the buzz

Kennedy remembered

2009-08-26T16:25:00.005-04:00

One year ago I arrived at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, at p.m. for a another day of watching America begin the process of selecting Barack Obama the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. It was on that day I saw the synergy of the past and the future merge in an address by Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy. The irony is one year later August 26, 2009, the “lion of the senate” has passed following his battle with brain cancer.

While in Denver I traveled to the hotel where the Maryland delegation was staying trying to catch up on the comings and goings of Maryland political officials. While sitting in the lobby, I saw Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. I quickly realized the hotel was also ground zero for the Massachusetts delegation.

After talking with several Marylanders, I noticed there was scurrying in the hotel lobby. I wondered why guests were grabbing their cameras, whispering, “Is it him?”

“Is it who?” I questioned.

“Teddy,” they told me.

Instinctively I knew they were talking about Senator Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts’ favorite son. The senator had not been seen since telling the world he had brain cancer. Would he make an appearance at this convention? I would get my answer that evening.

I’ve met Sen. Kennedy on several occasions. One of the more interesting encounters was when I was working in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 1981, Kennedy’s mother, Rose Kennedy, had fallen at her home in Palm Beach. She had been taken to a hospital and the legislator left the senate to see his mother.

We were waiting for him at the Palm Beach Airport. Most television crews were looking for flights from Boston. My assignment desk told me he was coming from Washington. As I scanned the boards there was only one flight coming from Washington. It happened to be on a newly started airline called People’s Express.

When the plane landed I got to ask him questions before other crews arrived. As he was leaving an elderly woman stopped me, “Who was that?” she asked.

“That was Ted Kennedy,” I said.

“Really?” she asked. “Because People’s Express is the cheap airline,” she said in a snobbish tone. I guess when trying to reach your ill mother who cares how you travel? (FYI, People’s became my favorite airline.)

My other encounter with Kennedy swirled around the effort to create a national monument to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of the earliest politicians to sign on to the legislation to create the monument.

The DNC had varied themes for each day. This was all about connecting the past to the future. The convention planners were going to milk this for all its worth. I’ve attached the video shown to convention that chronicled his life.

At the end he appears on stage. We in the press room wondered if he would deliver a speech or just make an appearance. As he spoke there was the same fire in his voice he’d delivered at previous conventions. As I think back I’m reminded of his line “the torch has been passed to a new generation.”

The Kennedy legacy in the United States Senate is unparalleled. Name any piece of legislation affecting changes in society and it has his name on it, from civil rights, Title 9 legislation and his enduring desire for universal health care. You will hear tributes and the personal tales of how he had friends in both parties. He came of age when politics was the not the “blood sport” it is now.

He was human and that was clear. The 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, where a female staffer was drowned in a car he was driving after it flipped over in a marsh proved he wasn’t as pristine as reports made him. This incident, I believed, doomed any chance at being president. But despite this he persevered on. He would never receive the type of adulation and reverence of his brothers. (There were some African-American homes that had a picture of Jesus Christ, President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy).

There will be long lines at the Kennedy memorial with people telling tales. This is just mine.

Charles Robinson, III
Reporter, State Circle

The view from the other side

2009-07-30T14:20:00.003-04:00

I recently told a group of my mother’s friends that I was interning at MPT for the summer. Their immediate reaction was a resounding “Tell them no more Celtic Woman!”

As an intern on the development side of things here, I didn’t deliver the message. Nonetheless, that encounter is pretty indicative of the general attitude toward pledge drive time. I remember watching the Simon and Garfunkle concert in Central Park with my family, and the annoyance that came every time it was interrupted with a request for money.

Now, though, I have the view from the other side of pledge. Last month I attended intern night for the pledge drive, and a group of interns staffed the phones for the evening. To be honest, it was a little surreal. You get so used to seeing that wall of phones, and it never occurred to me that I would be the one answering. It turned out to be really fun. I got to talk to some really sweet people who were pledging, and I got a chance to get chat with interns from other departments.

I think that’s the best part about MPT pledge: it’s an opportunity to bring people together. I recently had the chance to sit down with Joe Krushinsky, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement here at MPT, to ask him about his thoughts on pledge.

Pledge provides a way for those who work at MPT, like Joe, to speak directly to viewers and get immediate feedback. If a show is popular or appreciated, there will be more calls during its run. It’s also an opportunity for the organizations staffing the phones to get invaluable face time with public television viewers.

Joe talked to me about how state and corporate funding has been drying up, and MPT has been increasingly forced to rely on public support. Public television was initially funded with a grant from the Ford Foundation, which was based on the premise that the projects it funded, if successful, would eventually find ways to fund themselves. For public television, the answer was pledge. Pledge reaches exactly those who rely on and enjoy MPT, and acts as a link between the station and the viewer.

Now I’m thinking pledge is actually a pretty cool thing. It works, and because it works, it demonstrates that people want the kind of programming and public outreach MPT provides. However, I also think it’s important to remember that not everyone can contribute, and that’s fine. If your family can afford it, wonderful. But anyone who is struggling financially should remember that MPT still values them as viewers, even when contributing isn’t an option.

So what do you think? When you get past the annoyance of interrupting your favorite programs, is pledge a necessary evil, a valuable opportunity, or something else entirely?

Ruth Goodlaxson
Outreach Intern

Monet of the Moon

2009-07-17T11:19:00.004-04:00

Twenty five years ago when I was reporting for a Baltimore radio station, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing one of the 12 men who walked on the moon: Apollo astronaut Alan Bean. It was one of the best and most memorable interviews of my career.

What made that interview in 1984 so special was that not only was he able to speak eloquently and evocatively about the impact his lunar stroll and flight to the moon had on his life, but that he actually started a new career as an artist!

This hot shot rocket ace and moonwalker turned in his resignation at NASA in 1981—while training to fly the Space Shuttle—to pursue his passion as a painter. Colleagues thought he was having a mid-life crisis. But his unique perspective and experience allows him to paint what only a select few have ever experienced: flights to the moon. His impressionistic moonscapes capture some of the untold stories of man’s first exploration of the moon along with some that are pure fantasy.

It was my pleasure again this week to meet Alan Bean at the opening of a new exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, entitled “Alan Bean: Painting Apollo, First Artist on Another World.” I tagged along with our State Circle crew as Alan provided a guided a tour of the exhibit for reporter Cilinda Pena. What you’ll see when the program airs tonight at 7:30 p.m. is a charming man and a very talented artist who makes his incredible journey accessible to all of us. The exhibit will be open to the public until January 2010.

Mike Golden
Managing Director, Communications
(That's Mike, on the left, and former NASA Astronaut-turned-artist Alan Bean on the right, 25 years after they first met. Bean will be on tonight's State Circle as the nation prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing. To see more of his art, visit www.alanbeangallery.com)

Why didn't they teach economics like this when I was a kid?

2009-07-13T11:50:00.004-04:00

Bizkids.com, the website companion to the BizKid$ TV show, really is a fun place to spend time online. (And not just because there’s a really addictive lemonade stand simulator that tells me what factors affect my credit score. Though I must admit it’s a draw!)

Every episode is available to watch for free online (some are even available in Spanish), and the site includes supplemental classroom activities. The show teaches kids about entrepreneurship and community service, with tools available for starting their own business or service project. Every episode is also entertaining; they are fast-paced, funny, and feature real young people with interesting stories about their “biz.”

I remember taking economics as a high schooler, and honestly, it was just boring. We learned how to balance a check book. We read out of a text book about bear markets and bull markets. We learned about a lot that just seemed like it didn’t apply to any of us. After all, most of the students in the class didn’t come from families that invested money, so why should we care about that stuff? The part I remember most was this horrible video about an island and the people who lived there, which was meant to teach us about how market economies evolved and function.

I’m really glad someone has finally moved past this model. One of my favorite episodes of BizKid$ highlights the story of a group of high schoolers who set up their own recording label. Another features a boy who raised money to buy rocking chairs for his local hospital. BizKid$ somehow manages to teach economic concepts without alienating kids and teens, its target audience. It also emphasizes financial literacy in terms of the larger community, rather than just the individual. There are resources available for download for classroom activities, and suggestions on how to best use the show in a classroom setting. So, teachers, take a look!

My record for the lemonade stand game was $352. Give it a try and tell us your high score!

Ruth Goodlaxson
Outreach Intern

One and done...but at what price?

2009-07-07T10:35:00.008-04:00

Left to right: O.J. Mayo, former guard for the USC Trojans, and
Tim Floyd, former head coach of the USC Trojans

It has come to my attention recently that, when it comes to college basketball, the players that make the most appearances on ESPN’s Sportscenter highlight reels, or have gotten the most hype before an NBA draft (i.e. Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love) are the players that have utilized the infamous “One and Done Rule.”

The rule states that men’s college basketball players may attend college and play basketball for one full year and then declare themselves eligible for the NBA. As long as they don’t sign with an agent, these players are given the option to return to college if they are not satisfied with their draft status, or even if they have doubts of getting drafted at all.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any of these players or their abilities. Some of them are already off to a great start in their young professional careers, and there are other players who either left college after one year (Carmelo Anthony), or went to the NBA right out of high school (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett), and have enjoyed a tremendous professional career. However, no one can predict how long an athlete’s career will be. All it takes is one ACL tear or one herniated disk, and an athlete’s career is already in jeopardy. Better yet, give a professional scout a chance to find a player who is younger than and just as skilled as the current star player of a professional team, and that star player’s days are already numbered.

Therefore, I present this million-dollar question to potential future NBA players who are contemplating the “One and Done” rule, and also to young, current NBA players on the rise: Do you have a backup plan? If the bright lights of your young professional career suddenly go off and you’re no longer able to play basketball, do you have that degree in education or economics that you can turn to?

If I’ve learned anything in my young life thus far, it’s that education is something that should never be taken for granted, especially since that degree in education or economics can take you far in life, both mentally and financially—the same way that basketball can. For some athletes, a college degree turns out to be the saving grace that keeps them from falling into financial ruin.

I also ask, in light of the recent scandals that have come to light in the world of college basketball, just how much does the success outweigh the risks?

For Tim Floyd, former head coach of the USC Trojans college basketball team, was all the success and fame with star player O.J. Mayo, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament during the 2007-2008 college basketball season, worth it? Recently, Floyd resigned as head coach after allegations of having paid up to $1,000 to Mayo’s “handler” two years ago before Mayo started attending USC.

Along with that, for University of Memphis and former Tigers’ basketball star (and newly crowned NBA rookie of the year) Derrick Rose, was all of his fame and success truly worth it? If allegations against Rose are true—that he did not take the SATs and instead had someone take them for him—Memphis will be in danger of having their 38 wins and trip to the 2007-2008 Final Four and National Championship game all taken away from them by the NCAA.

Should something be done about the “One and Done” rule? If so, what? Are the players and families who follow this rule making the right decision? Would you ever support the rule if your child was, or is, a potential professional basketball player?

Ricky Howard
Institutional Advancement Intern

Super Why! Camp

2009-06-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

As an intern just young enough to remember PBS shows like Wishbone and Arthur, and just old enough to have missed the recent surge of educational TV shows for pre-school aged children, I was astounded by MPT’s recent Super Why! Camp.

Super Why! is a PBS Raising Readers program designed to give preschoolers the skills they need to read successfully. MPT’s Super Why! Camp uses the program and its characters to engage prospective Baltimore City Public School kindergarteners in learning activities designed to reinforce and enrich their reading skills during two separate weeklong camps, one in June and the other in July.

The recent June camp was held at the John Eager Howard Elementary School in West Baltimore. I arrived last Monday morning just as the campers began to watch the week’s episode, “Super Why! and the Three Little Pigs.” To my surprise, I was greeted by a classroom of students who were actively engaged in the story on the screen.

My generation tends to view television as a passive activity, something to while away the hours between classes or work that doesn’t require too much, if any, thought or participation beyond flipping the channel during commercials. But the campers responded eagerly to the Super Readers’ prompting, singing and reading along with the characters or sounding out letters and words in order to find the Big Bad Wolf.

Each day after watching the “Three Pigs” episode, the campers worked on a different skill set linked to the Super Readers: Alpha Pig, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Super Why! himself. The campers practiced letter identification, letter sounds, ALL-family word recognition (i.e. words like tall, call, ball, wall), and reading.

Although the campers responded readily to the activities designed to help them practice each skill set, I couldn’t help but think that spending extra time on more difficult skills, such as letter sounds or word family recognition, would be extremely beneficial for all of the campers regardless of their skill level. For those campers who were already close to becoming fluent readers, perhaps the extra time would facilitate pattern recognition associated with certain letter combinations and words within words, while the campers who still required prompting might learn how to blend letter sounds together in order to read words aloud.

Regardless, Super Why! Camp was unarguably beneficial for each of the campers, whether it reinforced what they already knew or helped them develop a new skill set or two. As for me, I will certainly never view television in quite the same manner again. I’ve heard arguments against television and its influence on children, but having seen first-hand the results that interactive television can produce, I believe that the technology is both applicable and beneficial, both in and out of the classroom.

Kathryn Tracey
Education Intern

How safe is the Washington, D.C. Metro?

2009-06-23T16:15:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, Monday, June 22, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. there was a fatal Metrorail train crash on the Red Line track near the Fort Totten station. There are nine dead and 76 injured, making it the worst crash in Metro history. Survivors will be scarred by both physical injuries and emotional trauma from the terrible things they saw during and after the accident.

My dad was on the Red Line at 4 p.m. going towards Fort Totten, but 30 minutes before the accident, realized he was going the wrong way, got off the train and switched to a Red Line train going the opposite direction (towards Shady Grove). He is one of the lucky ones who escaped a fatal accident that, according to news sources, could have been prevented if proper safety precautions were taken.

Metro General Manager John Catoe that a fatal mass transit accident like this is “very rare.” This kind of collision is supposed to be impossible since are equipped with both manual and computer-operated systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the reason this crash happened was because the train was an older 1000 series—and not up to date per NTSB safety recommendations. The 1000 series was recommended to be updated by federal regulators three years ago, but since the Metrorail system does not have to take the advice of the NTSB, no action was taken. Metro simply decided it would be too expensive to strengthen their rail cars.

For over 25 years, NTSB has been a harsh critic of Metrorail safety, especially after three previous accidents: one in 1982 that killed three passengers in a tunnel near the Smithsonian Institution; one in 1996 that killed a transit administration operator at the Shady Grove station; and a runaway train in 2004 that injured 20 passengers at the Woodley Park Zoo station.

Even after three collisions and countless recommendations from NTSB, Metro refused to take into consideration ways to better improve the safety of their transportation system, which has now left 12 people dead, 96 injured and a countless number of people left to deal with these incidences in the past 27 years.

Should Metro start listening to NTSB? Or is Metro right to disregard the agency’s recommendations, which are ultimately costly but could potentially save lives?

Frederique Duverger
Institutional Advancement Intern

Ask Not

2009-06-12T12:15:00.003-04:00

INDEPENDENT LENS ASK NOT Trailer PBS @ Yahoo! Video

The Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been polarizing since it was implemented in 1993 the Clinton Administration. But today the law, which prohibits gay and lesbian service members from revealing their sexual orientation, is increasingly drawing criticism.

In 2008, over 100 retired generals and admirals signed a statement calling for an end to the policy, putting to rest a widely held misconception that it was unanimously supported by top military officials. While on the campaign trail in 2008, Barack Obama pledged to repeal the controversial policy. Since taking office, however, the president has made it clear he will approach the issue tactfully by working with military leaders before making a legislative push in Congress.

Proponents of the legislation point to the original language of the law, which states that, “The presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.”

The most recent event in the life of this controversial law occurred on June 8, when the Supreme Court decided against reevaluating the constitutionality of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The court rejected an appeal from former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II, who was dismissed under the rules of the policy and subsequently filed a lawsuit against the government.

That’s part of the history of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—it’s the part that’s sterile and abstract, existing mostly in legal documents and politicians’ mouths. Now, Independent Lens will explore the impact this keep-it-quiet strategy is having on lives of individual service members in the new documentary “Ask Not,” airing on MPT Tuesday, June 16 at 10 p.m. and MPT2 Wednesday, June 17 at 10 p.m.

What do you think the military’s attitude toward gay and lesbian service members should be?

Duncan Russell
Communications Intern

A little slice of heaven: Chestertown, Maryland

2009-05-28T10:00:00.004-04:00

Over the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, up highway 213, nestled on the bank of the Chester River sits a little slice of heaven on the Eastern Shore known as Chestertown, Maryland. At least that’s how the locals describe it. After a half-dozen visits to the picturesque community of about 4,500 people, I’m beginning to see their point.

Chestertown was founded during early colonial America and still retains the feel and look of a quaint Mid-Atlantic hamlet. The Chester River is not only the town’s name-sake, it’s also the town’s identity. Chestertown’s most famous resident, the Schooner Sultana, is a reproduction of a colonial British sailing ship and spends its days cruising up and down the Chester River. The Sultana is prominently featured in Chestertown’s biggest event of the year, the Chestertown Tea Party. The Tea Party, held every Memorial Day, attracts thousands of visitors to Chestertown for colonial music and dance, food, crafts, and the joyous overboard heaving of several colonial tax collectors during a re-enactment of the original “tea party.”

Chestertown also has a rich history of community. It’s a close-knit town of life-long residents and new arrivals coexisting to create peaceful, prosperous lives for themselves and their families. The town famously fought against Walmart—and won—to keep their unique businesses and small-town feel. It’s also home to Washington College and its 1,200+ students from all over the world. It’s a destination town that draws visitors and émigrés in, and makes it difficult for them to want to leave.

And it’s also the perfect setting for the first program in MPT's “Our Town” series and our exploration into what makes a community.

Please stay tuned to The Buzz in upcoming weeks to meet some of the proud Chestertown residents that have decided to grab a camcorder and help MPT create “Our Town: Chestertown.”

Peter Shea
Associate Producer for On-Air Fundraising

Exclusive extras! 'Senator Barb'

2009-05-15T11:59:00.002-04:00

Did you catch MPT's revealing, one-on-one interview with Sen. Barbara Mikulski last night?

Impressions of Barbara Mikulski with Rhea Feikin introduced viewers to the “Senator Barb” that longtime friend Rhea Feikin has come to know and love: the lifetime Baltimorean who still commutes to Washington every day, (“Though I work in Washington, I’m not of the culture of Washington,” she says) and keeps in touch with her childhood friends from Highlandtown.

If you're itching for some extra footage that didn't make it in, check out the clips below!

Humor in 9/11?

2009-05-12T12:21:00.004-04:00

There’s a time and a place for everything. This is a phrase that we all are familiar with. But what determines that time and place? Is there a little fairy that tells you, “Don’t say that!” In a society that’s becoming more and more receptive to freedom of speech, where do we draw the line?

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was held on Saturday and one of the featured speakers was comedian Wanda Sykes. Some of Sykes’ comments sparked controversy, especially one concerning 9/11, “I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight,” joked Sykes.

There are arguments that Sykes was insensitive to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stated, “I don't know how guests get booked…but my guess is there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection, rather than comedy—I think there's no doubt that 9/11 is part of that.”

Many argue that Sykes’ comment, “I hope his [Limbaugh’s] kidneys fail,” was plain cruel. “This woman comes up and says, 'I hope Rush Limbaugh dies,' and everybody giggles,” said Tim Graham, director of media analysis with the Media Research Center. Some complain that liberals get away with more than conservatives and that if a conservative made such comments, there would be a public outcry.

Was Sykes out of line? Are there certain things we just cannot joke about? Does Rush Limbaugh’s typical harsh commentary make it easier to accept Sykes’ lashing out against him?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Live for Today

2009-05-01T11:19:00.006-04:00

We've received our first Global Love "Thoughts on Love" blog entry from Sheri Lynn Gleason of Beverly, Massachusetts. She's titled it "Live for Today." Thank you, Sheri!

Live for Today

My best friend is fighting colon cancer. If I have learned anything from helping her in her fight, it is that love is about living in the moment. I have always treasured our friendship. I am closer to her than I am to my own sisters. However, since she got sick, every moment has become even more precious. We are planning a trip to Ireland in December, but we are not thinking much further than that right now. We have faith that she will beat this, but until then we are celebrating each day as it comes.

It sounds cliche, but the saying is true: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called 'the present.' "

Sheri Lynn Gleason
Beverly, Massachusetts

(Send us your thoughts on love: outreach@mpt.org)

Swine flu breakout

2009-04-30T17:54:00.003-04:00

You’ve heard it all over the news. The virus, swine flu (or the H1N1 virus) has become a worldwide pandemic. People in countries such as Britain are wearing protective masks in public areas as the media provides constant coverage on infected people and death tolls.

