autumn's blog

DMA recorded the “Town Hall Forum with Congressman John Garamendi, D-CA” on Feb. 12, 2017, at the Veterans Memorial Theater in Davis. The standing-room only event featured a wide range of concerns from local citizens. The program is airing on DCTV, Channel 15 on Comcast Davis and Menu 99 on AT&T U-verse.

Also in mid-February, DMA Studio Manager Diane Dedoshka and Executive Director Autumn Labbé-Renault helped 11 non-profits create short, impactful public service announcements about their work. These short pieces are designed to be shared on wesbsites and social media, creating an easy way to help them communicate about their mission and impact. They also air frequently on DCTV.

With the passage of Proposition 64, the "California Marijuana Legalization Initiative," last November, there’s a real need to plan for the changes this will bring to businesses, local government, law enforcement, and venues. DMA offers up two pieces to help in understanding these changes. The first "Davis Hunts Sweet Spot for its Budding Marijuana Law," an episode of  “Davisville,” on KDRT, features host and producer Bill Buchanan interviewing Davis City Manager Dirk Brazil, and Chief Innovation Officer Diane Parro, discussing how the City begins to implement a cannabis policy.

Secondly, on March 7, DMA will record the Davis Chamber of Commerce luncheon panel "Canabis and its Place in the Davis Business Comunity". Moderated by Mayor Robb Davis, the panel features Ash Feeney, City of Davis; David Delaini, Davis Police Department; John Young, Yolo County Agriculture, Weights & Measures; Heidi D ’Agostino, Yolo County Marijuana Task Force; April Meneghetti, Yolo County Environmental Health; Keith Pitts, Marrone Bio Innovations, and Lorne Silverstein, Integrate Cal. We’ll make the video available on DCTV and online once edited.

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It’s been a month filled with collaborative meetings, from strategic planning sessions with the Arts Alliance Davis, to meetings of the City’s Broadband Advisory Task Force. This work has me thinking about larger community processes, stakeholders, and long-term impact, and the roles that Davis Media Access (DMA) might play.

The arts meetings brought together regular Alliance participants—artists, galleries, museums, and arts organizations—with stakeholders representing schools, the city, and the university, as well as a cross-section of musicians, neighborhood organizers, parents, and fundraisers. The process came together under the leadership of City Arts & Culture Manager Rachel Hartsough, and it will inform her work in months to come as she writes grants that could fund larger-scale community art efforts.

The strategic planning has been a process of identifying community arts assets and gaps, and visioning forward to 2027. What might the arts landscape in Davis look like in 10 years? The ideas that resonated, for me, focused on neighborhood art projects and engagement, a la the work of the Davis Manor Neighborhood Council, and developing public art projects that center on conflict resolution.

My early career included stints as a newspaper reporter and editor. I loved going to cover lectures, protests, and other events that opened my eyes to new information. It was my job to ask hard questions and look for more than one viewpoint or source. Newsrooms were very different places back then, and news outlets were owned by many hundreds of corporations. Since I’ve been working in non-commercial community media—20 years this month—commercial media in this country has endured consolidation and a loosening of restrictions on media cross-ownership, to the point where 90 percent of major media are owned by just six corporations. I’ve written reams about these issues, and about the dangers of watering down and homogenizing the Fourth Estate. In lieu of actual news, we’ve become a nation of news-feed junkies reinforcing our own stereotypes via the echo chamber that is social media.

KDRT’s very first Fall Fundraiser aims to raise $5,200 for a new antenna to Boost the Signal across Davis. Jeff Shaw, who serves both as DMA’s production manager and KDT’s general manager, explains. "Our antenna was hastily installed in 2008 when we had to change frequencies, and it’s less than ideal –we've found our signal reach is not ideal for many listeners in Davis. We want to improve our signal so everyone in Davis can hear KDRT 95.7 FM clearly."

To donate, visit here. The fundraiser kicks off Nov. 28, but early-bird donations are welcome, too, of course! Please help us increase our reach across Davis: Boost the Signal! Don't miss the selection of thank-you gifts available on the donation page.

KDRT’s programmers and volunteer Management Team invite you to tune in for some special fundraiser programming starting at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28, and running through Dec. 5. We hope to celebrate our success at DMA’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 5. Thank you!

Our DMA community celebrates the winter holidays in many ways, pulling from many traditions. However you celebrate, we hope you’ll join us on Monday, Dec. 5 between 6-8:30 p.m for our Annual Holiday Open House. If you’ve been before, you know it’s a jam-packed celebration of everything DMA, with abundant food and drink, and lots of fun folk. If you haven’t been, it’s a great time to learn more about DMA’s work, and meet some of the vibrant people who participate here. All are welcome; no RSVP necessary. Please drop by any time during the evening!

Did you know? Allergies to fragrance or multiple chemical sensitivities can be classified as disabilities under ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are a number of people within the DMA community for whom artificial fragrance is not just unappealing, but constitutes a health hazard. This includes perfume and cologne, scented soaps, heavily scented deodorants, etc. Please help us make DMA a fragrance-free zone, and leave the fragranced products behind when you participate here. Thank you!

