firstchoice wusf for information, education and entertainment • noVemBer 2008 Rolling On the River with Burt Wolf Each week, WUSF TV/DT viewers join Burt Wolf, the genial host of Burt Wolf: Travels & Traditions, on his journeys around the world. Wolf has traveled by plane, train and automobile — but a river cruise is his favorite way to see Europe. This month, on November 12, during a two-hour special, Wolf takes us through the heart of Europe on three voyages along the winding Danube River. In Cruising the Danube, Wolf kicks off his leisurely journey in Budapest and then stops off at the fairy tale castles and hidden streets of Burt Wolf’s two- Bratislava, Dürnstein, Melk, Grein, Linz hour river cruise and Passau before coming full circle to Budapest. On his second expedition, special airs Christmas in Vienna, Wolf sets shore November 12 in Vienna, Austria, exploring ancient Christmas traditions (some edible!) at 8 p.m. and festivities at locations ranging WUSF TV/DT from the magnificent Habsburg castle to Vienna’s celebrated outdoor Channel 16 Christmas markets. On the last leg of the voyage, Austrian Monasteries, Wolf takes us inside the abbeys at Melk and Klosterneuburg — each a fascinating realm of history, tradition and treasure. Wolf concludes his journey with lunch at the restaurant of one of Europe’s most talented chefs. Intrigued? If you’re more than an armchair traveler, you can join Burt Wolf in July 2009 on a Danube River cruise with other WUSF friends. Find more information about this once-in-a-lifetime voyage inside! wusf: FIRST choice WUSF Public WUSF TV/DT Broadcasting: November Highlights A range of media choices WORLDFOCUS brings American audiences a deeper understanding WUSF 89.7 of the stories shaping the world provides NPR news and today. Anchored by acclaimed journalist Martin Savidge, this classical music during the program goes beyond crisis day and straight-ahead reporting, covering the human stories behind international events jazz at night. To keep you and exploring the connections informed and engaged, we between issues unfolding abroad and developments in the U.S. The combine NPR’s acclaimed newscast also features breaking global reporting with our news, as well as incisive analysis and roundtables with policy own award-winning Florida experts. Airs Monday through coverage. Friday at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. MY CHILD: MOTHERS OF WUSF 89.72 WAR focuses on the mothers delivers public radio’s best of American soldiers serving in Iraq. Through their testimonies — news and information recounting the disconcerting days 24 hours a day. Its fresh and sleepless nights, the ecstatic joy of a phone call or the exultation spectrum of programs of a simple e-mail — the stakes includes: Fresh Air, Talk of of sending sons and daughters off to war are redefined, as are the Nation, The Diane Rehm their sacrifices.M others of varying Show, The Splendid Table and backgrounds and beliefs share their experiences exposing the On the Media. This channel common thread of motherhood that is available on HD digital binds them together regardless of their differences. Airs Wednesday, radios and online at wusf.org. November 5, at 10 p.m. WUSF-TV/DT GREAT PERFORMANCES: proudly broadcasts on four Legendary songwriter, producer and maestro to the stars David digital television channels Foster has generated some of the over the air, on cable and on world’s best-known popular music and collaborated with a veritable satellite. See the lineup in “Who’s Who” of superstars in First Choice’s WUSF TV/DT a career that spans more than three decades. In celebration of Primetime section. his remarkable achievements, some of the biggest names in wusf.org contemporary music gather for a WUSF’s website offers one-night-only concert that brings down the house. From the stage of crystal-clear digital streams Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, Andrea of our radio programming on Bocelli, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Boz Skaggs, Kenny G, Cheryl Lynn, WUSF 89.7 and WUSF 89.72. Charice, Andre Agassi and others Podcasting allows listeners join in the celebration, along with a special performance by Celine to download now and listen Dion and some long-distance best later. Both state-of-the-art wishes from Kevin Costner and Barbra Streisand. Airs Sunday, services are free. November 30, at 8 p.m. wusf: FIRST choice Florida Matters: Coming Soon to a TV Near You WUSF expands public affairs coverage with the television version of the popular radio program s WUSF 89.7 listeners know, Florida Matters is a weekly public affairs program probing the critical issues that impact our regional community. Carson Cooper has hosted the show A since its launch in 2005. The format is a lively, in-depth, panel discussion with community