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CET has generously given me space on today’s blog to say a few words about an outstanding librarian, an outstanding person: Keith Kuhn, Library Services Director, The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County. He died this week, and I am still short of breath from hearing the news. Rather than memorialize him here (he was a terrific librarian and person, and many will do that job), I’d like to share some of the work he directed, encouraged and/or participated in.

I was fortunate to have worked at CET when the Library and CET began some serious relationship-building. Indulge me if you will, one related memory that will stay with me. Keith and I met each other for the first time at, oh, I don’t know, some function or another. We came to the same conclusion during our conversation: “Hey, why aren’t the Library and CET doing more together?” That was followed by, *blink*, “Hey, we can do something about that!” And so the two of us were proud to be able to say that we worked to help build what is today a very strong partnership between two treasured Cincinnati institutions. May I just add: He was a really, really great guy. Except that he stole one of my staff out from under me. But I told him I wouldn’t be bitter.

Here are a few of the things that Keith helped along the way in CET-Library partnerships:

• The Library was among the very first partners on board when CETconnect was born. In this video, Keith talks at 2007’s partner celebration about how that worked. Oh, and he brings up yet again how he stole a staff member. I repeat that I’m not bitter.
• Before I left, he also brought to the table the idea of streaming tours of the Library. I see that has come to be. Cool.
• Keith directed work toward Cincinnati’s book festival Books By The Banks. The Library set the work in motion and brought together a steering team from not-for-profits from around the city. CET is pleased to be a partner in “BBTB.”
• He directed staff that developed the Library’s Veterans History Project, which provided helpful background and partnership possibilities for CET’s local outreach for the Ken Burns’ series The War.
• CET and the Library, partnering with Success By 6, brought Cincinnati Joel’s Library Jam, a series and website featuring books and activities for grades K-3, along with a singing, magic-performing real-life children’s librarian. Keith supported the planning process and implementation as his staff and mine worked on this project.

There are many other things I could mention, of course, but that gives you a taste. Keith’s absence will be felt in many places, but I certainly will miss him for his willingness to both listen to and propose crazy ideas (”Patsy, I have this idea … could we even do this?”), his calm presence during hectic project moments, and his friendly, confident approach to building professional partnerships.

-Patsy Carruthers

Yesterday, we learned of the death of William F. Buckley, Jr. As founder of The National Review magazine, Buckley inspired modern American conservatism. And he was the host of Firing Line, the long-running public affairs program. For 28 of the program’s 33 year-run, Firing Line’s home was right here on CET.

Whether you agreed with his politics or not, you have to agree that he was the consummate intellectual, filling the airwaves with eloquent and stimulating debates rather than the megaphone shouting matches that passes for contemporary public discourse.

In July, 2004, Buckley stepped down from his position as editor of TNR. At the time, he spoke with NewsHour correspondent Terrence Smith — an interview that you can read and view here.

- Brian

NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer invited comments about the February 17 New York Times commentary.  More than 5,000 viewers responded.  You can post your comment by visiting the NewsHour site.  We’d also love to hear your thoughts.  Even if you post with the Newshour, consider sharing your comments with us here. 

-Susan 

Also, here is PBS President Paula Kerger’s reply to the Times.

To the Editor: It is dispiriting to read the inaccurate, shopworn attacks on public broadcasting by Charles McGrath (“Is PBS Still Necessary?” Feb. 17, 2008). The article reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what PBS does, and the broad audience it serves.  

For the grand sum of $1 per tax payer per year, plus voluntary contributions from people who find great value in public television, PBS delivers news, information and entertainment to about 2 million viewers each evening, an audience that is double or triple that of most cable networks.  

For the quality of programming, consider the awards others have bestowed on PBS, which led all broadcast and cable networks for children’s programming for the tenth consecutive year, won 9 Primetime Emmys (six for MASTERPIECE THEATRE) and 10 News & Documentary Emmys, equaling or topping all broadcast and cable networks for the seventh time in seven years, and receiving twice as many awards as the closest competitor.

