KNAU update for Sept. 13 — Pledge Drive Lite starts Monday, 11-year-old Chef, and more

Our goal is to raise $185,000 before October 4^th so that we can continue to bring you all the local news, entertainment and beautiful music that you depend on daily. We are so grateful for you and your support, which allows us to continue the “silent” model of fundraising. Donate today!

Everyone who donates will be entered to win the Shonto Begay giclee print “Water is Life” which we will draw for immediately following Morning Edition on Friday, September 20^th.

Are You A Sustaining Member of KNAU?

If so, now is the perfect time to increase your monthly support! Add $1, $2, $5 or any amount that works for you. An increase of any size makes a difference AND helps us meet our fall fundraising goals. Simply email KNAU’s Member Services department and let us know how much you would like to add to your monthly donation. It’s that easy!

Thank you for supporting Arizona Public Radio!

We will be upgrading our Grand Canyon signal Saturday morning starting at 10am. As such, the signal will be off the air for about 20-30 minutes.

Thank you for your patience.

Classical music recorded in northern Arizona is ahead this week on our new program “Arizona Encore”

Sunday at noon, we’ll have selections from Chamber Music Sedona and the Grand Canyon Music Festival. The Catalyst String Quartet offers music by 20^th century Spaniard Alberto Ginastera and also Anton Arensky’s Quartet Op. 35. From recent performances at Chamber Music Sedona, we have new music from contemporary composers Eduardo Hubert, Paul Schoenfield and (for something completely different) the German electro-pop ensemble Polarkreis 18. If you miss the Sunday Arizona Encore broadcast, check the repeat Tuesday evening at 7 on Classical KNAU.

Our broadcasts of the Chicago Symphony continue Monday on Symphony Night with violinist Hillary Hahn playing the concerto by Jean Sibelius. Also on the next CSO program are the “Academic Festival Overture” by Brahms and Rachmaninov’s second Symphony (a.k.a “Rocky II”)

While we’re at it, live classical music nearby this week includes an oboe recital Sunday afternoon by NAU’s Rebecca Scarnati. Later this month, the Flagstaff Symphony opens its 70^th season Friday the 27^thand you can hear clarinetist Cris Iguanati in recital the following Sunday. His program includes Malcom Arnold’s “Divertimento” as well as music by Elliot Carter and Camille Saint-Saens.

Imagine if you had a job where your sole duty was to spread kindness in your community? That’s what KNAU listener Jen Saunders does. She is the president of BLE Flagstaff, a non-profit organization dedicated to random acts of kindness. And this Monday, BLE will embark on an ambitious day of giving, in hopes that the community will be inspired to pay kindness forward in their own way. Learn more at KNAU.org.

These beautiful green frogs with dark spots were once abundant across northern and central Arizona. But extended drought, aggressive invaders like bull frogs, and the deadly chytrid fungus have shrunk populations to only small pockets. Learn more at KNAU.org.

Route 66 was once the Mother Road of America, bringing tourists and travelers to small towns along the path from Chicago to Los Angeles. But, as the road was replaced by Interstate 40, many towns lost those visitors and still struggle to stay afloat. Learn more at KNAU.org.

U.K. tween Omari McQueen began to cook at age 7, when his mother experienced paralyzing migraines. It wasn’t long before he appeared on TV, opened a trendy food hall booth and sat on an expert panel. Learn more at NPR’s food blog, The Salt.