A note from the director

When you learn, Teach; When you get, Give
—Maya Angelou
These words have been ringing in my head since the recent Big Day of Giving on May 6. Our region donated more than 3 million dollars to support the work of local non-profits on that day, a tremendous success for all involved, and a statement about the importance of non-profits to our collective well-being. DMA received $2,300 in donations and won the $1,500 Landing Prize for last donation of the night, thanks to KDRT Steering Committee member & social media maven, Jessica Kelly.  This money will help KDRT stay on the air and provide important local public affairs and support for local music. THANK YOU!

We are well on our way—more than halfway there—but we’re far from done!

A Chevy Malibu and a guy named Bill

Last year, DMA lost a longtime volunteer and good friend in Bill Smith. Bill’s family wanted to honor his wishes to help DMA, so they worked with our partner the Center for Car Donations to get a good price for Bill’s classic but not-running 1967 Chevy Malibu four-door. Here’s the note staff at the Center sent to us:

We are pleased to send you this check in the amount of $4,388.40 for a Chevrolet Malibu. The fees on this vehicle were higher than normal $150 tow and auction fee because we had it cleaned up (there were over 35 black widow spiders living in it), and we had our mechanic go thru and tune it on so that we could send it on EBay instead of sending it to a local auction.  I am sure the donor will be delighted we were able to get such a high value for her brother's car.

Programming Highlights for April 2014

In addition to our Election Programming Davis Media Access also helped produce and facilitate the following:

DJUSD presents “Local Control Accountability Plan” (LCAP Plan). By July 1 CA Districts are required to adopt, with community input, a three-year accountability plan. DJUSD Superintendent Winfred Roberson explains the DJUSD’s process.

Visit the DJUSD Channel 17 website where you can find a weekly schedule for this show, live airs and repeats of school board meetings, local school productions and much more.

2014 June Election Coverage

DMA’s commitment to non-partisan, voter education programming and local election coverage is well known in these parts, and right now, election season is in full swing. With ‘Meet the Candidates,” pro-con statements for local ballot measures, and several forums airing on DCTV Channel 15 on Comcast and available online, we’re working with other community organizations on the next set of forums, and beginning to think about what shape our election-night program will take.
 

Join us in Supporting KDRT during the BIG Day of Giving – May 6

On the heels of Jeff Hudson’s excellent article about KDRT 95.7 FM’s upcoming 10th anniversary this fall, it seems fitting to place KDRT squarely at the center of this year’s fund raising campaign.

Our annual donations already support KDRT, a non-commercial, community-based radio station. Although KDRT is a largely volunteer-run project within the media center, it does have hard costs: the lights to keep on, licensing fees to pay, equipment to upkeep, and its share of insurance, staffing, etc.

A note from the director

It’s been 25 years since community leaders worked to launch what was originally Davis Community Television as a public-access cable channel. What started as a promise of equal access to media tools for all has grown into a full-service community media center.

Much has changed in 25 years. The political climate doesn’t favor non-commercial, community-based media, and many centers similar to DMA have closed across the country. DMA has worked diligently to be of service and make a difference locally, garnering widespread community support. Leveraging a small staff with a large complement of interns and other volunteers, it’s DMA who heeds the call to cover a candidates’ forum, a school orchestral performance or basketball game, or a community event.