Just as the work to bring the building up to current fire code was wrapping up, the rains came. A portion of the basement was flooded. This was the result of some work being done on Arizona Avenue just east of the facility. This road work allowed the rain access into the building. This is yet another set back for getting the facility back open. We are currently preparing for the anticipated plague of locusts.

Seriously, it has been a very difficult time for everyone. Our community is suffering the impact of enormous deficits, our friends and co-workers are unemployed and this country seems to be divided in a very ugly way.

Now more than ever is the time for people to be able to have a community media center where dialog can take place, music can be created and public gatherings and events may be shared. The articles below update you on the growing possibility of that community media center and Access Tucson's gradual renewal of service to Tucson citizens who value an unfiltered, non-commercial venue for dialog and expression.

I am very happy to report that the Access Tucson staff--those that remain, are back half-time for August. Needless to say, the challenges facing the staff remain daunting. There is a lot to do with a lot less budget.

You should also know that your Board of Directors is working hard to help Access Tucson meet its many challenges. A transition committee has already met twice to strategize ways to make and keep Access Tucson relevant in the community.  In addition, we have been meeting with City Council members to assess their perceptions of Access Tucson as well as their suggestions for improving our services.

Your Board shares the pain and grief that comes with the interruption of services-whether those services are video programming, providing Internet access for individuals, training and production projects or disruption of communication with the Tucson community.  You all have been remarkably patient, and many of you have stepped forward to personally offer your talents and services on a volunteer basis.  I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and understanding.

I hope that it is clear that Access Tucson needs to adjust to changing times-that production and broadcast of video content needs to be supplemented with other forms of communication. We stay relevant when we take advantage of the variety of methods that now exist for us-and you--to share information.
 
To all of you who have responded to the calls for donations, we cannot begin to express our appreciation. Each $5 or $10 or $25 that you donate will be put to good use.  We also need to think big and to pursue fund-raising ideas and partnerships that will ensure Access Tucson's financial health beyond 2010-11.

Finally, you may be aware that the City of Tucson has scheduled a vote on a number of important ballot measures on November 2.  Among these is the proposal for a 1/2¢ increase in the sales tax in order to fund core City services (parks and recreation, police, fire and roads).  While we do not take a stand on election issues, you need to consider that the sales tax increase will substantially help the City to overcome its existing $40+ million deficit.  This would-we presume-decrease pressure on the City Council to further cut allocations to outside agencies, like Access Tucson and many other important local organizations.  So, think carefully when you go to the polls, and discuss the issue with your friends and neighbors.  I'm confident that you'll do the right thing.

Thank you for the many good wishes that you've sent my way. I hope to be able to share positive news with you as we move through this year.
 
Bob Kovitz
Chair, Access Tucson Board of Directors

The re-opening date of Access Tucson is currently a moving target.  Change happens whether we like it or not and it's the success of the transitional process that gets us to the other side in one piece.  We are aiming for success as Access Tucson gradually renews its service to the community.

As our Board of Directors Chair, Bob Kovitz noted in his update to the membership, a Board Committee is working on a transitional plan. That plan will involve you and many other parts of the community. One of the first steps taken by the committee was to identify all the participants and supporters of community media and what has specifically been lost---it is a long and meaningful list.

We will be inviting your input to this process through community surveys and meetings at the end of August through the beginning of September (dates to be determined).

This is the beginning of creating a new public resource that maintains the heart and goals that define us, reaching to provide education and access to the new tools of media and communication and finding a way to do this on a shoestring.

Access Tucson was able to breathe a bit of fresh air into the building July 19-30th with an abbreviated youth Summer Session. 12 kids ranging in age from 9 to 14 created animation and short videos.

Learning about media, how it's constructed and how to use the technical tools of the trade-were disguised as simply having fun. Watch the results of the 15th year of youth summer production classes:

 
Saturday 8/14 at 2pm and 8pm
Sunday 8/15 at 3pm and 8pm
Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast)/99 (Cox) 
 
If you don't have cable or would like to share any Access Tucson program with an out of town friend or relative, just go to the Access Tucson website and click on Watch Online in the Now Playing box. The programs are streaming on the web, so you need to "tune in" at the scheduled time.

Regular Classes to Begin this Month

First class up is the Digital Field Production class:
8/23-9/1, M-Wed, 6-10pm, young adults and up.

For a class fee of $125, single camera production techniques, location lighting, field audio, story boarding, shooting for editing and non-linear
editing are all covered.

To register, please call or email Lisa Horner.
520-275-0864
lhorner@accesstucson.org

Celebrating 26 years, Access Tucson strives to provide the highest level of public media access service to the community. We facilitate the expression of ideas, opinions, and perspectives through electronic media. By tuning in to public access, viewers are discovering their own communities, alternative news and information not influenced by corporate or government interests.

All Tucson public access channels are operated and controlled by Access Tucson.  Access Tucson is an independent, nonprofit corporation and is not an agent or affiliate of Cox Communications, Comcast or the City of Tucson. 

Cox Communications, Comcast, the City of Tucson and Access Tucson are prohibited by law from controlling the content of programs on public access channels.  They are not responsible in any way for the content of public access programs, and are not liable for any material cablecast on public access channels.  Public access users and producers are solely responsible for and have complete control of the content of their programs. 

You can produce your own program and use this channel to share your message with the community.  Go to accesstucson.org or call (520) 624-9833 to find out how.