We have come to the end of our 17 day pledge drive and are $44,220 short of our goal. KLRU is not alone. We’ve heard from a number of PBS stations across the country who are stretching to reach their August fundraising goals. Many will choose to extend on-air fundraising, instead of returning to regular programming. KLRU remains committed to keeping our pledge drives short, so we have returned to the regular schedule you depend on.

If you’ve already made a gift, thank you. If you haven’t, now is the time we need you the most.

Tell your friends, neighbors, and co-workers that KLRU needs them, too. We are Austin’s only locally owned and operated television station and we need everyone – and especially you - to survive.

Please take a minute, make a donation, and spread the word.

We have been looking forward to this night for a very long time! In celebration of Julia Child’s 100th birthday, some of the best chefs and foodies in Austin will be joining us LIVE in studio during a special presentation of three classic episodes of The French Chef featuring Julia’s take on omelettes, boullaibase, and roasted chicken, tonight at 7pm on KLRU.

If you call in during the evening with your support for KLRU, you might be talking with one of these wonderful people on the phone: Rene Ortiz (La Condesa, Sway), Laura Sawicki (La Condesa, Sway), Philip Speer (Uchi/Uchiko), Aaron & Stacy Franklin (Franklin BBQ), Karla Loeb (Slow Food Austin), Larry McGuire (Lamberts, Perla’s, Elizabeth Street Cafe, Fresa’s, Jeffrey’s), John Bates (Noble Pig), Sonya Cote (Hillside Farmacy, Homegrown Revival) and Casey Wilcox (Justine’s), and Patty Cater (Central Market).

This is the perfect opportunity to support the great history of cooking shows on public television and celebrate the incredible culinary scene here in Austin. We love when we can connect the awesome programming on KLRU with our local community and who better to showcase the KLRU vision of inspiration and creativity than Julia herself.

Every gift made tonight (or made online here) will automatically be entered to win one of several gift certificates to the places above and others: Olive & June, Parkside, Olivia, The Back Space, Foreign & Domestic, Lenoir, Chez Nous, Trace, Dai Due, Second Bar + Kitchen, and Barley Swine. A gift of just $25 could mean a dinner at a critically-acclaimed Austin restaurant – and you’ll be supporting Austin’s only locally owned and operated television station at the same time – what’s not to love about that?!

KLRU needs your support during this August pledge drive – if you love food, you won’t want to miss out on tonight’s special tribute to Julia Child beginning tonight at 7pm. Thank you for celebrating with us.

What if every parent who trusts KLRU with their children….

What if every concerned citizen who tunes into KLRU for election coverage…
What if every artist who sees inspiration in KLRU Collective and Arts in Context…
What if everyone who laughs with Brit-Coms or cries with Masterpiece…

…gave a gift to KLRU today?

This August, we’re trying to raise $240,000 to remain a strong and beneficial service in this community. Many of you have already put a price on what you love about KLRU and we’re $30,000 closer to our goal. Thank you for doing your part. But we need everyone who can to support KLRU right now.

What if you took this opportunity to think about what you value in KLRU and made adonation today?

Your tax-deductible gift of $5, $35, $50, $100 or any amount that is right for you, ensures that KLRU will create possibilities, trust, knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment for everyone in Central Texas…right now and for generations to come.

For supporting during this August pledge drive, choose from some great thank you gifts including t-shirts, DVDs, CDs, and posters!

Create culinary masterpieces withThe French Chef!

We’re celebrating Julia Child’s 100th birthday tomorrow night at 7pm with classic episodes of The French Chef and Austin chefs from incredible restaurants like La Condesa, Franklin BBQ, Uchi/Uchiko, and more! Consider making a gift and get automatically entered to win one of 20 gift certificates to some of the finest dining Austin has to offer!

British Beat to British Drama

Going through some London Olympics withdrawal? We’ve got you covered with British Beat, a fun and funky concert featuring the Zombies, the Animals, and many more UK legends, Thursday at 7pm. And for all you Downton Abbey Fans, get your costume drama history lesson this Sunday at 8pm with Story of the Costume Drama.

Sing it, Tony!

Tony Bennett is joined by a tour-bus-load of talented musicians for Great Performances: Duets tonight at 9pm! Guests include Queen Latifah, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Andrea Bocelli, and Lady Gaga. You won’t want to miss this beautiful concert – and get the CD for your own collection!