A note from the director

Jeff Shaw and I recently attended the ribbon cutting and official launch for KUBU-LP, 96.5 FM in Sacramento. A project of Access Sacramento, the community media center serving our neighbors to the east, KUBU will serve its community a mix of alternative voices and interesting music, giving its citizens a chance to highlight what matters most in their community. KUBU is one of a whole new crop of low-power FM radio stations launched from within community media centers nationwide. Davis Media Access (then called Davis Community Television) was the first center in the nation to do so, launching KDRT in 2004.

It was wonderful to listen to everyone’s aspirations for their new community station. I couldn’t help but reflect on KDRT, and how the hopes they were speaking of were the same kind that have been realized here in Davis. We carried our best wishes for their success with low-power radio in Sacramento

Bringing it full circle, today’s KUBU launch reminded me that along with hopes and dreams, it takes an incredible amount of work, heart, volunteerism and cash to keeping independent outlets on the air. To that end, I thank all of you who have supported DMA and its programs and services this year. Because of you, our work is made possible. Please plan to drop by our Holiday Open House Dec. 8 to share a toast to your community media center!

You're invited - Holiday Open House Dec. 8

This annual tradition is a time for us to highlight what we do, thank you for what you do, and share some tasty treats. Please join us anytime between 6-9 p.m. for appetizers and sweets, wine and beer. The event is free and open to the public; please come if you haven’t in a while, or if you’re new to us, or if you’re here weekly! Parking is available along Fifth or L streets but limited at the center itself. Schedule of events as follows;

From the Vault

Special thanks to former DMA intern Nick Lopez, who developed the From the Vault opener and has digitized much of the content we'll be highlighting!

The latest episode of “Davis Media Access: From the Vault” is a real treasure. This 1990 interview features local notables Bob Dunning and Lori Aldrete interviewing the inimitable Bob Hope. The piece was directed by Aaron Vinck, who went on to work in community access television in San Francisco in later years, and was produced by Davis Community Television. 

On Davisville

Host Bill Buchanan catches up with former mayor Joe Krovoza. Listen here.

From the Fifth Street traffic redesign and a plastic bag ban to economic development and the city water supply, the civic side of Davis saw several changes from early 2011 to mid-2014. Joe Krovoza, as mayor during that stretch, had a hand in attaining many of them. On today’s Davisville he sizes up his legacy, offers his take on a few continuing ideas like the railroad relocation proposal downtown ... and talks about what he's been doing since leaving office last June.

KDRT - thank our underwriters!

Please thank these fine local businesses for sponsoring KDRT next time you stop in:

DJUSD TV

As part of DMA’s partnership with the Davis Joint Unified School District to manage educational access television services, we provide a production internship for high-school students. Students learn a variety of technical skills, both on location and in the field, get to list productions on their resume, and gain academic credit in the process. Interns help DMA produce more than 60 school-related productions each year.

Community events

Davis Feminist Film Festival: The UC Davis Women's Resources and Research Center is now accepting submissions for the 2015 Davis Feminist Film Festiva, l until December 31, 2014. The Davis Feminist Film Festival welcomes short-form films from professionals, students, and community members locally, nationally, and internationally. People underrepresented in the media field are especially encouraged to submit a film for consideration.

From the Vault

Davis Media Access (DMA) is a community media center that has served Davis and environs for more than 25 years, amassing an archive of more than 10,000 locally produced videos. These programs tell the story of our area: our struggles, triumphs, concerns, and motivations. Most were either produced by, or feature, community members. In an era where broadcast outlets became fewer and increasingly homogenized, these programs helped tell the story of our community in a very real, and meaningful way, often covering what the Sacramento media market would not.