Managing Marcellus Special Set for Neighborhood Channel Rebroadcast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 May 14, 2012

CONTACT:
 George Hazimanolis
 412-622-1366
 ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
 412-622-1459
 mpisano@wqed.org


FULL WEEK OF MARCELLUS SHALE PROGRAMMING TO
REBROADCAST ON WQED: THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHANNEL

IN ADVANCE OF SERIES FINALE
New “Managing Marcellus” Special to Air on WQED in Pittsburgh & WITF in Harrisburg


PITTSBURGH— This month, a year-long focus on Marcellus Shale will culminate with a new production, an enhanced website and a marathon broadcast of the entire body of work on Shale coverage. The series, Managing Marcellus has been made possible by a grant from the Colcom Foundation. Managing Marcellus: A Journalists’ Forum will premiere on Thursday, May 31 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV and will simulcast on WITF-TV/Harrisburg. During the broadcast, journalists from southwestern Pennsylvania and the surrounding region will discuss their personal experiences covering Marcellus Shale including what they’ve seen, who they’ve talked to, the events they’ve witnessed, and the facts they have gathered.

Viewers can join the conversation through Twitter @MarcellusWQED. Questions and comments will be read and the live panel will be able to respond.

This forum will mark the 11th WQED production to cover the subject of Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania. WQED began reporting on Marcellus Shale in June 2010 as part of an OnQ special series called, What’s In the Water? In an effort to provide the public with every possible angle of this important issue in advance of the series finale, the entire collection of Marcellus Shale programs will be re-broadcast on WQED: The Neighborhood Channel.

Beginning Sunday, May 20th at midnight through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, May 26th, all ten programs (previously broadcast) will air in rotation on WQED: The Neighborhood Channel which can be found at 13.3 over-the-air or on COMCAST Channels 195 or 201.

• OnQ Special Series: What’s In the Water? (originally broadcast June 2, 2010)
 It may be the answer to the needs of an energy-hungry nation, but it's a different story for people who live close to drilling sites - especially those who rely on well water to drink, bathe and water gardens. Chris Moore talks with some of those property owners in this report which examines the promise and heartbreak of Marcellus Shale drilling.

• EXPERIENCE “Marcellus Shale: The Price of Progress” (originally broadcast November 1, 2010)
Some say it's the answer to an energy-hungry nation's needs, and that properly monitored it's a boon to the economy. But people who live on or near Marcellus Shale drilling sites say the process has ruined their drinking water and property values. WQED's Chris Moore examines the promise and heartbreak of Marcellus Shale drilling in the Pittsburgh region.

• The Marcellus Shale Debate: A Town Hall Meeting (originally broadcast November 4, 2010)
Western Pennsylvania is sitting on what seems like an endless source of natural gas. The drilling promises jobs to a struggling economy, but at what cost? Environmental groups fear the drilling is a disaster waiting to happen and some homeowners say the process has already contaminated their drinking water.

• Drilling for Answers: The Marcellus Shale Debate (originally broadcast March 31, 2011; underwritten by PNC)
This one-hour special explores the controversial issue of Marcellus Shale drilling in the Pittsburgh region. Hosted by Chris Moore, the program features guest panelists who are experts on various issues related to Marcellus Shale drilling. Tonia Caruso fields questions submitted through WQED’s web site and Facebook page and present them to the panel.

• EXPERIENCE “Two Guys, a Boat, and a Cause” (originally broadcast April 25, 2011)
WQED profiles Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a non-profit organization that serves as a voice for the waterways throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. This episode of Experience follows the dedicated environmentalists on water, on land - and even to court - as they monitor and investigate potential threats to the region's waterways; empower citizens opposed to Marcellus Shale drilling; and fight to enforce the Clean Water Act.

