Rock, 93.7 FM on the Coast and at 107.9 FM are selling raffle tickets for an e-bike or Cambria stay-cation
The Estero Bay’s community radio station is trying to fulfill its duties as an emergency source of information and readers can pitch in and maybe win a cool grand prize.
The Rock, 93.7 FM on the Coast and at 107.9 FM in Paso Robles, is selling raffle tickets now for a chance to win a new e-bike or a weekend stay-cation getaway in Cambria.
“The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated KEBF, 97.3 The Rock as the primary entry point facility providing emergency messaging from city, county, state, and federal authorities in conjunction with the California Office of Emergency Services,” reads a news release from The Rock. “KEBF is an essential link during cell or Internet disruptions where communication may only be accessible by FM radio.”
To do what the FCC wants, the station needs a backup generator that could kick on during a power outage and continue operating throughout an emergency.
Such capabilities are important now because of the threat of tsunami and of an accident at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. And in the future — if things shake out the way they appear to be headed — they will also be needed in case of an emergency at the proposed Battery Energy Storage System or BESS, being looked at by the California Energy Commission and Coastal Commission.
This situation arose in late October after the BESS applicant, Vistra Energy, told the city it was moving environmental review and permitting for its $900 million project to the state and away from the city’s normal permitting process.
Vistra, in a letter dated Oct. 28, told the city its new timeline for the project review that added 18 months to the schedule was unacceptable for them, and they believe they can get a permit faster from the state through the provisions of Assembly Bill 205 (AB 205).
Hal Abrams, the founder of the nonprofit, commercial-free radio station explained why they need an emergency generator.
“KEBF has been bolstering transmitter chain redundancies to ensure we can continue providing the residents of Morro Bay with critical communications in an emergency,” Abrams said. “We are fundraising to cover the $12,500 cost of purchasing and installing a power generator at the studio in Morro Bay. This crucial link ensures Emergency Alerts are available to Estero Bay residents in case of a power outage.”
The radio station is located in a city-owned building at 695 Harbor St. The raffle will have two great prizes — a Velotric Discover One e-bike donated by Red Tail Bikes (located at 890 Main St.) valued at $1,699; and a Cambria stay-cation with two-night accommodations at the Little Sur Inn and dinner at Robin’s Restaurant in Downtown Cambria. Proceeds from the raffle will go towards purchase and installation of the emergency generator.
Raffle tickets are $10 each, three for $25, or 15 for $100 and available in person wherever the radio station sets up its prize booth, such as the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Downtown Morro Bay. Look for other upcoming locations online at TheRockCommunityRadio.org.
There are also tickets available at participating businesses — Mike’s Barber Shop, 280 Morro Bay Blvd., Tuesdays-Saturdays; and Symbiosis Wines at 612 12th St., Paso Robles, Thursdays-Sundays.
The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, live on the air, with Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Watkins pulling the winning tickets.
The Rock Community Radio (97.3/107.9 FM) is a nonprofit organization operated and supported by listeners and residents of SLO County. The Rock connects the Central Coast with hyper-local, engaging, creative community-based FM radio and online programming. The variety of music styles you’ll hear are as diverse as the individual volunteer disc jockeys that play them.
The Rock also provides public safety programming, emergency preparedness education, and emergency alert announcements for Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Los Osos, and Cayucos.
