MAY GM LETTER

posted by Laura McKee

Spring in the desert means new programs are in full bloom

Thanks to the outstanding support of our listeners, AZPM completed another successful spring radio membership drive by exceeding its goal of $235,000. The campaign renewed the pledge of support from 1,734 current members and attracted 626 first-time supporters! This is a testament to our community’s desire for the best in local, national, and international news and some of the most entertaining classical and jazz music on the radio. Each campaign we receive an increasing number of contributions through our website, which is a safe and fast way to pledge or renew your support. Member dollars are reinvested right back into the NPR and classical music programs you expect from AZPM. Additionally, your support helps to make possible, increased local news coverage and special classical music performances that are presented throughout the year.

I am pleased to acknowledge the dozens of volunteers from our community who came to our studios to demonstrate their passion for public radio. More 117 people from across Southern Arizona gave their time as on-air talent or by staffing the pledge phones during the drive. We simply could not have succeeded without their time and dedication. Thank you.

All month long, tune in for great programs on PBS-HD Channel 6. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the civil rights “Freedom Rides” in the south. To mark this historic event, AZPM has compiled an emotional local memoir of the era in the original documentary production, Barrios & Barriers: The Tucson Civil Rights Era. This half-hour special will premiere on Monday, May 6 at 9 p.m. One week later, on Monday, May 16th at 9 p.m., we will present a two-hour long special, American Experience “Freedom Riders.” For a video sample and interesting details, click here. Arizona Illustrated will also feature local stories on civil rights all month long.

Every Thursday in May at 8:30 p.m. tune in for WaveLengths, AZPM’s original science magazine series. Host Vicki Chandler from UA’s Bio5 will take you on a scientific journey during each program, exploring the human brain or learning about the Galapagos Islands. Chandler makes science and technology accessible and fun. Her expertise is conveyed in a way that everyone from the most experienced researcher to the science enthusiast can learn something new.

Closing out the month of May is the National Memorial Day Concert, which we will present on PBS-HD at 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 29th and then again on Memorial Day at 9:00 p.m. As always, please accept my sincere thanks for your continued support of AZPM.