Author Archives: april

Documentary focuses on weight issues

Posted on by

To some, weight-loss surgery can seem like an almost magical experience, in which individuals lose hundreds of pounds in just one shot. But in reality, it’s a long, difficult, and often disorienting journey. A moving new documentary – All of Me – humanizes a group of Austin-area women grappling with obesity, body-image, friendships, relationships and eventually this process of surgery.

All Of Me from filmmaker Alexandra Lescaze will have its Texas premiere in Austin Film Festival on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 PM at Highland Galaxy. It will screen a second time on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:15 PM at Long Center Rollins Theater. All of the film’s primary subjects will be in attendance at both screenings. KLRU’s Bill Stotesbery will moderate the panel discussion on Sunday.

The “Girls” have been friends—and fat—for years. Their bond goes deep and wide, literally and figuratively. They are smart, intuitive, complex, warm, and compelling and speak openly about their inner lives. The Girls met via the Austin chapter of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and partied together among Austin’s Big Beautiful Women community. Meanwhile they tried every diet and every pill. Now they’re going through the life-changing process of weight-loss surgery in an effort to lose hundreds of pounds. The experience presents a host of issues and consequences—some they knew they were in for, some they feared, and some they never could have imagined.

Alexandra Lescaze, Director/Producer, is a NY-based documentary filmmaker and the Executive Director of the Sidney Hillman Foundation, home of the annual Hillman Prizes in Journalism and monthly Sidney Awards, honoring excellence in journalism in service of the common good. Her first film, Where Do You Stand? Stories From An American Mill, documented the 25-year effort of North Carolina textile workers to organize a union in the face of modernization and globalization. Her current film, All ofMe, will air on PBS’ Independent Lens series during its 2013-2014 season.

All of Me is a co-production of Mighty Fine Films, Inc., and Independent Television Service (ITVS), produced in association with KLRU-Austin, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Seasoned Development Officer Lori Bolding Joins KLRU

Posted on by

LoriBolding1013KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, announced that Lori Bolding has joined the staff as Senior Vice President of Development. Bolding brings more than 15 years of experience in foundation, corporate and individual fundraising, volunteer management and board development.

“Lori is a great addition to the KLRU team,” said Bill Stotesbery, KLRU CEO and GM. “She is a consummate development professional with a deep knowledge of Austin and the surrounding community.”

Before joining KLRU, Bolding served as the Vice President of Development at Texas Exes where she designed and implemented the first ever full-ride, merit-based scholarship program in support of The University of Texas at Austin, the Forty Acres Scholars Program. Bolding was hired as the first development officer five years ago to focus specifically on this effort. At that time, the stated goal was to establish a $150 million endowment in support of the program. Through a coordinated development effort under Bolding’s leadership, over $50 million has

“I feel so honored to be part of such an amazing organization that is impacting my community, Austin and Central Texas, in such a powerful way in the areas of education, arts and culture and on public issues,” said Bolding.

Prior to Texas Exes she was the Executive Director at the Eanes Education Foundation where she established and sustained a successful annual fund and major gift program, increasing grant support from $375,000 to $925,000 in four years. Bolding also served as a Grants Officer at the RGK Foundation and special events coordinator at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She has a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas at Austin.

About KLRU-TV, Austin PBS
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is dedicated to telling stories that entertain, inspire and change our lives. KLRU highlights what makes Austin unique – whether music, arts or public issues – by creating and distributing award-winning original content. KLRU produces several series including Austin City Limits, Arts In Context, Central Texas Gardener, Civic Summit and Overheard with Evan Smith. As a nonprofit educational organization, KLRU also prepares children to succeed in school and creates lifelong learning opportunities for all. Find out more at klru.org.

 

###

CTG Blog gets national recognition

Posted on by
Central Texas Gardener

Congratulations to Central Texas Gardener producer Linda Lehmusvirta! The National Educational Telecommunications Association recognized the Central Texas Gardener blog for excellence in social media. NETA cited the blog for its top-rated work in content production, promotion, community engagement, and instructional media.

