"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #17

For the latest episode of my public access TV show, "Postcards from Charlottesville," Kurt Krueger and Brookes Sims of the Piedmont Family YMCA join me to discuss the new YMCA recreational facility that will soon be built on the western side of McIntire Park. Hear how the new YMCA will offer a wide variety of programs and services to youth and families in our community, regardless of ability to pay; there will be a particular emphasis on afterschool and summer activities for students at Charlottesville High School next door. Also, we spend a couple of minutes debunking some of the unfortunate myths that have arisen about the Y, like the allegations that the Y will displace softball from McIntire, Little League from McIntire, the Dogwood Carnival from McIntire, the 4th of July Fireworks from McIntire, picnic shelters from McIntire, etc., or that the YMCA is a religious organization that discriminates against non-Christians, or that a new 1-acre family recreational center will somehow "destroy" a 130-acre park. Click here to view the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=184

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #16

Since I am leaving my current position as Executive Director of PACEM at the end of June in order to pursue a new professional opportunity (TBD), I thought I'd dedicate the latest episode of my public access TV show to a retrospective on PACEM, its founding, its operations, the impact that it's made on the community, etc. Joining me in-studio is Adriana Nicholson, who was one of the founding Board members of PACEM and currently serves as PACEM's Director of Community and Volunteer Resources. Click here to view the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=162

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #15

How can you go wrong with an organization called the "Building Goodness Foundation"? On this month's episode, Jack Stoner and Connie Jorgensen of BGF join with me to talk about the many worthy projects in which Building Goodness is involved. This Charlottesville-based foundation organizes work teams to do construction projects in disadvantaged communities and is making a big impact locally, in other parts of our country, and internationally as well. Click here to view the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=141

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #14

The Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (better known as CATEC) prepares hundreds of area high school youth each year for careers in various trades (health care, construction, auto repair, culinary arts, etc.). On this month's episode, Debbie Gannon, CATEC's Career and Instructional Technology Coordinator, debunks some of the myths about technical education and describes the many ways in which CATEC readies young people for success in the workplace. Click here to view the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=134

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #13

Another episode of my low-budget (OK, no-budget) but high-value public access TV show is now airing on CPA-TV Channel 13. This month's show features a discussion about the future of the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA), which owns and manages all of the public housing in Charlottesville. My guests are Randy Bickers, CRHA's brand-new Executive Director, and Amy Kilroy, Redevelopment Director for CRHA. Many positive changes are in the works at CRHA; to find out more, click here to view the episode on-line:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=130

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #12

Until recently, Charlottesville was the largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Virginia without a local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. My guest on this month's show, Anne Oliver, talks about the successful effort to open a BBBS chapter here in Charlottesville, which has already matched 30 kids in our community with caring adult mentors and has a goal of recruiting many more volunteers (maybe including you?) to serve as positive role models for area youth. Anne discusses the benefits of mentoring, talks about her new School-Based Mentoring Program, and provides information on how people can get involved in this wonderful new initiative. Click here to view the episode on-line:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=124

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #11"

Unless you've been hiding under a rock or living in a cave the last few months, you know that a big election is coming up on Nov. 4. Sheri Iachetta, our City Registrar of Voters, joins me on this month's episode to talk all about VOTING -- how the polling places work, how to vote absentee, how to get one's voting rights restored, etc. Sheri offers a wealth of helpful information on the voting process; if you have any further questions, feel free to contact her at 970-3250 or visit the Registrat's web site at www.charlottesville.org/vote. Click here to view the episode on-line:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=121

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #10

If you've driven by Friendship Court anytime in the last year, you've probably noticed a large community garden on both sides of Monticello Ave. where it intersects with 6th St. SE. Karen Waters of the Quality Community Council (QCC) joins me this month to talk about the "Garden of Goodness" that QCC has cultivated in partnership with the residents of Friendship Court and the 6th Street public housing community. As you will hear, this urban farm project is but one of many initiatives that QCC has undertaken to improve the lives of City residents. Click here to view the episode on-line:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=116

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #9

After a brief summer reprieve, "Postcards from Charlottesville" is back with another episode. This month our focus is Winneba, a university town in Ghana that will soon be considered for designation as Charlottesville's next Sister City -- the first one outside of Europe. Two Charlottesville residents, Nana Ghartey (who is from Winneba and is leading the charge to establish the Sister City relationship) and Sarah Denham (who recently spent 6 months teaching in Winneba) join me to discuss life in Winneba and what a Sister City relationship with that community might entail. The episode premieres this Friday at 7:00pm on Charlottesville Public Access (Channel 13). To view it on-line, click here:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=107

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #8

I was very pleased to have my good friend and fellow housing activist Joy Johnson as my guest on this month's show, along with Deirdre Gilmore (current Board Chair of PHAR). Joy tells us how she went from a child growing up in Kingston, Jamaica to a nationally-recognized public housing resident leader; she and DeeDee both discuss how public housing residents in Charlottesville have gotten involved in improving their own communities through collective action. "People gave their lives for us to be able to speak up," says Joy, "and I just think that we should exercise that right." Indeed.

The episode premieres this Friday at 7:00pm on Charlottesville Public Access (Channel 13). To view it on-line, click here:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=102

My First TV Review

"Postcards from Charlottesville," my 7-month-old little hobby of a TV show, got its first review a few days ago on the beta version of the new C-Ville Weekly blog -- see here. Guess I've hit the big time now. Watch out Stephen Colbert. (I'm always surprised when people tell me they've seen the show -- maybe because I don't have cable TV and have never actually seen it televised myself...)

