2011 SUCCESSES AND HOLIDAY PLEDGE SPECIALS
posted by Laura McKee
The end of the year is a time to reflect on the past year’s successes and to take stock of the many things that bring meaning to our lives. So many Arizona Public Media (AZPM) members, viewers, listeners and volunteers tell us how much our programs mean to them. Please think about sharing the enriching experience you receive all year long with family members and friends by giving them the gift of AZPM membership for the holidays. You can also support public media by giving a year end donation or an IRA Charitable Rollover. For more information on giving please visit AZPM Support.
The following is a list of just some of the many accomplishments achieved over the past year. The programs could not have been produced or presented without your support:
o Debut of Arizona Week, the first ever statewide weekly public affairs series
o Debut of the weekly Political Roundtable program on Fridays o Upgraded antennae and signal strength for PBS-HD6 and Classical 90.5FM
o AZPM Original programs generated six Emmy® Awards
o Morning radio newscasts scheduled one hour earlier Monday – Friday
o The top rated news/talk format station in Tucson
o Voted the best radio station for news by the Tucson Weekly
o Teachers’ Voices series went into full production and broadcast, presenting more than 50 teachers’ stories on air and online.
o Debut of From the Top series featuring young musicians from around the country and hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Reilly
o Launch of AZweek.org, a companion news website to Arizona Week
The PBS-HD 6 pledge campaign “Home for the Holidays” continues this month, December 3 – 11, Dec., 17 & 18 and Dec. 31st with more great entertaining specials. Highlights include: Victor Borge: Comedy in Music a new special featuring his recently rediscovered funniest and most memorable skits; Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy – An American Masters Special, the story of one of the most recognized and loved entertainers in the world as she goes from chorus girl to actress to running Desilu Studios - a truly visionary talent; Celtic Woman: Believe – savor this new chapter in musical enchantment from these four fabulous, female singing sensations; Santana: Live at Montreux 2011- Carlos Santana delivers a blistering performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2011, plus many more. For a schedule of dates and times go to AZPM.org.
Other holiday specials include Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring David Archuleta and Michael York. Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday Tables and Traditions – a brand new holiday program, and the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 22nd live from Washington. Additional highlights include more great events from the PBS Arts Fall Festival; PBS Arts from Los Angeles: Il Postino from the LA Opera and PBS Arts from New York: Great Performances Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park. Go here for schedules.
We debut Southern Arizona’s new 24-hour lifestyle channel, Ready TV this month with programs to inspire the traveler, chef, builder, musician and gardener, such as: Victory Garden, America’s Test Kitchen: Fannie’s Last Supper (Christopher Kimball’s recreation of a 12-course Christmas dinner originally hosted by Fannie Farmer in 1896); Austin City Limits music series, and Chihuly Fire & Light, a one-hour documentary of this innovative artist at work. Each month, Ready TV features a Chef of the Month. This month’s chef is Julia Childs and Ready TV will air several of her famous cooking shows: In Julia’s Kitchen, Cooking with Master Chef, Baking with Julia and more. Are you ready for Ready TV? Go here for program schedules.
December 12th – 16th on NPR 89.1FM Beyond Sprawl – Rethinking the Southwestern Economy is a new series analyzing the housing boom, bust and future. Fronteras: the Changing America Desk reporters visit communities across the Southwest to gauge what life is like in a post economic housing boom.
Classical 90.5FM Community Concerts series airs twice weekly in December and will feature the Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival recorded here in Southern Arizona and featuring works by Ravel, Schumann, Saint-Saëns Beethoven, Mozart and more. Visit here for a complete list of programs.
On behalf of all of us at AZPM, please accept our very best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy holiday season. As always, thank you for your viewership, listenership and continued support of Arizona Public Media.
Jack Gibson
