![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/KPBS-Connections-masthead-cropped-900px.png)
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/TomKarlo-200x267.jpg)
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, TOM KARLO
For 60 years, KPBS has been serving you and our community with news and stories that help us dream, make us think, and keep us connected. That is a long time to be doing something … but because we love what we do, the time passes quickly.
Many things have changed since 1960 when we first broadcast as KEBS radio. Here we are today on radio, TV, web, mobile app, smart speakers, podcasts, social media, and more. And despite our age, we are not slowing down. We are developing new TV series and podcasts as part of our Explore programming initiative, telling local San Diego stories.
We are curating the indispensable Election 2020 Voter Guide and news coverage, ready to help you be an informed voter in this year’s election. Our KPBS Arts newsletter has a new voice and features the widest range of arts in our region yet. And we will have celebratory moments throughout the year leading to our official anniversary date of September 12, 2020.
It is because of your support that we have been able to thrive the past 60 years and the reason we will be here for at least another 60 more. Thank you!
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sanditon-LEAD-600x400.jpg)
“Sanditon”
Andrew Davies Finishes What Jane Austen Started with “Sanditon”
KPBS is so excited to bring the brand-new “Masterpiece” drama “Sanditon”—Jane Austen’s final, unfinished work—to our station this month!
Screenwriter Andrew Davies (“Pride and Prejudice”, “Mr. Selfridge”, “Les Misérables”) finishes what Jane Austen started when she had to stop writing the novel in 1817 due to illness.
The bold adaptation follows the series’ young heroine, Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams). Charlotte arrives in Sanditon, a sleepy seaside village, and encounters Tom Parker, who is transforming the village into a trendy and fashionable seaside resort.
The series features drama, secrets, and romances that will thrill you week after week.
Sundays starting January 12 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV
“A Place to Call Home”
Season 6 is the final chapter of the Bligh saga “A Place to Call Home”—an Australian drama that explores the ties that hold families together and the betrayals that can tear them apart.
As the 1950s come to a close in Inverness, the inhabitants of Ash Park each find a way to confront their fears and heal the damage within to finally reach their place to call home. For some, the challenge is to overcome the mental scarring from their wartime experiences. For others, the damage has been done by fate, family, friends, or foes. Hearts are on the line as courageous acts of transformation, love, sacrifice, and kindness toward one another lead to an evolution of a better version of themselves. And the outcomes are almost impossible to fathom.
Tuesdays starting January 7 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-2 and Sundays starting January 12 at 7 p.m. on KPBS-TV
Mark Your Ballot—But First, Consult kpbs.org!
Are you ready to vote? The California Presidential Primary Election is Tuesday, March 3. The last day to register to vote is February 17, and the last date to request a vote-by-mail ballot is February 25.
In addition to the Presidential Primary Election, there will be several critical state and local primary races—including Mayor of San Diego and San Diego County Supervisors—as well as ballot measures.
How can you keep up with the candidates and issues? With KPBS, of course! The KPBS online Voter Guide will be available beginning in mid-January. Even more robust information will be added in early February when mail-in ballots arrive.
Access the Voter Guide at kpbs.org/vote—and check out our election-related news stories throughout the election season at kpbs.org/election.
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Vote-FLAG-480x320jpg.jpg)
Trek Across the Globe on “NOVA: Polar Extremes”
On February 5, join us for a journey back in time and across the globe with “NOVA: Polar Extremes.” The one-night, two-hour special takes viewers on a dramatic and surprising adventure from pole to pole. From 650 million years ago to the present, it will uncover the extraordinary story of the Earth’s poles and their changing climates.
What drives the Earth’s poles to their extremes? How quickly can they change? Renowned paleontologist Kirk Johnson hosts the series, which aims to answer these questions and uncover the mysteries of our planet’s past.
“NOVA: Polar Extremes” features stunning footage from some of the most beautiful and remote places in the world. It will take you on a brilliant journey to explore the planet on which we live … and determine whether the secrets of our planet’s past may predict what will happen to our world in the future.
Wednesday, February 5 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV
“KPBS Evening Edition” Welcomes Maya Trabulsi!
We are excited to welcome Maya Trabulsi as the new anchor of “KPBS Evening Edition!” She began her new role on November 4, 2019. You may recognize Maya, as she’s been with KPBS since 2014. She’s served as our “Weekend Edition” Saturday anchor, and as a fill-in anchor for “Evening Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
Maya has produced award-winning enterprise features for KPBS News, including four first-place awards in 2019 from the Society of Professional Journalists, two Golden Mike awards in 2017, and an Emmy award in 2015. She has experience as an anchor, reporter, producer, editor, and host with various news organizations before joining KPBS.
Please join us in welcoming Maya to her new role!
“KPBS Evening Edition” airs weekdays at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on KPBS-TV and 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on KPBS-2
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Maya-Trabulsi-480x320.jpg)
Maya Trabulsi
Fascinating Guests, Surprising Stories: “Finding Your Roots” Returns to KPBS!
