Advance tickets available for the sunset cruise aboard The Adventuress
Call now (425) 303-9070 to reserve your place on board!!

Recognition open house scheduled for March 13

The KSER Board of Directors has announced that KSER General Manager Bruce Wirth has resigned. He will complete his duties at KSER on Feb. 29.  

Effective March 1, News and Public Affairs Director Ed Bremer will take on the role of Interim General Manager and assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of KSER. A search for new leadership, led by a committee of board and community members, is currently underway.

Bruce began working for KSER in August 2006. During his five years, both weekly audience and annual income for KSER have doubled. Bruce also dramatically improved online services to listeners by launching a new KSER website that now includes live playlists, a playlist archive and the new Radio Replayer.

The KSER Board of Directors invites you to join in a recognition celebration of Bruce’s service to KSER at an open house from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 13 before the monthly board meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact the president of the KSER Board of Directors at boardprez@kser.org.

The Search for a new manager has begun
The KSER Board of Directors has begun the search for a new Manager.  A committee of board and community members is seeking input from many sources to determine the best skills and characteristics to take KSER forward.  A job description is being developed and a nationwide search will begin soon.

If you have any questions, please contact the president of the KSER Board of Directors at boardprez@kser.org.

Know someone who speaks up to make a difference?
Plan now to nominate him or her for the KSER Voice of the Community Award!

This annual award recognizes local voices that speak up and out about community or cultural concerns impacting Snohomish or Island counties with positive results for your local community – no matter the size!

You can nominate an organization, a business or an individual of any age that makes a positive community impact or an individual or organization that makes a positive cultural impact.

Nomination forms will be available at the KSER studio and on www.KSER.orgbeginning early March. Deadline for submission is July 31, 2012.

Winners will be recognized at the KSER Voice of the Community Award Celebration to take place Saturday, November 10.

Questions? Email KSERVoice@gmail.com.

Applications open for Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board
The KSER Foundation is always interested in receiving applications from qualified, dedicated community members who are interested in serving on the KSER Board of Directors or the Community Advisory Board (CAB). 

The CAB meets quarterly to offer input, suggestions, comments or concerns about KSER's service to the community. For more information, click here.

The KSER Board of Directors is responsible for governing the KSER Foundation. Board members typically serve a three-year term, unless appointed to fill current open seats, and are limited to three consecutive terms. For more information click here or contact boardprez@kser.org.

Zomato chief executive officer Deepinder Goyal took to social media to congratulate rival food delivery platform Swiggy on its stock market debut on Wednesday. The Sriharsha Majety-led company listed on the bourses with an 8% premium over its IPO price.

India's edible oil imports saw a slight dip of 3.09% in the 2023-24 oil year, reaching 159.6 lakh tonnes. This decrease is attributed to a boost in domestic oilseed production and a slight decline in demand due to price increases. Despite the overall decrease, sunflower oil imports actually rose, while imports of other oils like palm and soybean oil decreased.

Comic Larry Dean talks at length about his new show.

The expansions are expected to be completed over the next 24 months, with phase 1 of the total expansion at Indri plant of malt and ethanol reaching completion in early 2025. At its Indri plant, the company is expanding its warehousing infrastructure to accommodate over 1 lakh barrels.

Bata India is adjusting its strategies due to changing consumer spending patterns. The company is introducing more affordable products and partnering with quick commerce platforms like Zepto to cater to budget-conscious consumers while continuing its premiumization efforts and offline expansion plans.

Wrangler has expanded its retail footprint in India with the inauguration of six new stores. Located in Ujjain, Goa, Indore, Bilaspur, Katihar, and Bareilly, these additions bring Wrangler's total store count to 58 across India.

Reliance's luxury beauty retail chain, Tira, opened its flagship store at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai. The store features 15 exclusive shop-in-shop boutiques of global beauty brands like Dior, Estée Lauder, and YSL. Customers can enjoy personalized shopping experiences, a beauty concierge service, and a café. The store also features a scent room with curated international fragrances.

According to the company's draft red herring prospectus (DRHP), Prosus invested nearly Rs 9,055 crore ($1.07 billion) in the online food platform and made Rs 26,927 crore ($3.2 billion) in IPO, thus netting a $2.12 billion profit from its investment.

Indian retailers are preparing for the upcoming winter shopping season despite a slowdown in consumer spending. They are ensuring ample inventory to avoid missing sales opportunities. While demand for winter wear has been unpredictable in recent years, retailers remain optimistic about sales. They are hoping for a strong winter to boost sales of seasonal products.

Cooking oil prices in India rose significantly. Palm and sunflower oil prices increased. International prices surged due to production issues. India's demand for cooking oil remained high. The situation surprised the industry. FMCG companies faced pressure to increase prices.

As part of its strategy to enter the premium whisky market -- that is witnessing the fastest growth in the alchoBev segment -- IGL will distribute and sell select Amrut brands in the premium segment across markets in north India.

India's quick commerce market is booming and is set to reach USD 40 billion by 2030. This surge is driven by consumer demand for fast deliveries, with 46% of consumers reducing their reliance on traditional Kirana shops. Quick commerce platforms are projected to capture 21% of total Kirana sales by 2024.

