Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by ron cooper

CROCKER ART MUSEUM & ACCESS SACRAMENTO present - "A Place Called Sacramento" - Thursday 6:30 PM

2012-01-31T06:28:49Z

Access Sacramento is excited to kick off PCS 2012, our thirteenth year, on this Thursday February 2nd at the wonderful Crocker Art Museum. If you would like an opportunity to see all 10 films on the big screen in the museum's theatre, now's your chance. It's a one night only event and rare chance to see all the films from 2011 together again. We hope to see you there!

The Crocker Art is pleased to present an encore screening of the 2011 "Place Called Sacramento" film festival. Friends of Access Sacramento, PCS filmmakers and fans are invited to celebrate, again, the 10 short films first premiered last October at the Crest Theatre.

Crocker Art Museum

216 O Street

Thursday February 2, 2012

Show starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $4 for Crocker Members

Advance tickets: Non-member $8.00 (online at crockerartmuseum.org or Admission Desk)

At the door: Non-members $10.00

"A Place Called Sacramento" (PCS), is the original, local scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters, new and experienced, to write 10-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (entry forms and submission guidelines are available online at www.AccessSacramento.org. The deadline for script submission is 5pm Tuesday April 10, 2012 in the Access Sacramento office. The Crocker screening serves as the official launch of the 13th annual "PCS" production process.

Want to know more about making a movie this summer? Do you have a good story but need to write a script? All scripts entered are reviewed by local professionals and 10 are selected. These 10 scriptwriter/producers are then introduced to volunteers, actors and technicians at The PCS "Cast and Crew Call" Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Production teams are formed and shooting - editing commences during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends gather at the World Premiere to a packed house at the CREST Theatre 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 7, 2012. All films are family friendly. The PCS production process is unique to Sacramento.

To view the films completed for the 2011 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. In the twelve years of PCS, over 119 short films have been created.

Access Sacramento is a nonprofit, community media organization building better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County for 25 years. With our TV studio, radio and television production equipment, media lab, and mobile production truck, we train and manage volunteers, programming cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director, Access Sacramento

4623 T Street, Suite A - Sacramento, CA. 95819

(916) 456-8600 ext. 112

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

10 Reasons Why a 50-Year Parking Agreement is Bad for Sacramento

2012-01-22T00:54:57Z

As our City leaders continue to debate how to finance an NBA-size arena in the downtown, climaxing with a final City Council vote in the next few weeks, here are ten reasons why I believe financing a new area with a 50-year "parking lot fee" agreement is not good for the financial and emotional well-being of our great City of Sacramento.

(1) Fifty-year agreements encourage abuse and escalation of fees. If the capitalist system depends upon free enterprise and competition, 50-year agreements are an invitation for corruption and exploitation. Immediately or gradually, we will all curse the day this deal was done, every time we park downtown.

(2) If you can afford $200-$500 for a family to see an arena-sized rock show or an NBA basketball game, an additional $15-$25 for parking doesn't seem like much. But if you have a "movie-theater-ticket-and-a-drink" budget, you go to the suburbs where the parking is free or at least affordable. Vouchers help big time for these thousands of consumers. Read between the lines of the contemplated parking fees - The City negotiators are desperate to "do the deal" and if free parking vouchers stand in the way, say good-bye to vouchers.

(3) Does anyone foresee a time in our great-grandchildren's lives (or fifty years?) when Sacramento becomes a center for corporate headquarters and major commerce? Not me. Given the current rules for NBA and major league sports arena financing, corporate underwriting is critical to the ongoing success of major league franchises. We don't have money for corporate "luxury boxes" now and we won't have enough in the future. Our biggest publicly owned company (a waste disposal firm) recently announced they are moving to Texas. I can't decide what part of this sentence bothers me the most. (a) As a City, are we not good enough for a company that hauls garbage? or (b) Why does a garbage truck company choosing to move to Texas makes such a big deal to our economy? Could this be an omen?

(4) The best "naming rights" deal the Maloof Family could come up with was a company that sells rubber bands for $30 and is currently sliding into bankruptcy. 50-year contracts for jacked-up parking fees sound more "cow-town" than 10,000 cowbells at a Lakers game.

(5) In the past decade, "silly money" mortgages were sold to good people with dreams bigger than their ability to pay. Selling the parking rights, for all of downtown, for the next fifty years, smacks of the same "Don't you want to aspire to enjoy a better life?" crap used by "vacation time share" salespeople. Once we do this deal, they will never stop calling. What will be the next proposal? Charging an admission to Old Sacramento?

(6) We are great as a "farm team" City. We love our AAA minor league River Cats with ticket prices we can afford. We love Friday night high school football. Our list of "home-grown" great ball players rivals any city in the nation. In Sacramento, we GROW great athletes –men and women - with tolerance, a solid work ethic, and excellent coaching. Let other cities bankrupt themselves chasing "parking lot dreams". We are smarter than that.

(7) Yes, a big league area would be good for local professional sports commentators. To move up to ESPN stature, you must have at least one major league sports team in your town. Do you now understand the motivation behind Grant Napear and others in "talk sports" radio, TV, and print? For the handful of big league sports commentators, this is a “jobs-bill” helping them each further their careers. Without the Kings, they would have to move too much more expensive cities to pursue their profession. How many of you are pro sports commentators wanting to work in New York or Los Angeles? I rest my case.

(8) Let’s organize ourselves and build a smaller downtown arena – one we can afford. Instead of 150 nights per year, let’s fill it up 300 nights with 12,000 music fans, families who love the circus, monster truck smash-ups, ice-skating clowns, high school volleyball championships, evangelical Christians, political conventions, and - your favorite affordable event. Why is building an arena big enough to keep the Kings in Sacramento - at any cost - the sole criteria for downtown improvement? Yes, this is a priority for Kings fans, our Mayor, the sports broadcasters, the Maloof family – maybe 20,000 local people, tops. Let’s do the math, re-prioritize, and adjust our planning.

(9) Wouldn't you rather have 300 nights of hustle and bustle downtown? Imagine, piling the family into the car, buying affordable event tickets, parking inexpensively within walking distance, eating out at great restaurants, dancing at diverse music clubs, and having more fun with fewer overpaid seven-foot millionaires to block the view? Now that's a town that pays its bills, raises great kids, and lives within its own skin.

(10) Financing an arena by collecting parking fees for fifty years just sounds cheap. Talk about a "nickel and dime" approach to big time sports. How about if we required City leaders and the Maloof family to stand on street-corners with a cardboard sign pleading with motorists "Spare Change for the Kings?" No, why would we ask them to do that - for the next 50 years - when we can install parking meters to achieve the same goal.

In conclusion, I really don't care what Charles Barkley and Phil Jackson think of us and neither should our community leaders. Grow up, Sacramento. Be bold and enjoy living within your means.... Isn't that the lesson of the Wall Street financial collapse? Make a budget and live within that budget. Be yourself, not what others think you should be. Live life in the moment and don't mortgage your future. These are the hard lessons we should have learned since 2008. Have we been paying attention?

City Council members, I ask you - 50 years - really? You are creating financial obligations for your great-grandchildren. In the year 2062, when they curse you for paying to park by the minute and for an arena that was demolished 25 years earlier - is this how you want to be remembered? Now that, my Sacramento friends, is a legacy I would rather avoid.

