Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Hello Everybody-

Yes, yes and yes! It’s time for another rousing and lively writer’s group at the L&BH poetry Cafe. This Monday night at 6:30 pm…Please RSVP before Sunday so I know if we’ll have a quorum.

Thanks-

Hunter Austin
bbqsmoke@yahoo.com

Here is an Update on AB 2987:

In a fast-moving week that left little time for analysis or debate among a flurry of other bills, an amended version of [tag]AB 2987[/tag] was released by committee and went right to the California State Senate for a quick passage, and subsequently passed by the State Assembly. While the Bill was being touted as a move towards ‘more competition and choice’ benefiting consumers, it is in reality an effort by teleco companies Verizon and AT&T to get around the franchising process, concessions, and buildout requirements while by eroding local control of the Public Right-of-Way, that Cities could look out for the best interests of their local communities. Also at stake is the loss of support for local PEG community TV stations, elimination of requirements for local Institutional Networks, and the potential for loss of franchise fees, which has become an income stream for municipalities.

Voting NO with only three other colleagues, Senator Chesbro did attempt to bring some attention to the otherwise inconvenient and obscure issue of ‘Buildout’. Though his immediate focus was primarily on rural communities, the concept would extend to the digital domain the current regulations of telephone & cable services: whereas access to state-of-the-art telecommunications systems should be available to all segments of the population, not just to affluent or densely populated communities. Unfortunately, by the week’s end, the ‘Digital Divide’ only became closer to widening: on Wednesday, 33 Senators voted in favor for the bill, with only 4 against and 3 abstainations; and late Thursday evening the bill went back to the Assembly, passing at 77-0. If signed by the Governor, the provisions of the bill will take effect as of January 1, 2008.

At reported costs of nearly $20 Million, the bill is one of the most lobbied for, while representing another type of milestone: as observed in last week’s editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle (“Competing for Legislators”) and a few days ago in the LA Daily News (“The Price of Politics”), AB 2987 has raised the bar for buying access to the legislative process, and confirms how it really gets done in Sacramento.

In a valiant effort to counter the big money and lobbyists to lessen the impact of the original version of the bill as introduced by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez several months ago, a broadbased coalition representing California community media centers and local municipal telecommunications managers worked to to engage Legislators and staff to keep PEG channels and media centers as whole as possible. Advocates included members of the Alliance for Community Media and cable consultants The Buske Group (who assisted the City of Vallejo with negotiations with Comcast to establish Vallejo’s Channel 27). As a result of the coalition’s efforts, communities across California will be able to at least acquire or keep up to three local PEG TV channels, and Cities will be able to continue to collect 5% franchise fee, directly from the telecom providers.

However, many of the better-negotiated PEG media centers stand to lose a significant amount of funding: for example, Humboldt County’s recent franchise outcome for its new PEG was projected to receive $2,350,000 over the course of its franchise. At approximately 30,000 cable subscribers, it is comparable to what Vallejo could possibly receive for its next cable franchise negotiation by 2009. Under AB 2987, 1% of gross revenues at 30k subs is approximately $1,440,000, meaning a loss of over $900,000 over the course the franchise period. Based on these figures Vallejo will receive around $133,300 a year for all of P.E.& G. capital and/or channel operations, which could be distributed at the discretion of the City whether evenly for all of PEG, or mostly to E&G, or however it chooses. Those communities currently receiving more than 3% gross for PEG support would be capped at 3%.

If new channels are established, local communities would then have to pay for connecting from their facilities to the head-end. In Vallejo’s case, since the equipment is already installed between Jesse Bethel High and the Comcast head end, it will be possible to add another channel and split off Public and Educational channels at no additional cost on the Comcast system. However, once AT&T and Verizon gets into the game, connecting to each of their systems could cost another $200k each. This could also be the cost if it were ever pondered that the community tv station had outgrown its current facility or otherwise needed to relocate.

Also cable complaints would no longer be handled locally; rather they will be handled by the California Public Utilities Commission. If your audio is bad or picture is fuzzy due to a local problem, you’ll probably have to call a phone tree out-of-town or even to the CPUC in Sacramento, which is just as well since the Telcos didn’t want to be troubled with localized service and response anyway.

For those who will want to sort and interpret the fine print, click the link to see the full language of AB 2987 .

AB 2987 is now headed for the Governor’s desk. With the prospect of the CPUC displacing the role of local government on franchising and fielding cable complaints, it remains to be seen whether the Governor will demonstrate consistency in his apparent concern and aversion to the State engaging in ‘vast bureaucracy’ as per his stated intention to Veto against SB840 (“Universal Health Care bill”).