President Obama has issued a national concern for protecting the country against this virus but says not to be alarmed. Customs agents have been checking those entering the U.S. by land and air. Obama says he is getting regular updates from agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control are keeping Americans informed.

However, controversy has formed over remarks made by Vice President Joe Biden. During an interview today on NBC’s The Today Show, Biden commented, “I would tell members of my family—and I have—I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now,” and specifically mentioned American subway systems.

These suggestions are nearly impossible for many workers in the nation who rely on public transportation to take them to and from work each day. The travel industry, particularly, is displeased with Biden’s comments and advises travelers to listen to medical experts.

Are Biden’s comments over-the-top or is he being more honest than other government and health officials by telling us this is bigger than we think? How does this breakout and its media coverage make you feel about the safety of you and your family’s health? Do you think the media is sensationalizing the swine flu or do you think this type of coverage is necessary?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Send us your love notes!

2009-04-28T10:47:00.006-04:00

In recognition of Global Love Day May 1st and as part of MPT’s Campaign for Love & Forgiveness, we invite our blog readers and MPT viewers to share their own stories of love!

Send us (outreach@mpt.org) your thoughts on love (around 200 words), and we’ll post it here on The Buzz to join in this international celebration of peace and love. Or, post your video story about love onto YouTube and send us your link. We’ll post it here with the other “love notes” on our blog!

Here’s our own first Global Love Day blog:

LOVE. Four letters that make up the most meaningful word in the world. I am only 21, so I would not say I am an expert (yet), but I do know a thing or two about love. When I was younger, I was told that love should be selfless and unconditional. I just thought it was something you say back to your mom and dad. But now that I’m an adult, I can now fully understand the meaning of love.

Selfless love is shown by way of sacrifice. This kind of love I am still working on, but have had much practice in my four-year relationship with my boyfriend. We go to separate schools now, so I feel that much of our relationship is based on sacrifice. Having to make time with both of our busy schedules. Having to sacrifice travel time (and split it equally) when we want to see each other. There is much that I am still learning about selfless love, but as of now, I feel that it is the most rewarding.

Unconditional love is something I get from my family; Mom, Dad, brother, aunts, uncles…This kind of love I put to the test with my parents when I was younger because my brother and I were always getting into trouble. I used to think, “Mom’s going to hate us after she finds out what we did!” But then I came to see that my family loves me no matter what, and that is truly a gift.

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

Chesapeake Bay Week returns!

2009-04-16T16:56:00.003-04:00

The Chesapeake Bay–the world's largest estuary—is approximately 200 miles long and runs north to south from the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. The watershed includes parts of six states and is home to approximately 14 million people.

Most of us that in the watershed region have connections to the Chesapeake Bay, whether it’s memories of fishing, swimming, crabbing (or cracking open steaming hot crabs!), or even just a relaxing boat ride into the horizon. But imagine not being able to enjoy these activities because of pollutants infecting the waters and hurting creatures that call the Chesapeake Bay home. We need to help save the bay by being informed about what’s causing such harm to the water and animals—and what we can do to reverse that harm and stop it before it begins.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the leading threat to the health of the Chesapeake Bay is excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which destroys animal habitat and kills fish. Sources of these pollutants include agriculture, sewage treatment plants, run-off from urban and suburban areas and air pollution from automobiles, factories and power plants. Throw in sprawl and poor fishery management, and we have an even bigger problem on our hands.

So what can we do to help? There’s lots of ways we can keep our watershed healthy: use fewer hazardous materials, plant trees next to streams, carpool and recycle, just to name a few. Everything we do can affect the bay, so most importantly, we have to monitor what we do, use and how we dispose of it. The littlest things can help.

Beginning this Sunday through April 26th, MPT celebrates this important natural resource and highlights its most critical issues during its annual Chesapeake Bay Week. The only programming initiative of its kind, Chesapeake Bay Week is part of MPT's year-round, ongoing commitment to the bay and our environment.

Chesapeake Bay Week culminates with a Volunteer-a-thon to give viewers a chance to donate hours to help clean up the bay. Tune in Sunday, April 26 at 6 p.m. and donate some of your time to worthy bay organizations. You can donate online, too.

What are you going to do to help save the bay? What kinds of simple, everyday tips can you share with others on how to help the bay and the environment? What memories come to mind when you see or think about the Chesapeake Bay?

Check out what students at the Ruxton Country School in Owings Mills, Maryland, are doing to help clean up and appreciate the watershed region. Students, their families and staff have already donated 5,000 hours to our Volunteer-a-thon!

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

What defines YOUR community?

2009-04-06T14:20:00.010-04:00

Hello, my name is Peter Shea, and I’m a proud member of the MPT community.

I started working as a producer at the station on August 31st, 2006. I moved to Maryland just one day before I started my job here, and quickly felt at home. Prior to relocating to Maryland, I lived in Vancouver, Canada. Pleasant people, comfortable climate, lush landscapes, but, to be honest, I didn’t always feel comfortable as an American expat living amongst our “neighbours to the north.” I couldn’t quite figure out why I felt that way, either. Same language, same food, same traffic laws. What was missing? To this day I still don’t know the exact answer to that question. However, I do know that whatever piece that was missing I quickly found when I moved back to the States. I felt comfortable again. I felt a sense of community.

And then I started to wonder: What is this “community” thing?

Webster’s defines “community” as “a unified body of individuals.”

My mom defines “community” as “my friends and neighbors, even those jerks, the Andersons, who keep letting their dog loose to tear up my rhododendrons.”

They both can’t be correct, can they? Well, that’s what I’m going to try to find out. I’m currently beginning work on a new, on-going series for MPT called “Our Town.” The series is going to be a collection of hour-long documentaries showcasing different towns across Maryland, from the Eastern Shore to the western mountains.

But there’s a twist. Unlike a lot a historical documentaries on television, the “Our Town” series will explore different Maryland communities through the eyes—and camera lenses—of community members. I’ll be soliciting the involvement of a wide variety of each community’s populace: From the mayor to the bartender, the high school student to the chief of police, new residents and old residents and everyone in between.

After a participant is selected, he or she will be given a small digital camera and a week to collect footage that answers the question: “What is special about your community?” Will residents find their community to be “a unified body of individuals”? Or will they find it a collection of “friends and neighbors (who occasionally disregard local leash laws)”? Or will they tell us something else entirely?

I’m looking forward to finding out the answers to those questions, and maybe even shedding some light on what my own sense community is. I hope that you’re interested as well. Perhaps you’re so interested that you’d like to borrow a camera and find out the answer for yourself?

Well, if you happen to live in Chestertown, Maryland, you can! Chestertown is the first community explored in the “Our Town” series. You learn more about the “Our Town” project here.

Why Chestertown? Please stay tuned to find out… and how you can be involved. I'll be blogging here to tell you all about it!

Peter Shea
Associate Producer for On-Air Fundraising

Seeking Restoration

2009-03-31T14:12:00.009-04:00

Only some of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina I saw while in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. I went to the city over spring break to do my share of the rebuilding. Every little bit helps.

I recently visited New Orleans, Louisiana, on an “alternative spring break” trip. I joined a group of 40 other students to perform community service as well as enjoy the city—and I had an equal share of both!

We helped a needy family living in the Gentilly area by painting their home. It was a rewarding experience to hear the family’s gratitude and see the smiles on their three young daughters’ faces as we completed our project.

We also went on a tour of the Ninth Ward, the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. It was saddening to see how many homes have not been touched since Katrina destroyed them. There are so many areas of New Orleans that remain completely annihilated.

Despite the devastation that hit New Orleans, the spirit of the city remains strong. We stayed in the French Quarter and the aura of this historic area is exactly what you would expect it to be—full of life and excitement. By the end of the week I was stuffed with delicious po’ boy sandwiches, crawfish and the infamous beignets from Café Du Monde.

Though I had a great time, I can’t help but sympathize with the many New Orleans residents who lost everything and are still without homes to this day.

How does it make you feel knowing that over three and half years later so many homes are still in ruins due to Hurricane Katrina? Do you think it is the government’s fault for not taking action or the citizens’ faults for not seeking help?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

More wreckage from Katrina. (above)

The house we helped paint (above and below). If you're in college, investigate if your school sponsors trips like these. They probably do!

William Donald Schaefer doc airs tonight!

2009-03-30T15:17:00.004-04:00

That’s right! The documentary making waves (and headlines) across the state—Citizen Schaefer, a tribute to a legendary Maryland politician that broke the mold, former Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer—airs tonight on MPT at 9 p.m.

You can get the inside scoop on the documentary on WBAL Radio, WYPR and in Sunday’s Baltimore Sun. A fun extra? Short animated Schaefer cartoons (used in the documentary) by celebrated cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher (KAL). Check it out below and be sure to tune in tonight as we premiere Citizen Schaefer!

Baltimore: Arts leader!

2009-03-25T13:59:00.005-04:00

Julia Kim Smith, “Anonymous Rage”

Baltimore has been gaining—and, in all likeliness, will continue to gain—a reputation of having one of the most vibrant, diverse and unique arts communities on the East Coast. Between having the “best music scene,” according to Rolling Stone, and great museums like the Walters and the Visionary Arts Museum, Baltimore has a lot going for it.

If you haven’t plugged into Baltimore’s local arts scene yet, MPT will give you a jump start tonight as the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance announces this year’s Baker Artist Awards winners live on ArtWorks.

There will be seven Baltimore’s Choice Prize winners (each prize is $1,000; these were voted online by the public) and three winners of a Mary Sawyers Baker prize, selected through a privately juried process, each totaling at least $25,000. It will be really exciting to watch these artists as they receive news of a lifetime.

The awards honor individual artists who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties. Public participation in this year’s Baker Awards skyrocketed: More than 650 local artists nominated themselves by posting portfolios online, and more than 8,500 people registered to vote for their favorite artists on the awards’ website, which has been visited by art enthusiasts from all 50 states and more than 115 countries and territories throughout the world.

Among media represented by nominated artists are musical performance and performance art, painting and drawing, sculpture, video and film production and direction, animation, photography, spoken and written word, design, and handcraft.

The variety of artists in this competition is astounding, with artists working in every medium and method imaginable. All their works can be found at http://www.bakerartistawards.org/. There are more traditional arts, such as the oil paintings of Karen Warshal and the sculptures of Peggy Fowler, as well as more experimental and avant-garde pieces, such as the abstract paintings of Tara Russell or cutting-edge films like Sean Honey’s “Street Dream." Each artist has their own unique motivation and goals they hope to achieve through their artwork. In reading the different artist statements, we are able to dive into the mind of the artist and understand how they view art. Be sure to tune into tonight at 7:30 p.m. to get in on the action!

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement intern

Embryonic stem cell research: Yes or no?

2009-03-11T17:18:00.002-04:00

President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Monday lifting George W. Bush’s legislation on embryonic stem research. While in office, former President Bush only permitted federal tax dollars spent on embryonic stem cell research to a small number of stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001. He argued that the studies were harmful to human life.

Supporters of Bush’s policy agree that embryonic stem cell research is immoral because days-old embryos are destroyed for their stem cells, although, many of them are taken from fertility clinics and are destined for destruction.

Obama, however, stated that most Americans support this research because of the great possibilities it offers. He feels that the good outweighs the bad due to the amount of lives that could be saved through discoveries, and that Bush’s motives were more political than scientific. Obama also assured that the order would never permit human cloning.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan supports Obama in his decision stating that, “the research could lead to better treatment and possible cures to various diseases, from diabetes to paralysis.”

Do you agree that federal tax dollars should be utilized for embryonic stem cell research in hopes of discovering cures for diseases, or should we consider this a destruction of human life?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Women on the front lines

2009-03-09T12:06:00.005-04:00

When we talk about U.S. military engagement, the history we receive is typically one-sided with a very distinct gender bias. The idea that men fight wars and men win wars is part of our accepted culture. In American society, our culturally assigned gender roles create a huge amount of discomfort and debate regarding the issue of women serving in the military. When a girl’s first toy is a Barbie and a boy’s first toy is a G.I. Joe, is it any surprise that much of society doesn’t feel confident in a woman’s ability to serve in the military?

However you feel about this issue, it can’t be denied that women are crucial to our current military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, with women making up almost 15 percent of the force in Iraq. According to the Department of Defense, one in every seven American troops in Iraq is female.

As part of Women’s History Month, MPT recently aired “Lioness,” a 90-minute Independent Lens documentary that told the stories of five women who served in Iraq between September 2003 and August 2004.

They all part of Team Lioness, a group of female support soldiers who performed a range of different duties during their tours in Iraq. Major Kate Guttormsen and Captain Anastasia Breslow were involved in communications work, Specialist Shannon Morgan and Staff Sergeant Ranie Ruthig served as mechanics, and Specialist Rebecca Nava was a supply clerk. Under official U.S policy, these women are not allowed to serve in direct ground combat, however, they are tested daily in a war where the front line is a shadowy and uncertain concept.

Captain Anastasia Breslow writes about the danger she faced in her diary:

“The last raid I went on was truly dangerous. I remember after we set up and stayed at the checkpoint until dawn, the prayers had ended sometime ago. Then suddenly a man came over the loudspeaker again saying something. The last part I caught allah jihad something jihad something. Then all hell broke loose. About a hundred meters from us. I remember I was about to ask the marines I was with if they thought they heard the same jihad too. There was no time for that. We hopped into the truck and started zipping around the outskirts of the battle trying to block the enemy from escaping or reinforcing. I was dismounted and took a position. Stray bullets flew around but I didn’t see where they were coming from. The area was too saturated with marines to just fire blindly. It was good four hours of straight fighting. I saw my first dead boy that day. Three Iraqis actually.

I still can’t believe that I was in a firefight. Me, a female signal officer, someone expected to support from a desk was out there. Strangely, the only woman I was out there because I was a female. They needed a Lionness team so badly, and so many, that even as a support officer I was pulled in. I hope I don’t have to do them very often but I will never try to get out of it.”

Similarly the filmmakers, Meg McLagan and Daria Summers describe the problems with women not being recognized as combatants. They fear that women like Captain Breslow will be unable to move up the military hierarchy, and may not receive all the proper veterans benefits that they should be entitled to.

If you didn’t catch Lioness, check out the clips below:

How do you feel? Should women serve on the front lines of the U.S. military? Have you or do you know any women that have served or are serving in Iraq?

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement intern

Capital punishment: Yes or no?

2009-03-04T16:11:00.004-05:00

After three decades of its reinstatement, the death penalty is once again up for debate in the state of Maryland. A bill to end capital punishment in Maryland was introduced by Senate Lisa Gladden. Governor Martin O’Malley is an avid supporter of this idea saying, “the death penalty is inhumane, biased, fraught with errors and isn't a deterrent.”

Much of the Senate is unsure about passing the bill. They voted in favor of two amendments on Tuesday: to prohibit the death penalty in cases where there is only eyewitness testimony, and to limit the use of the death penalty to murder cases where DNA or a confession or conclusive videotaped evidence is obtained. O’Malley has been advised that this may be the closest to repeal that Maryland will receive.

Just last year, the governor commissioned a study on capital punishment in Maryland, which recommended its abolishment due to biases in cost, the possibility of an innocent person being executed and disparities. But death penalty opponent Sen. Jamie Raskin, who was a member of this commission, said this information was somewhat overlooked by the Senate.

Many citizens believe that the death penalty is justified by the “eye for an eye” rationale. Others believe that it is no one’s right to take the life of another, while some feel that the death penalty is a “cop out” and life in prison is far worse punishment.

Where do you stand? Do you agree with Governor O’Malley’s plan to end capital punishment or do you feel it is a valuable source of our justice system?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Dylan: Still awesome after all these years

2009-02-23T11:28:00.003-05:00

Peace, love and rock ‘n roll. Those are the three words that can sum up my parents’ yesteryears, which they refer to often. Well, that’s what I hear from them when they’re reminiscing about the “good ol’ days,” filled with bell-bottoms, peace signs and the low-key music of Bob Dylan. When I heard about Dylan’s show, “Live at Newport,” (airing tonight at 10 p.m.), I couldn’t wait to let them know about it.

I myself am not the biggest Dylan fan, but I sure am surrounded by family and friends who can pick out his songs the second they hear them. I asked my mom to describe Bob Dylan in three words, and she said, “hippy,” “cool,” and “philosophical.” His smooth music would set my mom and her friends off into “a different world,” one full of peace, love and happiness.

A younger generation has taken a liking to his music as well. Tricia, my 21-year-old friend, is definitely a fan, and describes Dylan as “inspiring, a great artist,” adding that “his lyrics are poetic.” I can certainly agree with that. Like I said, I’m not Bob’s #1 fan, but I can say I enjoy it all: His music, his lyrics, my family and friends’ stories….If someone asked me to say something about Bob Dylan, I would say there’s something about him that helps people bond. There’s never rough ground when discussing him. Whenever I hear his name come up, I know there will always be a good time following. Through their own learning and listening or maybe hearing renditions of their parents’ good old stories, Dylan’s younger fan base respect and feel the same magic that our parents did.

Though Dylan is a little older now, he still puts on a great show. Old and new fans will gather to listen to him sing songs from the good ol’ days. Our parents will always see him as one of their favorite musicians but I would say we, as the younger generation, see him as a legend. What do you think of Dylan?

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

Remembering the greats

2009-02-20T12:31:00.004-05:00

As Black History Month comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to recognize some of the great African Americans who have made a difference in our world. From Sojourner Truth to Barack Obama, there are so many people who have knocked down doors and brought us a step closer to equality.

I am most touched by the story of Phillis Wheatley. During her short 31 years, she accomplished so much and helped people realize, including her slave master, that blacks were so much more than physical laborers.

Wheatley, who was brought to America as a slave in 1761 at the age of eight, became the most famous female poet of the eighteenth century. This was during a time when most blacks could not even read or write. Wheatley was freed in 1772, traveled to England, and even wrote a poem for President George Washington who later invited her to visit him. Who would have expected a woman, who acquired her name from a slave owner, to become a pioneer for blacks forever?

It’s so sad looking back on the approximately 200 years of enslavement that blacks suffered. The forced migration of Africans to America is the reason many African Americans today do not know their true roots. Despite this upsetting fact, there are so many people who have fought to make things better for all.

MPT wants to know what African American pioneers have impacted your life? It could be someone of fame, a local success, or even a relative. Do their past struggles fill you with pain or hope for a better tomorrow?

Also, check out the American Masters special, “Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice,” airing on MPT Wednesday, February 25 at 10:30 p.m. to learn about a Grammy-winning group of African American women who sing against injustice (and who just sang at the White House!). Later that week, we’ll be airing the two-hour television debut of Soulful Symphony—the nation’s only African American symphony—Saturday, February 28 at 6 p.m.

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

McMansions: Yes or No?

2009-02-18T16:08:00.006-05:00

Recent national surveys have found that most Americans are both unhappy (and unhealthy) with the results of “sprawl,” a term which the Sierra Club defines as “poorly-planned development that destroys green space, increases traffic and air pollution, crowds schools and drives up taxes.”

We see examples of sprawl through the homogenous “McMansions” and planned communities that seem to pop up anywhere there is open space. Sprawl exists as the superstores and shopping centers that are needed to support these new homes and planned communities. Suburban sprawl gives little to no consideration for the environments around it. Sprawl affects the air we breathe and the water we drink and is responsible for the destruction of more than two million acres of parks, farms, and open space every year.

Sprawl affects not just our environment and nature, but also our own happiness. Suburban sprawl is pushed as being the American Dream. However, the American Dream is changing and a recent national poll found that three-quarters of those polled would prefer less development and more of a focus on “smart growth.” Even Hollywood, which has more often than not been a major outlet for selling the American Dream, has recently showed its discontent through films like WALL-E and Revolutionary Road.

Public Television is known for providing an alternative voice to pressing issues of public concern. On Saturday Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., MPT will air "Sprawl: A Tipping Point." This program, hosted by MPT’s Jeff Salkin, will take a local look at how Maryland’s natural environments are affected by sprawl and what we can do to curb the effects of it. The program will examine three specific communities affected by sprawl in Maryland: Terrapin Run in Allegany Country (the site of a controversial planned mountain community); south Baltimore’s Westport neighborhood, where an upcoming revitalization will use existing infrastructure; and Harford County, the future home of 25,000 additional households will move in upcoming years as a result of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure plan.

