autumn's blog

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.

Though fall’s cooler temps have yet to manifest, the busyness that characterizes the season is in full force. Here at DMA, we mark the start of KDRT’s 10th anniversary year, which officially began on Sept. 24. It was on that date in 2004 that then-Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson “flipped the switch” and KDRT was off and running. This small station has manifested tremendous amounts of community involvement and goodwill over the years.  Still run primarily by volunteers and on a shoestring budget, this grassroots station has nonetheless made a large impact, both locally and on the national low-power FM scene.

My hat is off to KDRT’s Steering Committee, its programmers, the DMA board, DMA”s staff, for whom KDRT is largely an after-hours labor of love, and the community—musicians, guests, listeners and supporters—for having grown a truly remarkable resource.  Here’s to many more, and please read on in the newsletter for some exciting KDRT updates. We look forward to celebrating Year 10 all year long!

Camera Workshop: A second workshop for our new field cameras is scheduled for Thursday Oct. 16 from 6:30-8:30pm.  This workshop is only offered to volunteers currently in good standing and who have DCTV Field Camera certification. We will soon offer a workshop for new volunteers.  No RSVP needed- just show up at the station!

General Orientation: Getting involved in your community media center is extremely satisfying. Learning new skills and sharpening old ones, all while improving our shared civic life, are just a few of the benefits. The first step is to attend a General Orientation scheduled Wednesday October 22 at 6:30pm.

Under the Covers: A fun evening of music to help us kick off Year 10 for KDRT! A night of cover bands and fall frolics supporting KDRT. Oct. 23, Sudwerk Dock Store, 5:30-9:30 pm., $5.

PSA Day: Save the Date, Feb. 11 & 12, 2015. Service for non-profits to make a one-minute public service announcement. Invitations go out in January. Want to be included? Email info@davismedia.org, Attn: PSA Day.

We’re happy to announce that Eunah Cho, who joined our staff a few months back as an on-call production specialist, now has regular office hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-6pm. Eunah will be here to help provide production assistance for video producers, and you may see her at the front desk during those hours as well. We are thrilled to be able to offer some additional assistance!

With the start of a new quarter KDRT has unveiled a variety of new programs.

"Dead Wax" premiered on KDRT Oct. 8 with a show featuring Parker Millsap’s debut album. Live on Wednesday from 5-6pm and replays every Thursday at 11pm.

"Civilization Phaze IV" hosted by Eunah Cho, harvests the ripest fruits classical music and its offshoots have to offer.  She’ll tell you a bit about their roots and try to show you how wonderful this music can be for the mind and the soul. Live on Tuesday from 2-3pm and replays every Wednesday at 10pm and Thursday at 7:30am.

In partnership with the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD), DMA manages the resources and day-to-day operations of our local educational access cable channel.

New interns: welcome to new interns this fall: Patrick Cajandig, a senior at DHS; Corin Shields, a junior at Da Vinci; Elisa McIsaac, a senior at DHS,  and Emily Merten, a junior at DHS. These interns join other continuing interns and will record a variety of events at secondary schools in Davis this quarter.

DMA conducts its major fund-raising appeal each spring, but we actively seek our community's support year round. Fundamentally, community media is about telling people’s stories. From those involved with the governance of our city, to those whose voices are marginalized, community media bridges economic strata, political affiliations and cultural backgrounds. Highlighting people’s stories helps us to share what’s important – what defines us and connects us as a community. These stories unfold through a complex narrative spanning community events, lectures, performances, meetings, interviews, public affairs, music and so much more.

It’s DMA’s mission to provide technology, access, training and support to encompass this broad range of voices and perspectives. We can't do this without consistent support from our community. Please consider a donation to DMA. Thank you!

Davis Media Access tracks a variety of public policy issues affecting community media and the larger media landscape. DMA’s Programming Manager Alex Silva-Sadder joined hundreds of other media advocates Sept. 24 for an FCC hearing on net neutrality held at the State Capitol.