 On one point I will agree with Mr. McGrath: public broadcasting deserves increased funding commensurate with the hearts we touch, the minds we open and the lives we impact.   

PAULA A. KERGER

President and Chief Executive Officer

Public Broadcasting Service

More than 800 readers have commented about Sunday’s New York Times commentary Is PBS Still Necessary? by Charles McGrath, former editor of the Times Book Review. Here’s a link to the comments. Most of the readers seemed to reply “yes” to McGrath’s question. I’ve read quite a few, including three from Greater Cincinnati.   What do you think? Post your comment to this blog or visit the New York Times site to leave a comment. (I’m not sure the Times is still accepting comments.)

-Susan

Is anyone keeping up with America’s Ballroom Challenge? You can catch it on CET Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Unfortunately I have not been able to, but don’t feel too bad for me – I’m out there living it.

Somehow I was able to talk my boyfriend and a few other couples into taking ballroom dance lessons with me. We’re in the fifth week of 10, and man, can I waltz! My handsome partner and I are no Fred and Ginger, he claims he’s a two-left-footed lug, and I couldn’t find a beat to save my life. But still we have a good time. I hear they’ve been teaching ballroom dancing the same way for years. My dad took ballroom lessons when he was in middle school, so did CET President & CEO Susan Howarth. Everyone gets in a big oval and foxtrots (slow, slow quick-quick) around the room, clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether you’re the leader or follower (something I still don’t have down quite yet).One advantage America’s Ballroom Challenge has on me and my friends is the outfits. I thought after we learned the rumba I’d finally have a reason to go out and buy one of those nice red fringy numbers. Sadly, at this point I don’t think I’d do the fringe justice.

Anyone else out there into ballroom dancing or watching? Got any tips for perfecting my technique? Know of a good place to find fringy dance wear? 

Steve Says:
February 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm   edit I thought when WCET started simulcating the analog signal on the main digital channel that existing HD shows would still be shown in HD. This morning I saw Motor week which is available in HD on other PBS stations shown with “barn door” black bars on all 4 sides of the picture. The signal was sent out 4:3 and then letterboxed.

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Steve, You are right.  “Motor Week” is available in HD but the HD version is not available to CET until Saturday @ 4:30PM.  The standard definition version of the program is fed to CET on Friday afternoons.  Since we air “Motor Week” each Saturday at 8:30 AM we would have to record the HD version and then play it back the following Saturday morning. This would result in a one week delay for each of the programs in the series.  The national listings etc. would be wrong. In February 2009, most of these anomalies should go away. 

Thanks for your comment.

Jack Dominic  

I had the great opportunity to talk to Laura Schwartz Young about a remarkable man, David C. Schwartz, M.D., her father. The Greater Cincinnati area lost a medical icon when Dr. Schwartz passed away in December. Dr. Schwartz’s career made such a difference to the health and wellness of children. He was the second director of cardiology at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital Medical Center and developed a balloon flotation catheter technique for infants and children.

One of Dr. Schwartz’s peers Richard Meyer, M.D. said it best “He was superb clinician – a compassionate, committed doctor to his patients. He was a par excellence teacher to the cardiac fellows and students and even the primary care physicians in town, who loved him dearly.” A cardiac surgeon remembered Dr. Schwartz as an innovator, visionary and one of the best in the country. David Schwartz, M.D. was a committed in his role as physician, father, husband, and teacher and committed to the causes he believed in. He served various leadership roles for over 30 years for the local, state and national American Heart Association, Children’s Heart Association and received many awards.