• Marcellus Shale: A Community Forum (originally broadcast on October 6, 2011)
This forum focuses on the impact of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale vein.
 Panelists: David Callahan, Vice President, Marcellus Shale Coalition; PA Sec. of the Department of Environmental Protection Michael Krancer; John H. Quigley, principal at
 John H. Quigley, LLC and a strategic advisor and consultant for Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (Penn Future), former secretary department of conservation and natural resources; Dr.Thomas Kinnaman, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Chair, Department of Economics, Bucknell University.

• EXPERIENCE “Managing Marcellus” (originally broadcast October 31, 2011)
 This unusual look at the Marcellus Shale issue centers around a locally-produced play with actors in the roles of a gas industry representative, an elected official, an environmentalist, and a land owner - all grappling with the controversy, misconceptions and decisions surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling.

• Managing Marcellus: Energy & The Economy (originally broadcast January 26, 2012)
WQED presented a LIVE forum on energy and the economic impact of Marcellus Shale drilling. Hosted by Michael Bartley and Tonia Caruso the panel of economic and Marcellus Shale experts included Dennis Yablonsky, Allegheny Conference CEO; Michael Krancer, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary; Tom Murphy, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research Co-Director; Matt Pitzarella, Range Resources Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; and Jan Jarett, President & CEO of PennFuture

• Managing Marcellus: The Play (originally recorded July 27, 2011; television premiere during Marcellus Shale Week)
 An original performance from the Unseam'd Shakespeare Company dramatizing issues raised by Marcellus Shale drilling in Western Pennsylvania was performed and recorded in the WQED studio. Surveys taken by the theater program audience were developed into a report that WQED used to determine the community's interest in future Marcellus Shale conversation.

• PITTSBURGH 360° “Marcellus Shale Episode” (originally broadcast March 29, 2012)
 Tonia Caruso finds out how one group is addressing the health concerns of drilling in Southwest Pennsylvania, Michael Bartley takes a look at how one community in Washington County is benefitting from the shale drilling and viewers and land owners are shown what to do when the land man comes.

As part of an interactive multimedia destination, all of WQED’s productions on Marcellus Shale (including the series Managing Marcellus) and links to related social media sites are available at wqed.org/managingmarcellus.

An additional series of short documentaries on natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania called GAS RUSH STORIES was produced by independent filmmaker and broadcast journalist Kirsi Jansa are also available on WQED’s Managing Marcellus page.

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

WQED Season Spotlights Community Health, Diversity and Regional Issues

WQED'S NEW SEASON OF LOCAL PROGRAMMING SPOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY HEALTH, DIVERSITY AND REGIONALISM ISSUES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 11, 2011



CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghaziman@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org



WQED’S NEW SEASON OF LOCAL PROGRAMMING

SPOTLIGHTS COMMUNITY HEALTH, DIVERSITY AND REGIONALISM ISSUES


PITTSBURGH – WQED’s new season of local programs covers the region with a crop of fresh new stories, documentaries, and talk programs focusing on topics including the environment, regionalism, diversity, health, politics and history.

October 13 begins the second season of Rick Sebak’s It’s Pittsburgh and A Lot of Other Stuff. The award-winning documentarian has a new slot in prime time – the second Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.

The locally-focused documentary program Experience, which received 8 Mid-Atlantic Emmy® nominations in its first season, returns on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. beginning October 24.

Horizons, a blend of features and interviews focusing on the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity continues on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. starting November 1 hosted by Chris Moore.

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. will again feature Pittsburgh 360°. The magazine-format program profiles people, places and issues shaping the region, and will re-launch on October 20 hosted by Michael Bartley and Tonia Caruso.

4802 returns on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning October 28. Chris Moore hosts the lively discussion of the news of the week, with a regular panel that welcomes well-known Pittsburgh television, radio and web personality Lynn Cullen in the new season. Cullen, a popular guest panelist in past episodes, joins Bill Green, Heather Heidelbaugh and Valerie McDonald Roberts.