Dear DMA community,

On July 31, KDRT's Eclectic Dinosaur, Lee Renault, passed away in his sleep. Aug. 8 would have marked his 9th year doing a weekly radio show. From his own personal music stash and the truly impressive vault of trivia in his head, he spun tunes and stories Tuesday afternoons at 3 for 9 years. I helped him engineer his show that first year, but after that he flew solo, and KDRT filled his retirement years with much joy. He loved to brag about me, and liked to tell people that I helped start a radio station so that he could have something to do in his "dotage." 

He could talk your ear off, never met a stranger, and had a perpetual mischievous gleam in his eye. If you even mentioned that you liked a particular show, song or artist, chances are very good that you'd soon after receive a CD of the same. 

Diane Evans writes "Last year the Human Relation Commission asked the Davis City Council to issue a Juneteenth Declaration that declared its inclusion in the 4th of July celebration. It was so declared. We want the Davis Community to know that it is taking a big step toward deepening our Nation's wholeness, perhaps the first city in the Nation to do so."

Supported by the City of Davis, the Davis Human Relation Commission, the Uniting for Racial Justice Team of the Universalist Unitarian Church plus 3 great performers - Sandy Holman (Culture Co-op), James Williams and Nathalie Minya. Join Davis residents in celebrating the 2 greatest freedom events in America History: the Declaration of Independence and 89 years thereafter the Emancipation Proclamation making our nation whole in our freedom. Our hand in your hand. Your hand in ours. See you on the 4th.

The Davis Odd Fellows and Davis Media Access present a special evening of local music to fundraise for live music field recording equipment for grassroots community radio station KDRT 95.7 FM.

The all-star local line-up features Bill Scholer and Waiting for Bruce, with special guest Barry “The Fish” Melton. The popular Winters-based country-swing band Bonanza King opens the show.

The show takes place at the Davis Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Davis, 415 Second Street,  Friday, July 11, 2014. Doors open 7 pm, music from 7:30 -10:00pm.

No, folks, I’m not talking about anything related to the World Cup. And I’m happy dancing here, and no, that’s not a delayed reaction from the Davis Music Festival.

Rather, I am very pleased to announce that Davis Media Access (DMA) has successfully wrapped its fundraising campaign Celebrating 25 Years of Community Media in Davis. Our must-meet goal was $20k in support of our programs and services, and as of June 27, we exceeded our stretch goal of $25k. That money keeps KDRT on the air for another year, and also helps offset some of the cost of producing intensive local election coverage and supporting youth media projects (yes, we do an astonishing amount with relatively little money).

View our list of donors.

Davis Media Access records five local high-school graduation ceremonies each year: Davis High Schhol; Da Vinci Charter Academy; Davis School for Independent Study; King High School; and Davis Adult School. Commemorative Graduation DVD SPECIAL: $25 each (includes shipping) if ordered before June 30; after that, price returns to $30 (includes shipping). Fine the order form and information here.

Our Kid Video Production Camps are already full.  But, we still have limited space in both our Animation Camps.  Animation Camp presents a unique summer learning opportunity for younger kids, aged 11-15.

The course is team taught by DMA staffer Alex Silva-Sadder with assistance from college and high school interns. DMA will offer two sessions of Animation Camp, July 7-11 and July 14-18. Participants will learn how to plan and storyboard an animation, record dialogue and effects, and light and create stop-motion animations. Each class is limited to six participants. Camps conclude with a screening of the students' work.

Curious about KDRT, DCTV or DJUSD Channel 17, and want to learn how Davis Media Access can help you? Plan to attend our next General Orientation on June 25 from 6:30-7:45pm!

Any potential volunteers should plan to attend as it's the first step to getting involved.  The orientation includes the history of Davis Media Access, a tour of the facilities, and information on the many aspects and opportunties provided by DMA.