Great photo opportunity...

What a great treat for your child...a picture with his/her best TV friend! I found this link recently and think that it is such a wonderful way to bring a smile to your child's face. You can add Elmo, SuperWhy, Curious George or even Sid the Science Kid (just to name a few) to your favorite photo. The process is very easy and the end result is one for the scrapbooks. Just upload your photo, choose your character and voila, you are done! The best part? It is free! Enjoy.

P.S. This is not for kids only. If you've always wanted your own photo with Super Grover, please, help yourself.

Children and Adults learn as they PLAY...

Children play. Children learn as they play. Play alongside children and watch what you learn too! We have hosted 43 Play and Learn groups (for children birth to five years old) in San Antonio during the past 5 months and we have loved watching the families all grow. Sharing the messages that, "Any time is learning time," "The classroom just got bigger," and "You are the child's first and most important teacher," are statements of great power.

At the Play and Learns, families are having FUN as they are learning from each other and exchanging ideas. Children are given the opportunity to socialize with others, sharing materials, singing songs, and getting messy with art activities! Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, family members, friends, and neighbors are all joining in too!

When you were a child, what was your favorite past time? Who were your playmates? We look forward to having you attend our Play and Learns too. Join us as we go on "bear hunts," safaris, paint murals, build tiny towns, share story time, and go on marching parades! To learn more, call us at 270-9000!

The Gavel Blazes On...

While we’ve dimmed the lights on KLRN’s 43rd Annual Great TV Auction, the great deals are just beginning!

Visit BlazingGavels.com and search from nearly 200 items still available online… from art to automotive discounts, rafting to a round of golf. Many items are available for immediate purchase through the “BUY IT NOW” feature. All remaining items will close on Monday night, June 22. We’ll follow-up with winners on Tuesday, June 23 to discuss pick-up and pay.

We also hope you'll join us on Thursday, June 25 when we’ll fling open the doors to the KLRN studios for our annual AFTER AUCTION AUCTION. Arrive at 5:30 PM, where you’ll find many auction items offered at great prices! The first items close at 6 PM. KLRN is at 501 Broadway at the corner of McCullough.

And finally, take a peek behind the scenes and see just of few of the faces that kept us going during the 10 day marathon.

Blazing Gavels Auction Drama!

The Winning bidder on this year's Blazing Gavels Dash For Cash races between two fish tanks, one filled with nickels, dimes and quarters, and the other, he gets to take home. It's a simple monetary transaction: scoop from the one tank, and shovel into the other. And everything he grabbed and put in the 2nd tank for :45 was his to take home. The crowd counted him out for the last :10 and applauded wildly.

Heavy on drama, heavy on action, heavy on fun. But that's what KLRN's Blazing Gavels Auction is all about.

If that's just a little too wild for your taste, head over to the Blazing Gavels website for Auction action that's all controllable by you. You can plan a vacation by searching our Trips of the night. You can search for affordable jewelry for that special someone. Or you can even buy a 1950 Studebaker. Really! Check it out.

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!