Posted on January 31st, 2012

Light  / The Holocaust & Humanity Project is a full-length contemporary ballet being put on by Ballet Austin and a Holocaust education partnership that promotes the protection of human rights against bigotry and hate through arts, education, and public dialogue. Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project returns to Austin in 2012 from Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15) through Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day (April 19), with events/initiatives led by more than 30 community partners.  The Austin American Statesman published an editorial about the project by Karen E. Gross,  community director of the Austin Anti-Defamation League, Cookie Ruiz, executive director of Ballet Austin, and Bill Stotesbery, chief executive and general manager of KLRU-TV, Austin PBS.

KLRU will produce television and web content related to Light  / The Holocaust & Humanity Project and will host Gerda Weissmann Klein as part of Spark on March 20th. During February, KLRU will have special programming each Sunday at 1 pm. The programs will be:

2/5 Irena Sendler: In The Name Of Their Mothers
During WWII, a group of young Polish women, some barely out of their teens, outfoxed the Nazis and rescued thousands of Jewish children from certain death. Over half a century later, 95-year-old Irena Sendler tells the true story, long suppressed in Communist Poland, of this daring conspiracy of women who risked their lives in the name of Warsaw’s Jewish mothers.

2/12 Not In Our Town: Light In The Darkness
In 2008 in Patchogue, NY, a series of attacks against Latino residents ended with the killing of 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorian immigrant who had lived there for 13 years. Seven local high school students arrested for the crime admitted they were “looking for a Mexican” to beat up. Over a two-year period, the film followed Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri as he led a diverse group of residents to confront the anti-immigrant bias in their town and repair the fabric of their community life. The victim’s brother, Joselo Lucero, and other Latino residents became leading voices for immigrants while working within the community to address local divisions. Faith leaders mobilized their congregations, and educators and school administrators developed anti-bias programs.

2/19 Not In Our Town: Class Actions
This program tells the stories of a suburban California school district, a mid-western college town and a college campus in the heart of the South where people are working together to stop hate and intolerance, and activitating their communities to create safer, more accepting environments for everyone. “Not In Our Town: Class Actions” profiles local innovators — a teacher who starts an anti-bullying program at her school, then spreads it to five districts; diverse leaders in a college town who bring students, local officials and community members together after a wave of bias attacks; and a coalition of students who take positive action when their core values are threatened. Also airs Feb. 13 at 9 pm

2/26 Teenage Witness: The Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Story
In 1941, the Nazis asserted their power by overrunning tiny villages throughout Eastern Europe. In the middle of the horror and chaos stood 15-year-old Fanya Gottesfeld (Heller). Only through the kindness of a Polish peasant did Fanya survive – hidden beneath a chicken coop with her parents and brother for two-and-a-half years. Based on her acclaimed memoir, Love In A World of Sorrow, this documentary presents a raw and emotional look at survival and the tenacity of the human spirit. Richard Gere narrates. Fanya’s story differs from other Holocaust narratives because of her relationship with a Ukrainian soldier – a Nazi collaborator who helped save her family from certain death. However, this relationship left Fanya with questions she continues to struggle with today. Since the book’s publication in 1993, the Holocaust survivor has dedicated her life to spreading a message of hope to audiences young and old. Today, Fanya shares the details of her ordeal with inner-city teens in the hopes of making them understand, and even relate to, the difficult choices she made. The atrocities of the Holocaust occurred more than 60 years ago, but its lessons of courage and tolerance and the dangers of prejudice and baseless hatred remain relevant today. At the age of 83, Fanya contemplates a return to her hometown of Skala, in present-day Ukraine, accompanied by Father Patrick Desbois, the French-Catholic priest responsible for identifying more than 600 previously unknown graves of Jews. The film follows Fanya as she wrestles with the past and focuses on the importance of her work today.

Posted on January 27th, 2012

This week, KLRU hosted the first of two workshops to explain to middle school students how to create games for the PBS portion of the National Video Game Challenge. We met in a game design class at East Austin College Prep Academy with students, their teachers, Laura Minnigerode of World Wide Workshops, Anne Fertitta of AMD (a fellow national sponsor), Michael Mayrath of GYLO, a local startup in educational gaming, and two guest speakers: Prof. Susan Empson of UT-Austin and Vicki Smith, a national finalist in last year’s Video Game Challenge.

For the competition, students are creating math games that help elementary-age students solidify essential math concepts. We had Prof. Empson, our elementary math expert, and Ms. Smith, our award-winning game designer, help connect mathematical thinking to solid game construction. As part of the workshop, we had students present games in progress and all of our experts then chimed in commentary on how to beef them up for submission.

Our next stop: Travis HS on Tuesday, Jan. 31! If you’d like to help mentor students in their submission, either in person or via distance, contact Ben Kramer at 475-9050 or bkramer@klru.org.

Posted on January 18th, 2012

Educators can register now for the free Play Safe! Be Safe! event on Feb. 10

Austin, TX — KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, in partnership with other community organizations brings the award-winning fire safety education workshop Play Safe! Be Safe! to Austin on Friday, Feb. 10, at the Region XIII Education Service Center, 5701 Springdale Road. This event is designed to give teachers, other child care providers, child care program managers and fire and life safety educators the information and tools they need to instruct children ages three to five on fire safety.