MPT wants to hear what you think. How do you define sprawl—and how does it define you. If you're like the 75% of Americans that are unhappy and dissatisfied with sprawl, we want to hear what you and your community are doing to counter sprawl. How do you define “smart growth”? What do you think are effective land use policies?

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement Intern

Garfield vs. Odie

2009-02-13T14:58:00.004-05:00

It’s a battle that has been fought for centuries: Dogs vs. cats.

Everyone has a different opinion of which furry friend is the better pet. Who wins in your home? Is it the oh-so-dependable “man’s best friend,” or the cozy and clever cat?

A friend of mine owns a shih tzu named Peanut. Before Peanut was trained, she would often leave him in her room while she went to school and work. When she got home one day, the pup had gotten out of her room and into her mother’s wigs. My friend’s mother was not too pleased to find her head adornments covered in doggie drool.

MPT wants to know your funny pet stories. Leave us a comment and send us (press@mpt.org) photos of your furry, four-legged pals!

Don’t miss the Nature series “Why We Love Cats & Dogs,” airing this Sunday at 7pm on MPT.

Renèe Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

To Stay or Not to Stay: Domestic Violence

2009-02-12T10:32:00.004-05:00

I want to touch on the issue of domestic violence in light of recent events involving superstars Chris Brown and Rihanna. (Brown allegedly physically abused his longtime girlfriend this past weekend in an L.A. neighborhood).

There are so many victims of domestic abuse, and this latest news proves that it can happen to anyone; rich or poor, young or old, male or female. It is for this reason one should learn to recognize the signs of a batterer early on and find ways to escape the situation.

Some early signs of a batterer include someone who wants to know your whereabouts at all times, to control who you spend your time with, and has a short temper. However, there are many others and they may differ per individual.

In Brown’s case, he witnessed his stepfather abuse his mother from an early age. It is very common for those who have been a victim of or witnessed domestic abuse to acquire abusive behavior later in life. Though this is no excuse for harming another individual, it is a familiar cycle.

MPT wants your input. Is it acceptable for the abused to abuse? What are some warning signs of a batterer? What are some tips on getting out of a violent relationship?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Stimulus package: What do YOU think?

2009-02-11T16:34:00.004-05:00

Negotiators have finally reached a deal on a multi-billion dollar stimulus package after weeks of debate between House and Senate versions of the stimulus bill. The stimulus package, which comes in at a hefty $789 billion dollar price tag, was actually less than the previous House and Senate versions of the bill.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid credited the work of three GOP senators—the only Republicans from Congress to back the bill—for working to reach an agreement on the enormous stimulus package: Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

"Like any negotiation, this involved give and take, and if you don't mind my saying so, that's an understatement," Reid said Wednesday. President Obama had indicated earlier that he wanted the bill on his desk no later than President’s Day, which is this Monday. Voting on the bill is expected to begin as early as tomorrow.

We’d love to know what you think about what’s going on. Here are some questions to consider:

1. Do you think the $789 billion dollar stimulus package has what it takes to pull this country out of the economic crisis?

2. Are you surprised that the GOP went along with the Dems on the stimulus package?

3. Has the Republicans’ delay of Obama’s stimulus package made the GOP look disingenuous in terms of helping everyday Americans get back on their feet?

Tune into the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer as he discusses the situation tonight at 6 p.m. on MPT.

Matt Rains
Member Relations Representative

Behind the scenes with William "Brit" Kirwan

2009-02-04T10:44:00.004-05:00

As Americans confront the daily challenges of a struggling economy, universities are feeling the pinch as well.

William "Brit" Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, joined MPT and host Jeff Salkin earlier this week for Direct Connection to chat about the prestigious university system during the budget crunch.

Jeff and the chancellor chatted in a post-show web exclusive (below) on meeting financial hurdles head-on. For more local newsmakers on local issues, tune in to Direct Connection every Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

Ever wonder how live TV works?

2009-02-03T14:37:00.003-05:00

Wonder no more!

A little birdie (carrying a an equally little Flip cam) was on hand late last month as MPT filmed a live call-in special on the digital switch. Check out our new video (above) to get a true behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lights, the cameras, and yes, the action!

Tell us what MPT means to YOU!

2009-01-29T17:10:00.004-05:00

All over the United States, people have been sharing in writing, pictures, sound and video the way public TV and radio fits into their lives.

Right now you can see and hear everyday viewers and well-known figures such as Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Kevin Bacon, Judy Woodruff and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar share what public TV means to them. We'd like you to tell everyone how MPT fits into YOUR life.

You can type a few lines, even attach a picture, video or audio. We'll share your submission online, and you could be invited to the MPT studio for a follow-up interview! To see what others have said, or to to share your thoughts, check out MPT's new mysource page.

MPT viewer Dan Kaufman shared his story (above) with us recently. He was inspired by the documentary Anyone & Everyone, which tells the emotional stories of parents of gay youth. "Maryland Public Television is my source for understanding all different kinds of families," he says.

What's MPT YOUR source for? Tell us today!

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North

2009-01-12T12:45:00.005-05:00

History books tell us that American slave trading was strictly Southern business. But history was turned upside down for filmmaker Katrina Browne when she suddenly found out her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history—and that her family's prestige and wealth was tied to human trafficking.

In her P.O.V. documentary, Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North—airing on MPT January 27 at 10 p.m.—Browne and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.

On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the historic inauguration of America's first African American president, MPT and a distinguished group of panelists will discuss if racial healing is possible in America Sunday, January 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in downtown Baltimore.

The event—held in conjunction with the broadcast premiere of Traces of the Trade—is free (but an RSVP is required; call 443-263-1875 to book your spot!), and part of MPT’s ongoing Campaign for Love & Forgiveness.

Dr. David Terry, executive director of the Lewis Museum, will head the discussion with a distinguished roster of panelists, and special guest Tom DeWolf, author of Inheriting the Trade and family member featured in the film, will also be available to provide insight into the documentary and answer questions from the audience.

If we haven't grabbed your attention just yet, check out the clip above. We hope to see you there!

A single table and a common goal

2008-12-17T09:53:00.006-05:00

MPT’s outreach initiatives make a real difference in our communities. This entry—by Elyn Jones, Deputy Director of Maryland’s Department of Human Resource’s Office of Communications—is the last in a series on MPT’s recent foster care phone bank, which elicited over 100 viewer phone calls seeking more information about how everyday people can help foster care children in Maryland. We’ve posted a video mix of that exciting evening above. (Keep your eyes open for Lt. Governor Anthony Brown answering phones with the rest of the gang!)

From our very first meeting there was electricity behind this project that just could not be denied. All of the partners around the table were anxious to be a part of what we knew could be a wonderful event. On Thursday, November 20 during MPT’s broadcast of Foster Care Stories: A Place To Be and its accompanying live phone bank, we were all proven correct.

The appeal for volunteers for last month’s phone bank went out several weeks earlier from Faith Wachter, MPT’s Director of Community Outreach Initiatives, with a special request to secure a few extra volunteers in case of possible last minute cancellations. We needed 25 volunteers to answer phones, so you can imagine our surprise—and delight—when that number was surpassed! A whopping 43 volunteers made the trek out to MPT to donate their time and knowledge to help educate callers on foster care.

Included in this number were Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Governor’s Chief of Staff Michael Enright and Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald. They were assisted by Miss Maryland, Louise Schlegel and Melissa Smith, President of the Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center. Also on hand and ready to answer phones were Delegates Talmadge Branch and Guy Guzzone.

After the very first interview segment, which featured the Lt. Governor and Secretary Donald, studio phones lit up and continued to ring throughout the remainder of the program. At night’s end, some 105 calls had been taken.

This was truly an example of what can happen when partnerships are formed around a common goal. We will follow-up with the callers from the program, and will work closely with them should they choose to become foster or adoptive parents. There are over 9,200 children in foster care across the state. If we are able to get a handful of adoptive or foster parents from the 105 calls received, that will make a tangible difference for some of those children, all thanks to the joint effort of MPT all thanks to the join effort of MPT, its partners, a single table and a common goal.

Elyn Jones
Deputy Director, Maryland Department of Human Resource, Office of Communication

Get ready for digital TV!

2008-12-15T14:16:00.002-05:00

Yes, in a mere 64 days, all U.S. television broadcasters will be going digital. It's sounds scary, but trust us, it's not.

Here's the lowdown: digital television (or "DTV," as us industry folks call it) will free up space on the valuable broadcast spectrum, which will be used for public and safety services (such as police and fire departments) as well as advanced wireless services. It will also offer viewers television with better picture and sound quality.

If you receive your television signal over the air, i.e. with "rabbit ears," and you haven't prepared for "the big switch"--or maybe you've already purchased your digital convertor box but are having problems using it--fear not!

The lovely folks at WGBH in Boston have prepared a great how-to DTV guide, featuring famous do-it-yourselfers Norm Abram and Kevin O'Connor of This Old House. The duo visits several homes in a Boston suburb to prepare the homeowners for digital TV.

As always, if you have questions about DTV, visit www.mpt.org/dtv or call or e-mail MPT’s Viewer Services with questions or concerns Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or by email at dtv@mpt.org.

Jim Lehrer's kinda funny!

2008-12-10T11:51:00.002-05:00

Yes! Can you believe it??

In case you haven't caught the new promo we're airing (or maybe you have and just want to see it again! We certainly wouldn't blame you!) for next month's PBS series, Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, we've taken the opportunity to post it here on The Buzz.

The six-hour comedy epic showcases the most hilarious men, women and moments in American entertainment. Hosted by funnyman Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris, the documentary explores the currents of American comedy throughout a century of social and political change.

Until it airs, enjoy this 31-second gem. We definitely did!

Anúna: Christmas Memories

2008-12-05T10:26:00.004-05:00

On the set of Anúna: Christmas Memories here at MPT. Hard to believe it was in the middle of summer!

Whaddaya get when you mix vintage Christmas specials, twin Irish brothers, six live instruments, three dancers, 12 more Irish singers and a crackerjack set at MPT?

Anúna: Christmas Memories, of course!

If you're in need of some holiday cheer (and aren't we all?) look no further than Anúna: Christmas Memories, airing on MPT Sunday at 6 p.m. (With program encore broadcasts Monday, Dec. 22 at 10pm and Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 11pm.)

But you don't have to just take our word for it! Check out what WBAL had to say about the special earlier today.

The best part about having the Anuna crew here over the summer? They were totally fun! Here are Anuna creators Michael McGlynn (in red) and brother John McGlynn being interviewed for WBAL back in June. Hey guys! How's the weather in Ireland??

Meet the 3 Mo' Divas!

2008-12-04T20:01:00.001-05:00

The critically acclaimed, diva-licious 3 Mo' Divas stopped by Maryland Public Television yesterday to put the finishing touches on a national pledge special destined to be a hit from coast to coast.

The trio—Laurice Lanier, Nova Payton and Jamet Pittman—are sure to become household names. Jazz, blues, opera, gospel, even disco, the divas do it all—with soul, feeling, style, and yes, a little well-timed attitude.

Wanna meet 'em? You're in luck!

We stopped by to say hello to the ladies in MPT's green room. They introduced themselves and yes! even sang a little. Check out the videos below and tune in Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. for a special rebroadcast of their fabulous special. This may be the first time you've heard of the Divas, but it certainly won't be the last!

“I never looked back.”

2008-11-20T10:42:00.002-05:00

My name is Ed Kilcullen, and I am the State Director for Maryland CASA Association, a network of 15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs serving children in Baltimore City and 16 counties throughout the state. CASA recruits, trains and supervises adult volunteers who are appointed by the court to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers thoroughly research their assigned child's life, interview all relevant parties, and make recommendations to the court based on the child's best interest. In the last year, more than 1,000 volunteers advocated for 1,400 children but, with approximately 11,000 children under the protection of the courts in Maryland as a result of abuse and neglect, CASA must recruit many more volunteers to reach all the children.

Please consider volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for an abused or neglected child. It takes only a few hours a month to make a huge difference in a child's life. Some of our CASA volunteers recently took some time to talk about their experiences with our organization. Read on!

“As a CASA volunteer I am able to help children navigate through the court process and the multiple agencies that they often come into contact with when they are in foster care. Often this process is difficult for the children because of the disruption to their home lives that impacts all aspects of their lives. You can provide them with a stable relationship that they can count on in times when little else may remain consistent in their lives. I can tell you this work will bring joys as well as frustrations, sharing good times as well as bad and one of the most satisfying relationships you can have with children who need it most. It also provides me with a sense of accomplishment when I can advocate for a child that can’t speak up for themselves. If you are looking for a volunteer experience that will change lives I urge you to become a CASA. There are so many children who have a need that you are uniquely qualified to fill – all it will take is a few hours a month.”

Allison Butlien
CASA volunteer since 2001
CASA of Baltimore

“Throughout my years as a teacher, I began to realize that I had many students who were living in unhealthy and abusive environments. Though they usually kept their home problems to themselves, sometimes it was apparent and could not be missed or ignored. One of my students reported to class with a completely shaven head (before it was in style). When I asked him what happened, he told me his father did it to punish him. He also had bruises on his arms, neck and other areas which he could not hide. He had difficulty looking at me. My heart broke for him, as he was very polite and never a problem in class and may have been a "shining" student under healthier circumstances. Aside from notifying the nurse and administrators, I could do nothing more to help him. It was frustrating and depressing knowing that some children have to endure the most hideous and painful situations on a daily basis. Now that I am a CASA, I am in a position to do more. CASA volunteers make every effort to see that children get what they need and what they deserve. It is a wonderfully gratifying feeling knowing you may actually have made a significant difference in improving a child’s life. Believe me, you get way more than you give when you advocate for a child.”

Adele Hammerman
CASA volunteer since 2007
CASA of Baltimore County

“I had been retired for seven years when I decided to train to be a CASA volunteer. A few months later my CASA supervisor asked me to take my first case – a 14 year old girl. I never looked back. She just turned 18 and, after 3½ years of representing her best interests, I can truly say that this was the most meaningful volunteer experience that I have ever had. I think I may have made a difference in her life and in so doing made many new friends.”

Phyllis Hoyer CASA volunteer since 2005
CASA of Frederick County

“It was not until I began teaching 17 years ago I that I realized just how many children were being abused and/or neglected every year. It broke my heart to hear of these children being treated in such a manner. When I learned of CASA eight years ago, I had just had a newborn baby. The love and joy I felt for my new baby was so strong that I felt compelled to help other children in crisis. CASA was the perfect match for me. As an educator, I know firsthand what is involved in making sure children's needs are met in the educational environment. As a mother of two wonderful children, I know what children need to feel safe and secure. Additionally, one of the many benefits of being a volunteer is knowing that I made a difference in the life of a child. I am the voice for a child in need. CASA is a part of who I am and what I believe.”

Jennette Mears
CASA volunteer since 2001
CASA of the Lower Shore

Tune into to MPT tonight at 9:30 p.m. for Foster Care Stories: A Place to Be (lauded today by Baltimore Sun critic David Zurawik) with a companion live phone bank so you, too, can learn how to help Maryland’s foster care system.

"It's time for us to find hope."

2008-11-19T13:18:00.003-05:00

Shalita O'Neale, former foster youth and founder of the Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center.

My name is Shalita O'Neale,and I'm a former foster youth. I aged out of the foster care system at the age of 21. As a result of my foster care experience, I decided to start a resource center for foster youth, the Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center (http://www.mfyrc.org/).

Growing up in foster care, my peers and I experienced a lot of stereotyping (and still do). There is this belief that all foster youth are troublemakers, thieves and problem children. This is not true. I am a prime example of a youth that is succeeding, and I know many other youth that prove these stereotypes wrong. I did not think I had a voice growing up in care and was seldom asked about how I felt about living in foster care. I did not have the confidence or the knowledge about how to speak up. This is what needs to be changed in the system. Our voice needs to be heard and we need to know that we have one. We need to be around the table when decisions about us and our well being are being made because who better knows of what may work best for us then us? There should be nothing about us without us.

This shouldn't be viewed as threatening either. We are resources that have not been effectively tapped into. We can bring energy and grounding to the programs that are being designed to help us. We can help avoid the failure of child welfare systems by incorporating a perspective that will create programs and policies that make sense for the very youth it is being designed to service: foster youth, US!

I am very happy that MPT is having a foster care phone bank (tomorrow, November 20 at 9:30 p.m.) and hope people tune in and call for information on how to help or just for more information on foster care. So many people have a lot to say about foster care and adoption, and give their opinions about foster youth, social workers or foster parents (much of which is inaccurate), but don't take advantage of an opportunity to educate themselves on the facts. Hopefully people will call in and get accurate information. That will be the first step to breaking down the myths and stereotypes of foster youth. Then we can begin building a foundation of support for them so they can have the same chance at success as those youth with loving families.

It's time for change. It’s time for us to be heard. It's time for us to find hope, and I believe that once the community, foster youth and child welfare join together as a team, all of these things will come to fruition.

Tune in on the 20th! This is National Adoption Month. There are foster youth out there who want a loving and stable home. If you can't commit to that, try mentoring a few hours a month or fostering. Call in to see how you can help. Every bit of contact from positive people makes a difference. I am where I am today because people have taken the time out to make a difference in my life.

"Where will I go?"

2008-11-18T17:49:00.002-05:00

I commend MPT for recognizing the importance of bringing issues of foster care in Maryland to its viewers in the program Foster Care Stories: A Place to Be airing Thursday, November 20 at 9:30 p.m. To tie in a phone bank to show how anyone can help a foster child will do much to engage our community with this important population.

My wife and I were foster parents to teenage girls for ten years and adopted two of the teens we fostered. Many people have questioned our sanity for fostering teens! While it can be challenging, it also brought us tremendous rewards. Teens in foster care have many times given up on finding an adoptive family and resign themselves to aging out of the foster care system. This is a tragedy! Even though they will tell you they don’t want to be adopted, they silently hope that someone can reach out to them and accept them as their own.

Many people ask me how I’ve become so involved in foster care, and I tell them the about moment that has changed my life in this regard. I received a call from one of my daughters who was finishing up her first semester at Salisbury University, and she informed me that the university required students to move everything out of their dorm room during winter break. Anyone who has ever moved a daughter into a college dorm knows what this involves! The thought of hauling everything back home only to move it back in four weeks didn’t leave me in a good mood. After the call I noticed our 14-year-old foster daughter wanted to say something to me but seemed hesitant. When I finally asked her if she was okay she said, “Mr. Duane, when I go to college and have to leave for my breaks where will I go?” I realized that for someone growing up in foster care, moving furniture out might not be the biggest problem.

That question from our foster daughter kept running through my mind for the next couple of weeks. I started to research programs on the Internet that provided permanent homes for youth in foster care and identified a program in Illinois. I sent out to form a non-profit organization to replicate the program in Baltimore. After six years of work and a few million dollars, Clare Court was opened in Baltimore to provide housing to families adopting children, grandparents raising their grandchildren and senior citizens. On the day Clare Court was dedicated, I couldn’t help but think about how a question from a teenager in foster care changed my life.

Duane St. Clair
St. Clair Associates

Frontline: The Choice

2008-10-14T10:58:00.005-04:00

The upcoming presidential election is one of the most memorable in decades. It's a race that pits the iconoclast John McCain against newcomer Barack Obama; the heroic former prisoner of war against the first African American major party nominee. For two hours tonight, the 20th anniversary broadcast of The Choice examines the rich personal and political biographies of these men and goes behind the headlines to discover how they arrived at this moment and what their very different candidacies say about America.

Baltimore Sun TV critic David Zurawik gave the program, which airs tonight on MPT at 9 p.m., a glowing review. Here's a little of what he had to say:

The producers weave the political histories of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama into a nearly seamless two-hour film that moves with such focus and force that it feels more like 30 minutes. Narrative, or to use an older fashioned term, storytelling, is what drives this documentary with such velocity.

Whet your political appetites with the clips below, and be sure to tune in tonight.

A new home for an old lodge

2008-10-07T15:55:00.007-04:00

Bert Rankin (left) of MPT and Meg Schumacher, the Howard County Conservancy director, work on the Hodgepodge Lodge. (Baltimore Sun photo by Doug Kapustin / September 26, 2008

The Hodgepodge Lodge officially has a new home. This weekend I had the pleasure of witnessing closure on a project (read all about it in this Balitmore Sun article) that started when I coordinated the first annual MPT Vision Honors Banquet. In the spring 2007, MPT actively started looking for a perfect partner for moving and refurbishing the lodge. Although this idea originated many years earlier, it was at the 2007 Vision Honors Banquet—where we inaugurated the “Miss Jean” Award for Service to Children and Families—when it really started to pick up speed.