leaders and experts. It’s thought provoking radio. Thanks to a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a new corporate sponsorship from Mosaic, it’s slated to make great television, too. Last month, a special Florida Matters debuted on WUSF TV/DT and examined the proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Funding from Mosaic gives WUSF the ability to produce Florida Matters as a weekly public affairs television program, which will debut in January. continued on following page wusf: FIRST choice continued from preceding page “Public broadcasting has a very serious, discerning “Adapting Florida Matters for television was a logical next audience,” notes Urofsky. “Our audience doesn’t come step for the original radio program,” says JoAnn Urofsky, to us for superficial chatter or glib sound bites. They want WUSF’s general manager. “We’ve wanted to produce a deep discussion about the issues affecting their lives. public affairs program on WUSF TV/DT for years. Our We give them that and I’m confident our televised members have requested it as have members of the commu- version of Florida Matters will give them even more. nity in our focus groups. Support from the Corporation We look at things in a very serious way. But we’ll also for Public Broadcasting and Mosaic means WUSF can make the program lively and engaging.” serve the community in a more powerful way.” Bottom line? The televised incarnation of Florida Matters WUSF’s station manager, Tom Dollenmayer, is producing will live up to its name, offering a serious examination of the quality of life issues that matter to people who live in this region. That shouldn’t be such a radical concept. But, “Adapting in today’s media landscape, it Florida Matters for is. As Urofsky sees it, it’s what sets public broadcasting television was a and WUSF apart. logical extension “We can ask intelligent of the original radio questions,” says Urofsky. “We can offer intelligent program.” answers or admit that JoAnn urofsky the facts aren’t in and we’re General Manager, wusf still investigating. That’s the power of public broad- casting. We believe in it. Our audience does, too.” Of course, adapting the new television program. He’s excited about the project. Florida Matters for television means more than finding the And he doesn’t underestimate the power of this program. right form for a new media. WUSF also had to find “It’s a new creative challenge,” he says. “Television and production funders. radio are very different media with different sets of rules. What “Diane Egner is our production funding manager on this works on radio won’t always work on TV. We can’t simply project,” says Urofsky. “I’m happy to say, she discovered aim a camera at our radio panelists and expect to create an that leaders in the regional business community also exciting public affairs program. The Q&A format works on strongly believe in the power of public broadcasting. radio; but talking heads is not great TV. We had to create a They want to raise the level of conversation and make a new kind of animal — and go beyond the Q&A format.” difference in our community. When he agreed to provide The new format for the television version of Florida funding for Florida Matters, David Townsend, assistant Matters will be a half-hour news magazine, offering regular vice president of Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, said, ‘Mosaic segments on public affairs, business issues, arts, culture is pleased to sponsor Florida Matters since we support and other topics. The public affairs segment will mirror thoughtful, in-depth and credible discussion of issues in the issue covered on that week’s radio program, but won’t the state. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he wrote cover the same ground. Guests discussing vital Florida that an enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper topics on the television program may be different from functioning of a republic.’” the guests on the radio program. When possible, Florida Thanks to funding from Mosaic, Florida Matters is finally Matters will break out of the studio. becoming a reality. “TV allows us to show as well as tell,” says Dollenmayer. Urofsky adds that everyone at WUSF is thrilled. “We’ll take full advantage of the visual possibilities of the medium.” “Mosaic is going to help WUSF broaden the conversation in Florida Matters will please the eye — but its real target is the region about issues that make a difference to our quality the mind. Urofsky stresses it will offer in-depth topics. of life. We’re very thankful for their support.” FROM the wusf GM Got the Tumbler? Get it! This handsome, Giving Thanks 16-ounce stainless steel travel tumbler ovember is finally here and not a sports the WUSF logo moment too soon. We really need in green and gold.