Below are upcoming highlights of WQED’s local programming:

Experience

Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (Each episode will ENCORE Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. of the following week) – Upcoming episodes include:

• October 24

Living With Diabetes - Despite efforts from the medical community to promote awareness, the number of diabetes cases continues to rise. People with diabetes know that the disease affects just about every aspect of their lives. WQED follows four local people of various ages and lifestyles diagnosed as diabetic or pre-diabetic who are successfully managing their health with medication, exercise, diet and determination.

• October 31

Managing Marcellus – This unusual look at the Marcellus Shale issue centers around a locally-produced play with actors in the roles of a gas industry representative, an elected official, an environmentalist, and a land owner - all grappling with the controversy, misconceptions and decisions surrounding Marcellus Shale drilling. WQED features not only the performers, but their real-life counterparts.

• November 7

Pittsburgh: An Arsenal of Freedom - WQED contributing reporter Dave Crawley documents Western Pennsylvania’s contributions to World War II, including the Bantam Jeep designed in Butler, LST production on Neville Island, steel production in Homestead, and the Westinghouse artist who created the Rosie The Riveter image.

• November 14

Pittsburgh Is Art! – Western Pennsylvanians are familiar with the prestigious opera, ballet and theater productions in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District – but what about the region’s lesser-known arts organizations? WQED spotlights some of the “small arts” groups that fly under the mainstream radar, yet bring diversity and vibrancy to the cultural scene.

• November 21

Cresson: The History of a Tuberculosis Sanatorium – The TB sanatorium in Cresson, PA closed in 1962 but former patients are still haunted by their experiences. Many Western Pennsylvanians with family members who were sent away to Cresson remember the stigma of a TB diagnosis. WQED chronicles the fascinating history of the Cresson “San” through rare archival images and the poignant stories of a Texas man who was confined as a teenage patient - and is determined to see Cresson one last time.

• December 5

Visiting Volant – The tiny town in Lawrence County, PA has transformed itself into a charming tourist attraction and fly-fishing destination. WQED explores Volant’s history, fascinating shops, the town’s Amish influence and its scenic outdoor activities.


Horizons

Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., here is a sampling of new stories this season:

• November 1

Indian Burial Grounds - Native American Eugene Strong is on a one-man, lifetime crusade to save the burial mounds of his ancestors, including one in McKees Rocks. Chris Moore reports.

• November 1

Ayurveda – Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional, alternative, medicine native to India. Chris Moore shows viewers how it is being practiced right here in Pittsburgh

• November 8

Pieces of Venezuela in Pittsburgh - Jose Puentes came to Pittsburgh ten years ago from Venezuela to attend CMU's Performance Residential Program. Now he's keeping alive the traditions of Venezuelan folk music.

• November 22

Homewood Artists Residency – This new initiative is creating a space where artists can both live and work in this Pittsburgh neighborhood. Sponsored by the Andy Warhol Museum, the project hopes to have a lasting impact on the lives of the artists and more permanent residents of this once-thriving community. Minette Seate reports.

It’s Pittsburgh and A Lot of Other Stuff

All NEW every 2nd Thursday from 8-9 p.m.

• October 13

North Park vs. South Park – Rick Sebak brings viewers a look at the fun rivalry between Pittsburgh’s two great county parks.


Pittsburgh 360°

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

• October 20, 27, November 3

The Power of 32 - An in-depth look at the power of regional thinking and the initiative that has local lawmakers thinking and using their influence in a whole new way. The Power of 32 initiative involves 32 counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia creating a vision for the region’s future. Tonia Caruso and Michael Bartley report.

• October 27

Senior Softball - They play with the enthusiasm of teenagers, but three of the players on this local softball team are 80 or older, and not one is younger than 65. Tonia Caruso spotlights this team in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

• November 10

Historic Flag - WQED's Chris Fennimore tells the story of an American flag made by his father while serving in Germany in World War II, and how it ended up in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

• December 8

Opera Champion of Pittsburgh – The Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh is looking for its own “idol.” Reporter Beth Dolinar follows the regional competition of amateur singers hoping to win cash, voice lessons and a solo role on stage.



WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org); and The WQED Education Department.