Why is this zebra on roller skates?

Tonight at 6 PM, KLRN kicks off our 43rd Annual Great TV Auction. And at this point, just about everyone in the building has or will contribute in some way!

Over the past few weeks, we've witnessed a flurry of activity in the studio... from installing and touching up the elaborate set to running phone/computer lines to preparing countless on-air videos/graphics.

On the second floor, a tireless team has been soliticing, accepting and organizing donations, ranging from the zebra on roller skates (pictured above) to some pretty nice wine packages.

On the third floor, a brand new auction web site was launched (http://www.blazinggavels.com/) and we already have over 100 bidders registered -- even before the auction actually begins! Debi has not only recruited over 1,000 voluteers but secured food donations from area restaurants to keep us all going.

We hope you'll tune-in or log-on over the next 10 days and be a part of the auction.

And as always, thanks for supporting KLRN.

DTV Installation Service

As the time for the analog TV shut-down approaches, there are two new FREE services available to help those who have not yet installed their DTV converters or the antenna they need to receive all the local DTV stations. These services have received federal grant funds to help out those who are still unconverted and who watch TV over-the-air. If you know someone who is experiencing difficulty with the DTV conversion, please let them know about these services.

STRAC (South Texas Resource and Assistance Center) received a grant from the FCC for both basic and expert installations.

* To set up an appointment, please call:
830-393-7888 or 1-866-999-3435
Hours 8a -8p M-F, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-6
* operators are bilingual (Spanish and English)
* offices are located throughout KLRN viewing area, including Laredo

INSTALLS, Inc. also received a grant from the FCC for both basic and expert installations.

* Viewers can set up an appointment through
1-800-582-4250 or https://dtvhelp.installs.com
Hours: 8am – 9pm, 7 days a week
* can assist viewers in both Spanish and English

DVR Watch: Great Performances: In The Heights- Chasing Broadway Dreams

Are you one of those who is always setting your DVR to record show to watch later? Or are you like many others who are watching more and more TV online?

Just last night, I caught up with Great Performances' "In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams." This is a moving tale of what it takes to bring a Tony Award Winning production from concept, all the way to opening night on Broadway. The production follows the compelling story of the producers and cast members as you learn about the physical and family sacrifices some of them make -- just to follow their dream.

Many of the musical numbers from the show are contrasted with the performer's own life story as a first generation immigrant, a Latina who is ashamed because she doesn't speak Spanish, and a young dad raising a son with autism.

Speaking of recording a show to watch later, you can catch an encore broadcast of "In The Height's: Chasing Broadway Dreams" on KLRN 9 (9.1) Tuesday morning (late Monday night), June 2 at 2:30 AM. You can also learn more about the show and see clips on the Great Performances web site.

[Trivia: The New Electric Company (airs on Fridays at 5PM) taps the creative minds behind "In the Heights" to bring their urban hip music style to literacy!]

Healthy Habits for Life - making an impact one family at a time!

KLRN recently received funding from the Baptist Health Foundation to implement and study the impact of the HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE curriculum, developed by Sesame Workshop to reach 200 children. The program is conducted in two separate phases. Each phase studying 100 youth, their families and caregivers.

The HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE project will teach children: 1) how to make healthy food choices, and 2) how to be physically active so that they can begin to establish healthy habits for the rest of their lives. The project also includes several other components which include training, modeling, strategizing and engaging the youth as they learn all techniques and practices for their well being.

As we are reaching our final post assessment phase, to show our appreciation for the time and amazing energy given to this study. We gave the children, parents and the caregivers a very Healthy dinner! A special guest flew in from New York to attend this dinner and meet the participants. None other than COOKIE MONSTER !!

We had a spectacular evening and I truly believe that we have made a difference, not only in the children... but the parents, siblings and the caregivers. We look forward to beginning Phase II and seeing where this study will lead us in the future.

Until then...remember to eat your colors!

Submitted by:
Marissa Tejeda Ximenes
Special Projects Manager, KLRN
Healthy Habits for Life

Learn more about KLRN educational resources at klrn.org.

Does anyone have "change"...

It is a nail-biting day for 14 local high school students. Tonight Fresh Cut 2009 will air (at 8pm) and the finalists will finally find out whether their film has been "crowned" as the Directors Cut winner or the Viewers Choice winner.

