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Scottsdale Times News Paper - Arizona restaurant and dining guide radio - Dial to Dine
with Don, KXAM 1310 AM covering Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler AZ.
Radio Dining The North Scottsdale Times If you're new to the area, or planning a special evening, or just want to try a different place to eat, how do you choose a restaurant? Sure, there are critics (including our own Ian Kogneeto), but many people prefer to rely on friends and neighbors for a recommendation. On any given Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM you can get suggestions for dining all over the Valley from the comfort of your easy chair. Welcome to "Dial to Dine" with Kim and Don on KXAM 1310AM. Like so many of us, Kim and Don are relatively new to Scottsdale. Dial to Dine is in its fourth year but its root are back in Massachusetts at WMSX, an AM radio station in Brockton that Don owned until recently. There he also hosted "Radio A La Carte", the current show's precursor. Kim and Don met when she was hired to do a daily magazine-format show on WMSX. They own "Dial to Dine, and broker, or buy, the airtime on KXAM. According to Don, their show is "the fastest three hours in radio in the Valley." Just before Thanksgiving, the show became what Don termed a reverse telethon. Kim, Don, and David Bauer of St. Mary's Food Bank each pledged a cash donation to area food banks for every call that was aired during that day's broadcast. Each incoming call was preceded by the "ka-ching" of an old-fashioned cash register. Rolando Aiello of Oliveti Coffee Equipment was the guest during the first hour. Aiello, a resident of North Scottsdale, made a generous donation to St. Mary's and later a friend of his donated 100 cases of pasta. Oliveti is now a sponsor of "Dial to Dine". "I'm passionate about food and Don's the same way," says Kim. That all-consuming interest in comestibles comes in handy when planning each show. Regular features include a food quote, where the listeners guess who's being quoted, food trivia, and food history. Callers who know the answers are rewarded with prices, often restaurant gift certificates. The show can be addictive, as is evidenced by regular callers. The chatty style means listening alone can feel like catching up with friends. As Kim explains, "We're not food critics. We just love to eat." After tuning in to several programs I have one bit of advice: don't listen on an empty stomach.
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