MAY/JUNE 2024
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, DEANNA MACKEY
Many of you have shared with me your “driveway moments” and your favorite TV memories brought to you by public media.
As a KPBS member, you experience local news that impacts your life, programs that take you to distant lands and getting lost in the excitement of dramas that entertain.
On May 1 and 2 we will participate in Public Media Giving Days, a two-day celebration of what KPBS gives to you and what you give to us. On our airwaves and digital, we will reflect on why public media matters. I look forward to seeing you share your story on social media using #PublicMediaGives.
In May we also host our annual GI Film Festival San Diego.
This truly unique event allows KPBS the opportunity to elevate the voices and experiences of service members, veterans and their families. A special ticket offer can be found on the next page.
I am grateful you are a fan of KPBS and I thank you for your support. I promise we will continue to bring you many public media special “moments” throughout the year.
Honoring America’s Heroes
The “National Memorial Day Concert” is an annual favorite and an unforgettable tribute to our nation’s finest. This inspiring event, set against the beauty of the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, honors our military personnel, veterans and the heroes we’ve lost. The bravery of the fallen is remembered through the sharing of their stories and musical performances by our nation’s most celebrated artists. The concert includes stirring performances by military choirs and ensembles and the treasured tradition of the Salute to Services.
This impactful evening provides an opportunity for our nation to unite in gratitude and solemn remembrance.
Airs Sunday, May 26, at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. on KPBS- TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
‘Radiolab’ Is Back
“Radiolab” is an experiential investigation that explores themes and ideas through a patchwork of people, sounds and stories. In each episode, “Radiolab” experiments with sound and style, allowing science to fuse with culture and information to sound like music.
Led by co-hosts Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, “Radiolab” is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder; who are curious about the world, but also want to be moved and surprised. “Radiolab” received Peabody Awards in 2011 and 2015.
Airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on KPBS Radio. Stream live via the KPBS App.
A Local Film Festival Like No Other
Lights, camera, action! KPBS is home to a must-attend event for film lovers, history enthusiasts, military supporters and you! The GI Film Festival San Diego is a unique experience that combines a love for independent cinema and community all through the lens of the military and veteran perspective.
The festival takes place May 6-11 and will feature 21 films. The 2024 lineup includes documentaries, dramas, comedies/satires and animations. Also featured are local films, student projects and international films. All showtimes will be in-person at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. And all films are followed by panel discussions with available filmmakers, film subjects and local experts.
Tickets for screenings begin at $10 each for general audiences. KPBS members receive preferred pricing of $8 each. Also available are multi-showtime ticket packages, allowing you to see as much as you want during festival week.
To see the schedule, preview the films, and secure your tickets, visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
Looking Back at the Summer of 1967
In response to the summer of 1967 riots that broke out in neighborhoods across numerous American cities, President Lyndon Johnson tasked the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also referred to as the Kerner Commission, with three main objectives: What took place? What caused it to occur? What steps could be taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again?
In March 1968, the commission released “The Riot Report,” which presented an incredibly candid evaluation of American racial relations.
Johnson refused to publicly acknowledge the evaluation or thank the commissioners for their work because it turned out to be so politically divisive. “American Experience: The Riot Report” examines a pivotal moment in our nation’s history of fraught social dynamics that simultaneously spurred the commission’s investigation and doomed its findings to political oblivion.
Premieres Tuesday, May 21, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Support KPBS Through Your IRA
Looking for a meaningful way to support KPBS? Here’s two great options: A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), or a lifetime income from a charitable gift annuity with a gift through your IRA. If you are at least 70½ years old, each year, the IRS requires you to withdraw a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA.
- Make a gift, a QCD, from your IRA without penalty. Give a one-time gift to KPBS without increasing your taxable income.
- Convert up to $50,000 of your IRA into a stream of income without paying federal income tax on the principal.
For questions about these or other ways to give, call Jared Blakeley at (619) 594-0851 or email jblakeley@ kpbs.org.
Discover an Enchanted World
Prepare to be captivated by the mystical allure of one of Ireland’s hidden gems in “NATURE: Green Island, White Desert.” While Ireland is famous for its emerald landscapes and rugged coastlines, the Burren offers a unique and mesmerizing contrast with its desert of gray limestone.
“Green Island, White Desert” gives you a front-row seat to the incredible lives of wild birds and animals that call the Burren home. The pine marten, a wild mammal whose elusive and endearing presence will warm your heart, is your guide on this journey of discovery.
With awe-inspiring wildlife scenes that showcase the beauty and diversity of this hidden oasis, this program is a delightful and educational experience for nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
Airs Wednesday, May 22, at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Taste the Fusion of Baja’s Culinary Delights
With eight new episodes coming to KPBS TV and the PBS App starting May 23, join “Crossing South” host Jorge Meraz as he ventures to even more must-see Baja spots. This season, embark on a mesmerizing journey through “La Rumorosa” en route to Mexicali and San Felipe. In Mexicali, Jorge takes a deep dive into the “La Chinesca,” an underground Chinatown in Mexicali, a city known for its Chinese-Mexican fusion cuisine. Then, explore San Felipe with visits to a salt pool, an otherworldly glamping adventure and experience the soulful vibes of the city’s Blues & Arts festival, along with its world-famous seafood scene. There’s a lot to learn and fun to have on “Crossing South.”