Upon hearing about our search, I was contacted by Meg Schumacher, Executive Director of the Howard County Conservancy. She expressed interest in the lodge because they had an existing relationship with Miss Jean and would be honored to help relocate it to continue her legacy. A great partnership was born. Over the past two years, many staff here and at the conservancy worked hard to move, rebuild and restore the lodge to its 1970s technicolor luster.

On Saturday, I watched as parents shuffled their children in and out of the newly restored structure as Miss Jean sat out front – just as she did during the show back in the 1970s – it was heartwarming. I don’t know if it was my pregnancy hormones or what, but I fought back the tears as MPT’s VP of Technology George Beneman, close friend and former colleague of Jean’s, spoke about the original “Queen of Green” that would walk to work and the influence she had on so many.

People sat down next to her to tell tales of how she made a difference in their lives, children’s lives, the list goes on. I was proud to be there to support her and her family, and celebrate with them.

Old friends George Beneman of MPT and Miss Jean share a laugh in front of the restored lodge.

One of my favorite parts of the event was a one girl scout’s project to help encourage learning within the lodge. I forget her name (blame it on the “pregnesia”), but the young lady was sitting inside the lodge offering tours of her many activities that were scattered on the walls and tables within. She was eight but had the maturity of a college student explaining their thesis. I thought to myself, if Miss Jean had envisioned what was going to happen to her Hodgepodge Lodge after the show went off the air this probably would have been pretty close to a perfect second life!

I am so excited to know that MPT and PBS continue to provide quality children’s programming (like Hodgepodge Lodge was back in the day) so I have a safe place to let my daughter go when she wants to watch a little something on TV. Thanks, MPT!

Desirée Edwards
Assistant Manager, Major and Planned Giving

Thanks, Thinkport

2008-09-25T09:53:00.003-04:00

Because you are written and edited by education professionals, there was nothing I could not use when I needed help.

My dear, creative daughter was having trouble staying focused and organized in second grade. “No problem,” I thought. I’m an educated person and a whiz at research. I was clueless at first at helping my daughter get more organized in her schoolwork. I tried web sites and articles and was overwhelmed with information and links to scary places. Medications and expensive tutors were not going to be our first choice. The lists and raised voices were not helping either. Finally, I looked to MPT’s Thinkport.

Thinkport is a dream for teachers, and many use it frequently. But in addition to Maryland-based curriculum and virtual field trips and snazzy math games, there is a wealth of basic information on the educational site for families and caregivers. I found an article about helping kids manage their time. There were links to even more sensible, helpful information.

My daughter would still rather spend time organizing her rocks and shells instead of doing math homework, but we’ve found some strategies for her to take responsibility for her time and keep the peace.

For time-managing tactics for your little ones, check out http://www.thinkport.org/familycommunity/interstitials/manage_time.tp

Susan Meoni
Assistant Attorney General

Born to rumor

2008-08-22T13:34:00.000-04:00

It’s easy to believe what we see and hear on our television these days, especially when what we hear comes from the mouths of those we have come to respect in the world of journalism. So, with that in mind, consider the following: a retraction recently posted by Bob Costas of NBC Sports:

“…A few days ago in Beijing, Brian Williams and I had separate interviews with Michael Phelps. Just prior to those interviews, I had been told that the previous Friday night in Jacksonville, Bruce Springsteen had informed his audience that Phelps had won his seventh gold medal and that he then dedicated ‘Born in the USA’ to Michael....I had every reason to believe this information was accurate, and its source was reliable. In fact, I had intended to use it in my own interview with Phelps, but when time didn’t allow for it, I passed the story on to Brian, who did use it. As you may have seen, Phelps lit up at the story, which rang true for the additional reason that it’s the sort of thing Bruce might very well have done. Except that in this case, he didn’t. I had been misinformed. Still, the blame rests with me. So, I just wanted to set the record straight – and apologize to my friend Brian Williams, one of the best newsmen and biggest Springsteen fans I know…”

Now admittedly, mistakes happen, even to highly respected news journalists such as Costas and Williams. But it made me wonder how something so completely false ends up on the air—and what else gets repeated as fact.

Take for example a recent New Yorker cover that unflatteringly depicts Barack Obama in Middle Eastern/Islamic attire in the Oval Office, with wife Michelle carrying a machine gun. It’s easy to see how irresponsible and controversial journalism designed to sensationalize the issues helps to foster a misinformed American people. Perhaps this is the reason a measurable percentage of Americans falsely believe that Obama is Muslim.

It is our mission at MPT to educate our viewers and bring them the one-of-a-kind depth and insight they’ve come to expect from public television without compromising the integrity and forthrightness that have become our hallmarks. That is why we are proud to bring you this fall’s PBS Vote 2008 election lineup including coverage from both the local and state level as well as reports from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions via the News Hour with Jim Lehrer.

With the general election looming less than 70 (yes, it’s that close) days away, it is absolutely critical, perhaps now more than ever, to be vigilant as American citizens. It is our responsibility as Americans to look beyond the headlines, the campaign smears, the negative ads, to find out for ourselves just who we are casting our vote for on November 4th.

So please, between now and November, don’t just take Bill O’Reilly’s word for it; don’t assume Anderson Cooper is giving you all 360 degrees. Don’t be forced to rely on a media outlet that has to sensationalize every story to boost ratings enough to cover their advertising budget and turn a profit for CNN or FOX or any of the other major networks.

The time has come to roll up our sleeves as Americans, educate ourselves, question the answers and hold our leaders’ feet to the fire. It won’t be easy, but here at MPT we can help you get started.

P.S. Brian, Bob, if you’re reading this, from one Boss fan to another, all is forgiven.

Matt Rains
Member Services Representative

Sizzlin'!

2008-08-19T11:15:00.008-04:00

Since interning for MPT this summer, I’ve found new love for its programs. I love to eat, and I’m a huge fan of cooking shows. Cooking is a passion of mine, and if you’re anything like me, one of the reasons you love summer is because it’s the perfect time to fire up the grill. So you can imagine how excited I am about a new cooking show on MPT. Steven Raichlen (creator of Barbecue University and author of Barbecue Bible and How to Grill) is back with a new series, Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen. Anybody who loves to cook is sure to love this show.

To celebrate the new series, MPT is having a cool event this weekend. Last month, MPT viewers were asked to submit their favorite grilling recipe by mail to MPT. The grillmaster himself has judged and selected a winning recipe (and will announce the winner’s name on air!). The recipe will be featured in a live grilling demonstration at MPT’s Summer Sizzle event this Saturday. The first-place winner will receive a Weber Spirit E-310 gas grill!

So whether you thrill for the grill, or are just looking to have some fun, join us this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rams Head Tavern Courtyard located in Historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland. Guests will enjoy live music, beverages and a demonstration and taste of the winning recipe!

Julia Goldwasser
Intern, Corporate Support

T-minus 6 and counting!

2008-08-15T11:34:00.004-04:00

Hello DTV blog readers!

We are at the six-month point and counting down to the shutoff of analog television on February 17, 2009. Are YOU ready?

Only those viewers who watch us over-the-air (OTA) on an analog TV have to do something. You’ll need a DTV Converter Box, which is what all those announcements on TV and radio are about.

A new survey from the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) reveals a mixed bag when it comes to the public’s involvement with the February 2009 digital television transition. On one hand, awareness of the impending transition is at an all-time high. According to the study, you’ve watched the announcements. On the other hand, many OTA households are slow to take the necessary steps to continue receiving terrestrial television after the plug is pulled on analog transmitters, the survey found.

Don’t wait – do it now – avoid the rush … get your discount coupons from the federal government at http://www.dtv2009.gov/. Then get your box, hook it up to your antenna and TV, turn the box on, follow the prompts and see the wonders of digital TV.

If you can’t receive us with your existing indoor antenna, you may need an outside antenna. Reception of our analog signal is no guarantee you’ll receive our digital signal. I’ve talked with viewers who could never receive our analog signal, and now are watching all three of our digital channels, as well as those who have a great analog signal and cannot receive our digital signal.

For more information, visit http://digitaltelevisionnow.org/mpt/

So don’t delay, become a digital TV viewer today.

George Beneman
VP Technology

He's still "The Gangster of Love"

2008-08-08T11:33:00.003-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of a day filled with amazing music at Merriweather Post Pavilion performed by Joe Cocker and The Steve Miller Band. I saw these legendary performers on MPT during its June pledge drive, and when noticed on MPT’s local events calendar that tickets were available, I knew I had to get them.

It began late afternoon with a glimpse into the inner-workings of a big-name band at sound check. We heard the familiar sounds of The Steve Miller Band as we walked to the concert arena. The only other folks around were diligently working to prepare for the evening concert. As we took our seats and tried not to appear overly zealous, we saw that Steve Miller was not yet on stage—but the riffs being played got our blood pumping. Quickly and without fanfare, Steve Miller appeared on stage, picked up his guitar and began to play. To see him this way—as a regular guy preparing for his “job”—was impressive. He tweaked the sound coming from his guitar over and over, he spoke to the sound man with authority but without condescension. He knew what he wanted and expected, but did it with respect for the others involved. It was refreshing to see in a world dominated by divas.

As quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. Our private concert was over. We departed for dinner and twittered about what we saw, reliving the “good old days” and feeling as if we had taken a walk back to our youth. We were eager to return for the concert.

As concert time drew near, we were psyched to hear The Steve Miller Band but knew that Joe Cocker was the opening act. We anticipated enjoying his music, but deep down wanted to hear more of what we heard in the afternoon. We couldn’t have been more wrong! Joe Cocker brought the house down. From “With a Little Help From My Friends” to “Feelin’ Alright” to “Cry Me a River,” he did them all and never missed a note or his signature big voice. He had everyone’s attention. When he sang “You Are So Beautiful,” the house was on its feet and screaming. He’s still got it and The Steve Miller Band needed to step up to the plate so they wouldn't be outdone.

And they did not disappoint. They began with “Swingtown” and kept going. It seemed as if each song required a different guitar, including a bright red Flying V that Steve proudly told the crowd he won at a poker game just a few nights earlier.

Those of us there had the joy of hearing two hours of music that included “Space Cowboy,” “Jungle Love,” “Dance, Dance, Dance” and so many more. “Mercury Blues,” an oldie but goody, was well received. “Rock ‘n Me” was played for quite a stretch and the guitars were wailing.

Sonny Charles, formerly of the Checkmates, has joined the band and added a fine voice and fine dancing. He sang a Bo Diddley song, “Pretty Thing,” with accompaniment from Miller that was a true get-out-of-your-seat-and-dance moment.

The harmonica playing was amazing; the guitar playing knocked your socks off; the keyboard playing was more than lively; and the drumming held it all together. These guys are GOOD!

After all was said and done, the evening ended with three encores – the third with Steve Miller taking requests. When was the last time you saw that?

In the end, Steve reminded us to live in peace and love. The years have passed but some things never change. And for that I am grateful.

Sue Vanskiver
Senior Administrative Assistant

MPT's New Initiatives Fund

2008-07-30T15:55:00.005-04:00

If you haven’t heard about it yet, MPT has an exciting new opportunity to help fulfill its mission. Through the generosity of Irene and Edward H. Kaplan, MPT will have $1 million to use over a four-year period to take risks, both on and off-air, that it has not been able to until now. Funds will be used to respond more rapidly to regional concerns with innovative projects, and, according to its stated intent, “to positively impact the quality of life in Maryland and beyond through high quality initiatives that will serve and benefit the citizens of Maryland, including MPT viewers and members.”

What this means to us is that we will be able to create productions and community initiatives that we otherwise might not be able to do. The criteria that will guide the selection process are:

▪ Quality & Excellence
▪ Public Service Value
▪ Synergies
▪ Boldness & Creative risk

An internal committee has been established to oversee the fund and decide what projects will be funded. The committee is made up of seven senior MPT managers that will meet on an as-needed basis to review submissions. The committee is chaired by MPT’s President & CEO Robert J. Shuman. Decisions will be based on established criteria (mentioned above) and will be directed primarily toward the following core service areas:

▪ Kids & Family
▪ Environment
▪ Perspectives
▪ Health & Wellness

We anticipate that the committee will review several requests in August. While nothing has been chosen yet, we know the projects requested will include a Maryland Generations (similar to what we did with Ken Burns' The War last fall) companion piece for Burns' upcoming National Parks series (scheduled to air fall 2009) and a community initiative around financial literacy. These are just two examples of the varying types of projects that will be reviewed. We hope that this fund will provide seed money for exciting new projects, and that the fund can be replenished by others seeking to make significant and meaningful investments in MPT’s public service.

This is truly a transitional gift for MPT. It will allow us to do more great things, and take risks that we otherwise may not have been able to take.

Larry Unger
Chief Operating Officer

Sneak peek: Back Door Slam!

2008-07-22T13:28:00.006-04:00

Fresh off Baltimore's ArtScape stage, British blues rockers Back Door Slam stopped by MPT yesterday to tape a performance for an upcoming edition of ArtWorks. The trio blew us away with a performance that pretty much made us want to drop to our knees and shout, "We're not worthy!" Check out some behind-the-scenes footage below, and be sure to tune into ArtWorks every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. (with rebroadcasts Thursday at 6 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.)! Rock on!

From 'cool aunt' to education advocate!

2008-07-18T10:05:00.000-04:00

I never had a calling to be a mother, though I’m incredibly fond of kids. Sure, I’m a cool aunt and feel pretty hip dancing with my niece Eliza to songs from “High School Musical.” Oh wait, does that make me cool or just a middle-aged geek trying to hang onto my youth? Anyway, trust me, I’m still cool.

While I can “bust a move” to a predictably catchy teen song, I was never really immersed in kids’ TV shows, activities or their education until I started working at MPT. Since landing in MPT’s Education Department a few years ago, I have helped create and market a variety of products and resources for kids, families, teachers and child caregivers. I have bridged the gap from mere mortal/semi-cool aunt to an advocate for quality educational resources for our communities.

When you think about MPT, you probably think about the shows. Perhaps you catch Antiques Roadshow from time to time, or you’re a longtime fan of Outdoors Maryland. You may even think we are just "that Sesame Street station for kids," but we’re more—a lot more. In MPT’s Education Department, we develop and promote an extensive range of free, multimedia resources and interactive education tools for the K-12 education community.

Thinkport.org, MPT’s instant gateway to these resources, serves as a valuable link between educators, families and students. A journey through Thinkport will take you places you’ve never gone before, transforming ordinary learning into extraordinary learning. Comprehensive lesson plans, video clips and refreshing online field trips invigorate learning and help connect students and teachers to quality content. If you have children, teach or care for other people’s kids—or are perhaps just a loving aunt—you might want to check out Thinkport.

The department also provides early childhood education services to licensed and non-licensed child caregivers through interactive workshops and outreach, and online professional development opportunities for teachers and caregivers.

There’s always something exciting on the horizon, including several new interactive projects. The Lure of the Labyrinth, an online digital math game, helps build the pre-algebraic skills of middle school students. An engaging storyline woven throughout the game guides students through an underworld maze of mythical monsters and stimulating game play to solve math puzzles. Look for the Labyrinth online early next year.

Another interactive project in development, the PORT, will transport high school technology students to the Port of Baltimore to explore key careers, investigate various technology systems and navigate inter-modal transportation services at Baltimore’s very own seaport.

A steady stream of new projects, grants and partnerships enable our Education Department to offer these resources to the public year and after year. By partnering with community organizations, universities, schools, the Maryland State Department of Education and other established agencies, MPT continues its strong tradition of education.

So, as you can see, we are much more than TV. Sure, I’ve met a few stars along the way and frolicked with a cast of furry friends when the award-winning puppets from Between the Lions roared into Baltimore earlier this year. But it’s way more than TV. We hope to inspire, educate and enlighten families, schools and communities for years to come. And as I creep up the ladder in age, I can sit back and enjoy being a kid again, especially at work.

So give it a whirl, hop online and take a look, you’ll be surprised and inspired. You can access these great resources and learn more about what we do by visiting http://thinkport.org/.

Leslie Adler
Marketing Manager, Education Projects

Way more than television

2008-07-14T15:53:00.004-04:00

And so the paper writing began…

Flash back fifteen years to 1993. It was the height of the Barney craze, and Maryland Public Television was my personal go-to station for a “rocking good time.” At age seven, MPT was one of the few channels I could watch without restriction. Fits of laughter, bursts of singing, and even the occasional tear accompanied my years as a public television viewer. I was always exceedingly entertained.

My nostalgia for classic children’s programs, like “Sesame Street,” “Arthur,” “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood,” and of course, “Barney and Friends” fueled my desire to spend the summer working at MPT. I remembered the place MPT programs once held in my heart, and openly recognized that public television was no longer part of my life. Examining my own relationship with public TV put me on the path that ultimately resulted in this report.

And 57 pages later, I was finished.

As I typed the last period and prepared to submit the paper that would earn me a master’s degree, I realized all of the things my summer at MPT meant to me. This report about MPT, the thoughts of its people, its challenges, its successes, was an exercise that led to significant self-discovery. With each new MPT staff member I interviewed, I learned more about life, the media world and myself.

While I’m not sure I’ll ever come across a group as pleasant and helpful as the staff here at MPT, I will definitely try to find a similar work environment in the future. MPT reminded me of the importance of mentors and of surrounding myself with great people. I made a mental “note to self”: When you become successful, always take the time to help young people. Never act too busy or too important to give back. Always make a way. MPT staffers certainly made a way for me this summer.

So if I had to tell you one thing about MPT, the place that filled my childhood years with joy and the place that has given me great perspective on life as a young adult, I’d say it’s definitely WAY more than television. MPT is a place where a group of passionate people come together to share Maryland’s stories and help Maryland’s citizens. And if that’s not cool, I can’t imagine what is!

Thanks, MPT, for making this summer memorable :~)

Gretta Moody
Institutional Advancement Intern

What's it like to intern at MPT?

2008-07-03T16:50:00.005-04:00

Hear it from the interns themselves!

MPT interns Joy Thompson and Shernay Williams took a few minutes during MPT's recent intern pledge night to talk about interning at their favorite public television station (and what it's like answering phones on live TV!).

(Interested in interning at MPT? We're always on the lookout for enterprising young undergrads and grad students! Click here for more info!)

Dreams really do come true

2008-06-27T13:19:00.004-04:00

I am a self-defined MPT addict, nerd and enthusiast. I grew up watching both MPT and PBS programming, and while most people my age (19) may have stopped watching when Arthur and Barney were no longer appealing, I hung in there.

I credit my love of documentaries and cooking to MPT. Through MPT's programming, I have learned how to survive in Alaska by myself (Alone in the Wilderness), how to prepare a six-course meal (Julia Child and Jacques Pepin) and what it was like to live on the American frontier in 1883 (Frontier House).

To me, MPT is irreplaceable because no other station has programming that covers such a wide variety of topics. As a person who has lived both with and without cable television, I always find myself going back to MPT to watch a show on something I may not even be initially interested in. I get sucked in! I can’t resist when Rhea Feikin is on location covering the HonFest or when NOVA is showing the Lost Treasures of Tibet. In most other cases, I probably wouldn’t watch a show on Fermat’s Last Theorem, but I find myself mesmerized and, if given the chance, watching it more than once!

I’ve caught myself on numerous occasions in class, rambling about how much I love MPT, and turning down opportunities to hang out with my friends to stay in and watch Rick Steves and his money belt travel around Europe…again. I’ve been such an enthusiastic viewer that my friend Denisse finally got fed up and yelled at me “If you like it so much why don’t you work there!” That was my light bulb moment: I was shocked that it had never occurred to me!

About eight months later and I AM working at MPT! I’m currently an intern working with a bunch of great people at my dream internship. I must admit that coming to work the first day was surreal. I was given the grand tour, and saw some of the sets that I have watched on television my entire life and met people that have helped create shows that I am obsessed with.

I recently worked an MPT pledge drive (for MPT’s intern pledge night), and I couldn’t have been more excited. I may be an “MPT nerd,” but I am proud to wholeheartedly support a television station that is committed to providing educational and interesting programming that is not dictated by advertising dollars. I still cannot believe that my viewership has come full circle, and am now working at the station I have loved my entire life!

My ultimate goal for this internship? To meet Rhea Feikin!

Update: Since writing this blog entry, Caitlin met Rhea. She still can’t believe it happened!

Caitlin Mullett

Institutional Advancement Intern

(and perhaps MPT's biggest fan. Ever.)

Our Facebook fanpage!

2008-06-19T10:23:00.005-04:00

Are you a fan of MPT? Tell the virtual world and meet other fans on MPT's new Facebook fanpage! It features videos, discussion boards, the latest news and behind-the-scenes fun.

