Volume 18, Issue 1 HOM-TV 21 May 2006

HOM-TV launches 2 new shows, reaching an ever expanding audience “21 Fun Factory” first aired in March, and has become a popular children’s program. Monthy, students from local grade schools come into the studio, excited to learn about township history and nature, play fun games, and sing with their friends -- all in front of HOM-TV cameras. “21 Fun Factory” is the brainchild of Production Manager, Brian Dumont, who feels the program will not only be interactive for kids, but will also introduce parents to HOM-TV. April 17th marked the premiere of HOM-TV’s newest program, “Minor Complications”. This is the first show dedicated to local high school students. These students help produce, host, and participate in this live discussion, call-in program, focusing on issues that teens deal with on a daily basis. The students also receive advice and opinions from Dr. Steve McCornack, MSU Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Communications Department. “Minor Complications” was developed by Deborah Guthrie, HOM-TV’s Senior Production Manager, and the promotion intern team. Thanks also go to Brian Town (95), Video Program Coordinator at Haslett High School, for his assistance.

The Threat to HOM-TV HOM-TV Goes World Wide! You may have seen the commercials and read the ads Starting June 1st, HOM-TV Channel 21 will be promoting competition to cable operators and a promise for on the Web 24 hours a day! The channel will new services and lower rates. What the ads don’t tell you is be streamed LIVE on the Internet, and township how this is happening. AT&T and Verizon are pushing State meetings will be available on-demand. and Federal legislation that threatens the funding for Public, Now you can get your fix of HOM-TV, Educational, and Government access channels, including no matter where you are! HOM-TV HOM-TV! Without franchise fees, that are has been working with Granicus, Inc. required in local franchise agreements between in San Francisco, CA, to provide this the cable operator and the municipality which service. Future plans include linking fund PEG channels, there is NO HOM-TV! The agendas and minutes to the meetings, legislation also allows for the new operator to and adding additional on-demand programs like “cherry-pick” a community to provide their service “Meridian Magazine” and “21 Fun Factory”. Let us to only those that would give them the most profit. Currently, know what you think and how it is working! cable operators are required to service the whole community. I ask, how can the ads say that AT&T wants competition for everyone, but only certain parts of the community would have Tape Room Dedicated at 25th Anniversary competition? A State or Federal cable/video franchise system Erica Gollin (05) takes control away from the local municipality. Tell me, how helped to officially will a customer get a complaint resolved, if they have to go dedicate the HOM-TV to the State or FCC? These are just a few problems with the Tape Room to Ben legislation. Stark, founder of the Now is the time to show your support of HOM-TV, and I urge HOM-TV Internship you to call, email, or fax your Legislators to oppose a State or Program. Ben was Federal franchising system. For more information, go to www. recognized at the 25th Anniversary Celebration alliancecm.org, or www.natoa.com, or email me at meikle@ Ceremony for his 18 years of service to the meridian.mi.us, or call 517-349-1232. industry. By the way, the Tape Room is now the by Lynn Meikle, Station Manager “Intern Editing Suite”!! 5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos MI 48864 * 517-349-1232 * www.meridian.mi.us/HOMTV Kari Barr (01) is currently a DJ and board operator at KCMV in Breckenridge, CO, movin’ up! and is having a great time. The station plays ALUMNI a music mix that concentrates on oldies and current classic rock, folk, and country. Natalie Johnson, (01) WILX, Lansing, has been promoted Becky Conat (02) just moved to WOTV from weekend producer to weekday 6pm producer. She 4, WOOD 8 and WXSP, Grand Rapids, began her reporting career at HOM-TV in 2001, and has MI, as an advertising sales rep. She’s been the main host for “Meridian Magazine” for much of that “glad to be back in TV”. time, hosting many other programs, as well as completing Stephanie (Rogers) Grant (98) has been her weekly reporting assignments. Congratulations Natalie! promoted to Assistant Vice President Thanks for all of the hard work you put into HOM-TV, and of Corporate Communications by Wells your contribution to the growing success of “Meridian Fargo, and relocated to San Diego, CA. Magazine”. You will be dearly missed! Natalie is an Mark Hopwood (03), is working in the excellent example of the hard work, committment, dedication, determination biz as a sales account executive at WILX, ALUMNI IN THE BIZ . and heart that it takes to be a success. Lansing, MI.

Jessica Reid (03) has assumed producer duties at WLNS, Lisa Johnson (05) has the lead in an independent movie, a religious themed in Lansing. Taking the work she does producing and drama. She emailed: “I am realizing how directing “Meridian Magazine”, she impressed her bosses much I learned during the internship. It’s at WLNS, earning her a promotion from photog to weekend really fun, and I’m glad I had the internship producer. On her days off, she devotes much of her time to so I understand what is going on.” HOM-TV. Scott Jones (95) is now a producer at Charter Media in Traverse City, MI. Lindsey Sikula (04), started her new job as a Studio s starting her new job Technician for TeamWorks Media, Chicago, IL. They Erin Russ (05) i as reporter for 10pm news at WFQX, work with ESPN, Wilson, the Big Ten and many individual Cadillac, MI. Congratulations Erin! athletes and teams. She says, “Everything is good, great Melissa Steinhofer (02) is now the actually! I think I’m really going to like this job.” morning weekend producer at KVBC- TV in Las Vegas, NV. She told us, “Even Natalie Poston (04) - is the producer of the comedy “The though it’s been years since I worked at Talent”, currently in its world premiere. Sam Singh, Mayor HOM-TV, I still use the skills I learned of East Lansing, MI, saw the movie and said, “It was funny there. It’s the basics that I fall back on and had a lot of originality to it...I enjoyed it!” This winter, everyday on the job.” Natalie was assistant director on a horror film, “The Fall of Karen Straney (85), owner of Glencairn the House of Usher” (a remake) directed by Jeff Burton, Group, provides interactive programs to train public information officers for local which will be in video stores nationally. She said, “This was fire and police. She also uses her HOM- a big step for me, and landed me a job in LA, starting next fall. In my spare TV skills to shoot underwater video in the time I make my own movies, and of course, watch HOM-TV and miss it! It Caribbean as often as possible! is where I started and learned the most.”

Cara Jacobs (Jasiolek) (04) has been promoted to solo anchor for KGWN, CBS 5, Northern Colorado newscast -- and her picture is now on a billboard! She says, “Things have been amazing! I wake up each morning, anxious to go to my job, not knowing what lies ahead. The news business is definitely exciting!”

From the Editor . . . With an increased risk to PEG channels, you start to think about what it means to have the people’s voice be heard. The start of the new teen show, “Minor Complications” addresses this issue. Who is really listening to teens? We want them to perform well, to not do drugs, and be good participants in society. But what do they want and who is asking what they want, and who is listening? This is what PEG channels were set up to do, provide a voice so people can be heard, provide an opportunity for everyone to be able to take part in the democratic process. In my 8 years with HOM-TV, this show is the first that represents a true voice, without hesitating because of what people may think or feel. And that, to me, is the beauty of access!

5151 Marsh Rd., Okemos MI 48864 * 517-349-1232 * www.meridian.mi.us/HOMTV