Disclosure: born in Sacramento at Mercy Hospital

TV for the Holidays - Access Sacramento Channel 17

2011-12-19T18:53:44Z

Show the NBA you don't need their back-to-back B-ball to enjoy the holiday spirit. During those lulls in family "How have you been?" catching up, endless high calorie snacking, and playing (breaking?) the kid's brand new toys, enjoy local holiday programming made by your neighbors right here in Sacramento County. Here's the schedule of special events - a "snapshot" of our Christmas weekend programming on Channel 17 and streamed on our web site at www.AccessSacramento.org - ENJOY - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

“Celebration Of Lights” – 9:00am

“Kid’s Corp Christmas Special” – 11:30am

“Giving – Winter Wonderland & Raley Field” – 12:00Noon

“Terry Moore Christmas Special” – 12:00Noon

“Dancing With The Stars” – 1:00pm

“Veteran’s Day Parade” – 3:00pm

“Happy Rhythm 2011 Christmas” – 4:30pm

“LiveWire! Santa Christmas Special” – 5:00pm

“Sacramento Dances – Let’s Dance Ballroom’s 2011 Holiday Gala” – 7:00pm

“Club Karo’ky Xmas Show” – 8:00pm

“Christmas With Sister Swing” – 9:00pm

“The Crib (stage play)” – 11:00pm

Sunday, December 25, 2011

“LiveWire! Santa Christmas Special” – 9:00am

“Sacramento Dances – Let’s Dance Ballroom’s 2011 Holiday Gala” – 11:00am

“Club Karo’ky Xmas Show” – 12:00Noon

“Christmas With Sister Swing” – 1:00pm

“Agape Christian Fellowship Xmas Special” – 4:00pm

“Giving – USAF Band of the Golden West” – 5:00pm

“Happy Rhythm 2011 Christmas Special” – 7:00p

“Celebration Of Lights” – 7:30pm

“Chinese Culture 25th Anniversary Celebration” – 10:00pm

All cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pacific Daylight/Standard Time. What? You don't have those services? Not to worry, you can also view the programs on our website at www.accesssacramento.org, at the times listed above. Feel free to share this schedule with your friends! Most of the above programs are also posted on Comcast "On-Demand" channel 1 under "Get Local" and "Access Sacramento". Thank you for your support of local community and public access television in Sacramento County.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Watch "Dancing with the Capitol Stars" Sunday 5 PM on Access Sacramento Channel 17

2011-12-17T07:19:18Z

In case you missed it, or want to see it again, tune into Access Sacramento's Channel 17 - (Comcast and Surewest Cable) this Sunday, Dec 18th from 5:00-7:00pm and see the Sacramento Press Club's "Dancing with the Capitol Stars"!

Hear our MC, Dennis Mangers open with an amazing rendition of "Let's Face the Music and Dance" and enjoy his quips through the show.
Ooh and aah at our dancing stars who tango'd, foxtroted and waltzed their way across the stage in their battle for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. (Starring: Edie Lambert, Lloyd Levine, Roger Niello, Alyson Huber, Fiona Ma, Ed Fletcher, Brian Joseph, Juliet Williams, Judy Lin, Kevin Riggs, Karen Skelton & Christina Anderson)
Delight in the insightful and sometimes outlandish comments from our judges (Dan Walters, Cristina Mendonsa & Ron Cunningham.)
Laugh out loud at Senator Darrell Steinberg's comedic look back at the Sacramento Press Club's 50th Anniversary (and yes, he really did sing!!)...
And you won't want to miss the honoring of a giant in journalism, Columnist George Skelton.
Event produced by Sharon Gerber and Six Degrees Productions

For those not within TV range in Sacramento County it will also be streamed live on www.AccessSacramento.org. Spread the word - no one should miss this unique show! If you're not near a TV this Sunday the show will also run on these dates/times:Monday, December 19th @ 9:00amTuesday, December 20th @ 1:00amSaturday, December 24th @ 1:00pmSaturday, December 31st @ 10:30pmFriday, January 6, 2012 @ 8:00pmSaturday, January 7th @ 12:00pmSunday, January 8th @ 4:00am All cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pacific Daylight/Standard Time, unless otherwise specified. What? You don't have those services? The Internet stream is not video on demand. Thank you for your support of The Sacramento Press Club as well as local community and public access television in Sacramento County.

Happy Holidays!

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Holiday Party with Sister Swing & Access Sacramento Sunday 3-5 PM

2011-11-30T07:23:05Z

The "Sister Swing" trio and their seven piece band starts the holiday season off right this Sunday at the Coloma Center Auditorium. Singing holiday classics from the Andrews Sisters to Frank Sinatra, the event will be family friendly and feature lively dancing in addition to tunes popular to young and old. Tickets are available at the door or online. Join in the fun at 4623 T Streets Sunday at 3 PM. Proceeds benefit community media that "makes a difference, one voice at a time".

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Local Movies, Improv Comedy, and Swing Music at Crest Sunday 1:00 PM

2011-10-02T02:43:48Z

"A Place Called Sacramento" premieres ten new local short movies on the big screen at the Crest tomorrow at 1:00 PM. But be sure to arrive early (1) to avoid the long line that forms every year from folks arrivng at the last minute overwhelming the single box office and (2) "Cheap Therapy" with Charlie Holliday will perform a special improv comedy skit at 12:45 for those early arrivals.

After the premiere, stay because the party is just getting started. The Crest Lobby will "jump n' jive" to the harmonizing of "Sister Swing" as the cast and crew from ten wonderful movies mingle and buzz with excitement and camraderie.

This is the 12th year for this unique Sacramento based event. In 12 years, 119 films have been completed. Bring the whloe family and enjoy our wonderful creative community. Artober begins at the Crest Sunday October 2 with "A Place Called Sacramento".

Ten Local Films - Sunday 1:00 PM Crest Theater - 12th "A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival

2011-09-27T08:52:05Z

For the twelfth year, Access Sacramento is planning the world premiere of “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (submission guidelines on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org).

Neighbors and friends will gather at the 2011 World Premiere at the CREST Theatre on Sunday October 2, 2011 at 1:00 PM. $10 (general seating) is a fundraiser for community media. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended at Tickets.com, the Crest Box Office, or the offices of Access Sacramento during business hours.

Special highlights for the 2011 “Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival --

10 more films completed this year means in the 12 years of the event, 119 (out of 120) approved scripts have been completed and shown on the Crest big screen.
2011 featured our oldest filmmaker (78) - Burt Wilson "CSI Sacramento" and our youngest (9) Claire Elizabeth "The Chozen"
6 of the 10 films were written and produced by women and region-wide with films from West Sacramento, Cameron Park, Grass Valley, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Davis, Citrus Heights, and Sacramento.
All films are volunteer created with only out of pocket expenses for incidentals and food.
"A Place Called Sacramento" is unique – local films created by volunteers and professionals.
Opening the PCS event at 12:45 will be a performance by "Cheap Therapy" - a local improv comedy team organized by SAG actor and local acting teacher Charlie Holiday.
Immediately following the showcase of the ten films, "Sister Swing" will perform in the Crest Lobby. They sing a modern up-tempo version of "Andrews Sisters-style" harmonies.
We will be visited once again by infamous Hollywood shark, the big fish director - Quentin Sacramento – the mascot of the festival.

To view the films completed for previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to build better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County on cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director
Access Sacramento
4623 T Street, Suite A
Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
www.AccessSacramento.org

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

A Busy Day in the Life of Access Sacramento

2011-07-17T05:05:41Z

Each day Access Sacramento's studio and office are filled with activity but this week has been particularly busy. Yes, T.D. Trice and Shane Carpenter continued to schedule television and radio programming 24/7. Yes, volunteers came and went with new programming and were busy with their focused production efforts. The phones continued to ring as Amy Lawrence signed up new members. Whew! Here's a snap-shot of a very busy day in the life of Access Sacramento - let the "name dropping" commence.

