On these dreary fall days and nights, nothing says warmth like a cup of hot cocoa and the sweet, sweet caressing sounds of your radio… Ahhhhh…. That’s right, the radio, it’s so retro it makes your grandma look young. Hey-Oh!

But seriously, listen up and listen in folks. CJSW’s Annual Funding Drive is upon us, which means it’s one week of anything goes on the air, all the time. Actually, I don’t think that’s entirely true, but if you’re an avid listener/fan of the University of Calgary’s only campus station, CJSW, then you know that anything can happen while the mic’s on, and we should keep supporting that.

It may sound cliché but CJSW is one of Calgary’s cultural icons. With roots dating way back to the 1950’s, CJSW has been providing ever-evolving programming from talk, to rock and beyond with a large emphasis on promoting C-town.

Although it’s not mandated, CJSW encourages their deejays to play local music, and as a part of their vast library, they offer a section dedicated to Calgary artists and albums. Smaller local acts can then get a chance to be heard beyond a smelly bar (not that I’ve ever met a smelly bar I didn’t like) or their mom’s stereo.

If you’ve ever tuned in on a weekend, you may have had the pleasure of hearing the diverse world programming, catering to an array of Calgary’s international communities and those of us trying to learn a language. You may have no idea what they’re saying but they’re having a good time saying it, and you might even hear some tunes you’ve perhaps never even knew existed. Boom!

From a first year student to a professional something or other, I fell in love with CJSW a long time ago. I’ve found new music, listened to local subject matter experts weigh in on Calgary issues and laughed at inside jokes only me the deejay and the other listeners may understand. But that’s what so great about our little campus station, it’s like a big club that needs a bit of help now and again.

This year the station’s goal is a measly $200,000 hoping to be raised between 9 a.m. on Friday, October 19 until 6 p.m., Friday, October 26. So what’s the money for, you ask? To up the wattage so much it would actually make CJSW one of the highest powered community stations in Canada and then on to world domination! Sweet!

Whether or not you decide to pledge during the Drive, tune in to what Fast Forward Weekly calls “Calgary’s Best Fund-raising Event”. It’s seriously entertaining and you may just hear some history.