SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
A WORD FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER, TOM KARLO
September 12, 1960, was just another day for most San Diegans. But for a small group of students at San Diego State College (now SDSU), it was a day that gave rise to a new voice of broadcasters. KEBS formed as San Diego’s first public broadcasting entity, transmitting a radio signal for just a few hours a day, five days a week.
Sixty years later, KPBS has transformed from humble beginnings into a leading public media organization. When we began 2020, we had big plans to celebrate our anniversary with all of you throughout the year. The year 2020 had different plans for us all. As we would during any crisis, our focus has been on serving our community with news coverage.
From the pandemic to racial justice protests to the election, KPBS is your witness to these historic times. And so our own 60-year history and the celebration that we had planned seems a little less important right now. What is important is the health and safety of our community, equality and justice for all people, and educating our citizens on their right to vote. I’ve never been prouder of how we are rising to the occasion to serve our communities during this tumultuous time. It is because of your support that we are able to do this work, and will continue to do so for 60 more years. And that’s something worth celebrating.
It’s Election Season! Turn to KPBS Before You Vote
The 2020 General Election is Tuesday, November 3. This year, every Californian who is eligible to vote in the General Election will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. (Remember: To vote, your registration must be postmarked or submitted electronically by October 19!)
In addition to the presidential election, there will be a number of important races, including the mayor of San Diego, San Diego County supervisors, and U.S. congressional seats, as well as ballot measures.
There’s a lot to research and remember—so how can you keep up on the candidates and issues? With KPBS, of course!
KPBS’ online voter guide will be populated and live by October 5, when the state registrar of voters is due to mail out ballots. We’ll also continue to populate the guide with new developments and updated stories as we get closer to election day. You can access it, along with the latest election-related news stories, at kpbs.org/election.
On TV and on the radio, we’re bringing you up-to-the-minute news and stories you can use to help you make informed decisions.
“PBS NewsHour” will feature special coverage and analysis for three presidential candidate debates on September 29, October 15 and October 22. The show will also cover the vice presidential debate on October 7.
“FRONTLINE” will present “The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden,” a special that will take you behind the headlines generated by Donald Trump and Joe Biden to investigate what has shaped these candidates, where they came from, and how they lead. Tuesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV
And on a special edition of “VOCES: Latino Vote, The Tipping Point,” we’ll explore what’s important to Latinos, how it will impact the election, and how a candidate’s victory or loss could rest in the hands of America’s Latino population. Tuesday, October 6 at 9 p.m. on KPBS-TV
KPBS Relaunches “Only Here” Podcast as “Port of Entry”
What is life like for those who inhabit the space between two vastly different cultures? Our popular podcast “Only Here” will relaunch as “Port of Entry” to dive deeper into border culture, exploring both the struggles and creativity that come from the wall.
Host Alan Lilienthal will introduce us to border people through their intimate audio diaries and in-depth interviews that capture the richness of border culture and the borderlands. In each episode, we tell personal stories of love, hope, creativity, and survival.
Beginning on October 14, current subscribers of “Only Here” will automatically receive “Port of Entry” episodes in their podcast feeds. New listeners can find the podcast at portofentrypod.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.
“Islands of Wonder,” Madagascar
A Journey Like No Other on “Islands of Wonder”
Summer plans canceled? KPBS is taking you on a journey to the most exotic, remote islands on Planet Earth on “Islands of Wonder,” right from the comfort of your home.
The three-part series explores the isolated and tropical islands of Madagascar, Borneo, and Hawaii, home to people and wildlife like those found nowhere else on earth, exploring their beauty and discovering how these fragile islands serve as a vital gauge for our planet’s health and future.
Wednesdays, September 16, 23, and 30 at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV
KPBS Welcomes Jared Blakeley, Director of Major Gifts!
We are thrilled to welcome our new Director of Major Gifts, Jared Blakeley, to the KPBS family!
A longtime supporter and fan of KPBS, Jared—who has a diverse and extensive background in fundraising and philanthropy—is excited to join the station at this critical moment in our country’s history.
“We need trusted news and accurate information more than ever, especially as those sources are quickly vanishing,” he said. “It’s really exciting to join KPBS in this important moment.”
Jared has already connected with many KPBS supporters and is impressed and encouraged by their enthusiasm. “I suspected that KPBS supporters would be some of the most loyal, enthusiastic donors out there, and my suspicions were correct. To be able to interact and connect with these donors has been nothing short of inspiring.”
