BLOOMINGTON - In some places, it isn't unusual to scan the radio dial and hear Latin music and disc jockeys sharing the news, en espanol, but Central Illinois hasn't been one of them.

So when the signature guitar riffs and voices of Dominican superstars Aventura stream from a radio here, followed by an event notice in Spanish, listeners might do a double take.

The source is "Radio Latina," which is broadcast Wednesday at noon on WESN 88.1 FM, Illinois Wesleyan University's student-run radio station.

"What we really hope to do here is share information with Spanish speakers in the area," said Marita Calderon, an IWU student who co-hosts the show with fellow student Jocelyn Martinez.

The pair hopes other students carry the show into the future, said Martinez.

On a recent show, Calderon faded a song and greeted listeners, "Buenas tardes." She shared some news and small talk. Martinez chimed in with a promise that a listener would win tickets to a concert in Bloomington: "Dos boletos para Sones de Mexico."

Both hosts are nursing majors and Spanish minors. Calderon is from LaSalle and Martinez from El Paso, Texas.

They've studied Spanish and come from Latino families, but each admits she's still learning. On the air, they occasionally stumble over a word.

"Radio Latina" premiered earlier this month, with guest Alex Cardona, a State Farm Insurance Cos. employee who leads the McLean County Hispanic Families Work Group.

The three talked in Spanish about upcoming events geared toward Hispanic Heritage Month and about Cardona's group, which aims to help Spanish-speaking families assimilate into the community. In place about a year, the work group has representatives from social service agencies, city governments, major employers, city planners, and college campuses.

Cardona said he's excited about the new show. He envisions it helping more people become involved in civics, their children's schools, and more.

Lincoln College's student radio station started a similar program in Logan County last year.

"The biggest thing here is trying to figure out how to relay information - how to reach out to families. Most of them are getting their news out of Chicago, or from the Internet or satellite TV," said Cardona.

"Radio Latina" isn't only for one audience. Organizers say English speakers who enjoy world music, those studying Spanish in the classroom, and bilingual families also benefit.

Cardona estimates about 10,000 Hispanics live in the Bloomington-Normal area, but not everyone is a recent immigrant, he said. "Some Hispanic families have been here 50 years or more," he said. Still, for those who don't speak English, it's important to be inclusive, he said.

That was the thought of Deborah Halperin, an IWU staff member who leads the IWU Action Research Center and developed the program. The center pairs students and community organizations in service-learning arrangements.

"We have this radio station here. It's a terrific resource, and I thought 'Why not?'" said Halperin. The show also is an opportunity for students to apply classroom lessons.

Both Halperin and Cardona dismiss critics who say Spanish radio implies people shouldn't bother learning English. "It's only one hour a week," said Halperin.

"How much are we doing as a community to embrace different people? That's something we should ask ourselves," Cardona asked. "Not just Hispanics, but Indians, Asians, all groups."

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Los sonidos de espanol

(The sounds of Spanish)

Que (what): Radio Latina, a program from Illinois Wesleyan University

Quando (when): Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays

Donde (where): Radio broadcast at 88.1 FM; or Web streamed at www.wesn.org

Quien (who): IWU students Marita Calderon and Jocelyn Martinez host the weekly variety program, featuring a mix of popular Latin music and a talk-show format with local guests.

Escucha (listen): A recent play list included Mana, La Factoria, Belanovela, Paulina Rubio, Shakira, La Sones de Mexico, and Vincente Fernandez.

Por que (why): IWU's Action Research Center hopes the program reaches the Spanish-speaking population in Central Illinois, sharing community information and helping create an inclusive environment.

SOURCES: Marita Calderon, Jocelyn Martinez, Deborah Halperin.