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #7

In the spirit of Earth Day, local activisits Stratton Salidis and Elena Day join me to talk about ecological health and the kinds of decisions we make as a community to either undermine or support our commitment to environmental sustainability. Two projects in particular -- the proposed expansion of the North Anna nuclear power plant, and the proposed Meadowcreek Parkway -- draw much of my guests' ire and compel them to promote more ecologically sound alternatives.

Click here to see the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=95

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #6

Dr. Lynn Rainville joins me on this month's show. Lynn runs some excellent websites/blogs focused on Charlottesville-Albemarle history, including LoCoHistory (http://www.locohistory.org/), the LoCoBlog (www.locohistory.org/blog), and African-American Cemeteries in Albemarle & Amherst Counties (www.virginia.edu/woodson/projects/aacaac). She is doing a wonderful job of helping to make history come alive (both for adults and for kids) and helping to connect area residents with their own past.

Click here to see the show, which will be broadcast throughout the coming month on Charlottesville Public Access TV (Channel 13):

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=93

(Currently the show is running on Wednesdays at 2:30pm, Fridays at 7pm, and Saturdays at 11:30am.)

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #5

My guest on this month's show is Michael Allers, Vice Principal at Jackson-Via Elementary School (where my daughter is in 2nd grade). Mr. Allers and his colleagues at Jackson-Via have received a good amount of acclaim and attention recently for their efforts to promote parental outreach and involvement (see, for example, here and here). I have been very impressed with the administration and staff at Jackson-Via and was pleased to have Mr. Allers on my show; his dedication to the well-being of the kids under his care is palpable. To see for yourself, click here:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=89

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #4

On this show, Harold Folley, Jr., of the Virginia Organizing Project joins me to discuss life in Westhaven, VOP's work on payday lending and the living wage, and other matters relating to the promotion of social justice in Charlottesville and beyond. I also take a few moments to talk about some of the initiatives I'll be championing in my term as Mayor. Click here to see the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=83&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

Thanks again to David Dillehunt for an excellent production job.

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #3

The third edition of my new TV show, "Postcards from Charlottesville," aired last Friday (Dec. 14) and featured a discussion on clean energy and mountaintop removal coal mining with two Charlottesville residents who are leading the charge on these issues: Hannah Morgan of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards/Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Mike McCoy of Appalachian Voices. Click here for an on-line video version of the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=71&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #2

The second edition of my new current events/local history TV show, "Postcards from Charlottesville," airs at 7pm tonight on Public Access Channel 13 (and on subsequent Wednesdays at 2:30pm and Fridays at 7pm throughout the month).

My guests this month are City Councilor-elect Holly Edwards, who talks about her work with the Westhaven Nursing Clinic and the Public Housing Association of Residents, and historian/photographer/blogger/man-about-town Bill Emory, who discusses his efforts to capture the rich history of Charlottesville's Woolen Mills Neighborhood.

Click here for an on-line video version of the show:
http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=68&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

David Dillehunt of Charlottesville Public Access Television once again did an excellent job of producing and directing. Thanks David!

I'm No Mike Wallace

No, I'm more Conan O'Brien...just without the easy humor or witty repartee.

I now have my own public access TV show, "Postcards from Charlottesville," a monthly half-hour gabfest where I get to sit down with people I find interesting and talk with them about local history or current events.

You can see the first episode, which includes a walk down memory lane with Ann W. Carter about the Jefferson School and a provocative discussion with "Miss Representation" herself, Jennifer Tidwell, about the portrayal of Sacagawea at the Lewis & Clark statue, by clicking here:
http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=64&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com
(requires Windows Media Player or Flip4Mac for Macs)

My freakish bobbing head is thrown in at no extra charge. (I've got to work on that...)

"Postcards from Charlottesville" will air on Fridays at 7pm and Wednesdays at 4pm on Charlottesville Public Access Channel 13. Many thanks to my producer, David Dillehunt, for doing such a great job of pulling the show together!

I'm gonna have fun with this.

"Postcards from Charlottesville" Episode Guide

click on each link to view the episode on-line:

Episode 1 -- Oct. 2007 (Topics: Jefferson School, Lewis & Clark Statue)

Episode 2 -- Nov. 2007 (Topics: Holly Edwards, Historic Woolen Mills)

Episode 3 -- Dec. 2007 (Topics: Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining, Clean Energy)

Episode 4 -- Jan. 2008 (Topics: Virginia Organizing Project, What I Hope to Accomplish as Mayor)

Episode 5 -- Feb. 2008 (Topic: Jackson-Via Elementary School Parent Outreach Efforts)

Episode 6 -- Mar. 2008 (Topic: Dr. Lynn Rainville/LoCo History)

Episode 7 -- Apr. 2008 (Topic: Ecological Health)

Episode 8 -- May 2008 (Topic: PHAR)

Episode 9 -- July 2008 (Topic: Winneba -- Our Next Sister City?)

Episode 10 -- September 2008 (Topic: Quality Community Council)

Episode 11 -- October 2008 (Topic: Voting)

Episode 12 -- December 2008 (Topic: Big Brothers Big Sisters)

Episode 13 -- January 2009 (Topic: CRHA)

Episode 14 -- February 2009 (Topic: CATEC)

Episode 15 -- March 2009 (Topic: Building Goodness Foundation)

Episode 16 -- May 2009 (Topic: PACEM)

Episode 17 -- August 2009 (Topic: Piedmont Family YMCA)