Whatever your reasons, if you or your organization don’t agree with this, do contact the Governor’s office, and tell him to Veto AB 2987:
Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 445-4633. Emails to the Governor’s office are handled through http://www.govmail.ca.gov.

Clayton J. Leander, Board Member
Alliance for Community Media, Western Region and PEG access advocate

Artists in the News

Greetings from Groove Yard.
IN STORE NEWS!!

In celebration of nothing in particular I am having a storewide sale. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, September 17th my entire stock will be on sale at 20% off marked price. I now have more than 10,000 LPs in stock and over 2,500 CDs, mostly jazz. Please check below for information on new CDs.

Groove Yard Jazz LPs/CDs
5555 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 655-8400
email: groove2@earthlink.net

Rick Ballard

Cover charge is $10, however advanced ticket sales are available. Buy one get one free. Please reply to this email for more information.

Thanks and hope to see you there for some Cool Blues in the legendary Blues club, Eli’s Mile High

Hard Work…

Tia Carroll

Sept 16 CALL TO GRITO POESIA n PRAYER

Waassssup my family of Poets/Artists?,
I AM WRITING this time to ask for poets who can help bless an important event on 9/16/06.
CONTEXT:

In case you didnt know Sept 16 is Mexico’s “Independence Day” and this year mad BS is going down in Mexico around a teacher strike and massive voter fraud (which has just been sanctioned by the highest court in Mexico). And globally, so many wars and worldwide destruction of mother earth… So this year of massive migrant mobilization, while we are trying to give the annual “GRITO de Independencia”, we must ask real questions and come together to use our powers as poets to inspire faithful action.

EVENT: This will be taking place in two parts on this 16 de Sept, 2006.

Pt.1
The EndDependence Collective is gonna facilitate a Palabra Potlatch (Poetry Gifting) and Grito de EndDependencia at Corazon del Pueblo (4814 Intl Oakland 94601 from) 6-9pm. I am not sure but i believe this event will have space and an open mic. This will be the more youth-friendly portion of the event.

Pt.2
SOMOS ONE and the Church of Poetry (5501 Dover St. Oakland 94609) will be hosting the “After-Palabra/Grito” with collective prayer and performance (10-11pm) followed by a basement dancefloor until 2 or so (Hip Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Cumbias, Merengue, Salsa).
I was wondering if YOU’d be down to perform sometime between 10-11pm? We might extend this if needed.

Is anyone available on relatively short notice? It should be a rather intimate group but mos def grow into the night as the DJ hooks it up. This is a word of mouth gathering so spread the word, it should be tight.

Lemme know soon please (email or call), i hope to provide a power-packed lineup of both experienced and less-experienced poets.
SOMOS ONE

julio maga?a-saludado (A Mano Productions)
SOMOS ONE (S.O.)

-the BROWN BUFFALO Project (BBP) myspace.com/thebrownbuffaloproject
-End-Dependence Poets
-Xicana Moratorium Coalition/Huaxtec
-A Mano Graffics
-Buc Fitty Express Catering

A Mano Productions (AMP)
5501 Dover St.
Oakland, CA. 94609

Q’s Lounge @ Everett & Jones
Oakland’s Jack London Square
Announces the Appearance of Phenomenal Guitarist Terrence Brewer

Friday September 15th
Two Shows: 8pm & 10pm

Two simultaneously released, highly acclaimed recordings, THE CALLING: volumes 1 & 2, announced the arrival of Terrence Brewer, an impressive songwriter and accomplished guitarist. It is with pleasure that Q’s LOUNGE at Everett & Jones welcomes Terrence Brewer and his band Friday, September 15th at 8 and 10 p.m.

Recently featured at Oakland’s ART & SOUL festival, Terrence displays a mature command of his instrument and an endless songbook of original compositions that give tribute to past guitar masters such as Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, George Benson while remaining fresh, contemporary and engaging.

Join theTERRENCE BREWER group at Q’s LOUNGE at Everette & Jones Barbecue, 126 Broadway in Jack London Square Oakland as they continue their ongoing celebration of THE CALLING: volumes 1 & 2 with two performances, 8 and 10 p.m.

Hosted by KCSM and KPFA air personality Greg Bridges, this promises to be another night of musical excellence.

For more information check out www.terrencebrewer.com, www.musicateverettandjones.com, or call 510.663.2350

[tags]letters to the editor[/tags]