If you haven’t seen the Central Texas Gardner blog, be sure to take a look. Linda provides further information about each week’s CTG topic and also gives personal stories of her own gardening experience. The CTG Blog is at klru.org/ctg/blog

In 1989, Linda began producing Central Texas Gardener, which went weekly in 1999. Now broadcast in several PBS markets across the nation, she works as producer, writer, field director and editor. Along with Central Texas Gardener features, she’s a freelance writer, with credits in local, regional, and national publications.

In the Studio: Mark Kelly tapes Overheard

Posted on by
Overheard taping announcement

Please join KLRU’s Overheard with Evan Smith for an interview with Mark Kelly.
Date: October 30
Time: at 2:15pm (Doors open at 1:45pm)
Location: KLRU’s Studio 6A (map).  
RSVP: The event is free but an RSVP is required.  RSVP now

Mark KellyMark Kelly is a retired American astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain. He is also the husband of former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot at a constituent event in Tucson in 2011. Kelly  flew his first NASA mission in 2001 and retired in 2011. He is the recipient of numerous naval awards including two Defensive Superior service medals and four Air Medals. He coauthored a biographical book with his wife entitled Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience. In 2012 Kelly released Mousetronaut, a children’s book and New York Times bestseller.

We hope you’ll be there as Overheard with Evan Smith begins a fourth season of great conversation with fascinating people, always on the news and always with a sense of humor.  The show features in-depth interviews with a mix of guests from politics, the arts, literature, journalism, business, sports and more, and reaches PBS viewers from California to Florida.  We’d love to see you in the studio for the interview, and for a chance to join the audience Q&A after the interview. Watch past episodes and audience Q&As at klru.org/overheard

PLEASE NOTE: The KLRU lobby on the 3rd floor of the University of Texas CMB building will be closed due to construction. Please enter the building through the ground level alley and take elevator to 6th floor. Those with accessibility needs — including people with difficulty walking down steep inclines — should call 512-471-4811 for additional information. Please leave a message if no one answers so KLRU can call you back.

The Genealogy Roadshow Austin experience

Posted on by
Genealogy Roadshow

Denise Garza is one of six people featured in the Austin episode of Genealogy Roadshow airing October 14th on PBS stations across the nation. Denise provided this story about her experience on the show.  PHOTO: Denise Garza getting final instructions from the Genealogy Roadshow production team before she tapes her segment at the Driskill Hotel on June 23.

grshowdenise

My trip on the Genealogy Roadshow has been fast, furious and fantastic! Little did I know when I answered the call for entry, I would be pulled in a wonderful whirlwind of excitement.

KLRU ran an ad looking for Austin participants just after Antiques Roadshow in late April. My father, Joe, has been researching our family history for years. He formed many assumptions about our family’s long lineage but lacked conclusive evidence. I saw the ad and thought, “What the heck!” and submitted my questions.

The questions were:
1. Do I qualify as a Daughter of the Republic of Texas?
2. Are we related to Jews who came to the Americas to escape the Spanish Inquisition?

Just a few days after the online submission, I received a phone call from the show’s casting department. I spoke with the casting agent and he recommended that we do a Skype call the next day. I made my case on Skype which was recorded and presented to the GRS producers. They liked me and I was in!

Over the next few days, I emailed all the family research I had done on my own. The Genealogy Roadshow production team sent me a DNA test kit that same weekend. It took a half an hour to fill the DNA test tube with saliva. It was kind of gross. I sent the DNA kit back immediately.

About three weeks went by without a word, and then I received a call from Jeff with the show’s production team. He wanted to do a special taping session with just me! We settled on filming in my home and at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park in Austin. Exhilarating, but a little stressful!

The small film crew arrived in my home on Monday, June 17, to film. My husband, Ian, and I were nervous and excited. The crew set-up in my little living room and we filmed the interview segment. The head of the crew, Chad, was very professional and patient as I sat for his questions. After the shoot at home, we spent an about an hour in the park filming more reflective segments.

Sunday, June 23, we were called to the Driskill Hotel to film the big reveal. Chad asked me to bring as many family members as I could. My parents, my sisters and their families met my husband in the lobby of the hotel. Unfortunately, my brother was working out of state and could not join us. Including myself, I brought a family of eleven! The production team was happy to see such a big family turnout!

