Magazine DecemBER 2009 Celebrate the season with us! Arkansas Educational Television Network AETN Mission Contents AETN MAGAZINE Staff Statement Editor in Chief The mission of the Arkansas Year End Giving . 3 Allen Weatherly Educational Television Network Letter from Mona . 4 Editors (AETN) is to offer lifelong Profile: Bill Valentine . 5 Mona Dixon learning opportunities to all Ongoing PBS Series . 6-7 Kathy Atkinson Arkansans; to supply instructional December Specials . 8-11 Editorial & Creative Directors programs to Arkansas' schools; Sara Willis Year-end Checklist for to provide programming and Daytime Listings . 12-13 Elizabeth duBignon services to improve and enhance Primetime Editorial Panel Charitable Gift Planning the lives of Arkansas' citizens; Listings . 14-23 Rowena Parr, Darbi Blencowe and to illuminate the culture and Pam Wilson, Shirley Bowen, Tiffany Verkler heritage of Arkansas and the Weekends . 24-25 Just a few facts to keep in mind as you consider gifts Copy Editors world. To accomplish this mission, Buffalo Flows Darbi Blencowe, Catherine Mays, before year-end: AETN, through the creative use of Wins EMMY . 26 Karen Cooper, Pat Pearce telecommunications, will present Exploring Arkansas . 26 AETN Offices • Complete all gifts by December 31 to qualify for tax a high-quality public television 350 S. Donaghey Ave. - Conway, AR - service designed to inform, Education . 27 72034 savings on this year’s tax return. (If mailing a check, educate, motivate, entertain, The Tamale Trail . 28 800/662-2386 [email protected] - www.aetn.org it must be postmarked by the post office no later than enlighten and inspire. AETN Productions . 29 December 31 to qualify.) Underwriters . 30-31 Masterpiece’s Emma . 32 • Keep all receipts and acknowledgement letters, Your support makes a difference! 1-800-662-2386 especially for gifts of $250 or more. • If you have sold securities this year and will be subject to capital gains tax, remember that gifts of cash or other securities may partially or fully offset tax on your OnPictured below Thefrom left to right: Cover . GREAT PERFORMANCES Dance in America: San Francisco Ballet’s gains. L.A. HOLIDAY CELEBRATION 2009, Airs 12/09/2009, 7:00- Nutcracker, Airs 12/21/2009, 8:00-10:00 pm; repeats 8:00 pm; repeats 12/26/2009, 4:00 am. The Salvation Army 12/22/2009, 12:00 am & 12/23/2009, 2:00 am. Nicolas Tabernacle Children’s Chorus presenting a doo-wop “Perfect Blanc rises to the occasion. • For increased tax benefits, fund your gifts using Christmas Night” from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. securities that are worth more than you paid for them CONNIE TALBOT’S HOLIDAY MAGIC, Airs 12/3/2009, 10:00 and that you have owned more than one year. CELTIC WOMAN: SONGS FROM THE HEART, Airs 12/3/2009, 9:00- am-11:30 am, repeats 12/12/2009, 7:00 pm. Filled with holiday 11:00 pm; repeats 12/5/2009, 9:00 am, 12/6/2009, 7:00 pm classics and fan favorites delivered by Connie Talbot’s angelic voice. & 12/14/2009, 3:00 am. Celtic Woman violinist Mairead Nesbitt • Special benefits can come from gifts of retirement performs with members of Extreme Rhythm Drummers. GREAT PERFORMANCES Andrea Bocelli and David Foster: My plan assets. Christmas, Airs 12/6/2009, 3:00-5:00 pm; repeats 12/7/2009, RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR STARRING THE ROCKETTES, 7:00 pm. Superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli (standing) joins David Airs 12/5/2009, 7:00-8:30 pm. “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” Foster (at piano) in a new Christmas concert of seasonal favorites. Always check with your advisors to determine the continues to set the standard as the signature Rockette number for Showcasing Bocelli’s soaring vocals are lush new arrangements best gift giving vehicle for your circumstances. precision performance. given the distinctive Foster touch. If considering a gift to the AETN Foundation, you can also contact Karen Cooper, at 1-800- 662-2386 or [email protected], who will be happy to work with you and your advisors on the specifics of your gift. 2 Arkansas Educational Television Network Arkansas Educational Television Network 3 From the Foundation Dear Friends, AETNI have a friend who has an autistic son whose favorite Contact AETN programs is Word World. When he watches Word World he AETN EXECUTIVE AETN COMMISSION Celebrate the season with us! It’s gives it his undivided attention and is 100% involved in the DIRECTOR Chair Allen Weatherly hard to believe that the end of the program. By the end of an episode, he is spelling words Sammie Benjamin of Glenwood Bill Valentine year is already here and the new and singing along with the songs. For my