Studio production was busy with Richard Langley renovating the small room and working with community producer Bob Crimmins on using the "green studio" for a new program in partnership with Senior Magazine. He and Liz Harrison then welcomed public radio's "Insight " host, Jefferey Callison to read a chapter from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for the Sacramento Bee "One Book Project". Simultaneously in the large studio, volunteers from the local Republican party interviewed citizen tax advocate Ted Costa. Evening production in the big studio continued with two local musical artists, Parie Wood and also Zach MacLachlan, recording individual episodes of "Listen Up, Sacramento!" under the watchful eye of co-producers Michelle Barbaria and Erika Kjelstrom.

Production knowledge also kept us busy as training sessions and staff recordings were conducted in a variety of locations throughout the County. Monday night found T.D. helping record Roseville's park and recreation department public meeting in their City Council chambers. Carlos Hernandez and Liz Harrison worked Tuesday morning with Sacramento County Public Health personnel training on the use of Skype. Liz finished the afternoon training staff and youth at Asian Resources on the fundamentals of Neighborhood News video production. Steve Bourasa welcomed 7 students to the latest Digital Camera class to finish a long "training day".

Video editing sessions were productive as well. The Media Lab was busy with multiple volunteer projects. Bhim Kumar-Reyes recreated the opening for the Little Capital Miss Pageant recorded on-location last Saturday night and commenced editing on the two-day "Disability Summit" Conference recorded in partnership with the California State Department of Rehabilitation. Carlos H. finished the editing on five one-hour programs capturing the day-long entertainment provided at the recent Pacific Rim Festival.

Your truly was busy making recommendations on a national e-mail thread on how to improve the national "Hometown Video Awards" judging procedures while simultaneously completing the minutes for last week's successful Neighborhood News and Youth Media Task Force meeting. I finished the day in a meeting with other local film festival leaders, celebrating the publication of a new "rack card" promoting the year-round film festivals - including Access Sacramento's Twelfth Annual "A Place Called Sacramento" in October.

And the fun continues this morning as the "green studio" welcomed Carlos Alcala, Bee reporter, to the Tom Sawyer project. Richard and I are leaving shortly for a production site survey at Fairytale Town for an upcoming Hometown-TV shoot. Later today, we will have a new member orientation session with more than 30 participants immediately followed by a quarterly radio producers meeting to discuss future LPFM applications for community radio, "The Voice". Livewire will have special guests from the "Restitution Project" and celebrate another weekly episode in this long-running series (since 1992).

But as busy as we currently are, there is always room for you - join us and you too can "make a difference, one voice at a time."

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Access Sacramento Annual Meeting - "LIVE" on Channel 17 Thursday at 7:00 PM

2011-06-15T05:07:07Z

Celebrating our 25th year of incorporation, the nonprofit community media center Access Sacramento hosts the annual membership meeting Thursday June 16 7-8 PM . You are invited to attend the event in the television studio at the Coloma Community Center or just watch the event on cable TV channel 17 or streamed on the web site www.AccessSacramento.org to any computer in the world.

The 15 member Board of Directors will offer highlights of the year past and look forward to another year of Hometown-TV events, Game of Week football and basketball, "Listen Up, Sacramento" local music, and arts and entertainment reporting weekly on "Livewire". Ten new films are in production in the 12th Annual "Place Called Sacramento" film project.

Learn more about the latest project - South Sacramento's five Neighborhood News Bureaus (NNB). To check out new online stories from underserved communities, go to www.AccessLocal.tv and join in the year-round training workshops.

Want to learn more? Tune-in and watch or call (916) 456-8600 ext.0

"Make a Movie" This Summer - Attend the "Cast & Crew Call" May 18 6-9 PM

2011-05-03T22:12:36Z

“Cast & Crew Call” from ACCESS SACRAMENTO
2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Project
Wednesday May 18 from 6 – 9 PM
“Make a Movie This Summer” -- All Are Invited

For the Twelfth year, Access Sacramento launches “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (details and past films on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org).

Script evaluation and judging have been completed. Dozens of scripts have been reviewed by local professionals and ten have been selected for production. Meet the ten scriptwriter/producers May 18 (Wednesday) at the “Cast & Crew Call”.

2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival
Cast & Crew Call
May 18, 2011 - Wednesday
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Coloma Community Center Courtyard
4623 T Street
Sacramento, CA. 95819

All potential actors and production teams experienced and inexperienced are invited to attend. Ten production teams shall be formed and production continues on the films during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends gather at the CREST Theatre on Sunday October 2, 2011 for the World Premier of all ten films. The PCS production format is unique to Sacramento. In the previous eleven years, 109 films have been successfully created.

To view the films completed for the 2010 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to build better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director
4623 T Street, Suite A Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
Postmaster@AccessSacramento.org

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is the Executive Director for Access Sacramento.

Will Durst Comedy Night Helps Access Sacramento - Friday 7:00 PM

2011-04-18T01:56:15Z

The Humor Times (20 Years) and Access Sacramento (25 Years) Celebrate Anniversaries Together with a Comedy and Variety Show Featuring Comedian Will Durst and many other performers including the 40’s vocal harmonies of “Sister Swing”, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a magician and local improvisational comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League.

Joint Anniversary Celebrations -- As print publications nationwide continue to fall by the wayside, the Humor Times is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary. And as corporate media continues to consolidate, Access Sacramento celebrates its 25th anniversary as the area’s local, community-operated TV, radio, and Internet production resource.

The public is invited to a combined bash featuring the celebrated, world-touring comedian, Will Durst, on Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM in the Coloma Community Center Auditorium, 4623 T Street Sacramento, CA. 95819. Food, beer and wine will be available. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Advance tickets may be had online at www.HumorTimes.com or purchased by phone with a credit card and mailed out prior to the event by calling (916) 456-8600 ext. 0 during normal business hours.

Entertainment -- Mr. Durst is perhaps the most prolific and well-known political comedian in the U.S. The Humor Times has featured his column for years, and “people who have never seen him live will be blown away,” said James Israel, publisher/editor/founder of the Humor Times. “He was a stand-up comedian before he ever wrote for publications, and as good as his column is, he’s even funnier in person,” he added. The New York Times says the Emmy-nominated comedian and writer “is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today,” and the Chicago Tribune calls him a “hysterical hybrid of Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Osgood.”

Also performing will be Sister Swing, an “Andrews Sisters-style” vocal jazz trio who will perform a few humorous songs featuring fine harmonies. The “variety show” theme continues with Absurd Entertainment’s top-notch Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Marion Le Clerc and magician Joseph Bossenmaier, (named “best magician” in Sacramento by the Sacramento News & Review). The laughs continue with Sacramento’s longest-running, long-form, improv comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League. A “carnival atmosphere” is planned, with all manner of roving performers including the Sac City Rollers (women’s roller derby team) jugglers and other acts.

The Humor Times -- Founded in early 1991, the Humor Times (formerly the Comic Press News) released its first free issue in Sacramento, fittingly, on April Fools Day of that year. That issue, now a collector’s item, featured four pages of an editorial cartoon re-hash of the Gulf War, which was just winding down at that time. Local readers were immediately hooked. Of course, that was back in the day when printed periodicals were still profitable. Those remaining have something unique to offer, as does the Humor Times. The publication transitioned from a free give-away to a paid circulation magazine in 2008, and is now available by subscription, or in stores, such as Newsbeat (Sacramento and Davis).