KPBS’ annual “GI Film Festival San Diego” returns May 2021!
Special showcase Oct 1 and 2
KPBS is excited to announce that the next “GI Film Festival San Diego”—a special lineup of films
connected to the military and veterans—will take place on May 18-21, 2021. But you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy what the festival has to offer!
We’re bringing you a special two-day showcase of the festival on October 1 and 2. The virtual event will feature films from past events, as well as brand-new productions, local storytellers, and a sneak preview of the 2021 festival.
And, because the showcase will take place online, you can enjoy the films, hear from the filmmakers, and build community—all from the comfort of your home.
Visit GIFilmFestivalSD.org.
“NOVA: Human Nature”
This September, KPBS explores a new door to curing diseases, reshaping the biosphere, and even designing our own children on a special edition of “NOVA: Human Nature.”
Thanks to a breakthrough called CRISPR, we now have unprecedented control over the building blocks of life. “NOVA: Human Nature” is a provocative exploration of the scientists who discovered it, the families it affects, and the bioengineers who are testing its limits. How will this new power change our relationship with nature? What will it mean for human evolution? Tune in to find out.
Wednesday, September 9 at 8 p.m. on KPBS-TV
Join us for “One Book, One San Diego”—our region’s most popular book club!
Now in its 14th year, the purpose of “One Book, One San Diego” is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. The program is presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations, and educational institutions.
Last year, more than 20,000 San Diegans participated in “One Book, One San Diego” related events throughout the county. This year, the One Book advisory committee received 483 nominations from the public, and the 2020 selections will be announced at The San Diego Union-Tribune Festival of Books, a virtual event taking place on August 29, 2020.
We hope you’ll come read with us! For more information, visit kpbs.org/one-book.
Jazz at Lincoln Center: “A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years and Counting”
“A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration” features the Muppets of “Sesame Street” performing alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis. The celebration will showcase brand-new
arrangements of some of “Sesame Street’s” most beloved songs.
Friday, October 30 at 9:00 p.m. on KPBS-2
Sponsor Message
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made, for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid.” – Robert N. Rose
The mission of the Maritime Museum of San Diego is to serve as the community memory of our seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting our rich maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world. We are doing all that we can to navigate this period of tremendous uncertainty, maintain the sanctity of the Museum’s treasures, and ensure our preparedness to remain open for many years to come.
Here’s a brief quiz to share with your family while learning more about your local Maritime Museum of San Diego.
- 1. Name the world’s oldest active sailing vessel.
Answer: The Star of India, launched in 1863, home ported in San Diego and sailing annually. - 2. Name the world’s deepest diving submarine.
Answer: USS Dolphin, moored at the Museum. Her maximum dive depth is still top secret. - 3. What was the galleon captained by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo that visited the port of San Diego in 1542?
Answer: The San Salvador. You can visit and sail on an accurate replica at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. - 4. Actor Russell Crowe portrayed Captain Jack Aubrey in the movie “Master and Commander.” What is the San Diego connection?
Answer: His ship, HMS Surprise, also found at the Maritime Museum. - 5. What is the oldest working vessel on San Diego Harbor?
Answer: The Pilot boat, launched in 1914. You can still tour the harbor on board the Pilot, embarking at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. - 6. What does the Star of India have to do with the San Diego Zoo?
Answer: In 1926, the Star of India was sold to the San Diego Zoological Society. - 7. What was the fastest voyage made by the Star of India between Great Britain and New Zealand?
Answer: 100 days.
KPBS Special Member Offer: $5 off on gift card purchase of $40 or more. Visit sdmaritime.org to purchase your gift card today, and use promo code: KPBSmmsd5. Offer expires October 31, 2020.
Another Way to Give!
There are many ways to give to KPBS. Your unneeded car, truck, SUV, RV, or boat can be turned into proceeds that allow KPBS to continue bringing you accurate news, information, and programming every hour of every day.
When you donate a vehicle to KPBS, you can feel good knowing that you’re directly helping to power the programs you love.
To learn more about how to donate a vehicle and how to schedule your free pick-up, call 877-KPBS-CAR or complete the online donation form at www.kpbs.org/car.
KPBS Audience and Member Services:
(619) 594-6983 or (888) 399-5727 [email protected]
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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