The day’s activities will present a fascinating and entertaining look into the preschool child’s perception of fire, the surprising frequency of children’s misuse of fire and practical approaches to teach young children fire safety. All participants receive a free Play Safe! Be Safe! kit and trainers will receive additional kits for distribution.

KLRU’s Play Safe! Be Safe! training event will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 10 at Region XIII Education Service Center. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Register online now or contact Mary Alice Appleman at 512-475-9051 or maappleman@klru.org

KLRU is presenting Play Safe! Be Safe! in conjunction with United Way Capital Area, Region XIII Education Service Center and Texas State Fire Marshal Office.

Play Safe! Be Safe! is an award-winning fire safety education program created especially for children ages three to five. It was developed by BIC Corporation in cooperation with educators and fire safety experts. Find educational games and activities for your children or students, or learn about our workshops for educators, community leaders and fire safety personnel by using the links below.
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Posted on January 4th, 2012

Thanks to everyone who attended the Community Cinema screening of Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock. Our next screening will be Feb. 7th and will feature More Than A Month.

For further study of the issues presented in the January screening, please consider checking out these resources at your local branch of the Austin Public Library.

A mighty long way : my journey to justice at Little Rock Central High School /LaNier, Carlotta Walls.

Can we talk about race? : and other conversations in an era of school resegregation / Beverly Daniel Tatum

Five miles away, a world apart : one city, two schools, and the story of educational opportunity in modern America / James E. Ryan.

My father said yes : a white pastor in Little Rock school integration / Dunbar H. Ogden

Oh, do I remember! : experiences of teachers during the desegregation of Austin’s schools, 1964-1971 / Anna Victoria Wilson and William E. Segall

Remember Little Rock : the time, the people, the stories / Walker, Paul Robert.

The Detroit school busing case : Milliken v. Bradley and the controversy over desegregation / Joyce A. Baugh.

The power of one : Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine / Fradin, Judith Bloom.

The long shadow of Little Rock : a memoir / Bates, Daisy

Why she stayed at an African-American school, Solomon Coles, during desegregation / Brenda Mazone Glasgow.

Little Rock nine / Poe, Marshall.

Elizabeth and Hazel : two women of Little Rock / Margolick, David Turn away thy son : Little Rock, the crisis that shocked the nation / Jacoway, Elizabeth

Fighting their own battles : Mexican Americans, African Americans, and the struggle for civil rights in Texas / Brian D. Behnken.

Little Rock Central [videorecording]

The story of Ruby Bridges [videorecording]

Nine from Little Rock [videorecording]

With all deliberate speed [videorecording]

Posted on December 19th, 2011

KLRU  has partnered with the United Way Success By 6, Southeast Austin Community Branch Library and Any Baby Can to bring those in the Dove Springs Community an eight-week Play & Learn family workshop.

Play & Learn details

–Niños entre los 2 y los 3 años de edad y sus padres gozarán con canciones, cuentos, meriendas y juegos con amigos.

–Todas las actividades serán en inglés y en español y te ayudarán a tí y a tu niño o niña a prepararse para que tengan éxito en la escuela.

–Después de cada sesión, todas las familias recibirán un libro gratis, actividades para hacer en casa y una tarjeta de regalo de $5.00.

–El programa es GRATIS pero el espacio es limitado.

Para inscribirte por favor llama a la sucursal de Southeast, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd., (512) 974-8840

Al inscribirte te estás comprometiendo a participar en las 8 semanas completas.

Posted on December 9th, 2011

National contest challenges students and professionals

Austin, TX — KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, is one of 12 stations nationwide chosen to participate in the National STEM Video Game Challenge grant. KLRU will bring local middle school and high school students together with game developer mentors and education experts to create new games to compete in this national contest.

Inspired by the Educate to Innovate Campaign, President Obama’s initiative to promote a renewed focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, the National STEM Video Game Challenge is a multi-year competition whose goal is to motivate interest in STEM learning among America’s youth by tapping into students’ natural passion for playing and making video games.

In early 2012, KLRU will bring mentors from Austin’s vibrant gaming community together with youth from one area middle school and one high school. The teams of students will work to create games to be entered into the national contest. KLRU will also document the creative process on the station’s blog. Game developers who would like to participate in the mentoring project should contact KLRU at 471-4811.

The National STEM Video Game Challenge has four categories — Middle School, High School, Collegiate, Educators — and is open to any U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident  To participate in the challenge as an individual or a non-KLRU team, please see the rules and guidelines for each level on the competition’s website at stemchallenge.org. Deadline to enter is March 12.

