ve published a number of stories about the organization, but two profiles stand out: one published in May 2009, and a follow-on profile published a year later.

To donate, follow the instructions here.

Why Philly has only one Low Power FM community radio station

Shirley Randelman, host of Community Action Magazine.

In partnership with Temple University’s Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab, the university’s capstone journalism class, students Chelsea Leposa and Jared Pass will cover neighborhood technology issues for Technically Philly and Philadelphia Neighborhoods through May.

“Welcome to WPEB 88.1FM, the first station on your dial,” radio host Shirley Randelman says into her microphone. “You’re listening to Community Action Magazine, bringing you all the updates on what’s going on in the community and keeping it very real and personal.”

Randelman, whose show airs on Mondays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on West Philadelphia Educational Broadcasters (WPEB), says her’s is one of many programs broadcast on the local station. “We talk about things that are happening in the community especially where it deals with business, advocacy and education. We cover a whole potpourri of information,” she says.

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