MPT's been on the popular social networking for a while now with an MPT group page (available only to those with Facebook accounts, which are now available to anyone who'd like to join!). But our Facebook fanpage is 100% public, so you can log on anytime to see what's new, whether you're on Facebook or not.

Just up this morning: behind-the-scenes, downright hilarious video of a few members of Ireland's famous Anuna horsing around our studios as MPT prepares to film their upcoming holiday spectacular. (And if you've ever wondered what a fire drill is like here, wonder no more! We've got a little of that for ya, too ;)

She's sew unusual!

2008-06-16T13:57:00.006-04:00

Ever since I can remember, I have shared a love of design and craftsmanship with my family. I grew up watching This Old House with my dad each weekend. At first, I looked forward to the last episodes of the season, when I could see the final results. As I got older, I learned to appreciate the design process, starting with the bare frames of an old house, and slowly, with an attention to detail, bringing the house back to its former glory.

With my mom, I would watch Sewing With Nancy. My mom loved to buy quilting books. We visited fabric stores once a week, easily. I was surrounded by mounds of fabric, each pile designated for a different project. I wasn’t quite as enamored with the quilting process as my mom was, but once again, I learned to appreciate the work that went into crafting.

So how many major home improvement projects occurred in my house? None. Though I was allowed to paint some rooms. I even used some “decorative painting” techniques, but that was the extent of my attempts to restore “our old house.”

And how many quilts did my mom complete during my childhood? Not one. But this is where I took over. I didn’t want to make myself a quilt, but I definitely wanted to learn how to sew clothes.

I made my first article of clothing–a pair of pants–when I was 15 years old. I’ve been sewing ever since. I’ve made gifts and handbags, pillows and curtains, christening gowns and my wedding dress, along with countless other outfits and projects. I love to surprise people with items...just because. I enjoy the process of quality workmanship that I learned from all those MPT shows I watched as a kid. I still search out design shows, for inspiration, and I can’t wait to get the MPT Digital Channel so I can watch The Creative Life (see clip below!).

I still sew today, and I have about 10 projects going at once. I can’t imagine my life without this creative outlet!

Jen Reece
Associate Online Producer, Thinkport.org
(Check out Jen's sewing blog at http://www.davidanddaisy.com!)

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. (Part I)

2008-06-03T13:09:00.007-04:00

This is first in a series of blog entries by the Maryland Humanities Council honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 40th anniversary of his assassination.

It was April 4, 1968, 40 years ago. I was a third-year student at Howard University Law School. With classmate, Kellis Earl Parker (who would serve as a Professor of Law at the University of California, Davis and Professor of Law at Columbia University, New York City) I was at the office/chambers of the Honorable Spottswood W. Robinson in downtown Washington, D.C. At a point in the early evening, a U.S. Marshall, clearly shaken—and almost disoriented—announced the news that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated, and that many cities, communities and neighborhoods, including Washington, D.C., were being assaulted, experiencing fires, violence and looting.

An immediate call to my home assured me that my wife and our children were all safe. Kellis made contact with his family and to our relief, they were also safe. We still faced a hurdle. Because of the manifestation of action and anger, the city had been placed under police and National Guard (martial law) control, and if I were going to reach my home (at 5th and Hamilton Streets, N.W.) I would have to obtain a pass from the U.S. Marshall or face the possibility of arrest for curfew violation.

Black men, walking or driving, on that evening in the streets of Washington were likely to be detained. Very carefully, I drove toward Union Station, such that I could take North Capitol, toward the Old Soldiers Home, thus dodging and bypassing Georgia Avenue, 7th Street, H Street, New Jersey Avenue, 14th Street, and V Street, where signs of disorder were being described on the radio.

Now, some 40 years later, we look back at Rev. King's efforts, at the modern Human and Civil Rights Movement, and it is easy to realize that he was asking the nation to implement the socioeconomic and political equality promised by the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

In recent months, this nation and world have heard some strongly expressed concerns about human rights. The president of the United States and the leaders of Russia, China and other countries have exchanged verbal attacks and counterattacks with respect to which country is more humane toward its citizens, and who is more genuinely concerned about the political, social and economic plight suffered by many people around the world. The record shows that these debates have escalated.

I fully expect a continuation of these verbal exchanges, particularly between the various powers as they jockey for position on the stage of world affairs. In fact, many may look at the contest and conclude that it is a classic game of transnational politics and that their concerns and energies must be directed toward more immediate matters. Some might even say that international affairs are so far removed from domestic issues that we should look the other way.

But when we examine what is involved, it becomes transparently clear that the global search for human rights is in close kinship to the day-to-day struggle which confronts millions of people in the U.S., and those matters which affect the lives of thousands in every American hamlet, village and town.

Our experience has shown that the matter of human relations and human rights usually is examined from the perspective of political observations and social contexts. And the emphasis is placed on the constant needs in these areas. But we would advance the notion that political and social rights mean little without the existence of economic justice and economic democracy. I am of the opinion that human rights must be assured through the existence of political democracy—institutions through which every person can enjoy peace and the pursuit of happiness.

Rev. King recognized that the absence of economic justice—or economic democracy—translates into matters about which much of the nation is concerned:

l. Housing: It is axiomatic that the Black, brown and the poor of the country still believe that home ownership is security. And that home ownership is a hallmark of good and responsible citizenship. And we know that home ownership is good for the building industry and thereby improves the condition of the economy. Just about every working person aspires to home ownership.

2. Health: It is fairly clear that good health care is a salable commodity. And that its economic nature places it at the door of those who can afford to pay.

3. Education: History reveals that Black and poor people have always looked to education as one of the sure paths to participation in the American dream. Our ancestors risked life and limb to obtain education for their children, and, for themselves, some exposure to the joy and utilitarian quality of education. Long before Benjamin Roberts sued the city of Boston (in 1849) for equal access to educational resources, Black and poor people have known the value of education.

Power, prestige, political influence, social status and wealth are obtained by birth, gift or through one's personal efforts. And let there be no confusion about it, personal effort means education and training.

There are those who say that the value of an education is on the decline. That is not the case. And unfortunately, the struggle for economic and social justice is in the forefront of those movements which would increase our numbers and percentage in some of the important professional and graduate schools in the country.

M. L. King would have the Black, brown and poor demand the substantive, long-term developmental support from the government's use of our tax dollars; we must organize our own business enterprises, around mutual support rather than mass dependence on the government. We must, finally, face the reality that only we can save ourselves. We must face up to the reality that none of the privileged institutions, individuals or groups which comprise America's power brokers will favor or sponsor changes in our society which are anything more than cosmetic. If we expect those who oppress us to relieve us of the oppression voluntarily, we are mistaken. We are the ones who must change the situation. Our priorities must reflect the needs of our people.

Dr. Walter J. Leonard

Dr. Walter J. Leonard is a distinguished educator and widely published author, a former president of Fisk University and Special Assistant to the President of Harvard University. An eyewitness to one of the most tumultuous periods in recent American history, he was present in the Supreme Court when the Brown v. Board decision was handed down. For the many years following, he remained a friend and confidant of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement and today continues to share publicly his humane reflections on the state of race relations in America.

RFK Remembered

2008-05-28T15:14:00.002-04:00

Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. MPT will be the first television station since 1968 to broadcast Robert Kennedy Remembered, a tribute honoring the late politician’s life and work on the 40th anniversary of his assassination.

The Academy Awardwinning film by Charles Guggenheim was broadcast just once on all television networks when it was shown during the 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention. This moving film tribute to a man who had hoped to win the presidency created an historic moment when it brought the proceedings to a standstill and the crowd, in tears, to its feet. It hasn’t been seen on television since.

Commissioned by the Kennedy family, the film begins with the funeral train to Washington, D.C., and follows the triumphs and tragedies in the late senator’s life through extraordinary newsreel footage, archival stills and home movies.

The film was produced in only four weeks—two months after the senator’s assassination—in order to meet the convention deadline. Charles Guggenheim, with the country’s resources at his fingertips, worked around the clock to complete this poignant eulogy and compelling reflection on the spirit, quality and commitment RFK brought to his life and work. Richard Burton narrates. The film went on to win an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Subject.

These are 30 goosebump-inducing minutes you won't want to miss.

The Big Read!

2008-05-20T16:37:00.004-04:00

(Above: Rudolfo Anaya, author of classic coming-of-age novel, Bless Me Ultima.)

This month, people all across Baltimore have joined MPT and the Enoch Pratt Free Library to celebrate the power of words by reading Rudolfo Anaya’s classic coming-of-age novel Bless Me Ultima, part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Big Read.

Reading Bless Me Ultima is more than just a "good thing to do," like eating your vegetables. This is a fascinating, exciting, sometimes funny, sometimes sad story of a young boy growing up in a small New Mexico village, and an extraordinary window into another world. Young Antonio Marez's quiet life is changed when his Aunt Ultima comes to live with his family. Ultima, with an owl in tow, is a curandera (a healer—what we might call a practitioner of herbal medicine), and helps to teach Antonio about life and many of her secrets on his path to adulthood.

For all the differences between our world and Antonio’s, as I read, I found myself identifying with him and the conflict between his father's wild vaquero (cowboy) brothers and his mother's more sedate farming relatives. I’m sure others will also see themselves in him as he wrestles with his parents' conflicting expectations, as well as the tensions between Hispanic and mainstream American culture in his village.

For younger readers, MPT and the Pratt are also sponsoring a “Little Read,” with Anaya’s picture book The First Tortilla—the story of Jade, a young village girl who is told by a blue hummingbird to take a gift to the Mountain Spirit to bring much-needed rain to her small Mexican village. This heartwarming story is prefect for parents to read along with their children, and help bring them into the excitement of the Big Read.

Book discussions and programs focusing on Bless Me Ultima and The First Tortilla are being held throughout the month of May at libraries and recreation centers around the city. Come check us out!

Poet and librarian Reginald Harris (reggieh.blogspot.com) has received Individual Artist Awards for both poetry and fiction from the Maryland State Arts Council. He is Help Desk and Training Manager for the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.

The cooler gig

2008-05-16T10:20:00.003-04:00

My former roommate and I are both screenwriting majors at Drexel University, released from academic purgatory for six months to get an internship in our field so we can appreciate just how good we’ve got it (I’m reasonably certain that’s not how Drexel advertises its co-op program, but after a four straight terms of classes, that’s definitely how I feel). My roommate is spending her six months in Ireland, working her butt off amid rolling fields of green, quaint little pubs and surrounded by that wonderful Irish accent that she imitates so beautifully. I’m back home, working at MPT and remembering why my brother and I get along best when I’m two hours away. There are fields of green, yes, and there’s probably a cute little pub or two somewhere, but pretty much everyone here has the same accent I do—no imitation required.

Still, all of our friends agree: I got the cooler internship.

I’m working on MPT’s documentary: Maryland Generations: Jewish Americans. Being raised Catholic, there’s a certain irony to this, but I’ve loved history all my life, and this has been a chance to not only learn history that’s new to me, but to really connect it with the places I know. I grew up in Roland Park, known back in the day for the “no Jew” clauses in the deeds to its houses. I even talked to my dad about it, and he said yup, that clause was in the deed for our old house, along with a little note saying that the clause was unconstitutional. When I asked why the offending clause wasn’t just removed, he said: “Another clause said it couldn’t be removed.” The law is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

But the history bit is just a perk, like those “buy $50 or more worth of merchandise and get a cute little stuffed dog FREE!” promotions stores do. Even on a completely different project, one that had absolutely nothing to do with my interests (although that’d be pretty hard, considering I’m interested in pretty much everything MPT does), I’d have the best internship ever.

MPT uses its interns. Seriously uses its interns. You don’t just answer phones, take messages or take dictation of a script. In my first two weeks working here, I’ve researched Maryland’s history, met state politicians and leaders of international Jewish organizations, gone out on shoots and learned a little bit about camerawork. I’ve looked for visuals to put into the show, read through interview transcriptions and picked out sound bites to use. I’ve written outlines for the first two segments, highlighting the information we should cover and the sound bites I like best. My boss/producer actively seeks out and trusts my input. In those two weeks alone, I’ve utilized almost all the skills I’ve learned in school, and picked up some new ones. And everyone here, whether you work closely with them or just occasionally walk by their office, cares about you and what you’re doing. They must drug the water or something; you don’t get people this nice in Philadelphia.

So if you’re an undergrad (or grad student) interested in television, in Maryland, just want something more to do with your time—consider an internship at MPT. It’s a lot of fun.

Also?

We have a koi pond. Last I checked, my roommate’s place of employment doesn’t have one of those. They just make her sit in on boring seminars.

I definitely got the cooler gig.

Katie Nolan
Content Enterprises Intern

Sea of Fog

2008-05-12T14:49:00.004-04:00

As much as I’ve been waiting and working towards it for four years now, I really can’t believe I’m graduating college in three weeks. I’ve got some ideas about where I’m headed, but mostly I feel like I’m groping along in the dark.

There’s this picture (above) I really like to look at now and then, Caspar David Friedrich’s “Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog.” Even though Friedrich painted it in 1818, I feel drawn to it some near 200 years later. Don’t get me wrong—for me, time is melting away faster than desert clocks in a Dali painting, but this whole sense of temporarily rising above the fold, taking a minute to reflect and then heading back down into a sea of chaos pretty much sums up my whole experience right now.

I’m going to get all dressed up, put on a gown (I’d really prefer it if they called it a robe, because that would make me feel like a king or a wizard or Hugh Hefner), have my named called and hear (hopefully) a bunch of people applaud. And then I go back into the Sea of Fog, obscurity—as Hunter S. Thompson put it, “straight into frantic oblivion . . . just another freak in the freak kingdom.”

It’s now time to make something of myself, though I’m not sure what that is going to be. I’ve always been successful, from the time the guidance counselor pulled me out of the third grade to do all these IQ tests and told me I was “gifted” to just last Friday when I was given a “certificate of excellence” by my college, but I’ve never felt quite content. And that’s probably because I’ve never quite found an enterprise that I could feel comfortable entirely devoting myself towards.

My time spent here at MPT has helped me meditate on just where to funnel my abilities. As someone who enjoys the arts, I am glad to see there are organizations out there who are trying to still support them in an age where dollar signs and immediate gratification are requisite for successful business. I spent a lot of time outdoors as a kid in the foothills of Appalachia up in Pennsylvania, so I’m especially glad to see there are organizations like MPT that are working to preserve the Chesapeake Bay.

And perhaps it’s because I have always been more than a little suspicious of change that preserving such institutions appeal to me. But, as much as I want to fight it, change is inevitable as the sun rise. So with the knowledge that there just might be some organization, some cause out there, that I can really buy into and believe in, I’ve got a little hope about things.

And now I’ve got to get on out there.

Thank you, MPT. You’ve been great.

Kevin Sunday
Communications Intern

Go Navy!

2008-04-30T13:32:00.005-04:00

Go Navy! I want to shout this every day since I have a son who’s a Navy pilot. But after watching Carrier the past few nights, I feel even more strongly about it.

There have been so many times while watching Carrier this week that I’ve thought “I know how this feels,” or “Yes, this is familiar.” The series started Sunday night with Navy families dockside, tears flowing. I relate as I remember speaking to my daughter-in-law on the phone while still a newlywed as she sobbed about her husband leaving for an extended period of time.

I relate when I hear the young men and women talk about enlisting because the Navy will allow them to pursue their college hopes and dreams. My son enlisted in the Navy. Since then he has completed his college degree, become an officer and now is a pilot. This is due to much hard work, but the Navy rewards hard work. If you are willing to put in the effort, the opportunities are there.

I relate when I see the USS Nimitz entering port in Hawaii with the crew surrounding the deck standing at attention. I’ve witnessed this first-hand at the port in San Diego when the USS Squall returned from a six-month tour. It is truly a majestic sight to see all those young men and women in crisp white uniforms. The band plays on shore and being part of this event makes your heart swell with pride and patriotism.

I can relate when the USS Nimitz heads to the Middle East. Although my son is no longer aboard a ship, I’ve faced the fear that fills you when your child goes to a war zone and is flying above hostile territory. And like those aboard the USS Nimitz, whether you agree with a war or not, you support the effort because it is your family and your country that is doing all they can do to ensure our freedom.

This is compelling television: It’s honest, it’s real, it’s hopeful. It’s full of pride, and positivity. Five thousand men and women, a vast number between 18 and 21, working as a cohesive team is impressive. Our youth can be counted on to perform. It’s refreshing to see when we are constantly inundated with news that our young people have gone astray.

If you haven’t seen Carrier, you’re missing the boat! (Pun intended!) Aside from the personal dynamics, the photography is amazing and the music is edgy. PBS has done all of us a favor by offering this to viewers.

Sue Vanskiver
Senior Administrative Assistant

Chesapeake Bay Week! (and Eatin' Crabs, hon!)

2008-04-18T14:33:00.004-04:00

It's been raining cats and dogs (some may say crabs, even!) the past two days here in Baltimore. Perfectly fitting as MPT kicks off its fourth annual Chesapeake Bay Week.

We've got a full roster of bay-themed programs lined up this week, including a lively little ditty called Eatin' Crabs Chesapeake Style that's—you guessed it—all about chowing down on the crabby crustaceans as only Chesapeakers can. (Sounds like Baltimore Sun restaurant critic and blogger Elizabeth Large will be tuning in!)

The program features local crab expert Whitey Schmidt and his “ten commandments” for eatin’ crabs, from picking the critters fresh from the water to knowing their peak season. The crab lover spent one summer visiting a whopping 275 crab houses and eating 3,000 crabs—all so he can tell YOU the best places to go and the best way to eat 'em.

For a full line up of Chesapeake Bay Week programming, visit www.mpt.org/bayweek.

Lovin' the skin I'm in

2008-04-14T12:38:00.004-04:00

On vacation every year in Florida, I couldn't wait til my dutiful grandfather left my side at the pool so I could change into the "skimpier" bikini. I then proceeded to wipe off any remaining sunblock Grandpa strongly enforced while shooting a sly wink at the lifeguard. He was now my partner in crime

Glistening blisters on my skin from my sunburn reminded me that perhaps I took it too far, though my uncomfortable memories seemed to fade by the next vacation.

I proudly displayed my tan lines back home like A's on an elementary school report card. No longer the pasty, fair-skinned redhead, I was a goddess of sorts—at least in my own biased assessment. What do you expect? I was in my early 20s and unstoppable!

Two years later at age 23, my vocabulary would soon expand. Gifted to me by my dermatologist were the words "malignant melanoma," "large excision," "five-year survival rate" as well as "reoccurrence." Now visualize a dog tilting his head in confusion! What this meant was that I had a serious skin cancer—the deadliest kind that could spread if not treated immediately.

The melanoma was found in a very small mole that was dark in color. Had it not been for my old boyfriend urging me to go to the dermatologist, I might not be blogging this happy tune.

I passed my five-year survival rate with flying colors and wound up with a second melanoma ten years after my first one. This one was again successfully removed during surgery, and I have a clean bill of health as I blog here today.

So what gives? I do the right thing (kind of like eating oatmeal every day). I wear sun block SPF 30 and carry a bottle wherever I go. I avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or wear long sleeves. I find shade when I can and wear sunglasses to protect my eyes. I visit my dermatologist every year and also check my skin monthly to look for changes.

I still wink at lifeguards whenever I get the chance, and have fond memories of the ten different bottles of sunblock lined up like proud soldiers in Grandpa's medicine cabinet. Grandpa, here's to looking at you, kid! As much as I hate to admit it, you were right!

Learn more about cancer—including living with cancer, managing the diagnosis, and cancer screening and prevention—later this week as MPT airs The Truth About Cancer Wednesday, April 16 at 9 p.m.

Jill R. Adler
Manager, Community Health Education
LifeBridge Health

Rich Woman!

2008-04-10T12:19:00.005-04:00

Most nights before turning in, I take one last survey through my favorite channels to see what’s on. Usually I settle on some reality show repeat on Bravo, TLC or MTV. But one particular night I stopped on MPT after seeing a woman standing in front of a screen with “RICH WOMAN” printed boldly behind her. This caught my attention. After watching a few minutes, I was captivated by this pledge program (yep, a pledge program!) encouraging women to acquire wealth.

The host of the show was a lady named Kim Kiyosaki who was trying to get her female audience to understand they have to take control of their finances. Surprisingly, she told them the time to start investing is now. A down market is a terrific time to invest, she explained to them. I was intrigued by this tidbit of information, especially with all of the news networks screaming the U.S. may enter a recession soon.