About KLRU:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, presents quality multimedia content that engages people in the thoughtful exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts, and enjoyable lifelong learning opportunities, resulting in a more vibrant community and a higher quality of life. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community engagement projects and public events. Known as the producing station of the longest-running live music television show AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, KLRU has also worked on several other national productions including OVERHEAD WITH EVAN SMITH and documentaries like CITIZEN ARCHITECT and LAST BEST HOPE. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

Posted on November 22nd, 2011

Jim Lehrer from PBS NewsHour with Austin High School students

Guest blog by Laura Laufer
senior media arts student at Austin High School

Having been involved with the PBS Student Reporting Labs for the last year as a junior, it was a real treat to be able to tour the KLRU studio and view one of the tapings for Overheard with Evan Smith with Jim Lehrer as the guest. It was only a year ago when my teacher was showing me a video clip of Mr. Lehrer addressing me and my classmates about the journey we were about to take working with the PBS NewsHour Extra website. Having only seen a high school media studio it was mind blowing to walk around the maze of KLRU’s office to see studios the size of our classroom and a control board that looked like something off of a spaceship. It was not only the size that was impressive, but the staff of KLRU is truly amazing; being able to watch them in their element was enjoyable and enlightening. (See photos from this taping on KLRU’s Flickr page)

The taping was my favorite part, listening to Jim Lehrer crack jokes about all of the politicians he’s interviewed was the highlight of my day. My parents were also jealous that I got to sit in on such an influential political figurehead which made the gloating that much more enjoyable. It was a learning experience as well. Being the youngest crowd there Overheard gave insight to the class about the inner workings of political interviews, a process that had never been explained to us. (more…)

Posted on November 14th, 2011

November 10, 2011 — This month’s Literacy Night/Meals for Minds at Pickle Elementary on Tuesday, November 15th, will focus on the KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, program Sesame Street’s Food for Thought. The project will help approximately 400 families in the Austin area.

Sesame Street’s Food for Thought, a bilingual, multimedia program, is designed to help families coping with uncertain or limited access to affordable and nutritious food. With a focus on families with children ages birth to 8, the project provides resources including recipes, menu guides, shopping lists and tips for families. Sesame Street’s Food for Thought also features one of the show’s newest characters that will help children learn about food issues.

“It’s an important sign of the times that Sesame Street has introduced a new Muppet, Lily, who lives with food uncertainty, and that the nationwide reaction to Lily has been so strong,” said Ben Kramer, KLRU’s Director of Educational Services. “We’re thankful to take part in this project, a remarkable collaboration of Austin organizations tackling hunger, nutrition, and education.”

November’s Literacy Night/Meals for Minds at Pickle Elementary takes place from 5-7:30 p.m. on November 15th and includes dinner for the invited families, teaching activities and food distribution. The event is part of a Target and Capital Area Food Bank grant called Meals for Minds, which brings food to feed elementary school students and their families most in need. With nearly 1 in 4 Texas children now living at risk of hunger the Capital Area Food Bank in partnership with Target, created this program to combat childhood hunger, and its impact on children’s education, while increasing parental involvement in their child’s education. Other sponsoring agencies include Austin ISD, City of Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, Austin Public Library.

About KLRU:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, presents quality multimedia content that engages people in the thoughtful exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts, and enjoyable lifelong learning opportunities, resulting in a more vibrant community and a higher quality of life. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community engagement projects and public events. Known as the producing station of the longest-running live music television show AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, KLRU has also worked on several other national productions including OVERHEAD WITH EVAN SMITH and documentaries like CITIZEN ARCHITECT and LAST BEST HOPE. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

Posted on November 1st, 2011

After months of trading ten-dollar bills to sit in a theater for two hours, while disappointing films like Transformers III, The Hangover 2, and Rise of the Apes flashed in front of me, I was quickly losing faith in the film industry the way the Autobots lost faith in their fearless leader Optimus Prime when a Decepticon cuts off Optimus’ arm in battle.

Enter: the Austin Film Festival.

For those feeling like they’ve been wandering through a barren desert of movies that deliver a message shallower than a gutter puddle, the Austin Film Festival provided an oasis for weary blockbuster-filmgoers to take shelter and feast.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the Austin Film Festival, tune into KLRU’s series, On Story. Showcasing exclusive footage from past festival panels, as well as interviews with the screenwriters and filmmakers behind the films, On Story gives viewers a chance to experience the Austin Film Festival in a unique way. Every episode of On Story pairs interviews and panel discussions with a short film from a Texas filmmaker who was featured at the Austin Film Festival.

As a first-time festivalgoer, I had no idea what to expect, so I decided my only objective would be to see and do as much as possible on Saturday and Sunday. Below is a tasting of some of the films I saw, including ones that made me think “what on earth?”, films I appreciated, but did not necessarily love, and films that made me want to be a better person:
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Posted on September 30th, 2011

The Still Water Foundation has just awarded KLRU-TV a $25,000 grant to help establish the Inspiration Fund.

The Inspiration Fund is an opportunity for donors to support comprehensive services at our station:  local productions, outreach and education activities including Ready To Learn, Community Screenings, Community Cinema and Spark! @ The Moody Theater.  Each of these elements frames KLRU as a trusted window to the world with universal access to educational and creative content in and beyond Austin.

KLRU is deeply grateful to the Still Water Foundation for its past support of our station.  Their continued investment in our mission will help bring pioneering programs, authentic engagement and meaningful acquisitions to Central Texans.  Thank you!