Our call time for filming the reveal was at noon. However, the production fell behind schedule and we had to wait, nervously, for two hours. While waiting, we got to see another participant film their reveal and watch Earl Campbell greet fans.

Finally, we were called to the set to film the big reveal. Of course, I can’t say too much about they found, but I can say there were lots of tears and lots of laughter! The family was able to walk a little taller when we left the hotel.

I had a wonderful time on the roadshow and I hope that my story, along with the stories of the other families on the show, can inspire you to explore your own past and find your own place in history.

In The Studio: Lethem, Alter, Aslan, Leibovich tape Overheard 10/26

Posted on by
Overheard taping announcement

Please join KLRU’s Overheard with Evan Smith for interviews during the Texas Book Festival. Tapings for Sunday, October 27th, have been cancelled. 

DATE: October 26th
TIME: Doors open at 11:45 pm. Tapings take place at 12:05 pm, 1:15 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm
LOCATION: KLRU’s Studio 6A (map).  Please see note about construction.
RSVP: RSVP Now … One RSVP gets you access to all three tapings. You are welcome to come to only one, but please wait for the taping to finish before leaving the studio. RSVP now

JJonathan Lethem at noon
Jonathan Lethem is an American novelist and former MacArthur Fellow. In 1994 he published his first novel Gun, with Occasional Music.  He has also been published in Rolling Stone, The New Yorker and The New York Times. Lethem’s most recent novel, released in September, is Dissident Gardens.

 

 

 

AlterJonathan_credit Kristopher LongJonathan Alter starts at 1:15 pm
Jonathan Alter is an author and journalist. He began his career as a media critic for Newsweek before becoming columnist and editor. He has written three New York Times best-sellers about American presidents. Alter has appeared as a correspondent on several NBC news networks and has written for The New York Times and Vanity Fair. Alter’s most recent book is The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies. He is the current executive producer for the political comedy Alpha House.

 

 

REZA ASLAN author photo (Credit Malin Fezehai)Immediately following at 2pm Evan will sit down with Reza Aslan. 
Reza Aslan is a religious scholar and author of the New York Times best-seller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of California, Riverside. Aslan established AslanMedia.com, an online journal for news in the Middle East and the world. His first book No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam was named one of the most important books of our decade and was translated into thirteen languages.

 

Mark Leibovich_credit Ralph Alswang PhotographyImmediately following at 3pm Evan will sit down with Mark Leibovich. 
Mark Leibovich is a political correspondent for The New York Times. He previously wrote for The Washington Post. He has won several journalism awards including the 2011 National Magazine Award for a profile of Politico’s Mike Allen. Leibovich’s most recent book is This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral-Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking!-in America’s Gilded Capital.

 

 

The event is free but an RSVP is required. Please complete the form to the left to RSVP. The audience is welcome to stay in their seats between breaks, but will also be permitted to come and go between interviews.

We hope you’ll be there as Overheard with Evan Smith begins a fourth season of great conversation with fascinating people, always on the news and always with a sense of humor.  The show features in-depth interviews with a mix of guests from politics, the arts, literature, journalism, business, sports and more, and reaches PBS viewers from California to Florida.  We’d love to see you in the studio for the interview, and for a chance to join the audience Q&A after the interview. Watch past episodes and audience Q&As at klru.org/overheard

PLEASE NOTE: The KLRU lobby on the 3rd floor of the University of Texas CMB building will be closed due to construction. Please enter the building through the ground level alley and take elevator to 6th floor. Those with accessibility needs — including people with difficulty walking down steep inclines — should call 512-471-4811 for additional information. Please leave a message if no one answers so KLRU can call you back.

In The Studio: Wolffe Overheard 10/27 cancelled

Posted on by
Overheard taping announcement

The taping with Richard Wolffe has been cancelled. All Texas Book Festival tapings will now take place on Saturday. RSVP for Saturday’s tapings now


 

Richard Wolffe_Credit Charles OmmanneyMSNBCRichard Wolffe at 9:15 am
Richard Wolffe is an author and Executive Editor of MSNBC.com. His most recent book is Revial: The Struggle for Survival. inside the Obama White House. Wolffe graduated from Oxford University and wrote for the Financial Times before moving to Newsweek magazine where he served as senior White House correspondent. He traveled with Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign for Newsweek. He has appeared on MSNBC as a political analyst and has made appearances on several international media television programs.