Humor Times features political and non-political cartoon panels and strips. The Humor Times uses humor to review the news on a monthly basis, helping readers, as publisher/editor James Israel says, to “laugh at the news, rather than cry about it.” Specifically, the publication features the cream of the crop of editorial cartoons, humor columns and “fake news” – similar to the satire made famous by The Onion newspaper and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the works: more cartoon and video galleries, humor blogs, columns, and interactive fun such as cartoon and video submissions, contests and more. Subscriptions to Humor Times are $19.95 a year (12 issues) in the U.S., and may be purchased at the website. A digital edition is available at less than half the price.

Access Sacramento – Provides an “amplified voice” for the thoughts, dreams, opinions and community events locally since 1985. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit community media organization dedicated to binging the tools and training for television, radio, and use of the Internet to all Sacramento County residents. We reach an audience of up to 265,000 Sacramento County homes on Comcast and SureWest cable channels 17 and 18 and more than 1,200 daily views watching channel 17 “streamed” at www.accesssacramento.org. Visit our website for program and training information. To become a “community reporter”, go to www.accesslocaltv.org for neighborhood news organization “blogs”, on-demand videos and Twitter posts. “A Place Called Sacramento” celebrates its 12th year as the premiere local film script writing event and film festival. At Access Sacramento, you can:

* Learn the steps needed to create your own TV show
* Be your own anchor using a computerized “virtual” television studio
* Become a community “Neighborhood News” reporter or blogger
* Host your own cable radio program and “stream” to the world on the Internet
* Record a music performance or video in the four-camera television studio
* Use Web 2.0 techniques on the new community reporting web site AccessLocal.tv
* Write, produce, and distribute your own “Place Called Sacramento” movie

Viewers of Access Sacramento channels 17 and 18 experience unique entertainment, challenging points of view, varied religious beliefs, diverse political opinions, and cultures and languages different from what you see and hear on the other, commercial channels. The public is invited to meet their neighbors at Access Sacramento by taking a class, creating a program, volunteering to help a group production effort, develop a community web blog using AccessLocal.tv, or by simply watching the community channels 17 and 18, as well as listening to community cable radio “The Voice of Sacramento”.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is the Executive Director for Access Sacramento.

ACCESS SACRAMENTO presents Short Form Script Writing Class with Screenwriter Matt Perry

2011-02-01T05:54:20Z

Sign-up today for three, 4-hour workshop classes on writing “short form” film scripts. Polish your “Place Called Sacramento” entry or further your film script writing skills and practical knowledge. Limited enrollment - $50 Fee per session. Register in advance at Access Sacramento by calling (916) 456-8600 “0” with a credit card. Need not be an Access Sacramento member or Sacramento County resident to sign-up for this class. Sign-up early – class will fill fast.

DEADLINE FOR PCS FILM SCRIPTS IS TUESDAY APRIL 12 AT 5:00 PM IN ACCESS SACRAMENTO OFFICE. For submission guidelines, go to: www.AccessSacramento.org

Session #1 – Saturdays – February 19, 26, & March 5
- 10 AM-2:30 PM (30 minute lunch break) Coloma Center
Session #2 – Saturdays – March 19, 26 & April 2
- 10 AM-2:30 PM (30 minute lunch break) Coloma Center

Biography
Matt Perry received an MFA in filmmaking from New York University’s graduate school of film and is the author of several screenplays. He teaches Screenwriting and Film Studies at the Art Institute of Sacramento and Cosumnes River College. He is a devotee of yoga, running and the mighty Michigan State Spartans.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

In Appreciation of Our Local Leaders

2010-07-03T00:42:13Z

I hope each of you had a moment over the weekend to stop eating or lighting fireworks and appreciate what a great country we are. Not because we are perfect, or "The Best", or the richest, or the most powerful. No, we are none of these as our troubled world struggles to adjust to forces seemingly out of our control. We are a nation of women and men, girls and boys, who are all too human -- filled with fears and desires, vulnerabilities and strengths, clarity and confusion, responsibility and regret.

But there are also individuals among us who sense this potential for chaos and anarchy, who stand up for what's right, who defend the underdog, who speak out when others remain silent, and who receive immense praise and scorn for doing so. These folks are elected leaders, office managers, classroom teachers, the coach of a local soccer team, the local business owner organizing the neighborhood fundraiser, the guy with grease on his hands, the volunteer giving her time to help feed the less fortunate and so many more. You know who they are. They are the 20% of the general population who, exactly when it is most needed, consider the situation, stand up and take action. We wait for them to decide the next steps. We sit silently aching to hear their voice of reason. We debate in our hearts because they spoke up, defined the moment and framed the question before us.

We love them and hate them because we wish we could stand up the way they seem to do, so effortlessly. We envy their stamina in the face of adversity. We value their clarity in times of great confusion. They are our leaders and on the Fourth of July, we pause to remember them, thank them, and praise their sacrifice in our name.

May you find that courage to stand up and speak. May you carefully consider and then offer to lead. May you shoulder the responsibility for changing your world and take action for the betterment of all. There is no one leader - just each of us taking turns. What a great country!

Got a Story? Learn to Write a Short Script and Make a Movie

2010-03-21T09:51:14Z

ACCESS SACRAMENTO presents
New Scriptwriting Class - PCS 2010
By popular demand, we now offer special a scriptwriting class (three Saturdays, 10am - 2pm) on writing "short form" film scripts. Polish your PCS entry or take the short course to further your film writing skills. Limited enrollment - $50 fee per session. Register in advance at Access Sacramento by calling (916) 456-8600 "0" with a credit card. Need not be an Access Sacramento member or Sacramento County resident to sign-up for this class. Sign-up early - class will fill fast. Matt is in great demand as a script writing teacher. The “Place Called Sacramento” script entry deadline is Monday, April 19th, at noon.

Saturdays - April 3, 10, & 17
10 AM-2 PM Nevada City Room

Coloma Center

The rules of conflict- Dramatic structure and beats- Proper screenplay format -

Creating interesting characters- Writing good dialogue- Mastering the short form

Writing means rewriting- Upping the dramatic stakes- "Eight pages, three acts"

Biography
Matt Perry received an MFA in filmmaking from New York University's graduate school of film and is the author of several screenplays. Formerly the A/V Manager for an Auburn, California multimedia company he now runs his own business and teaches Screenwriting and Film Studies at Cosumnes River College and the Art Institute of Sacramento. He is a devotee of kundalini yoga and running.

Matt Perry, filmmojo@earthlink.net

Sign up in the Access Sacramento Office or at (916) 456-8600

Access Sacramento and Sacramento Music Alliance Help Haiti - Concert & Telethon

2010-02-09T02:14:51Z

Access Sacramento is hosting a 3 hour telethon on Friday February 26 in our TV Studio. We will be putting together crews to tape record three, one-hour programs that will then playback from 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM that same night.

Produced in partnership with the "Buck-up or Shut Up!" event organized by the Sacramento Music Alliance, our combined efforts will ask local viewers to remember Haiti and ocntinue to donate. The devastating earthquake that killed so many and left so many more families homeless, will take many years to rebuild. Let's not forget them - Haitians of all ages still need our help.

Sacramento musicians are joining together with Access Sacramento to bring this appeal to local viewers. There are three ways to help. Attend - Volunteer - Donate

(1) ATTEND the "Buck Up or Shut Up!" concert this coming Saturday (Feb. 13 - Second Saturday) at the Beatnik Studios 2421 17th Street 6:30-10:30 PM. Bands include: Ito, Poetiic, Souferior and the Immigrants, UKA Celeb, Derius, Urban Fire, DJ Wokstar, Mr. C-Well, and Sonada Malay, and Lady Tasz. The host for the evening will be Channel 18's "Rapkind TV" master of ceremonies, Mafiyo. For more details contact Sarah, the event organizer at: seracy@playwidease.com or visit the web site: www.playwidease.com

(2) VOLUNTEER your time to help with the televised event on February 26 (Friday) in our TV studio from Noon-7 PM. Contact Michele Barbaria by e-mail at: mbarbaria@accesssacramento.org if you are certified to work on Studio TV crews. The above music event will be combined as roll-ins to in-studio interviews with many local dignitaries including Handy Gedeon host of "Caribbean Expose TV" also seen on Channel 18.

