"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.