This is the place where we will:

• Meet Interesting People
• Explore cities and towns around the world.
• Examine the world’s sociopolitical and environmental events & issues.

What Should You  Know 

About Keeping Kurrent?

My name is Wayne Potter.  Keeping Kurrent has been around  1998 when the I was with The Golden Hours Network(GHN).  The GHN was affiliated with Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) for a number of years, but, around 2002, the Oregon Commission for the Blind sponsored them.  The studios moved from OPB to the Oregon Commission on SE Stark and 12th Avenue.  Eventually, Wayne Potter arranged to air Keeping Kurrent interviews via Sound Cloud and iTunes podcasting, Keeping Kurrent is not a nonprofit, nor has been incorporated.  It is operating as a doing-business-as “Keeping Kurrent.” The interviews are arranged by myself as Producer with suggestions from my wife, Pam Brown. As Producer I do not seek donations or contributions.

As of May, 2020, I made a commitment to begin producing 1-4 interviews per month.  I will post them on Sound Cloud.  Once posted there, they are automatically available on iTunes podcasts.  I have been delinquent in arranging interviews, however, now that the pandemic has intervened I am updating this website and will begin to post interviews more regularly.

I have been actively engaged in a variety of community organizations.  Within the last year I accepted the position as Facilitator of the “Climate Change and Environmental Task Force” at Southminster Presbyterian Church.  In addition, I became a member of the Willamette View Public Affairs Committee and sponsored one program about the US Geological Survey for a rather large audience.  I also support the work of the Willamette View Green Team, particularly in finding ways to develop sustainability.  I participated in the Global Climate Strike that took place in Portland, Oregon and provided opportunities for several people to join me in the march. I continue my interest in that effort but have not engaged in supporting their programs because of the pandemic.  I intend to make sure that I continue to cover this topic to assist them in their efforts. 

I am deeply concerned about the 2020 national elections, especially with the Covid-19 effects.  I support the use of mail in ballots and I’m especially happy that I live in Oregon where we have used that process over the last 10+ years.  It works.  We have had up to 80% participation.  It’s been very effective and guarantees greater participation for all people.  So, I urge people to do what it takes to vote during the primaries and in the general election.

Wayne Potter

Producer and Host

Oak Grove, Oregon

What Can You Expect to Hear?

So many things have changed over the last few months that I have been challenged to come up with relevant topics that carefully consider the great pandemic.  Almost 99% of all media are talking about Covid-19. It is non-stop, morning to night. So, are people interested in other problems that must still be solved?  I guess that I’ll try and make the interviews relevant, that speak to the needs and interests of the community. Here are a few of my current ideas:

•    The Global Climate Crisis with a focus on Project Downward, involvement with the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), Sustainable Energy, Alternative Transportation, climate activist groups and new working styles.

•    What’s Happening to our local restaurants and other types of         food hangouts?

•    Meeting artists and writers,

•    Stories about individuals living in “The Villages”, Florida.

•    Interview about the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. 

•    Talk with Dean Brooks who directs the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).  This organization focuses on the hot-spots around the world.

Tucson Borderlands - YAV

(Young Adult Volunteers)

“The Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteer Program offers an opportunity for young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 to serve in communities of need, practice simple living, explore vocational discernment, and discover new things about themselves, their faith, and the world through a year of service. Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) live in intentional community together, try out spiritual practices, and go on retreat four times a year to reflect, renew, and have fun together.“

Part of their program is entitled “Binational Partnership.”  This program integrates young adults from the US to spend time in Aqua Prieta.  Here’s how they explain their work.

“Tucson is only 70 miles from the U.S./Mexico border. Each year, some YAVs are placed with Frontera de Cristo, a binational border ministry of the PC(USA) that works in the Mexican town of Agua Prieta. This partnership means that YAVs in Tucson share community with people who are living and working in Mexico. We're the only national YAV site with this kind of international partnership.”