Who would have guessed that with interest rates plummeting and the stock market so volatile, women should throw their money hats in the ring? Not me, that’s for sure! Not until I heard from Kim. Along with three of her “girlfriends,” she chatted for nearly two hours about money. They spoke of their investment preferences; paper assets vs. real estate. They talked about women overcoming their fear of investing and taking control of their money. There were terms like “cash flow,” “options,” “mutual funds,” and “capital gains” being thrown around, and while it wasn’t easy to grab the complete definition of terms being used, it was inspiring to hear these women talk about money in a way that I could somewhat understand.

All the women stated time and time again that finance isn’t as hard as it seems. They wanted their female audience to understand that you don’t have to be a man to be independently wealthy. Any woman can learn the lingo and take the steps to become prosperous. Simple steps like educating yourself on the purpose of money, and sitting with your spouse quarterly to go over your family’s financial records go a long way. Over and over again they wanted women not to be intimidated by investing by reinforcing the “if-I-can-do-it-you-can-do-it” spirit.

There was one woman who, along with her husband, was a medical doctor and deeply in debt. (Normally I am not one to feel good about someone else’s misfortune, but two broke doctors made my financial situation seem much less bleak!) As I listened to her story one thing she said rang in my ears: she was working harder but was falling deeper and deeper in debt. That is not the work cycle I learned in school. My recollection was teachers telling us that the harder you work, the more successful you will be in all ways. Another woman was divorced with three children and homeless when she began taking steps to learn about acquiring wealth. These women were not only inspiring—they were brave. Instead of acting as though the situation was hopeless, they took it upon themselves to turn their financial circumstances around.

All three women were exceptionally inspirational and dynamic but, most importantly, easy to relate to. They made me think beyond how I normally do about money. As I finally drifted off to sleep, many questions stirred in my mind. Why can’t my money work harder for me? Why do I feel part of a rat race never really getting ahead financially? Do I want to look at my financial situation in ten years and see no real gain? And most importantly: What am I afraid of? And while I haven’t run out and opened an e-trade account just yet, I did sign up for a free options trading seminar. I’m educating myself and getting started with a new financial plan for me and my family. It’s time I find the Rich Woman in me. My family and my bank account will thank me for it!

Kamesha Milton
Manager, Research & Content Marketing

The ‘Austen formula’

2008-04-03T11:28:00.003-04:00

I’ve been looking forward to Sense and Sensibility (one part of Masterpiece’s highly anticipated series The Complete Jane Austen) for almost a year now. As a huge fan of both Pride and Prejudice and Bleak House—two miniseries with screenplays penned by the great Andrew Davies—I had high expectations. Not to mention, Sense and Sensibility is probably my favorite of the Austen novels since it was my first introduction to the world of pianofortes and Regency-era romantic entanglements. Before I read it, I wasn’t familiar with the “Austen formula,” so I experienced all the surprises and heartbreaks right along with the characters. Watching it Davies style brought back all those memories of stepping into the world of Austen characters: the Elinors and Mariannes, the Willoughbys and Colonel Brandons. It made me consider all the variables that come together to create the classic Austen formula.

Location is a key variable in the formula, especially a character’s home. This version of Sense and Sensibility seemed more true to life, exposing the struggles of living in an isolated cottage with little money (I couldn’t help but feel Davies infused a little bit of Bleak House into his screenplay adaptation). This particular version also takes Barton cottage and sets it by the sea amongst waves crashing against the rocks, which added that extra degree of intensity to the drama.

The second variable in the formula is character dynamics. The audience is left to decide whether they are more emotional like Marianne, more sensible like Elinor, shy and generous like Edward or arrogant like Willoughby. In this version (and not surprisingly), we get the added bonus of seeing intense dialogue between Willoughby and Colonel Brandon, where previous versions focused mainly on the perspectives of the sisters.

The third factor of the formula includes distinct romantic entanglements involving many tears, a great deal of patience and very long letters. The female protagonist reassesses her values and prejudices and ends up with the man she would have never in a million years considered at the beginning of the novel. In this version, however, I think that Davies does an excellent job of making the romantic relationships between characters believable. He establishes scene early on with a moving piano composition, where Marianne and Colonel Brandon grow closer through a shared love of music (to the point where I almost thought, well do they really even need to bother bringing Willoughby into the plot?).

The saddest thing about watching was realizing that I had to wait a week before seeing the second part of the series. Even though I’ve read it and seen two different versions, I was immersed in the plot as if I were encountering the world of Austen for the first time. The upside is that I have something to look forward to this Sunday.

(Part two of Sense and Sensibility airs on MPT Sunday, April 6th at 9 p.m.)

Susan Zagar
Intern, Leadership Giving

Bush's War

2008-04-01T14:32:00.004-04:00

I use television to keep abreast of sports, politics and news, but, for the most part, have to look somewhere else to find discussion of substance. It’s a shame when the most truthful team of political analysts is a pair of comedians, Stewart and Colbert.

For example, I’m conflicted about Iraq. The reasoning and the dialogue about it changes every day, and I don’t know what to think. Just as politicians line up and down on one side or the other of the aisle to spew partisan rhetoric, so do the news networks. They say they don’t, but on issues so divisive, you have to pick which audience you want to pander to. And that’s a shame, but that’s business.

So it was refreshing last week to watch the Frontline two-part series about Iraq, Bush’s War. The second part of the program was especially sobering, as that morning The New York Times ran a three-page spread of letters and e-mails from falling soldiers, as well as pictures of the most recent 1,200 to die in the war. One of my good friends from home is about to head to Baghdad, and I pray I don’t see his face someday in The New York Times.

Five years into the war, Frontline attempted to explain how we got into this mess. It’s no secret that partisan squabbling and interagency wrangling got in the way of developing clear objectives, but, for once, the whole story, as we can imagine it so far, was presented in one narrative rather than a day-long news cycle of beating a story to death and then forgetting about it.

History is always a work in progress, and by no means was Frontline’s take on the war a completely unbiased account. No work of journalism is, whether it’s about the governors of New York or a high school basketball game. But it is important to try to develop some sense of connection between past and present, or we won’t have a sense of where we’re going.

So, much to my surprise, there is decent television to be found. Once music videos, vapid reality television, celebrity gossip, talking heads and the rest of the riffraff wears thin, it’s not a bad bet to stop once or twice by MPT before turning off the channel. Who knows what you’ll find.

Kevin Sunday
Communications Intern

What, no internet?

2008-03-26T15:33:00.005-04:00

Driving home from work Friday night, I noticed a telephone pole down across the street from my condo. It didn’t register much until I got home. Then, like a bolt of lighting, it hit me. The telephone service is out, which means no internet service for those of us still using dial-up. Yes, it’s true. I work in media and still use dial-up. Perhaps the impetus for change is getting closer now.

During the dark days of this particular weekend, I was without the internet. As an internet addict and Google junkie, this left me panic-stricken and trembling. Besides the four trips I took to Panera Bread to access the internet and a few “drive bys” at my sister’s house, I was woefully without internet access for three days.

But don’t fret, my friends. During the darkness I found slivers of light. Chores were accomplished, and I found time to tune into some cooking shows on MPT. In a previous post, I mentioned my love for Lidia Bastianich, host of the scrumptious PBS Italian cooking show Lidia’s Italy. I caught an episode of Lidia’s travels to a quaint Italian town known for its delectable coffee. The town was reminiscent of Venice, with welcoming outdoor cafés and romantic waterways.

On this particular episode, Lidia recreated the complicated coffee drinks at home. Coffee never looked so good and complex. Quite honestly, I’m a Dunkin Donuts girl; I like my coffee weak and fast. Lidia took her time preparing rich specialty drinks using several shiny contraptions in a sequence. Too complicated for me, but it was beautiful to watch. She makes it look effortless, but I know better.

Still without internet access, I treated myself to more, thinking that this could get pretty addictive. I also caught most of Julia Child: Lessons with Master Chefs. Surely you know Julia, the famous master chef with a love for rich French food. Butter and cream make frequent appearances in her dishes. What’s great about Julia is her interest in learning from other master chefs. She takes in something from each chef that accompanies her on the show and incorporates these tidbits into her own cooking. Julia is relaxed, yet classy and charming. She is elegant in speech, lively in attitude and comforting like a pair of fuzzy slippers on a cold day.

But it’s not all about the women and elegance. Listen up, guys, I saw a show that’s just for you, it involves three things you might be able to appreciate: meat, grilling and beer. If you tune into Barbeque University, hosted by Steven Raichlen, you will find a meat-lovers paradise. For the meat timid, like me, I had to squint a few times and look away from the screen, because this is the real deal. Whole sides of beef and enormous ribs are displayed like art and dangle in front of the camera for your viewing pleasure (or pain, as it may be). If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, surely beef is a man’s close companion. I have an appreciation for all food, even if it’s food I don’t eat. So for those carnivores, go for it, tune into Barbeque U. and get your grill on. This is the perfect show to get you ready for spring barbeques and claim your stake as grill king.

Eventually the phone line got fixed and I went back to Google, my pacifier and gateway to the world. But I realized a few things over the course of the weekend. Some I already knew.

1. I am addicted to Google (I already knew that.)
2. Raw meat and fish still freak me out (I knew that, too.)
3. I trust MPT to keep airing quality shows that expand my mind.

Perhaps next time I won’t wait until the phone lines are down to sit and take in a few good shows. Perhaps it’s also time to throw in the towel and get broadband.

Leslie Adler
Marketing Manager, Education Projects

'Deep depth'

2008-03-19T16:45:00.006-04:00

When it comes to our roster of political analysts, we have “deep depth” (as Yogi Berra used to say). But we’re always looking for new angles and new combinations. The trick is to find guests who can offer both partisan spin and dispassionate analysis, and can also disagree without being disagreeable.

So we’re really excited that our production team has been able to line up Michael Steele and Parris Glendening to join us in a few days on Direct Connection.

Former Gov. Glendening was a two-term Democratic governor, the only non-lawyer I can recall serving in that office. Mr. Glendening had been a professor of political science at the University of Maryland, so he brings to the table both a theoretical and practical background in the art of politics.

Michael Steele used to be one of our regulars, debating local issues every few weeks on State Circle. That was before he became chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, then Maryland’s Lt. Governor, and now, as chairman of GOPAC, one of the most visible figures in national Republican politics.

Gov. Glendening and Lt. Gov Steele are scheduled to join us here at MPT on Monday March 24 at 7:30 p.m. for Direct Connection. We anticipate an interesting discussion, and, of course, welcome your calls and email at 1-800-926-0629 and directconnection@mpt.org.

Jeff Salkin

Host, Direct Connection

PBS does reality TV!

2008-03-18T13:49:00.002-04:00

PBS has finally jumped on the reality television bandwagon, except—unlike some of the more, errr, dubious reality TV shows gracing the airwaves these days—it’s really, really good.

The new series is called Carrier (airing April 27th-May 1st), and it chronicles the ins and outs of daily life in the high-stakes world of a nuclear aircraft carrier. The show follows a core cast of real-life characters aboard the USS Nimitz—a whopping hulk of ship (a floating city, really) that’s 24 stories high and three football fields long that carries more than 5,000 Navy personnel and 85 military aircraft.

Filmed from May to November 2005, nearly 2,000 hours of high-definition video were captured for Carrier during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf (three months of which were spent in combat in support of the ground troops). For the first time, a television series takes a raw and personal look at the Navy’s role in this controversial war.

Get a sneak peek of Carrier Wednesday, March 19 (tomorrow!) at 10 p.m. on MPT. In the meantime, whet your appetite with the clip below.

We test 'em: digital converter boxes

2008-03-13T15:34:00.006-04:00

(Above: A digital converter box in MPT's break room. Easy to install! And kinda cute!)

In less than a year, we’ll be saying goodbye to analog TV. But you don’t have to buy a new set to continue watching free, over-the-air television.

I’ve been doing some research that I’d like to share with you. My $40 coupons towards the price of a digital converter box have arrived. They look just like credit cards complete with an expiration date, which is approximately 90 days from the date you receive the card. With the card comes a list of merchants in your area who have the decoders along with “rules” for using the card. In this area, converter boxes are now available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack and Wal-Mart.

Best Buy is selling the Insignia NS-DXA1 converter box; Circuit City and Radio Shack are selling the Zenith DTT900. The Insignia and Zenith boxes, manufactured by LG are the identical (except for the logos) with a retail price is $59.99. Wal-Mart is selling the Magnavox TB100MW9 for $49.87.

Is there a $10.12 difference? In my opinion, there is. The Magnavox decoder does not include audio and video cables and you cannot change channel without the remote. The Magnavox remote is not user friendly and doesn’t have the ability to mute or control the volume level on your TV where as Insignia/Zenith/LG come with full function remotes.

In my test, all the boxes were able to acquire the same digital signals. Setup is easy; each box has a built-in tutorial or an 800 number to call for assistance. Antenna placement may be critical for an acceptable signal, but when done correctly, the digital picture is crystal clear.

Go buy a converter box now and start enjoying digital television on your old analog set. It’s easier than you think!

George Beneman
VP Technology

Yes, we rock.

2008-03-11T12:21:00.004-04:00

Yeah, yeah, we know what you’re thinking. Public television rocks? MPT rocks? My grandmother watches MPT.

Yes, while we do admit to being popular with grandmothers throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, northern Virginia and parts of Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, we are also popular with area rockers, music fans and people who just like it loud. Case in point: Kasabian. The British rockers made a special appearance on MPT’s weekly arts show ArtWorks This Week a few months back. In case you missed it, we’ve posted the video (which includes live footage shot at DC’s 9:30 Club) on our new YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/user/MarylandPublicTV). Proof that we do, in fact, rock. Enjoy.

Budget mysteries revealed!

2008-03-06T11:05:00.005-05:00

As you may or may not know, MPT gets about one third of its budget from the state. Each year, we go through a lengthy process to prepare and present our budget to the Maryland General Assembly. But what really goes on in Annapolis when it comes to the budget of your favorite public television station? As MPT’s Chief Operating Officer, I’d thought I’d step in and shed some light on a somewhat mysterious—and yes, at some times, confusing!—process

The Maryland General Assembly is in session from January to April of each year. This is when new legislation is discussed and may become law. It's also the time of year that the legislature reviews the overall state budget. Maryland is a bit different from most states in that the legislature can only cut from the budget submitted by the governor. This means nothing can be added, so you really need to make sure that all your needs are met in the budget submitted by the governor.

The process really begins for MPT in August when we submit our budget to the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In general, state agencies are asked to submit no more than a certain dollar figure (generally last year’s budget amount) and anything above that needs to go into an “over the target” request. Over a several month period, the budget request is reviewed by DBM and the agency is asked to respond to questions and concerns. In the fall, the DBM analyst makes his or her recommendations. The agency will then respond to the recommendations. The final budget is included as part of the overall state budget submitted to the legislature for approval in December or early January.

At this point, the legislative budget analyst reviews the agency’s budget and looks for places to cut. A few days before the budget hearing, the agency will receive the analyst’s recommendations and will respond directly to the committee hearing their budget.

MPT management generally tries to meet with the members of our budget committees (both the House and the Senate) prior to the hearings. The purpose of these meetings is to insure that each committee member understands the value that MPT brings to the citizens of Maryland. Once this series of meetings is complete, it’s time to attend the actual hearings. These hearings are open to the public, and MPT management is called to testify. The hearings can be long with much discussion depending upon the agency and the issues they face. (This year our hearing in the Senate was very short. This was due in some part to the fact that the analyst recommended no cuts to our budget.) We then repeat the process in the House. If there are issues then we would also attend a “decision hearing” in both the House and Senate.

As I mentioned earlier, MPT receives about one third of its budget from the state. We raise the rest of our budget on our own from members and underwriters and a variety of other sources. We are proud to be a state agency and appreciate the support provided by the state. MPT is ranked within the top ten public television stations in the country, thanks not only to state funding, but the generous support of public television fans like you.

Larry Unger
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Death by a thousand cuts

2008-02-27T16:11:00.005-05:00

Looking back on it now, I realize that I took Lake Redman and Lake Williams for granted while I was growing up in York County, Pennsylvania. The lakes were a three- mile drive, bike ride or walk from my house. They were the first things I would see on the highway coming into town and the last things I would see as I would leave. Even though York is nowhere near the level of hustle and bustle of Baltimore, it was always nice to go out to the woods where there was nothing but the quiet sense of reflection that nature brings. Always sort of a backdrop to the area, I could never really imagine what the idyllic lakeside would look like if developers were left to run rampant and build as much as they wanted to, right up to and on top of the shoreline.

Previewing Weary Shoreline: The Chesapeake Bay's Death by a Thousand Cuts—which airs on MPT tonight at 9 p.m.—was a shock to me. All along the Chesapeake Bay, industrial complexes and residential communities are being thrown up on top of one of the most important areas of the bay’s health—the shoreline. Granted, having a bayside home affords many luxuries: a great view, easy access to fishing and sailing, a sense of detachment from the chaos of city living. But those shorelines are one of the most vital areas of concern for the bay’s health. Shoreline development leads to deforestation, which leads to increased sedimentation, which basically means a bunch of mud and dirt washes into the bay.

What’s the big deal about that? Well, the more dirt that gets pushed into the bay, the more cloudy the water gets. One of the most important species essential for bay health is what’s called Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, or SAVs. Not only do they break down CO2, (which gives underwater creatures much-needed oxygen) but they also provide homes for baby crabs as they turn from larvae into adults. Dirty water cuts off the supply of sunlight to the SAVs, putting the entire habitat in danger.

Another problem the SAVs face is that the more people that live bayside, the more people there are that want to sail and boat. The more people that want to sail and boat, the less they want these huge underwater vegetative forests to clog up their motors or tickle their feet as they swim. So what happens? The SAVs get cut down en masse.

You might say, “Yeah, all you’re doing is getting worked up about mud and some underwater plants.” In a way, yes. But these plants are one of the most important species necessary for the continued survival of the blue crab. This year’s blue crab harvest was the lowest, I believe, in 15 years. The crab is one of Maryland’s biggest and most famous exports, and gives the bay a sense of uniqueness. Should we as a community fail to keep the crab thriving, we will all be guilty of letting a beautiful natural resource go to waste.

Watching Weary Shoreline tonight will certainly make you think about what’s best for us and what’s best for the bay. Check it out and see what you think.

Kevin Sunday
Communications Intern

Weary Shoreline

2008-02-25T16:43:00.002-05:00

Everyone loves a good waterfront view, but most of us have probably never stopped to think about what price local ecosystems pay for waterfront development.

As the Maryland General Assembly meets to debate new, stricter regulations on Chesapeake Bay waterfront development, MPT will air a riveting new program that examines Maryland’s Critical Area Law. Weary Shoreline, airing Wednesday, February 27 at 9 p.m., explores how Maryland’s Critical Area Law—enacted in 1984 to preserve sensitive Chesapeake Bay shoreline by limiting growth—has instead fostered development, lawlessness and community animus through its complexity and ambiguity.

The program is featured on today's Baltimore Sun’s Bay & Environment Blog. Read all about it here.

CENTERSTAGE and MPT: The Company We Keep

2008-02-20T15:13:00.003-05:00

Tonight’s Great Performances production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company has an ironic Baltimore connection that might not be obvious to MPT audiences. While viewers watch Barbara’s Walsh’s amazing rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch,” she’ll be right here in Baltimore working on another Sondheim classic as CENTERSTAGE prepares our production of A Little Night Music, which opens in our Pearlstone Theater on March 13th. She’ll be joined here at CENTERSTAGE by her Company co-star Amy Justman—and a cast of other Broadway veterans including Polly Bergen, Stephen Bogardus, and Maxwell Caufield—actors of a caliber usually not seen outside of New York or Los Angeles.

CENTERSTAGE is proud to bring such a celebrated cast to town—and appreciates MPT for its ongoing commitment to the performing arts. We share a mission of showcasing the best artists in the country and making professional theater available to people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds. As a producing theater, CENTERSTAGE rehearses, designs, and presents our plays exclusively for Baltimore audiences. The Broadway-caliber cast of A Little Night Music won’t be packing up and moving on to a new city when the show closes. This jewel of a production is exclusive to our theater—and our city.

With shows like Great Performances and ArtWorks This Week, MPT proves that the arts are vital and alive—not only in New York and Los Angeles, but right here in Baltimore. CENTERSTAGE encourages Baltimore area theater lovers to show their support to MPT in return.

A Little Night Music
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler
March 13—April 13, 2008 at CENTERSTAGE

Michael Ross
Managing Director, CENTERSTAGE

Spicy!

