Long time Access Tucson Producer and Board Member, Dan Harrigan would like to share some holiday cheer with producers and guests on December 21st 7:00 - 9:30pm. Restaurants, Rigo's and Golden Corral will provided great food followed by pies from Coco's. Producers are encouraged to bring a beverage or dish to share. No alcohol please. 

As the party happens in the lobby and conference room, Dan will be producing his show, upstairs in Studio A. The entertainment on the show will be none other than Tucson's own Gabriel Ayala. Ayala has been a previously featured guest on Dan's music show, Harrigan Afterhours. If you would like to be part of the studio audience, please arrive by 8:15pm. The show goes live on channel 20 (Cox) / 74 (Comcast) from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.  

A member of the Yaqui people of Southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala, a guitarist is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. Not only is Gabriel recognized locally and in the United States but has had the opportunity to be the featured performer at the "Festival Internacional de la Guitarra Academica" in Venezuela with performances in Caracas, Guarenas, Guatire and on National Public Television throughout Venezuela.  

The show will also include a special tribute to Dan's mom Helen who passed away recently. Helen was active at Access Tucson for many years as well as being a member of the Tucson film community for over 30 years. Helen was also world famous for making fabulous fudge for the holidays.

This year Helen's special fudge, lovingly and meticulously made by Dan will be available for a donation to Access Tucson Community Media. See you there!   

"Mom Harrigan's recipe executed with perfection by son Dan. Great fudge ... refreshingly not too sweet, choco-nutty goodness, smooth texture, superb confection." ~ Mary Beth Haralovich and JJ Johnson, supporters of Access Tucson &     fans of Helen's fudge.

This is a special year coming up for community media: In 2014 Access Tucson marks 30 years of service to Tucson and Pima County! Thanks to your support, Access Tucson Community Media continues to protect and promote freedom of expression in cablecast and on the Internet.

As well as maintaining a media platform for democratic dialogue, our mission is to create new educational opportunities for youth and adults and to enable media production for the community through a variety of resources.

Fundraising efforts this past year allowed Access Tucson to upgrade both remote production equipment and the ancient public Internet computers in the lobby. It warms our hearts to see folks easily able to log on to the internet, and we proudly used our new mini-mobile remote switcher to record and air the Tucson Hispanic Chamber's City Council debate AND to provide large video projections of the spectacular All Souls Procession Finale.

Some examples of our accomplishments in 2013 include: 

• Training more than 250 adults and young people in studio production, field production, and animation.

• Providing 60 non-profit organizations with media services and cablecast.

• Facilitating community producers in the creation of over 575 hours of local, original programming.

• Offering tours for schools and youth groups and internships for students from San Miguel and Basis High Schools, the U of A, PCC, the Art Institute of Tucson and Project PPEP.

• Recording City Council debates and Town Halls, providing the video projection at the All Souls Procession finale, partnering with Channel 13 to broadcast La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade and collaborating with the Pima County Public Library on a proposal to develop a youth media center.

• Retrieving and selling the historic terrazzo sidewalk squares torn up during streetcar construction. Our "Terrazzo Palooza" aims to save local history while providing funds for Access Tucson! 

Now, we ask you to consider a donation to Access Tucson to help us continue our crucial work.  Remember, your support will help us maintain a healthy cultural landscape! Your gift is tax-deductible for this year if made by December 31, 2013.

Please make an online donation at  http://www.accesstucson.org/about/donate. 

We have an exciting future ahead with your help. Thank you for your vital support of community dialogue and participatory democracy!