Curious about KDRT, DCTV or DJUSD Channel 17, and want to learn how Davis Media Access can help you? Plan to attend one of our General Orientations! We take a break from orientations in December, but return Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Any potential volunteers should attend one of these, held monthly. They last about an hour and include the history of Davis Media Access, a tour of the facilities, and information on how to get involved. Anybody is welcome to attend an Orientation, but to use the facility for your own productions you have to live, go to school, or volunteer at an organization in Davis, California. Davis Media Access does not charge for the use of our equipment and facilities and attending a General Orientation is the first step for getting involved. Register now.

We’re saying farewell to summer and ushering in the busy fall season. The board and staff at Davis Media Access are hitting the pause button to share a little fun with some of our favorite folks before things get too crazy. Volunteers, donors, friends—you are invited! Here are the details: Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, 4-7ish DMA’s Backlot & Facility, 1623 Fifth Street We will provide: burgers and dogs, including veggie options, fixins’, chips, and cold drinks. We’ll have the paper goods and such, too. You provide: Your good company. Drop by at any point in the evening. There will also be cake in recognition of KDRT's birthday and a few others. We look forward to seeing you! If you can, please RSVP. Hope to see you there!

DMA General Orientation: Curious about KDRT, DCTV or DJUSD Channel 17? Would you like to learn how Davis Media Access could help you? If you want to get involved, volunteer, or use equipment, you must first attend a general orientation. The next one is scheduled for Wed. Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The orientation includes the history of Davis Media Access, a tour of the facilities, and information on the many aspects and opportunities provided by DMA. Free & open to anyone who lives, works, studies or volunteers in Davis.

Davis Teen Animators’ Club has space for a couple more members. The club meets two Fridays a month from 4-5 p.m. at DMA. Members must be between 13-17 years old, live or go to school in Davis, and be interested in hands-on traditional or computer animation projects. Email agsilva@davismedia.org if interested. Read more about the club at the Davis Enterprise

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Please see the internship description for more information and to apply. Interested applicants may submit a resume or brief letter describing their skills and any personal goals related to the internship. Please submit to DMA Production Manager Jeff Shaw at info@davismedia.org.

In 1986, Davis Community Television was not yet in existence, but local programming was produced under the auspices of the Davis Community Cable Co-Op. A volunteer producer then and now, Jon Li shares the following:

We did a city council election show live at The Palms, beginning at 8 pm. I was the host. We had six bands play, with each of the four candidates for two seats having their turn to talk between the bands.

That September, I started interviewing the hundreds of interesting people in Davis, beginning with Mayor Dave Rosenberg. I read a 15-minute argument about the new General Plan process, and lawyer Dave refuted each of my points. Maybe my best show was Ken Watt, the evolutionary ecologist: I spent an hour in his office the day before trying to get in a word edgewise; on camera, Ken spoke for 15 minutes, and I asked if he had anything else he wanted to say, and he said no, so I had to think of something: “What do you think about the future of computers?” Ken said, “You know I love computers,” and he filled the air with the future.

“What’s Going On” kicks off its 30th year of productoon with Mayor Robb Davis, and then Terry Whittier, former Davis planning commissioner and current planning commissioner from Sunnyvale, a charter city. We are talking about making Davis a charter city.

The volunteers for “Artist’s Connection” have been producing their show monthly for just about two years, with award-winning San Francisco journalist Kevin Fagan as host. The program features topic-driven interviews of artists with questions that go beyond persona and performance, revealing the reasons behind the choices that artists make, and giving viewers a glimpse through the eyes of the artist. It’s focused heavily on performers in Yolo County.

This month, Producer Sam Hawk told us the show would draw to a close as Fagan (also a musician) pursues writing a book. It’s been a great run, and they leave behind a wealth of informative programming. Hawk says he’ll be transitioning to a radio show soon, and I’ll be listening for that.

The Yolo County Nonprofit Leaders Alliance will hold volunteer fairs this fall.

• Oct. 5, 4-6 p.m. - Woodland Community and Senior Center (2001 East Street in Woodland:

• Oct. 19, 4-6 p.m. - Davis: Davis Arts Center (1919 F Street in Davis)

• Nov. 2, 4-6 p.m. - Civic Center Galleria (1110 West Capitol Avenue in West Sacramento)

OLLI Enrollment Open

The Vocal Art Ensemble digs deep into the salt of the earth, excavating
the cultural foundations that shape the ever-flourishing art of song.
Cultivating choral transplants across countries and generations, VAE
nurtures a musical garden of human experience, through the common
grounds of life, death, faith, serenity, love, and dreams. Collaborating in this program will be ceremonial sound practitioner
Rene Jenkins, who uses ancient indigenous instruments to harvest
timeless soundscapes of magical dimensions.

Spanning 10 stages with 45 bands, the Davis Music Fest rolls into it's 6th year.  The festival benefits both Davis School Arts Foundation and the DHS Blue & White Foundation. Local favorites West Nile Ramblers, Rita Hosking Band and Gravy Nation will be playing along with many out of town bands.  No matter what you'll find a band you enjoy throughout the event.  

Davis Shorts: Current DMA volunteers and producers are welcome to attend "Davis Shorts" on May 25 at 7pm. Davis Shorts will be a screening of DMA Producers (& friends) short-form completed work, current drafts, or other projects intended to provoke discussion.  Seating is limited- use the registration link to guarantee a seat!