WHAT ABOUT 'WHAD'YA'KNOW?'

The campaign to enter Cape Girardeau in the "Let's Put on a Show!" contest sponsored by the public radio program "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?" is off to a limping start.

So far, only a few suggestions about how to persuade the offbeat quiz show to broadcast from Cape Girardeau have come into the Southeast Missourian, which supports the idea.

"We want to encourage lots of entries instead of just one big one," says Southeast Missourian editor Joe Sullivan.

The contest winner's hometown gets to host a "Whad'Ya Know?" program in April. People can enter if their town has a public radio station.

During last week's broadcast of "Whad'Ya Know?" some callers pitched their towns. Matt boasted about Omaha's poetry readings and cold weather. Stephanie pushed the unique flavor of Irondequoit, N.Y. Todd of Little Rock, Ark., offered a trip to Whitewater.

Cape Girardeau can beat those. Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History, said Cape Girardeau has the distinction of taking the federal government all the way to the Supreme Court and winning in 1981. The issue was whether firefighters would be allowed to work 12-hour shifts under the new 8-hour workday law.

At one time, he says, the city was home to one of the world's foremost aficionados of the works of writer J.R.R. Tolkien and to a published Communist poet.

Our Zimmer Broadcasting Inc. is second only to the Disney company in the number of radio stations owned in the United States, and we are the headquarters of the Little River Drainage District, at 2 million acres, it's the world's largest drainage district.

Mayor Al Spradling III likes the idea of Cape Girardeau getting national publicity from the public radio show, but says, "The question I have in my mind is, How many people listen to radio?"

He has never heard the "Whad'Ya Know?" show.

But he does have the power to make Feldman a commander in Ensign Girardot's Navy, the honor Cape Girardeau bestows on some visiting dignitaries.

Greg Petrowich, general manager of KRCU FM 90.9, likes the idea.

"We're plenty interested," he said. "This is not the first time it has been thought of to bring them in. I like the idea of the town getting behind it and having individual listeners call in and boast about their town."

Petrowich said the station will make itself available to people who want to record the 90-second audiotape suggested for entering the contest. (See related story)

"People should contact us and also send something to him" (Feldman), Petrowich said.

Though the mayor hasn't heard it, Petrowich said "Whad'Ya Know?" is one of the most popular programs in the station's Saturday lineup. "It's right up there with 'Morning Edition.' There are some closet listeners. You might not sound so educated with your buddies to say you listen to 'Whad'Ya Know?'"

Let's Put on a Show rules and regulations

* Listeners can enter as individuals or in groups of two, three, or four. They can enter as a duo, trio, or quartet, barbershop quartets are encouraged to enter.

* Entrants must live in a city, town, hamlet or village that has a public radio station that carries "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?" Entries from public radio stations are encouraged.

* Entrants must fill out official entry form available at www.notmuch.com or by request from "Whad'Ya Know?" The form will request entrant's primary contact name; address; phone number; fax number (if available); e-mail address (if available); a brief written summary of why "Michael Feldman's Whatd'Ya Know?" should come to the entrant's city, town, hamlet or village; a brief written overview of what their city, town hamlet or village has to offer; name of venue that can handle the broadcast, venue manager's name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available); name of major newspaper and contact person/info; name of local public radio station and contact person/info; names of area businesses and community volunteers willing to help with the broadcast; names of hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts close to the venue.

In addition, all entrants should provide at least some (if not all) of the following collateral materials:

* An audio recording that will answer the question, Why should "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?" come to your town?" This audio recording can (and probably should) include voice, music and sound effects. The only limits are your imagination. Creativity is strongly encouraged and will be one of the criteria used during the secretive evaluation process. The audio recording must last no longer than 90 seconds. It can be provided in one of the following formats: audio cassette, DAT (digital audio tape), CD (compact disc). The three finalists' audio entries will be played on the March 10 broadcast of "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?"

* A letter from the manager of a suitable venue from which the show can be produced and broadcast. A suitable venue means a theater, concert hall, or high school auditorium. We do not mean your living room.

* This venue should have a seating capacity for more than 300 people. The venue must be available for load-in and setup on Friday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., if the show is to broadcast on Saturday, April 28, or Friday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., if the show is to be broadcast on Saturday, April 21. The letter from the manager of the suitable venue should confirm that the venue is available for these two required consecutive dates.

* Entries, including audio recording and letter from theater manager, must be received no later than midnight, March 1.

* Three finalists will be announced during the March 10 broadcast of "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?" Then listeners and audience members will vote, with the results to be announced during the March 10 broadcast.

* The winner will receive four complimentary tickets to the edition of "Michael Feldman's Whad'ya Know?" which will be broadcast from their hometown.

* Entries will be judged on the basis of the following:

* Originality and creativity of materials submitted.

* The Wisconsin Public Radio Association's ability to sell enough tickets to the show to cover expenses and generate an adequate amount of revenue.

* Size and quality of proposed broadcast venue; availability of local-area businesses and volunteers to help "Whad'Ya Know?" staff produce the show; willingness of local public radio station's primary contact person to help support and promote this broadcast.

* "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?" and the Wisconsin Public Radio Association reserve the right to reject all entries. For example, there may be no winner, if it is determined that no entry meets the requirements. All materials submitted become the property of the Wisconsin Public Radio Association.