Open letter to Mecklenburg County Commissioners on WTVI funding

In reading the May 31, 2011, article in the Charlotte Observer about the potential of WTVI being completing cut out of any funding from Mecklenburg County, I was surprised. Given the tremendous amount of budget cut-backs you’re facing, I can understand the necessity of “cutting back” but not “cutting out.”

With the emphasis on the importance of education we’re facing in Charlotte-Mecklenburg it seems imperative to me that we keep WTVI’s programming available to viewers in our county because the station offers interesting, impactful and topical programs targeted to young children, middle-school children, high school students, and adults … with virtually no cost to viewers.

Many of the families who turn to WTVI for educational programming depend on the type of programming offered and cannot afford other resources to obtain it. Senior citizens who cannot get out of their houses, handicapped individuals of all ages who have difficulty getting transportation, young children who spend time in front of a TV set every day because they’re at home with babysitters, working men and women who can’t afford to attend the opera, or ballet, or political forums, or science conventions, or even movie theaters … all are dependent on WTVI for quality educational programming.

Speaking for myself, I do not use our parks nor do I use our social services, yet I completely understand the importance of those entities for others who depend on them. The same reasoning should be considered in determining the importance of maintaining operations at WTVI.

I humbly ask that you consider including WTVI in your budget to this excellent, educational station on-air for the thousands of Mecklenburg County citizens who consider it essential. As I do.

Many thanks for your consideration of my plea and I send you my gratitude for the time and effort you each put into making Charlotte-Mecklenburg a great place to live and work.

Marilynn Bowler

Join WTVI for Charlotte's Day of Forgiveness - June 10, 2011

June 10, 2011, marks the first anniversary of Charlotte's Forgiveness Garden dedication in Freedom Park. On Friday, June 10, 2011, join WTVI and the Charlotte community at the Garden of Forgiveness, located across from Mahlon Adams Pavilion in Freedom Park.

At noon, Charlotte will hold a five-minute silent observation for community forgiveness. On this commemorative day, wherever you are, honor and reflect upon your path toward forgiveness.

A red bench will sit for years to come, symbolizing love, forgiveness and compassion. We hope the spirit and symbolism of the Forgiveness Garden will endure in your hearts and contribute to our healing.

For more information, contact Beverly Dorn-Steele at bds@wtvi.org or 704-371-8840.

"My School Rocks!" wins PBS Development Inspiration Award

On May 18, 2011, WTVI accepted a 2010 PBS Development Inspiration Award for the first year of the "My School Rocks!" competition. Andrew Jackson, Independence, Lake Norman, North Mecklenburg, Rock Hill and West Charlotte high schools competed in the first annual WTVI and MSR Magazine competition for the right to claim their choir as the "Most Rocking School in the Carolinas." Congratulations to WTVI producer Jere Thomas for heading this successful project that recognized Lake Norman as the winning school choral program with a $5000 prize and raised $18,000 for WTVI. Inspiration Award winners were recognized at the PBS Annual Meeting in Orlando.
View YouTube clips from the 2011 competition.

National Memorial Day Concert airs live on Sunday, May 29, 2011

The nation's premier event is broadcast live on the eve of Memorial Day from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C The television event features a mix of dramatic readings, documentary footage and live musical performances, along with an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists. Airs Sunday, May 29, 2011, at 8 p.m.

The multi award-winning event will be co-hosted for the sixth year by Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NEW YORK) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna J(CRIMINAL MINDS), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veteran's causes and supporting our troops in active service.

Joining Sinise and Mantegna for the 22nd annual broadcast will be: distinguished American leader Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); American Idol winner Kris Allen; Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress Dianne Wiest; King of the Blues B.B. King; classical superstar Hayley Westenra; and America's beloved tenor Daniel Rodriguez, the New York city policeman who united the country after the September 11 terrorist attacks. They will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly (additional talent to be announced).

Freedom Riders stop in Charlotte

Forty College Students took a 2011 Student Ride, a journey retracing the historic civil rights bus rides that changed America. Accompanied by original Freedom Riders, the students participated in the bus ride from May 6-16, 2011 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the original rides.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for college students committed to learning from history and applying these lessons today, the ride was also a catalyst for a national conversation about the role of civic engagement today.