The word "change," which was the theme for this years contest, was taken all across the spectrum and these entries show how one simple word can be construed so differently. The finalists, their parents, their teachers and their schools should be extremely proud of this work.

Our hope is that this contest has opened the door or the mind of the students and helped them explore a possible future---as a hobby or as a profession.

Congratulations to all.

The KLRN B&B

Yesterday KLRN received a call from a researcher with the Falcon Research Group (FRC) in Washington State who supports field research, public education, and the conservation of raptors. FRC traveled to Chile earlier this year to satellite tag four northern adult peregrine falcons. One of those falcons, a female named Elizabetha, spent the night of May 21 on the KLRN transmitter near Calaveras Lake. Visit Elzabetha’s tracking map at the project’s website: http://frg.org/track_pefa11.htm.

Looking Back - KLRN Great TV Auction

It is exciting and amazing to think that the KLRN Auction started in 1966. In the photos above, the fashion, the set design, and the technology alone speak volumes. Whether you were a part of it back then, whether you know the people in these photos or not, it is enjoyable to just thumb through them and see how far this auction has come.

In 11 days we will kick off year number 43, of what is now known as the Blazing Gavels Auction. Congratulations to EVERYONE--the buyers, the donors, the sponsors, the staff and of course, the volunteers-- for doing their part to keep this monstrous event going strong.
Now, let's auction!

Grab your magnifying glass!

If you have tuned into KLRN at 7:30am anytime Monday through Friday you've already entered the world of scientific exploration with Sid, May, Gabriella, Gerald, Teacher Suzie, and Baby Zeke. We are really excited to share that we have now kicked off our Sid the Science Kid workshops in San Antonio! Today was our first science lab at Washington Elementary and we had a great bunch who shared their excitement with the group! We have 19 more labs to go in 2009 and we hope to see you there! Take your magnifying glass out, get your science journal in your hand, and come learn with us about Sid the Science Kid! Be on the lookout for our dates that we will post as the months go by.

Sid will make a special appearance as he joins us on June 6th at Rosedale Park (303 Dartmouth)! So bring your cameras and your smiles and grab a hug from Sid the Science Kid!

Preschoolers Are Clicking Away

USA Today reviewed two PBS Kids interactive websites yesterday. These sites (PBS Play! and PBS Kids Island) are both designed to help todays preschoolers learn alongside some of their best friends: Curious George, SuperWhy and of course Elmo (just to name a few). Read the article.

You can access PBS Play! and PBS Kids Island through the new KLRN Kids Website--just click on the "games" tab at the top.

Below is a preview of PBS Play! for you. Enjoy.

Happy Friday!

DTV Power Increase

As of June 13, KLRN-DT will be moving from DT-8 to DT-9 and as a part of that process, the station has been granted a transmitter power increase. We will be also using the antenna that is mounted at the top of our tower instead of the current DTV antenna that is side-mounted and lower on the tower. Both the additional height and the additional power will improve signal coverage and stability. We believe that the change from Channel 8 to 9 will also eliminate the DTV interference we currently experience from the DT-8 channel in Corpus Christi. All good news for our viewers!

Making the transformation....

The photo above is what the KLRN studios look like this morning. Drills are going strong, paint buckets are appearing, and the schematics are being reviewed. All to make it look like...

THIS! Three weeks from today the studios will be buzzing with busy volunteers, ringing phones, and the words "Board Closed!" Yep, it is auction time and we are gearing up for the best 10 days of live television. Mark your calendars for June 3-12 starting at 6 p.m. nightly.

If you have yet to experience Blazing Gavels, welcome! Sit back and get ready to become obsessed with the I-wonder-what-is-coming-up-next syndrome. For you seasoned auction viewers and bidders, know that this year will be as exciting as ever. Tickets, furniture, travel packages, gift cards...the list goes on and on.

There is still time to become part of the action, though, so please contact us if you have questions.

Donate an item-- e-mail jcostello@klrn.org
Become a sponsor -- e-mail twright@klrn.org
Volunteer -- e-mail dsilva@klrn.org
Call and talk to someone about your questions: 210.270.9000 (or 800.627.8193)
Have an auction story to share? Please send it our way: stories@klrn.org

WATCH! BID! BUY! See you at the auction!

What's coming to KLRN TV?