(3) DONATE at the "live" event this Saturday or by going to one of the many on-line donation sites including www.redcross.org to give all you can to help rebuild Haiti.

Sacramentans have given much already but there is much more to do in this fragile country. Help us help them.

“A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival Tenth Year Anniversary - Sunday October 4 at the Crest Theater “Ten Years – 100 Films”

2009-09-26T03:38:02Z

Celebrating our tenth PCS year, Access Sacramento invites friends and supporters of local filmmaking to attend “A Place Called Sacramento” 2009. The world premiere of 12 short, local films will be Sunday October 4, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Crest Theater big screen (1013 K Street) in downtown Sacramento. All seats are $10 and can be purchased at the Crest Theater box office, in the Access Sacramento offices or on-line at www.tickets.com.

PCS is a unique in the nation. Originating in the year 2000, PCS challenges local filmmakers to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that define our community. Local actors, film production crews, and interested volunteers combine their talents and explore a special spirit of neighborly cooperation. (details on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org).

In early spring, all script entries were reviewed by a panel of local film professionals and twelve were selected for production. The twelve 2009 movies will complete an even 100 films created by local artists in the past decade. The family-friendly scripts were first announced and introduced to actors and production teams at our “Cast and Crew Call” Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Teams were formed and films produced during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, we gather again to enjoy the World Premiere in the beautiful and refurbished CREST Theatre Oct. 4, 2009. We expect a full house of 900. Entire neighborhoods come to support “our film”.

To view the films completed in past PCS film festivals, go to the Access Sacramento Channel on www.youtube.com and also to our web site www.AccessSacramento.org
In the past nine years of PCS, 88 short films have been created. With these twelve we have “Ten Years – 100 Films”. Teams are comprised of volunteers and local professionals working together.

Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to encourage community-wide understanding and celebrate the art of digital storytelling in Sacramento County. With our television studio, radio and television production equipment, media lab, mobile production truck, and other gear, we train and manage hundreds of volunteers each year and share their work on cable radio and television channels 17 & 18 and stream all this audio and video programming on our web site. PCS is our major fundraising event for the year.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director (rcooper444@aol.com)
4623 T Street, Suite A
Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
www.AccessSacramento.org

For Immediate Release September 18, 2009

“The Push” by Danna Wilberg
dannasjourney@sbcglobal.net
“Fever” struggles with anger and confusion after her drug addicted Mom ran off to Sacramento. Fever is now a conflicted teen with psychic powers. Can Grandma help?

“Ten Minute Ride” by Wayne D. Johnson
wdoug95608@aol.com
Writing a syndicated travel column, Aaron thought he had seen it all. Sacramento? Just another City with a serial killer on the loose. Could this column be his last?

“Nightmare On K Street”
by Jessica Vazquez
trogdor2211@hotmail.com
Above ground, Sacramento’s historic streets make it a hot spot for tourists like John. But deep in the tunnels beneath Old Sac breeds a night scene to be avoided, if you can.

“City of Trees” by Mark Perrigan
maperrigan@gmail.com
Our trees provide a loving, protective canopy we often take for granted. Aiden dreams of a special tree and an opportunity lost far away and long ago in Sacramento.

“Beatrice & The Bike Thief”
by Frank Casanova
frank-casanova@sbcglobal.net
Detectives come in all shapes and sizes. 12 year-old Beatrice solves mysteries. Steal her friend’s bike? Now you are in trouble and the chase ensues – watch out for Beatrice!

“Cup O’ Tea” by Isaiah Tichenor
isaiaht@frontiernet.net
Senior year can be painful. For Marissa, her poems offer a private satisfaction but her shyness keeps her friends at a distance. Can Thomas reach out in time?
“Master of Destiny” by Julie Ivanovich
ivanovichj@gmail.com
Some days, just surviving requires the strength of a superhero. Has Ryan found a way to cope or has he lost his mind?

“Detective A” by Victor Nieto
vicnieto21@yahoo.com
Have you ever felt that life was a mystery? Detective A discovers his life – one day at a time. Confused? Let the mystery begin as Detective A awakens to a day filled with new and unique challenges.

“Play Day” by Carrie Stroud
CarriesNY@hotmail.com
Skylab Youth Production Studios returns to PCS (2008’s “Sweet Lemonade”) with an updated version of “David & Goliath”. Sophia steps up and demonstrates “empathy is a gift that can’t be taught”.

“641/2” by Chris Henry
chris_henry@att.net
Tobias and Avery are old war-horses with stories to tell but the world sees only 2 scruffy, homeless guys. When a Mustang stumbles, Tobias steps up and a new chapter begins.

"Midnight Snack" by Leilani Hernandez
The little 8-year old sweetie is nervous about her first sleep over. What monsters dwell in the minds of little ones? Be afraid - be very afraid!

“11 B Diaries” by Laura Tapia
sacmakeupgoddess@yahoo.com
Serving your country in any war bonds a soldier to his friends forever. With his only child now dying in Afghanistan, can Ed’s buddies from Vietnam help him once again?

Five Access Sacramento Volunteer Producers Named as Finalists in Western Video Awards

2009-09-26T03:34:48Z

Each year the Alliance for Community Media, Western States Regions hosts the Western Access Video Excellence Awards (WAVE). Over 330 entries from six states (CA, HI,NV,AZ,NM,CO) entered in 30 categories including volunteer community producers and professionals. The WAVE Awards Ceremony will be held in Reno, Nevada on Saturday October 17 at 5:00 PM. For information on the ACM Conference and the WAVE Awards ceremony, go to: www.ACMWEst.org

Access Sacramento congratulations to the following local program producers for being named a finalist (top 3) in their respective categories.

"Half a Man" by Joaquin Murrieta
Informational Lifestyle - Community Producer

"2008 International Va'a Federation World Canoe Sprint Races"
by Gary Martin and Will James
Sports Coverage - Professional

"Rapkind TV Live at Center Court with Chris Weber" by Youron Knighton
Talk Show - Entertainment - Community Producer

"Kids Corporation #41" by Mike Martin
Programming for Youth - Community Producer

"Saturday is Rugby Day" by Jessica Vasquez
Sports Entertainment - Community Producer

In Praise of the Sacramento Film Community - An Open Letter to Mayor Kevin Johnson

2009-07-31T20:01:13Z

Dear Mayor: Thanks again for calling the Film Community meeting at City Hall Thursday July 30, 2009. As I surveyed the room, I realized the 50 attendees represented many independent films and small festivals who came to life in the past 2-10 years..... each created independent of the others, designed to reach out to specific audiences and needs, each operating beneath the radar in our larger community.

The many festivals (Place Called Sacramento, Music and Film, French, Jewish, Gay & Lesbian, Black, and International) have attempted cooperative meetings in the past. These meetings were successful in coordinating schedules and taking the edge off of "competing interests" but gathered little or no traction with local media, Convention and Visitors Bureau, nor the City Council. Your leadership is much needed and appreciated. Please permit me to share several insights that may help in going forward with the work of the committee - FYI.

