ARTS: Our version

I love the arts, I just do. I love anything that makes the world more gorgeous than it already is. I see beauty in the things that are simple, elegant, and not even considered “artsy”. I see my kids lining up leaves on the table as art. I see art in the way knick knacks are arranged on a shelf or in the way certain people sign their name. Art is everywhere.
When we (at KLRN) were first having the discussions earlier in the year about launching our own local arts show, I had to contain myself. I was so excited about the concept, but I had to harbor the excitement and put in place the work it would take to launch the show. The name: ARTS.  The look, the feel, the vibe, the details---there was so much to do, and only a small crew to do it. It is funny too because what is considered good art to one person, may be considered junk to another. Art is very personal and I wasn’t sure how we were going to bring it all together and AGREE on it. But we did.

Our graphic designer came up with a logo that just fit. When she put it into motion on-screen, it fit BETTER. When our editor put the first spot together, even when it was a rough draft, we could tell that the feel of the program was going to be fun and hip and almost eccentric. I realized that our version of the arts was exactly what I was hoping for---less paint on canvas, art history and classical music and more eclectic collectibles, jazz music, and art exploration. It all came together just beautifully.

From the very first moment I met Asia Ciaravino, our host, I knew she was the perfect fit for our program. Funny, knowledgeable, and just easy to like---I liked that. She sees the world as an opportunity, she appreciates quirky things, and she shines on camera. Like I said, she is just perfect.

ASIA ON ARTS: “I love art because it sparks creative thought and emotion. I also love the study of human nature. In art we create an open forum for expression; each art form allows the consumer a different touch point. Theatre is my art. Being an actor has taught me many things about people; most importantly that everyone has different or competing objectives. When you listen, you are able to decipher what people really want and understand how to give it to them. As we grow and understand people, we become better actors. As we listen more and talk less, we become better people. I believe art is a transformative force with the power to change people profoundly. “

We are in the process of completing our fifth show. It is all still new, we are still finding our groove, and we are working on how to make this good concept GREAT.

The hard work was not mine. The hard work came from the graphics, the editor and our crew who had/have to be on location to film anytime, anywhere. I say they “have” to do the work, but it is more accurate to say that they “get” to work on this project. This is a fun one—and they agree that while we all consider this work, we are really lucky that this new program belongs to us.

ARTS for all. I hope you have a chance to see the show and embrace art near and far…

And the next time you see something strategically or not-strategically placed, you stop and appreciate that it’s existence is actually…art.

-Katrina

Women Make History

by Yvonne Yates
Director of School Services, KLRN

Mae Jemison once said that you should never limit yourself because of others’ limited imaginations and never limit others because of your own limited imagination. She broke frontiers in 1992 by becoming the first African American woman to travel to space while on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Women’s History Month encourages the celebration of women in history as a way to promote equality among the sexes in the classroom. Writing this reminded me of a time when I was at recess with my students and I heard one of the young men in my class tell the young ladies that they could not play football because it was a “boy’s game.” I smiled at the girls and told the boys that if the girls wanted to play that they could. The exact same day, we were making ice cream in science and one of the girls told her partner that she needed to do the mixing of the ingredients because she was the girl. After these two instances, I decided that I would take some time at the end of our day to have a class meeting to discuss gender roles.

I started the conversation talking about their parents and asking with they did for a living. Many of my students had parents in the military, and we discussed their role in their particular job. I asked my students if a person of the opposite sex could do the job that their mother or father does. “Yes, Ms. Yates of course.” I continued to talk to them and said that although some career and activities are predominantly one gender, this did not limit the other gender to participate. We made a list of all the activities that mostly only men do and another list of activities that mostly only women do. One side had basketball player and race car driver and the other had cook and teacher. We discussed the WNBA and shows such as Top Chef.

I gave them as an extra-credit assignment to find pictures or articles of people in careers that they thought were only for men or for women. It opened my students’ eyes to a world where anything is possible and that there are no limits to what you can do--if you let your imagination fly. I never again heard my students limit their classmates to any activities on or off the playground.

Some students might not know of influential women such at Dolley Madison who pushed the envelope of United States politics in the early 1800’s.

What are some of the lessons that you are teaching in your classroom that focus on the role of women in history?