friend, this is an Programming Vice Chair originates at the Ronnie Williams of Menifee year is just around the corner. As invaluable resource for her son that keeps him entertained R. Lee Reaves Center B ill Valentine, a Central we come to year end, I know this is while at the same time learning. for Educational Secretary/Treasurer Arkansas native who was Telecommunications at Sandy Landers of Little Rock a time when many people plan their charitable giving for Donaghey Avenue & instrumental in Arkansas sports the year. This year, those decisions are even harder. The I have an older friend who has been a member of AETN Sesame Street, Dr. William Downs, Jr. of Arkadelphia and particularly the Arkansas Conway, AR 72034. difficult economy has, in some way, affected us all. There for a number of years. He’s a World War II veteran who Don Hale of El Dorado Travelers, is also a key member Questions and Jane Krutz of Little Rock are simply too many needs around each of us and too few just celebrated his 84th birthday. He isn’t able to get out comments are Billie Sue Hoggard of Jonesboro of the AETN Foundation Board dollars to go around. It makes charitable giving decisions all of the house as much as he used to and AETN has become encouraged. Mary Beth Green of Van Buren of Directors. He has served as a Viewers may reach Board Member since 2007. the more difficult. an invaluable window to the world for him. He enjoys AETN at: AETN Foundation Board 1-800-662-AETN Lawrence Welk weekly, but also many of the other programs 1-800-662-2386 Chair I hope as you are thinking about your charitable giving, that that AETN provides. 501-682-AETN Dan Farley of Little Rock Valentine has often referred to the Travs as being “The Greatest Show 501-450-1-PBS on Dirt.” He carries this sentiment into his work on the Board, helping to you will consider the importance of your gifts to the AETN Fax: 501-852-2280 Vice Chair Foundation. AETN isn’t just a television station though that’s I could give many more examples of how people use the General E-mail: Sandra Garland of put AETN into the greatest TV category, offering viewers a wide variety of Mountain Home what most people think of when they think of AETN. AETN programs and services that AETN provides. I’m sure that [email protected] educational and entertaining programming where there is something for Public Affairs e-mail: everyone. provides countless hours of programming each year that is you could add your own experiences to the list. Stories like [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer Steven Jones of Marion used in our schools, we provide professional development these are the reason that I personally earmark a portion of Outdoor Programs: [email protected] and training opportunities to Arkansas teachers, we tell the my charitable dollars to the AETN Foundation. Philip Hathcock of Maumelle “Aside from the educational value, AETN is important to the state because story of Arkansas through local documentaries and programs, Membership hotline: Dr. Linda Beene Ballard of Bismarck it also allows viewers to see programs they would never see on network or 501-682-4120 Kay Bland of Paragould cable TV,” Valentine said. we provide a quality of television programming that just I know there are many worthy charities, but I hope that Viewer response line: Lavenia Craig of El Dorado can’t be found on any other channel available and we are you’ll continue to have the AETN Foundation on your list. 501-682-4198 Dr. Andrew Fulkerson of Paragould Education: Don Hale of El Dorado Valentine was the executive vice president for the Arkansas Travelers for commercial free. Philip Kaplan of Little Rock 1-800-488-6689 more than 30 years, was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and If the end of the calendar year is when you are making your [email protected] Bill Valentine of Little Rock AETN online: Allen Weatherly of Conway the Texas League Hall of Fame, and participated in a myriad of other sports That’s an easy list for me to provide to you, but let me get charitable gifts, consider the AETN Foundation. It is tax www.aetn.org Kirby Williams of Hot Springs triumphs, inlcuding being the youngest person to umpire professionally. He a bit more personal. I have a four year old nephew and a deductible and it makes more of a difference than you may has led a stellar career in media as well, chatting up his love for baseball and five year old niece. They use our children’s programming on ever know. sports in general. a daily basis. Karley, my niece, loves Clifford The Big Red KETS DT Dog. It’s easy to understand the value of this program by Thanks for your continued support of the AETN Foundation.