(1) Incentives - Big films will require a financial incentive to work in Sacramento. And if they do come to town (the Travolta film "Lucky" comes to mind several years ago), the crew will come exclusively from Hollywood. This is a boon to local hotels and restaurants but not to the local film community. The only local hires will be for security duty. Hollywood is looking for "deals" to pack up and come to Sacramento. Very difficult for our City in tough financial times. Before offering the "financial incentives" offered by other Cities and States discussed in the meeting, examine if those states and communities were in fact too generous and actually lost money to gain cache.

(2) Small budget independent films - This is the "sweet spot" for Sacramento. We are a very inexpensive town to work in and we are very cooperative. LA is very jaded and the business communities and residents are tired of 3 AM "Law and Order" shoots that light up the streets of LA and disrupt sleep and traffic. The small independent films are budgeted at $500K to $5 million with small crews and open to finding local talent on both sides of the camera. Our cooperative environment and many varied locations keep costs low and achieve bigger bang for the buck. In these films, there is no budget for "special effects" so the right location and affordable "talent" is everything. Our local community theater groups will work at scale or free to serve as extras. Our local, experienced production crews will leap at the chance to earn $200 per day (as compared to $1,000 per day for grip positions in LA). We should continue and support Film Commissioner Lucy Steffens and reach out to the major film industry but we should also concentrate on the "Independent Spirit Awards" and the small film production groups and agents. This can be achieved by "outreach"rather than giving money away. We will save the small independent films much money, while charging Sacramento full rates in our notoriously "cost effective" community.

(3) Grow our own - The meeting was filled with "homegrown" film production leaders. As a group we have groomed local talent for the past 10+ years with great success. "Butts in Beds" is not the only measure of film success in Sacramento. Direct your clout with "star power" by inviting key LA stars to participate in the many existing film festivals. This awakens the Bee and other regional news outlets to the existence of these festivals and validates our community resources and assets without negative comparisons to other cities.

(4) Avoid comparisons to other Cities - We read it in our papers and hear it every day. Pick a topic. Pick the "best" City in the World in that topic area. Compare that City to Sacramento. Result: Sacramento is inferior. Here are some obvious examples. "Best Basketball Team" = How do the Kings match up to the Lakers? "Best City with Rivers and Bridges? = How does Sacramento compare to Portland or Pittsburg or New York?"Best Coffee?" = How does Java City compare to Starbucks? etc. etc. etc. In mental health terms, this is the path to an inferiority complex not a motivational tool. If a coach did this every game, his team would not be motivated.... they would give up. Comparisons like this don't motivate - they just reinforce "Sacramento is a cow town" AND WE DO IT TO OURSELVES without even thinking. We are already a "World Class City" if we declare ourselves to be so and highlight our "assets". Thank you Mayor Johnson for your high visibility and constant praise of our hometown. But digging ourselves out of the slippery slope of "self-deprecating mental attitude" will take more time and more leadership. This is not to say we cannot aspire to greatness.... but it must be "on our own terms and standards" not in comparison to other cities. Each city is different with different assets to build upon. Let's "build and reinforce Sacramento positives" not "compare and give other cities props at our expense".

(5) Praise our local Festivals as the symbol of our love of independent films - This is easy.... just keep doing what you did at the Music and Film Festival last Friday night... show up and support. For example, in the ten years of the "Place Called Sacramento" film festival - a unique event featuring all Sacramento stories, talent, and resources produced by hundreds of volunteers - Not a single County Supervisor or City Council member or Mayor has ever attended any of the nine previous events. They were invited. The Crest has been filled with 700-900 Sacramentans each year. Each film is 100% a Sacramento product. Why no visible support?

My guess is two reasons and neither one is "My schedule is too full".

(a) "If I did it for this event I would have to be active in all of them." YES.... this is supporting the independent film community and Mayors routinely attend events with 50-100 people.... what about 500-1,000? Films about and starring Sacramentans? A film celebration of our best and brightest aspirations and concerns. An elected leader (if not several) should be at each of these "opening night" events and viewing our community through a "local lens".

(b) "A successful films initiative can be judged by 'butts in beds' alone." YES and NO. The easiest benchmark is reports back from local hotels and restaurants that an event pulled in non-Sacramento residents to stay overnight and bring "new money" to the business community. This is "reaping the corn but not planting the seeds".

Our local festivals "plant the seeds", creating creative capital for our community and bolstering our collective self confidence. This meeting room was filled with the "local filmmaking farmers" who have been toiling away for years planting the seeds of filmmaking, film appreciation and film involvement in Sacramento. They are not profiting from these efforts but they persist with success an intangible but real byproduct. Hotel revenue must not be the only standard of success in this endeavor.

We are building community through local filmmaking. Emphasize the positive of what is happening now as we build an even greater future. Thank you for your leadership and this opportunity. If Access Sacramento can be of help, just call. Ron Cooper - Access Sacramento and "A Place Called Sacramento" Film Festival

Light the Path and Point the Way... Generations Walking Together Requires Patience

2009-07-11T01:40:33Z

In this article analyzing the evolving world of new Internet based technologies and the growing “generation gap” between “The Greatest Generation” (1900-45) and “Net Natives” (1981-today), we explore the vast changes in technology and the pace of change itself.

Yes, communications technology has been present and pervasive since the dawn of radio in the 1920’s and the birth of the Federal Communications Commission in 1934. However, with instantaneous access to the Internet and the latest innovations in wireless access, pervasive, interactive “appliances” (phones, I-Pod’s, Blackberries, etc.), are widespread and growing at a remarkable clip. Here’s some current statistics.

Broadband Technology Use in California June 2009
Californians and Information Technology and Just the Facts - California's Digital Divide are summary reports of our 2009 survey, conducted annually to track the progress of broadband deployment and adoption throughout California. Californians have increased adoption and access:

62% subscribe to broadband (55% in 2008)
76% use the internet (70% in 2008)
75% own a computer (72% in 2008)
37% use social networking (26% in 2008)
51% access government services (43% in 2008)
63% access news (55% in 2008)
58% shop (52% in 2008)
55% access health information (50% in 2008)
53% access Community Information (47% in 2008)

Californians and Information Technology CETF In collaboration and partnership with the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) and ZeroDivide

Communications technology growth and influence has been pervasive during the last seventy years. However, how we use technology has radically changed during the years separating the generations. Defining our perceptions of each other, of the world around us, and possession of our "valuables" have always been a process of one generation “handing” knowledge and authority to the next – as one generation retires, the next inherited the proverbial “keys to the car” and assumed responsibility for “driving” the society.

Younger generations have always enjoyed a greater influence in our societal trends and tastes than older generations. But the “keys to the car”, ownership of the society, always was firmly in control of older generations. No “keys” to the larger society until the older generation gave them up. Youth must wait, right? Wrong? What has changed? Access to knowledge has changed, everything.

The role of “teacher” has moved from traditional education systems and parents to “the cloud”, or the vast database of knowledge available via the Internet. “Net Natives” the youngest of our four distinct generations, have experience their world in a fundamentally unique way - unlike any previous generation in human history. Their early adoption of computers in the home and school providing highly personal and instantaneous access to knowledge via Google. has changed the rules of the generational game and the inheritance of the “societal keys”.

Today’s “Net Native Generation” don’t envision “someday getting a good job”. Rather, they see business ownership as attainable by the age of thirty. We observe many “twenty-somethings” as successful entrepreneurs, and realistic or not, their goal is to be wealthy by the time they are thirty years old. Is it any wonder why the “gap” is growing? Net Natives are bypassing the “be patient” phase of professional development and ignoring the pleas of parents and teachers. The traditional "generations gap" between young and old is both widening and at a faster pace than ever before. Each generation looks at the other and asks "Who are these people?"