If you’re not already watching “Finding Your Roots,” jump on board during its exciting and groundbreaking sixth season, currently airing on KPBS!
USA Today recently called “Finding Your Roots” “a brilliant series about race, identity and heritage,” and Newsday referred to the series’ longtime host, scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., as “TV’s best and most thoughtful tour guide.”
For more than a decade, the series has engaged viewers in a national conversation about identity by digging deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all.
This exciting season of “Finding Your Roots” kicked off at the end of 2019 and featured notable actors Eric Stonestreet, Melissa McCarthy, Anjelica Huston, Mia Farrow, and Isabella Rossellini—all of whom learned about their family histories and retraced the interesting and surprising journeys of their ancestors.
Still to come on the series are more than 20 other fascinating and noteworthy celebrity guests, including Terry Gross, the iconic host of NPR’s “Fresh Air,” whose episode airs on January 21 (January 22 on KPBS-2).
Join Dr. Gates and his noteworthy, dynamic guests on their unforgettable journeys to retrace their ancestral pasts—only on KPBS!
Tuesdays beginning January 7 at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV and Wednesdays beginning January 8 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-2
“Live at the Belly Up”
San Diego is known for its stellar and diverse musical talent.
What’s more, San Diego County is home to one of the best music venues on the West Coast. Since 1974, the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach has featured the finest bluegrass, reggae, and rock bands, and everything in between. And KPBS brings these concerts right to your home on “Live at the Belly Up.”
“Live at the Belly Up” brings six new artists and bands to the stage, hailing from the deep South to Portland. Kick back and relax to the distinctly Southern roots of Marc Broussard known for his “Bayou Soul,” listen to the sweet siren vocals of the three sisters of Joseph, groove along to the Louisiana-inspired blues of Tab Benoit, and more. Whether you love the blues, funk, or folk, “Live at the Belly Up” has something for everyone.
Fridays starting January 24 at 11 p.m. on KPBS-TV, with encore showings Mondays at 10 p.m. on KPBS-2. Also available for streaming at video.kpbs.org and via the PBS app.
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BellyUp-480x320.jpg)
“San Diego News Matters” is KPBS’ daily news podcast covering local politics, education, health, environment, the border, and more. New episodes air every weekday morning so you can listen on your morning commute.
Listen via kpbs.org/podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
Sponsor Message
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NCR-logo_SB-copy-480x395.jpg)
North Coast Repertory Theatre is offering KPBS members a discount on two shows in January and February. Tickets available at Northcoastrep.org or call (858) 481-1055.
Using code SEASONS when you check out, you can receive $5 off when you purchase tickets to “Bloomsday” and/or “The Outsider.” Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Cannot be used on opening nights, January 11, and February 22.
January 8, 2020 – February 2, 2020
SAN DIEGO PREMIERE
“Bloomsday” by Steven Dietz
If you’ve ever wished you could go back and have a second chance at a decision you made back in your 20s, this winsome tale will linger with you. Filled with humor, this emotional story captures the intensity of experiences as an older couple retraces their steps to discover their younger selves. “Bloomsday” gives us a funny, touching, and stark look at what it is to be in love no matter what stage of life you’re in.
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bloomsday-FINAL-Top-A-RGB-375x417.jpg)
February 19, 2020 – March 15, 2020
West Coast Premiere
“The Outsider” by Paul Slade Smith
Directed by David Ellenstein
“The Outsider” is a razor-sharp, hilarious satire of modern American politics and an inspirational tribute to democracy. Overflowing with clever plot twists portraying the contemporary political climate, Paul Slade Smith’s (Unnecessary Farce) play is a fun-house mirror. If you’re overwhelmed by today’s headlines, this thoroughly nonpartisan laugh fest is just what you need.
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Outsider-FINAL-Top-RGB-1-375x417.jpg)
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/kpbs-logo-600px.png)
Simple and flexible gifts with tax benefits.
A donor-advised fund gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is granted to KPBS.
You transfer cash and assets to any IRS-qualified public charity such as a public foundation, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time.
For more information, call (619) 594-7822 or email [email protected].
![](https://ournewsletter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Vehicle-Donation-480x250.jpg)
Say goodbye to that good old ride and donate your car, truck, RV, boat, motorcycle, or other vehicle to KPBS! Your vehicle donation funds your favorite programs. To learn more and have your vehicle picked up for free, visit kpbs.org/car or call (877) 572-7227.
KPBS Audience and Member Services:
(619) 594-6983 or (888) 399-5727 [email protected]
Sign up for email newsletters and alerts:
kpbs.org/alerts
KPBS televison and radio schedules:
kpbs.org/tv/schedule
kpbs.org/radio/schedule
Write to us:
5200 Campanile Drive
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-5400
KPBS channel info—television
KPBS TV—15, Cox 1011, Spectrum 1221
KPBS 2—15.2, Cox 811, Spectrum 1277
KPBS Create—15.3, Cox 816, Spectrum 1275
KPBS Kids—15.4, Cox 809, Spectrum 1276
KPBS channel info—radio
San Diego—89.5 FM, Calexico 97.7 FM