TWEETING THE AUCTION
By (Guest Blogger) Laura Bray
Bruce and I always look forward to June and the Blazing Gavels auction. Over the years, we’ve purchased art, wine, vacations, jewelry, and much more, all while supporting our great local television station. So I was flattered beyond measure (and ridiculously excited!) when KLRN asked me to serve as one of their “guest Tweeters” during the event!
KLRN staffer Katrina Kehoe set me up with a computer and desk, and off I went. We’ve watched the auction for years, but I’ve never been in-studio. I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it all runs. There’s plenty of energy in the room, but no panic or any sense of frenetic activity. It runs like a well-oiled machine. You can really tell that the staff and many of the volunteers have done this for a long time.
The redesigned set occupies a much smaller space, but it didn’t appear to be crowded or cramped. The boards still rotate around all evening, and the volunteers worked well in the new space.
The “guest Tweeter” desk sits up on the top platform, just to the left of where announcer Steve Alwais sits. The spot provided me with an excellent view of all the activity below. Occasionally I would wander the studio, take photos, and talk to volunteers. This being a new activity, my desk attracted a good bit of attention from those getting ready to read the boards. Everyone kept looking over my shoulder as I typed.
The most surreal aspect of the evening: while everything looked familiar, I couldn’t hear the announcer or board readers. Monitors were scattered throughout the studio, but all were muted. It was strangely disorienting.
I kept expecting the energy level to drop as the evening progressed, but it never happened. A new shift of phone bank volunteers arrived around 10:00 pm, and they were just as enthusiastic as the first bunch.
I truly enjoyed the experience…so much so that I returned on the final night!
And let me tell you…..that zebra is totally creepy in person.

Laura Bray blogs as Alamo A La Carte (http://alamoalacarte.blogspot.com) and tweets as @laurabray

It really does take a village...

As we approach the 44th Annual Blazing Gavels auction, there is a buzz in the building, on the streets, and throughout the community and we all hear over and over again... donate, donate, donate! The energy is fantastic. And while it is very easy to get lost in the donations that make the auction what it is, it is the energy that so many of us use to make it all happen that is the key. I have to stop for a moment and thank all of the restaurants who have committed hundreds of meals over the 10 days of the auction to feed our volunteers. These restaurants (some of them have even promised more than one day!) make sure that the over 1,500 volunteers that set up fort in the KLRN studio for the auction are well fed.
It does take a village, a whole village, to make this event happen. We recognize, salute and applaud everyone who is providing a lunch, dinner or snack to our amazing volunteers. If you want to get involved, please give us a ring--- 270.9000, ask for Sharon or e-mail ssutton@klrn.org ---I would be delighted to add your name to the list below.

Chipotle
Sugar Hill Bakery
Cabot Cheese
Mission Foods
Sugarbakers
Spaghetti Warehouse
Deananns Gourmet Popcorn
WD Deli
FattysBurgers
Goombas Pizza
Le Cake
Black Eyed Pea
R&S Dairy Queen
Taco Taco
Picante Grill
Cheesy Jane’s
Fourth Street Inn
Earl Abels
Burger King
Sol Y Luna
Green Restaurant
Good Time Charlies
Michelino’s
Rudy’s Deli
Domino’s Pizza
Butterfly Cake Bites

Can you imagine their excitement?

A typical "school project" is filled with stress, angst, deadlines, grades, and usually some last minute cramming. Sound about right? Well, a group of St. Mary's Hall students may have felt some or all of those feelings while working on their group project for Fresh Cut but this week they were able to feel a bit rewarded for their work. Fresh Cut is a film contest held annually by KLRN for local high schoolers. Students submit their projects which are viewed and judged by a professional panel. The top finalists make it on-air for a one-hour documentary--and it is then that the Director's Cut winner is announced. Last year we added an on-line element allowing the public to vote for their favorite (resulting in a Viewers Choice award).

When the team at PBS NewsHour learned about our project, they viewed the 2010 finalists and found that one film in particular stood out. Not long after contacting us, a PBS NewsHour Extra reporter was interviewing (via Skype) the 4 students behind the film. My, my...hasn't interviewing changed! We are terribly proud of all of the student films submitted this year and to the group from St. Mary's Hall--congrats on the interview! You've represented San Antonio very very well.

All winners will be announced on air May 20th. You bring the popcorn, students provide the entertainment.

Want to make competition fun? Bring wine into the picture.

5 panels of judges sniffed, swirled and sipped 515 different varietals of wine on Saturday for the 2010 San Antonio Wine Competition. The results of this competition help to determine which wines are served at the San Antonio Wine Festival events, but they also help the general public through the sometimes intimidating wine aisles. Our judges were fantastic, the volunteers were organized and impressive, and of course the wineries came through with quality products---and this all led to a successful competition. The results will be published in the February 14th issue of the San Antonio Express-News. See below for a sneak peek into this endeavor.





For more information on the competition or any of the San Antonio Wine Festival events, please visit http://www.sawinefest.com/. Cheers!