KLRU responds to Citizen Koch documentary controversy

Posted on by

Many of you know about the controversy surrounding the “Citizen Koch” documentary. (If not, please read the included links to news articles on the subject.) We have read the emails, petitions and comments from our community with interest and appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few matters regarding “Citizen Koch.”

The public television system includes a wide array of organizations, from producers and local stations to distributors like PBS.  Each entity is independently owned and operated.

The Independent Television Service (ITVS), which funds, presents and promotes documentaries and dramas for public television and cable networks, was the organization that was in discussion with the makers of the film “Citizen Koch.” ITVS did not submit the film to PBS, or any public television station, for consideration.

To the best of our knowledge, the filmmakers have not yet made “Citizen Koch” available for broadcast. Right now, it seems that the filmmakers are presenting the film at festivals and screenings.   If the film does become available to PBS stations, we will review it and consider airing it just as we would any similar submission.

If you would like more information on this subject, the PBS Ombudsman, Michael Getler, has written a column on this which you might find informative.

You might also be interested in a film presented earlier by PBS through ITVS and  INDEPENDENT LENS series entitled “Park Avenue.” This examination of the widening gap between America’s wealthy and rest of the nation by Alex Gibney (Academy Award-winning filmmaker of Taxi to the Dark Side and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) was aired by public television stations across the nation, including KLRU,  and can be seen via free streaming on klru.tv

We appreciate your feelings on this matter, and we share your concern for open and honest information.  KLRU appreciates and seeks out input from our community.  We will watch for a program offer that will allow us to consider “Citizen Koch.”

 

Recent articles about the film and PBS:

The New Yorker, May 27, 2013
A Word From Our Sponsor – Public television’s attempts to placate David Koch
By Jane Mayer

Beyondthebox.org, May 28, 2013
ITVS Responds to The New Yorker article on Park Avenue and Citizen Koch

The PBS Ombudsmen, May 25, 2013
David Koch and PBS: The Odd Couple
By Michael Getler

Current.org, May 20, 2013
Was resignation of billionaire Koch from WNET Board related to controversial doc?
By Dru Sefton

Indiewire.com, May 23, 2013
Why ITVS should be held accountable and “Citizen Koch” should be called “Citizen Corp”
By Anthony Kaufman

 

American Experience preview screening 10/15

Posted on by
KLRU featured event

Join us for a special preview screening of American Experience War of the Worlds with Director Cathleen O’Connell and American Experience Executive Producer Mark Samels in attendance.

DATE: Tuesday, October 15th 
TIME: 7 pm
LOCATION: Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane
RSVP: The event is free but an RSVP is required. RSVP now

With the CBS radio broadcast of Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” serving as its narrative spine, American Experience War of the Worlds examines the elements that together created one of the biggest purported mass hysteria events in U.S. history. Public outcry, forever immortalized in thousands of letters written to CBS, the FCC and Mr. Welles himself, are dramatized in on-camera interviews, bringing to life the people who listened that night to the broadcast and thought it was either awfully good fun or the end of the world.

Producer and Director Cathleen O’Connell and American Experience Executive Producer Mark Samels will be in attendance for a post screening audience Q&A. Local cast members who participated in the reenactments will also be in the audience.

American Experience War of the Worlds will air on KLRU October 28 at 8 pm and October 31 at 9 pm.

Mi Historia: Senator Gonzalo Barrientos

Posted on by

KLRU will be highlighting several distinct Austin voices as part of the Latino Americans Mi Historia project. Today’s video features Senator Gonzalo Barrientos.

We also want you to become a part of the Latino Americans Mi Historia project. Make a video describing what being Latino means to you, share your family traditions, tell us how you celebrate your heritage and culture or let us know about your role models. Share your story and become part of ours. More details on submitting your video