Harford County (Mar. 27, 2002) -- Columbia-based Arbitron released its latest radio ratings trends on March 26th, and to everyone’s surprise, country powerhouse WPOC-FM (93.1) has surged to the head of the pack, displacing urban contemporary giant 92Q, WERQ-FM (92.3). Kudos to WPOC program director Scott Lindy. One wonders, however, does this mean country music’s top dog again, or has everyone just had enough of hip-hop? The trends also show that oldies station WQSR-FM (102.7) will take over third place, followed by WBAL-AM (1090) and WLIF-FM (101.9).

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For the leaders, improved winter ratings leave them in a good position for the crucial upcoming spring ratings period. Traditionally, commercial stations adjust their advertising rates to reflect their performance in the ratings each spring. The higher they finish, the more expensive it is to advertise with them. A good "spring book" can mean the difference between black and red ink on a station’s year-end ledger. No doubt the account execs at WPOC are feeling pretty good about the winter trends (not to mention the bean counters at Clear Channel Communications, the corporate giant which owns WPOC).

Louis Rukeyser has been given the boot at Maryland Public Television following a 32-year run as host of "Wall Street Week". MPT officials took exception with Rukeyser’s on-air comments during his program of March 22nd. The 69-year-old Rukeyser, whose contract with MPT was to expire this June, declined to accept a diminished role with the program after July, and urged viewers to look for him on a new show soon. He also suggested they contact their local PBS station and urge them to carry his new show ("Wall Street" originates at MPT but airs on public television stations nationally). MPT plans to use rotating guest hosts for "Wall Street Week" until a new permanent host is selected in the fall.

At public radio station WHFC-FM (91.1) in Bel Air, "The Book Guys" has moved from Wednesdays at noon to Saturday mornings at 7:00, making way for "Caring For Creatures". "The Best of Our Knowledge", previously heard Saturdays at 7:00 am, and "The Health Show", heard at 7:30 am, have gone on hiatus. Also leaving the lineup at 91.1 FM is "The Internet News", a one-minute feature heard weekdays at 8:20 am and 8:59 pm. The feature has ceased production -- it's last day on the air is Friday, April 5. No decision has been made regarding what will replace "Internet" at 8:20 am, but the station has decided to rebroadcast "Watershed" at 8:59 pm. And "The Doo Wop Stop" with Jukebox John will be shortened from three hours to two on Monday nights to accommodate a new program. "The Ronnie Dove Show" will feature singer Dove plus co-hosts and guests, along with listeners' calls and the songs that made Ronnie famous during the 1960's and '70's. He presented a similar program on Baltimore's WITH-AM from 1995-97. After more than 40 years in the music industry, Ronnie still has a strong fan base in this area. "The Ronnie Dove Show" debuts Monday, April 22nd at 8:00 pm on 91.1, WHFC-FM.

On the local entertainment scene, The Harford Dance Theatre presents Canvases 2002, their annual spring concert, on Friday, April 5th, and Saturday, April 6th. Both shows take place at 7:30 pm in the Chesapeake Theater of Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, in Bel Air (entrance number two). Original works will be performed, and a complementary reception follows the Friday night performance. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for patrons age 17 and younger. The number for tickets is 410-836-4211.

The Bel Air Farmers Market resumes the weekend of April 6th in the parking lots of the Mary Risteau Courthouse (Sat. & Tues.), and Harford Mall (Sun.). Saturday hours are 7:00 to 11:00 am; Sundays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Tuesdays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. The market continues through November. For information, 410-836-6346.

On Sunday, April 7th, The Harford Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Franz Reinhardt, will perform in the Amoss Center on the HCC campus at 2:00 pm. The orchestra is comprised of middle and high school students from throughout the county. They will be accompanied by The Harford Youth String Orchestra, a talented group of local middle school students. Brian Folus will conduct. Admission is free.

HCC art students will present their paintings, drawings and sculpture to the public at a reception on Thursday, April 11th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the college's Chesapeake Gallery in the new Student Center. Works will be displayed through April 26th, and admission is free.

Enjoy An Evening of Jazz, Friday, April 12th at 8:00 pm with the Bob Hamilton Trio at Harford Community College's Havre de Grace Hall. Admission at the door is just $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for those 17 and under.

Treat the entire family to a musical adaptation of Jules Verne’s timeless favorite, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, on Saturday, April 13th, at the Amoss Center on the HCC campus. There'll be two performances, at 5:30 and 7:30 pm, and ticket sales (premier seats are $9.00, orchestra seats $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for those 17 and under) are already brisk. 410-836-4211.

The big Cape May Jazz Festival takes place Friday, April 19th, through Sunday, April 21st, in nearby Cape May, NJ. The festival is presented each spring and fall. This time around it's a tribute to the music of Miles Davis. Headliners include Wallace Roney, David "Fathead" Newman, Cedar Walton and Brian Trainor. Tickets range from $20 for the Sunday jazz jam to $120 for a 20-event weekend pass, and can be ordered by calling 1-800-595-4849. Cape May is about a two-hour drive, but a word of warning. The festival is always well-attended, so accommodations fill up quickly. Therefore, if you plan on spending the weekend, better make lodging arrangements now. More information is available on line at www.capemayjazz.org.

And a reminder, Daylight Savings Time returns Sunday morning, April 7th. Be sure to set your clocks and watches AHEAD one hour before retiring the night before.

Have a question or comment about this column or local media? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

GH