Kicking off in Washington, DC, the ride rolled through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi, stopping along the way at historically significant locations, namely Charlotte, NC.

On May 9, 2011, WTVI, Levine Museum of the New South, The National Humanities Center, First United Presbyterian Church, Johnson C. Smith University, and UNC-Charlotte offered a sneak preview of the film "The Freedom Riders." The film airs on WTVI on May 18, 2011, at 9 p.m.

WTVI adds executive producer Rick Fitts to develop new programs

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 4, 2011) – WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS television station, has added local producer/director/editor, Rick Fitts, as executive producer. Fitts is a 14-time Telly Award winner and owner of Fitts Production Associates.

A longtime collaborator with North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT), Fitts began working with NCDT in 1988 as producer, multi-media director and scenic designer for John-Pierre Bonnefoux’s “Seeing Through.” In 2010, Fitts and NCDT’s Sasha Janes won a Telly Award for the documentary “Glass Houses” that shows the behind-the-scenes work on creating a new ballet. Fitts is also a former partner and vice president of production services at Tribble Creative Group.

“I look forward to developing new programs for broadcast that meet WTVI viewers’ expectations of quality content they can trust,” says Fitts. “We have some creative projects in the works that the community will be excited to see.”

Corporate production credits for Fitts Production Associates include special widescreen programmed event entertainment, film projects and corporate award shows in the United States, Australia, China, Germany, France and South Korea.

Fitts also works with a wide range of non-profits and has a 15-year history producing media for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte as well as Johnson C. Smith University, Leadership Charlotte, The Governors’ NC Conference for Women, Girl Scouts of America and Pride Magazine. Fitts is an active volunteer in the community, and he is working with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte's Prayer Breakfast committee, producing the live event on May 5, 2011, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Crown Ballroom.

“Rick brings more innovation and experience to our WTVI team, and his community connections will help build new relationships and continue relationships with long-time collaborative partners like the Arts & Sciences Council, Foundation for the Carolinas, the League of Women Voters and the United Way,” says Elsie Garner, CEO at WTVI.

This Week At WTVI

Ed Driggs Elected To National Board

WTVI Board Member Ed Driggs was elected to the national board for the Association for Public Television Stations (APTS).

APTS is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1980 to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public. APTS provides advocacy for public television interests at the national level, as well as consistent leadership and information in marshaling support for its members: the nation's public television stations. APTS' affiliated organization, APTS Action, Inc., provides legislative advocacy and seeks grassroots and congressional support.

Driggs, a retired stock analyst and banker, has served on the WTVI Board since 2006, serving as Chairman of the Board for two years during this time. In his new role with APTS Driggs will be responsible for representing the viewpoint of local stations to the national organization and vice versa.

"The Association for Public Television Stations is one of the nation's most prestigious national boards," said WTVI President & CEO Elsie Garner. "We are delighted that Ed was elected and we know he will do a good job."

Maya and Miguel Selected For National Ad Campaign

Maya

PBS' dynamic twin duo Maya and Miguel will encourage kids to "Take the Maya and Miguel Challenge" as a way to get more physically active and eat healthy during an upcoming PSA campaign. Maya and Miguel were selected by the Ad Council, on behalf of the US Department of Health and Human Services, to be a part of a national PSA campaign. The public service campaign was highlighted in last week's announcement about First Lady Michelle Obama's brand new Let's Move initiatiave, which is designed to address childhood obesity. The new PSAs will air on WTVI beginning in March.

Maya and Miguel airs daily at 3 p.m. on WTVI.

Writer’s Contest Targets Kids in Grades K-3

Contest designed to enhance children’s reading skills

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WTVI is hosting the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a national competition designed to promote the advancement of children's reading skills through hands-on, active learning.

The effort encourages children in grades K-3 in Charlotte and communities across the country, to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original stories and illustrations. Applications and details are available by logging on to http://wtvi.org/readingcontest.cfm.

For more information, contact Beverly Dorn-Steele, WTVI's Director of Community Engagement at bds@wtvi.org.