Onion prices in India are anticipated to decrease further due to the arrival of the new kharif crop. The government has been selling onions from its buffer stock at subsidized rates to combat recent price increases. Over 4,850 tonnes of onions have been transported via railway to major cities, including Delhi, to enhance supply and stabilize prices.

India's economic growth in the second half of this financial year will be driven by rural demand and government spending. The rural economy is gaining momentum. Consumer durables and non-durables are showing strong performance. The manufacturing sector is also exhibiting growth. However, there are signs of a slowdown in industrial growth.

Sales of personal luxury goods are projected to decline by 2% this year, marking the industry's weakest performance since the 2008-09 financial crisis. This downturn, attributed to price increases and economic uncertainty, has particularly impacted China, a key market for luxury brands. The shrinking customer base and shift towards higher price points have prompted concerns about the industry's recovery timeline.

Apparel exporter Gokaldas Exports posted an 18.77% rise in consolidated profit at Rs 28.16 crore for the quarter ended September 30, mainly led by exports. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 23.71 crore for the same quarter a year ago.

India's wholesale price index rose to 2.36 percent in October. Food prices increased, pushing retail inflation to a 14-month high. The Reserve Bank of India held its benchmark interest rate steady. The central bank maintained its inflation forecast for the fiscal year at 4.5 percent. Food price volatility remains a concern for inflation and economic stability.

India's smartphone market is expected to exit 2024 with a low single-digit annual growth, as Apple posted its largest-ever quarterly shipment in India with 4 million units in the third quarter (Q3), according to a new report.

iPhone shipments in the third quarter of 2024 crossed 4 million units for the first time, driven by steep discounts, multiple financing options, and a strong demand for premium handsets during the festive season, said research firm IDC in a report released Wednesday.

The size of the deal is estimated at over Rs 1,300 crore. With the transaction, both Bharti and DMPL will receive shares of ATFL as consideration and will become public shareholders of ATFL post the transaction. Additionally, ATFL (through DMFPL) will acquire an exclusive, perpetual license for the Del Monte brand in India.

The company reported a loss for the first half of its financial year and announced a 40 million pound ($51 million) cost savings programme, as new CEO Joshua Schulman laid out his turnaround plan.

Operating revenue remained largely unchanged at Rs 1,430 crore compared to Rs 1,426 crore in FY23. The company, which secured its maiden fundraise last year, saw a 40% surge in employee benefit expenses at Rs 71 crore, while finance costs rose nearly 50% to Rs 29.5 crore. Total expenses increased to Rs 1,460 crore from Rs 1,432 crore in FY23.

The festive season brought good news for the technology sector. Sales of tech products and durables saw a significant rise. Air conditioners, laptops and smartphones were popular choices among shoppers. This growth was fueled by new features, discounts and a preference for premium products. Interestingly, most of the sales happened before Diwali, indicating a change in consumer behavior.

Indian traders are worried about quick commerce platforms. CAIT says these platforms are using unfair practices to control the market. They are accused of hurting small businesses like Kirana stores. The traders want the government to take action. They want stricter rules for these platforms to protect small businesses.

In a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the new Amazon Haul storefront will mostly feature products that cost less than $10 and offer free delivery on orders over $25.

Driven by tier 2 and 3 cities, India's e-commerce sector registered a gross merchandise value (GMV) of approximately $14 billion (more than Rs 1.18 lakh crore) in this year's festive season, marking a 12 per cent growth over last year's festive period, a report said on Wednesday.

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Texas indie-rock quartet Swimming With Bears reflects creativity and resilience on formidable anthem “Patient Disguise,” weaving pain and loneliness into an air of euphoria and vibrance.  Juxtaposing contrasting emotions with…

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UK rapper/songwriter/educator BREIS (pronounced breeze) returns with a new informative and enlightening single, "Gimme Dat" that breaks down the dynamics of the music industry. Backed by producer Soliheen's plucky synths…

L.A-based Nigerian-American rapper/songwriter Quinja closes out the year with the Amapiano remix of her single "West Jewel." The original version was released in late 2023  before her debut project and…

London-based R&B and soul artist Kyrah Tay has released her debut single, "City Girl". Produced by Monterey J, known for his work with emerging urban and soul talents, the track…

Mr. Pigeons has again demonstrated his artistic evolution with his latest album, 'Ivory,' showcases underscored by themes of love, hope, and self-reflection. The album 'Ivory' navigates the complexities of vulnerability…

Singing River is back with an exciting new album, 'Talkin' Destination Blues,' released on November 8, 2024. The duo, Mikey James and Anthony Kuhn describe their music as a blend…

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My ongoing Listening Diary of the newly released dozen Autechre live sets from 2023 and 2024 has passed the 2,000 words milestone, with no signs of slowing down, and thus far I’ve still only touched on half the latest AE_2022- recordings. Today I focused on the Melbourne date for the first time, with side trips […]

Today's cool hack of the day: faraday cages, leaky microwave ovens, and using AirPods Pro as hearing aids in a country where you aren't allowed to

[CW: strong, bleak/dark/violent humour, profanity] Frankie Boyle's American Autopsy was recorded shortly after the 2016 US election, and includes contributions from guests Sara Pascoe, Katherine Ryan, Michelle Wolf, Desiree Burch, and (unfortunately) Richard Osman. The show is based around three propositions concerning America, voted on by Americans in the audience. Link originally from a late 2016 post.