2008-02-04T16:11:00.000-05:00

So I know my last blog entry was a tear-jerker, but after a Super Bowl Sunday filled with good-time cooking and rowdy television watching, I need to confess my simple, unadulterated love for a show on MPT I just discovered: America’s Test Kitchen.

You may have already guessed that this entry isn’t going to be deep. And, to be frank, beyond ATK (that’s my new shorthand for American’s Test Kitchen), it’s going to focus on pretty much one thing: HOT AND SOUR SOUP. Believe it or not, I’ve only recently discovered this delightful Chinese soup. Tasting it was a sensory revelation. Two of my favorite tastes—hot AND sour—in ONE soup? With meat? And mushrooms? And tofu? Oh my gosh, you’ve got to be kidding. I love this soup.

Until yesterday afternoon, it's makeup was veiled in secrecy. But now, thanks to ATK, I can actually make it at home with ingredients from an average supermarket. Watching the ATK cooks make hot and sour soup really took the mystery out of the dish. Now I know what makes it sour (vinegar) and what makes it spicy (white pepper). The hosts/cooks broke down what’s what in the recipe, explaining the more exotic ingredients (like black Chinese vinegar) that can be difficult to find and suggesting easy-to-find alternatives (a combination of red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar). They even walked viewers through a no-fail method of “wisping” the egg just so. That’s helpful for a sometimes-clueless cook like myself. (Plus, because the ATK folks test recipes 50, 60 even 70 times each, you know everything they feature is gonna taste good.)

Also appreciated was their no-nonsense discussion of corn starch. Who knew the soft, powdery stuff could be so versatile in Chinese cooking? (Their reviews of non-stick pans were also very cool.)

Now that I’ve totally gotten myself in the mood for hot and sour soup, I’m contemplating take-out. I know, I know. But next time! I promise, next time I’ll cook it myself…

Jessica Leshnoff
Communications Specialist & Blog Administrator

Coldplay kid

2008-01-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

A guitar teacher friend of mine handed me a CD one day and said, “Check out this band. They’re going to be big.” As it turns out, the band was Coldplay and the album was "Parachutes." The production was sparse and the music had an intimate quality to it. I also heard it described as “Radiohead before they went off the deep end.”

When I heard they were going to be on PBS’ Austin City Limits, I figured it may be my best chance to see them live considering I’m a parent whose biggest social dilemma is which Redbox movie to rent. Austin City Limits has always been very hip in my book. I remember seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn for the first time on the show about 20 years ago, and 80s retro band The Killers about a year ago.

I Tivo’d Coldplay’s performance on Austin City Limits a while back and played it back one afternoon while I was working around the house. My three-year-old son Matthew—who is, of course, a destructive, short-attention-spanned little boy that was just learning to walk at the time—stood transfixed in front of the TV during the show. I had never seen anything stop him in his tracks like this concert did. (Luckily, I taped it. You can watch the video right here on the blog.)

Being a musician myself, I could only hope it was some sort of defining moment where he discovered how cool music really is and was fascinated by seeing made in front of his eyes. (Either that or it was just really loud. Anyway you look at it, it was a very cool show, much cheaper then a ticket, plus you could pause it for a potty break.) The best part about Austin City Limits is when they pan around the audience to show the applause. I swear these are the same people on those Billy Mays infomercials. Check it out yourself, though. You’ll never watch the show the same way again.

Working at MPT, I’m lucky to work in an environment that fosters creativity in every aspect. There are tons of musicians in the building from sr. VPs to the security guard and I’m lucky enough to play in a band with two of them (actually, one present, one former). Interested? Come check out MPT’s own Poseable Action Figures at a bar near you. MPT…no commercials….no mercy.

Aaron Harris
Associate Producer (& guitarist/vocalist for Poseable Action Figures)

The woman behind NOVA: Paula Apsell

2008-01-28T15:15:00.000-05:00

So you’re the world’s biggest NOVA fan. Or maybe you’re on the hunt for advice on how to break into public television production. You’re in luck.

MPT recently took some time out to interview Paula Apsell, senior executive producer of NOVA. Hers is the ultimate story of perseverance and success. Apsell joined WGBH Boston straight out of college, taking on the very unglamorous task of typing the station’s daily television program log. Decades later, she’s at the helm of America’s favorite science show.

The interview is the latest in MPT’s new podcast series, where we talk to big names in public television and find out how they got where they are today.

Click here to listen to the interview. (You can also download it to any portable mp3 player.)

Anyone and Everyone

2008-01-18T14:50:00.000-05:00

When parents or family members first find out that their child is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered (GLBT), the reaction varies. Some accept the fact unconditionally because their love for their child is overwhelming. Others, however, react differently. Their emotions range from shock, disbelief and disappointment to outright hostility. They sometimes blame themselves and also feel alone.

At PFLAG-Columbia/Howard County, we demonstrate to parents with gay children that they are not alone. The parents’ reactions are common and through support, they ultimately realize that their child is the same person he or she was before the disclosure. It is OK to be gay. It is OK to love the child. Getting this message out to parents is a challenge for PFLAG. With so many in denial initially, they tend not to reach out for support and absorb this new development internally. That is not healthy for the parent or the child.

The documentary that MPT is airing tonight—Anyone and Everyone—at 9 p.m. will send a message to those who would not take that first important step and seek support. Viewers will see that being gay transcends cultures and religions. It will show that parents should not feel alienated and will hopefully stop blaming themselves or the child.

Our goal is that the resources that will be offered through the live phone bank tonight (800-222-1292) will stem this alienation. There are varied and complex reasons why some need support. The referrals from the phone bank should be able to match the resource to the need.

PFLAG’s involvement in the phone bank will serve to allay the fears of parents who call, or children who are having difficulties at home or school because of their sexual orientation. We will inform them about our chapter’s mission, when and where we meet and offer information that will mitigate the caller’s fears. We have a very successful Parents Support Group that is comprised of folks who have had that initial negative reaction, but have completed the journey to full acceptance and advocacy to improve the lives of their children.

Our youth group, the Rainbow Youth Alliance, consists of GLBT youth and heterosexual allies, ages 13-22. They meet twice a month, facilitated by young adults, in a safe location where they can draw support form each other and also form social contacts. Our chapter launched a scholarship program last year, and the success of this group has served as a model for other PFLAG chapters.

The chapter also has older members who are GLBT, with many living successfully in committed long-term relationships. These members are valuable to the chapter as not only do they volunteer their time to help the chapter achieve its goals, but also serve as role models for the GLBT youth. They also demonstrate to the parents that their child has a very good chance to grow up living his or her life in a happy, stable, loving relationship.

MPT should be congratulated for helping to open doors that need opening.

PFLAG-Columbia/Howard County

http://www.pflagmd.org/

The power of forgiveness

2008-01-16T15:06:00.000-05:00

Everyone makes some sort of improve-your-life resolution this time of year. Like many of us, I’m grateful for my family and my health and have resolved to strengthen both. While I have yet to kick my workouts into high gear (tomorrow, I promise!), I consciously try to strengthen my relationships with my closest family every day. I cherish and enjoy my moments with these blessed people and I’m mindful of every single day that I have with them—no matter how difficult the day (or person!) may be.

My work on MPT’s Campaign for Love and Forgiveness has magnified the importance and impact of love and forgiveness in my life over the last year. There are many paths to forgiveness, and it’s something that must be practiced every day. The Prayer in America documentary recently broadcast on MPT explored different ways that Americans use prayer, including asking for strength and guidance to forgive others and oneself. A recent Direct Connection episode (available on MPT's YouTube page) highlighted the experiences and perspectives of Dr. Gordon Livingston on this topic. Dr. Livingston is a local author and psychologist who has written books and lectures widely from the perspective of a parent who has lost a child.

This week we’ll be airing the documentary Anyone and Everyone, which illustrates the strong bond of love between parent and child. Through the stories of parents of gay youth from various religions and cultures, we learn important and universal lessons about love and acceptance. During broadcast of this moving film on Friday, January 18 from 9-10:30 p.m., MPT will open our phone lines (800-222-1292) to refer viewer calls to local support services, spiritual resources and related organizations to strengthen families of gay youth.

Turns out that there’s a health benefit to love and forgiveness, too. A recent Baltimore Sun article cites new research that forgiveness may be “medicine for the body.” Other studies have illustrated that “forgiveness interventions…can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, and boost overall quality of life.” The upcoming documentary The Power of Forgiveness (airing on MPT March 19) traces some of this research and explores recent notable stories of forgiveness. Apparently, love + forgiveness = stronger bodies. Who knew?

So it turns out I’m killing two resolutions with one love & forgiveness stone. Pretty good deal. Here’s wishing all of you a strong, healthy and love-filled 2008!

Faith E. Michel
Director of Community Outreach Initiatives

From Romania to Brooklyn

2008-01-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

The last time I made a point of watching a TV show was probably sometime around 1991, and—while I’m sheepish to admit it—there’s a good chance it was Beverly Hills 90210. Since then, it’s coincidental when I actually remember to sit down and watch something. So when my cell phone alarm started manically buzzing and beeping at 8:45 Wednesday night, it took me a minute to register why I set it in the first place. Aha! I was supposed to watch The Jewish Americans, a new three-part PBS documentary about the history of Jews in the United States. I figured it would be good to watch. Worst case scenario, it’d be less than thrilling and I might absorb a little something I didn’t know before. Best case scenario, I may actually manage to learn about my ancestry.

Two days later, I’m still flabbergasted by how much it helped me understand my heritage. As I watched the show, it was like all these disparate pieces of my life and memory finally came together—all the stories my grandmother told me about growing up in Brooklyn and Bayonne, New Jersey; what my father told me about his mother’s immigration to Philadelphia; the mysterious class trips we had in Hebrew school to Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Everything that didn’t quite gel from my Jewish American history class from college started to make sense.

I’ve always thought there’s a big disconnect between knowing something and truly understanding it. When you truly understand something, you can feel it—it becomes palpable. I knew that, generations ago, my family immigrated to America from Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Lithuania on my father’s side; Romania and Belarus on my mother’s), but I didn’t feel it. There was a disconnect. The show made their experiences a lot more tangible. It finally occurred to me how hard they must have struggled to make it here—living in cramped quarters, desperately trying to feel comfortable in a foreign place while holding onto to their roots, struggling just to get by.

It’s mind-blowing to me that here I am, just two generations later on my father’s side and three generations on my mother’s, as American as can be. Unlike my grandparents and great grandparents, I’ve never struggled to be Jewish. And I’ve been lucky to grow up and live in areas (northern New Jersey outside of New York City, Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs and now Baltimore) where I can feel 100 percent comfortable as a practicing Jew. I wonder if my ancestors could have possibly imagined that not even a hundred years later, all of their sacrifices, their long trip across the ocean to live freely as Jews and embrace an unknown country would result in someone like me—a feisty journalist and public television employee who’s as thoroughly American as she is Jewish.

As I stared at the television screen, I felt immeasurable gratitude to these ancestors (most of whom, with the exception of my paternal grandmother, I never met) who risked everything to come to America. That they decided to leave the comfort, customs and language of their homelands to travel thousands of miles for freedom and opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families. (If they hadn’t left when they did, there’s a strong possibility they would have been killed by the Nazis and I wouldn’t be here at all.)

This summer, it will be eight years since my grandmother’s passing. She was my mother’s mother, my best friend and confidante. She used to tell me stories of how she spent her youngest years in a cramped two-room tenement in Brooklyn. “I had to share a bed with my grandmother,” she’d recollect as we sipped coffee together in her apartment. Her brothers put wooden chairs together as makeshift beds next to their sister and grandmother. Her mother—my great grandmother who spoke mostly Yiddish—always managed to make something out of nothing, and served steaming hot food—recipes from the old country, I’m sure—from a single bowl in the middle of the family table. Her father was a tailor, and her grandmother was so observant that she fasted every day that the Torah was read aloud in synagogue. The day she graduated college (a big deal for sure), “You know what I did afterwards?” she’d ask me with equal parts laughter and heartbreak. “I came home and scrubbed my mother’s kitchen floor on my hands and knees.” It was only through hard work and a whopping dose of elbow grease that her large family got by. But they did. And after watching The Jewish Americans, I wish more than ever that she was here today to tell me more stories from her youth.

My father’s mother came to America when she was 14 years old. Her family immigrated here to save theirs lives, bringing only what they could carry in their arms. They were fleeing a widespread hatred of the Jews, specifically the Cossacks—skilled militants on horseback—sent by the czar with specific instructions to kill any Jew within sight. (She told my father stories of how she and her sisters would hide under the family table while the Cossacks came through town.) When she arrived here, she was put in the third grade—as a teenager. She studied and studied and skipped ahead, grade after grade. She read aloud from the dictionary before she went to bed and lost her strong Russian accent. Anne, my late grandmother, grew into a beautiful American woman—a seamstress and beautician, a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

To my grandmothers and grandfathers, great grandparents and great-great grandparents, I never knew most of you, but thank you. Thank you for struggling for my sake, and the sake of my children and my children’s children. Thank you for making the long and unfamiliar journey here, and having faith in this wonderful country and making it your own. I’m a Jewish American and I couldn’t be more proud.

(The remaining two parts of The Jewish Americans air on MPT Wednesday, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 at 9 p.m.)

Jessica Leshnoff
Communications Specialist & Blog Administrator

Mother Maybelle and me

2008-01-09T13:18:00.000-05:00

Back in early December, I was checking the results of a TiVo “wishlist” search for one of my favorite actors, Robert Duvall. To my surprise, one of the results was for a show that aired on MPT December 19th. The American Experience program’s title was The Carter Family: Will the Circle Be Unbroken. TiVo is great for finding programming like this. After looking at the program description, I saw that Robert Duvall was the narrator! I thought this might be pretty good, so I set it up to record.

Now, I’m just a country boy at heart and even though I was raised on late 60s and 70s heavy metal, through the years I’ve somehow developed an affinity for old-time country music, folk and bluegrass. Sometimes my wife calls me a hick or a hillbilly. Maybe she’s right. But these types of music truly speak of the human condition, running the entire gamut of emotion. They tell stories of sorrow, grief, and depression, but also of hope, prosperity and love. They also tell stories of our history, and people that passed before us. But above all, this music just makes us feel good. I once heard an old bluegrass musician say that you could take the most depressing theme for a song, play it ninety miles-per-hour on a banjo and people would start clapping and tapping their feet.

The Carter family was no exception in that respect. I knew a little bit about their history, but the American Experience program filled in the gaps. Springing from the mountains of southwest Virginia, three brilliant musical talents came together to truly become “The First Family of Country Music.” There was A.P. Carter, whose drive, ambition and ability to find and pull songs out of those mountains (and then arrange them), which laid the solid foundation for the group. His wife, Sara, lent her powerful, haunting voice, and his sister-in-law, Maybelle—with her innovative “scratch” guitar style—became what was perhaps the backbone of the group.

They rose to prominence in the 1920s and continued to record and play through the early 1940s. As the American Experience website says, “The Carter Family sang of love and loss, desperation and joy, and their music captured the attention of a nation entering the darkest days of the depression.” The Carter Family’s music helped people through that depression and gave them hope for the future. They truly became a big part of our musical heritage.

I must admit that I’m a very frustrated guitarist. A few days after the show aired, I did some web searches for the “Carter scratch guitar style.” One link took me to a website selling a CD for learning the “Maybelle Carter Guitar Style.” I figured that for $17.50 it might be worth it. It arrived the other day, and I think I can learn some things from it. So maybe if I practice everyday until my fingers bleed, six months from now I might be able to play “Wildwood Flower” and sound somewhat like “Mother Maybelle”! That would be quite an accomplishment for me—and I could thank MPT, PBS, TiVo and Robert Duvall!

Mike Shriver
Computer Network Systems Administrator

Roadshow in the house!

2008-01-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

The day has finally arrived! Season 12 of PBS smash hit Antiques Roadshow kicks off with three episodes filmed right here in our own Baltimore!

For a sneak peak, check out the Baltimore Sun preview in today’s paper—there’s even some video to watch. Big finds include a World Championship jacket worn by Colts legend Johnny Unitas and four rare American Indian artifacts valued at $130,000 to $200,000!

We’re so excited, we’re just bursting at the seams here at MPT. (Many of us volunteered over the summer when Antiques Roadshow rolled into town—we’ll have some personal stories for you soon all about that.) So throw some popcorn into the microwave, sit back and join MPT tonight at 8 p.m.! The Baltimore episodes continue Monday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.

What would Jane do?

2008-01-04T15:32:00.000-05:00

(adapted from MPT’s January Tea Times newsletter)

My wife is 55 years old. She loves many things “Jane.” (That would be the late British novelist Jane Austen.) Most of these things are in print (the Jane books, biographies and so on) or on video (the Jane British TV mini-series and, of course, the Jane movies). She calls them “bonnet movies.” But she doesn’t know about the Republic of Pemberley yet.

Two of the hottest things these days are social networking and online video. I’m thinking Jane might be a fan of both. But I might be wrong. On the one hand, Jane wouldn't have to venture too far into the world to experience these things (seems fitting). She could do so with a great degree of discretion (also in line with her style). And she could observe, synthesize and comment as she saw fit (right on the money). On the other hand, she might simply shun the Internet all together. In the happy circumstance that Jane would venture online, I’d direct her first to Republic of Pemberley, an entire world dedicated to all things Jane (and done so with a great deal of taste).

The site began sometime around July 1996 as a spin-off of AUSTEN-L, an email discussion list, and evolved into a message board for fans nutty about the Pride and Prejudice BBC television mini-series. While “the Republic,” as its known to its devotees, does not claim to be the site for all Jane information and discussion, it does claim to be the destination for true Jane “obsessives.”

A tight-knit, intimate community, the Republic aspires to exude a bit of attitude what they characterize as “polite with a bite”—a delicious and wholly appropriate tagline. Its creators maintain the Republic is one of the most civil places on the Internet, a distinction the community prizes and cultivates through emulation of Jane’s own honest, moral and forthright ways. When you resonate with its tone, visiting the site is all the more fun. But beware: part of the attitude involves frankly matriarchal governance. But when you get down to it, it’s all about gushing over Jane.

So stop by the Republic of Pemberley as you sit back and prepare to watch fourteen hours of great Jane adaptations coming to MPT beginning Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. I know my wife will!

Eric Eggleton
Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer

The times, they are a changin'

2007-12-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

I had the distinct pleasure a couple months ago to witness my eight-year-old grandson, Ethan, at his first Bob Dylan concert. I know, there must be some of you asking, “What are these people thinking taking an eight-year-old to a Dylan concert?”

First and foremost, you need to know Ethan to understand. He’s the coolest eight-year-old you could ever know, and he’s been a huge Dylan fan since he was four. I’m willing to bet no one out there knows a four-year-old who has or had a Dylan poster in his bedroom, or a six-year-old as transfixed as he was by PBS’ No Direction Home (under the watchful eye of his parents, of course).

Ethan’s birthday was the week of the concert, and his parents decided it was finally ok for him to go to a concert. So off he went with his dad, grandfather and two uncles—a real guys’ night out. His family made certain he had the entire experience including tailgating with his favorite food, a game of football, and, of course, the required purchase of a Dylan t-shirt.

When I met them inside the concert gates, Ethan was leaning on the rail, binoculars up, looking at the opening act and ready to burst from excitement to see “the man” himself. It was a sobering experience for me to see my grandson at a concert, realizing he was old enough to be there. Where has the time gone?

I hear Ethan was somewhat disappointed because he didn’t hear his favorite song, Hurricane, and he couldn’t tell what was being played because Dylan changes his music so dramatically in concert. The favorites are there, just with music that’s not what you’re used to hearing. If you catch the words, you know; if you don’t catch the words, you don’t know. Regardless, it was a night I’m sure Ethan will never forget, nor will I.

Bob, if you see this, know that one of your biggest fans is just a kid and you still have what it takes to enthrall. For my part, there’s truly no direction home after experiencing a Dylan concert. Life just feels a little different and a little better for having been there.

Sue Vanskiver
Senior Administrative Assistant

PBS video extravaganza: online and FREE!

2007-12-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

Sit at your computer more than your couch these days? Join the club.

Whether you’re prone to watching on-demand videos at 3 a.m. or just an overcaffeinated multitasker, PBS has got you covered with an online video hub full of favorites. The site (pbs.org/video) features everything from Frontline and the NewsHour to NOVA, classic Julia Child, Wide Angle, History Dectectives and Independent Lens. Definitely worth checking out.

Cheese glorious cheese!