The Greatest Generation – Change happens over many generations and with much planning - "Be patient!" Consider men and woman in their seventies and older who have been active and productive for decades. They are living longer and, because of their experience, they may hold offices of great prestige and influence. These are the “Greatest Generation” as newsman Tom Brokaw refers to them, (1900-45). Our elders are hieratical, chain-of-command, traditionalists, who have survived times of great wealth, several world wars, grinding poverty and life-ending changes.

The Net Natives – Believe in instant messaging and instant change - "Why Wait?" Side-by-side, in many places of business and in our extended families, are the “Net Natives” (1981-today), the youngest of our four generations. The 25 million members of this “millennial” generation are early adopters of all technology and eagerly use “instantaneous” Internet access to each other and historical records. They have never tolerated “going to the library to research a paper”, or “listening to the DJ on the radio”, or “anticipating the new Network TV Fall season” or watching commercials. They have had instantaneous access to all information from birth. They are constantly "editing" just the information they want, when they want it, and sharing "all" with friends. They are confident, transparent, and seem brash and impatient. “Why should I wait for you to give me the keys…. I’ll invent my own car company!”

So what comes next? Here are a couple simple recommendations.

For the Greatest Generation... let’s acknowledge today’s world is moving at an amazingly fast pace and we can learn much from our grandchildren. Let’s be patient and become students as well as teachers. Let's learn from each other and be a role model to our youth, demonstrating patience and acceptance of worthwhile new ideas. Let’s help youth make our world a better place by shaping and using new technologies in innovative ways.

For Net Natives, the pace of information maybe lightening fast but emotions, personal relationships, and meaningful human understanding requires time and patience. Seek out older friends with a little gray in the hairs that remain. Take a moment to value those “elders” who appreciate your value to our society and listen to you and your friends. You may need to speak a little slower and explain some "techno-jargon" but the time spent will be well worth the effort. The Greatest Generation can tell you stories of great sacrifice, humility and joy. They don't want to be in the way but they reject being kicked to the side.

The immediate future before us is dark and threatening. Let’s let the Net Natives light the path and the Greatest Generation point the way. The journey ahead requires our best efforts to right past wrongs and discover new solutions. Now is the time for the very best in each of us.

Access Sacramento Board Honors 12 Volunteers for Programming Excellence

2009-06-26T00:36:16Z

At the Access Sacramento Annual Membership meeting, the Board welcomed more than 50 attendees and a “live” audience watching channel 17 at home and on the Internet. Carl Burton, Board Chair, introduced the Board members present and highlighted events of the past year. More than 150 series programmers, radio and television, received certificates and sincere thanks from the organization.

Burton and Executive Director Ron Cooper, then presented special honors to 12 member volunteers for their extraordinary programming efforts over the past year. Here’s a list of the volunteers receiving special awards.

Best Series Program Provider Channel 18

Beyond Today provided by Beverly Butler

Best Series Producer Channel 18

TWF Action Hour by Jake Schuerman
Word of Grace by Alex Vivsik

Best New Series Channel 18 (1st year)

Rhythm & Rhymes by Sean Stueve

Best Series Producer Channel 17

Satori Academy Of Martial Arts by Dave Kovar

Best New Series Channel 17 (1st year)

Good Work Now! With Dr. Brian Moffit

Best Programming for Children

“Kids Corporation” by Mike Martin

Best Radio Programmer of the Year

“Semi-Twang” by Paul Hefti

Best Rookie Volunteer

Dan Lorenzo

Best Overall Volunteer

Marge McCreery

Special Honors:

David Mana-Ay and "Vet House Voice"
David Henderson and “Libertarian Counterpoint”

Sacramento Pursues Court Judgement Against AT&T "U-Verse" Channel 99 Carriage of Local PEG Channels

2009-06-08T18:34:11Z

After months of careful consideration and many attempts to resolve differences, the Cities of Los Angeles, El Segundo, and The Cable Commission of Sacramento County have filed the a lawsuit opposing AT&T's implementation of the 2007 Digital Infrastructure Video Competition Act (DIVCA). The document can be viewed at: http://www.lacity.org/ita/stellent/groups/departments/@ita_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacity_007049.pdf

To quote from one paragraph of the lawsuit filed May 21, 2009 - AT&T California is in violation of the DIVCA State Cable Franchising Law as follows:

The quality and functionality of the PEG signals made available only via (AT&T California's) PEG platform is not similar to that offered by commercial channels on Defendant's U-verse video within the meaning of California law.
The AT&T U-verse PEG programming is accessed and selected differently;
The PEG platform functions differently;
The PEG platform does not pass through information that is passed through on commercial channels.
The quality of the PEG platform and the commercial channels is also not similar.

This will be a very significant case because similar legislation has passed in 19 different State Legislatures over the past two years. Those opposed to AT&T's implementation of the law point out that PEG channels on the AT&T U-Verse system are delivered in a manner substantially inferior to other cable channels. The court is being asked to determine if AT&T has violated the law and what, if any, changes will need to be re-engineered to make U-Verse PEG channels compliant with DIVCA. The final resolution of the case may determine the future of PEG cable channels in California and many other states.

250 Join forces to "Make a Movie This Summer" - 10th Year of "A Place Called Sacramento" Intros 12 Movie Projects"

2009-05-21T19:16:03Z

Access Sacramento welcomed more than 250 eager filmmakers to the Coloma Community Center last night for the Tenth Annual "Cast & Crew Call" event. Twelve short films were "pitched" to the large group, short video auditions of each participant were recorded by Access Sacramento staff, and sign-up sheets for each film invited all to "make a movie this summer".

The festive evening was kicked off by welcoming comments from Executive Director Ron Cooper and Lucy Steffens, Sacramento Film Commissioner. Youth and adult mentors visiting Sacramento from their community media center in Honolulu, Hawaii offered a welcoming chant and presented Cooper with gifts from their home state.

Each of the 12 filmmakers then presented their film ideas to the crowd and asked for their help. When completed and shown on the big Crest theater screen October 4, 2009, the 12 films will round out 100 completed films in the ten years of "PCS" filmmaking. Most of the past films are available for viewing at any time at www.AccessSacramento.org or on You Tube's Access Sacramento channel.

There is still time to get involved. Go to the Access Sacramento web site, read the log lines for the 12 films, and contact the films you find most interesting via the e-mail addresses provided. Cast and crews are still being formed. "We build our community by working together, asking others for help, and sharing our stories with all our neighbors", said Cooper. "We had a great time and the real fun has just begun."

Photos by Kati Larson Garner

Twelve Local Movies Now in Production - Come Volunteer to Help May 20 6:00 PM

2009-05-19T21:07:44Z

Congratulation to twelve script writers for being selected as the winners of the Access Sacramento 2009 Tenth Annual "Place Called Sacramento" Film Festival. Come to the Coloma Center Courtyard (4623 T Street Sacramento, CA. 95819) this Wednesday evening 6:00 PM SHARP to meet them and to introduce yourself. This is a free event open to all ages.

