Roundup: “First Car”

Tuesday June 25, 2024
From the less messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…

Hey Mia? What’s up?

Today you will be hearing from Mia Johnson-Martinez, KWMR’s Digital Communication Director. Jeff takes care of what is broadcast on the airwaves, and Mia really fills in all of the other media channels, including a lot of website content, social media, posters, and she also oversees KWMR’s Car Donation program. She will tell you all about it.
Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager/Executive Director

First car

I wish I’d donated my car to KWMR.

My first car was a 1990 Volvo station wagon. I loved it. It had an incredible turning radius, it was nice and heavy, and it had great visibility – with square, low-slung windows.

So many things were transported in that Volvo over the years – hay bales to fill up my apartment porch for a pumpkin carving party…whole trees for art projects….and a life-sized cutout of the vampire Edward from Twilight to be dressed up for an April Fools prank. That car carried me through my 20’s. 

Eventually, the head-gasket did it in. I couldn’t afford to fix it. Sadly, I had to sell it to my mechanic. I always wonder what he did with it. Did he fix it? Did he sell it? Did it get sold for parts? Did anyone find the rats nest that was in the spare tire? (Just kidding, maybe.)  

I still keep an eye out for my long-lost Volvo when I’m in San Rafael, just case it lives on. I still miss it sometimes. After we parted – I was carless for a few years, and got very familiar with West Marin Stagecoach. At some point I bought a used car that one of KWMR’s DJs was getting rid of (thank you, Susan Lockwood, one-time-host of “The Scoring Stage!”) … and eventually I moved on to my current car. None have matched the glory of the first car. I bet I’m not alone in that thought.

Knowing what I do now, I wish I’d donated it to KWMR! No matter if it was restored or sold for parts, Charitable Adult Rides & Services (the organization KWMR works with for our vehicle donations) would have picked it up and processed it – and the proceeds from it’s sale would have gone directly to KWMR. Whether it was running well or rusting away, they would have taken care of it, and it would have been dedicated to a great cause. 

My first car would have gone on to keep my favorite local radio station running smoothly. 

I’ll do that next time. :)
– Mia

Mia Johnson-Martinez
Digital Communication Director
[email protected]

Sidewalk-tree haul, San Francisco, 2009

What was your first car? Do you sometimes think of it fondly? I want to see it / hear about it. Email me at [email protected] and we’ll feature you/your car in a future Roundup!

Hay haul, San Rafael, 2011

Surprise decor, San Geronimo, 2013

---

---