May/June 2024
A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, THERESA SPENCER
Summer is here and we welcome the change of pace the season brings. We have an exciting lineup of programs like the National Memorial Day Concert. This tribute to members of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country is an annual favorite.
There’s something for everyone coming up in the next few months. We have new episodes of The Great American Recipe to inspire your summer meal planning. NATURE: Green Island, White Desert takes us on a wildlife expedition to Ireland and Hope in the Water shows us unique possibilities to improve our oceans and waterways.
Independent Lens presents Space: The Longest Goodbye, featuring astronauts preparing for the isolation of travel to Mars, and The Tuba Thieves, where we discover the real reason instruments are going missing from high schools.
Your generous support makes it possible for us to continue providing this meaningful and entertaining content. We are grateful that you value the service NMPBS provides. Happy summer.
I don’t watch TV every day. When I do, I only watch KNME. — Catherine, Moriarity
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 powerful evening is an opportunity to come together as a nation in gratitude and solemn remembrance.
Airs Sunday, May 26, at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
The National Memorial Day Concert
King Coal
The Cultural Roots of Coal
As the presidential election approaches, coal and its impact on climate change will be among the topics discussed and debated on the campaign trail. In the upcoming documentary King Coal, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon explores the cultural significance of coal and the communities that still rely on coal mining for survival.
Set in Sheldon’s native Appalachia, the film offers a distinct firsthand account of the region from Elaine’s perspective as the daughter of a fourth-generation coal miner. King Coal examines the complex past, present and future of the coal industry and its waning influence on American society.
Premieres Monday, June 24, at 10 p.m.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
— LaRene, Albuquerque
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-green 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. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Shailene Woodley
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.
Discover the breakthrough seafood technologies that have the potential to address two pressing 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. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
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.
Premieres Monday, June 17, at 9 p.m.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS App.
Celebrate NMPBS
On May 1–2, we invite you to be a part of a movement to advocate for and support NMPBS. It’s the second annual Public Media Giving Days event!
Only you know what NMPBS means to you and your family. We all have our own reasons for loving what NMPBS brings to our New Mexico community, whether they include educational children’s programming, stunning drama, access to the arts, trusted news or heartfelt storytelling. Over these two days, we’ll spread the word and encourage our neighbors to get involved and help secure a strong future for public media. Celebrate what #PublicMediaGives to you and the community you call home.
Please join in by making an extra gift to support NMPBS 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
In Space: The Longest Goodbye, delve into the ambitious NASA mission to send astronauts to Mars. The venture requires a three-year separation from Earth, cutting off real-time communication due to vast distances. Meet the dedicated psychologists tasked with preserving astronauts’ mental stability as they grapple with the challenge of exploring new frontiers while yearning for earthly connections.
Space: The Longest Goodbye premieres Monday, May 6, at 10 p.m.
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 10 p.m.
Your Questions Answered
How Can I Support the Station I Love?
As an NMPBS Sustainer, your monthly, quarterly or annual contribution is automatic. Your contribution can be drafted from your checking account or charged on a credit card. This continues until you request it to stop. All sustaining members of $60 or more per year are eligible for NMPBS Passport.
- No need to write checks or mail payments
- Your membership is always current—no renewal reminders in the mail
- You receive Ventana magazine every month without interruption
- NMPBS spends less money on reminder mail and more on the programs you love
- You provide reliable income for your local station as other sources of funding become more uncertain
Simplify your life: Become a New Mexico PBS Sustainer!
Great programming again this year. Thanks so much!
— Mollie, Santa Fe
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER
Offer: 2-for-1 admission 1701 4th St SW Albuquerque, NM
(505) 246-2261
THE BACK PORCH DAY SPA
Offer: 20% off for new clients 8525 Indian School Rd. NE Albuquerque, NM
(505) 822-9700
GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA
Offer: 2-for-1 pizza 1103 Mountain Rd. NW Albuquerque, NM
(505) 243-2424
Every contribution makes a difference.
NMPBS Member & Viewer Services:
Telephone: 800-328-5663 or 505-277-2922
Email: [email protected]
1130 University Blvd, NE
ABQ, NM 87102