2007-12-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

As a wine lover (though my friends prefer to call me a “wine snob”) and former pasta addict, I’m right at home in Lidia’s Italy. Airing on MPT Saturdays at 3 p.m., Lidia Bastianich brings hearty Italian cuisine to the screen with ease.

Why do I love Lidia’s Italy? Let me count the ways. She is real, she is comfortable and she is extremely likeable. Watching her show is like coming home to a warm hug and a plate of love.

So on Saturday afternoons while folding laundry and snacking on another insipid rice cake, I let Lidia take me away to a magical place overflowing with wine, cheese and pasta. As a health nut with food intolerances and celiac disease, my food indulgence is limited, so I let Lidia tantalize (and torment) my taste buds as often as I can.

Back to cheese and pasta! These two ingredients make a command performance in so many of Lidia’s dreamy dishes. Some chefs sprinkle a pinch or two of parmesan over a pasta dish like a well-choreographed ballet, but Lidia conducts an orchestra of cheese, a bursting symphony for your senses. She does not hold back—and why should she? This is living! Sure, she makes plenty of lighter style fish and chicken dishes, but I like to focus on the cheese. Glorious cheese!

A pro at blending ingredients, Lidia also has an instinctive way of blending her family into the show. On any given Saturday you might get to know her adorable granddaughter Olivia who helps her make sweet treats and tortellini, or meet her son, Joseph, the wine connoisseur who comes in at just the right time to share a rich bottle of Barolo or Chianti with his mom. I am hooked! Is it the wine, the cheese or the pasta? Not sure. I think it’s a combination of all three, and a place to call home for a little while.

Leslie Adler
Marketing Manager, Education Projects

Ken Burns on success, failure and perseverance

2007-12-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

If you dream of being the next Ken Burns, you're not alone. We recently spoke to the legendary documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Florentine Films about his path to success, what it takes to make it in the business and the three-ring binder of rejection letters he kept way back when.

The interview is the first of MPT's new podcast series, where we talk to inspiring people in public television and find out how they got where they are today.

To listen to the mp3 podcast, click here.

(The file can be listened to on your personal computer, iPod or other portable mp3 player. It may take a moment to load, and can be listened to via Windows Media Player, available for free download here.)

Blue Men, Bert and Ernie?

2007-12-06T15:19:00.000-05:00

Now that the WGA writers strike is in full swing, I’m forced to watch TV on DVD whenever I want a helping of some of my favorite TV shows, like the doctor-comedy Scrubs. I had on the previous season of Scrubs while studying for a test last week, and would look up from time to time. At one point, I noticed a rather comedic scene where the main character JD was running away from a group of men, goes through a door in an alley and lands on stage at a Blue Man Group concert. The Blue Men spray JD with blue paint from one of their crazy inventions and then coat him in pink glitter. Naturally, (and to the amusement of the audience at the Blue Man Group show), police officers escort him off stage. (Check out the clip below. It'll have you in stitches.)

When I came in this Tuesday, my first task was to update our myspace page. I read through MPT's December program guide, and tried to find the most interesting shows to display on our page. Low and behold, we have a Blue Man Group special coming up on December 9 at 7:30 p.m. This got me thinking about how popular comedies on other stations often make references to PBS characters or programs.

There’s a famous scene from FOX’s Family Guy where Bert and Ernie have a controversial verbal exchange in one of Peter’s flashbacks. Peter, if you don’t know, is the brazen, yet lethargic main character of the animated comedy. For a brief moment during that scene, viewers may think about favorite PBS childhood characters they hadn’t thought about in years.

Who knows, this free publicity could be great for PBS, especially as the strike continues. People are going to start craving new programming. Maybe they’ll tune in to get a dose of Blue Men, Bert and Ernie?

Melissa Dockman
Communications Intern

The British are coming!!!

2007-11-29T14:14:00.000-05:00

MPT is bringing back the “British Invasion” to Baltimore’s Lyric Opera House this Friday at 8 p.m.

In today’s Baltimore Sun, reporter Stephanie Schapiro reminiscences about British bands of the 1960s—Herman’s Hermits, specifically—and finally gets a chance to interview 1960s heartthrob Peter Noone (40 years after she handed him a teddy bear at an Atlantic City concert). Only the interview doesn’t go exactly as planned…

Peter will be one of the many performers at Friday’s concert. Others include Badfinger’s Joey Molland, former Moody Blues and Wings frontman Denny Laine and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. There’s still time to get tickets! Click here to find out how.

Tell it from the heart

2007-11-27T12:25:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I was asked to emcee the launch of V-me, MPT’s new Spanish-language digital channel. I remember the first time I read about V-me. I was so excited to know that quality programming specifically designed with a Latino audience in mind would be coming to fruition—and through a network that’s already known for its quality programming, PBS.

The night before the launch, I was in my basement going over what I would say. I could hear our PR director’s voice in the back of my head, “Tell a story that’s from the heart. Make it personal.” I wanted to talk about my struggles trying to learn Spanish, but I wasn’t accustomed to revealing personal tidbits about myself.

I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, but my family left the island when I was only a year old. Like many others, they came to the States in search of a better life. Somewhere along the way, I lost my proficiency in Spanish. Of course, it’s embarrassing not knowing your native language—but even more embarrassing to be “expected to speak Spanish” because of your surname and not know it either. I get by with my half-sentences and “Spanglish” conversations. And I’ve taken many courses and tried speaking the language with friends. But there’s nothing worse than being corrected by someone for misusing a word. That’s part of the reason why I won’t “put myself out there” and practice the language more. As a broadcast journalist and on-air reporter, I’m not used to people correcting my words…especially how I pronounce them.

I openly announced to the media at our V-me launch that I struggle with my Spanish language deficiencies daily. Just being able to say it freed me of my fears. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. I have plenty of friends (Dominican, Cuban, Columbian, etc.) who are not fluent in Spanish either. Heck, one of my friends finally learned how to speak Spanish fluently while being locked up in federal prison for 10 years! (I hope that’s not what it takes for me to learn my native tongue!) Now that V-me is on the air, I plan on tuning in to practice my Spanish as much as I can.

Your Regal 'Rican,
Yolanda Vazquez
Reporter/Producer

This American Life

2007-11-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

The Ira Glass I met in person for this interview was exactly like the Ira Glass I’d listened to on NPR—quirky, witty, smart—and yes, adorable! It’s not easy for an interviewer to be interviewed, but Ira (host of NPR’s celebrated program This American Life) seemed comfortable enough for a person who’s always a bit edgy. I don’t know about him, but I had a great time! It’s going to be interesting to see what he does next.

You can watch our interview on YouTube here. Enjoy!

Rhea Feikin
Host, ArtWorks This Week

Ticket to ride

2007-11-14T15:47:00.000-05:00

In the evenings after work I tend to numb my mind with reality shows and a quick stint on the couch. The other night I was furiously flipping through channels when I landed on MPT.

I know what you’re thinking: this red-headed blogger always tunes into MPT, she has to, it’s her job. Ahhhh, my friends, not the case. I tend to tune into MPT mostly on Saturdays to catch the cooking shows because I’m a “foodie.” (I’m too cheap to buy cable. If I did have it, I’d do nothing but watch the Food Network for weeks on end. A girl can dream!)

So after a busy day at work, I was pretty frazzled and just couldn’t seem to chill out. When I clicked onto MPT, we were airing a show about remote lodges and outdoor excursions across the county (it could have been NOVA or Nature, I’m not quite sure). All the sudden, I was riding along with dog sleds and taking sunset camel rides. I quickly became entranced. It usually takes me hours to unwind, (and once I do, I get wound up about something new) so being entranced was a good thing.

About a half hour into the show, I realized that was the first time I had truly relaxed in weeks. Somehow, the sights and sounds, scenery and serenity in this show seeped into the couch with me. Nothing about me screams “adventure girl,”or “let’s go camping.” (Those types of excursions actually seem more like punishment to me!) So when I felt myself really relaxing and taking journeys to faraway places, I basked in the knowledge that MPT was my free ticket to a different place. I didn’t have to hop on a plane or do yoga to get away; I was already there. Who knew that MPT (and my couch!) could be an escape from the everyday hubbub.

Leslie Adler
Marketing Manager, Education Projects

Going to Graceland...

2007-11-09T15:47:00.000-05:00

OK, Katrina brought up Elvis, so here goes my story…

I listened to my parents’ 45 rpm Elvis records in my room when I was three, and have been listening ever since. Even now the sound of the music returns me to a place where I don’t have a care in the world—just like when I was three years old.

I saw the Elvis Lives concert on MPT earlier this year and I was amazed by the technology, the musicianship, the production design and the magic. I knew the band was going to play together one last time on August 16 for the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death. I decided I had to be there, so I jumped in the car to make the long drive down to Memphis.

I liked the drive to Memphis—lots of time for reflection. I made the extra 100- mile journey down to Tupelo, Mississippi, to see the house where Elvis and Jesse (Elvis' stillborn identical twin, Jesse Garon Presley) were born. Tiny, tiny place. Two rooms.

Graceland was smaller than you think, looking old and tacky. I never intended to go there, though my parents went there about 10 years ago and highly recommended it. I probably would not have gone if not for the draw of the concert. But I’m glad I did. It gave me a sense of time and distance. Elvis is with us, and occasionally feels “current” when there is a new, previously unreleased song or video reaching #1 on the Billboard charts (as in 2002). But when you walk through the house and look at the artifacts, it is all very clearly old and long ago in the past. When I stood in the “Jungle Room,” I recalled that the last album recorded in Elvis’ lifetime (Moody Blue) was mostly recorded there because he was in no condition to be in a recording studio. I heard the minor hit from the album, “Way Down,” play in my mind as I stood in that room. It seemed like the light grew dim, and I felt a deep sadness while others around me marveled at the exotic furniture.

At the concert, I looked closely at every original singer and band member on the stage. All are older now. They gave a great performance and had an extraordinarily great time—as good as any of us in the audience. I wondered why there was not one person among them that tried to help Elvis overcome his fears and compulsions that led to his demise, why none them cared enough at the time to stop him from destroying himself.

Lisa Marie was nine years old in 1977; not much she could do beyond what she did, which was write and ask Santa Claus to never let her father die. I guess in the act of divorce one could say that Priscilla made her attempt, her statement and wake-up call—and it wasn’t enough. I loved the whole experience of seeing all those performers— Elvis’ only friends—but there was a part of me that looked askance, wanting even now to hold them to account and ask them, “Why didn’t you do something?”

Joe Krushinsky (as an enterprising college radio DJ)
Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Happy little trees

2007-11-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

MPT has been a part of my life in more ways than one, though I never realized it until now. One of the first things I did when I started here as an intern was learn about all of the different programs we air. This was fascinating because I realized there are programs on MPT I’ve watched for years. A longtime favorite of mine is Bob Ross: The Joy of Painting.

For those of you unfamiliar with the late Bob Ross, he’s a painter who gives his audience step-by-step directions on how to produce nature-themed paintings within a half hour. He’s fantastic.

Last summer, my boyfriend Nick and I discovered the phenomenon that is Bob Ross. I believe it aired around noon and on more than one occasion, he would call to wake me up to come over to watch Bob Ross. I only lived about three minutes away, so I would literally roll out of bed—pajamas still on and incredibly unkempt—just to watch this program.

We would always sit on his couch, breakfast in hand, completely fascinated and always trying to figure out what the end result was going to be. If you’ve ever watched Bob Ross, you know that he ALWAYS adds a tree somewhere in the painting. Naturally, Nick and I would anxiously wait to see where that tree or “babbling brook” would be placed.

I never actually tried to make a painting of my own, as I figured Bob Ross had the paintings pretty well covered, but it’s weird to me that this funny little man had an impact on my summer. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll actually pick up that brush and see if I’ve missed my calling. After all, as Bob always said, there are no mistakes, just “happy little accidents.”

Melissa Dockman
Communications Intern

Havin' a blast!

2007-11-01T13:38:00.000-04:00

This is the best time of the year for me. The weather’s not too hot and not too cold, perfect for watching football and spending time with family and friends.

I spend my Friday nights announcing high school football games in Frederick County. Sometimes my six-year-old son Robert sits in the press box with me, other times he plants himself in the stands to witness great prep action. It amazes me how attentive to the games a kid can be….to sit and not make a peep when I’m working. It also makes me smile when after the games he sits in the stands and talks about plays, describing them in great detail.

Saturdays, when the Maryland Terrapins football squad is home, we’re there at the games. The day starts several hours in advance with tailgating. We fire up the grill and cook steak, shrimp, chicken, burgers, ‘dogs, veggies, scrambled eggs or whatever else is on the menu for the day. We play catch football, carefully pin-pointing our passes as to not interrupt anyone else tailgating in the jam-packed parking lot.

After consuming a wonderful pre-game meal, we clean, pack up and head to the stadium for some exciting Terps football. Sundays are reserved for the NFL all day. We don our Dallas Cowboys jerseys early in the morning, and go outside to play football until the pre-game shows begin. These are the types of weekends I look forward to all year.

Something else I’m really looking forward to this season is Baltimore Blast soccer. What makes it even better is that I’ll be able to watch some of the team’s games on MPT. Beginning January 25, Blast games will be televised live on MPT from 1st Mariner Arena in downtown Baltimore. Now my son and I will have some competition for our football viewing! Now if I could only get some of the Cowboys to temporarily join the Blast, things would be perfect…

Jeff Wachter
Master Control Air Operations Supervisor

The humble honeybee

2007-10-25T11:07:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid and invited new friends to visit, I’d tell them that we had 25 beehives in our backyard. (They’d usually tell me that it might be better if I came to visit them instead!) The cover of this month’s MPT guide features a beautiful photo of a honeybee working on a lavender flower. I was thrilled to see that photo because I’ve always thought that we don’t recognize the importance of pollinators. My father was a beekeeper, and he taught me about the complex life of the simple honeybee.

This Sunday at 7 p.m., MPT will air Nature: Silence of the Bees. The program addresses the massive honeybee die-offs happening all over the world. The phenomenon— first reported in November 2006 and called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)—is now the subject of international emergency research as scientists race to discover the cause of this ecological disaster.

Because I grew up around honeybees, I was always surprised when friends told me how scared they were of them. Mostly they were just scared of getting stung, but it always seemed to me that they just didn’t understand that honeybees were busy collecting nectar to make honey and really weren’t interested in stinging anyone. In spite of the thousands of bees that lived in my backyard, the only sting I ever got was from a hornet and not my father’s beloved honeybees.

Dad felt that each of his 25 beehives had a different personality and that some of the hives were more aggressive and “touchy” than others. When it was honey harvest time, he would use a device called a smoker to calm the bees down. The smoker had a narcotic effect on the bees and anesthetized them for a short time. He would tell me that the more aggressive hives required more smoke than others.

My dad loved beekeeping and always seemed to find some new thing to tell me about his bees. He could talk for hours about so many aspects of beekeeping: swarms (“A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon, a swarm in July is not worth a fly,” he’d say), how to raise queen bees, how to determine what kind of honey the bees produced, how to prevent disease….the list goes on.

My dad passed away in 1983 and left behind a legacy of stories about his many interests (bees were just one of them). I’ll always be thankful for the respect he instilled in me for the humble honeybee.

Gladys M. Kaplan
Managing Director, Facilities and Human Resources

Sam Miller (Gladys' father & honeybee enthusiast)

Dark Side of the Moon...

2007-10-19T14:23:00.000-04:00

When I was 10 years old, I found a record jacket in my parents’ antique record cabinet. At the time, I didn’t know the name of the band, and I certainly was not familiar with their music—but I knew that the album cover was a work of art.

While my brother turned the record cabinet into a fortress for his G.I. Joes, I played with the album cover. That cover was everything from a decorative floor in Barbie’s house to a picture hanging on my bedroom wall. The album was Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, and it was released three years before I was born.

With the birth of MTV in the 1980s, my fickle adolescence surrendered to every trendy genre of the times: 80s pop, rap, hip-hop, heavy metal, alternative, grunge…but there was a lingering curiosity about a familiar album called Dark Side of the Moon and a band named Pink Floyd. My parents—whose taste and style I respect immensely—spoke about this band and would occasionally watch Pink Floyd concerts on Maryland Public Television. Every time they did, a passion for the band’s music was reignited in my father.

MPT recently aired Australian Pink Floyd: Live at the Royal Albert Hall and, of course, I called my father and told him. (I also told him about the Australian Pink Floyd show MPT is bringing to Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre November 4th.) That night—August 31, the eve of my wedding—I sat in my parents’ living room on the comfortable couch I had spent so many warm evenings talking, laughing and watching television with my family. My father said, “Listen to this…” and put Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in the stereo.

As we listened there in the living room, I remembered playing with that album so many years ago, and thought about how the constant things in life bring great comfort. I am thankful that MPT showcases bands like Pink Floyd so that my parents and I can keep on listening…

Kristin Cook
Audience/Viewer Services Representative

An unforgettable character

2007-10-11T16:31:00.000-04:00

I've met many interesting people in my career. One of the most interesting was recently introduced to the rest of the world on Ken Burns' new documentary The War (re-airing on MPT Wednesdays through Nov. 7th at 9 p.m.).

Burns' mutlipart series follows the movements of a young ambulance driver in the American Field Service during World War II. This driver was Ward Chamberlin. I had the privilege to meet and work with Ward about six years ago. He was 80 at the time, and I was impressed with his energy and dynamic thought process. I knew very little about Ward’s background at that time. At 80 years old, he was a full-time employee of WNET, and I knew that he had been with WETA at some time in the past.

As I worked with Ward and got to know him better, I was awed by his ability to set a pace that would kill many younger men. I also began to learn a little about his background. Ward was the very first employee of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting , became president of WETA and was instrumental in bringing Ken Burns to public television. After WETA, he joined WNET and worked with them until 2002.

As described in The War, Ward was a Princeton student when WWII started. He attempted to enlist in the U.S. military, but was turned down due to an eye problem from a childhood disease. He then joined the American Field Service and became an ambulance driver serving in North Africa and Europe. The documentary depicts some of his experiences in Italy.

Ward is a warm, energetic, creative and caring person. I am delighted that I have had the opportunity to know him. He is still working in the public television industry. If you have a chance to speak with him, by all means do so. Now's the perfect time to watch the Burns film again and look closely at this man who has given so much to his country and public television.

Larry Unger

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Our mysterious hearts

2007-10-11T09:49:00.000-04:00

As a mom, I’m required to set a good example for my kids and help them make good decisions on their own. So when they were recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, I knew I was in for a challenge.

I confess: I’m a self-indulgent foodie. I have high blood cholesterol. I enjoy eating flavorful, well-prepared food. And I love to cook, too, so that presents other challenges. To me, “low fat” or “low cal” means low taste and no flavor. Let’s face it: fat and empty white carbs just taste so good. There’s nothing like mashed potatoes made with full-fat cream and butter, or a nice pan-seared foie gras served with freshly baked white, crusty bread. Yum.

I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, so I do what I can to satisfy my non-diet diet and keep my LDLs down. I work out often enough to compensate for the occasional cheeseburger, and eat enough whole grains, fruits and veggies to periodically allow some trans fat-free fried chicken into my life. I’m even taking a plant sterol/omega-3 supplement to even the odds.

But I can’t expect my teenage son and 8-year-old daughter to take supplements. I can, however, teach them to read nutritional labels on foods and make good choices at the school cafeteria. They now know the basic differences between “growing food” and “treats” (and in what proportion each should appear on their plates). They also know that while Cocoa Puffs are now made with whole grains, they may not be the healthiest cereal they can eat (they learned that one the hard way). They’re also aware that they have to get some quality exercise in several times a week. And, perhaps the most important portion control lesson of all: one should never eat a funnel cake alone.

I can also help them understand why it’s important to look for bread with at least three grams of dietary fiber per serving. It’s not just about learning how to balance your diet; it’s also important to keep your body healthy and strong to resist disease and illness. We have enough immediate family members with medical conditions for them to understand that what you put into your mouth can directly affect how you recover from sickness and keep it at bay.

I’m also going to have them watch The Mysterious Human Heart on MPT Monday, October 15 and Monday, October 22 at 9 p.m. There are some eye-popping computer-generated animations that recreate how the heart works (and when it fails), what healthy and non-healthy arteries look like and what can happen to kids and adults when they don’t nurture that one vital organ. The three-part documentary has really cool visuals and interesting stories that I know will give them some food for thought. And besides, it makes a much better argument to eat well and exercise than “because I’m the Mom, and I say so.”

Faith Michel
Director of Community Outreach Initiatives