‘My Life Is Murder’
In the modern Australian detective drama “My Life Is Murder,” Lucy Lawless plays retired police officer Alexa Crowe. Her old boss regularly asks for her insight on cold cases and a young police data analyst is eager for mentorship. Whether Alexa wants to or not, she can’t seem to stop solving crime.
Airs Fridays at 10 p.m. beginning May 10 or stream anytime with the PBS App.
Celebrate KPBS
We invite you to be a part of a movement to advocate for and support KPBS. Celebrate what #PublicMediaGives to you and the community you call home.
Please join in by making an extra gift to support KPBS during this special event.
Explore the Frontiers of Space and Sound
Embark on a journey through space and sound with two compelling documentaries presented by “Independent Lens”—“Space: The Longest Goodbye” and “The Tuba Thieves.”
‘Space: The Longest Goodbye’
Embark on an enthralling journey with “Space: The Longest Goodbye,” as we explore the audacious NASA mission aimed at sending astronauts on a voyage to Mars. The venture requires a three-year separation from Earth, cutting off real-time communication due to vast distances. Meet the dedicated psychologists entrusted with safeguarding the mental resilience of these intrepid explorers as they confront the dichotomy of venturing into uncharted territories while longing for earthly connections.
“Space: The Longest Goodbye” premieres Monday, May 6, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
‘The Tuba Thieves’
“The Tuba Thieves” promises an intriguing twist as filmmaker Alison O’Daniel uses a series of tuba thefts in Los Angeles high schools as a study on the essence of sound and the act of listening. Through a unique game of telephone involving deaf individuals, the documentary uncovers the central mystery of sound itself, transcending the mere theft of musical instruments.
“The Tuba Thieves” premieres Monday, May 20, at 11 p.m. on KPBS-TV.
A Taste of Culture, Food and Competition
This summer brings Season three of “The Great American Recipe.” This feel-good cooking competition showcases the rich tapestry of flavors that defines American cooking, and celebrates the fusion of food and family.
Meet a new batch of home cooks from diverse backgrounds and watch as they balance rivalry and rapport to bring their cherished dishes to the table. Whether it’s a recipe handed down through the generations or an innovative blend of international flavors, each dish offers a taste of the contestants’ personal stories and heritage. Through the stories and inspirations behind each contestant’s favorite creations, “The Great American Recipe” continues to uncover the soul of American cuisine. Whether you’re a foodie or love heartwarming stories of passion and perseverance, this series will satisfy your senses and maybe even inspire your next culinary adventure.
“The Great American Recipe” premieres Monday, June 17, at 10 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
“The Great American Recipe”
Shailene Woodley
Martha Stewart
Baratunde Thurston
Credit: John Kowitz
Hope Rises from the Depths
Set against the backdrop of our threatened seas and freshwater ecosystems, “Hope in the Water” dives deep into the world of creative solutions. This three-part series will educate and inspire as environmental enthusiasts Shailene Woodley, Martha Stewart and Baratunde Thurston explore the innovations underway to feed our growing population.
Explore the revolutionary seafood technologies poised to address two critical global issues: food insecurity and environmental preservation. Learn how these solutions can play a pivotal role in preserving and protecting our food sources and the environment.
“Hope in the Water” is co-produced by Emmy award winner David E. Kelley and Emmy award and James Beard award winner Andrew Zimmern. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this essential conversation about the future of our planet.
Airs Wednesdays, June 19 through July 3, at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Sponsor Message
Be Part of the Solution to End Hunger: Volunteer with the San Diego Food Ban
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank provides nutritious food and resources to approximately 400,000 people every month. This is possible because of an amazing corps of volunteers who are the lifeblood of the Food Bank’s distribution model.
“Volunteers are an integral part of the San Diego Food Bank’s mission and operations, day in and day out,” said Food Bank CEO, Casey Castillo. “Whether you come for three hours once a month, or three hours once a year, any amount of time someone can give adds up as we all work together to bring families facing food insecurity hope during difficult times.”
Volunteer activities include inspecting and bagging fresh produce, packing food boxes and getting food into the hands of families at their distribution sites.
Last year, volunteers donated more than 83,000 hours to support the Food Bank’s critical programs, including their Food 4 Kids Backpack Program and Senior Food Program. With dozens of shifts taking place each week, you can sign up for a shift today at SanDiegoFoodBank.org/Volunteer.
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It’s a Great Day to Donate Your Vehicle
When the day comes to part ways with your car, turn it into something good. Donate it to KPBS! The proceeds from the sale of your vehicle support the outstanding programs you rely on every hour of every day. To learn more about how to donate a vehicle and how to schedule your free pickup, call 877-572-7227 or complete the online donation form at kpbs.org/car.