Ever wonder what's coming to KLRN beyond what your TV's on-screen program guide will tell you?

Subscribe to KLRN's Previews Newsletter and we'll send you updates via email about every two weeks.

As an example, coming up in May, you can catch the second two installments of Masterpiece Mystery! with Kenneth Branagh as well as the winning 2009 Fresh Cut student film. That, and the always inspiring National Memorial Day Concert from Washington, DC.

And that's just a taste. Check out the most recent KLRN Previews for more highlights.

To sign-up to get KLRN Previews by email, visit http://www.klrn.org/signup/.

Exciting news from PBS Showcase

This week PBS is holding their annual meeting, PBS Showcase, in Baltimore, Maryland. PBS executives and producers have announced some exciting changes to the schedule coming down the pipeline. One such announcement is the addition of a new animated children’s series, “THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!” which will premiere in Fall 2010. Martin Short will voice the Cat in the Hat and the series will feature his two helpers, Thing One and Thing Two. Children will follow 6-year-old Sally and Nick as the cat leads them through amazing discoveries of natural science. Program outreach will also feature an important element to all PBS Kids series—an interactive website with learning tools for children and resources for their parents. To read more about this new series, click on the following link: http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20090511_pbskidscatinthehat.html.

Andrea.

Energy, Creativity, and Markers... Reading Rainbow!

During this year's Reading Rainbow contest, we were very lucky to read stories with characters like alligators, poodles in Paris, rainbow fruit, and the missing letter "m." Writers entertained us with stories about stamps who travel the world, a dog and cat who become friends, and a king who gives his daughter the world in her hands. This year we had an absolutely amazing response to our 15th Annual Young Writers and Illustrators Contest as we read 265 entries! Stories poured in from Bandera, Boerne, Bulverde, Cibolo, Converse, Devine, Elmendorf, Fair Oaks Ranch, Floresville, Gonzales, Harper, Helotes, Kirby, La Vernia, Lacosti, Leakey, Live Oak, Lytle, Mountain Home, New Braunfels, Pipe Creek, San Antonio, Schertz, Seguin, Somerset, Tarpley, and Universal City! Whew, that was a handful.

Over 450 people joined Mr. Steve and Miffy at our celebration on May 3rd in KLRN's Tobin Studio. The children arrived with smiles plastered on their faces and with amazing energy and excitement! Singing along, clapping, and grinning from ear to ear, children were involved in Mr. Steve's performance. One lucky second grader even strummed on Mr. Steve's guitar! Madison, KLRN's past national winner from 2001, joined us. She even read her winning entry with the families!

During the awards presentation, stunned and excited parents and winners popped up from the crowd when the entries appeared on the screen. Congratulations to all of the children who submitted a story and congratulations to the winners too! First place winners received a laptop donated by Mr. and Mrs. Vollmer, second place winners received a Leap Frog gift pack, and third place winners received a Reading Rainbow gift pack. Thank you to H-E-B and the Gladys Dalkovitz Fund for the generous support! Thank you to everyone who supported the contest and event. Thank you to Miffy for sharing warm hugs with the children too!

Check out our page on klrn.org/readingrainbow.

Looking forward to next year!

Have you installed your DTV converter box only to find you can't receive KLRN?

If you are using an antenna (not cable or satellite), here are a few tips that might help:

If you have one of those compact indoor antennas – at lot of the antennas that are promoted as “HDTV” antennas – it has very poor performance in receiving VHF television stations, like KLRN-DT. All the rest of the DTV stations (for now) broadcast in the UHF band and those smaller antennas may work just fine on UHF but are not satisfactory for VHF. At the very least, you need an all-band antenna (VHF+UHF).

If you live outside San Antonio, you may need an outdoor antenna to receive our signal. When the FCC calculates DTV coverage, their formula assumes that the receiver has an all-band outdoor antenna mounted on a 30’ mast. Of course many people would have difficulty installing such an antenna.

If you live inside the city, you might try to receive our signal using a basic set of “rabbit ears” – nothing fancy, just the two telescoping rods. You’ll need to experiment with the orientation of the rods to get the maximum signal level – and there should be a signal strength indicator in your DTV converter box. Look in the Menu for that display.

We'll keep posting more information as we move towards the June 12 transition, but you'll find much more on our DTV site at klrn.org/dtv.