David Schwartz supported CET (WCET at the time) as a college undergraduate student beginning in 1954 when he really could not afford to support a non-profit organization. At the time, David was putting himself through college and had enjoyed WCET’s programming and realized the importance of public broadcasting as a community resource. As David graduated from college and medical school and then married and became a father of 5, WCET’s programming continued to play an important role to his family who watched many of the educational shows including Sesame Street  and the Electric Company. Dr. Schwartz’s daughter Laura has fond memories of watching Alistair Cooke and enjoying Great Performances shown on CET with her dad. Laura even had a conversation with her father about the recent Ken Burn’s documentary The War and Dr. Schwartz remembered being a young boy during the Second World War. Dr. Schwartz’s interests included collecting antiques so it is not a surprise that one of his favorite shows was the Antiques Roadshow often followed by another favorite program, History Detectives.When Dr. Schwartz passed away, Laura and her family found a letter from CET in her dad’s paperwork, thanking him for being a member every year since 1954. Laura said “we always knew how much he loved PBS but did not know he had supported it for such a long time. This is certainly true to character; once he believed in something, he could always be counted on for support”. What a difference David C. Schwartz, M.D. made in all that he did personally and professionally. He will certainly be missed. -Sue Ellen Stuebing

Beginning Monday, December 17 at noon CET will begin simulcasting its analog channel in High Definition on digital channel 48.1. I know a lot of our viewers, my dad included, have been waiting for this for a while now.

What this means for people who watch CET’s regular analog channel 48 over the broadcast airwaves is if you have a television with a digital tuner, you can watch the same shows on analog channel 48 and digital channel 48.1. If your television equipped with digital tuner is also high definition, this means you’ll be able to watch your favorite CET shows in HD, when available. What’s really cool is PBS is starting to feed some of the national shows in HD in the coming months. For example, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will be in HD also beginning on Monday, the new season of Antiques Roadshow beginning in 2008 will be in HD, Austin City Limits is in HD, Nature and many more programs and specials on CET are in HD. Don’t fret if you’re a PBS World lover, that channel on digital 48.2 will still be up and running. We aren’t changing any channel numbers or anything over the air, or on cable, so you still know where to find us. 

If you’re confused about all this “digital” and “HD” talk, like I am, be sure to check out our CET Tech Info Blog. If you can’t get your question answered there, give our TechInfo Hotline a call at 513-345-6512, or use our e-hotline by emailing your questions to techinfo@cetconnect.org.
-Katie

Well, it the time for the holidays. I know, I know, the holidays really started probably mid-October but, for me, the holidays don’t really start until December. Actually, I take that back. The holidays don’t start until I hear Paul McCartney & Wings’ Wonderful Christmas Time. Say what you will about Sir Macca but the man can compose a jolly tune.

 Here at CET, it’s not the holidays until we unleash our holiday programming. I invite you to check out what we’re offering this season for your wintery nights. We have favorites like Arthur’s Perfect Christmas and Christmas at Belmont, plus new favorites like The Holiday Train Show with David Hartman and Holiday Homecoming with Angela Brown.

Let’s not forget New Year’s. Celebrate the Eve with Joshua Bell in Live From Lincoln Center - New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve. Then it’s a Great Performances tribute to Ella Fitzgerald in We Love Ella - A Tribute to the First Lady of Song. And New Year’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Vienna with Walter Cronkite hosts Great Performances - From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2008.

So this holiday season, cozy up with a nice cup of hot chocolate or hot cider and enjoy CET’s holiday programming.

- Brian

PS If you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary for this holiday season, don’t forget to tune in December 22nd at 6pm to see A Holly Jolly Pops Holiday with Barenaked Ladies. Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra welcome those quirkmeisters from the North, BNL, for an irreverant, upbeat twist to some seasonal tunes.

Catching up on some news today (yes, some of us are geeky enough to read news and work on Thanksgiving weekend), I read on John Kiesewetter’s TV blog that “Mount Olympus”, aka, the building that once housed CET and WLWT-TV studios is to be demolished. It’s economics, essentially — too pricey to upkeep and/or remodel. But a great building that housed a lot of Cincinnati TV history will be going bye-bye before the New Year.

-Brian