Make a movie this summer. Actors, production people, music, sound, makeup, "craft services", locations, children, all are welcome to this family friendly event. Questions? Call (916) 456-8600 "0". Here is a brief synopsis of each film. “The Push” by Danna Wilberg dannasjourney@sbcglobal.net “Ten Minute Ride” by Wayne D. Johnson wdoug95608@aol.com “Nightmare On K Street” by Jessica Vazquez trogdor2211@hotmail.com “City of Trees” by Mark Perrigan maperrigan@gmail.com “Beatrice & The Bike Thief” by Frank Casanova frank-casanova@sbcglobal.net “Cup O’ Tea” by Isaiah Tichenor isaiaht@frontiernet.net “Master of Destiny” by Julie Ivanovich ivanovichj@gmail.com “Detective A” by Victor Nieto vicnieto21@yahoo.com “Play Day” by Carrie Stroud CarriesNY@hotmail.com “641/2” by Chris Henry chris_henry@att.net “Quick Shots” by Randall Rydell Russell nikeno71@yahoo.com “11 B Diaries” by Laura Tapia sacmakeupgoddess@yahoo.com

Local TV Series Presents: Beyond Al Gore, Permaculture, and Bagdad Film Festival Sunday on "Media Edge"

2009-05-13T16:45:21Z

“Media Edge" offers two hours of in-depth, thought-provoking, progressive viewpoints every week. The series features segments created by “Media Edge" producers, along with nationally distributed videos and documentaries.

Coming up on “Media Edge” -- Sunday 8:00 PM Channel 17 and atwww.AccessSacramento.org
"Peak Moment" (26 minutes)

   “Corporate Couple Become Permaculture Activists"
   Asking “wouldn’t it be wonderful if our city could feed itself?”
    Joe Leitch ponders everybody in Portland planting a chestnut
    tree. Pam Leitch relates how they both left the corporate
    world after reading the book “Your Money or Your Life”.
    As educators on sustainability and resource depletion,
    permaculture and social justice, they soon learned of Peak Oil.
    Pam initiated bringing a Peak Oil resolution to the Portland
    City Council, who passed it unanimously in 2006 and set up
    a citizen task force to make recommendations for city action.
    See a bit of the permaculture farm Pam and Joe are creating
    in residential Portland, cultivating fruit trees, vegetables and
    compost, rainwater catchment, and innovative neighborhood
    cooperation.

  "A Really Inconvenient Truth" (75 minutes)
    Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth" woke the world up to
    the dangers of global warming. But, argues Joel Kovel,
    while we should be grateful to Gore for sounding the alarm,
    we also need to go far beyond his reading of the causes
    of this crisis and of what needs to be done about it.

  "Let the Show Begin" (15 minutes)
    This film documents a 5 day international short film festival
    held in Baghdad in extremely difficult circumstances in
    September 2005. The young organizers of the event are
    determined to do something constructive and to assert a
    sense of creativity in a situation where daily violence
    traumatizes and paralyzes people.

"Media Edge" can now be watched online, at any time. Details at our website: http://www.WeTheMedia.tv

Make a Local Movie This Summer - Join 10th Annual "PCS Cast & Crew Call" Wednesday May 20

2009-05-02T01:05:02Z

Access Sacramento and The Tenth Annual "Place Called Sacramento Film Festival" invite all local folks interested in local filmmaking to come to the Coloma Community Center at 6:00 PM May 20, 2009. Local, short 10 minute scripts are now being judged by local filmmakers. On May 20, the ten selected writers/producers will introduce themselves and invite your participation. Experience and inexperienced actors, directors, producers, production, post-production. location scouts, and "craft services" are invited to attend and select which volunteer team you would like to help. Introduce yourself and maybe you will be selected to help produce a film to be seen on the Big Screen at the Crest Theater October 4 and posted "on-demand" at www.AccessSacramento.org

Join the fun this summer and help make a movie about your hometown. All ages are invited.

Ron Cooper, Executive Director

Access Sacramento

4623 T Street

Sacramento, CA. 95819

(916) 456-8600 #112

www.AccessSacramento.org

Amy Goodman, Noted Journalist and Author to Speak at Access Sacramento Fundraising Event

2009-04-03T17:59:42Z

Award winning journalist Amy Goodman of "Democracy Now! is coming to Sacramento for a fundraising luncheon April 17. She will be discussing her new book, "Standing Up to the Madness" a departure from the decidedly political point of view of her previous books. In "Madness" Goodman analyzes heroic individuals in recent history, noteworthy because they defied authority and objected to the status quo. Rosa Parks, survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and others are profiled.

Goodman's Democracy Now! is a daily 60 minute television newscast (Access Sacramento cable channel 17 at 6 PM and Midnight M-F). She and co-host Juan Gonzalez provide a nation-wide audience with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts. In addition, Democracy Now! hosts real debates–debates between people who substantially disagree, such as between the White House or the Pentagon spokespeople on the one hand, and grassroots activists on the other.

Meet Amy in person April 17 and watch Democracy Now! Monday through Friday on Access Sacramento channel 17 at 6:00 PM and Midnight on Comcast, SureWest, and AT&T cable systems in Sacramento County and via Internet “streaming” on our web site www.AccessSacramento.org

Lunch tickets are $25 and can be purchased by phone at (916) 456-8600 "0" by credit card. No tickets will be sold at the door. Seated is limited. Proceeds will be considered a donation to the nonprofit Access Sacramento's latest "storytelling project "Community Media - Sights & Sounds". Funds raised will develop training classes and eventually establish "Neighborhood News Bureaus" throughout the County. Grassroots correspondents will be invited to submit local new articles to a variety of on-line sites including www.SacPress.com

Local Media Groups Organize Community Discussion

2009-03-26T01:50:18Z

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON LOCAL MEDIA April 2, 2009 (Thursday)

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Coloma Center Auditorium 4623 T St. in Sacramento

Let’s hear from you about how local media can serve our communities. Sacramento area residents, media professionals and media consumers are invited to attend a community discussion on local media to consider these topic areas:

Public Affairs
Diversity
Political Coverage
Community Input
Broadband Internet Access

Attendees will be invited to select a table based upon which media are you most interested in discussing -- Television, Radio, Internet, Print, or General Media. All comments are welcomed. You don't need to be an "expert".

Sacramento Media Group and California Common Cause with Access Sacramento invite interested individuals, community organizations, local media outlets and elected officials to participate in a community discussion designed to hear opinions, stories and suggestions about our local media. The new presidential administration wants to create a more democratic media system and promote universal access to communications technologies. The evening offers an opportunity to share ideas that can contribute to these goals. It will also help us better understand how well our local media: print, television, radio and Internet serve their audiences.

The evening’s discussion will be recorded and a report submitted to local media and the Federal Communications Commission. Feedback may help establish federal policies impacting local media ownership, increased localism, the establishment of community advisory boards, radio and television licensing procedures, and more.

Ron Cooper, Executive Director
Access Sacramento
4623 T Street
Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
www.AccessSacramento.org

Watch Good Work Now! Sundays at 7:30 PM for Job Finding Tips

2009-03-24T22:34:41Z

Access Sacramento, cable channel 17, has a new show every Sunday night at 7:30. "Good Work Now!" with producer/host Dr. Brian Moffit helps you find work, prepare your resume, do well in job interviews, and provides leads on where to find jobs in this tough economy. "I'm surprised there aren't many more television programs about finding employment," Moffit commented. "Competition is very challenging right now for all available positions. Keeping your spirits up and keeping "hope alive" are critical skills in searching for a new job or surviving a job loss."

Programming Director T.D. Trice is glad the show has a regular time slot on Access Sacramento channel 17. "Brian has worked hard to put a crew of volunteers together and they are excited. We welcome all new programming but the subject of finding work is particulalry timely and much needed", Trice concluded.

Watch "Good Work Now!" on channel 17 Sacramento County Comcast, Surewest, and AT&T cable systems or "streaming" on the web at www.AccessSacramento.org. If you want to know more about creating programming, either community television or radio, check out the web site for classes and workshops. Programming at Access Sacramento is TV4UBYU.